Mounds Park Academy

Head’s Message: Let’s Double Down on our Mission

November 10, 2016

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Regardless of one’s political affiliation, this has been a tumultuous campaign and the outcome of the election brings a measure of closure. However, it also leaves some with more questions than answers and there are individuals and groups of people feeling unsafe. In times like this, when we are being tested, we are called upon to double down on our values to guide our actions. As a school community, we must double down on our mission: “We teach students to think independently, communicate effectively, and act with respect and integrity in a diverse community that models intellectual ambition, global responsibility, and the joy of learning.”

I have been exceptionally proud of the Mounds Park Academy community in the months leading up to Tuesday’s election. Honest and respectful conversations took place across divisions, in and out of the classrooms. Ideas were debated, issues were deliberated, and positions analyzed. These discussions were undergirded by principles of respectful discourse that cut across party affiliation. Though naturally strained at times, they became teachable moments.

From Dr. Hudson: Equity and Multiculturalism

November 3, 2016

I was very impressed with the turnout at our recent cultural celebration of Diwali last week. It was great visiting with so many of you and seeing the joy in the eyes of our students as they sampled the food, traditions, and activities of the Indian culture. More heartwarming was the pride our Indian-American students took in sharing their culture with others. It is a testimony to the diversity and multiculturalism of the MPA community. I am grateful for the work of our Parents Association and volunteers to make the celebration so meaningful.

From Dr. Hudson: Show Me Your Budget and I’ll Tell You About Your Mission

October 27, 2016

Growing up, we had next door neighbors with two boys who were the same age as my brother and me. As you might imagine, there was a lot of back and forth between the two houses and our families were very close. During our middle school years, our neighbors finished their basement, installing a TV room, a game room with a pool table, and a workout room. I remember asking my parents, “When are we going to finish our basement?!” “We have no plans to do so,” replied my father. When I pressed him further, he simply said that we have different priorities. We never did renovate the basement and we didn’t always have the newest cars or the latest gadgets. We did, however, receive a gift that has paid dividends for a lifetime—an independent school education.

From Dr. Hudson: My Time Away

October 13, 2016

You may have noticed my absence from my post at the South Entrance during drop-off this week. As I’ve often shared before, this time is probably the best part of my day and I love connecting with students and parents each morning. I work hard to reserve that time in my calendar and there isn’t much that keeps me away. This week, however, I had to miss my morning visits with the MPA community in order to spend four days serving on a visiting team for accreditation at the Marshall School in Duluth.

Like Marshall, Mounds Park Academy is a member of the Independent Schools Association of Central States (ISACS). The purpose of ISACS is to promote the development of strong learning communities characterized by high achievements, social responsibility, and independence of governance, programs and policies. This goal is achieved through a rigorous accreditation process, targeted professional development programs, and focused support services.

From Dr. Hudson: What Problem Do You Want To Solve?

October 5, 2016

“Instead of asking children what they want to be when they grow up, we should instead ask them what problem do they want to solve,” said Jaime Casap, chief educational evangelist at Google. According to Casap, most jobs of the future haven’t been defined yet. Instead of preparing students to enter today’s workforce, we should foster a mindset that empowers students for success in a rapidly dynamic, global society.

Author Ken Bain, in his book, “What the Best College Students Do” draws a distinction between “strategic” learners and “deep” learners. Strategic learners are driven by external rewards, such as grades and honors. They often have superficial understanding of their disciplines and are rarely able to transfer that learning. Conversely, according to Bain, deep learners are driven by their own curiosity and sense of wonder. They conceive of their own education as a great adventure. They are reflective, self-directed, and autonomous. They are resilient and embrace failure. They see themselves as part of a broader learning community, and they find perspective, support, and inspiration from that community. In the long term, they are more successful—and happier.

From Dr. Hudson: Conferences for All

September 28, 2016

It has been great to see so many parents on campus for parent-teacher conferences. Ross and I were among you as well, sitting outside Mrs. Nagle’s classroom, anxiously awaiting our turn. I have been a teacher and administrator for more than 25 years and have taken part in hundreds of parent-teacher conferences. However, this was my first time as a parent in a conference about my child in the school I lead. As nervous as I was, I’m sure Mrs. Nagle was as well!

At MPA, both parents/guardians and teachers are united in a shared commitment that is focused on student growth, learning, and achievement. Families and teachers are parts of complimentary learning systems that place families as core partners in the learning process. Significant research exists that demonstrates that family involvement in education can lead to positive benefits for children and youth, such as increased school attendance, higher academic performance, enhanced social skills, and improved attitudes about school.

From Dr. Hudson: Makerspace Coming to MPA

September 22, 2016

I am incredibly thrilled to announce that Mounds Park Academy has received an anonymous donation of $500,000 to build a makerspace. A makerspace is a hands-on, creative center for students to design, experiment, build, and invent as they deeply engage in art, science, engineering, and tinkering. This very generous gift is a key element in making our MPA vision of 21st century learning a reality! It’s also a reminder that all philanthropic gifts, both big and small allow MPA to continue to grow, to transform, and above all, they truly make a difference in the lives of our students.

An advisory committee comprised of teachers, administrators, parents, and outside experts is currently being formed to work closely with the architects and builders. You are invited to be a part of the process by participating in a listening session on Thursday, October 6 from 3:30-5:00 PM in the Porter Conference Room. If you are unable to attend the session and you have ideas you’d like to share, please feel free to email them to me directly.

A Message from Dr. Hudson: Our Community

September 15, 2016

“I think I’ve learned more at MPA since school began than I ever did at my old school,” said my daughter Ari, who just started as a fifth grader. You better believe I tuned in quickly and listened deeply, both as a parent and as the head of school. “Tell me more,” I said, trying to mask my eagerness. For the next 40 minutes, as we battled traffic on our way home, Ari went on to share with me her observations after three weeks at MPA. As I listened as the head of school, I became more and more proud of our teachers and staff. As a parent, I became more and more convinced that we made the right choice in choosing MPA.

It has been said that students won’t care what teachers know until they know that they care. Ari’s teachers have taken the time to know her personally, to see her strengths, and have begun intentionally building a unique relationship with her. In turn, her motivation has increased and she has become more invested in her own education. Ari has found a home at MPA.

But strong, personal relationships are not reserved only for teachers and students at MPA—they are a hallmark of our parent community as well. It is not uncommon for parents to become friends in their own right, independent of their children (imagine that!). I recently attended a Spring Auction Great Gathering and reveled in the camaraderie among parents throughout the evening. It was clear to me that parents find a home at MPA as well.

Dream Big. Do Right.

September 8, 2016

Have you ever found yourself at a loss for words in trying to describe something very important to you? Several years ago, Mounds Park Academy launched a strategic planning process in order to chart a path forward over the next five years. A committee was formed with representation from various MPA constituent groups, including parents, alumni, students, trustees, staff, and teachers. During our work, the committee quite often returned to a very simple but profound challenge: How do we articulate the very essence of what makes MPA such a special and unique school? So many of us know the answer in our hearts but fumble at the “right way” to describe MPA.

In response to that challenge, we partnered with Friends & Neighbors in early 2016, a nationally known yet locally based, strategic creative agency to conduct comprehensive market research. The objectives of the study were to understand the attitudes and motivations of prospective families related to education, increase our understanding of the decision-making process for school enrollment, and to help all of us put into words the “why” of MPA. This was a very exhaustive and in-depth project grounded in a great deal of both qualitative and quantitative research.

Based on what we learned the refreshed MPA brand has been defined. Our brand is an authentic expression of MPA’s true story. In the words of the father of advertising, David Ogilvy, “the intangible sum of a product’s attributes.” Our identity. Our unique story. Our heart and our soul.

A Message from Dr. Hudson: Dream Big

August 25, 2016

When I was young, I had dreams about my future. I couldn’t decide whether I should be President or the Pope. Obviously, I fell short on both, but the dream served as inspiration and motivation to work hard, go to college, and pursue post-graduate work. My dream also served as a guidepost in how I saw myself and the impact I would make on the world. From an early age, I felt a responsibility to serve others and to work for justice and equity.

Given all of that, it is no surprise that I landed at MPA. In our school’s commitment to helping students discover and maximize their own unique talents and then use those talents to serve the common good, I found a home. It is important to me that our students are challenged academically and held to high standards, while also learning how to think critically and solve problems creatively. I feel incredibly proud to be at a place like MPA that welcomes, embraces, and accepts others without condition.