History
The Mounds Park Academy Parents Association (MPAPA), a group of volunteers from within our MPA families, was founded at the time of the school's founding in 1982. MPAPA has always been a means by which parents have a say in the process of educating their students, supporting the MPA mission, and helping build a strong community of families within this marvelous school. The Parents Association works collaboratively with the MPA Administrative Team and in concert with the MPA Board of Trustees while maintaining autonomy in managing funds raised during any given school year.
For many years, the Parents Association used its fundraising monies at the end of the school year to offer faculty, staff, and administration the chance to put together a "wish list" of items needed to enhance the learning environment. Parents were given the opportunity to vote their preferences for funding items on the wish list each year. That program was replaced in 2006 with the Grant Program where, three times a year, faculty, staff, and administration were asked to write short grant requests for opportunities to enrich the learning environment in ways that would be sustained over several years and affect many of our students. In 2008 the Grant Program was extended to cover education conferences for faculty, as part of staff development. Over these four years $81,636 were given in 62 grants supporting a variety of programs, equipment, and conferences.
Beginning in the summer of 2010, the Parents Association is moving on from its successful grant program in response to the change in MPA's Strategic Plan. The mission of the Parents Association will continue to be supported in this new program with new opportunities to enhance the community-building of which the Parents Association has always been a part. Following are descriptions of the upcoming year's Parents Association activities, fundraising, and support for MPA made possible through the time, talents, and resources of the families of MPA:
Greater Cultural Awareness
The Parents Association has committed funds to working with Mosiac to enhance the annual Cultural Fair. Not only does this effort provide for more family participation in this remarkable event, it underscores the diversity of our MPA community. A multitude of voices, experiences, and perspectives bring greater cultural awareness to our students who will be the next leaders of the social changes necessary to make a difference in the world. In further support of the Global Advantage piece of the MPA Strategic Plan, the Parents Association is designating the upcoming Magazine Drive as our main fundraiser to support the purchase of advanced technology. Consideration is being given to technology that provides additional resources for learning and assists in the design of a curriculum which reflects a world that is technologically interconnected in a global marketplace. More specific details about the purchase goals will be available in September at the launch of the annual Magazine Drive.
Community Connections
In order to continue with our mission to facilitate family and school communication, and to support MPA's efforts to maintain a connected community, the Parents Association offers regular meetings for all-school and for each division. We will provide information parents are asking for and a forum for discussions about learning strategies, Internet influences, and parenting skills as our children evolve from Pre-K through Grade 12. The Parents Association will conduct four breakfast meetings during the 2010-2011 school year as forums for MPA students, alumni, parents, and grandparents to participate in discussion topics relevant to prospective and current MPA families and the surrounding community. These events will showcase MPA students demonstrating where they are going with their educations and lives. In continuing to work toward building a reputation of excellence for the immediate MPA community, the Parents Association encourages the creation and continuation of social events within each grade - at athletic events (e.g., Spring rally, etc.), at Homecoming in the fall, and as part of the annual MPAPA Book Festival. We are planning to create partnerships with any MPA club or organization that may desire our help with fulfilling a project and bringing an experience to a new level for our students who give of their free time to follow a passion.
For Excellence
The Parents Association is committed to supporting, acknowledging, and encouraging excellence in faculty, staff, and administration and works for the future as envisioned in the MPA Strategic Plan. The Parents Association has a strong working relationship with each division and the main administration. We work with the development, admissions and communications offices to recruit volunteers for myriad events and activities and to get messages out for the positive ways families and volunteers support MPA. Funds have been allotted for upcoming school year to work more closely with the Admissions Office to develop information geared for prospective families. We assist in marketing within the school and promote the important role Grade Representatives play in the retention and recruitment of families at MPA. All of these efforts are keys to MPA's strong financial future and long-term outlook. As always, a portion of the year's fundraising is contributed to the MPA Endowment Fund.
Be Active in MPAPA
The Parents Association advocates for the parents and is a voice of pride, concern, support, and appreciation for the education our students receive. The MPA Pre-K-Grade 12 community is strengthened, enhanced, and enlarged because of a strong parent community. The Parents Association supports MPA in keeping in synch with its dynamic mission, thanks to the support of our families.
Please feel free to contact any Parents Association Board member with comments or suggestions; we listen and do our best to provide a solution or follow-up on questions and new ideas. We look forward to the new directions we are adding in the upcoming school year. Thank you for your support!
