October 9, 2025
from Paul Errickson, Middle School director
Greetings and happy fall! As student routines and habits of mind continue to be cultivated, I feel as though we are finding the flow of the school year. Our flex block is fully up and running, offering students alternating days of extra-help with their teachers and nearly 20 clubs and activities to be involved with, from reading and coding clubs to new student-led gymnastics and D&D clubs. And, we are developing critical organization and executive function skills as students learn to optimize the use of their planner and how to balance school work with athletics and other outside commitments.
As we look ahead, there are a few busy weeks between us and the end of quarter one on October 31. I hope to see a lot of you here for our fall conferences on Thursday and Friday this week. Next Monday, October 13, will be no classes for students as faculty will have a professional development day; and on Wednesday, October 15, we will host our annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day. All will be off for our Fall Break on October 16 and 17. Heading into the following week, our eighth graders will take their orientation trip up to Wolf Ridge from October 22-24. And the last week of October brings our sixth-grade trip to Eagle Bluff from October 29-31.
I also want to put another important date on your October calendars (Tuesday, October 21, 1:45-3 PM) as we will kick off our Students and Screens community discussion series this year with Dr. James Densley. Please see more information below about Dr. Densley’s session on “Navigating the Dark Side of the Internet.”
Finally, I want to close with some of the advice that was shared by me and some Middle School parents at our recent Parents Association Middle School Coffee last week. Some of the more common questions that parents asked were about how we support students’ social-emotional health, and “How do I support my child at home with their organization, homework, and study habits?” These were really important questions, and they gave us plenty to talk about last Tuesday morning.
Three key takeaways that I heard from our group were:
- Give your child some time and space to both struggle and grow (it’s amazing how those two things are synchronous, at times.)
- There’s a lot of work being done here at school to support our students’ social emotional learning with an increased focus in this area in our seminar classes and the change this year where we have our own, dedicated Middle School counselor, Ms. Cooper. Folks were glad to hear about the work and encouraged to reach out to Ms. Cooper or me with any further questions or suggestions.
- I mentioned Dr. Lisa Damour as a resource for parents to turn to, as she has written and spoken extensively about how to raise resilient and joyful children in today’s complex world.
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!
Student & Screen: Navigating The Dark Side Of The Internet
On Tuesday, October 21, from 1:45-3 PM, in the Recital Hall, we are honored to welcome back MPA parent and internationally renowned criminologist, bestselling author, and thought leader on violence prevention, Dr. James Densley, to speak to parents and community members. From gaming and meme culture to social media and online communities, screens shape how young people see themselves and the world. These spaces can foster creativity and connection, but they can also normalize harmful behavior and, in some cases, create pathways toward violence. This session will help parents understand the risks, recognize warning signs, and learn practical ways to support safe and healthy screen use at home. Please RSVP here!
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, October 10: No Classes, All School Conferences
- Friday, October 10: All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
- Monday, October 13: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Wednesday, October 15: MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 10:30 AM-2:45 PM
- Wednesday, October 15: LS/MS GK-5 Grandparents and Special Friends Day Performance, 11-11:30 AM, Nicholson Center
- Thursday, October 16-Friday, October 17: No Classes, Fall Break
- Wednesday, October 22-Friday, October 24: MS G8 Wolf Ridge Trip
- Friday, October 24: MS G5/6 Student Council Event, 3-5 PM, Recital Hall
- Friday, October 24: Charting the Future: 100 Days with Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, 6-7:30 PM
- Tuesday, October 28: ISACS Parent Series – How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Impacted Everything + What We Can Do About It, Virtual >
- Wednesday, October 29-Friday, October 31: MS G6 Eagle Bluff Trip
