Preview The Live Auction!

May 1, 2019

Win the Orlando trip at the spring auctionOne of the most exciting parts of our Spring Auction fundraiser and community-building event is the exciting lineup of live auction items that have been generously donated by our community! Here is a sneak preview of just a few of the amazing items we’ll have up for bid next Saturday, May 11. Get your tickets or sponsorship secured today to be a part of this wonderful event to support MPA teachers and students!

Below are three of our eight exciting live auction packages including an Orlando Magic Vacation over MEA weekend donated by Michael and Lisa Vale, a trip to the American Music Awards ceremony donated by the MPA Board of Trustees, and a spring break trip to Puerta Vallarta donated by Bryce and Emily Binstadt! Read More

Join Us For Lunch at MPA

May 1, 2019

Two fifth graders with kindergartenerOn Tuesday, May 14 from 11:30 AM-1 PM, MPA will host Lunch At MPA for prospective families!

Visit campus during a regular school day to meet school administrators over a casual meal and tour the campus to see our students and teachers in action.

RSVP in advance for this engaging program at moundsparkacademy.org/RSVP. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admission at 651-748-5577 or admission@moundsparkacademy.org.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Lower School Family Social

May 1, 2019

lower school students hangin gout together at lower school entranceThe Lower School Family Social is coming up on May 24 at 3 PM! The MPA Parents Association Lower School Grape Reps will be hosting this gathering outside of the Lower School entrance (the South entrance). Come enjoy popsicles, sunshine, and the opportunity to mingle with other Lower School parents. The popsicles served will meet MPA’s allergy aware policy as well as be gluten free, dairy free and sugar free. We can’t wait to see you there!

MPA Triangular Track and Field Meet Results

April 29, 2019

Taevion at a track and field meetMPA Track and Field hosted SPA and Minnehaha at the Schilling Track on a partly sunny, cool afternoon. On the girls’ side, notable performances included eighth grader Zoe M. winning the 100m dash in 13.2 (all times are hand timed). Eighth grader Greta M. finished third in the 100m in 13.7. In the 200m, that same eighth grade duo finished in first and fourth, with Zoe winning in 27.8 (10th all time at MPA) and Greta fourth in 29.2. In the 400m, 12th grader Sofia Walker finished second in 1:05.8, in the 800m, sophomore Izzy Quam finished second in 2:35.3, and in the 1600m, Katie Dahiya finished second in 5:49.0. In the 100m hurdles, Senior Ellie Quam won in 18.3 seconds, and in the 300m hurdles, Ellie was second in 53.2 and eighth grader Emily B. was tied for fourth in 55.5. Read More

Panthers at Heidi Kunz Invitational

April 29, 2019

Ellie Quam doing the hurdlesMPA Track and Field athletes opened up the outdoor season strong on a beautiful day at Mahtomedi High School.

On the girls’ side, notable finishes included eighth grader Zoe M., who placed fifth in the 100m dash in her first ever varsity race. Her time of 13.40 places her fourth all time in MPA history in the girls 100m dash and is the fastest 100m dash by an MPA girl since 2002!  Zoe also added a seventh place finish in the 200m, just off the top 10 in a time of 28.27. Eighth grader Greta M. finished eighth in the 200m with a similarly impressive time of 28.35.

In the 400m, Greta M. ran to a fourth place finish, crossing the line in 1:03.56, sixth best all time in MPA history and the fastest since 2007! Senior Sofia Walker, making her track and field debut, finish seventh in the 400m, with a time of 1:05.43, just .12 seconds outside the 400m top 10 all time. In the 800m run, Sophomore Izzy Quam ran a strong debut of 2:40.32 to place third.  Read More

Summer Enrichment with Kidcreate Studio

April 25, 2019

Two Lower Schoolers playing with slimeThis summer, Kidcreate Studio is offering some fun enrichment classes at MPA from June 17-21! In Beyond Pinch Pots, students will really have the chance to get messy and learn about a basic clay technique. They will have the option to create silly rabbits, playful penguins, and much more. “Clay can sometimes be challenging,” comments Elena from Kidcreate Studio, “and it’s amazing to see the process click and all of a sudden each student has created a ton of silly masterpieces simply from coil pots!” Beyond Pinch Pots is for kids in grades K-4, and will be from 9 AM-12 PM.

What rules supreme: art projects that glitter or art projects that glow-in-the-dark? There’s no need to choose when you sign up for Glitter & Glow! “Glitter & Glow is obviously a fan favorite for us, as is any class with glitter!” says Elena. “This camp has a really fun spin in that all of the projects also glow in the dark,” she adds. Glitter & Glow is for students in grades K-4, and will be held 1-4 PM throughout the week of June 17th.

“Our tie dye workshop is one of our most popular classes at Kidcreate Studio,” says Elena, “We will get messy with the kids and parents simply get to see the end result! We really take ‘leave the mess with us’ seriously with this one!” Tie-Dye Party will be a one day class being held on June 21, from 9 AM-12 PM for kids in grades K-4.

Lastly, Insane Slime speaks for itself! It’s three hours of slime packed fun. Students get to make a few different kinds of slime, and it’s going to be a messy one, so please dress accordingly. Like Tie-Dye Party, this class is only held on June 21 and is from 1-4 PM, for kids in grades K-4.

To sign up for these classes and more, click here!

Explore Spring Auction Sponsorship Benefits

April 25, 2019

parents and faculty having fun together at the spring auctionIt’s not too late to get your tickets for this year’s Spring Auction, Once Upon a Time! Did you know that the Friends & Family and Host Sponsorship levels provide many additional benefits? Your gift includes two complimentary tickets to the event and access to our special pre-party, the ability to arrive early and reserve your seats, and special recognition for your family or business. The best part about your sponsorship is that it ensures tickets for our amazing faculty and staff to the event are free!

Learn more about the Spring Auction and how it supports MPA students at moundsparkacademy.org/springauction.

MPA Parents Association Is Seeking Volunteers!

April 25, 2019

PA puts on a wonderful party!The MPA Parents Association is seeking volunteers for the 2019-2020 school year! Please consider getting involved. It’s a great way to meet the school community, show our appreciation to faculty and staff, enrich our children’s school experience, all while making new friends. A willingness to help is the only experience needed!

If you are interested in taking on a Parents Association Board or Event Chair position for next year, let us know so we can can add your name to the list of candidates on the 2019-2020 ballot. Contact Kim Jakway at thejakways@gmail.com. Thank you!

I Know We Can

April 25, 2019

Thomas smiling with his donation to Together, We Dreamby Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School 

One of my favorite childhood stories was “The Little Engine That Could.” I remember my father reading the book to me when I was a child, telling me that no matter the obstacles that I face in life, if I work hard and believe in myself, I can do anything. His words have inspired and comforted me throughout my childhood and adult life. Whether it was earning a canoeing merit badge on a windy day as a teen, surviving finals week in college, or writing my doctoral dissertation, I have found the reserve to know that I will be able to persevere and ultimately succeed. It wouldn’t have been unusual, even up to his death, for my dad to send me a note with no words but instead a simple drawing of a train making its way uphill.

I have the same confidence today that together we will meet our goal of $4 million by the very important deadline of May 1 so that we can continue with Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA projects. While we have met our goal to fully fund the new cafeteria and kitchen, we are just shy of the amount needed to build the new library. If we do not reach $4 million by May 1—if we do not act now—the library construction phase of the campaign will not be able to start this summer, and costs will increase. From the beginning, our intent was to fully fund these two important projects without risking our short-term and long-term financial sustainability and reaching this milestone will help ensure that. Read More

CHICAGO: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION

April 24, 2019

PosterMake plans to attend the fabulous CHICAGO: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION this weekend!
April 25, 26, & 27, 7 PM
Nicholson Center

Ticket Prices:
$10 – Adults
$5 – Students/Seniors

Tickets may be purchased here or at the door.

In roaring twenties Chicago, chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap…until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another “Merry Murderess,” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the “American Dream”: fame, fortune, and acquittal. (source: samuelfrench.com)

The show is most appropriate for ages 13 and older.

See photos from the show at moundsparkacademy.org/chicagophotos!