April 23, 2026
from Paul Errickson, Middle School director
With so much going on around school over the final two months, I wanted to take some time to share with you some of the “Thinking Big” that our Middle School faculty did last week, during our professional development time together. In the morning, we continued our school-wide conversation about AI, and departments were asked for their feedback on how they hope to use and limit the use of AI in their classrooms. In the afternoon, our Middle School faculty explored several topics with time to “Dream Big” in these areas. At the end of our time together, they shared their reflections and recommendations.
Some Middle School faculty discussed how we can be more intentional with technology use during both classes and Flex. Teachers shared the importance of setting clearer expectations around when laptops are needed and when they should remain closed, including the possibility of designated storage spots in classrooms when devices are not in use. Faculty also raised the idea of keeping sixth-grade laptops at school—similar to our current practice in fifth grade—to help students build healthy tech habits. In addition, we are exploring updates to our “Flexpectations” in the Family Commons (no-tech Flex) so that laptop use during Flex would only be permitted in classrooms and with faculty permission.
Another group of faculty examined our Middle School advisory program, taking time to articulate what we value most, where we see limitations, and how we might “dream big” about the future of advisory. Teachers highlighted the strong relationships that advisory fosters and the importance of creating more consistency and structure across groups. We also discussed the success of the Dream Big, Do Right Advisory Challenge and identified several promising ideas for strengthening the program, including using Wednesday Flex (opposite Middle School Meeting) as a longer advisory block, incorporating tech-free advisory time, aligning SEL programming between advisory and seminar, and bringing more circle work into our weekly routines.
Elsewhere, faculty engaged in professional learning around equitable grading practices through the use of single-column rubrics, explored strategies for meeting Middle School learners where they are through effective differentiation, and participated in a Schoology workshop aimed at creating a more streamlined and unified approach to our digital learning platform.
Finally, Ms. Osell, a Middle School English teacher, led a powerful session on Trauma-Informed Care, offering tools and practices to support our most vulnerable students—especially those experiencing anxiety. This training also addressed the concept of compassion fatigue, the emotional and physical exhaustion educators can feel when absorbing students’ stress or trauma. Faculty learned how to recognize signs of compassion fatigue and how to care for themselves so they can continue to show up fully for students.
I share this information with you so you know what we do on our professional days and how we use our time to make the Middle School better for your students. Our conversations are often informed by feedback from our students and families. One example of this will be the survey that we use to collect feedback from our students at the end of next week, when we wrap up our no-tech Flex trial period and ask students for their input on what worked well and how we can make it better.
In other news, we’ve got some amazing performances coming your way. I’m losing my head over Sweeny Todd this weekend (opening night was TONIGHT). Next week, on Thursday, April 30, we have our Middle School Choral Concert and transition meetings—families arrive at 6 PM so their Middle Schooler can get warmed up (show starts at 7 PM), and families can attend grade level meetings to hear from your child’s next year teachers about the fun to come. Then we have our Orchestra (May 7) and Band (May 14) concerts on the next two Thursday evenings at 7 PM.
MPA Spring Musical: Attend The Tale!
The MPA Spring Musical—”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” has begun! Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to London seeking vengeance against the judge who framed him and ravaged his wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber shop. The partnership between these two and the integration of a “special ingredient” in her meat pies has the people of London lining up.
Tickets are on sale for the remaining performances:
- Friday, April 24: 7 PM
- Sunday, April 26: 2 PM
Due to the content of this production, it is not suitable for all families. Recommended for fifth grade and up. Get your tickets here.
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, April 24: Spring Musical Performance, 7-9:30 PM, Nicholson Center, Details >
- Sunday, April 26: Spring Musical Performance, 2-4:30 PM, Nicholson Center, Details >
- Monday, April 27: MS Art Show Begins, Gallery & Rossbach Art Walk
- Monday, April 27: Community Panther Pride Day, 3-6 PM, Lansing Sports Center
- Wednesday, April 29: MS Meeting, 10-10:30 AM, Recital Hall
- Wednesday, April 29: LS/MS Swim Club Members & Families End of Year Celebration, 3-4 PM, Family Commons
- Thursday, April 30: LS/MS Rising G5-9 Transition Meetings, 6-6:45 PM
- Thursday, April 30: MS Vocal Concert, 7-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
- Tuesday, May 5: MPA PA National Teacher Appreciation Day, 8 AM-3 PM
- Tuesday, May 5: MS G7 Washington, D.C. Parent Meeting, 6-7 PM, Family Commons
- Wednesday, May 6: ISACS Parent Series – Conscious Parenting: Raising Resilient, Self-Aware, & Connected Children, 6:30-7:30 PM, Virtual, Register >
- Thursday, May 7: MPA PA MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
- Thursday, May 7: MS/US Orchestra Night, 7-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
- Friday, May 8: Students & Screens Assembly, 2-3 PM, Nicholson Center
- Wednesday, May 13: MS Meeting, 10-10:30 AM, Recital Hall
- Thursday, May 14: MS/US Band Concert, 7-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
