Mounds Park Academy

Middle School Division News December 19, 2024

December 19, 2024

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, December 20: Caroling with the Madrigal Singers, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni, 7:30-8 AM, Family Commons
Friday, December 20: MS G5/6 Feed My Starving Children Field Trip, 8-11:30 AM
Friday, December 20: MS G5/6 Bowling Field Trip, 12-3 PM
Friday, December 20: MS G7/8 Winter Carnival, 12-3 PM, MPA Campus
Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3: No Classes, Winter Break
Wednesday, December 25: MPA Campus Closed
Wednesday, January 1: MPA Campus Closed
Monday, January 6: Classes Resume
Wednesday, January 8: MS G7/8 Affinity Group Meeting, 2:30-3 PM, Panther Center
Wednesday, January 8: HeadSpace: Meeting Our Educational Promise Through A Competency-Based Approach To Education, 7-8 PM, Virtual Meeting Via Zoom

Our Middle School counselor, Ms. Ashley Cooper, and I have started to do some restorative circle work with our sixth graders. In schools, these circles can be used to create a more positive culture among the students, value student voice, improve listening skills, and give students an opportunity to share and learn about each other. We have started with the foundational components of a circle discussion including common agreements, using a talking piece, and answering questions through the process of rounds, where each person has the opportunity to answer or “pass.”

One of today’s questions was, “What are you looking forward to in the new year?” I was amazed at all our students are excited about here at MPA. Throughout our rounds, students mentioned some upcoming milestones and family vacations over our winter breaks, but many talked about upcoming experiences here at school. From i-Term courses and field trips to new sports teams and MPA spring traditions, our sixth graders are really excited about all that is ahead for them next year.

Upper School Division News December 19, 2024

December 19, 2024

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, December 20: US Madrigal Singers and Chamber Orchestra Music Tour Field Trip
Friday, December 20: Caroling with the Madrigal Singers, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni, 7:30-8 AM, Family Commons
Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3: No Classes, Winter Break
Wednesday, December 25: MPA Campus Closed
Wednesday, January 1: MPA Campus Closed
Monday, January 6: Classes Resume
Wednesday, January 8: HeadSpace: Meeting Our Educational Promise Through A Competency Based Approach To Education, 7-8 PM, Virtual Meeting Via Zoom

As Upper School students, the importance of maintaining an active mind during breaks from school cannot be overstated. Breaks provide a vital opportunity to rest and recharge oneself, but they can also lead to a decline in academic engagement if not utilized wisely. One effective way to keep your brain engaged is to follow the advice that Dr. Hudson gives to students before they leave for summer break and read for pleasure. This practice not only enriches students’ knowledge but also enhances their creativity and critical thinking, two skills that are important for academic and personal success.

Reading for pleasure offers several benefits to students (and adults). It allows you to explore new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, which can broaden the understanding of the world around us. Engaging with a variety of literature—from novels to essays—stimulates our imagination and helps develop empathy by placing us in the figurative shoes of different characters, cultures, and contexts. It goes without saying that leisure reading can also improve vocabulary and writing skills, as exposure to different writing styles and structures enhances our own communicative abilities.

Well-respected teacher, principal, and educational consultant Kim Marshall annually shares a list of the “best books,” according to the School Library Journal. They consolidate books from a variety of different genres and age groups from which readers can choose. The list can be found here.
Read More

Parents Association News And Events December 19, 2024

December 19, 2024

Join 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

December 19, 2024

from 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

December 19, 2024

This 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!

December 18, 2024

Discover 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!

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.

RSVP Today

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Nominations Sought for School Committees and Board of Trustees

December 12, 2024

Each 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

December 12, 2024

Cookies, 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

December 12, 2024

from 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!

December 11, 2024

This 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