February 26, 2026
from Paul Errickson, Middle School director
With our i-Term 2026 quickly approaching, we are excited to wrap up February in fine fashion. Here in the Middle School, students have been working to honor our Black History Month; we’ve had some exciting Middle School Meetings, and we just hosted an amazing Middle School talent show this afternoon.
For i-Term this year, we will have students creating podcasts, skateboard decks and new characters in D&D, dogsledding, enjoying racquet sports, golf, snowboarding, climbing, etc., learning the customs and culture of Quebec and Scandinavia, and fixing all sorts of broken things, along with just trying to survive in the Middle School (Survivor i-Term) throughout next week. We are excited for the plethora of options and the opportunity to take a break from our classrooms. Please join us next Friday, March 6, from 2-3 PM in the Family Commons and Middle School T.
On Wednesday, March 4, from 4-6 PM, we are excited to join our Upper School BSU in celebrating Black History Month in the Family Commons. The theme this year is “Rooted”—this theme invites us to consider the foundations that ground us, the histories that shape us, and the communities that sustain us.
And I also want to highlight some of the fun ways that our eighth graders have stepped up to bring some fun and joy to our Middle School Meetings. As a Middle School, we’ve danced (Dance, Dance, Revolution style) and played Kahoot together. There’s even chatter of some more pies being thrown in faces—this time, I think I might be off the hook! We are excited to see our eighth graders leading and sharing joy with their classmates.
As we head into Spring Break, we hope that you and your Middle Schooler are able to enjoy some time away from school. We will be collecting laptops, as we did over the holiday break, with the hope that it will encourage our students to limit their screen use and take a break from their technology.
Our Students & Screens session this week helped to illustrate that our students want the adults in their lives to partner with them to help limit their social media, and that they are both excited and apprehensive about AI. We heard from a panel of Upper School students who share concerns about the environmental impact of data centers and the ways in which AI might stifle creativity. They also shared that AI is already intertwined in their lives, and that there are many effective ways they are using AI tools to make their work more efficient, refined, and informed. We hope to host two more Students & Screens sessions before the end of the school year, and I hope to see you at one (or both) in the future.
2026 MPA Spring Auction: Rooted In Purpose
Join us for the 2026 MPA Spring Auction: Rooted In Purpose, on Friday, April 17, at the Lowlands in St. Paul! Join us as we gather in celebration of the people and purpose that make Mounds Park Academy such a special community, while raising critical support for our students, staffulty, and programs. Sponsorships and tickets are available NOW! Family Sponsorships can be purchased here, Business Sponsorships can be bought here, and tickets can be bought here. (Ticket prices increase to $125 after March 15.)
Help Make the Evening Unforgettable
We are seeking exciting contributions to elevate the event, including:
- MPA Exclusive Silent Auction items
- Live Auction Experiences
- Spirits and Wine Donations
- Curated Gifts and Experiences
Your support helps create a joyful, meaningful evening while making a lasting impact on MPA.
Visit the event website or contact Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement, at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org to learn more or get involved.
Let’s make this a night to remember.
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, February 27: G3-12 SnoDaze Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
- Friday, February 27: PA Family Trivia Night, 6-8 PM, Family Commons, Register >
- Monday, March 2-Friday, March 6: MS i-Term
- Tuesday, March 3: MS College Counseling Coffee Chat for Parents, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
- Wednesday, March 4: Black History Month Celebration, 4-6 PM, Family Commons, Nicholson Center, & US Commons
- Friday, March 6: MS i-Term Fair, 2-3 PM
- Monday, March 9-Friday, March 20: No Classes, Spring Break
