Connect With The MPA Parents Of Alumni

POA summer gatheringThe MPA Parents of Alumni (POA) organization has been active since 2011. A group of parents wanted to stay connected to the friends they had made through the years their children were at MPA. Eight years later, the POA has a few annual traditions established with opportunities to add more events throughout each school year. The events are varied and invitations are issued through the MPA Development Office. The POA follows a flexible strategy that focuses our social events between May and November when parents of alumni are likely more available. The MPA POA Executive Board consists of Mary Jo Thrane, Jeanne Danaher, Chris Levesque, Amanda Campbell, Carey Ide, and Karla Myers. Each are members of the POA with alum from the graduating classes 2009–2018.

Recent Social Event
A few months ago, over 65 POA members gathered at the home of Peter and Mary Jo Thrane. The POA Summer Social and Annual Meeting is, “one of our favorite POA events,” said Mary Jo Thrane, current POA President. “Parents attended whose kids had graduated a decade ago, along with those whose students were in the class of 2019.” Events like the Summer Social are a wonderful time to connect with the incredible MPA community of parents. Read More


Dream, Play, Share: Homecoming 2019 is Fast Approaching!

alumni at homecoming 2018Homecoming weekend 2019 is quickly coming up on September 27-28, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! Join fellow MPA alums on Homecoming weekend to reconnect with friends, family, and faculty. Celebrate milestone reunions and participate in special, alumni-only activities. Welcome home, alumni, and we hope to see you soon! RSVP today for any of these events >

RENOVATION TOUR
11 AM • Lansing Lobby
Enjoy a meet and greet and tour of campus with Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school. Come see the newly renovated commons, cafeteria, + kitchen, and get a sneak peek of the library! No RSVP needed. Read More


A Message From Mike Velin ’06, Alumni Association Chair

MPA alumni mentor network eventby Mike Velin ’06, MPA Alumni Association Board Chair

As I write to you, I’m cherishing my own fond memories of Mr. Meacock and I’m sure many of you still remember your time in his classroom. It is in the spirit of those early MPA founding teachers and leaders that the MPA Alumni Association Board is kicking off a busy year of activities and opportunities for alumni to engage with current students, former classmates, and events on campus.

We have much to be grateful for from our MPA educational experience. It means so much to me to be able to stay engaged with MPA and to give back to current students. I’d like to encourage you to consider getting involved in a way that is meaningful for you. One way that will make a big impact is by joining this year’s cohort of MPA mentors for current seniors. We are in need of more volunteers to ensure every senior has a mentor. Help us to have another successful year of the mentorship program. Read More


Remembering Mr. Meacock

Mr. Meacock teaching EnglishIt is with great sadness that we share some very sad news from our MPA family. Mr. Richard Meacock, retired Upper School faculty and founding faculty member, has passed away after a long illness.

Mr. Meacock was a beloved faculty member at MPA since the school opened in 1982 and he will be greatly missed. His legacy will live on within these walls as we will forever be an inclusive, welcoming community because of his work. He impacted thousands of students, both academically and personally. Our alumni think clearer, love deeper, and laugh more for knowing him. Those gifts he gave will never be lost. Read More


Helping New International Students Feel At Home

international and domestic mpa students getting ready for the start of schoolAs the rest of us were squeezing the last bits of summer out of August, the new MPA international students were already hard at work. Ten days before the rest of us walked through the doors of MPA, our new students arrived from four different countries to get settled into their host families’ homes, to get acclimated to their new school, and to have some fun with their new classmates.

While taking math placement exams, discussing plagiarism, and figuring out their locker combos, there was time to build community, too. Several returning international students and domestic MPA students volunteered their time to pile into a 15-passenger van that took everyone off-campus for a bit. Between school supply shopping, bowling, and sharing meals together, the students exchanged stories, answered questions, talked candidly, and shared laughter. By the time the first day of school came around, our new international students felt comfortable with the school and, more importantly, comfortable walking through its doors on day one. Their courage is admirable, and their daily victories, small and large, are awe-inspiring.


Ron Kretsch Invite

On a day that only distance runners and mosquitoes would love, you earned 12 personal best times and earned 6 t-shirts for finishing in the top ten of your grade level race!

Our middle school boys started us off on the right spiked foot. Ben ran his second mile faster than his first to move up to 8th place, earning a substantial personal best and a t-shirt. Eddie also moved up the second half of his race, finishing 26th. Liam, in his first cross country race, started a little too fast, but hung on for 30th place. Eilam ran well to earn 92nd place. He has improved a lot since he began cross country just over a year ago.

Our middle school girls, while fewer in number, ran well. Teagan earned 19th place, running as a 6th grader among mostly 7th and 8th graders. Abigail, running in her first cross country race, finished in 50th place and said it was fun. That’s the kind of attitude we like!

Henry G. was our only 9th grade boy. He ran very close to his personal best time to finish in 64th place. Margo was our only 9th grade girl. She ran side by side with another girl for most of the race before unleashing a powerful kick that left her competitor stumbling to the finish. She missed her personal best by a few seconds but earned a t-shirt for her win.

Our 10th grade boys began a long streak of personal records. Cullen started a little quick and had some trouble breathing the second half of the race, but managed to hang on for 6th place, earning a personal best time and a t-shirt. Evan improved his personal best by 49 seconds to finish 22nd. Noah improved his personal best time by a whopping 1 minute and 49 seconds!

Salma continued the parade of personal bests, improving her best 2 mile time by 17 seconds. She looked strong and said it felt good. Peter finished in 15th as our only junior boy, earning a personal best by 31 seconds.

Our 11th grade girls raised the bar a bit, finishing 3rd and 4th in their race. Katie improved her personal best by 27 seconds while staying pretty close to the leaders for much of the race. Izzy, in the first of two competitions today (she is playing soccer later this afternoon) improved her personal best by 4 seconds. Both girls earned t-shirts for their efforts.

Henry S. was our sole senior boy. Despite sore legs from all his recent hard work, he ran well to finish 5th and earn a personal best by 21 seconds. He earned our final t-shirt of the day.

Our senior girls wrapped things up for us. Skylar ran side by side with Izzy during most of the race before abandoning Izzy with her finishing kick. Not bad for someone who is running a bit low on iron. Well, more than a bit. Izzy did manage to improve her personal best by 32 seconds. Mari finished in 31st place while improving her personal best by 1 minute and 21 seconds!

This was just your first race, competing against many runners who were running their third race. But you were sharp, ran mostly evenly paced miles, and showed some competitive skills to win your piece of the race or win the race. This bodes well for the remainder of your season.

Next up, after picture day (smile!) is the Private School Invite. Maybe Goldilocks will determine the weather and it will be just right for a change.

Results are available at Gopher State Events.

 


Get Your Spirit Wear In Time For Homecoming!

lower school student wearing new online spirit store gearThe theme of Homecoming 2019 is Dream. Play. Share., and spirit wear is one great way to “dream” up a custom design, “play,” with the possibilities, and “share” your Panther Pride! Receive 15% off purchases of $75 or more through September 30 with code SEPT19 at MPA’s online spirit store! Even our littlest Panther cubs can join in on the Homecoming fun and school spirit–our online store is now selling infant and toddler gear! Start shopping here.

We can’t wait to see you in MPA colors and to Dream, Play, and Share with you at all of the wonderful 2019 Homecoming events. Click here for the full agenda and activity details.


Important Safety Reminders From MPA

outside of the south entrance at MPAIt is MPA’s responsibility to provide the safest campus environment possible for you and your children—this is our number one priority. We’d like to share some important traffic safety reminders. Please share this information with all of the drivers in your home, in addition to others who may provide transportation for you. Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Distracted Driving
Parents and students are asked to refrain from using cell phones (hands free or otherwise) while driving on campus, especially when children are present. This helps us all to be aware of the children moving around us and keep the traffic flow steady and uncongested.

Please Slow Down
Keep your speed at or below 10 MPH, depending upon the time of day and the area of campus. This is particularly important near crosswalks. Read More


Lower and Middle School Curriculum Night

middle school students in the science labLower and Middle School Curriculum Night is on Tuesday, September 10, from 6-8 PM. This is a night for parents to come to school to meet all of their child’s teachers and learn about the school year ahead. Teachers will share key components of the curriculum, the progression of grade level skills, classroom expectations, and outline developmentally responsive aspirations for students socially, emotionally, and academically.

Teachers will also offer tips on parent-teacher communication, homework support, and organization techniques to help parents best guide their student through the school year. Read More


Make And Create With MPA Fiber Friends

fiber friends working together with yarnFiber Friends is starting up again on Friday, September 6! This group of knitters, crocheters, and textile gurus is open to all parents, alums, grandparents, students, staff, and faculty. Beginners are always welcome! Bring in a project you are working on or if you are new to the group, we will provide you with supplies, guidance, and a smile to get started. Fiber Friends meets every Friday in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace from 11-12:30.

Contact Ms. Koen, Makerspace coordinator, with any questions.