Mounds Park Academy

Middle School Division News February 10, 2022

February 10, 2022

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director

Together We Tube!
The Middle School Parents’ Association and I are beyond thrilled to share with you the details of our upcoming tubing adventure at Badlands Snow Park. This event on Friday, February 25, reimagined from our previously known Middle School Café, is an epic opportunity for you to join us – for us to be together! This is an event for the entire Middle School community for an afternoon of fun, food, and fellowship. Please read details at the end of this issue of News & Notes and make plans to attend.

NOTE: If your family elects not to participate and you do not wish for your student to tube, you will need to plan to pick-up your student from school no later than 1 PM on the day of the event. Middle School teachers, staff, and school personnel are all attending the event!

iTERM 2022–Update
Currently, iTERM 2022 is still “on” and planning for field trips, community outings, guest speakers, and awesome experiences is underway. We continue to monitor all things on the COVID front and will adjust as needed. Your student’s iTERM leaders will begin sharing details of their week, outings to look forward to, and invitations to participate/volunteer as driver, participant, cook, or fun-loving participant!

Grade 5 Music Share–Thursday, February 17 @ 2:20 PM, Recital Hall
The new date for the awesome music share event is Thursday, February 17. We will welcome parents and guests to the performance from 2:20-3 PM.

Our amazing Grade 5 musicians are thrilled to share all their musical talents with you in our annual fifth grade music share. We will showcase the band, orchestra, and choir/drumming ensembles. Music has been such a gift this year and our students are so excited to perform for you. This concert will be their first of many in the years to come. We would love your attendance but understand that the timing may be difficult for some families. We will offer a livestreaming option that will be sent in an email to you with a link and code before the concert starts.

Upcoming Music Events:

5-12 Band Concert: May 19
5-12 Orchestra Concert: May 12
5-8 Vocal Concert: May 5

If you have questions, please feel free to reach to one of our amazing music teachers!

NOTE: Per our new health and safety measures, guests are welcome on campus while masked. Please enter through Door 1 or Door 7 and sign-in. We also ask that you remain mindful about monitoring COVID symptoms and if you, or guests, are experiencing any symptoms of illness, that you forego the on-campus performance and view from the livestream. Read More

Upper School Division News February 10, 2022

February 10, 2022

from Mark Segal, Upper School Director

I find it funny that although I have worked in the education field for more than a quarter of a century, I find parenting my own child challenging at times. Even though I have had hundreds of conversations about homework completion, technology usage, and grades, it somehow is different when the subject of the conversation is my own flesh and blood. Because of my role, I often know more than a “regular” parent does so my wife takes much of the responsibility of holding our son accountable for his actions and behaviors. Don’t get me wrong, I weigh-in, but find greater success not playing the “I know the real story” card.

Since early in his childhood, my wife and I have worked hard to instill the importance of being honest, even when it could lead to a negative consequence, in our son. This is, as we all know, much easier said than done. Even though we are all born with a natural sense of honesty, not telling the truth is a quick and often used defense mechanism. Realizing as we grow up that being dishonest allows us to avoid punishment, we instinctively twist the truth, at times, worried only about the consequence should we actually tell the truth.

In a recent blog post by noted author and academic, Angela Duckworth, she shares that, during the pandemic ripple effects of anxiety and stress may seem like a license to prioritize our wants and needs over our oughts and shoulds.” She goes on to explain that due to these feelings and until the crisis is over, it is okay to “cheat a little on homework and exams.” As you may imagine, as a school administrator I found the need to read, and re-read, this sentence and dive more deeply into this belief.

Unfortunately, there is research that verifies that this is happening. A recent article in the International Journal for Educational Integrity finds that negative emotions may, indeed, increase student occurrences of plagiarism and cheating. The studies show that, the challenges of education can be stressful, anxiety-producing, and sometimes depressing for students” and that these emotions may influence them to participate in academic misconduct.

Our hope at MPA is that when students experience these feelings that they double down on being honest not only with others, but also with themselves. Duckworth explains, “in these challenging times, we cannot underestimate the influence of stress on every aspect of behavior, including honesty.” At MPA we always strive to Dream Big. Do Right. and there is no better way to do this than to hold fast to the idea of being honest, even when it may be easy to take a path of less resistance.

As you know, one of the strong tenets of MPA is the relationships we build with students and families. It is for this reason that we ask you to have conversations with your students, as we do, about their academic honesty. We realize that in today’s world, with most answers literally at our fingertips, some may find it difficult to not let academic dishonesty occur; especially given the stresses we all have been experiencing over the past two years. Read More

A Lesson In Standing Out

February 9, 2022

What is it about great teachers that makes them stand out?

In MPA Upper School teacher Mike Vergin, it’s a commitment to knowledge about his subject matter, synchronized with a sense of humility and a willingness to let students pursue their own interests (a major part of what defines him as an educator). His quiet, laid-back demeanor makes him approachable, but his students will assure you that he is incredibly passionate, whip-smart, and extremely sharp on a wide range of subjects.

Vergin has taught social studies at MPA for 24 years and has been an MPA parent for 15. His current classes are ninth grade Honors World History, AP World History 10, World Religions and Constitutional Law. He has also helped coach MPA’s award-winning Debate and Speech Teams.

Vergin upholds the MPA tradition of sparking vibrant discussions in the classroom, and he credits his debate experience to making all the difference in his ability to credibly see and present both sides of an argument. He appreciates it when his students take risks by leaving their comfort zones and engaging in discussions on important but controversial topics. “Here you can disagree, you can evolve in your thinking, and you can question your original stance. This is a place where being curious and informing yourself is cool, and we hold space for the messy process that it sometimes takes to fully develop a position.” Read More

Meet Director of Guidance Randy Comfort

February 7, 2022

How many years have you been at MPA?
I am in year 19 at MPA.

What do you love about MPA?
The thing that I love most about MPA is that it is first and foremost a community of engaged and caring people. Families, students, and staff are all part of the fabric that makes this place special and I believe that people feel valued for being themselves.

How does MPA inspire students who dream big and do right?
As the person that builds the master schedule for the Upper School, I feel like the intentionality of choices is an integral part of the MPA system. Students can take a lot of different things in their career and the experiences that they have are part of what makes them who they are. I see opportunities to get involved way beyond the classroom by participating in athletics, productions, clubs, or service. When students can engage, then those choices inform the development of the whole person and not just focus on some specialization in one area to the detriment of other interests. Read More

Meet Fawzan Aslam ’24

February 4, 2022

How many years have you been a student at MPA?
This is my second year here at MPA!

What do you love about MPA?
I appreciate the aspect of community at MPA. In school, you’ll find a diversity of people that share common interests and ideas, while also standing for their own beliefs. This community is supportive and bolstering for a student’s success and overall experience, because of the apparent cohesiveness of a well-educated and friendly student body.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
MPA encourages me to ‘dream big and do right’ with opportunities and the ability to bring about change. At MPA, I am able to pursue new opportunities and challenges apart from the regular school curriculum. Either this being leading Social Consciousness Club presentations or engaging in helpful Speech and Debate practices, there will always be opportunities for students. Moreover, students who create and engage in these clubs and groups are able to create change not only within the MPA community, but outside as well. By ‘dreaming big and doing right’, the actions of MPA students have a big and long-lasting impact. Read More

The Future Of Education

February 3, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

As I walked to my post at the front entrance of the school Tuesday morning, the sound of jazz being played on the piano drew me into the band room where I happened upon the zero-hour jazz band class. The exceptional talent of the students and the beauty of the music they were creating together was a moment of pure joy for me as well as a moment of gratitude to work in a school that truly values music education.

Without denigrating the mastery of musical skill and ability, many of the students were unaware of other learning was taking place in the band room. While I am most certainly not a musician, I do know that that the unique interplay of harmony, rhythmic invention, scale, extended chords, and syncopation all speak to the complexity of jazz. In addition to musical ability, jazz also requires and fosters a number of valuable lifelong skills, including creativity, improvisation, collaboration, interdependency, problem-solving, risk-taking, humility, ideation, integrating and synthesizing information quickly, critical thinking, and navigating complexity.

For several years I taught a master’s level class at the University of St. Thomas on the foundations of American education. As a history buff, I loved studying the evolution of education in the United States and the various reforms instituted over the years. Rather than static, the idea of school has always been in a continual state of change. Educational reform has been the norm for education in response to the needs of students and society. However, our current system, created in response to the industrial revolution, is much the same as it was in the early 1900s.

I spend a great deal of my time thinking about the future of education, particularly now as we begin to emerge from the pandemic and begin the shift from the information age to what author Daniel Pink calls the conceptual age. While the industrial age focused on results and the information age focused on data, facts, and technology, the conceptual age will depend on high-touch skills like empathy and high-concept skills such as the capacity to detect patterns and opportunities, combining different or unconnected ideas together. With information readily accessible and computers able to analyze it, our future depends on the ability to harness curiosity and creativity to create novel solutions to pressing challenges in our world. As educational reformer John Dewey said, “If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.”

Parents Association February Events

February 3, 2022

Parents Connect

Middle School Café Reimagined—Together We Tube Pre-Event Fun
The Parents Association is hosting an afternoon of family fun for Middle Schoolers at the Badlands Snow Park on Friday, February 25 from 2:30-5:30 PM. It will be a totally tubular experience complete with a dinner option offered in partnership with the Vikings Table food truck. In an effort to raise awareness of our event and the Minnesota Vikings Foundation mission we’re organizing a non-perishable food drive. Students will be asked to bring in canned goods to their advisories. The advisory that collects the largest quantity of items will be acknowledged at the Badlands on February 25! To learn more about the Vikings Table mission and community work click here.

Food Drive Details
Who: All MS students during their advisory
What: Non-perishable food item drive
When: Monday, February 7 through Friday, February 11
Where: Student Advisories

Volunteer Options at the Badlands Snow Park
We appreciate your interest in helping and need adult volunteers to keep our kids safe on the hills. Click here to sign-up for an hour shift during our totally tubular event.

Lower School Valentine’s Day
This year in lieu of a party, the PA Valentine’s Day committee will be handing out gift bags. We’re sad to miss our beloved tradition but have to keep our kiddos safe!

Concessions Stand Volunteer Opportunity
Our sincere apologies for the starts and stops related to the concessions stand volunteer opportunities. In the interest of safety, the stand was not opened when we were hoping due to COVID. It looks like we’re now ready for launch!

Traditionally, Upper School families have volunteered to run the stand. Since many families are looking for a chance to get into school and connect more with MPA, we were wondering if ALL families would like to help. Lower or Middle School students are welcome to participate with a parent/guardian. Upper School students can earn Service Hours. Thanks for considering this fun volunteering opportunity! Spots are limited so sign up today.

Volunteer shifts are available on February 8, 11, 12, 14, 22 and 25. You can learn more details and sign up here.

February Walks
Join Michelle Mick Fridays starting February 11 for a little brisk walk around MPA grounds. Look for Michelle and her black Suburban with the MPA sticker on it just after drop off.

SnoDaze All-School Nature Walk, Dodge Nature Center, February 22, 3:45-5:45 PM,
Let’s kick off the week of SnoDaze, and celebrate the joy of winter in Minnesota! Bundle up the family and meet at Dodge Nature Center after school on February 22. Their naturalist will take MPA Families on a winter exploration of the grounds. We will end with some free time to gather around the bonfire to chat, as well as kick-sled across the frozen ponds. This is an all-school event, so if your students are busy with other activities, parents are welcome to come and enjoy winter’s splendor without kids in tow. RSVP to Staci Banks, sbhehe42@icloud.com.

Microfunding Grants
Looking for Microfunding for your club or classroom? It’s not too late to apply for these PA grants. Please send your applications to Natalie King, our micro-funding chair at natalieking10414@gmail.com. Applications can be found here.

Keep the Spring Break Vibes Alive, March 25, 1:15-2:15 PM, Yogafresh
Save the date for some self-care and community connection! In March, Yogafresh, yoga-fresh.com, will offer a tailored class experience for MPA parents that weaves gentle movement, breathing and meditation into the practice with some additional tools and resources to tap into when things feel stressful at home (or work). There will be more details on this event as we get closer to March, as things are COVID-situation dependent.

Treehouses Inspired by Nature

February 2, 2022

If you have been by the Makerspace recently, there’s no doubt that you’ve seen the quaint treehouses that are spread across the hallway for all to enjoy! This project was a second grade collaboration with Mr. Braafladt in the Makerspace. Though this was only the first time that students participated in this project, it seems as if another MPA tradition has begun as the children, teachers, and other community members passing by appreciate the end result–and had so much fun in the making!

The inspiration for this fun activity began in November with a project called the Nature Walk. To prepare, the second grade students read many nature-centric stories and completed a plethora of great writing pieces to sharpen their observational and sensational skills for the world outside of the classroom. The Nature Walk took place on our campus and children were tasked with observing, analyzing, being present with their surroundings, and picking up objects that could be included for building the Treehouses. After the Nature Walk portion of the second grade unit, the classes read, “Everything You Need for a Treehouse” by Carter Higgins. This book includes gorgeous images along with a lively description of all the essential elements of a treehouse, from wood and rope, to rafters and ladders. This descriptive picture book perfectly “captures the universal timelessness of treehouses and celebrates all the creativity and adventure they spark.”

Before the eager students could get started with building in the Makerspace, it was crucial that they learned and understood the steps within the Design Thinking Process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. The children worked with a partner to collaborate—another important aspect emphasized in this project—and design a structure that is stable, had a way to get up and down, had a some type of roof to protect, walls to hold up the canopy, and incorporated nature elements collected from their exploratory walk. Three building sessions took place in the Makerspace where they started with a sketch of both a birds eye view and an eye level drawing, and then began building from there. After completing their amazing constructions, the students were asked to write a descriptive piece about them, and why they had specific features, how they managed to build it, and how they collaborated with their team.

Don’t miss this wholesome project, head down to the Makerspace or click here for the full album of photos.

MPA Seeking International Student Host Families

February 2, 2022

Do you have room to spare? Space in your heart for another family member? A desire to expand your family’s perspective of the world? MPA is seeking host families for international students for the 2025-26 school year!

Between the adults in their school and home lives, our international students feel supported, nurtured, and loved while living so far from their families. This is vital to their success and the strongest testament to everything our MPA host families and staff do to care for our international students.

We would love it if you and your family considered hosting an international student for next school year. As you and your family consider hosting, here are some topics that may arise. The information below is by no means an exhaustive list, but it may answer some of the initial questions you have and prompt additions ones as well:

Stipend

A 10-month stipend of $10,000 will be directly deposited in equal installments of $1,000/month on the first of each month for the previous month, September through June.
An early installment of $500 will be deposited on August 1 in preparation for your student’s arrival; the remaining $500 will be deposited on September 1.
The daily stipend rate of $30/day will be taken from and disbursed to host families who are providing respite care for a student, as needed.

Transportation

Host families are responsible for providing transportation to and from school and school-related activities.
Host families are responsible for providing transportation to and from the airport when the student travels.
Host families will work with their students in scheduling rides for social events.

Meals

All international students will receive the MPA school lunch. Host families and students do not need to pack lunches.
Host families are responsible for providing two meals on all weekdays and three meals on all weekend days.

By hosting an international student, you and your family have a unique opportunity to bring the language, culture, and perspective of another country into your home, allowing for a truly rich and genuine intercultural experience. The students will love to share their lives with you while becoming a part of your family, exploring Minnesota, and enjoying MPA student life all at the same time.

We hope you’ll consider opening your hearts and homes to one of our international students. If you have any questions, please contact Cory Becker-Kim, International Student Program Director and Advanced Language & Culture Teacher, at cbeckerkim@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-383-8961.

Click here to fill out a Host Family Application, and here for more information. Thank you so much for considering!

Meet Elise DeBruzzi ’24

February 2, 2022

What do you love about MPA?
I love the environment and the people, staff and students both. When you walk into MPA, especially the classrooms, it feels so warm and inviting all the time! I tend to stay after school frequently and I’m constantly surprised how everywhere I go has a safe feeling to it.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
For me, the encouragement comes from all of the opputunities. Part of what I love and appreciate so much about MPA is that they help you find opportunities to expand knowledge and/or experiences in certain fields. (college counseling, history day, writing competitions, math competitions, etc.) So the encouragement comes from all of the opportunities that are presented to me and knowing that there are teachers and other adults that want to help me succeed.

Why do you believe your teachers teach the way they do?
I’ll be honest, I’ve never really thought about this! All of the teachers I’ve had (and have) are very thoughtful and understanding, and not to mention, they are all extremely good at what they do. Maybe they are like that because they’re trying to create and maintain a good teacher-student relationship. It’s very easy for students to take teachers for granted, but I also feel the same is true about teachers to students. It takes more effort to create a lasting friendship with a teacher, but I think that is why the MPA teachers teach the way they do–because they care and want to be a part of the students’ lives. Read More