From the Boosters
Thank you to all the families who braved the weather to attend the MPA Fun Fest that was held this past Saturday. We had more than 150 people come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The kids didn't seem to mind the weather and had a blast trying stilt walking, playing in the hay barn and navigating their way through the corn maze! Just a note, if you purchased tickets but did not attend, the tickets can be used at any other time. They do not expire!
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Log your volunteer hours online
Any hours you put in the paper log over the summer or earlier this year WILL be entered for you - you just need to enter your CURRENT hours.
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Free to good home:
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches! These clean, quiet pets cannot fly or bite and are extremely easy to care for. Unfortunately, I have too many to keep in my classroom, so I am looking for people to take several of them off my hands. They could make good subjects for a science fair project! If you think your child would be interested in caring for one, contact Janeth Eby at janeth.eby@menloparkacademy.com.
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Spirit Wear
MPA Spirit Wear is coming!!! Check this week's Thursday Folder for more information and an order form. There are a variety of MPA themed items being offered: shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, basketball tee-shirts, lanyards and knapsacks! Show your pride for MPA and order your spirit wear using the form here.
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FYI: Dates to Remember
OCTOBER
10/26 - Friday - School photo day
10/29 - Monday - Girl Scout meeting after school
10/30 - Tuesday - Mac-n-Cheese Day; Yearbook Cover Contest artwork is due
10/31 - Wednesday - Halloween Costume Parade at 1:45pm, with class parties to follow
NOVEMBER
11/1 - 12/14 - Re-enrollment period for current students and their siblings
11/05 - Monday - Girl Scout meeting after school
11/06 - Tuesday - Pasta Day
11/13 - Tuesday - Pizza Day
11/14 - Wednesday - Open House for Prospective Students, 6-8pm
11/15 - Thursday - End of the Trimester
11/16 - Friday - Teacher Inservice - No School for Students
11/19-23 - Thanksgiving Break - no Scrip card orders or deliveries this week
11/26-29 - Scholastic Book Fair
11/27 - Pizza Day
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Thursday Folder
- Shop With Scrip card orders (if you purchased them)
- Shop With Scrip paper order forms
- Food Drive and Penny War information
- Spirit Wear information and order form
- Picture Day reminder
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Positive Behavior Supports: Communication
Our administrators have begun working with students in upper grades (Mr. Kennedy) and lower grades (Mrs. B-W) on the social skill of Communication. Specifically, students are being taught to use "I" messages to resolve personal conflicts in class. The steps include:
- Say how you feel.
- Tell the person what they did.
- Suggest how to make it better.
You may wish to help students practice these skills at home, too, where they may lead to more peaceful interactions between siblings and playmates. You may hear your students refer to "speaking Giraffe," which is how the technique has been introduced to younger children - see if they can remember why the Giraffe was chosen to represent this communication style! Contact Mr. Kennedy or Mrs. B-W if you'd like more information on the communication technique or other Positive Behavior Supports being introduced this year.
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School Picture Reminders
Picture Day is this Friday, October 26th. Please remember:
- Please send your check in ON PICTURE DAY with your order forms. If you have already sent in the form, we will hold onto it for you and make sure it gets to the photographer with your child.
- Don't put the picture day materials in your Thursday folder - send it in loose in your child's backpack. We will be starting the photography before the time when volunteers normally "unstuff" the returned Thursday folders.
- Please dress students in standard dress code clothes, not gym clothes or dress-down outfits.
Visit Lifetouch.com for online payment details and more.
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Yearbook Cover Art Contest
This year's yearbook team is pleased to announce a contest to determine whose art graces the cover of the 2012-2013 yearbook! All art submitted must:
- be on a standard 8 1/2"x11" piece of paper
- use ONLY paint or markers
- include the student's name, grade, and homeroom teacher on the BACK of the artwork (lightly in pencil, so it is not visible from the front)
- be submitted to the office by Tuesday, October 30th.
And the theme? Anything goes, as long as you think it somehow represents the students at MPA!
Students, staff, and parents will be voting on the artwork later in the fall to pick a winner.
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Drop-Off and Tardy Procedures
As you may be aware, we are trying our best to ensure a quick and easy drop-off process for the morning car line. In order to do this, we have been implementing a three-lane system, similar in layout to what is used during afternoon car line. We are asking cars to pull as far forward in each lane as possible and limit the gaps between the cars. One car from each lane in turn will be sent toward the unloading zone - the lane closest to the building will go first, followed by the middle lane, then the lane farthest from the school. If congestion on Grapeland and Triskett roads becomes an issue, we will create a fourth lane.
Mr. Kennedy will be overseeing drop-off each morning until 8:30am. At 8:30 he will hand a "LAST CAR" pass to students in the last car in each lane. All students riding in cars in line at 8:30am will be considered on time. When the students with the "LAST CAR" passes come inside, they should take the passes to Mrs. Wilson in the office BEFORE going to class. Any students who arrive after the "LAST CAR" passes come inside will be considered tardy.
We understand that traffic and the weather make timing your morning commute difficult at times, and we appreciate your help in making sure students arrive at school by 8:30am. Please know that we are working to streamline this start of the day routine to better accomodate our increased enrollment.
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Food Drive & Penny War
The MPA Student Council (with support from the Boosters) will conduct its first Food Drive and Penny War in support of the national effort for Hunger & Homeless Awareness. Collections will run November 1st-15th. Proceeds will be donated to the Salvation Army, Cleveland Food Bank, and St. Mel's Pantry. There will be a kick-off assembly on Friday, November 2nd with guest speakers from each of the organizations. This effort helps our school community to connect with the community beyond MPA walls. Please see your child's Thursday folder this week (or the file here) for more information.
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Halloween Day Festivities
MPA celebrates Halloween with a costume parade and contest!
Students may wear their costumes to school, but costumes may not include masks or anything that could even remotely be considered a weapon. The parade will begin at 1:45pm on Wednesday, October 31st, and will be held on the sidewalk around the school.
Parents are welcome to come observe the parade, and visit the Multi-Purpose room, where costume judging and prizes are being awarded at 2:15pm.
Prizes will be awarded in grades K-3 and 4-8 for the following categories:
- Historical Figure
- Contemporary Figure
- Literary Figure
- Invention or Technology
- Animal (real or legendary)
- Group Costume (two or more students involved in the same costume idea)
- Best Artistic Merit
Remember, our judges will be looking for creativity, interesting use of materials, artistic merit ... and great ideas, of course!
After the costume prizes have been awarded,
it's time to party!
Grades K-4 will be having parties in their rooms on Wednesday, October 31st, starting at 2:15pm. These parties will each be organized by the room parents for each classroom.
Grades 5-8 will be having a group party in the Multi-Purpose room.
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Admissions
Re-Enrollment of Current Students
The re-enrollment period for current students will be
Thursday, November 1st, through Friday, December 14th. Keep your eyes open for the re-enrollment form, which can be used for current students and to apply for admission for incoming siblings.
Please remember, incoming siblings who are new to the school MUST have qualifying test scores on file with MPA in order for their application to be considered complete.
Open House for Prospective Students & Families
Wednesday, November 14, from 6-8pm at MPA
Volunteers will be leading tours of the building, administrators will introduce the school and curriculum, and teachers will be here to answer parents' questions about the school.
Prospective students and their parents are welcome to come take a look around.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can help make this event a success - and in the meantime, let your interested friends know about the event. |
Shop with Scrips Sunday by 7pm - Update
This year we're making deliveries every week, so it's more convenient than ever! Get started atwww.shopwithscrip.com - Create an account using code B1BFLA8B23626 for MPA to receive the revenue. Even if you're not an Internet shopper, there is a way we can order cards for you! Contact Ramona Boggins at 216-832-6666or fundraiser@menloparkacademy.com if you have any questions.
Shop for Scrips every Sunday by 7pm and be entered in the weekly and monthly prize drawings. You will receive your cards in the Thursday folder each week.
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