Mounds Park Academy

December 27, 2017

Drama Faculty
MPA Parent

What do you love about MPA?
So many things! As a teacher and a parent, I love that drama is part of the curriculum at MPA. It really shows the dedication of teaching the whole child. I also love that at MPA the “joy of learning” is imbedded into the school’s mission.

How is your child encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
My daughter is given options and choices for her own learning. She is taught skills that encourage independence, self-confidence, and advocacy. But the focus doesn’t stay on the individual—Lily’s teachers have projects that foster collaboration, team building, and simply being a good friend. During a recent “music share,” my daughter was nervous and forget her song … she looked at one of her friends who mouthed the first line and then Lily was ready to go. The next day, that friend began crying when a cookie fell to the ground at the school picnic and Lily immediately turned to comfort her. These are foundations that will last a lifetime.

If your child has attended another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
Lily was originally enrolled at a different elementary school, until I was hired at MPA. I remember the moment during my tour when I started to look at the school as not just a potential teacher, but as a parent who wants the best for her child. She has more opportunities for physical education, art, drama, music, computers, and for creativity in the Makerspace. Many schools have cut art programs, meanwhile MPA has it as a required class through eighth grade. Also, the small class sizes cannot be beat! Read More

Preview the Joy of MPA at Pajamarama

December 22, 2017

by Leah Abbe Bloem, Orchestra Director

Pajamarama is pure joy at its finest! This year’s event will be once again combined with the Lower School Admission Preview and held on Thursday, February 1. The evening will begin at 5 PM for prospective families and 5:30 PM for current families.

This Mounds Park Academy original event is a concert created by Upper School orchestra students for Lower School students and their families. The creative endeavor gives Upper School students a chance to entertain and engage with the younger children with unabashed delight. They get to remember what it was like to be a little kid, hearing an orchestra for the first time, in such a welcoming, happy, and fun atmosphere.

Celebrating the MPA Community
We are very fortunate to have pre-kindergarten through high school students all on one campus, which builds a strong sense of community that feels like home. The Upper School orchestra students learn the music and plan a carnival with the understanding that the performance is not about them, but rather what they are giving to, and sharing with, the broader community.

The strong connection between Upper and Lower School students is evident every day at MPA, including at this event. Each student is kind and supportive of one another. At the event, the little ones are encouraged to try games again and again until they win, with cheers from the older students. Even those waiting in line will tell their peers in front of them to try again if they didn’t win the first time.

Experiencing the Joy of Musical Performance
Pajamarama is important because it gives the Upper School students a chance to look past the technical side of music education and experience the joy of sharing a musical performance. It also provides the opportunity for the orchestra students to really consider who their audience is and create an experience for them. The Upper School students learn about games and music that they may not even know in order to make each and every audience member feel valued and celebrated. They enjoy having the chance to give back to a school and community they love so much.

Creativity at Mounds Park Academy
Pajamarama began as a Disney concert approximately ten years ago. When I started teaching the orchestras four years ago, I decided to add the carnival portion to the night as well as to make the performance more interactive.

In most ensembles, it is common for the director to make the majority of the decisions regarding music and programming. However, for this performance almost all of the games and music have been planned, designed, and carefully developed by the Upper School orchestra students. Consequently, it is a powerful exercise in directing an entire artistic experience that they then perform for the community. The Upper School students both embrace their honed musical and artistic skills and simultaneously return to the delight of their youth through the games and activities with their younger friends.

Delighting Kids of All Ages
Students and parents alike love the performance. Upper School parents tell me how much fun it is to watch their child act like a little kid again and jump right into all the games, dancing, and singing. It is a reminder that we are all kids at heart and that we don’t have to grow up too fast. Along with the carnival, we also have milk and cookies at the end of the night, while our characters read bedtime stories.

At first glance, one would assume that the Lower School students enjoy the performance the most. However, watching these high-school-age students interact with their younger counterparts always proves that they are just as excited as the grade school students. In rehearsals, the Upper School students are slightly hesitant to sing songs by Raffi and dance to the Hokey Pokey while trying to play their instrument, but once they get a chance to dance and sing with the younger kids, one can see nothing but smiles on all of their faces.

Prospective families should RSVP in advance here! We look forward to welcoming you to Pajamarama!

MPA Alum Honored by Local Nonprofit

December 14, 2017

MPA alum Rose Miller ’06 received a special honor at the Animal Humane Society called the Values Award. This recognition celebrates individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the organization and exemplify the Animal Humane Society’s organizational values: be good to animals, partner with people, and lead responsibly with compassion.

Rose is the social media producer for AHS, turning the organization’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat profiles into resources for supporters. Rose has helped grow the loyal audience to more than 120,000 followers. She exceeds in her role as the voice of AHS and takes it very seriously. She uses her skills and storytelling tools to post thoughtfully and engagingly, developing her content and organization tactics far in advance. Read More

Design Club Created at MPA

December 14, 2017

Upper School student Cloris Lin established MPA’s Design Club this year as a creative outlet beyond the classroom. The Makerspace became home to the club, hosting their meetings officiated by Ms. Koen. The meetings, which take place every Monday during lunch and after school, begin with one simple question: “What do you want to make?”

The freedom of Design Club reflects the flow of ideas that Upper School students at MPA are encouraged to enact on and embrace. It did not take long for students to find interest in MPA’s new club. After just two meetings, it has grown to eight members, ranging from freshmen to seniors who all began with a complete orientation of the Makerspace. Read More

Generation Z

December 14, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

You may have heard that MPA ninth grade student, Maya Peterson, wrote a book for young people about the importance of investing. Her book, Early Bird: The Power of Investing Young, was recently published by Amazon and makes the point that it is not too early for young people to begin investing in the stock market and provides valuable insights and motivation to do so. Although I have not yet read Maya’s book, one theme seems to emerge: that investing in the stock market is one way for young people to make a social impact on the world.

Much of what led Maya to write her book reflect the hopes and characteristics of her generation, Generation Z. A great deal of research has been done and is sometimes contradictory. While it is challenging to reduce a diverse group of people to a series of attributes, there are themes that emerge that are useful for parents, educators, employers, marketers, industry, etc. Read More

Meet Jonas Lim

December 8, 2017

Lower School Parent

What do you love about MPA?
The quality of the teachers, and the genuine concern, focus on, and love for the students. The philosophy of educating the students to be intelligent and socially responsible individuals.

How is your child encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
The class curriculum provides my daughter the opportunity to try different things and develop the skills necessary to accomplish anything or everything she wants to do. MPA encourages and informs my daughter about what is right, but also teaches her to respect that everyone is free to have their own opinion.

What would you tell another family considering MPA?
I would tell you that your child will receive focused attention by the teachers. Your child will be allowed to be whoever she wants to be. Your child will be encouraged to be a unique individual at her own pace. Your child will become socially responsible and able to tackle the challenges of today’s ever changing world.

In what ways has MPA prepared your child for life in the 21st century?
It has given her the chance to develop the skills and intellect needed for today’s world. For example, I like the fact each child is given the opportunity to work on different projects and present those project to other students and/or parents. This allows the child to build confidence necessary for the 21st century, whether it is in communicating with others at a job or articulating their dreams. Read More

Seeking Nominees for the MPA Board of Trustees

December 7, 2017

MPA’s Board of Trustees is a self-generative body of about 18–22 trustees, each of whom serves up to two 3-year terms. The Governance Committee of the Board solicits, evaluates, interviews, and recommends to the full Board, for its consideration, potential candidates to serve as trustees.

Over the upcoming weeks, the Board’s Governance Committee is commencing its annual process of identifying, evaluating, and interviewing a slate of potential trustee candidates. Candidates will be presented to the full Board at its May meeting, and candidates who are selected to serve will begin their first 3-year term in July 2018.

Volunteer At The Middle School Cafe!

December 7, 2017

The Parents Association is looking for volunteers to help with the Middle School Cafe! This a great opportunity to help out MPA and spend some time with your middle school student.

If you would like to be a part of the Middle School Cafe planning team, please attend the meeting on Tuesday, December 12, at 8 AM in the Parents Association Room, located in the cafeteria. Please contact Ginnie Peterson at ginniepeterson@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

MPA Alum Receives Student Film Production Award

December 7, 2017

Erin Law, Class of 2012, received a Crystal Pillar Award at the the Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences last weekend! The Crystal Pillar is NATAS’ highest award for student productions.

Erin is in her second year of graduate studies, mastering in digital media and storytelling. Erin’s documentary, created with Megan McKinley of California, was “Dress For Success.” The mission of Dress For Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Congratulations, Erin! We love how you are dreaming big and doing right!

MPA Debate Succeeds at State

December 7, 2017

The MPA Upper School Debate team competed at the State Debate Tournament last weekend, placing third overall! The varsity team of Pranay Somayajula and Meg Wilkening were semifinalists, losing on an extremely close decision. As a senior, Pranay was both proud and nostalgic as the tournament came to a close.

“I’m really proud of Meg and myself for getting as far as we did. Competing at state was definitely a little bittersweet for me, as it was my last high school debate tournament and debate has meant a lot to me over the last four years,” he said.

Though he’ll be graduating from MPA this spring, he is anticipating a lot of success for the team he is leaving and knows that they’re ready to learn more and conquer new challenges next year.

“The competition was definitely tough, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen MPA compete at the State Tournament with more determination than we did this past weekend, and that’s been reflected throughout the season. I was really happy to see my debate career at MPA end so well,” Pranay said. “I’m also especially proud of our younger debaters who are easily the most dedicated and successful group of novices I’ve ever seen. After what I saw this weekend, I’m confident MPA debate is in a great spot for next year and years to come.” Read More