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.

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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.

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June 9, 2016

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand, Six Hundred Minutes. How do you measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets? In midnights, in cups of coffee? In inches, in miles? In laughter, in strife?  How about love? Measure in love.

Do those lyrics sound familiar? If not, they belong to the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning musical, Rent. Even though there is a great amount of publicity these days about the brilliance of Hamilton, Rent remains a classic, due in part to the depth of thought and feeling conveyed in both prose and music. As I was searching for a metaphor for this last edition of Panther Post, I was struck by the beauty and simplicity of the lyrics of “Seasons of Love.” I believe it is a perfect lens to evaluate what I think has been an incredibly successful academic year. Read More

June 2, 2016

There was a buzz of excitement today as fourth graders headed off to the Science Museum of Minnesota. In fact, the last several weeks have been full of hands-on, active learning experiences for students across divisions. The following are just a few examples of what has taken place just in the past week at MPA.

• Eighth grade Global Studies students held a mock International Summit on the Syrian refugee crisis. Each student researched a country, region, or political party and represented that position throughout intense negotiations.
• Sixth graders dressed as notable figures from the American Civil War and mingled in character with peers and visitors from other divisions.
• Sixth graders also weeded and planted for Loaves and Fishes’ Farm for All program. The vegetables they helped cultivate will ultimately be provided to families who otherwise would not have access to fresh produce.
• Fifth graders went to Camp Ihduhapi where they worked on team- and trust-building, studied environmental issues, fished, and canoed. They were also offered several opportunities for adventure including zip lining, a high ropes course, and an early morning bog plunge.
• Upper School Constitutional Law students presented current US Supreme Court cases to judges and attorneys from the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

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May 19, 2016

It was quite wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends at the Spring Auction—Night at the Museum on Saturday night. How appropriate that this important event took place at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Like the museum, MPA is committed to fostering a quest for knowledge and cultivating curiosity in a joyful, hands-on environment. It was a wonderful place to celebrate the very best of MPA, including our welcoming community. I hope you had as much fun as Ross and I did.

I am happy to share that the sold out event was wildly successful, raising $142,000 to directly support our students and the exceptional faculty and staff who work with them each day. This means that MPA can further invest in our talented and dedicated teachers. This makes small classes possible. This results in science, reading, and math resources, as well art and music offerings that many public schools simply cannot afford. Read More

May 5, 2016

MPA has a duck problem. On Tuesday, I happened upon Michele Maturen’s math class eagerly marshalling forces outside the Benz Courtyard. “We saw the ducklings! We saw the ducklings!” they shouted. At this point, I wasn’t sure who was more excited, Ms. Maturen or her students.

For many years, a mother duck has laid her eggs somewhere in the Benz Courtyard. It is a safe place, free from predators and somewhat sheltered from the unpredictability of Minnesota springs. However, there is no way for the ducklings, once hatched, to escape. Enter Upper School Science Teacher, Mitch Thomsen. With the assistance of our students, Mr. Thomsen has been successful in safely capturing the mother, while students scramble to carefully collect the ducklings. Once safe in a box, he leads the way with mother duck, trailed by the box of ducklings close by so mother can hear them. Out of the courtyard they all go, following Mr. Thomsen to our own pond where they are released and swim away to safety. Read More

April 28, 2016

“Fiddler on the Roof” opens and closes with an individual balancing precariously on the roof while playing the violin. In the play, it symbolizes the dynamic struggle between tradition and change. During this Spring Show, however, I found added meaning knowing that junior Declan Dahlberg played the part of the fiddler. Declan is an accomplished musician, an athlete who has competed in several state tournaments (in Cross Country and Nordic Skiing), and an outstanding student. He is the embodiment of the core belief at MPA that educating the whole child means offering young people the opportunities to excel in the arts, athletics, and academics.

Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in reading, math, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills, as well as motivation and confidence. The arts also build 21st century competencies such as collaboration and communication. Athletics are equally important in building essential skills necessary such as teamwork, character, physical, and mental strength. Like the arts, research has positively linked athletic participation with academic success. Read More

April 21, 2016

Last Friday, WCCO-TV featured senior Allison Leopold (watch the story). Allison made history, winning her fourth medal in the Minnesota State High School Speech Tournament. Allison is only the 51^st person to earn that distinction in the 47 years the tournament has been in existence. In any given day at MPA, students learn and practice how to communicate effectively in numerous ways in multiple settings. On Monday mornings, students as young as five stand in front of their peers with a microphone, sharing what they are learning in their classes. I could fill several pages with the many ways students gain confidence in both their ideas and themselves as they learn to communicate.

Expressing thoughts clearly, crisply articulating opinions, communicating coherent instructions, motivating others through powerful speech—these skills have always been valued in the workplace and in public life. In today’s 21st century world, with its abundance of news and social media, these skills have become increasingly important. However, if you were to look across public, charter, private, and independent schools, you would be hard-pressed to find communication named as a priority, let alone in the school’s mission statement.  You will find it at Mounds Park Academy. “Communicate effectively” is directly stated in our mission, immediately following “think independently.” Read More

April 14, 2016

My favorite teacher at Parkview Elementary was Mrs. King. I met Mrs. King in the third grade when my family moved to Marquette, Mich. halfway through the school year. I remember feeling sad about leaving my friends behind and terrified about starting over in a new school in a new town without knowing anyone. From the moment I walked into her classroom, however, Mrs. King welcomed me and, after a few days, my concerns were assuaged and I was happy.

I remember how much I learned that year—I was a sponge, soaking up everything. For years afterwards, my parents teased me because I would often contradict them based on what Mrs. King said. I don’t remember much about what we did in Mrs. King’s classroom, but I do remember how she made me feel. Forty-four years later, I clearly recall being engaged, encouraged, challenged, and loved. Read More