October 30, 2025
from Paul Errickson, Middle School director
And just like that, we are at the end of October and the end of our first quarter of school! As we wrap up our first quarter of the school year, I want to encourage you all to practice the art of reflection. With our students, we want them to reflect on their learning and look for ways to honor their hard work and accomplishments, while also looking for potential areas of growth. With our faculty, we have been reflecting on what we have learned about our learners (through providing them feedback on assignments, getting to know them better on our orientation trips, and even looking at their MAP data) during the first quarter and looking for ways to help them grow and improve. And, as a division, we are always looking for ways to help support our families and provide you with the information and resources you may need to be able to dream big and do right with your child(ren).
Your i-Term Forms Are Due By Friday, October 31!
Last week, we announced our i-Term 2026 courses to all students and emailed Middle School parents our i-Term course brochure and sign-up form. Those forms need to be filled in by the end of the day on Friday so we can start to build course rosters and move forward on planning these courses. We are so excited to have a wide breadth of new and returning favorite courses to offer to our students this year, and we will work hard to ensure that each student gets one of their top choices.
It’s The End of Quarter One!
All students will have Monday, November 3 off as our faculty have a day to wrap up grades and get their Schoology grade books ready for students and parents to reflect on quarter one. Our goal is to have everything updated in Schoology by the following Monday, November 10, as many faculty and advisors will be asking their students what they are proud of from the first quarter and where they might look to improve.
Students & Screens, “Navigating The Dark Side Of The Internet”
We had a big crowd for Students and Screens last week! Last week, we were incredibly fortunate to have MPA parent and Cofounder of the Violence Prevention Research Project, Dr. James Densley talk to a packed room of parents and students about “The Dark Side of the Internet.” Dr. Densley also did a program for all MPA faculty following the parent presentation, so we are all aware of some of the concerns and potential warning signs of students who might be susceptible to the darker corners of the internet.
As Dr. Densley raised our awareness about the “attention economy” that exists on the internet, he turned to the 25-or-so Upper School students in the room and said, “As you are learning from your screen, your screen is learning from you.” Their faces dropped as that insight settled in, and they were much more receptive to his advice, which included taking breaks from the internet, not having their phones in bed, and turning off the auto-play features of social media.
While his talk was about some of the darker places that folks can find themselves on the internet, even in seemingly innocuous places like Roblox or Discord chats, his overall message was positive, sharing that, especially for our young folks, “hope and purpose are key.” We need to model a life of purpose and look out for each other. Dr. Densley encouraged the students to be upstanders and look out for each other. “If it feels wrong, it probably is wrong.” And, to unfollow negativity because “you can’t control the algorithm, but you can control what you follow.”
Mounds Park Academy is a community that cares deeply for each other; one where our young people feel connected, valued, and heard. We are so fortunate to have families and faculty who know our students well and are willing to speak up out of concern for others when something doesn’t feel right. As part of Dr. Densley’s presentation to the faculty and staff after school, he reminded us that “curiosity is human; courage is stronger.”
Taste of Ninth Grade + PreK-12 MPA Preview
Do you know a family who would love MPA as much as you do? Invite them to experience our community firsthand at our upcoming admissions events on Saturday, November 9!
- Taste Of Ninth Grade: November 9, 11 AM-12:15 PM | This event includes lunch and the opportunity to learn more about MPA’s ninth-grade program. Students will engage in a hands-on, collaborative activity while parents participate in a Q&A about life in MPA’s Upper School, college counseling, and more. When this event concludes, students and families will then join the PreK-12 Preview event. Families can RSVP here!
- PreK-12 MPA Preview: November 9, 12:30-2 PM | MPA Previews are signature PreK-12 events designed to introduce families to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community that it is. Visitors will hear from a variety of perspectives, be engaged in conversation with academic leaders, participate in experiences led by expert teachers, and leave with a much better understanding of the MPA way. Families can RSVP here!
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, October 31: End of Quarter 1
- Friday, October 31: MPA PA Halloween Costume Drive, Atrium
- Friday, October 31: MS G6 Eagle Bluff Trip
- Friday, October 31: PA Halloween Book Sale, 7:30 AM-3:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
- Friday, October 31: MS G7/8 Student Council Event, 3:30-5:30 PM, Family Commons
- Monday, November 3: No Classes, Grading Day
- Friday, November 14: MS Play Student Matinee, 8:30-10:30 AM, Black Box
- Friday, November 14: MS Play Opening Night, 7-9 PM, Black Box, Tickets >
- Saturday, November 15: MS Play, 2-4 PM, Black Box, Tickets >
- Sunday, November 16-Saturday, November 22: Fall Campaign, Learn More >
- Sunday, November 16: MS Play, 2-4 PM, Black Box, Tickets >
- Tuesday, November 18: Coffee & Connections with Head of School, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
- Thursday, November 20: Give to the Max Day
- Thursday, November 20: Give to the Max Day Lip Sync Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
