Mounds Park Academy

January 11, 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 Beth Finch, MPA parent, parent of alumni, and trustee.

What impact do you see the completion of Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA having on your family?
The satisfaction of knowing MPA is continuing to serve families in a meaningful and impactful way.

Why do you choose to give to Together, We Dream?
We feel compelled to support this campaign because for nearly 12 years we have considered MPA an important part of our family. MPA has nurtured and partnered with us in an incredibly profound way.

Why do you choose to give to Together, We Dream even though your children have graduated?
We are grateful for the many touchpoints. The teachers and community have provided unparalleled commitment to our children.

How do you see the four priorities (library, commons, cafeteria, and kitchen, endowment, and outdoor track) of Together, We Dream impacting the student experience?
Community is an important element of the MPA experience. Elevating these core areas allows further growth in this area. And the endowment ensures the sustainability for generations; there’s value in knowing MPA will continue to serve families.

What is your dream for the future of MPA and how do you see Together, We Dream working toward your dream?
My dream is to experience the outcome of this community; witnessing how MPA students contribute to our broader community and world.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your MPA experience?
I am grateful for how the teachers nurtured our children and how the community became a focal part of our family.

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

January 10, 2019

Registration for spring sports at MPA is now live! With options from track and field to baseball, softball, and golf, there there is something for everyone to stay active this spring. Sign up here!

Save The Date For The Spring Auction

January 10, 2019

The biggest event of the year, Spring Auction 2019–Once Upon a Time, will be on May 11, 2019 at the Vadnais Heights Commons. Become a sponsor and get early access to the Silent Auction, Great Gatherings, and the special Pre-Party all while supporting MPA! You can also help by donating auction items–see our wish list below to get inspiration or just stop by the Development Office in Lower School.

Realizing Our Resolutions

January 10, 2019

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Happy new year! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful winter break spending time with family and loved ones. I appreciated a few days off plus several days of quiet, uninterrupted time in the office. The building can be eerily quiet when school is not in session and I miss the time with students and the laughter and smiles in the hallways.

I watched a lot of football over the break and was inundated with commercials promoting weight loss programs and fitness centers, all capitalizing on the new year and the resolutions many make. I made my own resolution to run more, after spending the last year recovering from a serious injury. It also wouldn’t hurt for me to lose a few pounds or so! A quick poll taken of our students today resulted in the following resolutions:

Experience NYC At The Middle School Cafe!

January 9, 2019

No plane ticket necessary! Experience New York City at the Middle School Cafe, January 14-18. The Parents Association is transforming the Gallery into the Big Apple with street food, Bill’s Bodega, Central Park, and our (slightly smaller) Statue of Liberty! Parents, come and join us for coffee and conversation each morning at 7:45 AM!

Parents are also invited to sign up for volunteer shifts during Cafe Week. It’s going to be a great time you and you won’t want to miss being a part of it!

January 9, 2019

Calling all makers, creatives, tinkerers, inventors, and crafters! Registration is now open to be a part of the second annual MPA Maker Fest.

See our community’s hard work come to life on Saturday, February 23 from 1-3 PM. Anyone is welcome to attend as a spectator (no RSVP necessary) or host a display table (sign up here)!

Participants can sign up either individually or with a group to host a display table. Participation is open to everyone in our community—students, parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to “show and tell” something that you have created and share your accomplishments. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Koen, Makerspace coordinator, at nkoen@moundsparkacademy.org.

Invite A Friend To MPA’s January Admission Events

January 9, 2019

Invite a friend to visit and get to know MPA! We are hosting two wonderful admission events in January–the Middle and Upper School Preview and Pajamarama!

On Sunday, January 27 at 1 PM, prospective Middle and Upper students and their families are invited to campus to preview MPA! This is a fantastic opportunity to explore our school and help participants get to know MPA.

On Thursday, January 31 from 5-7:30 PM, is Pajamarama! This beloved event at MPA welcomes prospective Lower School families to campus for an unforgettable evening of games, music, community, and pure joy! Take a closer look at the joy of Pajamarama with MPA Orchestra Director Leah Abbe Bloem’s insight and experience.

Meet Isaac ’29

January 9, 2019

What do you love about MPA?
My favorite part of MPA is playing with friends, especially in phy. ed. class. Mr. Sheehan is my teacher and he is always nice. He’s just a fun person. I also love math because I use my whole brain and I work together with my friends.

How do you dream big and do right at MPA?
Dream big and do right means being nice to my friends. I make sure to give (my best friend) a hug every morning when I see him, and he gives me a hug.

What would you tell a friend considering MPA?
MPA is a very fun place because you have everything you need. You have friends, you have a really good hot lunch, you have a big playground, you have lots of books in the library. The library is a place I really like because I love books, especially books about football. I also really like Ms. Espeland’s music class and Ms. Mastel’s drama class. I really can’t pick which of those I like best because I like them both so much.

Fostering Curiosity Through The Joy Of Learning

January 9, 2019

Learning is a lifelong process that starts the minute we’re born. Babies come into the world and immediately start learning about their surroundings. They’re innately curious and find joy in learning about the simplest things.

At Mounds Park Academy, we want our students to always remain that curious and excited about learning. One of the primary goals for teachers is to create an environment that encourages innovative, creative thinking and allows students to experience the joy of learning firsthand. Most educators agree that when children love to learn, they build resilience, patience, curiosity, and communication skills.

Preview the Joy of MPA at Pajamarama

January 3, 2019

by Leah Abbe Bloem, Orchestra Director

Pajamarama is pure joy at its finest! This year’s event will be once again combined with the Lower School Admission Preview and held on Thursday, January 31. The evening will begin at 5 PM for prospective families and 5:45 PM for current families.

This Mounds Park Academy original event is a concert created by Upper School orchestra students for Lower School students and their families. The creative endeavor gives Upper School students a chance to entertain and engage with the younger children with unabashed delight. They get to remember what it was like to be a little kid, hearing an orchestra for the first time, in such a welcoming, happy, and fun atmosphere.

Celebrating the MPA Community
We are very fortunate to have pre-kindergarten through high school students all on one campus, which builds a strong sense of community that feels like home. The Upper School orchestra students learn the music and plan a carnival with the understanding that the performance is not about them, but rather what they are giving to, and sharing with, the broader community.

The strong connection between Upper and Lower School students is evident every day at MPA, including at this event. Each student is kind and supportive of one another. At the event, the little ones are encouraged to try games again and again until they win, with cheers from the older students. Even those waiting in line will tell their peers in front of them to try again if they didn’t win the first time.

Experiencing the Joy of Musical Performance
Pajamarama is important because it gives the Upper School students a chance to look past the technical side of music education and experience the joy of sharing a musical performance. It also provides the opportunity for the orchestra students to really consider who their audience is and create an experience for them. The Upper School students learn about games and music that they may not even know in order to make each and every audience member feel valued and celebrated. They enjoy having the chance to give back to a school and community they love so much. Read More