Mounds Park Academy

October 26, 2017

Congratulations to Rachel Lindrud/Sofia Walker and Annika Ide/Gabby Law who represented MPA deep into the Section Finals in Doubles Tennis. Rachel and Sofia took second in the Section and will advanced to the State Tournament and Annika/Gabby took fourth place. The competition was strong and all four players left it all out on the court. This is the first time since 2011 that MPA has had a team in the State Tournament. Go Panthers!

Update: Sofia Walker and Rachel Lindrud had a strong showing at the State Tennis meet at Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center on Thursday. In their first match vs Minnewaska the Panthers won 7-5, 6-0. As they advanced in the state doubles tourney they played a very strong Litchfield team that went to three sets. In the end, the Panthers lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Please congratulate Rachel and Sofia on great season!

All State Second Team

October 26, 2017

Senior Captain Nicholas Guiang was named to the Minnesota High School Soccer Coaches Association All State Second Team at the MSHSSCA All State Banquet on Sunday at the River Centre in St. Paul! A four-year varsity starter, Guiang tallied nine goals and seven assists this season, both tops on the team. He led the Panthers to the Section 4A Quarterfinals. He is the second member of his family to be named to the All State Second Team—his older brother Eric ’14 earned All State Second Team in 2013. Read more about this family in MPA Now, arriving in homes in early November.

Bring A Friend To MPA Day

October 26, 2017

Friday, December 1 will be a very special day on campus for MPA students and their friends. Those in grades three through eight are welcome to bring a same-grade friend for a day of learning and fun! This is an opportunity for you to give a gentle nudge to families who you believe would appreciate the MPA experience. Learn much more and register at moundsparkacademy.org/bringafriend.

Inspiring Participation

October 26, 2017

a message from Matt Magers, Director of Development

“Today is one of my most favorite days of the year!” This is what I heard from several teachers last Wednesday, October 18, the third day of the Joyful Learning, Joyful Giving Fall Campaign. As a new staffer, I initially thought, “Wow! This school is really into philanthropy.”

That is true; however, I quickly realized that they were referring to our traditional Grandparents & Special Friends Day. This day provides an opportunity for our Lower and Middle School students to showcase their school to some of the most important people of their lives—grandparents and special friends! The entire day was filled with enthusiasm and joy as MPA welcomed more than 200 guests to campus (see photos here).

Meet Pranay Somayajula ’18

October 25, 2017

What do you love about MPA?
One word—community. I love that MPA is such a tightly knit community and you have the ability to form close and lasting relationships, whether they are with another student, an MPA parent, or a faculty member. MPA is unique in that it not only provides an opportunity to form close bonds, but that it actively encourages their formation.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
Every day in class, we are pushed to consider not just the information that we are learning, but the implications of those concepts on a broader global scale now and in the future. Whether the class is English, science, math, or history, we are encouraged to apply everything we learn to make a positive difference outside the classroom.

What would you tell a family considering MPA?
I can say with the utmost confidence that I would not be the person I am today, with the achievements and ambitions that I currently have, were it not for the outstanding education and community here at MPA. This school provided me with a support system that has allowed me over the years to find my voice, become more outgoing, and think beyond just myself in a way that makes me feel entirely prepared to go off to college and the real world next year. Read More

Laurel Schwartz’s World Premiere

October 20, 2017

Laurel Schwartz ’11 began creating video content about chronic illness when she was just 12 years old through her work with Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Now 24, her documentary “Running Breathless” will world premiere at the Twin Cities Film Festival October 21 (tomorrow!) at 12:10 PM.

This is her directorial, editorial, and acting festival debut. Having spent the last two years as a producer at Leo Burnett’s internal production company, Greenhouse, she is now returning to school to pursue social work at Columbia University. In grad school, Schwartz hopes to explore uses for digital communication in chronic illness management and advocacy. She hopes to use her passion for film and digital media to share stories about chronic illness often left out of popular media.

Meet Ling DeBellis ’19

October 16, 2017

What do you love about MPA?
From the beginning, MPA focuses on every part of learning—curiosity, creativity, and discovery. In Lower School, it’s letting you grow, giving you a solid foundation of asking questions, and experiencing new things. In Middle School, it’s learning how and why things work. There’s emphasis on independence and self-expression. In Upper School, it’s connecting the dots, learning to find deeper meaning and themes within all subjects. MPA has made me a thinker and a better human.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
I know it’s okay to be me. I know that I can do what I set my mind to. I’m unstoppable because MPA has taught me to question, to think, and to care in every aspect of my life—academic and social.

If you have attended another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
MPA is my home. I started in PreK in 2005 (first PreK class).

What would you tell a family considering MPA?
It’s a great place for your kids to grow up—it feels safe. We are a community. And the classes are amazing with even more amazing teachers. Read More

Recycle Items To The Makerspace!

October 12, 2017

The Makerspace is in need of supplies for a variety of projects! Please do not purchase supplies, but if there is something you have at home that you no longer need, consider donating it to MPA. Please see below for examples.

paper tubes
plastic caps (small plastic odds and ends)
metal jar lids
corks
googly eyes
pipe cleaners
scrapbook paper
shoe boxes
beads
felt
larger pieces of fabric
acrylic paint
thread
scrap wood (no longer than 6 feet long)
LEGOs
small metal trinkets or found items (old or mismatched jewelry, toys, keys, door handles, keychains, figurines, gears, etc.)
Duct tape
Command poster strips and hooks
double-sided tape
colored electrical tape
Velcro
packing tape
sponges
sand paper
sanding sponges
hot glue sticks

Please drop donations off in the Development Office. If you are dropping off wood, please bring directly to the Makerspace. Thank you for helping us imagine and create!

Makerspace Dedication Event

October 12, 2017

Thank you to all who came to the Makerspace Dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Each and every one of you made the day fun and special! We hope you enjoyed getting to use your hands and minds in the STEAM activities and learned more about what goes on every day in the Makerspace here at MPA. Whether you went home with a customized Makerspace button to wear or a newfound love for building Rube Goldberg machines, it seemed everyone had a great afternoon of discovery and play. We are proud to show you what our students are experiencing and working with at school. For more photos of the event, visit our Flickr page.

To watch Dr. AnnMarie Thomas’s inspiring and insightful talk to the MPA community during the Makerspace assembly on Friday, October 6, please visit our YouTube channel! She tells a vivid and relatable story of finding her passion, from childhood to college and now as an educator. She truly moved the community at every level.

Lower School Parent Meeting

October 12, 2017

Come meet new parents and catch up with old friends while hearing about educational topics from the MPA faculty! You’re invited to the Parents Association Lower School parent meeting on Thursday, October 26 from 5-6 PM or Friday, October 27 from 8-9 AM. In an effort to accommodate busy schedules, we are offering two meeting times with the same agenda. Both meetings will be hosted in the Porter Conference Room located on the north end of of campus.

If you choose to come to the afternoon meeting, your child is welcome to attend Panther Club at the expense of the PA.

The educational topic will focus on Schoology, presented by Ms. Kitch, PreK-12 Technology Integration Specialist. You will learn how to use this new tool effectively and the answers to questions you may be experiencing, like “What is the difference between the app and the website? Do you contact teachers via email or through Schoology? If you post a message, does everyone see it?” The faculty guest is Ms. Rossbach, founding faculty member and visual arts teacher. She will share the arts department educational philosophy. This meeting is brought to you through the collaboration of Ms. Wright, Lower School director and PA Co-Lower School division leads, Heidi Nelson and Christine Larson.