{"id":22247,"date":"2022-09-29T13:33:34","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T18:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moundsparkacademy.org\/news\/?p=22247"},"modified":"2022-09-29T14:04:50","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T19:04:50","slug":"middle-school-division-news-september-29-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moundsparkacademy.org\/news\/2022\/09\/29\/middle-school-division-news-september-29-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle School Division News September 29, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director<\/strong><\/p>\n

As we find ourselves in Week 5 together, we are learning more about each other and our needs, limits, and boundaries. As I have shared with all of you, it is important that middle schoolers feel safe to push boundaries and test limits (it often feels like it\u2019s their job most days!) and it\u2019s also important for them to realize that their actions, words, and habits impact those around them. This year, our Middle School faculty and staff spent some time reflecting on our mission to develop our new MPA Middle School Community Expectations. We have been teaching these, explicitly and implicitly, in all we do daily to help our young people find their way in relation to one another and to themselves.<\/p>\n

Our MPA Middle School Community Expectations<\/strong><\/p>\n

BE KIND.
\nDemonstrate care, compassion, and appreciation for self and others.<\/p>\n

BE PREPARED.
\nBring all the necessary materials to class and a brain ready to learn.<\/p>\n

CHALLENGE YOURSELF.
\nLearning is about taking risks, trying new things, and connecting with others. It\u2019s okay to fail or make mistakes \u2013 we all do!<\/p>\n

LANGUAGE MATTERS.
\nChoose your words carefully. Use language that is affirming, kind, and supportive to yourself and others.<\/p>\n

CELEBRATE OTHERS.
\nBe inclusive and seek to honor the goodness in all humans.<\/p>\n

Of course, we\u2019ve all been through a tumultuous time the last two and half years and we are all so grateful to be back together in what feels as close to a typical school year as we\u2019ve had since 2019! I hope my sharing these expectations with you helps you to see see and feel even more deeply our commitment to developing thoughtful, caring, emotionally intelligent, bright young people!<\/p>\n

Space Princess Warrior\u2014Congratulations To Our Cast and Crew!<\/strong>
\nWe are delighted to begin rehearsals for our Middle School show and congratulate all who were selected as cast and crew members. Please work with your student to know the rehearsal schedule (available on Schoology), note it in their planners, prepare and have a plan for pick-up, and communication. Just like sports, students are responsible for arranging transportation, pick-up, and snacks with parents.<\/p>\n

If you have questions or need information, please email Ms. Mastel (hmastel@moundsparkacademy.org)<\/a>\u00a0or have your student stop by to see her in her class.<\/p>\n

Planners\u2014Use Them\u2014Check Them\u2014Be Accountable!<\/strong>
\nStudent planners were distributed last week, and we have been working diligently and learning to use them consistently, productively, and in a way that supports self-regulation, executive functioning, organization, and success. Please ask your student about their planner, ask them to show you their progress, and remember that their planner is their first line of organizational super-power!<\/p>\n

Snacks\u2014Please Send Them!<\/strong>
\nMiddle Schoolers are always hungry. ALWAYS! And each day, most teachers take time, either during advisory or Block 3, to offer a snack time. For obvious reasons, we cannot provide snacks for all students (allergies, preference, preparation, etc.) but we welcome you to coordinate with your student a snack they can bring to school to give them just enough to make it to lunch.<\/p>\n

On this note, eating breakfast is often hard for Middle Schoolers \u2013 they are tired, not awake enough to eat, are using every minute to sleep\/snooze before coming to school. Especially if your student is not eating breakfast, their snack is ESSENTIAL!<\/p>\n

Excellent ideas for snacks include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n