Just a few short weeks into the start of school, faculty and staff share thoughts on how the new facilities have had an impact across all divisions:

Marilyn Shardlow (US English): I have always loved coming to work at MPA but this makes it even more joyful. Just driving into the parking lot in the morning lifts my spirits! My room is comfortable, well-designed and conducive to good teaching and learning. I feel a new energy and optimism from students because they have enough room and the spaces are pleasant and serene.

Deedee Stacy (4^th grade): My new room is twice the size of my old room!  In the past, it was not possible for students to work in small groups out of their desks without leaving the room. This year, not only is there ample room for group work, but also for a few community tables and other spaces in which my nine year old charges can stretch out a bit while they read or work with a partner.

Randy Comfort (US Assistant Director): The entire Upper School has shifted in such a profound way because of the new space. The halls are more spacious and the lockers are larger for most of the high school kids. The benches in the Commons are used all the time and students seem to be right at home in the new space. Quite simply, it is beyond my wildest expectations to see how much the students enjoy the new building.

Students enjoying the new upper school commons

Mona Poehling (US drama): I love the stage lighting in the new drama room.  When I started an exercise with them that allowed me to use it, I heard "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!".  They were blown away.  It worked well and developed the mood I was looking for!  

 Nansee Greeley (LS Director): You cannot imagine how wonderful it is to go out of my office and have all lower school classrooms within a minute from me. I am able to step in and out of every classroom daily with little effort. The teachers have also remarked on how nice it is to have their colleagues right outside their door. I remember Susie Thacker mentioning the early days and how everyone would meet under the clock. Well, guess what? Teachers are always gathering under the clock once again and sharing their days and lessons.

Mitch Thomsen (US science): I have a fantastic room that can be completely dedicated to my class. I can arrange it how I wish to include displays, posters and equipment that are relevant to what I am teaching.

Katrina Stoltz (Phy Ed): There is only one word for the new sport’s center- incredible!  I still think I’m dreaming when I am in there with a class. The children have space to move and run and that alone will improve the fitness levels or our children.  To work in a space so open and bright is wonderful. The colors and hardwood floor are beautiful.  Our students love the indoor track.  My 1st graders are always asking to go up to run.  I truly believe this new facility will encourage our children to have a love for movement and lifelong fitness.

Martha Castellanos (LS Spanish): It feels absolutely great - clean, fresh, spacious, roomier, attractive, decent, inviting, motivating, full of light, etc. It allows the students to move easily and with a better attitude.

Fourth graders on a "hunter-gatherer" mission in the US commons  

Renee Sonka (Visual art): I love having my own classroom for the first time!  It is allowing me to display visual images and set up stations in ways I have not been able to do in the past.  The changes make the school feel more established.

Polly Saul (admissions office, MPA parent): I must admit that I originally was skeptical of the building project but now that it is here I don’t know how we survived without it. Personally it has meant that my children have been able to use the track for Cross Country practice on rainy days and have been able to attend 6^th grade volleyball team practices 3 times a week (instead of being pushed aside for the JV and Varsity teams).

Maureen Conway (US social studies): I LOVE it!!  The air is better!  The sun shines!  There is room to move!  People are relaxed and seem more focused — more happily focused!  People smile!   We can BREATHE!  It’s exactly like the old joke!  Who knew we were even banging our heads against the wall, but does it EVER feel good to live in a world where the head banging has stopped!  THANK YOU!

Jane Anderson (US science): As for general atmosphere, I love to walk through the commons and see the students there on the benches.  The old commons was never really used, but this commons is really a gathering space!  I think the upper school kids really like feeling like they have an “upper school”.

Joan Shrum (French): Walking along the courtyard brings such a nice sense of calm.  There is more space for everyone to do their “thing”. There is space to meet with students and work with them in small groups or individually.  

Beth Slocum (US English): Being in the new spaces is absolutely wonderful….The space feels calm and students seem more focused and mature.  Students are quieter, and they use the public spaces in ways that seem comfortable and easy.  

Marc Shapiro (US science): I love my new room. It’ a pleasant place to hang out and has windows, so we get daylight and sunshine. I have already used the running track in the Sports Center three times for my physics classes. It’s a great space for marking off distances. Today we studied circular motion by hitting bowling balls with mallets on the track. While I didn’t anticipate using the track for this activity, it was ideally suited for what I wanted to do. I love my room. Did I mention that?

Theresa Reardon Offerman (US Math and Technology): In the Tech Center, having doors on the classroom has made all the difference. The students really like the new room. We have been able to do something NOW that I have only dreamed of for the last 20 years!

Robbie Seum (US Director): Students are using the “quiet study room” off the commons area all day. They are self monitoring the “quiet” concept and find it a valuable space to do homework or read. Each day, after school, students congregate in the commons area to study and visit while they wait for their ride.  

Sue Samuelson (Phy ed): The kids across the board are bright eyed and excited every time they come in.  There is an increased sense of pride, commitment and a definite increase in the level of activity overall, which of course will help all of us become more fit. I’m personally still at the “pinch-me” stage and hope that never leaves!

I think we’re all still in the “pinch me” stage. Many thanks to all who made this incredible new facility possible!

Mike Downs