April 5, 2018
A simple way to make a planned (deferred) gift to benefit MPA is by designating the school as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your IRA or other qualified retirement plan or life insurance policy. You simply request a beneficiary designation form from your retirement plan provider or life insurance company, complete and return the form to them, and the future gift is put in place. You may also designate MPA as the beneficiary of your stock portfolio by requesting and completing a TOD (Transfer on Death) form from your broker. An even simpler way is to visit your bank and designate MPA a beneficiary of your checking or savings account by completing a POD (Payable on Death) form. In each of these methods, MPA can be designated as the beneficiary of a fixed amount, a percentage, or the remainder of your assets.
The beauty of beneficiary designations is twofold: first, you do not need an attorney or other professional advisor to assist you so there is no cost involved; and second, you maintain flexibility throughout your lifetime. As circumstances change, you can modify or even terminate your gift at any time.
by Renee Wright, Lower School Director
Register your Upper School Student’s Grandparent or Special Friend for a day at MPA on April 25!
Middle and Upper School music teacher and choir director
Last week, the Middle School students were in the midst of their annual i-Term week, a unique opportunity to embody MPA’s mission of thinking independently and learning joyfully by participating in a one-week enrichment experience. i-Term courses are designed to provide inquiry-based, experiential learning beyond the classroom. The project-based, focused nature of i-Term offerings enables students to learn new skills, do things that are not possible within a normal school setting, and be exposed to things they would not be otherwise. Students venture into the community, work with experts in a particular field, and create new friendships along the way during this signature experience.
What are you currently doing, professionally and/or personally?
The Mounds Park Academy Athletics Department is conducting a survey regarding athletic participation for the 2018-2019 school year. We are specifically looking at Minnesota State High School League Sponsored Athletics and offerings provided by Mounds Park Academy. This survey takes approximately 5-10 minutes. Your responses to this survey will help us look at our current athletic model and determine if Mounds Park Academy is accommodating the athletic interests and needs of our students. 
MPA senior Ryan Guggenheim was recently named one of two State Honorees for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for his work with the Open Wide Foundation! Ryan has been recognized in an article from the Open Wide Foundation, which reads:
Mounds Park Academy Basketball is excited to offer our annual Panther Summer Basketball Camp held Monday, June 11–Thursday, June 14, 2018 from 9 AM–12 PM in the Lansing Sports Center. Panther Basketball Camp is open to MPA and non-MPA students alike, who are entering grades 4-9 in Fall 2018. The cost of attending is $60 per camper and includes a camp t-shirt.
Middle and Upper School French and Spanish teacher Ms. Johnson will be continuing her French cooking class during Summer at MPA! Ms. Johnson inherited her French cooking skills from her mother and her uncle, who was a chef in France, and we are so excited to pass them onto students this summer. They will become versed on a variety of French recipes, mastering crêpes, quiche Lorraine, mousse au chocolat, soupe à l’oignon, and madeleines. During the week, students also learn about other culinary specialties from France as well as cooking techniques.