Mounds Park Academy

December 8, 2022

‘Tis the season for holiday shopping. The Alumni Association Board developed this for graduated MPA students to share their business/products to be featured in an Alumni Holiday Shopping Guide!

Monday—Hippy Feet
Why buy Hanes when you can buy Hippy Feet?! @hippyfeetsocks, co-founded by Sam Harper ‘12, are sure to be a hit this holiday season. These fun patterned socks, clothing and accessories are sure to be the perfect stocking stuffer. Plus, Hippy Feet is a socially responsible sock company on a mission to help homeless youth. 50% of company profits are donated to support non-profit organizations that are working to help young people in need. Learn more at www.hippyfeet.com

Tuesday—Pas de Deux Dance Studio
‘Plie’ your way into 2023 with Pas de Deux Dance Studio, owned by Zachari Wetz ‘99! Give the gift of dance lessons this season! Offering ballet classes for ages 3 through adult. @pasdedeuxdancestudio’s mission is to develop a love of dance in a supportive and family-friendly environment. Convenient to most areas of the Twin Cities- contact the studio to purchase a gift certificate or sign up for classes. Learn more at www.pasdedeuxdance.com

Wednesday—Pryes Brewing
Keep your eye on the Pryes… @PryesBrewing that is! Owned by Alan Flinn ‘93, Pryes Brewing Company is serving up award-winning craft beers and wood-fired pizza in their riverside taproom just north of downtown Minneapolis. A great place to hang with friends or give the gift of a few crowlers!! Pryes’ riverside beer garden, taproom, and pizza restaurant open daily at 11 AM. Learn more at www.prysebrewing.com Read More

MPA Debate Team’s Strongest Performance Yet

December 6, 2022

from Katie Murr, head coach

Congratulations to the MPA debate team on a great performance at the Classic State Debate Festival. 46 students represented the school, and Mounds Park Academy received the second-place team sweepstakes award. This award is based on the top two performances across each of the three divisions of competition – novice, junior varsity, and varsity. It’s a testament to the depth of the team.

We call the tournament the Classic Debate Championships in novice and junior varsity. In the novice division, the team of Mina Kim and Rosie Bergh advanced to the octafinal round, and the team of Salma Egal and Soren Winikoff advanced to the quarterfinal round. In the junior varsity division, the team of Molly Vergin and Meiran Carlson advanced to the octafinal round, and the teams of Paul Fertig and Amal Sastry, Zainab Lodhi and Max O’Connor, and Maggie Banks and Rowan Mulrooney advanced to the quarterfinal round. The team of Annika Binstadt and Zoya Nayak advanced all the way to the semifinal round.

The varsity division is called the Minnesota State High School League Classic Debate State Festival, as the MSHSL sponsors the awards for this event. Before we get to the team results, we want to applaud four debaters who were recognized with all-state debate honors for their excellence over the entire season: Frances Martin, Zaara Nayak, Akshay Somayajula, and Ben Murr. In the team competition, MPA had a strong performance. The teams of Kensi Binstadt and Audrey Jakway, Ian Frankel and Trevor Lien, and Ben Murr and Akshay Somayajula all advanced to the quarterfinal round, while the team of Frances Martin and Zaara Nayak made it all the way to the semifinal round. This is one of the strongest collective performances by the varsity team in MPA history.

A special thank you to all the alums who judged and coached for the team this season. In particular, Elli Carlson deserves special recognition. She has given back to MPA more than the school could ever have given to her. This season, she helped to coach over 80 students through the rigors of debate, teaching about research, speaking, and writing. We are so fortunate to be the beneficiaries of her care and commitment.

Thriving Through Winter in Minnesota

December 2, 2022

With any relocation, there are many moving parts as families transition their lives somewhere new–one of them being your first Minnesota winter! Minnesota has a climate that allows us to experience four distinct seasons. With the right mindset and preparation, experiencing the transformation from one season to the next is inspirational and invigorating. Here’s how you can set your family on a path to thrive, not just survive, through your new favorite season here.

Keep Kids Moving
The winter months can get long here in Minnesota. It’s cold outside and there is less daylight, so it can be hard to stay motivated, but physical activity is important for everyone all year round–especially young children. Physical activity is vital to a child’s success emotionally, physically, and mentally. It helps them build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, and prevents chronic diseases. Physical activity is beneficial for the development of cognitive skills, which can help kids stay more focused in the classroom. It also helps kids sleep better and significantly reduces stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

At Mounds Park Academy, we believe in the importance of physical activity and encourage students to be active outdoors throughout the year. We know that children need time to play and socialize, so our students have recess every day—even in the winter. Although it’s colder outside, all it takes is a few extra layers. The benefits are seen in the classroom as well as on the rosy faces of our students.

MPA students also embrace winter through their activities and athletics, such as the Middle and Upper School Alpine (downhill) ski team, Middle and Upper School Nordic (cross country) ski team, the boys hockey team, grade level group outdoor adventures like snowtubing, and Northern MN i-Term adventures like dogsledding. Read More

Lower School Division News December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

from Ann Jurewicz, Lower School director

The winter weather has set in, and it is an absolute joy to have the students sledding on the hills at recess. Please remember to send your child(ren) to school with snow pants, hats, mittens, and scarves, and consider keeping an extra set on hand in their lockers for any kind of weather. Minnesota is known as a state of “weather whiplash,” where temperatures can rise or plummet in ranges of 40 degrees or more in 24 hours. Also, as we enter the month when many “festivals of lights” are celebrated, we hope to educate about and honor the many spirited traditions. Speaking of traditions, we have the annual MPA Book Festival happening next week, and thank the parent association and librarian Nancy Lage for their collaboration and planning efforts.

ISACS Parent Education Series–JOIN US TONIGHT!
Parents and families, we hope you will join other independent school parents for one of several evening sessions led by an exceptional and highly regarded team of experts to help you support your children in all areas of their development. We look forward to learning right along with you! The next upcoming webinar is:

Gift of Failure
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Jessica Lahey, Educator & Author

From ISACS: Modern parenting has become defined by an unprecedented level of overprotectiveness. We all know parents who rush to school to deliver forgotten assignments, challenge teachers on disappointing report cards, mastermind their children’s friendships or interfere on the playing field. According to bestselling author, Jessica Lahey, “overparenting” has the potential to both ruin children’s confidence and undermine their education. By letting go and allowing children to learn how to solve problems on their own, we give them the tools to grow up to be self-reliant, confident, and successful adults. That’s the Gift of Failure. Jessica reminds us that teachers, and others who work with children, also teach responsibility, organization, manners, restraint, and foresight—important life skills that shape stronger futures. Lahey champions failure as a crucial element of long-term success while providing indispensable advice to parents for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, competitive sports, and more. All are invited. The recording of this webinar will be available until January 31, 2023.

Registration is free, but pre-registration is required! Please register here to attend from the comfort of your home! Read More

Middle School Division News December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director

As we find ourselves in the cold, snowy, wintery weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break, it’s important to help your student focus on consistency with their habits related to completing work, getting enough sleep, eating good and healthy food, and finding quality downtime (screen-free is always a good idea!). Because this time of year can be hectic and challenging for adults, and because we know young people regulate (emotionally, socially, and psychologically) with the grown-ups around them, it is important that we offer calm, consistent, and caring support for them and take care of ourselves, too. One of my favorite podcasts takes a new approach to self-care and compassion and its relation to how we care for others…rather than the age-old wisdom to “put your oxygen mask on first,” she suggests filling our own cup so much that it overflows, and it is from that overflow that we give to those who depend on us and need us to be ever more present in their days.

Fill your cups so that they overflow … what a great goal for December!

YOU’RE INVITED! SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE, TALENT, AND YOURSELF with our division!
Many of you have reached out looking for ways to reconnect with the community after two long years apart, and we have a great idea we think you’ll love! We’re looking to begin a new initiative in the Middle School—A Parent Showcase! Several parents have offered to share their time, talents, hobbies, professions, and interests with our middle school students via a short presentation given during afternoon advisory time. These showcases would happen on B-days from 2:20-3 PM once or twice a month, depending on the volume of presenters and grade-level match. If this interests you, please fill out this form, and we will contact you to schedule your showcase!

We look forward to learning more about you and growing our community!

Gift of Failure
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Jessica Lahey, Educator & Author

Registration is free, but pre-registration is required! Please register here to attend from the comfort of your home! Register here.

Middle School Transition Conversations–Share with those you know!
I’ll be offering two additional meetings for rising Middle School families to learn more about Middle School at MPA, to ask questions, and share in the excitement and wonder of this next important phase in students’ educational journey. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, December 8, 3:30 PM, and/or Tuesday, December 13, 8:15 AM. We will have coffee and hot tea and some light refreshments available. No need to RSVP, just join us if you can! Read More

Upper School Division News December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

One of the quintessential experiences of being a high school student is attending school dances. Recent research shows that high schoolers can spend up to nine hours a day connected to digital media, including social apps and streaming services (“Higher Ed Dive”). School dances, however, provide an outlet for in-person social interaction and development. In my more than a quarter of a century of attending school-sponsored dances, I have witnessed an increase in school spirit and positive social interactions in the weeks preceding and following dances.

At MPA, we hold four dances per year (Homecoming, Semi-Formal, SnoDaze, and Prom), and this coming Saturday evening, the Semi-Formal Dance will be held at Prestwick Golf Club. If history is any indication (and ticket sales have been strong), more than 75% of the Upper School student population will dress up and attend. Our students’ approach to dances is very different than what is experienced at other schools. There is no pressure applied to attend with a date. More often than not, students attend with their friend groups. For dances like the Semi-Formal, students often meet for dinner beforehand and arrive with beaming smiles “fashionably late” (yet before the 9:30 PM arrival deadline). Another thing that sets MPA dances apart from what I have experienced in other environments is that the students actually dance (aka a cluster of students bouncing in harmony). Read More

MPA Board Of Trustees Seeking Nominations

December 1, 2022

MPA’s Board of Trustees collaborates with the Head of School to guide the school’s strategic direction, to protect its mission, to support the school’s development efforts and to safeguard the school’s financial stability.

Nominations for Trustees
We are pleased to share that the Governance Committee of the Board is launching its annual process to identify potential trustees.

If you, or someone you know, could be a strong contributor to the MPA Board of Trustees, please provide the name of your nominee and a short description of their experience and background, directly to Cherie Honan, executive assistant to the head of school, at chonan@moundsparkacademy.org.

In addition to strong leadership skills, nominees will bring a broad diversity of experience and backgrounds, and a passion to advance the mission of MPA. Areas of desired professional experience include: finance, accounting, investment, banking, business, communications, construction, education, law, governance, scientific training, the arts, IT, human resources, strategic planning, development, marketing, and community service, among others.

Trustees serve up to two three-year terms, participating in MPA Board meetings five to six times a year, in addition to participating in monthly standing committees.

The Governance committee will evaluate all nominees and reach out to shortlisted candidates for further information and interview. Candidates recommended by the Governance Committee will be presented to the full Board at its May 2023 meeting, and approved trustees will begin their first three-year term as of July 2023. Onboarding and training is provided to all trustees.

For more information on the Board and its working committees, please see the Board page on the MPA website.

Parents Association News & Events: December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

Pie Love
Right before the holiday break, the MPA Parents Association participated in our annual Thanksgiving Pie distribution to all staff. This year staff had a choice of apple, pumpkin or lemon meringue pie! Thanks to Chef Chris for ordering and Cherie and the Development team for helping with distribution.

Book Festival Is Almost Here! Support the Joy of Reading at MPA.
The annual MPA Book Festival arrives next Monday, just in time for Winter Break reading or holiday gifts! This year the book festival is in-person once again.

Ways to Support MPA’s Book Festival:

Visit the Gallery to purchase new books and gift cards. During the week of the Book Festival, Usborne will be selling books in the Gallery, and Valley Bookseller gift cards will be available for purchase. A portion of the profits generated from those sales will be donated to our library.
Help build a teacher’s classroom library. We will have the books our teachers requested for their classroom libraries available for purchase in the Gallery. Check or cashless payment only. You can hand-deliver the books you select, or we can deliver them for you. Download the list here.
Visit the Used Book Sale. LS used books will be sold in the LS Atrium at drop off and pick up. MS and US used books will be sold during lunch and recess outside the Family Commons. We have an excellent selection of books for all ages. All proceeds raised from the Used Book Sale benefit the library.

Book Discussions All Week!

December 5, 8 AM in the Gallery: Book Festival Kick-Off Coffee with book recommendations
December 7, 6 PM in the Library: Book Club with Dr. Hudson
December 8, 3-4 PM in the Family Commons: Cocoa and Popcorn Storytime, Upper Schoolers will host a story time for Lower Schoolers. Sign-up here to attend.

Can’t make it into school that week? Valley Bookseller is dedicating their bookshop.org/shop/valleybookseller affiliate link to our Book Festival. We must use this website, not the Valley Bookseller site, for the school to get a portion of our purchases. All books must be shipped to your home. Email PA@moundsparkacademy.org with questions. Happy Reading! Read More

Founders’ Day 2022

December 1, 2022

by Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

I invite you and your family to our annual pancake breakfast next Wednesday, December 7, from 7-8 AM to celebrate Founders’ Day. Founders’ Day celebrates the official date that the school was established. This is a very special celebration, and what better way to mark the school’s founding than with a delicious pancake breakfast made by members of the MPA Board of Trustees?! This year, the day is being made extra special with an all-school pajama day in honor of the Book Festival.

My family spent a quiet Thanksgiving with my husband Ross’ brother and sister-in-law. We gathered for the annual Olson Family Lefse and Flatbread Making Day on Saturday. True North Dakotan Norwegians Willard and Vernita would spend a day making lefse and flatbread for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to enjoy over the Christmas holidays. Now that they have both passed away, we started a new tradition of getting together as a family to make the lefse and flatbread. It is a beautiful day of remembering, telling stories, arguing over which of Vernita’s lefse recipes we should use, working together to roll the perfectly rounded lefse, nurturing a shared identity, and sharing a meal. Read More

Eighth Graders Collaborate Their Way To State Future Cities Competition

November 30, 2022

Congratulations to our eighth graders moving on to the Future City State competition, and to our All-Stars, who really went above and beyond working in their groups!

The Future City Competition combines a dedication to sustainability with a commitment to the project’s hard work. It requires a 1500-word essay, a 2’x4’ 3D model with working parts, a presentation to a group of industry experts, and a Q&A session with said experts. There are rubrics for each deliverable, so the top three teams are decided strictly on points.

The spirit of collaboration is strong within the Future Cities project, from students working together on a team to utilizing interdisciplinary skills among them. Mr. Milam notes that “one of the coolest parts of this project is that it is a collaboration between my class, Ms. Atchison’s class, Ms. MacPhail’s class, and with Mr. Braafladt in the Makerspace. Read More