MPA Weekly Update - 2/7/13

In This Issue Dates to Remember Shop with Scrips Boys' Basketball Math Night Third Trimester Electives Power of the Pen Mock Trial Team FYI: Dates to Remember February 2/8 - Friday - MS Invention Convention workshop after school; Boys' Basketball Tryouts at 4:15pm 2/9 - Saturday - Girl's Basketball Game @ Westpark YMCA 2:00 2/9 - Saturday - Quiz Night 2/13 - Wednesday - Boys' Basketball Tryouts, 4:15pm 2/15-18 - Friday/Monday - no school for students 2/20 - Wednesday - Boys' Basketball Tryouts at 4:15pm 2/22 - Friday - MS Invention Convention workshop after school; Boys' Basketball Tryouts at 4:15pm 2/23 - Saturday - Power of the Pen Regional Competition 2/23 - Saturday - Menlo Park Family Night/Monsters Hockey Game 2/28 - Thursday - End of trimester    March 3/1 - Friday - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (teacher in-service) 3/6 - Wednesday - Invention Convention 3/7 - Thursday - Chemistry Competition, 6pm 3/9 - Saturday - Destination Imagination 3/14 - Math Night for K-4th grade    April 4/12 - Friday - Lego Olympiad 4/26 - Friday - Spelling Bee 4/27 - Saturday - State Chemistry Challenge Congratulations, Mrs. Weber!  Alexander Christopher Weber was born February 1st.  Shop with Scrips Sunday by 7pm  We're back.  Remember to order this Sunday by 7 PM to ensure delivery for next Thursday's folder.  And thank you to those who supported scrip during the break by using ScripNow & PrestoPay.   Make sure to check the Scrip program website to learn about the current offers that earn additional funds for our school.    Attention 8th Graders!           We want to hear about your exciting plans for next year! Does your 8th grader have exciting news to share about future plans?  Email Mrs. B-W so that we can mention it in upcoming newsletters. Canned Food Drive              February 8th - March 4th Girl Scout troop 70029 will be collecting canned goods for a Community Service Project for the Fairview Park Food Bank from 2/8--3/4. Collection boxes will be located on the 1st floor. Thank you for your support! Log your volunteer hours online  Your time is appreciated! Please log your current volunteer hours online, either on the netbook near the sign-in at school, or at home.  We are not using the paper logs to record your hours anymore - all hours MUST be entered into the computer if you want credit for them! 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. Weekly Update - 2/7/13 Quick Links Menlo Park Academy Website MPA on Facebook Shop with Scrips by 7pm on Sunday Report your volunteer hours School calendar  Classroom Websites (click on Classroom Websites tab) Authentic Writing   A School Wide Valentine Project   Over the next several weeks, students in all grade levels will be participating in a letter writing project. Teachers will introduce formal letter writing format and set up writing centers in their classrooms.  Parents are encouraged to participate as well.  Drop mail to students or staff in the mailbox located near the main office and it will be delivered for you.  Feel free to encourage your children to write at home.  Please be sure to include on the envelope: Full Student Name Grade Homeroom/Advisory Teacher  MPA Parent Directory    The MPA Parent Directory is finished and available for anyone who would like a copy. It can be obtained by sending a request to julie.kovalik@menloparkacademy.com. You MUST include:    Your name Your child's name and grade Your current e-mail address Your current phone number   Requests that do not include ALL of the above information will not be honored nor replied to.  Once your information is verified, you will receive an e-mail with a pdf copy of the directory. By requesting a copy of the directory, you agree to the following Terms of Use: Menlo Park Academy  reserves the right to suspend access privileges to any member of the school community who does not use the information contained in the directory in a responsible manner. Menlo Park Academy does not assume responsibility for, or guarantee the accuracy of, information contained in the directory. This directory is for official Menlo Park Academy   use and for individual communication of a personal nature between members listed therein. Use of the directory for any other purpose, including but not limited to, reproducing and storing in a retrieval system by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying or using the addresses or other information contained in this directory for any private, commercial or political communication is strictly prohibited and is in direct violation of copyright and constitutes misappropriation of property. Spring Boys' Basketball Tryouts  Begin this Friday at 4:15pm The tryouts for the Boys Spring Basketball (Grades 4-8) team start this Friday Feb 8th from 4:15-6:00 at the Westpark YMCA. All students must turn in medical paperwork into the school office before attending tryouts (Players on the Winter Team that attend tryouts already have turned in medical paperwork). Tryouts will also be held from 4:15-6pm on February 13th, 20th and 22nd. Teams will be announced on the evening of February 22nd. Any questions, you may contact Coach Willie at mpahoops@yahoo.com Got Pi?  Volunteers and pies needed for K-4 Math Night, 3/14/2013 MPA's K-4 Math Night is on Pi Day, Thursday, March 14, 2013, at 6:30 p.m.! Activities will include fun and interactive math-related puzzles and games for our elementary students. This event was a smashing success last year thanks to MPA volunteers. The STEM Team thanks the many volunteers who have already volunteered for this year's event! But we still need a few more volunteers for the event and pie donors. (Pies will be for eating not for any activity)! We are looking for volunteers for setting up beforehand (4pm and later), manning activities and other tasks during the event (6-8pm), and cleaning up afterward (8-8:45pm). If you can help with volunteering or donating a pie, please contact Latha at LMS54321 AT gmail DOT com. Thank you! Third Trimester Elective Volunteers Needed Thank you to Coordinators Jenn Ingraham and the Carr Family! MPA's second trimester ends February 28th, which means it's time to start organizing the electives that will be offered during the third trimester.  Jenn Ingraham is stepping down after many successful trimesters of running electives.  Thank you so much Jenn!  This trimester, Mr. & Mrs. Carr have graciously agreed to coordinate.   If you would be interested in leading or assisting with an elective for any grade level during our final trimester, please contact Jeanne Carr at carr_jeanne@yahoo.com and let her know.  Electives will be held onThursdays from 2:15-3pm for K-1, Mondays from 2:15-3pm for grades 2-3, and Fridays from 1:15-2pm and 2-3pm for grades 4-8.  Be a part of what makes our school so different and so great - all while earning volunteer hours!  Power of the Pen  Congratulations to our participants!   After competing against 230 students at the district Power of the Pen tournament, the following students were recognized for their creative writing talents:   Julia M. 3rd Place Teresa S 13th Place Emily C. 18th Place The following students have advanced to the Regional Tournament to be held at Perkins Middle School on Saturday, February 23rd. 7th graders Teresa S.i Nell S. Julia M. Emily C. 8th Graders Nick H. Marika O. Congratulations, and best of luck at the regional tournament! Mock Trial Team   Timekeeper-Bailiff Spot Available The Middle School Mock Trial Team needs a timekeeper! This position involves keeping time during the competition and also being the bailiff. This is a great opportunity for a 6th or 7th grade student who is thinking about joining Mock Trial next school year - you get to see how a mock trial is prepared and done! Practice is generally on Fridays after school. The competition is on Friday, April 12 so if you are interested, you must be available that day. Any MPA student in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade is eligible for the position. Please contact Latha, Mock Trial Coach, at LMS54321 AT gmail DOT com if you can help out! Mock Trial needs you! K-1 Recess Pilot Program              The K-1 recess pilot program is off to a great start.  If your child wasn't in the first round of activities we would like to offer a second session beginning in a few weeks.  Right now, we're looking for interested parents to volunteer on Mondays from 12:00-12:45pm to help run fun team-building activities with Mrs. B-W.  Just let her know if you're interested in helping out! Information can be submitted via email to: communications@menloparkacademy.com for review and inclusion in the weekly update. Submissions are subject to Director approval.

MPA Weekly Update - 1/31/13

In This Issue Dates to Remember Shop with Scrips Authentic Writing MPA Directory Yearbook Science Fair Third Trimester Electives Lego Olympiad Student Council Elections You Be the Chemist Quiz Night Math Night FYI: Dates to Remember February 2/8 - Friday - MS Science Fair workshop after school 2/9 - Saturday - Quiz Night 2/15-18 - Friday/Monday - no school for students 2/22 - Friday - MS Science Fair workshop after school 2/23 - Saturday - Menlo Park Family Night/Monsters Hockey Game 2/28 - Thursday - End of trimester    March 3/1 - Friday - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (teacher in-service) 3/6 - Wednesday - Invention Convention 3/7 - Thursday - Chemistry Competition, 6pm 3/9 - Saturday - Destination Imagination 3/14 - Math Night for K-4th grade    April 4/12 - Friday - Lego Olympiad 4/26 - Friday - Spelling Bee 4/27 - Saturday - State Chemistry Challenge Welcome Back, Mrs. Wilson! This week marked the end of Mrs. Wilson's maternity leave, and she is gradually getting back in the swing of things.  If you need to contact the office, leave a message regarding sick days or transportation of your child, or other "office" information, please address this to Mrs. Wilson.   Kudos go out to Julie Kovalik, who so ably subbed in the office during Mrs. Wilson's leave.  Thanks for all of your hard work and organization, Mrs. Kovalik!  You did a great job! Shop with Scrips Sunday by 7pm  We're back.  Remember to order this Sunday by 7 PM to ensure delivery for next Thursday's folder.  And thank you to those who supported scrip during the break by using ScripNow & PrestoPay.   Make sure to check the Scrip program website to learn about the current offers that earn additional funds for our school.    Log your volunteer hours online  Your time is appreciated! Please log your current volunteer hours online, either on the netbook near the sign-in at school, or at home.  We are not using the paper logs to record your hours anymore - all hours MUST be entered into the computer if you want credit for them! 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. Weekly Update - 1/31/13 Quick Links Menlo Park Academy Website MPA on Facebook Shop with Scrips by 7pm on Sunday Report your volunteer hours School calendar  Classroom Websites (click on Classroom Websites tab) Authentic Writing   A School Wide Valentine Project   Over the next several weeks, students in all grade levels will be participating in a letter writing project. Teachers will introduce formal letter writing format and set up writing centers in their classrooms.  All students have been partnered up with a writing buddy to send a letter to but are encouraged to send letters to as many people as they like.  Student Council will place mailboxes on each floor and beginning Wednesday, February 6, they will deliver letters to classrooms during Advisory/Homeroom.     Parents are encouraged to participate as well.  Drop mail to students or staff in the mailbox located near the main office and it will be delivered for you.  Feel free to encourage your children to write at home.  Please be sure to include on the envelope: Full Student Name Grade Homeroom/Advisory Teacher  If you have any of the following items around the house that you would like to donate to this project, we would love to use them! Stickers Doilies Glitter Pens Envelopes Stampers and Stamp Pads Stationary MPA Parent Directory    The MPA Parent Directory is finished and available for anyone who would like a copy. It can be obtained by sending a request to julie.kovalik@menloparkacademy.com. You MUST include:   Your name Your child's name and grade Your current e-mail address Your current phone number   Requests that do not include ALL of the above information will not be honored nor replied to. By requesting a copy of the directory, you agree to the following Terms of Use: Menlo Park Academy   reserves the right to suspend access privileges to any member of the school community who does not use the information contained in the directory in a responsible manner. Menlo Park Academy does not assume responsibility for, or guarantee the accuracy of, information contained in the directory. Once your information is verified, you will receive an e-mail with a pdf copy of the directory. This directory is for official Menlo Park Academy use and for individual communication of a personal nature between members listed therein. Use of the directory for any other purpose, including but not limited to, reproducing and storing in a retrieval system by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying or using the addresses or other information contained in this directory for any private, commercial or political communication is strictly prohibited and is in direct violation of copyright and constitutes misappropriation of property. 2011-2012 Yearbooks Arrive Check Your Thursday Folder   If you ordered a yearbook for the 2011-2012 school year, they were sent home this Thursday. If you did not receive one and feel you should have, please email Ms. Wilson.    Numerous organizational glitches delayed this highly anticipated yearbook.  A huge heap of thanks to Kelly Fortune-Somerville who  pulled this together as well as coordinating our current yearbook (which will come out before the school year ends).  Be on the look out for information regarding sales of the 2012-2013 yearbook in next week's newsletter.    Students may bring their yearbooks in for signing on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  Science Fair Wrap-Up Congratulations go out to all of our budding scientists in grades 2, 3, and 5-8.  Our science fair was a great success, with lots of interesting and thought-provoking displays.  Special recognition goes out to the following students, who received awards for their grade levels: 5th Grade 1st - Logan C. 2nd - Gil H., Milana M. and Lexi S. 3rd - Manus McC., Miles M. and Jacob D. Honorable Mention - Matthew  H., Sam P., Danny A., Asia G-H., Aidan I. and Alexx W. 6th Grade 1st - Hector C. 2nd - Olivia M. and Carolyn H. 3rd - Sparsh B., Isabel V. and Kaela R. Honorable Mention - Patrick O.,  Sarah M-M., Kathleen O. 7th Grade 1st - Dylan Z. 2nd - Emily C. and Gannon I. 3rd - Kenny M., Nell S., Delilah S. Honorable Mention - Ian O., Sophia R., Deirdre O. 8th Grade 1st - Marika O. 2nd - Shannon L. 3rd - Ben Z. and Mason B.   Thanks go out to all the teachers and volunteers who made this event a success.  We couldn't have done it without you! Third Trimester Elective Volunteers Needed Thank you to Coordinators Jenn Ingraham and the Carr Family! MPA's second trimester ends February 28th, which means it's time to start organizing the electives that will be offered during the third trimester.  Jenn Ingraham is stepping down after many successful trimesters of running electives.  Thank you so much Jenn!  This trimester, Mr. & Mrs. Carr have graciously agreed to coordinate.   If you would be interested in leading or assisting with an elective for any grade level during our final trimester, please contact Jeanne Carr at carr_jeanne@yahoo.com and let her know.  Electives will be held onThursdays from 2:15-3pm for K-1, Mondays from 2:15-3pm for grades 2-3, and Fridays from 1:15-2pm and 2-3pm for grades 4-8.  Be a part of what makes our school so different and so great - all while earning volunteer hours!  Lego Olympiad  Volunteer organizer needed We're still looking for a volunteer to coordinate MPA's involvement in the Lego Olympiad, which will be held Friday, April 12th.  As the Lego Olympiad coordinator, you'd help get information about the event out to families of prospective participants, collect all of the registration forms and make sure they get turned in on time, and help inspire our participants to greatness.  Skill with Legos is NOT necessary - we need a project manager, not a builder!  This volunteer opportunity can largely be done from home.    If you would be interested in running this important project,contact Mrs. B-W right away. Student Council Election Results    All student council candidates did an amazing job of preparing and speaking publickly to the student body about their desire to lead.  Their passion and thoughtful remarks were impressive to say the least!  Thanks go out to all the students who ran for office, including Peyton B., Matthew H., Dylan Z., Marlee K., Janna J., Logan C., Lexi H., and Lily M.  Without further ado, here are the winners of this year's elections:  - President: Kaela R.  - Vice President: Aria S.  - Treasurer: Asia G-H.  - Secretary: Rhiannon B.    Congratulations to all of you - we look forward to seeing the great things you can accomplish this year! You Be the Chemist Challenge    Open to students in grades 5-8    Menlo Park Academy middle school students have been invited to compete in the first Cleveland area You Be The Chemist Challenge.  This competition is for students in 5th through 8th grade and is a quiz bowl style competition.  Students can study independently through the online study guide and we are planning to hold a couple of group study session.  Please see the attached flyerfor additional information.  Contact Dawn Watson at dawnmichellewatson@yahoo.com with any questions and to register your student.  All students must be registered by Feb. 6th.  MPA Quiz Night at Brennan's  Tickets are still available! What's fun, delicious, surprising, challenging, and potentially rewarding?  MPA's second annual Quiz Night, of course!   Don't have enough people gathered to make a full team?  Not to worry!  We'll match you up with additional players to make sure each team has a good chance at winning the gold.   Tickets can be purchased online or through cash or check payment.  Don't wait until the last minute - form your teams and register today! Got Pi?  Volunteers and pies needed for K-4 Math Night, 3/14/2013 MPA's K-4 Math Night is on Pi Day, Thursday, March 14, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. Activities will include fun and interactive math-related puzzles and games, including Math Fishing, Math Cornhole, MPA Math Jeopardy, a written pi recitation contest, and much more! We are lucky to have Math Monkey Cleveland (www.mathmonkeycleveland.com) again as a sponsor of some of our activity stations!   We are looking for VOLUNTEERS to help out that evening, including setting up beforehand, during the event (manning activity stations and other tasks), and cleaning up afterward.  We are also looking for parents who can donate PIES (for eating, not for an activity!) for the event.  Finally, we are seeking a sponsor for special Math Night T-SHIRTS so if anyone knows of a business who may be able to help with that, let me know!  If you can help with volunteering, pies, or a T-shirt sponsor referral, or need more info, please contact Latha at LMS54321 AT gmail DOT com. Thank you! Young Authors event  Looking for "celebrity" volunteer readers Young Authors Week will be held in May this year, and we're hoping to do something a little new during this week-long celebration of writing.  Do you know any "celebrities?" Maybe a policeman, fireman, doctor, athlete, radio or television personality, or writer?  We'd love to have them come in to school as a Celebrity Guest Reader sometime during the week.  If you have any ideas for someone you think would be interested in such an activity, please pass their contact information on to Mrs. B-W. We're also hoping that one of our MPA families can help us get a collection of writing published this year.  If you own (or know someone who owns) a printing business or other publishing company, please contact Mrs. B-W.  We'd greatly appreciate it! Information can be submitted via email to: communications@menloparkacademy.com for review and inclusion in the weekly update. Submissions are subject to Director approval.

MPA Weekly Update - 1/24/13

In This Issue Dates to Remember Science Fair Third Trimester Electives Student Council Elections Quiz Night Spelling Bee Lego Olympiad Family Night FYI: Dates to Remember January 1/25 - Friday - Science Fair    February 2/8 - Friday - MS Science Fair workshop after school 2/9 - Saturday - Quiz Night 2/15-18 - Friday/Monday - no school for students 2/22 - Friday - MS Science Fair workshop after school 2/23 - Saturday - Menlo Park Family Night/Monsters Hockey Game 2/28 - Thursday - End of trimester    March 3/1 - Friday - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (teacher in-service) 3/6 - Wednesday - Invention Convention 3/7 - Thursday - Chemistry Competition 3/9 - Saturday - Destination Imagination 3/14 - Math Night for K-4th grade    April 4/26 - Friday - Spelling Bee Open Enrollment  Success! Congratulations and thanks go out to all of the volunteers and staff involved in recruiting students for next year's MPA classes.  Open enrollment is now complete, and whether you lead a tour, referred a friend, posted a flyer, or talked about MPA to someone in the grocery store, you were part of what made it our largest enrollment to date! Due to the overwhelming interest in MPA, a lottery will be held Wednesday, January 30th, to assign students to the open spots in the 2013-2014 incoming Kindergarten class.  Students whose names are not chosen during the lottery will be added to the wait list, and given the opportunity to enroll if spots open up in the future. Shop with Scrips Sunday by 7pm  We're back.  Remember to order this Sunday by 7 PM to ensure delivery for next Thursday's folder.  And thank you to those who supported scrip during the break by using ScripNow & PrestoPay.   Make sure to check the Scrip program website to learn about the current offers that earn additional funds for our school.    Girl Scout Cookies  Order now! This is the last week to order your GS Cookies. The order form is in the teacher's lounge or you can email the troop at gs.troop.mpa@gmail.com   Same flavors and $3.50 per box. Our form will be collected from the Lounge on Mon. Jan. 28 at 4pm!  Thank you for supporting our Junior Troop: Alexx, Asia, Katie, Charlotte, Katey, Alex, Eliana , Marlee, and Lillian! Log your volunteer hours online  Your time is appreciated! Please log your current volunteer hours online, either on the netbook near the sign-in at school, or at home.  We are not using the paper logs to record your hours anymore - all hours MUST be entered into the computer if you want credit for them! 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. Weekly Update - 1/24/13 Quick Links Menlo Park Academy Website MPA on Facebook Shop with Scrips by 7pm on Sunday Report your volunteer hours School calendar  Classroom Websites (click on Classroom Websites tab) Science Fair  - grades 2, 3, 5-8  Friday, 1/25/2013   Science Fair this year will include grades 2, 3, and 5-8.  It will be held on Friday, January 25.  Students in grades 5-8 ONLY (no siblings) may stay after school for a science assembly from 3:15-4 pm if their parents will be here to transport them home immediately following the awards assembly.  Parents are welcome to view the display boards between 8:30 am and 1 pm, or from 3-4pm.  Parents are also welcome to attend the grades 5-8 awards ceremony that begins at 4pm.   Science Fair Schedule for Friday, January 25 8:00 - 8:30   Students bring their display boards, notebooks and reports to church hall 8:30 - 1:00   Students follow their regular schedule 1:00 - 2:00   Judges read over reports and boards while students are in class 2:00 - 3:00   Students stand by their boards and talk to judges 3:00 - 4:00   Students attend a special show in the gym 4:00 - 4:45   Awards ceremony At the end of the day, students need to give their reports to Mrs. Eby and take their boards home. Later this spring, grades K,1,4, and 5-8 will participate inInvention Convention.  It will be held Wednesday, March 6.  A similar schedule to Science Fair will be followed - look for more information closer to that event. Team Building k-1 Recess Activities Mrs. B-W has been visiting k-1 classrooms to discuss the opportunity to participate in a pilot of facilitated team building games during recess.  Students will take part in activities such as obstacle course running, construction tasks, artistic endeavors and more.  The pilot will be on Mondays and run for four weeks, beginning January 28th.    Students will bring home an information form in the Thursday folder this week for interested parents to sign up.  Students must commit to the entire four Mondays.   Volunteers are needed to help run these fun-filled recesses from 12:15-1:00.  If you are interested, please contact Mrs. B-W.  A huge thanks to Mr. Hudak for helping to start this process.  Third Trimester Electives  Volunteer needed to coordinate  MPA's second trimester ends February 28th, which means it's time to start organizing the electives that will be offered during the third trimester.  If you would be willing to spearhead the effort to organize volunteers, work with staff on scheduling times/locations for the electives, and make sure we've got a great line-up of offerings for each grade level, please contact Mrs. B-W and let her know you're interested.  Jen Ingraham, who has done a spectacular job running electives the past two years will help train the new person or people.  This is a great task for someone who likes to organize things and can largely be done at home!  Be a part of what makes our school so different and so great - all while earning volunteer hours!  Student Council Elections  Tuesday, 1/29/2013    School-wide assemblies will be held on Monday, January 28th, and Tuesday, January 29th, during which the fifth-eighth graders running for office will present short speeches.  Student Council officers will be working with administration to develop and adjust school policies.  Administrators will also be working with the Diversity Center to train students in leadership in the areas of tolerance and anti-bullying to help lead school-wide events.  Student Council officers will be taking on significant responsibility and be an action-oriented group.  If your child has submitted his/her name to run, please discuss their level of commitment so that they are sure they wish to participate.  Spring Boy's Basketball  Sign Up In the Office   Is your young man in grades 4-8 interested in playing basketball?  Tryouts for the spring team begin in February.  Students should sign up in the main office and pick up paperwork from Ms. Kovalik.  Current players need not complete paperwork but should still sign up so that Coach Willie can properly prepare for tryouts. MPA Quiz Night at Brennan's  Saturday, 2/9/2013, 6pm-midnight What's fun, delicious, surprising, challenging, and potentially rewarding?  MPA's second annual Quiz Night, of course!   Grab some friends (here's a hint from someone in the know: "If your team includes a numbers person, a music lover, a pop culture nut, a history expert and a person with a knowledge of useless facts, your team will have a shot to take the title!!!!"), get your brain warmed up, and come prepared to have some fun. Rumor has it that last year's winning team is returning this year, and some MPA teachers and staff will be competing, as well, so winning will definitely give you bragging rights for the year!     In addition to the quiz, we will also be running some raffles and silent auctions featuring items from John Roberts Spa, Flemings Steakhouse, Ladies & Gentleman Salon, Hilarities, Cleveland Cinemas, 87 West, and Studio 11 Yoga Studio, just to name a few.   Don't have enough people gathered to make a full team?  Not to worry!  We'll match you up with additional players to make sure each team has a good chance at winning the gold.   Tickets can be purchased online or through cash or check payment.  Don't wait until the last minute - form your teams and register today! Save the Date  All-School Spelling Bee - Friday, 4/26/2013 Save the date for MPA's Spelling Bee, which will take place the morning of Friday, April 26, 2013. Teachers will conduct classroom spelling bees in the coming weeks, and students who earn the top places in these classroom bees will advance to the All-School Spelling Bee. All grades will participate and all classrooms will be able to cheer on their comrades in the Bee! We look forward to having a fun and exciting Spelling Bee!  Look for more information about timing and parent particpation when the date gets closer. Destination Imagination  Saturday, March 9 Students in grades 5-8 will have the opportunity to partcipate in a problem-solving competition called Destination Imagination on Saturday, March 9th.  We'll have more information on the event for you soon; in the meantime, we're looking for volunteers who would be willing to be trained as observers for the event.  Contact Mrs. Belko if you'd like to help out. Lego Olympiad  Volunteer organizer needed Are you good at organizing events?  Do you have a great attention for detail and an ability to make sure deadlines are met?  Do you need to get in some volunteer hours at MPA?  Have we got a job for you!    We're looking for a volunteer to coordinate MPA's involvement in the Lego Olympiad, which will be held Friday, April 12th.  As the Lego Olympiad coordinator, you'd help get information about the event out to families of prospective participants, collect all of the registration forms and make sure they get turned in on time, and help inspire our participants to greatness.  Skill with Legos is NOT necessary - we need a project manager, not a builder!  This volunteer opportunity can largely be done from home.    If you would be interested in running this important project,contact Mrs. B-W right away. Family Night at Lake Erie Monsters Hockey  Saturday, 2/23/2013   Monsters tickets are on sale now! Come spend the night with Menlo Park as we watch the Lake Erie Monsters take on the Texas Stars on Saturday, February 23rd! Game time is 7:30, but gates open at 6:30 for FREE face and/or hair painting. This is a great opportunity for the MPA community to have a fun family night out.Tickets on sale now for $10/each and must be purchased byMonday, January 28th to ensure our group will be seated together.     BONUS... every MPA student who purchases a ticket will be entered into a raffle to take part in the intermission broom ball show on the ice (20 kids will win)! Please make checks payable to MPA Boosters. Flyer is    attached  . Questions?Contact jessicatonsing@hotmail.com.   We want your feedback!    Thanks to those who attended Middle School STEM Career Night: Meet the Experts on Jan. 9th! We hope it was a valuable experience. As always, the STEM Enrichment Team seeks to improve its events. If you attended the event, we'd very much appreciate it if you would fill out this feedback survey:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2VYCLKW Thank you! Information can be submitted via email to: communications@menloparkacademy.com for review and inclusion in the weekly update. Submissions are subject to Director approval.