MPCS Lower School August Newsletter

A monthly newsletter from MPCS Lower School Head, Dr. Deborah Davis

WE ARE READY!

MPCS Family,

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are excited to start the new school year. Although we have had many students on campus this summer participating in summer camps and athletic and arts activities, it is always nice to have all of our MPCS students back in class.

I trust you all had a restful and enjoyable summer with your families. My family had a very good summer mixed with lots of family time, home renovation projects, travel, and rest. I enjoy a break in the regular school schedule for a bit but am ready to get back into my school routine.

Over the summer, many of my devotions and quiet times led me to ask, "Am I as present as I need to be with those around me?" As we begin the new school year, I pray I can be intentional about ensuring I am present with those in front of me. I don't know about you, but it is easy for me to get distracted and not be as focused as I should be at times.

Our children certainly need us to be present, attentive, and focused on their needs. How often have I missed an opportunity to go deeper, ask a few more questions, or listen more attentively? I want to encourage all of us this year to commit to being present - to listen - to being with our children. There is nothing that they want more than our time, our presence.

I look forward to seeing all of you in the next few days at our Back-to-School events!

Blessings,

Deborah Davis, Ed.D.

Head of Lower School

ON THE CALENDAR

August 5 -

K-Day, 9:00-10:15 a.m., Mulkey Hall, Adair Gym and Weber Collaboratory
Lower School 101, 9:00-10:15 a.m., Mulkey Hall, Myrick Media Center and Weber Collaboratory, all new grade 1-5 students and their parents

August 9 - Back-2-School Night, Drop-in 3:30-6:30 p.m.

August 11 - First Day of School, 7:50 a.m.

August 15 - Lower School Parent Orientation, classrooms

Grades PreK-Second: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Grades 3-5: 6:45-7:45 p.m.

August 16-17 - Picture Day

August 29-September 1 - MAP Growth Testing, Lower School Students

August 30 - Picture Make-up Day

September 5 - Labor Day Holiday, No School

September 22-23 - Parent-Teacher Conference Days, Grades PK-8

Students in grades PK-8 do not attend classes. High school students DO attend classes.

September 26-27 - Fall Break, No School

STORIES

SUMMER READING

Remember, as the first day of school approaches, all MPCS students in rising grades K-12 have summer reading assignments. Please be sure to check the summer reading page to make sure your student is up-to-date on all required assignments.

STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR GEORGIA DOE SB10 FUNDS

If your child receives Georgia SB10 funds, please submit the student eligibility printout, which indicates the estimated funds for the student, prior to the start of school.

PARENT LEARNING WALKS

Take a peek inside the classroom with our Parent Learning Walks. Beginning September 8, Dr. Davis leads a tour with a 15-minute visit to classrooms and a 15-minute discussions about the curriculum and instruction we use.

BLUE & BLACK BASH

The Blue & Black Bash pre-game tailgates are back this season! Mark your calendars for these dates and themes:

September 2 vs. Mt Vernon - "USA Night", Jr. Eagle Spirit Night Grades 3-5

September 16 vs. Kipp Collegiate - "Glow-Out of this World", Jr. Eagle Spirit Night Grades K-2

October 7 vs. South Atlanta - "Superheroes", Jr. Eagles Spirit Night Preschool/TK

October 14 - "Black-Out", Homecoming, Alumni Dinner

November 4 vs. Booker T. Washington - "Blue-Out", Senior Night

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ARTS SEASON LINEUP

We are thrilled to introduce the theatre production lineup for this school year! Also, mark your calendars for the chorus, dance, and music concert dates.

Click here for the sneak peek.

SHIRT OF THE YEAR AND TAILGATE APPAREL

Time to get your Eagle spirit on! Pre-order your 2022-2023 spirit shirt of the year and limited-edition tailgate shirts now. Any MPCS-issued spirit wear may be worn with approved uniform bottoms to school on Fridays! Orders for the shirt of the year and tailgates must be placed by August 17 to ensure delivery by the first game. Get one or all in youth or adult sizes!

Click here to place your order before August 17, and get ready to cheer on your Eagles!

RECOMMENDED READING

While it can be difficult to monitor what children are exposed to each day, this social media post is a wonderful reminder of why it is so important that we do.

CONTACT INFO

Mulkey Building Main Office Front Desk:

770-578-0182

EAZ Extended-Day:

Call 770-578-0182 ext. 1016 with questions, changes, drop-ins, or emergencies.

Follow @MPCSLOWER on Twitter.

Be sure to follow @mtparanschool on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

K-DAY

(All rising Kindergarten students and their parents)

All rising Kindergarten students and their parents are invited to join us for K-Day on August 5 from 9:00-10:15 a.m. Students will meet the kindergarten teachers, see the Kindergarten classrooms, and walk through a typical day in Kindergarten. Student classroom assignments will be posted on each classroom door at the Back-2-School Night on Tuesday, August 9. Kindergarteners may be dropped off in the Adair Gym. Dr. Davis will meet with parents separately during K-Day in the Weber Collaboratory.

LOWER SCHOOL 101

(New students only in grades 1-5 and their parents)

All students and parents in grades 1-5 who are NEW to MPCS this year should plan to attend Lower School 101 on August 5 from 9:00-10:15 a.m., in the Myrick Media Center (Mulkey Hall, lower floor). Parents are invited to meet with Dr. Davis upstairs in the Weber Collaboratory during this time to answer questions about the start of the new year.

BACK-2-SCHOOL NIGHT

Join us for our Back-2-School Night on Tuesday, August 9, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. (drop-in). All students and parents should plan to attend this event to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Meet your teachers and stop by the information fair in the dining area to get connected and ask questions. You can also purchase school essentials and spirit wear. SAGE Dining will offer kid-friendly pickup meals. And, don't miss the digital photo booth and Bingo scavenger hunt for FREE Kona Ice.

LOWER SCHOOL PARENT ORIENTATION

After school has begun, parents are invited to attend orientation night, August 15, to learn about their child's day-to-day learning environment, class guidelines, schedules, etc. Please make plans to attend at the appropriate time.

Grades PreK-Second: 5:30-6:30 p.m., classrooms

Grades 3-5: 6:45-7:45 p.m., classrooms

PARENTEd. P.E.P. TALKS

Mr. Steve Kyle, assistant head of school for Christian Life, will host several opportunities for parents to engage with the school. These P.E.P. (Parents Engaging Purposefully) Talks are designed to help parents navigate the teen years.

f you’ve attended in the past, please do so again, as Mr. Kyle’s message will be different than previous sessions. All parents are welcome to attend.

PTF ROOM PARENTS

Our amazing Parent Teacher Fellowship has many opportunities for you to volunteer in the classroom and support our teachers and staff this year. More details about classroom volunteer and room parent opportunities will be discussed at orientation night.

Parent Volunteer Opportunities

ACADEMIC TESTING

We will use the standardized test instrument, the MAP^® Growth^™ test from NWEA^®, for students in grades 3-8. These results help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.

Students will take the tests in the fall, winter, and spring.

August 22-23: Third grade, CogAT

August 29-September 1: Grades 3-5, MAP^® Growth^™

BEFORE SCHOOL AND EXTENDED DAY

MPCS is proud to offer a wide variety of activities for students to get involved before and after the regular school day. Our extracurricular programs include complimentary Early Care (PK-Grade 5 arrivals 7:00-7:20 a.m.), Eagle Adventure Zone (EAZ) extended-day care, The Zone for middle schoolers, clubs, grades K-5 tutoring options, and Summer Programs. Click here for full details on all options.

EARLY CARE (Preschool/TK-Grade 5)

A complimentary early care supervision option is available to preschool and lower school students. Parents who need to utilize early care for their child may drop off at 7:00 a.m. in the Sewell Cottage (preschool) or the Mulkey Hall main office (lower school). This session is provided on all regular school days but does not include breakfast. Students are escorted to their classroom at 7:20 a.m.

EAZ EXTENDED DAY (Preschool/TK-Grade 5)

EAZ extended-day care offers a fun place to play, complete homework, and participate in educational activities until 6:00 p.m. If your child is enrolled in after-school activities such as ballet, chess, clubs, etc. on campus, EAZ instructors will get him/her to the activity for you. Annual registration for EAZ is completed during enrollment, and parents may take advantage of the $25 drop-in option with 24-hour notice online registration. Click here for full details about Eagle Adventure Zone.