Mounds Park Academy

April 24, 2019

Congratulations to MPA senior Yahya Madar on qualifying for the Hamline Elite Meet! The Hamline Elite Meet, Minnesota’s most prestigious high school track and field competition, features a small number of elite qualifying athletes from both Class A and AA. Yahya is one of only a handful of MPA athletes to ever qualify for the invite only meet. He placed 4^th at the 2018 MSHSL Class A Track and Field Championships, has a personal best of 6’6, and holds the IMAC Conference and Section 4A high jump records. Though undecided on his college choice, Yahya plans to compete in track and field at the collegiate level. He competes this Friday, April 26 at 7 PM at Klas Stadium, Hamline University. Good luck on Friday, Yahya! Go Panthers!

Upper School Grandparents and Special Friends Day

April 24, 2019

There were some extra visitors on campus on Wednesday, April 24, as grandparents and special friends visited with their Upper School students throughout the morning. The day started with visitors enjoying breakfast and coffee in the Gallery, while students finished up their first block classes. Afterward, grandparents and friends visited their students in class, and saw a preview performance of this year’s Spring Musical, CHICAGO: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION. The event finished up with a group lunch in the Gallery, provided by SAGE Dining.

Thank you to all the grandparents and special friends who attended the event! It was so nice to have you visit campus. Click here to see more photos of the event!

Meet Mr. Thomsen

April 22, 2019

Upper School science teacher, parent of an alumna

What do you love about MPA?
I love that it offers a liberal arts, whole child experience. Students spend each day doing a variety of things as they learn about themselves and the world.

How many years have you been at MPA?
I’ve been here for 27 years—since 1991!

How does MPA nurture students who forever dream big and do right?
MPA takes the time to nurture students’ interests and gives them a multitude of experiences to help them see the wide range of things those interests relate to.

If you have worked at another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
The small size makes it easier to communicate with colleagues and to help ensure that no student gets “lost in the shuffle.” I like that I am in charge of my budget and the chance to obtain materials, in the right amounts, to maximize the learning from each lab.

What would you tell a parent considering MPA?
Consider how MPA offers a wide range of offerings, the small class sizes, teachers who are interested in and get to know all of their students. Teachers and administrators are accessible to their students. Each student can be in a multitude of extra curricular activities without a lot of prior experience.

An Exciting Together, We Dream Update

April 18, 2019

by Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, Director of Development and Community Engagement

A lot of exciting improvements are beginning to take shape for our new commons, cafeteria, kitchen, and library! This week, we are sharing the work of several teachers, staff members, and students who have been working hard to help pick our new furniture and fixtures for the spaces! Here is a sneak peek of our color palette and cafeteria furniture for our new space.

Generous families have helped us to reach $3.8 million toward the Together, We Dream initiatives! Thank you to everyone who has helped us to reach this milestone! Our goal is to raise $4 million by May 1 in order to begin construction on the library this summer. Thanks to the generous spirit of our community, we are 76% of the way to our overall goal of $5 million for improvements to our school. Learn more at moundsparkacademy.org/together.

Participate In Screen-Free Week

April 18, 2019

This spring, families around the nation will voluntarily turn off their TVs, computers, and other screens to rediscover that life can be more rewarding with less screen time. MPA is challenging Lower School students and their families to participate in Screen-Free Week by leaving your screens off the week of April 29-May 5.

In the course of a year, American children spend more time in front of the TV and other screens than in school. We think that Screen-Free Week 2019 is a great way to jumpstart our kids into more reading, learning, and active play. It’s also a lot of fun!

We encourage your child and family to participate in Screen-Free Week. We understand that technology is part of the educational and work process, but ask you set the goal to refrain from using screens for entertainment. If interested in participating, return your pledge card to the Lower School office by April 26!

If 45 MPA students and families sign up and “survive” the entire week with no TV, computers and other screens, Mr. Purdy has agreed to color his hair neon pink at the Lower School Monday Morning Meeting in May.

If you have any questions or would like to receive additional information about Screen-Free Week, contact Russ Purdy at rpurdy@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5571.

Thank you for making Screen-Free Week a success!

The Long-Term Outcome Of An MPA Education

April 17, 2019

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I’m one of the few people who actually enjoys painting a room or even a house. Several years ago, we had our 100-year-old house re-stuccoed, which required scraping and painting the wood trim around the windows. In order to save a few dollars, we decided to do it ourselves. More than 30 windows later and a lot of work, the job was done, and the house looked great. Whether its painting, cooking, or refinishing old furniture, I like seeing the rapid transformation of a finished job. In contrast, the work of educating young people is never finished and there are not often opportunities to see an immediate outcome. Read More

MPA Spring Auction Preview: Seven Nights In Paris

April 17, 2019

We are excited to announce a 2019 MPA Spring Auction live auction item: seven nights in Paris! Stay in the heart of the St Germain neighborhood in an elegant, light and airy three bedroom pied-de-terre encompassing the entire third floor of a lovely 19th century building.

Located at Rue du Four, you’ll be in the heart of the historic, intellectual and fashionable area of Paris. Steps away from the Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower and so much more! Sleeps up to six and includes a fully stocked gourmet kitchen. Read More

Valuing The Experience

April 16, 2019

There are freethinkers, free spirits, risk takers, right makers, dreamers, and doers who are standing up to support Together, We Dream. Here is one story that explains why. Meet Isaac Marshall ’11.

What impact do you see the completion of Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA having on your family?
Completing the Together, We Dream campaign will allow MPA to be around and thriving for years to come.

Why do you believe it is important to give to both Together, We Dream AND to the annual MPA Fund as you would in other years?
I believe that it is important to give to both Together, We Dream and the MPA Annual Fund because each of these gifts supports MPA in different ways. The sustainability of MPA comes from focusing on both short- and long-term goals and by giving to both funds I am supporting MPA today and helping it grow into a school of tomorrow.

Why do you choose to give to Together, We Dream even though you have graduated?
I choose to give to Together, We Dream even though I’ve graduated because I care deeply about the future of MPA and value the education and experience I had there. I want to enable others to not only experience MPA as I did but to experience an MPA that has grown and evolved with our changing world. As students, we deserve an educational experience that adapts to the time in which we live. Although my time as a student at MPA is over, I know that my MPA experience was only possible because of the generosity and commitment of those who gave to MPA before me.

How do you see the four priorities (library, commons, cafeteria and kitchen, endowment, and outdoor track) of Together, We Dream impacting the student experience?
I see the four priorities impacting the whole student. The re-imagined spaces will provide fresh perspectives and experiences for learning and socializing. These spaces are designed to engage students in ways the current spaces simply cannot. The outdoor track demonstrates our commitment to physical well-being and updating our facilities to continue hosting events and developing stellar athletes. Taking this opportunity to grow the endowment will galvanize the priorities of this campaign so this new student experience is available to students for years to come.

What is your dream for the future of MPA and how do you see Together, We Dream working toward your dream?
My dream for the future of MPA is to continue innovating in education, demonstrating excellence through action, and teaching students to think creatively and compassionately and work together to make a better world.

Honor where we’ve been. Power our way forward. Make a gift at moundsparkacademy.org/donate/together.

Join Us For The Annual Retirement Celebration

April 16, 2019

We are celebrating three long-time faculty and staff members as they retire at the end of this school year. Please join us in showing your appreciation for Karen Rossbach, Dave McGaha, and Laurie Foss, by attending the annual Retirement Celebration on Thursday, May 30 from 4-7 PM at Keller Golf Course. An invitation will follow. Mounds Park Academy extends its sincere gratitude for all they have done for our students and community.

“It sounds so cliché, but I will miss the people the most. I could have never imagined working with people who were so supportive and philosophically on the same page about education. And the children brought me so much joy each day,” says Karen. Read More

The Intellectual Heart Of MPA

April 11, 2019

Editor’s note: We sat down with Nancy Lage, librarian, to ask her a few questions about Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA and what impact she sees a new library having on our community.

How will the new library enhance your program and better meet your students’ needs?
The new library will impact our program by providing students more flexible spaces for multiple age groups to learn and collaborate. These spaces can transform how we all work together as a learning community. There will be an expanded technology infrastructure for interactive instruction as well as designated spaces for evolving student artwork and exhibits. A modern and developmentally appropriate children’s room is being designed and inspired by nature. Several of the reading and research spaces will have comfortable seating, natural lighting and individual study spaces as well as a conference room and access to the adjoining outdoor courtyard—all of which will enhance school-wide literacy, activities and events.

What part of the new space are you, as an educator, most excited for?
The library is the intellectual heart of MPA; the primary foundation for knowledge, stories and skills. Moving the new library to the center of the school makes the entire design very exciting to me. Not only will it offer easy access to students, faculty and families, but it will be infused with fresh spaces that provide students a place for personal reflection and self-awareness through literature and knowledge.

How will this library make dreams come true?
The inspiration for this new library began many years ago. To see it happening is truly a dream come true for me, and for so many community members. I am certain that this new library will enrich students’ experiences and encourage life-long learning and the exchange of ideas. My sincere hope is that it will continue to meet the changing needs of the MPA community now and in the years to come. Everyone is welcome to join in the dream!

Honor where we’ve been. Power our way forward. Make a gift at moundsparkacademy.org/donate/together.