May 22, 2025
from Mark Segal, Upper School director
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, May 23: US Senior Class Meeting, 8:30-10 AM, Recital Hall
- Friday, May 23: US Senior Performances, 10-11 AM, Recital Hall
- Friday, May 23: US Senior Lunch and Alumni Panel, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Recital Hall
- Friday, May 23: LS/US Band/Orchestra G4 Concert, 11:30 AM-12:10 PM, Panther Center
- Friday, May 23: US Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, MPA Campus
- Friday, May 23: US Awards Ceremony, 1:45 PM-3 PM, Nicholson Center
- Monday, May 26: No Classes, Memorial Day
- Tuesday, May 27: US Senior Service-Con, 1-4 PM, McKeown Track
- Tuesday, May 27: US Boys Tennis Banquet, 6:30-8 PM, Family Commons
- Wednesday, May 28: US Madrigal Singer Auditions, 3-6 PM, Choir Room and Recital Hall
- Wednesday, May 28: US Class of 2025 Dinner, 6-8 PM, Dellwood Country Club
- Thursday, May 29-Friday, May 30: US World Language Finals
- Friday, May 30: US Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Nicholson Center
- Saturday, May 31: Commencement, 6-7:30 PM, Nicholson Center
- Monday, June 2: US English Finals, 8:45-10:15 AM
- Monday, June 2: US Science Finals, 12-1:30 PM
- Monday, June 2: US Girls Softball Banquet, 5-6:30 PM, Family Commons
- Tuesday, June 3: End of Quarter 4
- Tuesday, June 3: US Social Studies Finals, 8:45-10:15 AM
- Tuesday, June 3: US Math Finals, 12-1:30 PM
One would think that after nearly three decades in the education field, I have become an expert, or at the very least knowledgeable, in saying goodbye to students at the end of the year. After spending the school year building relationships based on trust, shared values, and lived experiences, it is no easier today than it was in 1995 to bid students farewell as the school year draws to a close. I have found that toward the end of each May, when stress, fatigue, and emotion are running high, the opening lyrics to the Doors song “The End” come to mind. In the epic 1967 song, the band’s lead singer Jim Morrison shares, “This is the end, beautiful friend, this is the end, my only friend the end…”
Although the song was initially written about the breakup of Morrison and his girlfriend, I see it as a wonderful piece of poetry that helps draw a close to the school year. I reflect and focus on the positive interactions and experiences shared with students throughout the year. Although this practice eases the inevitable, I still get sad thinking about not having those students as part of the day-to-day community and how quiet the building will be over the summer. I am looking forward to the Senior Walk and Upper School Awards Assembly tomorrow, where we will witness the smiles, exuberance, and accolades expressed by the community. Having the Class of 2025 back on campus after their carnival-themed prank earlier this week will be joyful.
Gemma Cheney, a senior clinical psychologist and a visiting lecturer at Royal Holloway University of London, says that “students who are securely attached and have grown up with caring teachers in their lives, turn up in the classroom and school building ready to engage and learn.” This aligns well with the MPA Upper School students, especially the Class of 2025. They have represented their classmates and the MPA community extremely well, and I am excited to see them pursue their dreams as they spread across the United States and the world next year as MPA alumni.
This is a special time of year, and I invite you to play a role in it. Please join us at the Senior Walk and Upper School Awards Assembly tomorrow, starting at 1 PM, and Commencement next Saturday evening (May 31, 6-7:30 PM) to celebrate the Class of 2025.
Please remember that final exams are scheduled for students in 9th–11th grade next Thursday and Friday (May 29 and 30) for those in world language classes, as well as on June 2 and 3. The schedule of exams is:
- Thursday, May 29: World Language Final Exams, held during world language classes
- Friday, May 30: World Language Final Exams, held during world language classes
- Monday, June 2: Upper School English Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM
- Friday, May 31: Upper School Science Final Exams, 12-1:30 PM
- Monday, June 3: Upper School Social Studies Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM
- Monday, June 3: Upper School Math Final Exams, 12-1:30 PM
As a reminder, Upper School students are not required to be on campus on Monday and Tuesday, June 2 and 3 when they do not have a final exam scheduled.
As this is my last contribution to the Panther Post this year, I hope your families have a wonderful summer filled with rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.
Important Information
- A Reminder For Class of 2026 Families: Mounds Park Academy has a long-standing tradition that juniors participate in the annual commencement ceremony by serving as an Honor Guard for the graduating class. The junior class leads the graduation procession into and the graduation recession out of the Nicholson Center, adding a nice element of formality to the event. Next year, when you graduate, the Class of 2027 will do the same for you. For the ceremony to run smoothly, members of the junior class will attend the graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 30, during the school day. For commencement on Saturday, May 31, members of the junior class should plan to be in the Upper School Commons by 5:15 PM. Please let Mark Segal know if your student has a conflict and will be unable to participate.
- If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to the Upper School office via cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org.
