Middle School - 3/4

We've made it to our spring conference week! These conferences can be one of the most valuable conversations we make together in your student's growth. This time gives us a chance to partner and to celebrate what's going well, address what's challenging, and build an intentional plan to carry us through the remainder of the quarter and semester. When parents and teachers are in partnership, our students flourish. We are praying that each conversation this week would be encouraging, honest, and fruitful.

Finishing Strong Before Spring Break

With Spring Break just around the corner, it's natural for students to start looking ahead. We want to acknowledge that the break is something to look forward to! But we're asking families to partner with us in keeping the momentum strong these last few days. Consistent homework routines, healthy sleep, and gentle reminders that our expectations for academic effort and Christlike character remain high right through the finish line will make a real difference.

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

• March 5-6 Parent/Teacher Conferences
• March 12-15 MCA Theater Performance - Frozen Jr.
• March 20 End of Q3/Half Day
• March 21- March 29 Spring Break/No School
• March 30 School Resumes

Blessings,

Allen Banks

Middle School Principal

This week in chapel, our student leaders led us in worship. At the beginning of the year, the chapel band team came to me with the desire to dedicate three chapel services to worship. They thought it would bring unity as we worshiped our Lord together.

We have been so blessed by the leadership of our students and their willingness to try new things. The student body leaned in this week as we worshiped the Lord amid the tumultuous times in our world. As a reminder, our families are always welcome to join the student body on Tuesdays during chapel for worship and the preaching of the word.

So thankful for a community that worships, prays, and reads the word together.

For His Glory,

Mr. Agrimson

5th and 6th grade students who are not picked up at the 11:45 dismissal will require supervision on Friday, March 20th from 11:45am - 3:15pm.

Students who remain after our half-day will need to pre-register and will be charged $24.50/student to cover the cost of pizza, sides, a drink, and supervision through 3:15 p.m.

When: March 20, 2026
Hours: 11:45am-3:15pm*
Pickup: Cafeteria

*Note: 5th and 6th grade X-Tended Day is available from 3:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. and our regular school-day rates apply.

Registration is required to ensure we have enough food for all those who come join! Registration deadline is at 4:00 p.m. March 17th

Click here to register

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.

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

• 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