Mounds Park Academy

April 19, 2018

What are you currently doing, professionally and/or personally?

I’m a stay-at-home mom who is active in volunteering at my kids’ school as well as serving on the Mardag Foundation Board.

How did you get there?

I pursued some programs at St. Paul College (Massage and Esthetics), however I decided that my priority was with my family when I got pregnant and never made it into the field.

How did your MPA experience prepare you for your life today? How did MPA help you dream big and do right?

MPA taught me the value of a good education with caring teachers and how a tight knit community is so important.

What’s next? Any aspirations-personal or professional-that you’d like to share?

I’d like to grow in my position with Mardag and possibly pursue a para position in our school district when all my kids are in school.

Meet Andrew Grant ’15

April 19, 2018

What are you currently doing, professionally and/or personally?

I am currently in my third year at Vanderbilt University, studying Earth & Environmental Science. This past November through January, I was fortunate enough to participate in the United States Antarctic Program. The purpose of our project was to collect ice core from a body of ancient glacial ice that is preserved under a layer of till. Now, I am San Francisco on the first part of a study abroad program looking at the politics of climate change–specifically food, water, and energy. Over the course of my semester with SIT we will be traveling to Vietnam, Morocco, and Bolivia. I am very fortunate.

Lower And Middle School Parent Events

April 19, 2018

Many Lower and Middle School family and parent events are coming up this spring!

There will be an Lower School Parent AnnMarieThomas Makerspace event on Thursday, April 26 from 5-6 PM and on Friday, April 27 from 8-9 AM! In an effort to accommodate busy schedules, there are two meeting times with the same agenda. If you choose the afternoon time your child is welcome to attend Panther Club/Den at the expense of the Parents Association!

The education topic will cover the Makerspace and Ms Koen, Makerspace Coordinator, is the faculty guest. By consciously connecting liberal arts thinking with 21st century skills and competencies, the Makerspace provides students with the opportunities to construct meaning through making by way of practical, hands-on, interdisciplinary, problem-based projects. Come experience the innovative space and see a glimpse of STEAM at work!

All Middle School parents are invited to the last Middle School Parent Education Event of the year on Friday, April 20 from 8-9 AM in the Porter Conference Room. Dr. Jules Nolan will lead a conversation titled, “It’s All About Emotions: What are developmentally appropriate emotional behaviors for your child? How do we manage our own emotion and that of our children during stressful times?” This session will explore emotional life, how emotions can impede or enhance learning, and how to protect our children by helping them develop emotional resilience. Research from Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence will be discussed as well.

Upper School Parents Association Meeting

April 19, 2018

The date for the Quarter Four Upper School Parents Association Meeting is Friday, April 27, from 8-9:30 AM. Please note the date change!

Parents of incoming 2018-19 freshmen are encouraged to attend for a glimpse into Upper School at MPA! Keep an eye out for the next two issues of Panther Post for more details. An agenda will be sent to parents of students in grades 8-12 prior to the meeting. Parents will additionally get an overview of the Fine Arts programs in Upper School from faculty guests, take a look at the remaining Upper School events scheduled for the year, and discuss the opportunity of a new MPA Parents Association Upper School Division Lead.

Upper School Grandparents Day is Next Week!

April 19, 2018

We are very excited to bring Grandparents and Special Friends Day to the Upper School! This special MPA tradition has grown into an event specially designed for the Upper School division, and we are happy and proud to host all of your grandparents and special friends on Wednesday. Visitors will receive a unique glimpse inside our older students’ life at MPA!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Gallery Entrance
9 AM-12:20 PM
Full Agenda here!

If your Upper School student’s Grandparent or Special Friend is able to attend, kindly register them online, email GPDayRSVP@moundsparkacademy.org, or call 651-748-5530. Include your name, your student’s name(s), and the Grandparent or Special Friend’s name(s). Please register by April 20.

Any questions may be directed to Susan Robertson, Annual Giving & Alumni Relations Manager, at srobertson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5531.

Enhancing Play Spaces For All

April 19, 2018

We are excited to announce this year’s Spring Auction Fund A Need! Through our community’s generous support, we will significantly enhance the spaces where our students play and rejuvenate, PreK-12. Our goal is to raise $75,000.

With new equipment on the playground specifically designed for students PreK-8, and more comfortable and extensive seating for Upper School students in the Benz Courtyard, our students will benefit from these improved spaces each and every day. Rooted in the knowledge that young people thrive cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically when they have plenty of time and space to move and play, this Fund A Need will enhance MPA’s ability to deliver on its mission and nurture the whole child.

A Special Surprise For CHAMP Kids

April 19, 2018

Wednesday’s Lower School CHAMP assembly included a warm reading of “The Hugging Tree” by Mr. Wilson, time to brainstorm ideas about resilience as a division, and a complete surprise unveiling of the newest Peace Garden additions! Upper School student Connor McFarland engraved stumps from tees found fallen with every CHAMP trait to enhance the MPA Peace Garden. Bela Larsen and Jaeden McFarland will be putting the finishing touches on them just in time for spring weather!

Enjoy all of the photos of the CHAMP assembly and surprise unveiling here!

School Closed Monday

April 16, 2018

Good morning, MPA families.

Due to the poor road conditions, school is cancelled today, Monday, April 16. This includes all activities, practices, and events.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, Panthers!

Update Regarding Monday

April 15, 2018

At this point, we are planning for a regular school day tomorrow, Monday, April 16. We will reevaluate conditions early in the morning and let our community know if there is any change to our schedule.

As always, weather-related tardies will be excused and if you feel your commute is too difficult, please call the school to report your child’s absence.

Travel safely!

MPA Campus Closed Sunday

April 14, 2018

Due to the blizzard conditions, our campus will be closed again tomorrow, Sunday, April 15. All activities are cancelled.

Based on the current forecast, we are anticipating a regular school day on Monday, April 16. Please use caution when traveling to campus and remember that tardies will be excused if road conditions are not ideal. If anything changes, we will alert you as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, stay safe and enjoy the snow!