Dear MPA families,

As we near the end of September, I would like to let you know how much we appreciate our MPA families. Your continued support and the grace and courtesy you model for our students and each other is such a gift to our community. Raising and teaching children is a very challenging, yet rewarding, endeavor. Working together as a team helps the entire MPA community be successful in providing our children with the learning and care that they need to thrive. We appreciate you!

Fall conferences have begun and will continue throughout the month of October. Your child’s teacher will communicate a schedule and provide an option to sign up for a time that works with your schedule. These conversations provide an excellent opportunity for your child’s teacher to communicate progress. It is also the perfect time to ask questions and seek to understand situations about which you may have concerns or are confused about.

Stephen Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says, “If I were to summarize in one sentence the single most important principle I have learned in the field of interpersonal relations, it would be this: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Whether your child describes a situation to an adult at home or to a teacher at school, the adult is only getting one perspective on the situation. There is always a much bigger picture. By reaching out to your child’s teacher about any concerns, you can gain a clear understanding of how to best support your child and the classroom.

Please remember that the majority of our funding is based on Per Pupil Revenue as determined by attendance taken during the October count window (see below). Our funding is based on the number of students present. Please try to reschedule any appointments or try to have your student present when attendance is taken in the morning before heading off to any appointments.

Fundraising provides an additional source of revenue. We are looking forward to the October 5th/6th Dewey’s Dash fundraising event. Our PTA volunteers have put a great deal of work into planning this fundraiser which provides much needed financial support for our school.

Enjoy the fall leaves, Ms. Robin

Primary parents, we need your help! There are many parents coming to the elementary playground after they pick up their Primary students. They are looking for Lower El siblings to greet before leaving for the afternoon. While we appreciate wanting to greet your other children, it is a safety issue to the adults on playground supervision. These staff members need to supervise the children. However, such visits take them away from that job, because they have to ascertain the identities of any non-staff adults.

When you pick up your Primary student at midday, please do not stop by the elementary playground and instead go enjoy some time with your little one. You will be able to connect with your other children at the end of the school day. We appreciate your help with this!

The Dewey’s Dash fundraiser is in full swing. This fundraising effort helps support our children's experience and learning through discovery, materials, and creates additional opportunities and adventures for our children. We appreciate all of your efforts to support our school! Please keep a watch out for email updates from the MPA PTA.

No Parking: Immediately following drop off on Friday, October 6 the Dewey’s Dash set up will begin. All vehicles will need to be moved from the main and staff parking lot. The Dewey’s Dash will begin at 8:30 sharp. Parking is available across the street at the North Campus, north of the basketball court and at Lilley Gulch.

The After School Enrichment Programs have begun. Chess Wizards does have space to sign up directly with the organization. It is very helpful if you notify your teacher that your student will be attending a program. Please look at the dates carefully as many are in 6 week intervals. Thank you for patience while we were preparing and organizing the classes.