Parents Association News and Events November 16, 2023

November 16, 2023

Two New Volunteer Opportunities for MPA Parents/Guardians
The Panther Committee is hoping for your input if you are passionate about Athletics at MPA. If you have a sporty LS student and see MPA athletics in your future, this is a great place to join the team! If you have a MS student who plays club sports and you’re not sure how that translates to MPA sports, this is the spot for you. If you have a US athlete who is hoping to play their sport in college, we may be able to connect you with like-minded families. The Panther Committee will determine topics of interest and work closely with Dan Haase, athletic director, to support MPA athletics. The first meeting will be Friday, November 17 from 1-3 PM in the Porter Conference Room.

If you are interested in topics of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at MPA this is a perfect opportunity to share your passion. The DEIB Committee will determine topics of interest and work closely with Lamar Shingles, Director of Equity and Belonging, to make an impact at MPA. The first meeting will be Tuesday, November 28, from 4-6 PM in the Porter Conference Room.

Thanksgiving Pie Distribution
Tuesday, November 21, 1:30-3 PM
Before Thanksgiving, the Parents Association will be handing out Pies to our MPA staff in the Family Commons. Stop by to help out. There is no sign up necessary!

LS Parent Quarterly Coffee
Tuesday, November 28, 6-7 PM in the Gallery
Join us for the LS Parent Quarterly Coffee. The topic will be “Responsive Parenting: Understanding Developmental Stages.” We will discuss the common stages of development in the Lower School, to help us understand our children better. Read More

Your Gift, Their Future

November 9, 2023

from Bill Hudson, head of school

Confidence in the future is at an all-time low for Americans. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that many Americans hold negative views about our collective future. It’s not hard to see why. Global strife, an uncertain economy, political vitriol, social discord, and climate change, to name a few, all contribute to the current uneasiness many feel.

Yet, I remain a firm optimist. While I don’t discount our current reality, I have faith in the future because MPA students inspire me each and every day. I see eighth graders working together to imagine, research, design, and build future cities that showcase their solutions to a citywide sustainability issue. I see Upper School students grappling with and researching complex topics in debate, forming arguments grounded in evidence and the result of critical thinking. I see Lower School students learning about and practicing essential social skills such as kindness, respect, listening, and conflict resolution. Read More

Lower School Division News November 9, 2023

November 9, 2023

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars!
Thursday, November 16: Give to the Max Day, Lip Sync Competition, 2:20 PM
Friday, November 17: Bring-A-Friend to MPA Day
Saturday, November 18: Puss ‘n Boots play
Wednesday, November 22-Friday November 24: Thanksgiving Holiday Break
Monday, November 27: Classes resume
Monday, December 4: Lower School reports sent home
Monday, December 4-Friday, December 8: MPA Book Festival
Wednesday, December 6: Founder’s Day Community Breakfast

First, a huge THANK YOU to the Lower School PA and all the parent volunteers who helped make our Halloween celebration a success! This was my first Halloween parade at MPA and it was so heartwarming to see so many parents, students and Middle and Upper School friends across the school joining in the festivities with our Lower School learners. This event showcased the MPA sense of community and focus on belonging so beautifully.   

Another reminder that fall is ending, and we can feel the start of winter approaching quickly. Some of our learners are still coming to school without warm gear. As temperatures and weather conditions fluctuate during the school day, please remember to send your child to school with gloves, a hat and a warm jacket daily. Along with cooler temperatures and time change, we have seen an increase in the number of students arriving after the start time. Please ensure that your child is on campus and ready to learn by 8 AM at the latest every day, as our morning routines are incredibly important for helping students feel seen and ready for a fun day of learning. Please read on for more updates!  Read More

Middle School Division News November 9, 2023

November 9, 2023

from Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

  • Thursday, November 16: Give to the Max Day, Lip Sync Competition, 2:20 PM
  • Friday, November 17: Bring-A-Friend to MPA Day
  • Friday, November 17-Saturday, November 19: Middle School Show, Puss ‘N Boots
  • Wednesday, November 22: Thanksgiving Holiday Break begins
  • Monday, November 27: Classes resume, and Spring Musical Auditions begin
  • Monday, December 4: MPA Book Festival Begins
  • Tuesday, December 5: Middle School PA Coffee Talk, 6 PM
  • Wednesday, December 6: Founder’s Day Pancake Breakfast, 7 AM
  • Thursday, December 14: Middle School Band, Orchestra and Choir Concert, 7 PM
  • Wednesday, December 20: Last Day of Classes before Winter Break
  • Wednesday, December 20: MS Grades 5/6 Feed My Starving Children, 8-11:30 AM, Off Campus
  • Wednesday, December 20: MS Roller Skating, 12-3 PM, Off Campus
  • Thursday, December 21: Winter Break Begins
  • Wednesday, January 3: Classes Resume

As the weather inevitably gets cooler, it can feel a little less motivating for all things–especially getting up early, maintaining consistent homework habits, and maintaining a pace we’ve set for ourselves since the start of the year. It’s more than OK to take some time to re-evaluate habits, commitments, and hurriedness as we move into the holiday season, which brings with it stress, too. Moreover, the end of one quarter and the beginning of the next should prompt some reflection about what is working and what may need adjustment.

A summative quarter-one grade report will be available to you next week in Schoology. You can expect to receive a letter from me with instructions on how to access them and some tips on using quarterly grades as a moment to teach growth mindset, goal setting, and self-reflection. Read More

Upper School Division News November 9, 2023

November 9, 2023

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

  • Monday, November 13: 11th Grade Mock ACT Testing, 11:30-3 PM, MPA 
  • Thursday, November 16: Give to the Max Day Lip Sync Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Center 
  • Thursday, November 16: Grade 10 Parent Meeting, 6-7 PM, Recital Hall 
  • Thursday, November 16: Upper School Vocal Concert, 7:30-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center 
  • Friday, November 17:   9th Grade Bring-A-Friend to MPA Day 
  • Monday, November 20: Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall 
  • Wednesday, November 22: No Classes, Thanksgiving Break 
  • Thursday, November 23: No Classes, Thanksgiving Holiday Break 
  • Friday, November 24: No Classes, Thanksgiving Holiday Break 
  • Thursday, November 30: Upper School Conferences, 3:30-8 PM, MPA 
  • Friday, December 1: No Upper School Classes, Upper School Conferences, 8-5 PM, MPA 
  • Saturday, December 2: US Semi-Formal Dance, 8-11 PM, Maplewood Community Center 
  • Monday, December 4-Friday, December 8: MPA Book Festival 
  • Wednesday, December 6: Founder’s Day Breakfast, 7-8 AM, Family Commons 
  • Wednesday, December 6: Class of 2028 Feed Your Mind Dinner, 6-8 PM, Family Commons 
  • Thursday, December 7: Upper School Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR 
  • Friday, December 8: Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall 
  • Tuesday, December 19: Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall 
  • Tuesday, December 19: Class of 2028 Parent Coffee, 6:30-7:30 PM, MPA 
  • Wednesday, December 20: MPA Caroling, 7:30-8 AM, MPA 
  • Thursday, December 21-Tuesday, January 2: No Classes, Winter Break 
  • Wednesday, January 3: Classes Resume 

A few weeks ago, my family and I celebrated one of many traditional Upper School “rites of passage” when our son received his driver’s permit. We anxiously awaited the envelope addressed to him from the State of Minnesota that contained his permit card, which would give him the permission necessary to get behind the wheel of our car and drive. When it arrived, however, I must admit that I was surprised by what I saw. It wasn’t that his picture had more of a smirk than a smile or that he had decided to be an organ donor like his parents, but rather my focus was on the difficult to read “signature” displayed at the bottom of the card. I have known for quite some time that his penmanship was similar to what patients once saw at the bottom of a doctor’s prescription pad, but I was a bit taken aback by what I saw.  

In a recent Washington Post article, author Gina Rich shared that “handwriting is a fine motor skill that isn’t innately learned; it needs to be taught and practiced.” As I thought about this quote, I realized that handwriting is a timeless and fundamental skill that plays a critical role in the process of learning and mastering material. This was a hard reality for me as MPA has for decades been a one-to-one laptop school where academic technology has played an important role in the education of students. While technology has, and will continue, to make vast strides in education, there are compelling reasons to advocate and find time for students to use handwriting as an essential tool in their learning process.   Read More

Parents Association News and Events November 9, 2023

November 9, 2023

MPA Book Festival
December 4-8
Book Festival is coming up! Just in time for Winter Break reading or holiday gifts! Come and share the love of books and reading with your family. The Book Festival is in-person again this year! Support the joy of reading at MPA!

Used Book Sale
Our students love to browse the used book selection for interesting titles! The PA will be hosting a Used Book Sale at school during Book Festival week. We are asking for donations of gently used books for readers of all ages (hardcover and paperbacks). Please no textbooks, encyclopedias, or travel guides. Donation carts will be set up at the North and South entrances from November 13-December 1 for convenient donation drop-offs. All proceeds benefit the MPA library.

MPA Book Festival Book Club with Dr. Hudson
Dec 7, 6-7:30 PM, MPA Library
“Mad Honey” by Jodi Picoult
Please join Dr. Hudson and fellow book-loving parents for a discussion of Mad Honey. Author Jodi Picoult describes her novel as having “all of the things: alternating narratives, suspense, courtroom drama, and a love story at its core. It’s about authenticity, identity, and it explores the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become our true selves.” Please sign up here to let us know you will be coming and to get your copy of the book here. Read More

Nurturing A Joyful Environment

November 2, 2023

from Bill Hudson, head of school

We had a marvelous turnout for Grandparents and Special Friends Day with more than 450 guests. I received a handwritten thank you note from a grandparent that expresses much of what I heard from multiple grandparents/special friends throughout the day. It read, “It truly was a morning to remember. My grandchildren are thriving at MPA, and it is easy to see why—the nurturing, caring, high-standard environment you and all the teachers and staff have created was a joy to behold.”

Joy isn’t always associated with education. In an era of emphasis on high-stakes testing, rote learning, and fears about falling behind academically, the importance of joy in education is often overlooked. Or worse, students working (occasionally laughing) together on a project, joyfully carving a pumpkin, excitedly creating a play from scratch, singing with gusto, or delighting in the music they create from their musical instrument isn’t considered “real learning.” What is real, however, is the declining mental health and increased anxiety our children are experiencing, which is being called the “crisis of our times” by United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Read More

Parents Association News and Events November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Thank You, Lower School Parent Volunteers
The PA wishes to thank Cathi Murray and Megan Brogger for leading the planning and coordination of the Lower School Halloween Festivities!  If you would like to learn how to get involved, you can email msotoPA@moundsparkacademy.org to learn about upcoming opportunities.

Thank You to Our Community Coffee Hosts
Thank you to our gracious coffee hosts for the Neighborhood/Community Coffees this past weekend: Staci Banks-Herberger, Christine Larson, Seema Anwar, Erika Beernink, and Michaela Jahnke. Stay tuned for more coffees in different neighborhoods in 2024!

Thank You
Last Friday, the Parents Association thanked the College Counseling Office and Upper School Faculty for all of their hard work on letters of recommendation for our seniors applying to college.

MPA Book Club with Dr. Hudson
Tuesday, November 7, 6 PM in the MPA Library
Please join Dr. Hudson and fellow MPA parents for a great discussion of David Grann’s bestseller, “Killers of the Flower Moon”. This non-fiction page-turner that reads like a novel. Read More

Relationships Matter

October 27, 2023

Katie Murr and Salmah ElmasryThis message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the October 28, 2023 issue of InsideMPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

At MPA, relationships matter, and every child is known. We pride ourselves in being a community that connects with one another. We collaborate with one another, we lift each other up, we provide a support system when needed, and we celebrate each and every one of our accomplishments. As a small-by-design school, every day we witness how relationships have the power to transform lives.

Through our 7:1 student-teacher ratio and dedicated faculty and staff, students receive help when need it, they are fiercely cared for, and they are encouraged to dream big. This is, and always has been, an integral part of who we are as a school.

So when Upper School history teacher Katie Murr and Salmah Elmasry ’21 were met with an opportunity of a lifetime–an opportunity that would require close collaboration and partnership between a teacher and student–they did not hesitate to work together and do right by their community.

When teachers see, hear, and believe in their students, remarkable things happen. Hear their story here.

Lower School Division News October 26, 2023

October 26, 2023

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

A Look Ahead

  • Tuesday, October 31: MPA PA Lower School Grade Level Halloween Parties, 8:30 AM-2:20 PM, Lansing Sports Center, Family Commons, volunteer here
  • Tuesday, October 31: Lower School Halloween Parade, 2:30-3 PM, Hallways, families warmly welcome!
  • Monday, November 13: Lower School Duty Free Lunch, 12:15-12:45 PM, Family Commons
  • Wednesday, November 15: Lower School CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-9 AM, Family Commons
  • Thursday, November 16: Give to the Max Day, Lip Sync Competition, 2:20 PM, Lansing Sports Center
  • Friday, November 17: Bring A Friend to MPA Day, grades 1-4, register here
  • Wednesday, November 22-Friday, November 24: No Classes, Thanksgiving Holiday Break
  • Tuesday, November 28: PA LS Quarterly Parent Coffee Meet-Up, 6-7:30 PM, Gallery
  • Wednesday, November 29: Lower School CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-9 AM, Family Commons
  • Monday, December 4: Lower School reports sent home
  • Monday, December 4-Friday, December 8: MPA Book Festival
  • Wednesday, December 6: Founders’ Day Community Breakfast, 7-8 AM, Family Commons

Happy fall, y’all! I hope all families have had a chance to enjoy the gorgeous autumn leaves and the cooler weather. Since our last Panther Post, the children are now fully in the groove of the new school year and are digging into lots of learning. Please read on for more information:

Jacket Reminder
The weather is changing, and cooler fall temperatures are here. This is a kind reminder to send your child to school with a jacket so they stay warm during recess.

CHAMP Assembly on November 15
Our next CHAMP assembly has been rescheduled to Wednesday, November 15. Children should wear their class color t-shirts. The class colors are: Read More