Mounds Park Academy

Middle School Division News May 4, 2023

May 4, 2023

from Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Important Dates and Upcoming Events 

May 4: Middle School Family Dinner, 5 PM
- Rising Grade Level Meetings, Grades 4-8, 6 PM
- Middle School Vocal Concert, 7 PM
May 11: Middle/Upper School Orchestra Concert, 7 PM
May 17: Middle/Upper School Band Concert, 7 PM
May 22-26: Washington DC, Grade 7 Trip
May 26: No Classes, Teacher Professional Development Day
May 29: No Classes, Memorial Day
June 2: 5/6 Canoeing Adventure
- 7/8 Valley Fair Performance and Fun Day
June 3: MPA Commencement 2023
June 6: PASSION PROJECT Showcase, 1 PM
- Middle School Moving-Up Ceremony, 2 PM
June 7: Last Day of School
- Early Dismissal 10:15 AM

See You Tonight: Middle School Family Dinner, Grade Level Transition Meetings, and Choir Performance
A longstanding tradition, we will welcome our rising Middle School families to dinner with Middle School on Thursday, May 4, followed by transition meetings and an all-Middle School Vocal Performance. This is a great night to learn about what to expect and look forward to in the 2023-2024 academic year, meet some of the teachers and advisors, and enjoy a great show! We usually begin between 5-5:15 PM, with meetings at 6 PM, and performance at 7 PM!

If you did not reserve dinner last week, you are welcome to bring your own dinner and join in the fun and fellowship. No additional orders for dinner are available. Read More

Upper School Division News May 4, 2023

May 4, 2023

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Looking Ahead

May 5: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM
May 6: Grade 10-12 Prom, 8-11 PM, St. Croix River Boat
May 11: Middle and Upper School Orchestra Concert, 7-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
May 17: Middle and Upper School Band Concert, 7-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
May 19: Class of 2023 Last Day of Classes
May 24: Upper School Vocal Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center
May 25: Senior Performances, 10-11:30 AM, Recital Hall
May 25: Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, MPA Campus
May 25: Upper School Awards Assembly, 1:45-3 PM, Nicholson Center
May 25: MPA Retirement Gathering, 4-6:30 PM, Family Commons
May 26: No Classes, Professional Development
May 29: No Classes, Memorial Day
May 30: Upper School Service-Con, 1-4 PM, MPA Indoor Track
May 31: Class of 2023 Senior Dinner, 6:30 PM, Off Campus
June 1: World Language Final Exams, During World Language Classes
June 2: World Language Final Exams, During World Language Classes
June 2: Class of 2023 MANDATORY Graduation Rehearsal, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Nicholson Center
June 3: Commencement, 6 PM, Nicholson Center
June 5: English Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM, Locations TBD
June 5: Math Final Exams, 12:00-1 PM, Locations TBD
June 6: End of Quarter 4/Semester 2
June 6: Social Studies Final Exams, 8:45-10:15 AM, Locations TBD
June 6: Science Final Exams, 12:00-1 PM, Locations TBD
June 7: Last Day of School
June 7: Yearbook Assembly, 8:15 AM, Nicholson Center
June 7: Dismissal, 10:15 AM

We are quickly approaching a fun and exciting time for 10th-12th grade students and their families as the MPA Prom is scheduled to be held this Saturday evening on a St. Croix River cruise. I find myself reflecting on the possibility of Upper School students being placed into situations where they may have to make difficult decisions and it is important that we work collaboratively to do all that we can to make it a happy and safe time for our students. Nothing is more valuable to a teenager than their friends, and nothing is more valuable to parents than the safety of their children. Unfortunately, these two don’t always interact well with one another. Statistically, prom night has been one of the most dangerous nights in a high school student’s life. Each year, we lose far too many teenagers to motor vehicle accidents, with an increase in alcohol and drug-related traffic fatalities on prom weekend. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for young adults between the ages of 15-19, and the reality is that many of those deaths are caused by teenage impaired or distracted driving. Sometimes, even the best kids encounter situations where alcohol and drug use occur, and our children could find themselves in an environment with unexpected expectations and consequences. As an upper school parent, you have the opportunity and responsibility to help ensure the safety of your children and others by helping them make the right choices.

There is no doubt that alcohol and drug usage is common risk-taking behavior during adolescence, and MPA students are no exception. Often this behavior happens, at home or school, right under our supervision. It is important that adults send a clear and consistent message that any illegal use of drugs or alcohol is forbidden. It is important to remember that it is illegal to provide alcohol to those under the age of 21, even at a supervised party at your own home. It is also important to know that if you choose to host a party where you serve alcohol to those under the age of 21, you can be held liable if one of your guests drinks alcohol and harms themselves or others by driving under the influence. Even if you are not actively providing alcohol to under-age drinkers, it is a dangerous choice to allow for teen drinking parties in your home. Read More

Parents Association News & Events May 4, 2023

May 4, 2023

Panther Party
Friday, May 5, 3:45-5:45 PM
Volunteer at the Panther Party, Friday, May 5, 3:45-5:45 PM. Interested in taking some time to welcome newly admitted families to MPA? We need your help. The Panther Party is looking for folks to welcome new families, answer questions, and socialize. Please sign up here, under the first item: Parent Volunteers to Welcome and socialize with new families in the Family Commons.

Staff Appreciation
Tuesday, May 9 in the Teaching Kitchen
Join the Parents Association for the final Staff Appreciation event of the school year! We will be making fruit cups and handing out fudge samples to all teachers and staff for National Teachers Appreciation Day! All supplies will be provided by the Parents Association.

If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here.

Thank You!
Thank you to all who helped make Cultural Diversity Day possible. Chef Chris Pula and his staff, Roy Timm and the Custodial team, Bakari Jackson, Lauren Hernandez, and Natalie Waters Seum in Communication, Keith Braafladt in the Makerspace, Cherie Honan, Mark Segal, Lamar Shingles, Samantha Sanchez, Marisue Gleason, Yamini Kimmerle, Kristine Petersen, Cory Becker-Kim and parent volunteers: Ishmael and Moira Duverneau- Salifu, Samah Fahmy, Annie Kouri, My Nhia Vang, Staci Banks, Reema and Shama Anwar, Ryan Klein, Karlyn Peterson, Mindy Ruane, Briana Rist, Adi Risner, Vonda Schertz, Tara Lafferty, Sue Knapp, and students: Soumya Raman, Pahwa Yang, Yuhan Zou, Annika Dahiya, Peter Clementson, Zaara Nayak, Zoya Nayak, and Koichi Tatsumuru for a beautiful piano performance. A special shout out to Daphne and Zayna Norman in fifth grade and Silvia Ruane in second grade for helping clean up the Makerspace. Read More

The Greatness Of A Community

April 27, 2023

from Natalie Waters Seum, director of admission and communication

Editor’s Note: Periodically, you will find a guest Head’s Message here from one of MPA’s administrators. We hope you enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

I’ve spent this year encouraging new families to join this incredible school community while I’m uniquely positioned at the very end. With a lifer in the Class of 2023, I’ve had the privilege of being an MPA parent for 13 years. I’ve noticed this year that new families come to us with gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead, and senior parents depart feeling the same way. For both, it’s a unique and very challenging mix of peace and worry. Of joy and sadness. Of gratitude and fear.

I know the community is anxiously awaiting the arrival of these new families. Interest continues to be at an all-time high and on pace with last year. So far in this admission season, we have enrolled 86 new young people and are working toward a goal of nearly 120. I’ll share some interesting facts with you about this year’s incoming families:

Nearly half of our new students are joining us in PreK or kindergarten. Strong Lower School enrollment is a foundational element for MPA’s future.
They come to us from nearly 55 US zip codes and four countries. MPA continues attracting many relocating families looking for an entirely new place to call home. Interest from international families is rebounding after the COVID-19 decline.
Thirty percent of our grades are already full, including PreK, K, 4, and 7; others are very close to being at capacity. We pay close attention to class size to adhere to the established caps. As heartbreaking as it is to wait pool a student, it is essential to our mission.

If your interest is piqued and you would like to help welcome these new families to MPA, please volunteer to help at the Panther Party on Friday, May 5, from 4-5:30 PM. It will be a short, high-energy event, and I guarantee you will leave campus in a good mood! We need additional current families to mingle with new families in the Family Commons. You can You can sign-up here.

In addition, the Office of Development and Community Engagement is seeking buddy families to be paired with new families in grades 1-12. The role of a buddy family is to help the student and family acclimate, get connected, and feel great on the first day at a new school. If you are interested, please reach out to Angie Gerstner, development coordinator, at agerstner@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5539.

The Parents Association will begin recruiting grade representatives and board members very soon. Watch for that opportunity. It is an incredibly important and rewarding way to not only get engaged yourself but help engage other families—particularly our new ones. For more information, please contact co-presidents Staci Banks and Christine Larson at sbanksPA@moundsparkacademy.org and clarsonPA@moundsparkacademy.org.

Or, if your interest is piqued about the other end of the journey and you would like to help bid farewell to the Class of 2023, don’t miss the Senior Walk on Thursday, May 25, at 1 PM. Seniors will don their caps and gowns and parade through the PreK-11 community. It is a beloved tradition and this will be our 7th annual. Bring your tissues!

As Coretta Scott King said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” I humbly ask each family to do what they can to welcome our new families and bid farewell to the Class of 2023. Particularly at inflection points like this, there is great gratitude for the MPA community’s support.

Parents Association News & Events April 27, 2023

April 27, 2023

If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here.

Join Next Year’s PA Board
The Parents Association is looking for a few board members for the 2023-24 school year. Please consider getting involved. It’s a great way to meet people and contribute to enriching your child’s education. Our mission is to enrich the MPA experience through community building, continuing traditions, supporting faculty and staff, and acting as a resource for all families. It’s fun, and time commitments can be minimal.

If you’re interested in getting involved or have questions, please contact Staci Banks Herberger (sbhehe42@icloud.com).

Kathryn Andersen ’09 On Being An Alumni Board Member

April 25, 2023

As we seek new members for the MPA Alumni Board I wanted to share a bit about my experience as a board member the last 4 years. It’s been a wonderful experience and I thought I’d bust a few myths about being on an Alumni Board (many of which I personally misunderstood before joining).

Myth #1: It’s a heavy time commitment, I’m too busy! While full participation is helpful to everyone, the board commitments are quite flexible. There are opportunities to make it as much or as little time as you have that month. We meet every other month for 1-2 hours, with a few months skipped. Some folks just attend and participate, some volunteer for extra projects, some volunteer for leadership positions. There is a lot of flexibility!
Myth #2: It is just about raising money. Not at all! While we partner closely with the Development Office, the Alumni Board is all about creating and keeping connections between our Alumni and current MPA communities. Alumni on the board get involved by investing their time and talents into current projects and initiatives. While parts of the role are connected to fundraising efforts, there is a lot of flexibility if this isn’t an area of interest for you.
Myth #3: I already keep in touch with my classmates; I don’t need to join a board to do that. While it’s so helpful to have board members who maintain connection to their MPA classmates, the Alumni Board also offers so much more. Being a board member allows you to hear firsthand about what’s currently happening at MPA, be a voice in decision-making for the future of the school, learn about Education, get connected to current MPA students, and so much more.

I hope you’ll consider joining the Alumni Board next year!

Kathryn Andersen ’09

Host Family Volunteers Needed—Referral Bonus Available!

April 24, 2023

We are so fortunate to welcome international students from around the world to MPA through our International Student Program. As the global pandemic ends, interest in studying at MPA through this program is rising steadily! With new interest comes the need for additional host families to care for these exceptional students.

A $10,000 per student stipend is paid to host families to cover the cost of room, board, and transportation from August to June. Typically, families host for at least one full year and sometimes for a student’s entire MPA experience. As you warmly welcome this student into your home, you will gain a first-hand understanding of another culture, a lifelong relationship with your students, and so much more.

If you are interested …
Contact Cory Becker-Kim, international student program coordinator, at international@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5541. Get started on the host family application form here.

If you know someone outside our community who is interested …
Please share mpa.link/host with them. When they reach out, share your name, and become an approved host family, you will receive a $200 referral bonus in the form of a Visa gift card.

Thank you in advance for your interest and/or for recommending this opportunity to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Bisa Butler Inspires Applied Painting Students

April 21, 2023

Upper School Applied Painting Class paints a piano together every year, as part of an in-depth collaborative project in conjunction with the local non-profit, Keys 4/4 Kids.

This—MPA’s 11th collaborative painted piano—references work by fabric artist Bisa Butler.

Butler is known for quilted portraiture of influential people. The composition on the piano combines multiple of Butler’s quilts, showcasing her portraits of Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone. Butler’s husband is a DJ who created a playlist of songs that correspond with her quilts. We enjoyed listening to his playlist in class, along with Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone, too.

During the process, students learned a lineage of artists who work(ed) with fiber or on fiber, including Faith Ringgold, Sam Gilliam, Anne Labovitz, Diane Itter, Kehinde Wiley, William Morris, and Miriam Shapiro. While working collaboratively in shifts on the piano, students also designed their own original paintings that are inspired by fabric, incorporate fabric, or are painted on fabric.

The painted piano, along with the related individual paintings done by the same students, will soon be on display in the main hallway outside of the band room. The piano will eventually be placed somewhere in the metro area for the public to enjoy, as part of the Keys 4/4 Kids Pianos on Parade program.

MPA Freethinkers: Student Leaders

April 21, 2023

“Leadership is being in the middle of the herd, moving it roughly westward.”

This is one of Head of School Dr. Hudson’s favorite metaphors that he learned from a mentor years ago. Dr. Hudson meets with the current senior class throughout the school year to walk them through various leadership theories and ideologies as they prepare for their journey after MPA. He shares this one with them, asking them to think about how it applies to leadership in their own hands. When they unpack it together, common themes arise:

If a leader is at the tail end, the herd lacks direction. On the other hand, sometimes a leader needs to step back in order to consider crafting a broader vision.
Those who lead from the middle are often better in touch with other members of the herd and can nudge them forward in a common direction. They help others feel valued as a part of the solution as the team moves ahead.
Sometimes a leader needs to be bold and chart a new path.

We teach our students that leadership requires adaptability, responsiveness, and resilience. When we look at the freethinkers among our student community, student leaders do not come one-size-fits-all. They are leaders of clubs, team captains, and thought leaders. In Lower School, fourth graders are the conflict managers to help resolve conflicts on the playground. In Middle School, eighth graders set an example for all other grades, and are the peers who make themselves available and approachable for help. In Upper School, Peer Leaders take on being role models for the school, teaching others what leadership is to them. At every stage of their education, empowering students to live, learn, and thrive means guiding them and infusing their education with leadership skills–many of which are learned through experience. Read More

The Power Of Joy

April 20, 2023

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Editor’s Note: Periodically, you will find a guest Head’s Message here from one of MPA’s administrators. We hope you enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

In late March of 2016, I vividly remember visiting Mounds Park Academy for the first time. The warm welcome I received from the community was unlike anything that I ever experienced. Very quickly it was clear that the MPA mission was alive, well, and integrated into all aspects of daily life on campus. One aspect, however, stood out more than the other five—the joy of learning. There was a certain joie de vivre felt as soon as I walked through the Lansing Center doors.

Joy is a transformational emotion that can have profound effects on our lives. A feeling of great happiness and pleasure, joy has the ability to uplift our spirits and energize us. The power of joy lies in its ability to shift our mindset from one that is fixed to one that is more open and growth-centric. Joy has a contagious quality and when we share it with others a ripple effect of positivity and happiness occurs. This is witnessed daily at MPA. Read More