Mounds Park Academy

April 14, 2023

Take a gastronomic tour around the world as we share sweet and savory delicacies from around the world and an international drinks bar. Attend a cooking demonstration in our wonderful new teaching kitchen, go home with some cool body art from an expert henna artist, and try your hand at global crafts like French decoupage, Brazilian carnival masks and Taíno petroglyphs. You will also be able to enjoy musical and dance performances by our talented MPA community! Chat with community members who will have booths set up to share their culture and/or offer samples of their cuisine. Please sign up to volunteer here.

Would you like to share your culture through cuisine, music, dance or art? We invite you to be a part of our cultural showcase—please email seema_anwar@hotmail.com.

Defined By Our Independence

April 13, 2023

from Bill Hudson, head of school

The independence of Mounds Park Academy is fundamental to who we are. I bristle when people talk about MPA as a “private” school, partly because of an implied privilege or elitism, but more importantly, because independence allows the school to be purely mission-driven and not beholden to a larger entity such as state, federal, or religious oversight.

Independent schools share certain fundamental characteristics of purpose, structure, and operation that define a school’s independence:

Independent incorporation as a non-profit 501(c)(3) institution with clearly stated educational goals and non-discriminatory policies in admissions and employment.
An individually developed mission and guiding principles as the foundation for the school’s program.
A self-perpetuating governing body whose role is to plan for the future, set overall policy, ensure the school’s financial sustainability and independence (primarily through setting tuition and generating charitable giving), and appoint and support the head of school.
An administration free to implement the school’s mission by designing and articulating its program, hiring and developing a capable and qualified faculty and staff, and admitting those students whom the school determines it can best serve.
A commitment to continuous institutional growth and quality manifested by participation in the ISACS septennial accreditation process.

Parents Association News & Events April 13, 2023

April 13, 2023

Upper School Parent Coffee, This Friday!
Friday, April 14, 8-9:30 AM
Join us for our quarterly Upper School Parent Coffee in the PCR. In addition to all Upper School parents, rising ninth-grade families are warmly invited to attend! Two topics will be covered: “If I knew then what I know now” and the scheduling/registration process and questions. Please join us!

Please note: Due to low turnout, the Thursday, April 13, 5:30 PM, Gluten-Free Cooking Class with Kate Thrane has been canceled.

PA LGBTQ+ Affinity Parent Group
Sunday, April 16, 1 PM at the Unity Cafe
Join other parents and caregivers at the Unity Café at 843 Rice St, Saint Paul, MN 55117. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Andretta at 651-329-4255 or email her at garbowmelissa5@gmail.com. Read More

Sowah Mensah’s MPA Residency

April 13, 2023

MPA’s music department was fortunate to host Sowah Mensah as an artist in residency from April 10-14. Sowah is a current professor at St. Thomas and Macalester, and is world-renowned as a “master drummer” from Accra, Ghana. As an ethnomusicologist, he teaches in many settings and even directs Sankofa, a Ghanaian Folklore and Dance Ensemble in the Twin Cities. Sowah enjoys an active performance career in addition to teaching. He has toured in China, the United States, Latin America, and has worked with notable forces in the Twin Cities music scene, including Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, Chanticleer, Minnesota Center Chorale, St. Paul Civic Symphony, and more.

Sowah has been collaborating with Mr. Warner all week, and also working with Ms. Wantock’s Upper School percussion ensemble to create amazing music with different percussion instruments of Africa in a unique and collaborative style. The MPA community is invited to observe the final performance on Friday, April 14. This is an enriching opportunity for the school and its students, and it was fascinating to observe him guide the young musicians to facilitate confidence, competence, and expression through playing the different instruments. Sowah’s step-by-step teaching methods broke down the challenging aspects and made it a fun experience to learn and perform in African, whether students were in Upper or Middle School! We’re incredibly grateful that he shared his expertise, culture, and knowledge with MPA and its students! To view the full album of photos from the week, click here.

Meet The Peterson Family

April 13, 2023

Middle School math teacher Chris Peterson has been a teacher at MPA for eight years, but became a parent to an MPA Panther himself this school year!

What’s the best thing about being part of the MPA community?
The people. It is a great feeling coming to a school where I know I have colleagues I can count on, families who are involved, and students who are engaged with their academics.

What is your favorite MPA tradition or event?
There are a lot to choose from, but I really enjoy going on the fifth and sixth grade canoeing trip.

In what ways has MPA prepared your child for life in the 21st century?
From an early age, teachers work with students to be independent and think for themselves. Students have to learn how to work independently and with other students of different ability levels and personality types.

Complete this sentence:
MPA teaches my child: How to be independent, work with their peers while also learning, and how to be respectful to one another.

What advice do you have for another family considering MPA?
MPA accepts students for who they are and works with them where they are at. If you want a school that focuses on the whole child, choose MPA.

Community Support For MPA’s Track

April 6, 2023

from Bill Hudson, head of school

You wouldn’t know it, but somewhere below several inches of snow lies the MPA track. While we wait for spring to arrive, our track and field teams and physical education classes make do, anticipating the day they can move outside. And yet, the track itself is in bad shape after many brutal Minnesota winters. Imagine what it would be like to have an outdoor track that reflects the excellence of our students and athletes. I believe that if we can imagine it, we can achieve it.

MPA athletic programs have enjoyed a rich tradition of success by providing student-athletes with the tools necessary to succeed on and off the field. MPA athletics are not simply extra-curricular programs; they complement our academic experience, provide balance to our students’ lives, and foster school spirit. Through inclusive teams and a no-cut policy, everyone can be an athlete at MPA.

For example, MPA student-athletes have won ten state championships in track and field events. And yet, we cannot host home events because of the condition of the track. We haven’t had an outdoor track worth of our students’ achievements and capable of hosting competitions. Click here to watch the 2023 Fund A Need video, and learn more about the impact of this project! Read More

Middle School Division News April 6, 2023

April 6, 2023

from Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Important Dates and Upcoming Events

April 7: Early Bird Registration Deadline, Washington DC Class of 2029 Trip
April 14: 7/8 Spring Dance, 7-9 PM
April 21: MPA Spring Auction
April 26: MPA Spring Musical Opening Night!
April 28: No Classes, Teacher Professional Development Day
May 4: Middle School Family Dinner
- Rising Grade Level Meetings, Grades 4-8
- 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 grade Canoeing Adventure
- 7/8 grade 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 10:30 AM

Spring Has Finally Sprung!

For this southern-raised girl, this means more sunshine, flowers, and baseball season! I could not be happier that we seem to be moving toward warmer weather, happier young people, and the joy of the end of the year. It’s such a special time!

Parents and families, I ask that you please pay particular attention to emails, Schoology posts, and things that are sent home. These last eight weeks of school are incredibly busy, full of celebratory events, field trips, projects, and activities—it’s much easier when you’re engaged with all, and there are certainly opportunities to be with your Middle School student you won’t want to miss!

Spring Fling Dance for Grades 7 and 8

On Friday, April 14, we will have our final dance of the year! The theme is “SPRING FLING!” and we invite all seventh and eighth graders to attend. Dances are from 7-9 PM, in the Family Commons, and more details will be forthcoming from our Student Council and the amazing Mr. Warner, Student Council faculty advisor.

SAVE THE DATE: 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 begin around 5:15 PM, with meetings at 6 PM, and performance at 7 PM! Read More

Upper School Division News April 6, 2023

April 6, 2023

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Looking Ahead

April 13: Parent Gluten-Free Cooking with Kate Thrane, 5:30-7 PM, Peacock Teaching Kitchen
April 14: Upper School Parent’s Association Meeting, 8-9:30 AM, Porter Conference Room (PCR)
April 20: 8-9:15 AM, Senior Performances, Nicholson Center
April 21: A Night of Pure Imagination, 6:30 PM, Intercontinental Hotel—St. Paul Riverfront
April 26: MPA Cultural Diversity Day, 3-7 PM, Family Commons and Peacock Teaching Kitchen
April 26: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center
April 28: No Classes, Professional Development
April 28: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center
May 5: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM, Family Commons
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

On the heels of almost half of a foot of snow last weekend, it is hard to believe that we are more than two weeks past the vernal equinox and the official start of spring. Earlier this week, Upper School students and faculty started their fourth quarter classes and began to realize that we are just over two months from the last day of school and just under two months away from graduation (you are invited to the 37th MPA Commencement on Saturday, June 3). As we all emerge from the “dark days of winter,” it is more than a coincidence that educators and parents find it more challenging to motivate students to show up and be fully engaged at school. Thankfully, over the past seven years that I have spent at MPA, I have found that this is not always the case. Read More

Lower School Division News April 6, 2023

April 6, 2023

from Ann Jurewicz, Lower School director

Important Dates and Upcoming Events

April 28: No classes, Professional Development
May 1-5: Lower School Sports Week

There is nothing more joyful than watching children sing and dance, and what a pleasure it was to see MPA Lower School students shine at last week’s Art and Music Show. Students proudly walked the halls to find and show their families the beautiful artistic creations they have made this year before gathering in the Nicholson to perform unique and culturally important pieces celebrating the best of what humanity has to offer. My deepest thanks go to music teacher Ms. Mari Espeland and art teacher Ms. Ellen Scharfenberg for their wonderful leadership of students!

Pairing Assembly–Friday, April 7

Lower School students are excited to pair with their Middle and Upper School buddies to play different board games this Friday. The buddies did reading groups last fall. The tradition has been a great way to build community and come together as one school.

CHAMP Assembly–Wednesday, April 12

We are looking forward to the collaboration of our PreK and Grade 2 students at our next CHAMP assembly. The characteristic of the presentation will be COLLABORATIVE. Students have been taking pictures of all the ways children collaborate together in our Lower School.

Grades 3-4 Field Trip To Orchestra Hall—Tuesday, April 18

As a special event, third and fourth-grade students will spend the morning of April 18 attending a concert at Orchestra Hall. MPA has not been able to have this annual field trip for the past three years, and we are excited to bring this opportunity back for music appreciation. Thank you, Ms. Espeland! Read More

Parents Association News & Events April 6, 2023

April 6, 2023

MPA All-School Gluten-Free Cooking Class with Kate Thrane
New Date: April 13, 5:30-7 PM
Please join us in the Teaching Kitchen for some hands-on cooking, as well as learning about the joy of cooking gluten-free. You can learn more about Kate and her recipes on Instagram at @theglutenlessmaximus. Please RSVP to Staci at sbhehe42@icloud.com so that we can have plenty of ingredients prepared! Hope to see you there!

Cultural Diversity Day
Wednesday, April 26, 3-7 PM
Save the date for the Cultural Diversity Day celebration at MPA! Enjoy an evening of food, music and crafts from around the world. Get a henna tattoo from a very talented henna artist!

Would you like to share your culture through cuisine, music, dance or art? We invite you to be a part of our cultural showcase—please email seema_anwar@hotmail.com.

US Quarterly Parent Coffee
Friday, April 14, 8-9:30 AM
Join us for our quarterly US Parent Coffee in the PCR. In addition to all Upper School parents, rising ninth-grade families are warmly invited to attend! Two topics will be covered: “If I knew then what I know now” and the scheduling/registration process and questions. Please join us!