Founders’ Day 2022

December 1, 2022

middle school students playing in the leavesby 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

first place future cities teamCongratulations 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

Help Keep MPA Children Safe

November 30, 2022

Student entering school in the morningIt is MPA’s number one priority to provide the safest campus environment possible for you and your children. Lately, we have noticed an uptick in risky driving behavior in our parking lots and drive-thru lanes.

We ask that you share this critical information with all of the drivers in your home and others who may provide transportation for you. Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Drive-Thru Lanes
We realize it can be frustrating in the morning and afternoon as students unload/reload all of their things for the day and that many drivers are in a hurry to get to where they need to be. In the interest of safety, courtesy, and efficiency, we ask that drivers refrain from pulling in front of another car or “leap-frogging” to the front. To make the process as efficient as possible, please pull up all the way to the crosswalk to allow maximum space in the drive-thru lanes. Please help ensure no gaps are present in the drive-thru lanes, even if that means your child needs to wait or walk further to enter the vehicle.

Entering and Exiting the Car
Children should only be allowed to enter and exit the car from the right/curbside in the drive-thru lanes. If you need to leave the vehicle to help your children in or out, please do so with great caution. Additionally, if you park in a lot during drop off and/or pick up, please take extra precautions to ensure your child is safe and uses the appropriate crosswalks to enter the building. No Lower School student should cross the crosswalk into the parking lot without an adult caregiver by their side. Read More

American Choral State Honor Choir

November 30, 2022

American Choral State Honor ChoirCongratulations to tenth grader Rowan Mulrooney and ninth graders Truman Wilgocki and Warner Reid who auditioned and were selected to be members of the American Choral Director’s Association 9-10 State Honor Choir!

Rowan will sing in the soprano-alto choir under the direction of Susan Vollbrecht (University of Wyoming) while Warner will perform in the tenor-bass choir with Derrick Fox (University of Nebraska). Truman is in the mixed choir conducted by Merin Guice Gil from Bethel University. The daylong event will culminate with a concert at Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis. Rowan and Truman are members of the MPA Concert Choir while Warner sings in the MPA Varsity Choir. Keep singing, Panthers!

Afterschool Activities and Care Canceled This Afternoon

November 29, 2022

Due to the weather, all afterschool activities, including games, practices, Panther Club/Den, Middle School study hall, and meetings are canceled this afternoon, Tuesday, November 29. MPA will remain in session until our regular dismissal time of 3 PM.

The families of District 622 and Minneapolis bus riders will be communicated with directly as soon as possible regarding modified bus schedules. All other buses will run as usual, although they may be running late.

PreK Panther, Panther Club, and Panther Den will remain open until all children are picked up; however, families are asked to arrive as quickly as possible after 3 PM so our faculty and staff can travel home as well.

Email communications@moundsparkacademy.org if you have any questions. Please drive safely!

RSVP Today For The PreK-12 MPA Preview

November 28, 2022

upper school student in a chemistry labThe PreK-12 Preview is the perfect opportunity to discover why you belong at MPA! You and your entire family are warmly invited to attend the PreK-12 MPA Preview on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 2 PM. RSVP here!

The PreK-12 MPA Preview is designed to introduce you to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community it is. You’ll hear from various perspectives, be engaged in conversation with academic leaders, and leave with a much better understanding of the MPA way. These events are designed for family members of all ages to attend together and will include division-specific time. Read More

College Years Social

November 28, 2022

After a two year pause for the pandemic, the MPA Parents of Alumni annual College Years Social made a return in November. Parents reunited at Keller Clubhouse to reminisce, catch up and meet other POA. To make the gathering even more enjoyable, Melissa Peacock, won Carmel Chocolate Turtle Cocktail gift basket!

“We were so happy to be meeting all the new Parents of Alumni at MPA from 2017 to 2022,” stated Lindo Goodno, POA Board Chair classes of ’16, ’18 and ’20. ” The College Years Social is POA’s cornerstone annual event to keep in touch with MPA families. It’s just a fun time!”

POA Board Holiday Gathering

November 28, 2022

Ho, ho, ho…..the holidays have begun and the board members of MPA Parents of Alumni met at Jax Cafe on November 17 to kick off the season.

“Our role as board members of Parents of Alumni is planning, fun and fun planning!” states POA Board Chair, Linda Goodno. “We enjoy a holiday event every year in addition to our regular four board meetings. It’s such a great way to keep connected with MPA as well as meet new friends.” Every parent is a member of Parents of Alumni when their student graduates. No dues, no fundraising, just fun and connection. If you have an interest and would like to join the fun, please contact POA Secretary Amanda Campbell at a.m.ploog@gmail.com.

Alumni Connect with Phillipe Thao

November 28, 2022

We’re catching up with Phillipe Thao ’14 in the first episode of our new video series “Alumni Connect.” While at MPA, Phillipe discovered his love of writing thanks to MPA’s English teachers. After attending DePaul University, Phillipe has been pursuing his passion for creative writing and now works on exciting projects for Netflix and has been published in the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and more! Phillipe is a testament to the incredible achievements of our alumni! Check out the full instastory here. If you are interested in being our next featured alum contact alumni@moundsparkacademy.org, we would love to hear your update!

Alumni Holiday Shopping Guide

November 28, 2022

Tis the season for holiday shopping. Submit your business to be featured in the 2022 Alumni Holiday Shopping Guide! We’ll be featuring submissions all season long. Take advantage of this free promotional opportunity! Do you have videos or photos to include in your feature? Please email them to agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org.

Steps for Submission:
1. Visit the @alumnimpa page on Instagram, click the link in the bio and select 2022 Holiday Shopping Guide.
2. Fill out your detailed information.
3. Stay tuned for updates on your submission!