Mounds Park Academy strongly believes that service is an essential part of a student’s education.  Service is one of our graduation requirements.  Students begin in ninth grade with 10 hours of service inside or outside the school community and continue with the 10 hour requirement in their tenth and eleventh grade years.  In twelfth grade, students participate in a Senior Service Project.  This project is an opportunity for MPA seniors, individually or as part of a group, to propose and carry out a service project with an organization or for a worthwhile cause.  We call this project “Paying it Forward.”  All seniors are expected to submit a written proposal, complete a minimum of 30 hours of focused service, record an individual journal of experiences, and prepare an end of the year “exhibit” or presentation based on their experience.  Last year’s seniors provided assistance to organizations as far ranging as Habitat for Humanity, church mission trips, Presbyterian Homes, Humane Society, ACLU, Girl Scouts, Dignity Center, Family Means, and MN Public Interest Research Group.  Seniors were asked to comment on their experiences.  Here are a few of their thoughts:

-          “We organized activities for inner-city kids ranging in ages 7 to 13.  We gained a better perspective of just how privileged we are and were able to step outside our comfort zones and view life from a different viewpoint.  We realized just how important it is for kids to have older male role models.”

-          “I loved the experiences Habitat has given me.  I have learned so many important skills through the job.  It is really cool to actually meet the homeowner and work side-by-side to help build their family’s home.”

-          “I helped students in an elementary school learn to read and write in English.  Working with these kids was one of the most wonderful experiences ever.  It was so much fun to actually teach the kids things that I have always taken for granted of knowing.  I would highly recommend it to anyone with a love for kids!”

-          “I spent time in the memory care unit at a nursing home.  This really opened my eyes to how trivial my problems were.  It was truly amazing and I would definitely recommend this.”

-          “At Family Means, we volunteered to relieve parents of their responsibilities for a few hours once a week by working with their children with disabilities.  The children we were lucky enough to watch were sweet and caring.  They showed us that people cannot be defined by their “disorders” but instead on the strength of their character.”

-          “I researched renewable energy and met with state legislators to talk to them about a renewable energy standard.  I learned that youth can be very influential!”

I look forward to hearing about the personal service experiences of the Class of 2008.  In June, the community will have an opportunity to attend the Senior Service Project Showcase.  Seniors will share details of their service experience with others in the community.

Saturday, September 15th:  Homecoming

Homecoming Dance - The Annual Upper School Homecoming Barbecue and Dance will be held Saturday evening, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with a barbeque in the west parking lot, followed by a dance in the Black Box.  Tickets for the dance are $5.00 and food is $1.00 per item (hot dog, pop, cookies).  Dress is casual.  The dance ends promptly at 11:00 p.m.  Here are a few general rules for Upper School dances:

1. No student will be allowed to enter the dance after 9:30 p.m.

2. Any student who leaves the dance cannot return.

3. Students are not allowed to go to their cars without an adult escort.

4. If students want to bring a guest from another high school, they must pre-register the student. Forms are in the Upper School Office and must be returned by Friday before the dance.  Forms will not be accepted at the dance.

5. All school rules are enforced at dances both on and off campus.

6. Students do not need to come with a date to any dance.

Thursday, September 20th:  Picture Day

Smile!  Yearbook pictures will be taken next Thursday.  All students will have their picture taken even if they are not ordering extra pictures.  If your son/daughter would like to order pictures, they can stop by the Upper School Office and pick up an order form.  Students must present the order form and their money at the time they get their picture taken.