Mounds Park Academy

October 10, 2017

On Sunday, November 5, at 2 PM, prospective students and their families are invited to Mounds Park Academy’s campus for its fall Admission event, the MPA Preview! This will be a wonderful opportunity to get to know the people and the spaces that inspire students to dream big and do right. It will be similar to an Open House in that there will be time to explore, however a formal program will also help participants get to know MPA.

Lower School (grades PreK-4) families will start with a hands-on learning experience in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace, the only Makerspace of its kind in the Twin Cities for students in grades PreK-12. Newly opened, this space is a contemporary and physical manifestation of MPA’s long-standing belief that learning should be hands-on, experiential, and joyful. Following that activity, families will hear from Renee Wright, Lower School director, about what differentiates this division before heading off on a student-led tour that will include visiting with homeroom teachers in their cozy classrooms and meeting subject-area specialists in the Library.

When Middle and Upper School (grades 5-12) families arrive, they will begin in the Cafeteria where Erica Brewinski, Middle School director, and Mark Segal, Upper School director, will welcome them to campus. A student panel will then provide an inside glimpse at what life at Mounds Park Academy is really like. Have a question about the curriculum or how we teach? Perhaps a question about MPA’s extensive college counseling program? This will be one of many opportunities visitors have to get important questions answered. Following the panel, families will enjoy a student-led tour that will include meeting MPA’s exceptional teachers, visiting the state-of-the-art Lansing Sports Center, and getting to know the spaces that matter most to them.

Kindly RSVP in advance for this engaging program at moundsparkacademy.org/RSVP. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admission at 651-748-5577 or admission@moundsparkacademy.org.

Remind Grandparents And Special Friends To RSVP!

October 5, 2017

MPA grandparents and special friends are welcomed to a very joyful day on campus! Remind them to join PreK through 8th Grade students for a special glimpse inside the everyday life at MPA. Grandparents and Special Friends Day is Wednesday, October 18.

Registration, coffee, and treats will begin at 9 AM, leading up to programs and classroom visits throughout the morning until 11:30 AM. Grandparents and special friends must RSVP by Wednesday, October 11, by emailing GPDayRSVP@moundsparkacademy.org or calling the RSVP line at 651-748-5530. They must include their names and the names of the student(s) that they will be visiting. We can’t wait to have them on campus!

National Merit Recognition

October 5, 2017

Each year, 1.6 million students take the PSAT in October of their junior year. Those with the highest PSAT Selection Index scores are recognized for their outstanding performance, including MPA seniors Alissa Krohn and Sarah Ley. Both were honored with recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. MPA is proud to have two students recognized for their “exceptional academic promise.”

Alissa is among 16,000 Semifinalists nationally who are selected from the 50,000 highest scorers. She will now proceed in the competition to be named a Finalist, which makes her eligible for National Merit Scholarship opportunities across the country. “It’s been really exciting!” Alissa said. “This helps when applying to colleges because it sets me apart as one of the top students in the nation.”

The Journey to MPA

October 5, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

My first impression of MPA was in 1995 and came from a neighbor whose son attended MPA. We had just bought a house in Afton and were in the process of meeting our neighbors. Our next door neighbors spoke so highly of the school and their son struck me as both bright and affable and immediately had a favorable impression of MPA. Even though I taught down the street at Hill-Murray, I did not know much at all about MPA. I made a mental note to myself that I should learn more about the school as my interaction with my neighbors peaked my curiosity.

Josh and Trish Hanson, parents of Lower School students Finley, Liv, and Willa, first heard of MPA in a similar way. Josh recalls, “Another neighbor, the Nickoski’s, attend MPA and love it. That was what initially piqued our interest to learn more. We attended an open house and we were immediately hooked.”

Trinity Invite

October 3, 2017

On a splendid day for running, you earned 11 personal best times and 5 medals!

Margo led our girls, finishing in 4th place, earning a new personal best, and moving up to 2nd place on our all-time best girls list. Izzy Q. finished in 11th place, also running her personal best, and moving up to 6th best all time. Katie ran within a few seconds of her best ever time. Emily B. ran just her second 5000 meter cross country race, and cut about 3 minutes from her best time. Sarah finished as our 5th runner, earning a personal best. Skylar was only seconds behind, and close to her best time.

Emily W. sprinted to the finish with a new personal best, just seconds ahead of Ana, running her best race of the season. Izzy G. ran her best ever time by over a minute. Grace sprinted past a couple of other runners. And Mari ran her personal best by almost 2 minutes.

The girls’ efforts resulted in a 4th place finish out of 19 teams!

Declan led our boys, winning in a new personal best time. The plan was to run even paced, but plans don’t always fare well against reality. His competition went out fast, so he went out fast, in 4:47. His next mile was much slower, but he sped up for the last mile.

Tanner ran his best time of the season, not far from his best ever. Matt ran his best race of the season, thanks to regular iron cocktails to restore his iron levels. He gave us that Bourne grimace as he sprinted to the finish. Isak was only a few seconds back, running close to his best time, in just his first 5000 meter race of the season. Henry P. was right behind Isak, running a personal best time by over a minute. He ran so fast that his coach didn’t see him finish! Sumner sprinted to another personal best time, but only by 40 seconds this time.

Peter broke 20 minutes, running his best ever race. He outkicked Evan P., running his first full 5000 meter race. Dylan ran his best race of the season. Aneesh, wearing the wrong number, ran well. At least I think it was Aneesh! Ben ran his debut 5000 meter race and ran quite well. Travis ran his best race of the season. Pranay and Soren wrapped things up for the boys.

For their efforts, the boys also finished 4th out of 19 teams.

Your outstanding efforts should serve you well as we move to the IMAC championship next week, where all conference honors and more will be at stake.

Complete results are available at Milesplit.

Meet Erik Sand ’03

September 29, 2017

Ph.D. student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Joanne Olson 13-Year Club Member

What do you love about MPA?
Academic rigor isn’t the only thing that matters. MPA is an environment that is infused with values like acceptance, respect, and tolerance. I know this emphasis is not found at all schools and it helped shape who I am today.

How were you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
I served our country in active duty with the Navy for eight years, completed my undergraduate degree at Harvard University, and am currently a Ph.D. student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying political science and international relations. All of the important skills I needed for graduate school, I learned in 10th grade at MPA. I was taught how to teach myself and to learn for the sake of learning.

What would you tell a parent considering MPA?
I was at MPA for 13 years and familiarity is something humans value tremendously. But for me, it’s more than just that. MPA will become part of who your child is. Read More

Meet Ms. Kimmerle

September 29, 2017

Fourth grade teacher
Lower School Parent

How many years have you been at MPA?
This is my 13th year.

What do you love about MPA?
When I arrived on campus 12 years ago, I was immediately drawn to the passion that the school had for maintaining and building a diverse community. Having worked in San Francisco previously, I thought I was at the epicenter of an educational environment that valued diversity. I was wrong. That was here, at MPA.

Then there are the students. From my first eighth grade class, to my current fourth graders, I have been impressed with each and every one of them. There is a light … a spark … you do not find that everywhere.

And then there are my colleagues. Watching them is what makes me strive to be better each day. I’ve never been around a harder working, more dedicated group of professionals.

I love MPA as a faculty member, clearly. But now, as a parent, I can hardly put into words my love for the school without getting teary eyed. My children are thriving here, and I can’t imagine a better learning environment for them! Read More

Get Your Love Your Melon and MPA Hat

September 28, 2017

MPA alum Zach Quinn ’11 co-founded Love Your Melon and is making an incredible difference in the lives of children and families battling cancer. He is one of many dreamers and doers who have passed through the halls of MPA.

If you weren’t able to get your Love Your Melon hat at Homecoming, no fear! Several pop up shops are being planned until the hats sell out! On each of the following dates, hats will be available for purchase before school in the Lansing Lobby and after school at the South Entrance: October 31,
November 21, and December 19. In addition, they will be available at the Pancake Breakfast on December 6.

The Adolescent Brain and Growth Mindset

September 28, 2017

All parents are invited to the first quarter Middle School Parent Education Event, “The Adolescent Brain and How Brain Development Fits into Growth Mindset,” on Tuesday, October 3, from 8-9 AM in the Porter Conference Room (PCR). Our school psychologist, Dr. Jules Nolan, will be presenting on how brain development impacts behavior, and providing strategies for parents. Although the topic will be geared to Middle School-age students, any parent or caregiver is welcome to join in. Coffee and breakfast snacks will be provided by the Parents Association.

RSVP Today For Dedication Event!

September 28, 2017

The Makerspace Dedication and Ribbon Cutting event is coming up on October 7, starting promptly at 1 PM. The formal events will be followed by tours of the space, STEAM activities for all ages, and refreshments. This will be an incredible event that you will not want to miss! Kindly reply to rsvp@moundsparkacademy.org.

“The AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace is the only creative center of its kind in the Twin Cities for students in grades PreK through 12. Given the long-standing approach at Mounds Park Academy of hands-on, experiential learning that integrates science, technology, math with the humanities and the arts, the Makerspace fits perfectly alongside the work of Dr. Thomas,” said Dr. Hudson. Dr. Thomas will speak to students at an all school assembly on Friday, October 6.