Parents Association News And Events February 5, 2026

February 5, 2026

Feature image of two MPA parents chatting. In case you missed it, here is our February edition of the Parent Press.

Join Us At Trivia Night!

Join us for the third annual Parents Association Trivia Night on Friday, February 27, from 6-8 PM in the Family Commons! In a time when community and connection matter more than ever, this evening is the opportunity to come together, get to know fellow parents, and have some fun along the way.

Hosted by the Parents Association, the night will feature dinner and socializing, with a friendly competition for the chance to hold the title of Parents Association Trivia Night champion. Regardless of your trivia knowledge, we hope to see you for this night of connection and competition. Click here to register!

Ways To Contribute

Lower School Valentine’s Day Party

Calling for volunteers from Lower School families! Please sign up to volunteer at the upcoming Lower School Valentine’s Party on February 12!

Basketball Game Concessions

Support the girls and boys basketball teams and MPA Athletics by keeping the crowd happy and fed during the games! No previous experience needed.

Upcoming Events:

Middle School Quarterly Coffee | Thursday, February 12 from 8-9 AM | Porter Conference Room

Mark Your Calendar For Trivia Night!

February 3, 2026

Parents enjoying trivia night at MPA. Join us for the third annual Parents Association Trivia Night on Friday, February 27, from 6-8 PM in the Family Commons! In a time when community and connection matter more than ever, this evening is the opportunity to come together, get to know fellow parents, and have some fun along the way.

Hosted by the Parents Association, the night will feature dinner and socializing, with a friendly competition for the chance to hold the title of Parents Association Trivia Night champion. Regardless of your trivia knowledge, we hope to see you for this night of connection and competition. Click here to register!

Details

  • All parents and guardians of students in PreK-12 are welcome.
  • Upper School and college students are welcome to play trivia with their parents, although this is primarily a parent event.
  • Childcare will be provided for students in kindergarten through sixth grade by Upper School student volunteers. Please note that the Parents Association is unable to provide childcare for children in PreK or younger.
  • Dinner will be provided for parents and children at a cost of $6 per person.
  • You may register and pay in advance using the form below or pay at the door. Registration is appreciated to help us plan food quantities. Registration must be completed in advance for childcare.

Join Us For The 2026 Spring Auction: Rooted In Purpose!

January 30, 2026

A member of the MPA community enjoying the spring auction.Join us for the 2026 MPA Spring Auction: Rooted In Purpose, on Friday, April 17, at the Lowlands in St. Paul! We look forward to gathering as a community to celebrate the mission we share and the people who make Mounds Park Academy such a special place. This joyful evening will bring together families, alumni, staffulty and friends to raise critical support for our school, all while enjoying great company, food, and a little fun along the way.

Sponsorships are now available. This is the perfect time to consider a Business or Family Sponsorship. Sponsorships include:

  • admission to the event for two or more
  • reserved priority seating
  • access to our Sponsorship Pre-Party
  • recognition across event materials
  • interactive auction opportunities, depending on the level
  • early access to our silent auction
  • and the chance to underwrite tickets so our incredible staffulty can attend at no cost.

Family Sponsorships can be purchased here, and Business Sponsorships can be bought here.

We are committed to making this community-building event accessible to all. If ticket pricing presents a barrier to attending, please contact Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org to discuss reduced pricing options based on need.

State Of The Upper School: Living, Learning, Thriving

January 29, 2026

Upper School students acting during the Winter Show from Mark Segal, Upper School director

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, our division directors are pausing to reflect on what is thriving, what is evolving, and what lies ahead. These updates reflect the unique character of each division and, together, highlight the shared commitment to learning, belonging, and growth that defines Mounds Park Academy. Watch for a state of the school report with a PreK-12 perspective from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school, in next week’s Panther Post.

At the midpoint of each year, I enjoy setting aside time to examine how the first half of the school year has unfolded and to consider where our focus should be for the months ahead, as we also begin planning for the next school year. Recent data from the Net Promoter Survey, along with student feedback and faculty conversations, affirm that the Upper School continues to thrive as a place of strong academic engagement and personal growth.

Academic Excellence and Preparation

With a well-established culture of exceptional teaching, Upper School students consistently report feeling supported, challenged, and well prepared for the academic demands of college and beyond. Alumni echo this sentiment, often sharing that the habits of thinking, writing, and self-advocacy they developed here served them well as they transitioned to some of the most rigorous colleges and universities in the country.

Class sizes that hold in the mid-teens, along with a thoughtfully structured daily schedule, support meaningful student–teacher relationships. Students have regular opportunities to connect with faculty during prep periods, study halls, and shared involvement in extracurricular activities, many of which meet during the school day. These connections allow teachers to know students well—not only as learners, but as individuals—and to support them in ways that extend beyond the classroom.

Read More

State of the Middle School: Growing, Connecting, Exploring

January 29, 2026

A pair of boys playing floor hockey. from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, our division directors are pausing to reflect on what is thriving, what is evolving, and what lies ahead. These updates reflect the unique character of each division and, together, highlight the shared commitment to learning, belonging, and growth that defines Mounds Park Academy. Watch for a state of the school report with a PreK-12 perspective from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school, in next week’s Panther Post.

As I reflect on the year so far, I continue to be inspired by the energy, curiosity, and joy your children bring to Mounds Park Academy’s Middle School each day. Serving 165 students in grades five through eight, our division is a vibrant, student-centered community where intellectual exploration, personal growth, and joyful learning come together in meaningful ways. I’m grateful every day to partner with you as we support the growth of your young adolescents—academically, socially, and emotionally. While it has been a challenging year with a lot going on outside of school, we are so fortunate to have such a safe, inclusive, and joyful school where our middle schoolers can learn and grow.

A Well-Rounded, Engaging Academic Experience

One of the aspects I am most proud of is the richness of our Middle School curriculum. Every student takes art, drama, English, health, math, music, physical education, science, social studies, and world language—every year, in every grade. This ensures that students develop wide-ranging skills and the confidence to try new things. Our concerts and project presentations have been a joy to experience, and our faculty continue to collaborate to create meaningful, authentic experiences for our students.

Our daily structure is intentionally designed to support balance. Students love having a 50-minute lunch and recess period and a 30-minute Flex period, which supports homework completion, clubs, extra help from teachers, and music lessons. This Flex period was restructured and enhanced this year, moving it from the Panther Center to our Family Commons, creating an intentional and productive space and allowing us to add many more clubs. We now have more than 30 extracurricular opportunities—from robotics and sailing to quiz bowl and D&D club! Read More

State of the Lower School: Strong Roots, Clear Steps

January 29, 2026

Two students working together on a film. from James Ewer, Lower School director 

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, our division directors are pausing to reflect on what is thriving, what is evolving, and what lies ahead. These updates reflect the unique character of each division and, together, highlight the shared commitment to learning, belonging, and growth that defines Mounds Park Academy. Watch for a state of the school report with a PreK-12 perspective from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school, in next week’s Panther Post.

We have something very special. And we have work to do to protect it.

A Program Built on Relationships and Breadth

When I step back and look at what I consistently observe, I see a division built on relationships and a real belief in children. Our specialist program stands out as a major asset. Our students get a breadth of experiences that most schools cannot offer, with strong offerings across areas like arts, world language, LMT, robotics, theatre, and daily P.E. That range gives kids multiple entry points to confidence, success, and belonging. Read More

Parents Association News And Events January 29, 2026

January 29, 2026

A student making a Valentine's Day card. Lower School Valentine’s Day Party

Calling for volunteers from Lower School families! Please sign up to volunteer at the upcoming Lower School Valentine’s Party on February 12!

Basketball Game Concessions

Support the girls and boys basketball teams and MPA Athletics by keeping the crowd happy and fed during the games! No previous experience needed.

Upcoming Events:

Middle School Quarterly Coffee | Thursday, February 12 from 8-9 AM | Porter Conference Room

Parents Association Trivia Night | Friday, February 27, 6-8 PM | Family Commons

MPA Shifts From TADS To Clarity For Contracts & Billing

January 29, 2026

A group of MPA students cheering. We are excited to announce that MPA is expanding our use of Clarity to include its contracts and billing portal. Families who have used Clarity for Indexed Tuition applications will find the process familiar and families who are new to Clarity should find it straightforward as well. This will integrate beautifully with our use of Clarity for financial assistance applications. Based on your feedback, we selected Clarity due to its ease of use, modern interface, and exceptional customer service.

With Clarity, you’ll benefit from:

  • A Streamlined Process: Indexed Tuition re-applications, contract, invoice, and billing information will be conveniently located in one place.
  • Convenient Payments: You can pay your deposit, tuition, and incidental charges in the portal. You can pay by ACH or credit card.
  • Mobile Friendly Interface: Access right from your phone or any device, wherever you are.

FAQs for MPA Families

How will I access my 2026-27 re-enrollment agreement and complete the process?

  • On Monday, February 9, you will receive an email from Clarity on behalf of MPA inviting you to start the process of re-enrolling. This message will contain your unique link to complete your re-enrollment contract.
  • Once you click through, Clarity will prompt you to create a login. If you have applied for Indexed Tuition through Clarity, you will log in with that username and password. If you are new to Clarity, you can sign in using Google or Microsoft single sign-on, or create an account using your preferred email address.
  • After logging in, you’ll be guided step-by-step through the contract process. You’ll be able to review and select your tuition and payment plan, choose any additional offerings, and sign your contract digitally. If there is a second guardian, signing the contract will generate an email to the second guardian inviting them to co-sign. Either guardian may initiate the process.
  • When you’re ready, you’ll be directed to make your deposit payment via credit card or ACH. Once your payment is submitted, your enrollment will be complete. You’ll then be taken to your Family Dashboard, where you can view your contract and manage your account going forward.
  • Your student will be fully re-enrolled when all guardians have signed the contract and you have paid the deposit.
  • You will then repeat this process for each child re-enrolling at MPA. Note that Clarity issues contracts and billing by student, not by family. You will be able to see all students in the portal.
  • If you have two separate households, each household will complete the process independently and not have visibility into the other household.
  • The deadline to complete this process is Friday, February 20.

How will I know what my Indexed Tuition award is?
Upon logging into Clarity, you will see your award on the first screen. MPA does not send separate notifications of awards unless there is a special circumstance.

How will the transition from TADS to Clarity happen?
For the remainder of the 2025-26 school year, you will continue to access 2025-26 billing through TADS. During re-enrollment for 2026-27, you will sign a new contract and set up 2026-27 billing in Clarity. You will need to have both accounts until you make your last payment for the 2025-26 school year, at which time everything will be accessible in Clarity.

Is my information safe with Clarity?
Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 and uses enterprise-level security standards, including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information. For more information, please refer to Clarity’s Privacy Policy.

Who do I contact with questions about contracts, billing, and Indexed Tuition?
Your family is very important to us and we want to hear from you with questions and concerns.

  • For questions or concerns about tuition or your Indexed Tuition award, please contact Robert Perez, CFOO, at rperez@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5501.
  • For questions or concerns about the details or specific charges you see in Clarity, please contact Allie DeLeo, student billing coordinator, at studentbilling@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5502.
  • For assistance with the Clarity interface, please contact Clarity at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752.

Where can I learn more?
If you would like more information prior to re-enrollment opening on February 9, please take a moment to view these tutorials from Clarity:

Contribute To The Do Right Helping Hands Food Drive!

January 26, 2026

An MPA parent helping out at the food drive.We are proud to continue our community-wide effort to support families in need across our local area. Each week from now until spring break, we are collecting and delivering nonperishable food, household essentials, and personal care items to benefit the following:

  • Two local schools
  • Local clinic on the East Side
  • Open Cupboard/Today’s Harvest
  • MPA’s own community pantry, supporting MPA families

If you are able, we invite you to drop off needed items at doors one and seven on any weekday.

Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteers are needed weekly! If you would like to join us on campus to help sort, package, and prepare deliveries for our partner organizations, click here!

Most Needed Items 

Canned Goods:

  • Tuna
  • Chicken
  • Sardines
  • Vegetables
  • Baby Corn
  • Beans
  • Fruit
  • Coconut Milk

Starches:

  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Mama Brand Instant Noodles
  • Canton Egg Noodles (Dried)
  • Corn Tortillas
  • Maseca (corn flour)

Easy Meals:

  • Mac & Cheese
  • Ramen
  • Soup
  • Hamburger Helper
  • Canned Pasta (ravioli, SpaghettiOs, etc.)
Dried:

  • Beans
  • Lentils

Spices:

  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Chili Powder
  • Cumin
  • Bouillon Cubes

Sauces/Oils:

  • Cooking Oil
  • Sesame Oil
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Black Bean Sauce
  • Oyster Sauce
  • Sriracha
  • Soy Sauce
  • Hoisin Sauce
Household Items:

  • Trash Bags
  • Dish Soap
  • Paper Towels
  • Toilet Paper
  • Laundry Detergent

Personal Hygiene:

  • Shampoo/Conditioner
  • Body Wash/Soap
  • Lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Sanitary Pads
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush

Other:

  • Diapers
  • Formula
  • Jelly
  • Instant Coffee
  • Cases of Water
  • Shelf Stable Milk
  • Cereal
  • Snacks (chips, cheese crackers, granola bars, fruit pouches, cookie packs, etc.)
  • Applesauce

Please follow MPA’s allergy guidelines and refrain from bringing in anything with peanuts or tree nuts as ingredients or in the precautionary allergen labeling.

If your family needs support, please don’t hesitate to reach out confidentially to Ashley Goetzke at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org. We would be honored to assist through our MPA pantry.

If you have any questions about the food drive, please contact MPA Parents Association co-presidents Laura Nicholson at laurahnicholson@gmail.com and Jasmin Stees at jasminstees@yahoo.com.

Parents Association News And Events January 22, 2026

January 22, 2026

Two Upper School students cutting fruitCare For Faculty & Staff!

Once again, the Parents Association will host a conference dinner for the Lower and Middle School divisions on Thursday, and snacks to fuel our teachers on Friday. Sign up to contribute perishable and nonperishable items for our upcoming events. Thank you!

Upcoming Events:

Middle School Quarterly Coffee | Thursday, February 12 from 8-9 AM | Porter Conference Room

Parents Association Trivia Night | Friday, February 27, 6-8 PM | Family Commons