Middle School - 2/26

I can hardly believe we're quickly closing in on the end of third quarter! With that we have our spring conferences coming up next week. Please make attendance at these a priority, as our goal is simple: to know your student deeply and challenge them to grow. That kind of environment doesn't happen without partnership with families. When families and school partner together around high expectations our students can truly flourish as who God has called them to be.

Partnering Through Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up on March 5 and 6, and I hope you'll make plans to attend. These aren't just grade check-ins. They're a real opportunity to sit down together and talk about your child's growth in their academics, social dynamics, and spiritually. If a teacher shares a concern, please receive it in the spirit it's intended. Our staff at MCA love your students and wants to truly see what is best for them. We're looking forward to seeing you.

A Few Key Reminders:

We've noticed an uptick in dress code infractions lately, especially around out-of-dress-code sweatshirts and an increase in sweatpants. Please take a few minutes to review the dress code with your student before school. Thank you for partnering with us on this.

Our students are wonderfully social, and that is a real gift. At the same time, we have been coaching them on recognizing when and where conversation is appropriate. Talking during instruction time takes learning away from everyone in the room, including themselves. We encourage you to ask your student about this at home: "Where are the right times and places to be social?" It is a prayerful reminder that self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and it shows respect for teachers and classmates alike.

Weekly Updates and Events

• February 26 Mother/Son Outing at Slick City
• February 27 Maranatha Morning
• March 5-6 Parent/Teacher Conferences
• March 12-15 MCA Theater Performance - Frozen Jr.
• March 20 End of Q3/Half Day

Blessings,

Allen Banks

Middle School Principal

What a special evening! A heartfelt thank you to all the dads, grandpas, uncles, and special guests who joined their daughters for our Sweetheart Dance. The smiles and memories made that night are a beautiful reminder of why community matters so much here at MCA. We are so glad you were there.

Our MS math students in Ms. Stite's classroom recently put on their detective hats for a creative classroom activity called "Who Did It?" Students applied the skills they have been building to work through a scenario and crack the case. It was wonderful to see students as critical thinkers rise to the challenge. Great work, Mustangs!

This week in chapel, Pastor Dustin Sherry, our Next Gen Youth pastor, brought the word, encouraging the student body to be humble toward one another and to trust in Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:3 states, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." This is a challenging passage and directly influences the way we treat one another. We desire that humility be a key driving force of our school's community. We love it when our students serve and pray over one another. Thank you to Pastor Dustin for a great message and a reminder to all of us to live a life filled with Christ, who grants us the ability to lift one another up in humility.

• Mr. Agrimson

Dear Families,

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Lissa Flaaten has rejoined the counseling team at MCA alongside Mrs. Andrea Shoup. Ms. Flaaten previously served in this capacity for 9 years. Most recently she has served as a children’s pastor over the last 3 years. For this school year, Ms. Flaaten will be primarily supporting students in middle and high school. In her role, she will be available to support students with social-emotional development, academic guidance, and college and career planning. She brings with her a deep familiarity with our students, families, and student culture. We are glad to have her back on our team.

Families are encouraged to reach out to our counseling team directly with questions or to schedule a conversation via email andrea.shoup@mcamustangs.org or lissa.flaaten@mcamustangs.org.

We are confident that Ms. Flaaten's return to our team will be a benefit to our students, and we look forward to the work ahead.

Join Parents with Purpose for a fun and exciting Mother & Son(s) Night Out for our Lower and Middle school students on Thursday, February 26 from 6–7:30 pm!

Whether you’re a mom, grandma, aunt, or special caregiver, you’re invited to make memories with the boys in your life!

• Cost is $23 per person (includes treats, required socks, and 90 minutes at the park)

• Registration closes Tuesday, February 24 at midnight.

Note that a waiver is required prior to arrival..

The 2026–2027 course registration process will take place during the second week of March and will be built into WIN Time through what we are calling registration conferences. This approach allows us to be intentional in supporting students as they plan ahead.

During these registration conferences, teachers will walk students through the process to ensure they clearly understand graduation requirements, elective options, and what credits they still need in order to graduate. Our goal is to help students make thoughtful, informed decisions about their course selections.

UPDATED time frame:

• Monday, March 9: Students will review their transcript and receive a grade-level-specific registration sheet for the year they are registering for. They will select their desired courses and take the form home to review with a parent/guardian.
• By Friday, March 13: Please enter student course selections into FACTS at home. A step-by-step process will be sent home in the coming weeks.

We appreciate your partnership as we work together to plan well for the upcoming school year.

~Dr. Rothstein

High School Principal

Looking Ahead

• February 19 Celebration of Black History
• February 23 Welcome to Middle School Parent Meeting (Current 4th Grade Families)
• February 26 Mother/Son Outing at Slick City
• February 27 Maranatha Morning

• March 5 and 6 Parent/Teacher Conferences
• March 12-15 MCA Theater Performance - Frozen Jr.
• March 20 End of Q3/Half Day
• April 20-24 NWEA Spring MAP Testing