Mounds Park Academy

Middle School Division News October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, October 11: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM, Panther Care >
Monday, October 14: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples Day
Tuesday, October 15: Election 2024 Through Civil Discourse: A Sample Lesson for MS/US Parents, 6-7 PM, PCR, register here >
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 8 AM-3 PM, information here >
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day Performance, 11 AM-12 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, October 17-Friday, October 18: No Classes, Fall Break, Panther Care >
Friday, October 25: Bring a Friend to MPA Day, 8 AM-3 PM
Friday, October 25: MS G5/6 Halloween Party, 3:15-4:30 PM, Family Commons
Friday, October 25: MS G7/8 Dance, 6-8 PM, Family Commons
Thursday, October 31: End of Quarter 1
Friday, November 1: No Classes, Grading Day

Greetings from Middle School. It is hard to believe that we are already moving into the middle of October with family conferences this week, our Fall Break next week, and the end of our first quarter of school coming up at the end of the month! I hope to see most of you with your child(ren) in here to partner with their teachers and talk about what they’ve learned, what is working well with their learning, and what areas might need a bit more support or attention to get the most out of them as learners. If you were unable to sign up for conferences, please write to any of your child’s teachers to see if they are available to meet.

Lower School Division News October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, October 11: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM, Panther Care >
Monday, October 14: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples Day
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 8 AM-3 PM, information here >
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day Performance, 11 AM-12 PM, Nicholson Center
Wednesday, October 16: LS PA Rainbow Club, 6-8 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Thursday, October 17-Friday, October 18: No Classes, Fall Break, Panther Care >
Tuesday, October 22: LS Duty-Free Lunch with Parent Volunteers, 11:40 AM-12:40 PM, Playground and Family Commons
Thursday, October 24: LS/US Blood Drive, 12-6 PM, Gallery
Friday, October 25: Bring a Friend to MPA Day, 8 AM-3 PM
Wednesday, October 30: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons
Thursday, October 31: End of Quarter 1
Thursday, October 31: MPA PA LS Halloween Parties, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM, Lansing Sports Center
Thursday, October 31: LS Halloween Parade, 2:30-3 PM, Hallways
Friday, November 1: No Classes, Grading Day

We are excited to welcome parents to campus for our Fall Conferences this week to celebrate all the learning and growth that the children have experienced since the start of the academic year. As you prepare for these conferences, the following questions highlighted by Harvard’s Making Caring Common article, “15 Questions to Ask Your Child’s Teacher That Aren’t About Grades” may be helpful:

Can you tell me about a time my child showed empathy or helped another student?
How does my child resolve conflict with their peers? Do they communicate effectively?
Is my child comfortable participating in group activities and collaborating with others?
How does my child react when they make mistakes? Do they check in and take responsibility?
Are there any areas where I can support my child’s social-emotional development at home?

Reminder that the following days are non-school days: Monday, October 14 (Indigenous Peoples Day); Thursday and Friday, October 17-18 (Fall Break). Please read on for more updates! Read More

Commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day

October 10, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

“Makhoche kin de dakhota thamakhoche.” (Maw-ko-chay keen day dah-ko-tah tah-mah-ko-chay) This is the land of the friendly people, the Dakota.

You may be noticing the school calendar over the next week or so is a bit wonky. This is true for several different reasons, including parent-teacher conferences and the long-standing tradition of taking “MEA days” as a fall break. This year, we are also commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, October 14.

As we recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on the profound impact that Native cultures, histories, and contributions have had—and continue to have—on our country. This day calls on us to honor the rich heritage of Indigenous peoples while also acknowledging the struggles they have faced throughout history.

Mounds Park Academy acknowledges the language and history of the Wahpekute and the larger Očhéthi Šakówin nation and its connection to these cultures through the land on which the school resides. Mounds Park Academy acknowledges that our school rests on Dakota homeland and that Indigenous Peoples have the longest relationship to this land. Read More

Parents Association News And Events October 3, 2024

October 3, 2024

Thank you! With a full month under our belt, the 2024-2025 school year has already been rich with community connections. Thank you for showing up in support of the MPA school community through Back To School events, Quarterly Coffees, Faculty & Staff Appreciation, affinity groups, and more. All parents and guardians are an integral part of this school and we look forward to further connections in October!

Panther Sports Committee Kickoff Meeting!
Saturday, October 12, from 10 AM-12 PM
Porter Conference Room

Everyone is welcome! Please email Christine Larson at clarsonPA@moundsparkacademy.org for more info.

Upcoming MPA PA Events

October 4: MPA PA Board Meeting, 8 AM, PA Room
October 10-11: Faculty & Staff Appreciation, hosted by the PA Staff Appreciation Committee
October 12: Panther Sports Committee Kickoff Meeting, 10 AM-12 PM, PCR
October 16: LS Rainbow Club Meeting, 6 PM, MPA Library
October 26: Community Coffees, 10 AM-12 PM, multiple locations
October 31: Lower School Grade Level Halloween Parties, 8:30 AM-2:20 PM, Lansing Sports Center

Preparing Students For A New Workplace

October 3, 2024

There’s a current TikTok trend that involves high school teachers reading emails that they’ve received from their students out loud. They often start with “Hey,” or “Whatsup,” if they contain a salutation. And let’s just say that rarely do they close with a “Thank you.”

While perhaps entertaining, this trend illustrates a disheartening disparity in how young people are being prepared for the workplace of the future. Rapidly changing trends and expectations shape how progressive independent schools like Mounds Park Academy equip students with essential workplace skills for life beyond the four walls of a classroom.

The trend popped into the head of admission and communications director Natalie Waters Seum recently, when she was chatting a newer MPA student. They were talking about how she might navigate the academic bumps in the road that will inevitably come in a rigorous college-prep school. Natalie encouraged her to reach out to her teacher for clarification and support and asked her if she knew how to do that well. While it shouldn’t have been, her response was pleasantly surprising. She retold with great detail what she had learned during the “How To Write An Email To A Teacher” lesson in Mr. Dean’s ninth-grade seminar class. The lesson covers topics such as formal letter structure, salutations, tone, attachments, and more. Notably, the lesson also teaches MPA students to share the solutions they’ve already tried—helping encourage them to take responsibility for their own academic journeys. This lesson is one of the hundreds of ways that MPA intentionally prepares MPA students for a new workplace daily. Read More

Experience The #2 Private School In Minnesota

October 2, 2024

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the October 2 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

Last week, the Niche.com rankings were released, and we are delighted to announce that MPA is the #2 ranked private school in Minnesota! We are so grateful for our community of dedicated faculty, families, alumni, and friends–the heart of what makes our school a wonderful place to learn and grow.

A day in the life at the #2 ranked private school looks and feels like so many different things–that’s the gift of an individualized approach for every child. Recently it has looked like student clubs teaming up to lead a voter registration drive, learning firsthand in the field with a melittologist, competing and cheering our Panther hearts out during Homecoming games and matches, and also celebrating all week long. And that’s just a glimpse at the end of September!

At MPA, we believe in learning by doing–that the best way to understand something is to be immersed in it. To really experience what a day of learning at MPA is like, we invite you to RSVP below for the PreK-12 MPA Preview on November 3. Not only will you have the chance to sit it on lessons taught by our expert faculty, but you’ll also feel the warmth of our welcoming, inclusive community through a variety of perspectives, conversations, and opportunities to ask your own questions about MPA. At the Preview, you’ll discover something remarkable and gain a much better understanding of life at MPA.

RSVP Today

How We Learn

The Admission Process

Please Welcome Ms. Mwaniki To MPA

October 1, 2024

MPA is delighted to announce the hiring of Ms. Juliet Mwaniki as a year-round PreK faculty member starting October 7, 2024! Please take some time to get to know Ms. Mwaniki.

From what school/organization are you coming?
Breakthrough Twin Cities/Minerva University

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in arts, humanities, and social sciences from Minerva University. Throughout my academic journey, I studied in six countries, gaining a global perspective and a deep appreciation for diverse cultures.

My professional experience includes roles as a teaching fellow at Breakthrough Twin Cities, a program coordinator at Minerva University, and a college counseling advisor at Equity Group Foundation. These experiences have equipped me with strong skills in curriculum development, classroom management, student assessment, and building inclusive learning environments.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I was drawn to Mounds Park Academy’s commitment to nurturing the human spirit, fostering social justice, and promoting critical thinking. The school’s innovative education model, which fosters a joy of learning and encourages students to be enthusiastic and self-driven, aligns perfectly with my own educational philosophy. Additionally, I was impressed by the opportunities for professional development and collaboration within the PreK teaching team. Read More

Parents Association News And Events September 26, 2024

September 26, 2024

In case you are wondering, the last few weeks we mentioned how the MPA PA builds community through coffee. Here are some more details on upcoming Division-level Quarterly Coffees.

Middle School Quarterly Coffee on September 27, 8-9 AM, PCR: Meet & Greet with Paul Errickson, Middle School director! Socialize with fellow parents and learn about fall happenings and MAP Testing in the Middle School.

Lower School Quarterly Coffee on October 1, 8-9 AM, Gallery: Meet & Greet with Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director! Connect with fellow parents while learning more about the new MAP Testing.

Upper School Quarterly Coffee on October 1, 8-9 AM, PCR: Meet & Greet with Mark Segal, Upper School director, for conversation and updates regarding the Upper School cell phone policy and fall events, and we’ll have special guests from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy, in Shenzhen, China.

MPA Merch Pop-Up Shop This Saturday!

The Parents Association is hosting a pop-up shop during homecoming in the Lansing Center. Sweatshirts, t-shirts, and hats will be available from 9 AM-12 PM. Show your Panther Pride at the games!

Upcoming Events

September 27: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, Porter Conference Room
October 1: LS Quarterly Coffee, 8:15-9 AM, MPA Gallery
October 1: US Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR

Coming Home

September 26, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

I’m old enough to remember those nostalgic Folgers coffee commercials in which a son surprises his family by coming home for the holidays. The warmth, laughter, and love conveyed in those moments brought home the idea that “home” is far more than just a physical place—it’s about the emotions, traditions, and connections we share with one another. That commercial tugged at my heartstrings every time, often bringing a tear to my eye.

Within families, traditions arise and are celebrated, nurturing emotions of acceptance that go beyond the concept of a home as a physical or geographical location. Likewise, Homecoming at MPA has a distinctive meaning as a PreK-12 school. Throughout this week, students of all ages have shown their school spirit in countless ways. From the annual Lower School coloring project and the Homecoming-themed CHAMP Assembly to Middle School poster-making and Upper School dress-up days, the energy has been palpable. Our student-athletes have even been greeting everyone with a smile outside door one each morning. The week culminates with a pep fest tomorrow and athletic contests and activities on Saturday, September 28, and all students, regardless of their grade level, are warmly invited to attend and celebrate together.

Merriam-Webster defines homecoming as “the act of returning to your home or to a place that is like your home.” At MPA, we often refer to our school as a second home—a place where both students and adults are known and valued. This sense of belonging is deeply embedded in our school’s DNA, and it is a crucial element of who we are. Research consistently shows that emotional safety and a strong sense of community are essential for personal growth and academic success.

Lower School Division News September 26, 2024

September 26, 2024

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, September 27: PreK-12 Spirit Wear Day (LS students wear uniform bottoms)
Friday, September 27: G3-12 Homecoming Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
Friday, September 27: Hall of Fame Dinner, 6-8 PM, Family Commons
Saturday, September 28: Homecoming, information here >
Tuesday, October 1: LS Parent Coffee, 8-9 AM, Gallery
Tuesday, October 1: School Photo Retakes, 8-10 AM, Indoor Track
Tuesday, October 8: HeadSpace: Civil Discourse in a Polarized Society, Election 2024, 7-8 PM, via Zoom >
Wednesday, October 9: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons
Thursday, October 10: All School Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Friday, October 11: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM, Panther Care >
Monday, October 14: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 8 AM-3 PM, information here >
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day Performance, 11 AM-12 PM, Nicholson Center
Wednesday, October 16: LS PA Rainbow Club, 6-8 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Thursday, October 17-Friday, October 18: No Classes, Fall Break, Panther Care >

It’s been a busy but fun few weeks since our last Panther Post. This is the point that we are almost finished with the “first six weeks of school,” a crucial time for children as they solidify the new routines and expectations that come along with a new academic year. Routines require a particular set of characteristics for children to be most developmentally supportive: predictability and accessibility. Children benefit from relationships and environments that are predictable to them. Routines like the process of getting ready for school, the daily schedule of fun activities encountered at school, and evening settling-down routines at home help children:

feel in control of their environment;
feel safe, secure, and comfortable;
know what is happening now and what comes next;
know how to do an activity or task; and
engage in learning.

Soon, these new routines will become second nature, equipping your child for success with the rest that the year has in store!