Parents Association Archives

September 26, 2019

Save the date for Culture Day at MPA on Wednesday, October 23 from 3-6:30 PM! Join us for a gastronomic tour around the world as we share sweet and savory delicacies from 10 countries and an international drinks bar. Attend a cooking demonstration in our wonderful new teaching kitchen, go home with some cool body art from an expert henna artist, and try your hand at global crafts like “worry dolls” from Guatemala and Origami, the Japanese art of paper-folding. You will also be able to enjoy musical and dance performances by our talented students! This day full of food, community, and fun is hosted by the MPA Parents Association. Read More

MPA PA Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week

September 26, 2019

Join us in thanking the MPA Faculty and Staff during All School Conferences! Conferences take place during week starting September 30, coinciding with the MPA Parents Association Staff and Faculty Appreciation Week.

Please consider participating in the long-standing MPA tradition of parents and families showing gratitude toward our wonderful staff and faculty by donating beverages, snacks or volunteer time, including during the evening meals provided by Sage and Chef Doug on October 3 and October 10. Please sign up to volunteer here!

Faculty & Staff Appreciation And Culture Day With The PA

September 19, 2019

Thank you to our PA Neighborhood Coffee hosts Reema Anwar, Seema Anwar, Susan DeBruzzi, Amy Purdy, Kim Jakway, Lucia Gray, Juliana Bixby, Laura Hockert, and Lisa Vale! It was wonderful to gather with all of you last weekend.

Faculty and Staff Appreciation week is coming soon and that’s our chance to say thank you for all they do. Please sign-up to show your appreciation!

Also, coming up is Culture Day at MPA. Wednesday, October 23 from 3-6:30 PM. Please note date change from October 26 to October 23! Join us for a gastronomic tour around the world as we share sweet and savory delicacies from 10 countries. Learn how to make “worry dolls” from Guatemala. Master Origami, the Japanese art of paper-folding. Enjoy musical and dance performances by our talented MPA students. Go home with some cool body art from an expert henna artist.

We are seeking volunteers to make this happen: food servers, decoration and set-up helpers, performers, etc. We would like representation from as many countries and cultures as possible, including the United States. Sign-up here or email seema_anwar@hotmail.com!

Welcome From The Parents Association

August 29, 2019

A warm welcome from the MPA Parents Association! It was a pleasure to catch up with friends and meet new families at the Parents Association First Day of School Coffee.

The Parents Association is hosting a Meet & Greet on Friday, September 6 at 8 AM in the PCR. Come join us for a light breakfast and learn about who we are and what we do, meet this year’s grade reps and other parents, and share your ideas on how to strengthen our MPA community. Every MPA parent is a member of the Parents Association! We look forward to seeing you!

Your New Parents Association Executive Board!

May 29, 2019

Thank you to those of you who voted for your new Parents Association Executive Board. The following slate was approved and will begin leading the Parents Association and serving the MPA community on July 1, 2019: Kim Jakway, president; Seema Anwar and Barry Madore, co-presidents-elect; Meredith Forgosh, secretary; Yuki Miyokawa, treasurer; Russ Purdy, Upper School division lead; Susan Knapp, Middle School division lead; Sally Richie and Andrea Dodson, Lower School co-division leads.

In addition, a special thanks to Tara Lafferty who is stepping down as Middle School lead but will continue to be involved in Parents Association events. Tara has dedicated many volunteer hours and her amazing contributions are much appreciated!

Lower School Family Social

May 1, 2019

The Lower School Family Social is coming up on May 24 at 3 PM! The MPA Parents Association Lower School Grape Reps will be hosting this gathering outside of the Lower School entrance (the South entrance). Come enjoy popsicles, sunshine, and the opportunity to mingle with other Lower School parents. The popsicles served will meet MPA’s allergy aware policy as well as be gluten free, dairy free and sugar free. We can’t wait to see you there!

MPA Parents Association Is Seeking Volunteers!

April 25, 2019

The MPA Parents Association is seeking volunteers for the 2019-2020 school year! Please consider getting involved. It’s a great way to meet the school community, show our appreciation to faculty and staff, enrich our children’s school experience, all while making new friends. A willingness to help is the only experience needed!

If you are interested in taking on a Parents Association Board or Event Chair position for next year, let us know so we can can add your name to the list of candidates on the 2019-2020 ballot. Contact Kim Jakway at thejakways@gmail.com. Thank you!

Parents Association Open House & Upcoming Events

April 10, 2019

We invite the MPA community to attend the MPA Parents Association Open House on Friday, April 19 from 8-9 AM in the Porter Conference Room. Come enjoy coffee and a light breakfast as we discuss our accomplishments this past year and plans for the upcoming school year. Please attend as we would love to get your feedback and ideas. If you are interested in taking on a PA Board or Event Chair position for next year, come to the Open House for more information or contact Kim Jakway at thejakways@gmail.com. We would love to see you and really appreciate your help! Read More

Conduits For Joy

February 28, 2019

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

It’s true. I am a voracious reader. Throughout my life, I have loved books and can think of few greater pleasures than a good one. Reading fueled my imagination and took me to places I could have never visited. Getting lost in a book and losing track of time is pure joy. For these reasons and many more, the MPA Book Festival, produced by our incredible Parents Association, is one of my favorite MPA traditions. The Book Festival began in April 2000. It was started by the collaborative efforts of parents of alumni Elaine Johnson and Karla Myers, and the library staff. It was also the year MPA librarian Nancy Lage brought in Mary Grand Pre, the illustrator of the American version of “Harry Potter.” Part celebration and part fundraiser for the library, the Book Festival symbolizes so much of what is special about our community.

When I was a child, the library was my favorite place. In the small town I grew up in, the library was an old “mansion” in the center of town. It was warm and comforting, a bit mysterious, and had a wonderful smell. It was my happy place. In college, my use of a library changed dramatically. It served more of a social purpose than an academic one. One of my first experiences of social justice advocacy was participating in a sit in at the college library over its unjust policy banning soft drinks. (Ah, youthful ignorance.) During my graduate work, I practically lived in the library. Buried amidst the stacks, I once more found my happy place. Read More

Be Part Of A Wonderful Tradition

February 7, 2019

Please sign-up to volunteer and help make this year’s Book Festival a success! Lots of helpers are needed to put together this wonderful annual tradition at MPA. The goal of Book Festival is to promote the joy of reading, and the MPA Parents Association invites you to come enjoy the many activities offered during Book Festival week, February 25-28!

February 25-28
Bookstore in the Gallery & Used Book Sales During Lunch
Used, donated books will be for sale outside the cafeteria during lunch. All books are $0.25 each!

February 28, 3-6:30 PM
Book Festival Family Night
Lots of activities, games, and crafts in the Makerspace, plus the bookstore and dinner.

If you have any questions or want to get involved, contact Seema Anwar at seema_anwar@hotmail.com.