September 11, 2019
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
I know I am not the only parent who can say that the ride to school with my daughter can make or break my day. A quarrel over the most insignificant matter, a scowl, or a roll of the eyes can send my mood in a downward spiral. Although others warned me, I never realized the degree to which my outlook on life is influenced by my children. On the flip side, the joy, smiles, high fives, and hugs from incoming students at the south entrance in the morning easily lift my spirits.
This phenomenon made sense when I happened upon an NPR story this summer about emotional contagion and how microexpressions influence moods. Microexpressions are fleeting, involuntary expressions of feelings that last a fraction of a second. For some time, science has observed how animals tend to mimic the physical movements of one another. We now know that such automimicry extends to emotions as well. After years of research, Elaine Hatfield and Dick Rapson, researchers at the University of Hawaii, have demonstrated that microexpressions can actually produce the corresponding emotion inside of us. Read More
The number of children with food allergies continues to rise. This fact and the desire to best serve and protect our students with food allergies, prompted MPA to make a commitment to becoming an Allergy Aware School. Please join us for the MPA Parent Food Allergy Aware Training on Monday, September 23, from 6:30-7:30 PM in the Recital Hall.
As the rest of us were squeezing the last bits of summer out of August, the new MPA international students were already hard at work. Ten days before the rest of us walked through the doors of MPA, our new students arrived from four different countries to get settled into their host families’ homes, to get acclimated to their new school, and to have some fun with their new classmates.
The theme of Homecoming 2019 is Dream. Play. Share., and spirit wear is one great way to “dream” up a custom design, “play,” with the possibilities, and “share” your Panther Pride! Receive 15% off purchases of $75 or more through September 30 with code SEPT19 at 
It is MPA’s responsibility to provide the safest campus environment possible for you and your children—this is our number one priority. We’d like to share some important traffic safety reminders. Please share this information with all of the drivers in your home, in addition to others who may provide transportation for you. Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Lower and Middle School Curriculum Night is on Tuesday, September 10, from 6-8 PM. This is a night for parents to come to school to meet all of their child’s teachers and learn about the school year ahead. Teachers will share key components of the curriculum, the progression of grade level skills, classroom expectations, and outline developmentally responsive aspirations for students socially, emotionally, and academically.
Fiber Friends is starting up again on Friday, September 6! This group of knitters, crocheters, and textile gurus is open to all parents, alums, grandparents, students, staff, and faculty. Beginners are always welcome! Bring in a project you are working on or if you are new to the group, we will provide you with supplies, guidance, and a smile to get started. Fiber Friends meets every Friday in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace from 11-12:30.
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
Schools are busy places. Filled with energy, excitement, and activity, the dynamic ecosystem of a school creates a natural space for interaction among students, faculty, and families. But simply being together in the same place, at the same time, doesn’t automatically foster an environment where students feel interconnected, welcomed, and known. Creating community is an active, deliberate process. It’s a core accountability for academic institutions, and an essential element of MPA’s DNA—it’s built into who were are and what we do, with a support system that fuels academic success and facilitates a lifetime of wellbeing for students.
from Stevie Olk ’21, MPA Sailing Team Captain