High School - 10/22

This week in chapel, we had a representative from the FACES program come in and speak to the students. They shared with us the international student program and gave the students an opportunity to travel to Guatemala in the summer as an international student, as well as a chance to serve the community. This is an opportunity to experience life at a Guatemalan school, live with a host family, and develop Spanish-speaking skills. Students have to be ages 11-17 and eager to go and learn about Guatemalan culture. There is a two-week program in June and a two, three, or four-week program in July. Students do not have to speak Spanish in order to go, but are required to go with a servant's heart, ready to help.

~ MCA Chapel Committee

We are excited to share that House t-shirts will be sent home with students by Tuesday, October 27! Students should wear their House shirts to school on Wednesday, October 28, for our next House Games!

MCA is providing each student with a complimentary House t-shirt to keep. We hope students will wear their shirts proudly as they represent their Houses and build community throughout the school year!

A few important reminders:

• House Games Days: Students are expected to wear their House t-shirts with dress code-approved pants on all House Games days.

• Replacement Shirts: Each student's first shirt is provided by MCA. If a student outgrows or loses their shirt, families will be responsible for purchasing a replacement.

We can't wait to see our hallways filled with House colors next Wednesday!

Families, it's your turn to help your student's house earn points toward the House Cup!

During parent-teacher conferences, families of students in grades 5–12 can participate in our House Conference Challenge. When you arrive, you'll be handed a House Conference Passport and bring it with you as you visit your student's teachers. For each teacher you meet with, ask them to sign your passport. Each signature earns 2 points for your student's house, with a maximum of 8 signatures (16 points). Families who collect 6 or more signatures will earn an additional 5 bonus points, for a total of 21 possible House Points!

Before leaving, be sure to turn in your completed passport so your points can be added to your student's house total. Thank you for partnering with us in your student's education and helping build a strong MCA community!

All high school (9th-12th grade) MCA moms invited!!

Wednesday November 11th

7:00-8:30PM

Heather Lanari's home:

7425 Narcissus Lane

Maple Grove, MN 55311

The college search continues to become more complex, making it harder for families to identify right-fit schools. Challenges include:

• Admission trends and how colleges admit students

• ACT/SAT Testing - some require it now, and some don't - what path makes sense?

• The number of schools on the “more selective” list continues to grow

• Substantial changes to the FAFSA, Dept of Education, and financial aid may make college more expensive

Join The CCC team, as we partner with national college expert, Cozy Wittman, from College Inside Track, to learn how these changes may impact your family, and new strategies to consider to give your student the best opportunity to be admitted and maximize scholarships and financial aid.

If you are the parent of a high school student in grades 9-12, this is incredibly important info you will not want to miss.

See below for some current scholarship opportunities for high school seniors.

Better Business Bureau Serving Minnesota and North Dakota awards an annual scholarship to a high school student(s) who has demonstrated integrity, leadership and ethical values. Scholarship funds are awarded directly toward winners’ education expenses at any accredited post-secondary institution. This is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship. The recipient is required to be enrolled in an educational institution immediately following high school graduation.

The BBB scholarship is primarily based on a written essay which must convey how the student has demonstrated integrity and ethical decision making.

Link to scholarship is below.

Attached below is the 2026-2027 Clubs & Activities Handbook for your reference.

Attached below is the Schoology Parent Guide for your reference.

Please see attached letter regarding attendance grade reductions and a link to submit an absence.

With increased AI use, it is a priority for us to teach acceptable AI use at school with regard to assigned coursework. Please take a few minutes to read through the AI Use Policy as this is what will be taught to students and enforced in the classroom.

This year we are strengthening our enforcement of the cell phone policy. In order to help us enforce the policy, if your child 1) does not have a cell phone, or 2) does not bring their phone to school, please complete the attached form and return it to Mrs. Andrea Shoup, Assistant Principal, by email or dropping it off at school.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Shoup directly.

Below is the Weekly Schedule for Grades 7-12 for the 2026-2027 school year (with lunch times).

As a new school year is upon us, please take a moment to refresh your memory on our parking lot flowchart and assigned parking areas for families and students.

Attached is the BYOD Guide for your reference.

• October 23: Pancake breakfast
• Friday, October 23: Powderpuff Game @ 1PM (Inspire Field)
• Monday, November 2: NJHS/NHS Induction
• Wednesday, November 4: College Financial Aid Night (FAFSA) @ 6:30PM
• November 5-6: No School, Conferences
• Thursday, November 12: NHS Blood Drive