Middle School Division News February 24, 2022

February 24, 2022

Music Sharefrom Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director

iTERM 2022 – Imagine, Dream, Learn
In just a few days, iTERM will begin–a week of passion-driven, inquiry and exploration in a chosen area, alongside peers from all grades in the middle school, and led by a teacher (or two!) and maybe even a professional boxer! Your students have been entered into Schoology groups where they will get updates, information, announcements, and other key information for their week. If you’d like to be added, please reach out to the leaders of your student’s iTERM course.

For many of you, iTERM is new…here’s a few things you can expect:

  • Students have lunch as usual, each day, just as they always do! Your student should plan to bring lunch or eat at school (if they have a purchased lunch plan) unless otherwise told by their instructor/course leader. Some of the courses involve cooking, field trips to markets in the city, or other excursions, but for the most part, lunch is at MPA right after recess, every day.
  • The day begins at 8 AM and ends at 3 PM, just like always! You should follow regular drop-off and pick-up procedures.
  • Their iTERM course leader will tell them what they need to bring if anything. They should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and plan not to change for PE.
  • They can bring snacks, water bottle, and any other creature comfort they normally use.
  • Please follow the dress code, per usual.
  • The days are full, active, engaged, and so much fun–expect a tired middle schooler at the end of the day.
  • Behavior and conduct expectations remain high and students are expected to show up, participate, engage, and be a good and contributing member of our community.
  • If your student is traveling to Ely for Dogsledding or to Puerto Rico, your course leaders have likely been in touch with details about travel, packing lists, and more. Please read thoroughly all communication in preparation for these trips!
  • The best part about this week is there is no homework assigned, no schedule, no grades – it’s a week of learning and exploring, for the fun of it!
  • We encourage students to be caught up, as much as possible, by the end of this week, as there is no time for school assignments during this week. Projects, outstanding assignments, and other schoolwork, should be completed at home and submitted prior to spring break to avoid missing the two-week grace period to submit late assignments.
  • There is NO study hall offered after school during iTERM week–because there’s no homework!
  • School dismisses promptly at 3 PM on Friday to head into Spring Break!

Read More

Lower School Division News February 24, 2022

February 24, 2022

Lower Schoolfrom Renee Wright, Lower School Director

CHAMP Service Project
At our CHAMP assembly on February 23, second graders shared the book, “The Power of One,” by Trudy Ludwig and reminded us that we can each make a difference in our community. As Ludwig says in the final lines of her book, “Acts and words of kindness DO count, and it all starts with ONE.” The CHAMP birthday bag service-learning project during the month of February inspired our students to generously support Emma’s Place, a local shelter, and make a difference. Individually students donated coins, and birthday items so children at the shelter would have the opportunity to celebrate their birthday.

Collectively, our students raised $1,287.26 and met their goal to make 60 birthday bags. Our students also donated 59 cake mixes, 40 frosting mixes, 27 boxes of candles, and 5 containers of sprinkles. Their generosity will enable children at Emma’s Place to feel loved and special on their birthday when they receive a special birthday bag. Each birthday bag will include a toy, books, game, and items to make a birthday cake. Lower School student decorated birthday bags for these items and made birthday cards to wish the children at Emma’s Place a very happy birthday.

Report Cards Are Available To Parents Monday, February 28
Second trimester report cards will be emailed to parents on Monday, February 28. Lower School teachers have worked hard to give you a comprehensive snapshot of your child’s work in the classroom. I suggest setting aside time to review the report card keeping in mind that the purpose of the report card is to share students’ academic progress based on learning expectations and standards for each grade level. The report card also provides insights into your child’s work habits, social skills, and emotional growth. Take time to recognize your child’s strengths and acknowledge growth. Look for areas that challenge your child and need further attention and practice.

Our teachers believe it is necessary to share all or part of the report card with your child based on his/her/their developmental level or grade level. Make reviewing the report card together a celebration of all that has been accomplished thus far in the school year. Set goals together for areas of improvement and get a plan for how to reach these goals. If you or your child have questions or need additional information don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. Read More

Meet Retired Faculty Member—Maureen Conway

February 24, 2022

Maureen Conway Position while at MPA
Upper School Social Studies Teacher

How many years did you work at MPA?
30? You’d have to check. I think I started in 1983 and left in 2014. I was never any good with numbers…..

What do you miss most about MPA?
Watching young people struggle to understand the forces that made their world and witnessing their emerging determination to shape their future. It was heartbreakingly beautiful. Never surrender, you wonderful people!

What have you been up to since leaving MPA?
I vaguely remember a brief window between retirement and COVID. I believe it was filled with amazing grandchildren, family and friends, fabulous trips, an ill-fated but on-going crusade to master the French language and a menacing orange presence.

MPA Afterschool Activities Cancelled February 22, 2022

February 22, 2022

Due to the weather, all afterschool activities including games, practices, and meetings are cancelled this afternoon, Tuesday, February 22. School will remain in session until our regular dismissal time at 3 PM.

All buses will run as usual. The only exception are students who ride the District 622 buses and those families have been communicated with directly. Please know that MPA’s bus lines may be running late due to road conditions and traffic.

Panther Club and Panther Den will remain open until all children are picked up; however, families are encouraged to arrive as quickly as possible after 3 PM so that staff may travel home. Middle School study hall is cancelled.

Please drive safely and take good care.

A Peek Into The MPA Robotics World

February 22, 2022

from Marc Shapiro, Upper School science teacher and robotics coach

If you’ve been in the Lansing Sports Center recently, you’ve surely seen the large wooden structure on Court 4. Maybe you even saw Michael Wilke ’16 working on it. The curiosity some people had about the structure made me overcome my reluctance at sending all employee emails, in order to compose this description of what the MPA Robotics team is about.

FIRST Robotics is an international organization headquartered in New Hampshire. It has four levels, starting with FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for elementary schoolers, all the way up to FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) for high schoolers. At MPA we have only an FRC team. Per capita, Minnesota has one of the highest participation rates in the U.S. There are more FRC teams in Minnesota than varsity hockey teams!

Each year, we are given a new “game” and a limited amount of time to create a robot to play the game. The robot must be designed, built, programmed, wired, and tested under strict constraints. A new robot is built every year; the game changes so much that there’s nothing from the previous year that is useful, other than possibly a drive chassis. With their batteries and bumpers, robots can weight up to 150 pounds. Teams are aided by adult mentors who are volunteers from the community, but the students have ultimate responsibility for designing, building, and operating the robot. Students can go the technical route and learn about building, coding, electronics and controls, computer-aided design, or using a CNC router, or several of these. They can also choose the non-technical path and work on such things as fundraising, marketing, outreach, and social media. Our team has Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and a still-under-renovation website. We are like a small business, and have to raise all our operating funds; our budget for this season is $24,000. Read More

Get Your Tickets To MPA’s Spring Auction

February 17, 2022

Spring AuctionFriday, April 22, 2022
A’bulae | 255 6th St E, St Paul, MN 55101

The 2022 MPA Spring Auction: Let’s Dream is your chance to build community with fellow parents and raise funds in support of students and teachers. After years of joining together virtually, we can’t wait to safely be together in person to celebrate our students and school! Enjoy delicious cuisine, a hosted bar, live music, games, and both live and silent auctions.

Purchase tickets & learn more here.

We also need your help to ensure our silent auction is another great success! Contact us here anytime to learn more about our auction needs. Click here to view the 2022 Wish List.

Join us to dream big and celebrate all that we have accomplished together!

Meet Alex Bixby ’25

February 17, 2022

Alex Bixby at sailing How many years have you been a student at MPA?
This is my third year.

What do you love about MPA?
I love the opportunities MPA gives me and the amazing community.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
I’m encouraged everyday by being given opportunities to try new things, get out of my comfort zone, and even challenge myself. My teachers and peers have guided me into things I now love to do.

Why do you believe your teachers teach the way they do?
I believe in my teachers teaching the way they do because it works. I have found myself engaged in all my classes and learning quickly. Sometimes I have even gone to do more work on my own because of things they have taught that have interested me.

If you have attended another school, how has your experience here been different?
My experience at MPA has been the best thing for me. It has given me a community where I can feel safe and be myself. At my old school, teachers would just teach and go through lessons. At MPA, I have been able to connect with everyone and try new things. I’m able to reach out at any time and ask a question or share something and feel heard. Having small classes is nice because everyone can be a part of the class instead of sitting in a room of 30+ people and being overlooked. Read More

Take An MPA Art Crawl

February 17, 2022

Lower School Art Tourfrom Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I am thrilled to see parents in the halls of MPA once more—we’ve missed you! With Omicron infections on a downward trend and our high vaccination rates, we have been able to open the school once again for parents. On my way back to my office after morning door duty on Monday, I happened upon three parents who had been enjoying time walking through the halls. In particular, they mentioned to me how impressed they were with the beautiful art our students have created that is on display throughout the building. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t stop to admire and enjoy it as it is one of the things I love most about MPA.

I was recently reading through the open-ended responses from the parent satisfaction survey administered in December and one comment caught my attention. In it, a parent questioned the requirement of art and theater in Middle School. I certainly respect the perspective of parents and realize that every child will not always enjoy the arts. I also know the importance of the arts in our mission and the long-lasting impact it has on students. An incredible amount of research has been conducted over the last decade on how music positively affects the brain and cognitive development.

For instance, one study found, “Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. Arts education can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork.” Another study by a 15-year literature review done by the NEA found, “A growing body of evidence suggests that at virtually every stage of life, the arts can foster openness to novelty, encourage connections to people, places, things, and concepts, and promote the ability to take multiple perspectives, among other positive outcomes.” Read More

Maintaining Vigilance

February 10, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

“This is going to be bad. Really bad,” I said to myself as I listened to a podcast on my drive home from school late one night two years ago. It was in early January that a colleague of mine who works with international students first told me about an outbreak of new flu virus occurring in China, but the details were sketchy. I was desperate to learn more and somehow came across a podcast that went into great detail about the seriousness of the new strain—and I was deeply concerned. And scared, if I am honest. There was a lot I did not know two years ago but I knew the strength of our community.

It is hard to believe it has now been two years and yet it seems like just yesterday. I could only imagine then the implications of the pandemic and its effect on all our lives. It has taken an academic, social, and emotional toll on our community and yet we have persevered and deepened our resiliency. I am proud of our students and grateful for the trust and partnership of parents. Read More

Lower School Division News February 10, 2022

February 10, 2022

from Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Thursday, February 10 is the 100th Day of School
Can you believe we have reached the 100th Day of School? That is certainly something to celebrate! One hundred days smarter and full of new learning experiences, hands-on activities, new friends, and exploration across many subject areas make these days extra special! All LS students will run under our 100th Day banner at recess to share their excitement. Kindergarteners will spend time doing 100-themed math and literacy activities. They will write 100 words, play the 100 tally marks game, eat 100 snacks, and have a dance party and joyfully dance and jump for 100 seconds. It will be a day to remember!

Valentine’s Day in Lower School
Lower School students are encouraged to wear valentine colors on Monday, February 14 in honor of Valentine’s Day. The colors for the day will be red, pink, white, or purple. (We will allow jeans on the bottom!) This will remind everyone that Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate friendship, love, kindness, and compassion.

We are extremely grateful that our MPA Parent Association will be presenting each Lower School student with a special treat bag. Sadly, our beloved annual party put on by the Parent Association will not take place this year due to COVID restrictions. We will have a special valentine story during Monday Morning Meeting from Ms. Lage and Ms. Petrich!

Classroom teachers will plan valentine activities in classrooms to make sure everyone experiences valentine joy and inspiration.

End Of Trimester 2 On February 18
It is hard to believe it is nearly the start of the final trimester of the school year. Trimester 2 ends February 18. The end of the trimester is a time to assess goals, student progress, social interactions, and work habits. Updates on progress and feedback come to you through a conversation during our winter parent-teacher conferences and through the LS report card. The report card will be sent to you via email on February 28. You may notice fewer comments on the report card this marking period due to parent-teacher conferences being held these past two weeks. However, if the report card prompts questions or concerns, make sure to contact your child’s teacher. Connecting with teachers and strengthening the partnership is essential in your child’s education. It brings us such joy to be part of your child’s educational journey. Your investment in your child’s education is honorable. Our teachers work hard every day to help your child DREAM BIG and DO RIGHT!

Changes To COVID Protocols
You should have received information from the Communications Office outlining the changes that are being made to COVID protocols. Most changes will be implemented next week starting on Monday, February 7. One very excited change you read about in the communication is the return to eating in the MPA Commons for grades K-4. PreK students will continue to eat in their classroom until further notice. We will stagger the return of grade levels to the Commons according to the schedule below. Parents should continue to order their student’s lunch for the next two weeks. Please note that students will be making lunch selections on their own once they return to the Commons. Continuing to order your child’s lunch for the next two weeks will allow us some flexibility if we need to made adjustments. Starting February 28, you will no longer need to order lunch through Sage Dining. Read More