Upper School Division News February 13, 2025

Upper School students visiting Deep Portage.from Mark Segal, Upper School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Friday, February 14: No Classes, Professional Development
  • Saturday, February 15: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Deadline
  • Monday, February 17: No Classes, President’s Day
  • Tuesday, February 18: US Nordic Ski Banquet, 4:30-6:30 PM, Family Commons
  • Wednesday, February 19: US Band & Orchestra Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Monday, February 24-Friday, February 28: SnoDaze Week
  • Wednesday, February 26: US Vocal Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Thursday, February 27: Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase, 4:30-6:30 PM, Family Commons
  • Friday, February 28: US SnoDaze Student Body Event, 3:15-5 PM, MPA Pond/Lansing Sports Center

Like an anxious parent, I felt myself getting more excited for the sound and sight of the coach bus pulling onto campus. It had only been 55 hours since the students and their four chaperones had departed, but there was a noticeable feeling of something missing, knowing that the Class of 2027 was in Hackensack, Minnesota, enjoying their time at the annual Deep Portage field trip.

Field trips have long been recognized as valuable educational tools that extend learning beyond the classroom walls. The Journal of Research in Science Teaching recently published findings from a study that shares, “Students who participate in field trips demonstrate increased engagement, deeper understanding of concepts, and improved retention of learned material.” MPA Upper School students have visited the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) to examine centuries-old ceramic pieces, researched for the History Day Project at the University of Minnesota library, and performed holiday musical pieces for community members at a local hospital and care facility. This is just a sampling of the off-campus experiences students have had this year, with many more planned for the upcoming months.

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Middle School Division News February 13, 2025

Middle School students working together.from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars 

  • Friday, February 14: No Classes, Professional Development
  • Saturday, February 15: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Deadline
  • Monday, February 17: No Classes, President’s Day
  • Wednesday, February 19: MS G7/8 Affinity Group Meeting, 2:30-3 PM, Panther Center
  • Monday, February 24-Friday, February 28: SnoDaze Week
  • Thursday, February 27: Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase, 4:30-6:30 PM, Family Commons
  • March 3-March 7: MS i-Term

On Monday, we hosted our third edition of the Students and Screens program with a discussion centered on how to keep our children safe online by gaining an understanding of some of the controls available and the different ways that students can access different sites, social media, and discussion groups online. MPA parent Corey Ganser led our group in a discussion about the different ways that parents can work alongside their children through conversations and providing some guardrails so our children are safe and exposed to different parts of the internet and social media at developmentally appropriate times.

Our lively discussion included some questions about the appropriate time and ways to progress a child’s use of technology, with some parents sharing stories and anecdotes of how their child may have found themselves on programs or in chats that they probably should not have been a part of. As I shared with the group, “I have yet to meet a parent who said, ‘I wish I gave my student a phone or access to social media sooner than I did.’”

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Lower School Division News February 13, 2025

Lower school student jumping in gymnastics. from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Friday, February 14: No Classes, Professional Development
  • Friday, February 14: Panther Club and PreK Closed
  • Saturday, February 15: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Deadline
  • Monday, February 17: No Classes, President’s Day
  • Monday, February 17: Panther Club and PreK Closed
  • Wednesday, February 19: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons
  • Monday, February 24-Friday, February 28: SnoDaze Week
  • Thursday, February 27: Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase, 4:30-6:30 PM, Family Commons
  • Wednesday, March 5: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons
  • Thursday, March 6: LS Art Show Opening, 5:30-6 PM, Gallery; Rossbach Art Walk; Family
  • Commons; US Commons
  • Thursday, March 6: LS Music Program, 6-7 PM, Nicholson Center

We are in the thick of winter, and the energy in the Lower School is still riding high! I trust that you have had the chance to read the recent announcement of my departure from MPA at the end of the year. Please know that this decision is more of a pull toward family and next steps rather than a push away from our wonderful school. I am sad to say goodbye and grateful to have had the honor of being part of our community for the past two years.

SnoDaze Week: Pajama Day on February 24
The Lower School students are invited to celebrate SnoDaze Week with the Middle and Upper Schools the week of February 24-28. All students in PreK-Grade 4 are invited to wear their pajamas to school on Monday, February 24. The students in third and fourth grade are also invited to the SnoDaze assembly on the afternoon of Friday, February 28. Read More


The Power of Hopeful Skepticism: Preparing Students, and Ourselves, for a Complex World

Lower School teacher interacts with a student. from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Over my 30+ years in education, I’ve been called many things, some of which I can’t repeat here. Most often, I’ve been called naïve or an optimist, most of the time meant as a criticism. Truth be told, I’d rather be naïve than a cynic, believing people are generally selfish and untrustworthy. I’d rather be an optimist rather than have a negative outlook on life and expect the worst from people and from life.

After reading “Hope for Cynics” by Jamil Zaki, Stanford University professor and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, I can now proudly say I am a hopeful skeptic. A hopeful skeptic is someone who balances optimism with critical thinking. They are open to possibilities and potential but also approach claims, ideas, and situations with a questioning mindset. This person is not cynical or dismissive but instead seeks evidence, logic, and reason while maintaining a belief in positive outcomes.

Zaki writes about a test by psychologists Walter Cook and Donald Medley devised to identify good teachers. They asked hundreds of teachers whether they agreed with these three questions (and 47 others):

  1. No one cares much what happens to you.
  2. Most people dislike helping others.
  3. Most people are honest chiefly through fear of getting caught.

According to Cook and Medley’s research, the more a teacher agreed with these statements, the worse their rapport with students. Out of curiosity, but knowing the probable outcome, I did a snap poll of MPA teachers. The vast majority disagreed with all three statements with a small handful agreeing with only one. It didn’t surprise me that 97% of our teachers are low or low-medium in cynicism. Read More


Coaching Q&A With Nate Bander ’09

Coach Nate Bander '09 posing with students. Why did you decide to return to MPA as a coach?

I returned to MPA as a coach in the fall of 2015 during a time of transition in my life. I was considering looking for a new job and sought direction in reconnecting with folks at MPA, a familiar community full of people who had positively impacted my life. I reached out to former head cross-country coach Dan Ethier to see if the team needed an assistant coach.

Thankfully, they did. I ended up coaching three sports—cross country, basketball, and track and field—and working in admissions and marketing for six years. Deep down, I decided to return to coach at MPA to continue to be part of a community that I knew and loved.

What does it mean to you to have mentored the next generation of students?

Coaching and mentoring the next generation of student-athletes at MPA was the honor of a lifetime. It meant everything to me. I am incredibly proud of creating connections with those students that continue today, more than three years after I coached my last game for the Panthers.

It meant so much to me to mentor/coach the student-athletes on my teams in many different aspects of life, from shooting free throws and practicing handoffs to being a good teammate and developing into a leader. I loved hearing them talk about their classes and seeing how incredibly smart and sophisticated they were. Mentoring these student-athletes meant connecting with them not just through athletics but through academics, leadership, and joy. Read More


A Message From Cooper Olson ’16 On Why He Joined The Alumni Board

Alumni Cooper Olson coaching basketball.Whenever I’m asked about MPA, the first word that comes to mind is “community.” There aren’t many places with a more unique blend of different ages and experiences under one roof. On one walk through the hallways, you’ll have a chance to experience the curiosity of preschoolers, the angst of middle schoolers, and the optimism of high schoolers, not to mention the enthusiasm of staff you’re bound to bump into along the way.

While all those groups may be unlikely to interact with each other outside of MPA’s walls, inside MPA they mingle to create the welcoming community so many of us have been grateful to call a home.

If you can’t tell from that relatively sappy introduction, I have a deep-seated appreciation for MPA. My appreciation had always been there, but as I left for college and then started my professional career, I realized the impact MPA had on my development. Not only did the lessons I learned at MPA prepare me for the academic and professional challenges that came next, but perhaps even more importantly, the relationships that began at MPA have helped me find and establish new communities that have become some of the most important in my life today. Read More


Parents Association News And Events February 6, 2025

A student showing Middle School teacher her magic at the talent show. Volunteer at the MPA Book Festival and the Lower School Valentine’s Party to help us make next week festive and fun at MPA!

MPA Book Festival

Get ready to fall in love with reading at the MPA Book Festival from February 10-13 in the MPA Gallery!

The Book Festival has offerings for everyone from PreK through Upper School students and adults! If you have any questions about whether a title on your student’s wishlist is appropriate for their reading level, please contact Stephanie Kollm, Library and media specialist, at skollm@moundsparkacademy.org.

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Remaining A Beacon Of Inclusivity, Integrity, and Courage

Lower School students celebrate with their hands up in the air. from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Our values endure. Our resolve is unshakable.

Transitions, whether personal, institutional, or societal, bring both challenge and opportunity. They disrupt routines and ask us to think critically, act courageously, and reaffirm what truly matters. In moments of change—whether in our school, our communities, or on a global scale—we are called to return to our values and remain steadfast. At Mounds Park Academy, we want to be clear: our commitment to our mission and values is unwavering.

MPA is, and will always be, a place where students, families, and educators feel seen, valued, and supported. We are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, just, and equitable environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive. Our mission calls us to nurture critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and engaged citizens who have the courage to shape a better world. That mission remains steadfast.

In the recent community survey, MPA students consistently highlighted the welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment. They report strong bonds between the students, teachers, and staff, noting that the result is a close-knit, respectful culture. One student wrote, “I think the school is really good at making sure that every student feels valued and important and in accepting each person’s different situations and how that can affect their learning or experience. People here are very understanding and friendly and create an environment where you don’t feel scared to speak up.” Read More


Welcome To MPA, Ms. Allie DeLeo!

MPA's new student billing coordinator, Allie DeLeo. Welcome to MPA, Allie DeLeo! Ms. DeLeo will take over as our accounts payable, payroll, and student billing coordinator, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community! 

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I’ve spent the last 10 years working in the business office at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where I also received my Bachelor of Fine Arts.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA’s community of innovative thinkers, creative makers, and purposeful achievers made an instant impression on me.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I value kindness and empathy and strive to make a positive impact on those around me. I’m always lunging forward to offer a helping hand, and I look forward to engaging with the community at MPA in any way that I can. Read More


Five Things To Know About MPA From Hannabella Li

Hannabella working with students in her classMPA tenth-grader Hannabella Li shares her Five Things To Know About MPA! From rigorous academics to growing her confidence through public speaking, see what Hannabella thinks you should know about our school.

1. MPA academics are excellent.

The classes at MPA are challenging and rigorous, without being overly stressful. This blend has helped me to balance my homework and extracurriculars while preparing me for college courses and beyond.

2. MPA teachers know their students.

MPA teachers see the students as people with lives, experiences, and as individuals. Through my time here, I have managed to connect with teachers on a scale that I could never before.

3. MPA has an exceptional STEM program.

As someone who wants to go into STEM in the future, I highly appreciate the in-depth courses, as well as hands-on application, that are a part of every class in the exceptionally-cultured STEM program. Read More