Upper School Division News October 26, 2023

October 26, 2023

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

A Look Ahead

  • Friday, October 27: Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
  • Sunday, October 29: US Boys Soccer Banquet, 4:30-6:30 PM, Family Commons
  • Monday, October 30: US Cross Country Banquet, 4:30-7 PM, Family Commons
  • Wednesday, November 1: Grade 9 Parent Meeting, 6-7 PM, Recital Hall
    • Upper School Instrumental Concert, 7:30-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, November 3: End of Quarter 1
  • Thursday, November 9: Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
  • Monday, November 13: US Grade 11 Mock ACT, 11:30-3 PM
  • Thursday, November 16: Give to the Max Day, Lip Sync Competition, 2:20 PM, Lansing Sports Center
    • Grade 10 Parent Meeting, 6-7 PM, Recital Hall
    • Upper School Vocal Concert, 7:30-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, November 17: 9th Grade Bring A Friend to MPA Day, register here
  • Monday, November 20: Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
  • Wednesday, November 22-24: No Classes, Thanksgiving Holiday Break
  • Thursday, November 30: Upper School Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM, MPA
  • Friday, December 1: No Upper School Classes, Upper School Conferences, 8-5 PM, MPA
  • Monday, December 4-Friday, December 8: MPA Book Festival
  • Wednesday, December 6: Founders’ Day Community Breakfast, 7-8 AM, Family Commons

Often, we hear about professional development days and conferences for teachers. Topics may include classroom management, working with neurodiverse learners, or specific strategies and curricula for Advanced Placement courses. It is, however, just as important for school administrators to get out of the building and take advantage of learning opportunities. During the past three days, I was provided with a tremendous professional development opportunity from which I personally hope to grow professionally and from which I know the MPA upper school community can benefit.

I was invited to serve on a visiting accreditation team for the Independent Schools of the Central States (ISACS). Once every ten years, independent schools like MPA engage in a significant self-study reviewing all aspects of their school. Themes such as curriculum, finances, governance, and student services are examined by the school, from which a thorough report is written. The final self-study report is then shared with members of a visiting team to review and use as a basis of a scheduled three-day visit to campus. I visited a school just outside of Cleveland that was established 133 years ago. During my time there, I met with students, teachers, and administrators who affirmed what was in the shared report and added context to the items written about. Even though theirs is a single-gender community located on two campuses, I found relevant connections to MPA. Several of their courses and programs are like ours. Like us, their teachers are unwaveringly committed to their students and do all they can to support them. And the conversations and interactions between students focused on music, homework, and fantasy football just as ours do in Maplewood. Read More

MPA Athletic Updates

October 26, 2023

MPA Panthers Qualify for State Cross Country Meet

On a very rainy day earlier this week, Megan Snider, Eddie Snider, and Ben Murr qualified to race at the State Cross Country Meet! Megan and Eddie were both Section Champions, with Megan setting a new school record by almost 15 seconds! Ben will run in his first Cross Country State Championship to cap off his senior year. The boys team also had a strong third-place finish. Congratulations to the entire team and their coaches, alums Declan Dahlberg and Ellie Quam, and Middle School science teacher Courtney Nagle. Go Panthers!

MPA Rowers Compete in Boston Boston At The Head of the Charles

MPA students David Steinberger and Andy Taylor competed in the world’s largest international regatta at the Head of the Charles in Boston, placing 22nd out of 47 teams in the Men’s Youth 4x+. The boys masterfully executed their race plan and went stroke for stroke against the best rowers in the world. This top-half placement secures an automatic bid next year at this world-renowned rowing race. Up next for MPA rowers is The Head of the Hooch in Tennessee, where Abby Appleton, David Steinberger, Andy Taylor, and Bella Carson will continue their dominance in representing the best of Minnesota rowing! Read More

MPA Students Selected For Art Invitational 

October 26, 2023

Please join the art department in congratulating the following artists, who had work selected for inclusion in the Shattuck St. Mary’s 18th Annual Art Invitational.

Their work will be part of a juried exhibition at Shattuck St. Mary’s School.  The exhibition opens October 26 and runs through November 14.

  • Leo Eakin: Drawing, 3rd Place Award
  • Aixa Kellermann: Drawing
  • Teagan Swanson: Art and Design
  • Thura Zaw: Drawing
  • Yuhan Zou: Drawing

 

 

Parents Association News and Events October 26, 2023

October 26, 2023

Thank You!
The Parents Association would like to thank everyone who donated items and participated in the Fall Staff Appreciation Week. We are grateful to our community for helping to keep our staff fed and hydrated during conference week.

Community Coffees This Weekend! 
Saturday, October 28, 9-11 AM
The MPA Parents Association invites parents to stop in to a neighborhood community coffee being held throughout the Twin Cities this Saturday, October 28! Please join the one nearest to you anytime between 9 AM and 11 AM. There will be MPA table signage at each of the coffee shops so families can identify the MPA group. Stay tuned for additional locations to be added later this year.

  • North Oaks: Taste of Scandinavia
    845 Village Center Dr, North Oaks, MN 55127, hosted by Christine Larson
  • Woodbury: Dunn Bros
    10060 City Walk Dr, Suite 104, Woodbury, MN 55129, hosted by Staci Banks-Hehenberger
  • Stillwater: You & Me Cafe
    826 4th St. S, Stillwater MN 55082, hosted by Seema Anwar
  • South Minneapolis
    4908 Washburn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410, hosted by Erika Beernink at her home
  • St Paul
    1916 Fairmount Ave, St. Paul MN 55105, hosted by Michaela Jahnke at her home

A huge thank you to all of our gracious hosts! If you have any questions, please contact Julie Bixby at jbixbyPA@moundsparkacademy.org. We hope to see you there!

Lower School Halloween Party Volunteers
We are seeking volunteers to help out during the LS Halloween Party in the Lansing Center. Kids will enjoy games, crafts, activities, and an obstacle course. Join us for part of the day or the whole day. Sign up to volunteer here by Friday, 10/27. The LS Halloween parade will follow the party at 2:30 PM.  Should you have any questions, please email msotoPA@moundsparkacademy.org.

Volunteer in the MPA Garden!
We are looking for volunteers to help with the MPA garden before the weather gets too cold. No previous gardening experience is necessary. No long term commitment is necessary either. We typically meet either Thursday or Friday mornings after drop off, but can also meet at other times as well. If interested, please contact Sara Carroll at smtanaka@gmail.com or Tenia Kalogeropoulou at tenia2@yahoo.com. Read More

Navigating High School: Parenting Strategies In Ninth Grade And Beyond

October 24, 2023

Dr. Jules NolanThe Taste of Ninth Grade is a lunch event for prospective ninth graders and their families immediately before the November 5 MPA Preview. This is an opportunity to learn more about MPA’s ninth grade program. Students will engage in an activity to help them determine their school search priorities while parents participate in a Q&A and hear from MPA’s school psychologist about the Upper School years.

This year, we welcome Dr. Jules Nolan, MPA school psychologist, to lead a discussion on how to parent effectively to preserve and enhance the relationship between parents and adolescents, while maintaining structure, boundaries, and expectations. Parents will leave with concrete practices to address the changing needs of adolescents based on findings in the fields of behavioral science and neuroscience.

Dr. Jules Nolan, Psy.D., LP, NCSP   is a licensed psychologist, nationally certified school psychologist, and past president of the Minnesota Association of School Psychologists. An expert in parenting, mental health, and child/adolescent development, Dr. Nolan co-authored a college textbook Real World, Real Challenges: Adolescent Issues in Contemporary Society. She has been an invited speaker at local, national, and international conferences and her published works address resilience, classroom behavior, and diverse learners. She is on staff at Mounds Park Academy to consult with parents, teachers, and administrators to best serve students.

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October Alumni Updates

October 23, 2023

We are looking for more Alumni Stories to feature. We would love to hear what you have been up to since graduating from MPA. Please email us to provide updates to alumni@moundsparkacademy.org.

Ben Ullery ‘00: “I’ve played viola in the LA Philharmonic since 2011, and I recently was named Associate Principal Viola by Music Director Gustavo Dudamel after a national audition for the spot. In the past few years, I’ve also appeared as Guest Principal Viola with the Chicago Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and Australian Chamber Orchestra. I also enjoy teaching talented viola students at the Colburn School in downtown LA, and at the Aspen Music Festival in the summer. In addition, I play a lot of solo and chamber music around LA and at various festivals across the US and abroad. In my personal life, I live with my girlfriend (a cellist also in the LA Phil) in the Fairfax District of LA, and in my free time I enjoy studying and playing chess, hiking, cooking vegan and vegetarian food, and snowboarding (which I learned during my MPA years in Mr. Edmundson’s snowboard club). As for my thoughts about MPA…my classes there inspired a lifelong interest and curiosity about literature, science, and language (I still try to study and speak Spanish when I get the opportunity), and I have many lasting friendships from my time there.”

For more on Ben, check out his website at benullery.com and follow him at @bullerbot!

Sofia Walker ‘19 wins first ITA Midwest Regional Doubles title for St. Catherine University Tennis.
We would love to hear what you have been up to since graduating MPA. Please reach out to alumni@moundsparkacademy.org to provide your update. 

 

Help Organize Your Reunion! A Message from Nick Henry ’93

October 23, 2023

Earlier this year, one of my classmates from MPA’s class of 1993 texted me asking if I had heard if anything was happening for our 30-year reunion. I said no, but I’d contact the alumni team at MPA to see. When I did that, Ashley Goetzke, assistant director of development, got back to me and said, “No, but congratulations, you’re the reunion chair for your class’s reunion!” So, I texted my buddy and said, “Congratulations! You’re the reunion chair for our reunion.” It’s not that we didn’t want to do it. Well, that’s not true. We weren’t relishing the idea per se, but we quickly realized that the benefit (reconnecting with our classmates) outweighed the drawbacks (herding cats and doing so from afar as neither of us live in Minnesota). We decided the challenge was worth pursuing and forged ahead.

I have two primary takeaways from this experience:

The first is that we found our classmates were more than eager to help crowd source spreading the word, tracking down—and, once tracked down, cajoling—classmates. Whatever the reason, be it a YOLO attitude post-COVID, or (more likely) the value of the connections forged at MPA filtered through the gravity of 30 years in our case this year, each classmate we connected with in trying to ascertain who would be interested and then when they would be available, was gung ho and made that part of the process immeasurably easier for their willingness to amplify the cause. Honestly, tracking people down and then herding them toward consensus was the thing that gave me the most trepidation, and it ended up being very light lifting on our part due to the commitment of our classmates.

The second is that the outcome—we had 21 of 42 (living) classmates, 11 plus-1s, four former teachers, and one former Upper School director attend—was beyond worth it. No, not everyone in our class wanted to participate. Those who didn’t had their reasons, and they were respectable reasons. Several more would have attended but for immovable conflicts. But the desire to re-connect was far stronger than I had anticipated. We had classmates come in from New York, Florida, Idaho, Oregon, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, and *Mexico* for the event. The interest from former teachers/administrators was also extremely gratifying, and the chance to connect with them—this time as adults—was really fun, too.

If you’re considering stepping up and spearheading the organization efforts of your class’s reunion, but are concerned that it won’t be worth it, I would encourage you to go for it. The sum total of my experience doing so was a massively positive, fulfilling, and enjoyable experience both in the preparation and the event itself. Think about what MPA and your experience there as a student means to you all these years later and ask yourself whether or not you’d like to re-connect with the primary drivers of that experience—your classmates. If the answer is yes, then the cost of your time and energy in putting it together will pale in comparison to the benefits you will receive from the manifestation of your efforts.

Sincerely,

Nick Henry
MPA Class of 1993

Your Gift, Their Future, Bethany Branan ‘98

October 23, 2023

Dear MPA Alumni,

School is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to reflect on the lasting impact of our alumni community and the incredible potential we have to make a difference. Mounds Park Academy has always been a place where students are nurtured, dreams are dreamt and realized, and leaders for positive change are encouraged. As MPA alumni, we’ve experienced firsthand the power of education, the joy of a diverse and inclusive community, and what it means to dream big and do right.

It’s in that spirit of nostalgia and giving that you are invited to join us in the 2023 “Your Gift, Their Future” Fall Campaign. With your support, we can ensure MPA students, faculty, and staff have the tools, resources, and support they need for a bright future.

Please Save The Date
The Fall Campaign will be November 11-November 18, culminating with Give to the Max Day on November 16. This one week is a pivotal time when we can all come together to help achieve MPA’s fundraising goal of $500,000 to support teachers, students, and the entire community. Your gift, regardless of its size, holds the potential to make a profound impact and will play a vital role in shaping the future of our school.

Why I Give
As an alumna and MPA parent of two, I’m continually amazed and inspired by the passion my daughters have for school and education. They are not just students; they are young learners who are constructively challenged every day. Whether it’s the rigors of Singapore math, the imaginative wonders of Makers Space STEM projects, the character-building assemblies, or even the thrill of authoring their first book with vibrant illustrations, MPA is all about fostering curiosity and understanding.

MPA students are taught to seek the “whys” and the “hows,” to embrace their mistakes as stepping stones to improvement, to practice kindness and thoughtfulness, and to appreciate the sheer joy of learning for learning’s sake. It’s a truly unique and special environment.

What is also extraordinary is the community that flourishes here. When I reunite with fellow MPA alumni, there’s an immediate camaraderie, an unspoken understanding that transcends the years. We all share a common bond, an acknowledgment that we’ve been gifted a treasure chest of tools and the skills to use those tools to make the world a better place.

My donation to MPA is not just an investment in the school but also in future leaders, thinkers, and dreamers. To support exceptional education that empowers students to explore, grow, and impact the world.

Choose Your Impact & and Make A Gift
This year, I encourage you to choose your impact and direct your gift in one or all of the following ways: Academic Innovation, Access, Arts, Athletics. Contribute to the areas that resonate with your heart and experiences.

Thank you for your support of Mounds Park Academy. Together, we can make an impact and ensure the legacy of our alma mater continues to thrive.

Explore The PreK-12 MPA Preview Sessions

October 17, 2023

MPA Preview November 5The MPA Preview on November 5 is a signature PreK-12 event designed to introduce you to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community that it is. You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives, be engaged in conversation with academic leaders, experience mini-lessons taught by expert teachers, and leave with a much better understanding of the MPA way.

Explore the mini-lesson sessions at each division level that will be taught at the Preview on November 5, 2023! Read More

Sharing Our Experiences

October 12, 2023

from Bill Hudson, head of school

I first heard of Mounds Park Academy from a neighbor whose son attended MPA. That was over 25 years ago, and although I wouldn’t have imagined at the time that I would become the head of school, MPA captured my imagination. The school they described seemed too good to be true, but upon further research, and now from my first-hand experience as a parent and head of school, I know it is true.

October is Share MPA Month, a way for our community to come together and show our support for MPA by spreading awareness of our school. It is human nature to want to share that which has had an impact on us. Whether it is a new movie, TV show, book, or podcast—even a school—we are naturally inclined to want to share our experience with others. Sharing your love of MPA with those who may not yet be familiar with our school is, by nature, a generous act of kindness—you are trying to help the prospective family find a wonderful school community and a second home.

Community member referrals are the most important way that new families come to MPA. Current families have vast networks of people, including friends, colleagues, neighbors, extended family members, acquaintances through activities, and more. When a family comes to us via a community member referral, we know they are mission-aligned and likely to be an excellent fit. Read More