Mounds Park Academy

The Crimson And Cream Foundation’s Top Award Recipient, Salmah Elmasry ’21

September 24, 2021

Congratulations to Salmah Elmasry ’21

The MPA community is celebrating Salmah Elmasry ’21, for receiving the the top award from The Crimson and Cream Foundation! This foundation is a local one founded in 1996 to advance academics, leadership, and social skills in young people throughout the St. Paul-Minneapolis area. Since graduating from MPA, Salmah’s impressive extracurricular and community service accomplishments include founding and managing operations for The Neda Project, Captain of the Varsity Speech Team and Varsity Debate Team, and President of the Social Consciousness Club. We wish Salmah all the best as she continues her education at Georgetown University studying International Relations.The community couldn’t be more proud of Salmah. read more>

Meet The Cook Family

September 23, 2021

Parent Rebekah Cook and her family live in St. Paul, MN, and have a second grader at MPA.

What do you love about MPA?
I love the communication from faculty and staff. I always feel like I know what to expect and when things are happening, which gives me a sense of agency and allows me to be an active participant in my child’s education.

What initially attracted you to MPA?
My good friend, Summer, works at MPA. She would share about what she was teaching and the discussions she would have with her students, and I was like, “I WANT THAT FOR FRANKIE. How do I get that?!” Also, we visited several different schools and at no other school did kids have such confidence. We were strangers walking down the hallway, and kids would say, “Hi!” Or when visiting their classroom, a teacher would ask them a question and they would all be so eager to respond and share–so eloquent and confident. That’s all we wanted for Frankie–to feel confident and safe to be herself!

How is your child encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
Frankie is curious, empathetic, highly opinionated, and has some natural leadership abilities, but it can sometimes come across at “bossy.” One of Frankie’s goals from her first grade teacher was to not get distracted by others in the room and to put all of her focus on her own work so she could feel challenged and proud. I LOVED this! Her teacher didn’t discourage her to be different or to simulate, but to identify her weaknesses and strengths and channel all of that to make her the best she can be! Read More

Maintaining The MPA Experience

September 23, 2021

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

It always seems as though the battery on my cell phone is running low. Maybe it’s because I have an older model, or often forget to close apps and plug it in. It is probably the combination of all those factors, although I often blame it on Waze, a crowd-sourced GPS traffic app I use every day that requires a great deal of power to operate.

I think we can all agree that the last 18 months of the pandemic have drained our collective batteries. COVID-19 has been like the Waze app—always open, always draining, hard to close down. Similarly, political discord, social unrest, racial tension, and climate events have also acted like apps that are constantly open and continually draining our reserve. My kids chastise me to close out my apps when I am done using them. (I wish they would do the same with their dirty dishes!) I have decided to follow their advice. Instead of allowing the pandemic to dominate my home screen, it will become just one of many apps on my phone. We must take COVID-19 very seriously, to be sure, but we must also move forward.

That said, our priority is to be on-campus for in-person learning all year. While we are carrying forward many lessons learned during the pandemic, we know how important it is for students to bring their whole selves to school each day. The Minnesota Department of Health (and all available public health guidance) agrees that the benefits of being physically present in school are significant and creating conditions that help safeguard in-person instruction is a priority.

We’ve designed our plan with the MPA mission in mind. Not only are we committed to keeping in-person learning available to students, but we know that preventing on-campus spread may help to reduce the amount of community spread within the Twin Cities. We want to “do right” by doing our part. Layered mitigation remains our shared responsibility: symptom monitoring, prompt reporting of symptoms and exposure, minimizing gatherings and travel, and higher risk activities (particularly for the unvaccinated) in addition to masking, hygiene practices, enhanced ventilation, onsite testing, and the variety of other strategies we have successfully employed during our COVID response.

Thanks to our shared commitment to all of our recommendations and guidelines, we’ve been able to not only have students be in person and learning with their teachers and classmates, but they’re experiencing all that an MPA education has to offer including safe athletics, robust support services, continuity of theatre classes and curriculum, resumed music education, clubs and activities, and a return to many on campus events.

We should celebrate our community’s commitment to vaccinations: 97% of eligible students and 98% of eligible adults have been fully vaccinated. Once vaccines become available for younger ages, which may be much sooner than we thought, we strongly urge parents to seek vaccines for those under 12 as well. When that occurs, we look forward to relaxing a number of protocols that are currently in place.

It’s Time For MPA’s Fall Preview

September 23, 2021

Invite a friend, neighbor, colleague, or family member to join us for MPA’s largest PreK-12 admission event, the MPA Fall Preview! Held virtually on Sunday, November 7 starting at 2 PM, this event will be a structured program that will allow prospective students and parents to get a sense of what makes MPA an exceptional place to learn and grow.

Kindly invite your friends and neighbors to RSVP in advance for this engaging program at moundsparkacademy.org/RSVP. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admission at 651-748-5577 or admission@moundsparkacademy.org. We can’t wait to meet them!

Upper School Division News

September 23, 2021

from Mark Segal, Upper School Director

According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), “a recent U.S. Surgeon General report indicates that one in five children and adolescents will face a significant mental health condition during their school years.” Those who suffer from these conditions may face barriers to their learning or social-emotional relationships with peers and their school. The Surgeon General continues that, “key responsibilities of schools include creating a safe and nurturing school environment, supporting the physical and mental health of children, fostering their social and emotional well-being, and being prepared to address teen suicide through effective communication and support.” The Mounds Park Academy faculty prides itself on building strong relationships with their students, knowing their students well, and being prepared to support students as they make their way through the adolescent developmental journey.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) shared last August that social media platforms saw a significant increase in COVID-19 materials and information and misinformation left adolescents exposed to associated challenges. The NCBI says that “the social media infodemic has been linked to anxiety, feeling powerless, and catastrophizing situations.”

This past Tuesday and Wednesday upper school students participated in the SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program. MPA students received psychoeducation about the signs of suicide and how to help someone who may be having difficult thoughts or feelings. Students also completed an eight-question screener to identify those who need immediate assistance. This is the third time that we have partnered with students and faculty from the University of Wisconsin River Falls Psychology program. They met with students individually throughout the day and contacted parent(s)/guardian(s) of those who needed additional support and provided referrals to some for outside care.

Offering this support system at MPA provides students with the opportunity to engage openly in conversation and find important resources rather than face a stigma that may exist. These supports foster stronger and more authentic relationships which, in turn, allows students to see greater success in their academics and social connections.
I look forward to seeing you on campus soon,

Important Information

MPA Covid-19 Symptom Response
As we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we ask for your diligence in working with our Covid-19 symptom response and contact tracing team. At the first sign of symptoms, parents should complete the daily AUXS app symptom screening and/or email covid@moundsparkacademy.org. When a negative Covid-19 test is required for student clearance, results must be provided prior to the student’s return. All symptomatic community members, regardless of vaccination status must remain at home pending those results. Thank you for your partnership. For any questions, please contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt at jrogers@moundsparkacademy.org.

Looking Ahead

Tues, 9/21: SOS Screenings, 9th grade and new 10th grade students
Wed, 9/22: SOS Screenings, 9th grade and new 10th grade students
Thurs, 9/30: Upper School Conferences, 4:00 – 7:00 PM, via Zoom
Fri, 10/1: Upper School Homecoming BBQ & Bonfire, 5:00 – 8:00 PM, Benz Courtyard
Sat, 10/2: Homecoming, all day, on campus
Wed, 10/6: Class of 2022 Cum Laude Induction, 7:30 AM, location TBD
Thurs, 10/7: Upper School Conferences, 4:00 – 8:00 PM, via Zoom
Fri, 10/8: No Classes, Upper School Conferences, 8:00 – 4:00 PM, via Zoom
Wed, 10/20: No Classes, Fall Break
Thurs, 10/21: No Classes, Fall Break
Fri, 10/22: No Classes, Fall Break

Middle School Division News

September 23, 2021

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director

Growing More Comfortable
As we find ourselves in Week 5 together, we are learning more about each other and our needs, limits, and boundaries. As I have shared with all of you, it is important that middle schoolers feel safe to push boundaries and test limits (it often feels like it’s their job most days!) and it’s also important for them to realize that their actions, words, and habits impact those around them. We are working, diligently and often, to reinforce what it means to be back in school together, as an entire middle school, grades 5 through 8, and conduct ourselves as the caring, compassionate, and academically motivated students we all aspire to be.

As I make my way to each grade level and aim to set expectations, I would appreciate your partnership in reinforcing some fundamental commitments that we hold at MPA in the Middle School:

Every student’s learning is important. And it is not acceptable that one’s student’s behavior hinders their own learning and/or the learning of others.
Students should arrive to class on-time, prepared, with all materials required to be a fully present and active participant.
Students will respect all other human beings and expect respect in return.
Language that is insulting, demeaning, hurtful, and disrespectful is not acceptable at MPA.
Physical contact that harms another student, intentional or otherwise, will not be tolerated.
Teachers are leaders in the learning environment, and they deserve respect.
Poor choices, inappropriate behavior, and not following directions can, and will, result in consequences, including detention, a conversation with parents, and removal from privileges.
We are a community, and we all rise by being the best version of ourselves we can be.

I want to acknowledge that, for many of our students, the last 18 months have completely up ended our routines, our work, our learning, and our comfort in being together. It will take some time for us to settle in and come to honor the community expectations we have set forth. I hope you will join me in sharing these expectations with your student and welcome the invitation to partner with me, and your student’s teachers, to help them realize their full potential.

A Reminder: Middle School Dismissal
I am, so far, grateful for the ease and efficiency with which we are dismissing at 3:00pm in the West Lot. A few reminders to keep us moving and allow all of us to get to our next destination safely, and in a timely way:

Please do not stop along the curb near the busses to allow your student to enter the car. I ask that you pull around to the curb close to the building to keep cars from backing-up on Larpenteur and/or in the driveway.
I am always, very lovingly, encouraging your students to “hustle” to get into the car and keep things moving. I don’t do this to be hurtful, but rather because I realize that many times folks are on their way to the next thing, and we need to keep the line moving.
I also appreciate everyone staying in the car line (unless parking and waiting outside the door, which you are welcome to do!) and not “leap-frogging” or “budging” ahead in the line.

Finally, while I know there can occasionally be issues that hold us up as parents and we get to school a bit late, we are beginning the practice this week of taking all students not picked up by 3:15pm upstairs to either Study Hall or Panther Den. Our dismissal staff and faculty have meetings after school and cannot be downstairs waiting indefinitely. We also cannot leave your Middle School student outside to “wait” for you without an adult. Please make every effort to be on time unless you have previously determined that your student is going to Study Hall, Athletics, or Panther Den.

If you run into an issue and cannot make pick-up time, please call the office before 2:30pm and let us know and we will send your student to Study Hall or Panther Den.

Mrs. Lassonde and the Middle School Office
Mrs. Lassonde is available by email at jlassonde@moundsparkacademy.org and by phone at (651) 748-5565. We need to hear from you if you need an early dismissal or late arrival for an appointment, an absence from classes, or have any other question or concern, please reach out.

Middle School Show–Congratulations To Our Cast And Crew!
We are delighted to begin rehearsals for our Middle School show and congratulate all who were selected as cast and crew members. Please work with your student to know the rehearsal schedule, note it in their planners, prepare and have a plan for pick-up, and communication. Just like sports, students are responsible for arranging transportation, pick-up, and snacks with parents.

If you have questions or need information, please email Ms. Mastel (hmastel@moundsparkacademy.org) or have your student stop by to see her in her classroom.

Parent-Teacher Conferences—Save The Dates
Our PickATime system has been open since last week. If you have not already scheduled conferences and wish to do so, you have until the end of this week. Conference dates are:

Thursday, September 30, 3:30-7PM
Thursday, October 7, 3:30-8PM
Friday, October 8, 8AM-4PM (NO CLASSES)

All conferences are being held via ZOOM and each family is offered the opportunity to sign-up for up to five, 10-minute conferences with their student’s teachers.

If you are not scheduled by the end of this week, you will not be able to schedule conferences for this session. If you need assistance, please reach out to Mrs. Lassonde (jlassonde@moundsparkacademy.org) or call the Middle School Office.

MPA COVID-19 Symptom Response Protocol–Important Reminders
As we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we ask for your diligence in working with our COVID-19 symptom response and contact tracing team. At the first sign of symptoms, parents should complete the daily AUXS app symptom screening and/or email covid@moundsparkacademy.org. When a negative COVID-19 test is required for student clearance, results must be provided prior to the student’s return. All symptomatic community members, regardless of vaccination status must remain at home pending those results. Thank you for your partnership. For any questions, please contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt at jrogers@moundsparkacademy.org.

Planners: Use Them–Check Them–Be Accountable
Student planners were distributed last week, and we have been working diligently on learning to use them consistently, productively, and in a way that supports self-regulation and success. Please ask your student about their planner, ask them to show you their progress, and remember that their planner is their first line of organizational super-power!

Please Send Snacks
Middle Schoolers are always hungry. ALWAYS! And each day, most teachers take time, either during advisory or Block 3, to offer a snack time. For obvious reasons, we cannot provide snacks for all students (allergies, preference, preparation, etc.) but we welcome you to coordinate with your student a snack they can bring to school to give them just enough to make it to lunch.

On this note, eating breakfast is often hard for Middle Schoolers – they are tired, not awake enough to eat, are using every minute to sleep/snooze before coming to school. Especially if your student is not eating breakfast, their snack is ESSENTIAL!

Excellent ideas for snacks include, but are not limited to:

Carrots and hummus
String Cheese and crackers
Goldfish
Yogurt tube and fruit (already cut and prepared)
Sliced apple and sunflower butter (no peanuts/tree nut butters)
Celery and ranch dip
Small half of sandwich

On a related note, if your student is staying after school for a sports practice, they also NEED an after-school snack that they may eat in preparation for an hour and a half of activity. NO ONE likes a “hangry” (pre)teen…it would be wonderful if students came prepared for their day not just academically, but nutritionally, as well.

Water Bottles–A Necessity
A full day of learning is a full day that requires water – PE, academic classes, arts classes, lots of movement and activity! Students need water bottles, and they need to drink water consistently. Please send a water bottle, that can be kept at school, labeled with your student’s name, with them each day. We do not have cups, disposable water bottles, or any other way for student to remain hydrated!

Parent Coffees Coming Soon
I recognize that not being able to be in the building and on campus can lead to feelings of disconnection – it’s difficult for me, too, to not have you with us. Please look for emails invitations in the coming week for Grade Level Coffee gatherings with me – I look forward to conversation, fellowship, and community building with you!

Sept 30 All School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7 PM
Oct 7 All School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Oct 8 All School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 8 AM-4 PM, NO CLASSES
Oct 20-22 Fall Break – NO CLASSES
Oct 29 End of Quarter 1 – All Assignments and Assessments Due
Nov 1 GRADING DAY – NO CLASSES
Nov 2 Quarter 2 Begins

Lower School Division News

September 23, 2021

from Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Monday Morning Meetings In Lower School
On many Mondays Lower School students gather for a Monday Morning Meeting. Our first Monday Morning Meeting of the school year took place on Monday, September 20 at 8:30 AM via Zoom. Coming together for these meetings unites the Lower School and sets the direction for the week ahead.

Our Monday Morning Meeting follows an agenda which encourages student participation. To start the meeting students get moving for “Brain Dance” led by Ms. Espeland. Brain Dance is composed of eight developmental movements that fire up the central nervous system and encourage the brain and body to work together. Often times, students are moving to the music they are learning about in music class. This week students were moving to the music of Esperanza Spalding, a well-known jazz string bass player, singer, composer, and teacher. Students also meet new faculty/staff during the “Who’s Who at MPA?” segment of the meeting. This week students met third grade teacher, Mrs. Colianni. She shared information and virtual photos about herself and her family. Another important agenda item is “Student Splash” when students present what they are learning in the classroom. This week fourth graders presented information about our Conflict Manager program which empowers fourth graders to help Lower School students solve conflicts on the playground. Other fourth graders shared a science lesson on variables. During the “Word Wizard” segment of the agenda a fourth grade student is quizzed on the meanings of the Words of the Week. It is inspiring to see our fourth graders show their vocabulary skills as word wizards. Lastly, as a way to chart the course for the week students hear about events of the week during the “Joyful Journey” segment of the meeting. This week the students heard about Homecoming and the special things they can look forward to next week. These meetings last about 30 minutes and end with the MPA School song as a way to show school spirit and start the week on a high note.

Monday Morning Meeting is a wonderful way to start the week. The meetings are a beautiful collaboration between teachers and students. Everyone benefits from the Monday Morning Meeting experience. Lower School students experience and get comfortable with public speaking and find it rewarding to present at the meeting. Teachers believe the meetings build community within Lower School. These meetings are a highlight of the week for everyone!

Conflict Managers
Fourth graders at Mounds Park Academy received conflict management training during the first few weeks of school for their role as Conflict Managers. Each day for the rest of the school year two fourth graders (on a rotating basis) will assist Lower School students with conflicts as they arise on our playground. This is a wonderful leadership opportunity for the fourth graders and a terrific service to our LS students. It is honorable to see how seriously our fourth graders take this responsibility.

Homecoming Happenings
September 27 – October 1 is Homecoming Week at Mounds Park Academy! This is an exciting time to come together as a community to show school spirit and celebrate our fantastic school. Lower School students will be involved in many of the special events throughout the week as a way to help students experience the Homecoming tradition at MPA. Below you will find the list of Lower School events throughout the week and special opportunities your child may want to participate in.

Monday, September 27: Pajama Day for all LS students.
Friday, October 1: Spirit Day! Students should wear their Homecoming T-Shirt and non-uniform bottoms. We encourage the MPA colors blue and white!

Recess Events:

Recess Photo Booth: Students will have the opportunity to get their photo taken with MPA spirit props at the Homecoming Photo Booth during recess. Photos will be made available to families on Schoology.
Thursday, September 30: All Lower School Students will gather together at the end of recess to sing and sign the MPA School Song as one group. Ms. Espeland will lead the song and our communication office will document this special event with a video. This will also be shared on Schoology for parents to enjoy.

Coloring Sheet
Lower School students took home an MPA Panther coloring sheet this week to promote Homecoming. Encourage your child to color the Panther and return the sheet to school during the week of September 27. We will hang their beautiful pictures in the LS hallway for everyone to enjoy!

Ways To Foster Lifelong Reading Habits

Provide a wide variety of reading material. Children need to experience reading fiction and non-fiction, magazines, graphic novels, and comic books. Children need access to lots of texts to help them discover their interests. You never know what will absorb a child when reading.
Celebrate all reading. Children will read more if given choices in what they read. Do not push children to read harder books, give up picture books or comics, or limit their reading choices when they are selecting books for pleasure. Praise them for reading and show interest in the books they choose.
Limit screen time. The more time children spend using electronic devices and watching television, the less they read. Encourage children to read books or magazines in print to develop reading stamina.

Credit: Eight Ways for Parents and Teachers to Foster Wild and Lifelong Reading Habits, by Donalyn Miller. Miller is an education and literacy consultant.

Dates To Remember

September 27 – October 2: Homecoming Week
September 30, October 7, October 8: Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 8: No Classes
October 20 – 22: No Classes/Fall Break

BIPOC Alumni Join Sid Carlson White ’17 On September 23

September 22, 2021

On September 23, at 6:30 PM Central, the Alumni Committee on Antiracist Practice will be hosting its first community discussion for BIPOC alumni of MPA. One of the many things that respondents to our survey suggested is that alumni of color wanted spaces, digital and in-person, to discuss life after graduating, existing in predominantly-white spaces, and to generally share experiences of life both during and after our time at MPA. This conversation, which will be specifically alumni-only, will kick off the committee and its work with the Antiracism Action Group and the Alumni Board.

Join via Zoom >
Meeting ID: 952 9079 8620
Password: 812473

Meet Alumni Board Member Rex Hendrickson ’11

September 21, 2021

Rex Hendrickson ’11

For what grades did you attend MPA?
K-12

Why did you choose to pursue a position on the Alumni Association Board?
I wanted to get more involved in many aspects of my life. I wanted to engage with the world around me and the world I know. I know MPA quite well after being there for 13 years – it seemed like a natural way to get involved and a way to give back.

In what ways do you see yourself as a supporter of MPA and its mission?
I believe, deep down, we all know what doing right is. We all have our own unique role to play, which gives us purpose and direction. I support MPA’s mission in passing on that wisdom to its students and encouraging them to dream big and do right.

What are you currently doing, professionally and/or personally?
I am an account director at a brand strategy agency called vnzo. We work with other companies to create differentiation in the marketplace – how to claim their own space and increase marketshare. We strategize to come up with solutions; we incorporate that into their brand; and ultimately, grow through marketing.

How did you get to where you are in your career? Did you attend college and if so, where? Are there some career moves or other key experiences or relationships that have inspired you?
I attended the University of Denver for a couple years before moving back to MN to start working. I worked a few odd jobs before meeting a good friend of mine with whom we started a company together. Now, that company is no longer, it started to make me think in an entrepreneurial way and that has been exciting to see.

How did your MPA experience prepare you for your life today? How did MPA help you dream big and do right?
I think one of the major takeaways from MPA was the notion to think for myself. To be learned and to stay curious – to keep dreaming for something bigger and better for my life. MPA also taught me to do the right thing, to have my own moral code and ethics to live by. To have this personal set of rules that governs me and every one of my choices. I think that compass started at a young age.

What’s next? Any aspirations – personal or professional – that you’d like to share?
I would like to continue to work hard and keep my head down. I enjoy personal development and seeing where consistency can take you. I would also like to travel again but for now, home is where I need to be.

What do you to see happen during your time on the Alumni Association Board?
I would like to see MPA continue to grow as one of the premier private education systems in MN.

Please share your favorite MPA story.
My favorite MPA story has to include my time on the soccer team. Going to the state tournament my sophomore and my senior year were memories I will hold close to home.

Homecoming Celebration And Spirit Week Reimagined

September 16, 2021

September 27 – October 2
Join us as we reimagine our annual Homecoming festivities in light of COVID-19 health and safety concerns. We are offering division-specific opportunities for students as a part of a weeklong celebration, building spirit for MPA Athletics and our entire community.

Upper School Activities:

MPA Student Council Spirit Week Dress Up Days: September 27 – October 1
Upper School student only BBQ: October 1, 5-8 PM, Benz Courtyard
Upper School student dance: October 2, 8-11 PM, Benz Courtyard
Free Homecoming-themed MPA t-shirts for all Upper School students

Middle School Activities:

Middle School Game Day: October 1, 10 AM-3 PM, South Lawn (Parent Volunteers needed!)
Spirit Week Dress Up Days September 27-October 1
Free Homecoming-themed MPA t-shirts for all Middle School students

Lower School Activities:

Pajama Day for all Lower School Students: September 27
Spirit Wear Day with Homecoming T-shirt and non-uniform bottom: October 1
Homecoming Spirit Photo Booth and Special Appearances by the MPA Panther: September 27-October 1
Homecoming Panther Coloring Sheets available for students
Free Homecoming-themed MPA t-shirts for all Lower School students

MPA Athletics Schedule Saturday, October 2
Please note: Only athlete household members may attend in person. Join in the fun and cheer on our Panthers by streaming games live! Learn more at https://www.moundsparkacademy.org/athletics/

Varsity Girls Soccer vs New Life Academy 11 AM (available for streaming)
Varsity Boys Soccer New Life Academy 1 PM (available for streaming)
Varsity Volleyball 9 AM-2 PM (continuous streaming viewing)
JV Boys Soccer New Life Academy 11 AM (not available for streaming)
Varsity Girls Tennis vs Como Park and Cretin Derham Hall (not available for streaming)

Homecoming Parent Gathering
Parents, would you like to share your MPA Spirit and support our student athletes? Join the MPA Parents Association for an all-parent coffee and community building meet-up on Friday, October 1 from 7:45 to 10 AM. You’ll find us under the big white tent in the west parking lot, rain or shine. Meet other MPA parents, help to decorate the outdoor fields, and write messages of encouragement for our athletes. Go Panthers!