Parents Association News And Events December 19, 2024

PAWPJoin us for the inaugural Panther Classic on Saturday, January 11, from 9 AM-4 PM in the Lansing Sports Center! This Middle School basketball tournament is a great way to showcase MPA athletes and facilities. All grade-level families are welcome to attend, volunteer, and/or contribute concessions items. All funds will be used to support future athletic endeavors! Come cheer on the Panthers and support this inaugural tournament to elevate MPA athletics.

This event is a true team effort between the athletics department, the MPA Parents Association, and student leadership! We are so pleased to have Wyatt Srsen ’25, the Upper School boys varsity basketball captain, volunteer his time and talent off the court to support the event for his Senior Service Project.

If you have any questions about timing or contributions, please call Christine Larson, Panther committee chair, at 612-251-1156.

Save The Date For Parents Association Trivia Night!

Join us on Friday, January 24, from 6-8 PM in the Family Commons and enjoy a night out socializing and competing with other MPA parents/guardians for the title of PA Trivia Night Champions! Keep an eye out for details and the registration link after winter break. Limited Panther Care will be available for children in kindergarten through sixth grade with pre-registration.


This Season Of Light

HeadsMessagefrom Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As I was greeting parents last Thursday before our Middle School band, orchestra, and vocal concert, Middle School science teacher Courtney Nagle excitedly invited me to see the lights her students had strung in the science garden. It was magical. As darkness descends earlier and earlier and the weather turns increasingly dreary and colder, light, in all its beauty and forms, is both a comfort and a promise.

As we embark on our two-week winter break, we are reminded of the power and symbolism of light during this season. Across many traditions—Christian, Jewish, Kwanzaa, Hindu, Wiccan, and Muslim—light serves as a unifying symbol of hope, renewal, and joy. Whether through the glowing candles of Advent, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, the luminous diyas of Diwali, or the guiding light of understanding and reflection in other spiritual practices, light brings warmth and connection to our shared humanity.

At Mounds Park Academy, light takes on a unique meaning. It reflects our mission as educators and our commitment to lighting a fire within each student. This metaphor captures the very heart of education—not as the passive transfer of information, but as a force that ignites curiosity, inspires passion, and nurtures a love of learning that endures for a lifetime. Read More


MPA By The Numbers

Upper school student working with Lower School student during hour of code weekThis message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the December 21 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

An MPA education goes beyond the classroom. There are many ways to count it out–the numerous opportunities students have to explore their passions, the many skills they develop that will last a lifetime, a collection of connections and strong relationships beyond the classroom. Let’s take a deeper dive into the numbers that all add up to an MPA education.

1. 55 Upper School elective offerings, 35+ Upper School clubs and organizations, and 25+ Middle School clubs and activities
There is something for everyone at MPA. Extra-curricular activities are an integral part of Middle and Upper school student life. Students are encouraged to explore and try new things in order to discover their passions and themselves. They develop wider social groups, stronger self-confidence, and leadership skills. Plus, students perform better academically when they’re involved at school.

2. #2 Private School in Minnesota
We are proud and humbled to be ranked the #2 private school in Minnesota on Niche! A combination of our excellent academic program, engaging extracurriculars, variety of offerings for students of all ages, and our supportive community filled with Panther pride all have a part in making up this annual ranking. Read More


Discover Something Remarkable On January 26!

Upper School students working on a chemistry labDiscover something remarkable at the PreK-12 MPA Preview on Sunday, January 26, 12:30-2 PM

MPA Previews are signature PreK-12 events designed to introduce you to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community that it is. These events are for family members of all ages to attend together and will include division-specific time.

You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives, engage in conversation with academic leaders, and experience learning, the MPA way!
Taste of Ninth Grade logo
Prospective ninth graders, you’re invited to the Taste of Ninth Grade immediately preceding the Preview at 11 AM. Join us for lunch and the opportunity to learn more about MPA’s ninth-grade program. Students will engage in a hands-on, collaborative activity while parents participate in a Q&A about life in MPA’s Upper School, college counseling, and more. When this event concludes, students and families will then join the PreK-12 Preview event.

RSVP today to experience the joy and discover why Mounds Park Academy is an exceptional place to learn and grow.


Nominations Sought for School Committees and Board of Trustees 

NomsWPEach year, the Governance Committee of MPA’s Board of Trustees identifies, considers, and invites a small number of people within the MPA community to become new trustees. In soliciting and evaluating nominees, the Board seeks to match the board’s needs with the nominees’ professional and leadership skills and broad personal, cultural, and experience backgrounds. Before becoming trustees, many members first served in various capacities at MPA, such as on school committees, committees of the Board, in the Parents Association, or in other volunteer positions where they have been able to demonstrate and share their capabilities, personal experiences, and leadership skills.

The Board continuously seeks to broaden the diversity of experience and background of its membership. In addition, this year, it seeks to identify, among other things, those with professional capabilities in development, facilities, the arts, HR and personnel management, finance, education, and strategic planning. If you know someone who might be a strong candidate for the board or other school committees, or if you are interested, please submit a simple nomination form. The Governance Committee of the Board will be reviewing and vetting nominations during January and February and bringing a slate of candidates to the full Board for consideration at its spring meeting.

A detailed explanation of the Board’s work and a description of the Board’s active committee’s work can be found on the Board of Trustees MPA webpage.

Feel free to contact Board Vice-Chair and Governance Committee Chair Jeremy Drucker ’97 at Drucker.Jeremy@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Please complete this form to nominate yourself or someone else.


Parents Association News And Events December 12, 2024

PAWPCookies, Coffee & Connection! We would love to see you before winter break.

  • Friday, December 13: Lower School Quarterly Coffee, Virtual Meeting
    Ms. Dana, the PreK-Grade 5 counselor, and Lower School director Jennifer Le Varge will be providing a recorded presentation on adult and child well-being and strategies at home. A pre-recorded video link will be shared on Friday, December 13, to watch at your convenience.
  • Tuesday, December 17: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8 AM, PCR
    The topic will be a deep dive into a teacher’s perspective at MPA, “Scenes from a 24-Year MPA Career: Mr. Vergin’s Top Five Experiences.”

Monday, December 16: Spirit Wear Pop-Up Shop, 2:30-4 PM, Outside the Makerspace

Limited edition MPA Beanies will be available at a spirit wear pop-up shop next week! These make great stocking stuffers or holiday gifts. Questions? Email the Parents Association at PA@moundsparksacademy.org.

 


Head of School Transition

HeadMessagefrom Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Many well-meaning people have asked me if I am looking forward to retirement or what it’s like to celebrate the last Founders’ Day. In all honesty, I don’t think about retiring all that much or my remaining days as MPA’s head of school. Many years ago, early in my career at another school, I worked with a long-serving teacher who had a clock that worked backwards, telling him how many days, hours, and minutes he had until he could walk out the door. I remember feeling sad for him and I made a promise to myself, then and there, that I would never put myself in that position. I feel as engaged today as I did when I walked into the school for the first time 12 years ago.

It is natural to feel some uncertainty and anxiety during a change in leadership, but I want to assure you that the process of welcoming our next head of school is unfolding with great care and intention. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon over the past six months. MPA is fortunate that Dr. Brogdon is close by this year, serving as interim head of school at Groves Academy. We’ve been meeting regularly since the summer, building trust and thoughtfully planning this transition.

I’ve shared many times with colleagues that the more time I spend with Dr. Brogdon, the more I like her, personally and professionally. We share a common set of beliefs and values about education and leadership. I’ve come to appreciate her deep respect for MPA’s mission, her thoughtful approach to leadership, and the wealth of experience she brings to MPA. Her commitment to listening, learning, and working collaboratively with our students, parents, faculty, and staff ensures a bright future for MPA. Without a doubt, I believe that Dr. Brogdon is the right person to lead MPA in its next chapter, and I am committed to ensuring her success.

While Dr. Brogdon continues her work as interim head of school at Groves Academy this year, we are balancing her current responsibilities with opportunities to integrate her into our community. Over the coming months, you will see more of her at MPA events, concerts, and meetings, as she begins to deepen her connections with students, employees, and families. In fact, if you attended the Middle School concert tonight, perhaps you had an opportunity to say hello and extend a warm welcome to her.

I approach each day at MPA as a gift. I am excited each day as I drive to school, and I feel a profound sense of purpose and gratitude as I drive home, no matter how long my day has been. To work with amazing colleagues who care deeply about their students and their vocation inspires and energizes me regardless of how tired I may be. I enjoy getting to know our parents, grandparents, and volunteers who give me strength and resolve through a shared belief in the value of the transformative power of education to change lives and the world. And finally, to encounter joyful, curious, caring students and know I am playing, even a very small way, a role in their growth and development brings joy even on the coldest, cloudiest Minnesota day.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your commitment to this extraordinary school. I have no doubt that the best days of MPA lie ahead.


Your Opportunity To Experience MPA On A School Day!

Upper School students excited in a chemistry labThis message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the December 11 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

During your school exploration process, have you happened to ask yourself …

What is a day in the life of an MPA student? What do they learn? Where do they study? How do they feel?

To answer all of the above and more, we invite you to join us for the opportunity to experience life at MPA on a school day. Our PreK-12 Preview this Friday, December 13, from 8:30-10 AM, will give you that inside look at MPA.

This event is the perfect opportunity for your family to see yourselves here. Experience the comfy, cozy library spaces, the Makerspace as bright as your ideas, and the wide-open, welcoming Lansing Center. Your family will be led on a small group tour and experience the delightful moments, in and out of the classroom, that make MPA so special. In addition to exploring our state-of-the-art spaces firsthand, you will also have the opportunity to meet and engage with academic leaders–bring your questions! Read More


Outstanding Debate Performances

Congratulations to the MPA debate team on a fantastic performance at the Classic State Debate Festival. Fifty-two students represented the school and debated about the benefits and drawbacks of NATO’s commitment to membership for Ukraine. Their countless hours of research, thinking, and practice contributed to numerous successes across the three divisions of competition—novice, junior varsity, and varsity and to a second-place finish in the team sweepstakes competition.

The tournament is called the Classic Debate Championships in novice and junior varsity. In the novice division, the team of Harper Short and Spencer Hamilton advanced to the quarterfinal round. In the junior varsity division, the teams of Truman Wilgocki and Soren Winikoff and Oslo Norcross and Hannabella Li advanced to the octafinal round, while the teams of Kelvyn Boddipalli and Sidd Sastry, Myah Hoeschen and Nicole Kim, and Yusuf Ali and Rosie Bergh advanced to quarterfinals. The team of Josh Murr and Lucy Mayer won the entire division with a commanding performance in the final round.

Read More


Integrating STEM & A Liberal Arts Curriculum

heads messagefrom Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

It was wonderful to see so many families at the annual Founders’ Day Pancake Breakfast! The joyfulness and communal spirit are living testimony to the founding vision of Mounds Park Academy (MPA). Decades ago, Bob Kreischer and Sandy Kreischer Smith, alongside founding board members, established MPA with the belief that education could be both joyful and academically challenging and they purposely grounded the school’s pedagogy in a progressive, whole-child, liberal arts curriculum.

Next week, MPA will join thousands of schools worldwide in celebrating the Hour of Code, a movement introducing millions of students to computer science through one-hour coding activities. Rather than limiting our students to just one hour, MPA will host a week-long celebration of coding and STEM-related activities, demonstrating our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and hands-on learning. The following are just a few of the activities planned for next week:

  • Lower School students will engage in programming activities during Tech and Library time throughout the week, including time with Upper School computer science class students and Upper School Makerspace class students.
  • Middle School students will be experimenting with fun STEM and coding-related technology such as the Spero Bolt, Makey Makey, Scratch Labs, and Micro:Bit during B-day advisory classes.
  • In Upper School, ninth-grade students will learn coding by using Sphero Robotics during seminar time. They will also have access to the arcade games created by computer science students.

At MPA, STEM encompasses science, technology, engineering, math, computer science, coding, robotics, engineering and design, digital literacy, and the Makerspace. Our approach is comprehensive and empowers students across grade levels to explore, create, and apply knowledge in practical, meaningful ways. By integrating STEM into our liberal arts curriculum, we ensure that students are equipped with technical expertise, critical thinking skills, and ethical reasoning, preparing them for both the challenges of today and the unknown opportunities of tomorrow.

STEM within a liberal arts framework aligns perfectly with MPA’s mission of fostering a whole-child education. Technology has become an integral part of modern life, influencing communication, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and the arts. Understanding STEM principles allows students to navigate and shape this dynamic world. At the same time, MPA’s liberal arts curriculum broadens students’ perspectives, cultivating critical thinking, creativity, and ethical awareness. Together, these disciplines prepare students to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

One of the most compelling reasons for incorporating STEM into a liberal arts curriculum is its ability to enhance problem-solving skills. At its core, STEM at MPA is about addressing challenges through logic, creativity, and innovation. Students learn to break complex problems into manageable parts, design algorithms, and test solutions. These problem-solving skills transcend the classroom, equipping students to apply them to real-world scenarios across disciplines.

STEM at MPA also complements the goals of a liberal arts education by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning. Coding, for example, challenges students to think analytically and refine their approaches. Simultaneously, STEM at MPA is deeply creative, enabling students to design digital art, create games, or build apps that bring their ideas to life. Importantly, a liberal arts framework encourages students to consider the ethical implications of their work. Topics such as data privacy, artificial intelligence, and digital equity are interwoven into the curriculum, ensuring students not only excel technically but also think deeply about the societal impact of their innovations.

STEM at MPA also empowers students as innovators. By learning to code, design, and build—and spending time in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace—students transform from passive consumers of technology into active creators. This empowerment fosters entrepreneurship, enabling students to launch their own projects, businesses, or social initiatives. Whether designing a user-friendly app, developing a new product, or solving a real-world problem, students learn to take their ideas from concept to reality. This process cultivates resilience, creativity, and a sense of agency—qualities essential for success in any field.

STEM at MPA is not treated as an isolated discipline but as an integral part of the broader liberal arts curriculum. For instance, eighth-grade students participate in the Future Cities Competition, where they design and build a model of a sustainable city. This project involves engineering principles, research, essay writing, and presenting their work to judges, exemplifying the interdisciplinary connections STEM fosters. Such projects demonstrate the relevance of STEM across areas of study and deepen students’ appreciation for its role in addressing complex challenges.

The benefits of STEM at MPA extend far beyond technical proficiency. By engaging in STEM, students develop essential skills in collaboration and communication. Many projects require teamwork, teaching students how to work effectively with others and leverage diverse perspectives. STEM also emphasizes the importance of explaining technical concepts clearly, ensuring students can communicate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences. These skills are invaluable in a world where collaboration and communication are key to success.

Finally, STEM at MPA fosters digital literacy, a critical skill in the 21st century. Students learn how technology works and gain insights into its societal implications. They navigate the digital world responsibly, protect themselves from cyber threats, and critically evaluate the role of technology in their lives. This digital literacy not only prepares students for college and careers but also empowers them to be informed, engaged citizens.

Integrating STEM into Mounds Park Academy’s liberal arts curriculum is about more than preparing students for jobs in a technology-driven world—it’s about preparing them for life. By combining technical expertise with creativity, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning, MPA ensures students are equipped to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society. As technology continues to evolve, MPA graduates are prepared to be thoughtful, compassionate, and visionary leaders.