All School Archives

MPA Speech Team Qualifies Multiple Students For NSDA Tournament!

March 17, 2026

Congratulations to the Mounds Park Academy speech team, which will again send representatives to the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) national tournament following strong performances at the national qualifying competition!

Several students earned top finishes and secured qualification to the national stage. Ash Klann was named champion in oratory, while Sidd Sastry placed second in international extemporaneous speaking. Kelvyn Boddipalli took third in humor. All three qualified for the NSDA national tournament. In duo interpretation, the team of Kelvyn Boddipalli and Oslo Norcross placed sixth.

Mounds Park Academy also saw multiple semifinalists. Guy Schwieger and Nico Bergh competed in duo interpretation, while Drew Buhr advanced in both international and domestic extemporaneous speaking. Oslo Norcross reached the semifinals in informative speaking, and Andrea Pugh and Kai Nguyen were semifinalists in program oral interpretation. Read More

MPArors Win The Engineering Inspiration Award

March 17, 2026

Congratulations to the MPArors, who won the Engineering Inspiration award—one of the most prestigious awards in FIRST Robotics—at the Lake Superior Regional Robotics competition in Duluth!

“I can’t even write about this without getting emotional,” said coach Marc Shapiro. “Our team members were overjoyed to receive this award. The team members did everything with enthusiasm and focus. I am extremely proud not only of what they accomplished, but also of how they accomplished it.”

We are so proud of the MPArors for winning the award that “celebrates a team who demonstrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering.” What a reward for the hard work that the team has put in outside of the Robotics lab, spreading a passion for STEM in the community!

An Update From Emma Cohen ’21

March 13, 2026

Emma Cohen ’21 graduated from Wellesley College in May with a degree in peace and justice studies and environmental studies. After graduation, she traveled to Nepal to work with activist and scholar Ram Bhandari, a contact from her time with the University Network for Human Rights. Bhandari is a leader of the Nepali victim and survivor movement, a two-decade struggle for truth and justice following the 1996 to 2006 armed conflict.

Among other transitional justice-related projects, Cohen worked with Bhandari to launch the Center for Human Rights and Victims of Violations, an academic center at the Kathmandu University School of Arts focused on survivor-led change.

Cohen left Nepal in October and traveled for a time while continuing to work with the CHRV team virtually. She recently spent time working on a farm in New Zealand.

Help Us Celebrate Cultural Celebration Day At MPA!

March 11, 2026

The MPA Parents Association invites you to Cultural Celebration Day on Wednesday, April 8, from 3:15-5:30 PM in the Family Commons! Engage with community members who will be sharing their cultural heritage, enjoy sweet and savory foods from around the world, and experience beautiful music and dance performances!

Go home with some cool body art from two expert henna artists, try your hand at global crafts, and chat with community members who will have booths set up to share the culture and/or offer samples of their cuisine.

New this year—all food and drinks, including boba tea, are complimentary. Hilal, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are available.

Interested in hosting an informational table on the day of the event? Sign up by clicking here!

If you would like to help host, plan, or have any questions, please email laurahnicholson@gmail.com or jasminstees@yahoo.com.

Parents Association News And Events March 5, 2026

March 4, 2026

In case you missed it, here is the March edition of Parent Press!

Upcoming Events

Lower School Family Forum | Friday, March 6: 8:15-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library

Come and welcome our new Lower School assistant director, Dr. Julie Winn!

Community-Wide Parents Association Meeting | Thursday, March 26: 3-4 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library

Please join us for a preview of upcoming Parents Association–sponsored events and volunteer opportunities as we look toward the end of the school year and beyond.

During our time with administration, Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon and Mr. Paul Errickson will share information about MPA’s nine competencies and what they mean for our school community.

Parents Association Book Club with Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon | Wednesday, April 16: 6 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library, RSVP >

Please join Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon and fellow book-loving parents at the MPA library for a discussion of Richard Osman’s “We Solve Murders.” Blending sharp humor, clever twists, and heartfelt moments, We Solve Murders delivers the same irresistible charm and smart plotting that fans of “The Thursday Murder Club” love—with a fresh new cast and a thrilling, modern edge. Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries with both laughs and layered intrigue. We hope to see you there!

Stronger Each Time We Rise

March 2, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending an event sponsored by St. Catherine University in connection with the Manitou Fund, featuring Kelly Hall-Tompkins, world-renowned violinist and entrepreneur. Watching and listening to her play arrangements from “Fiddler on the Roof” and other pop and classical pieces gave me goosebumps. Her music transported my mind into an imaginary space of wonder and creativity.

Following her performance, she and Sarah Hicks, also world-renowned for her orchestral conducting, came together to reflect on their past, present, and future experiences as female leaders. Together, they spoke about the importance of knowing and creating one’s own sense of belonging. During the Q&A, Kelly Hall-Tompkins shared a reflection that resonated deeply with me as I think about education, our students, and the world we are preparing them to navigate. I will do my best to paraphrase what she offered:

“There is no doubt that you will fall or fail. It’s how quickly you get back up and try again that will determine your ability to succeed. You might see what you believe to be the result in the distance, but if you don’t get there, what did you learn along the way? Where did the journey take you?”

Her words lingered with me, and I see that same message reflected in our own community.

Last Friday afternoon, I attended our annual Upper School SnowDaze event. It had been nearly 15 years since I last wore a pair of ice skates. With the help of a “walker,” I made it around the rink once before deciding it might be better for me to cheer and observe others as they confidently (and sometimes nervously) made their way across the ice. Students of all levels took to the rink. I watched them encourage one another, hold hands, laugh, fall, and get back up again. Read More

Parents Association News And Events February 26, 2026

February 26, 2026

Join Us At Trivia Night!

Dust off those thinking caps! It’s time for the third annual MPA Parents Association Trivia Night on Friday, February 27, from 6-8 PM, in the Family Commons! Join with fellow parents for dinner, socializing, and a chance to hold the title of Parents Association Trivia Night Champion.

It’s not too late to join with fellow parents for an evening where useless knowledge finally pays off. We’re serving up a delicious dinner by Sage and bringing in the pros from Trivia Mafia to host the ultimate showdown.

Competitive but friendly, the night’s vibe is all about fun—no need to bring a team, as we’ll pair you with fellow parents for an evening of arcane facts, new connections, and lively competition, with glory, bragging rights, and real prizes on the line for the winners. We hope to see you there.

Lower School Family Forum | Friday, March 6: 8:15-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library

Come and welcome our new Lower School assistant director, Dr. Julie Winn!

Parents Association Book Club with Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon | Wednesday, April 16: 6 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library, RSVP >

Lower School Division News February 26, 2026

February 26, 2026

from Julia Ross, Lower School learning specialist

As we get closer to spring break, I encourage you to keep your student reading! Even 15-20 minutes a day can make a big difference in maintaining progress and confidence. This can look like reading books your child chooses, listening to audiobooks, and following along with the text, practicing sight words, or taking turns reading aloud to each other.

If you are traveling over the break, here are some easy (and fun) ways to keep the reading up:

Pack a reading bag with a few books your child chooses to read.
Listen to an audiobook together and ask your child questions.
Have your child read signs, maps, menus, and more.
Start a vacation journal and write (and read back) a few sentences about what they did each day.
Keep the routine of reading a few minutes before bedtime.

All the small moments add up, and keeping reading part of the routine, even in simple ways, helps maintain the strong progress your child is making!

from Dana Distad, Lower School counselor

As we head into spring break, I want to wish your family a moment in time filled with rest and renewal. Breaks are a wonderful opportunity for children (and adults!) to reset routines, reconnect with family and friends, and truly relax. Whether your plans include travel, time outdoors, or simply slower mornings at home, these moments help children recharge socially and emotionally. Encourage plenty of play, fresh air, conversation, and downtime. A little extra connection and calm can go a long way in supporting a strong finish to the school year.

Wishing you all a peaceful and joyful spring break! Read More

Middle School Division News February 26, 2026

February 26, 2026

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

With i-Term 2026 quickly approaching, we are excited to wrap up February in fine fashion. Here in the Middle School, students have been working to honor our Black History Month, we’ve had some exciting Middle School Meetings, and we just hosted an amazing Middle School talent show this afternoon.

For i-Term this year, we will have students creating podcasts, skateboard decks, and new characters in D&D, dogsledding, enjoying racquet sports, golf, snowboarding, climbing, learning the customs and culture of Quebec and Scandinavia, and fixing all sorts of broken things, along with just trying to survive in the Middle School (Survivor i-Term). We are excited for the plethora of options and the opportunity to take a break from our classrooms. Please join us next Friday, March 6, from 2-3 PM in the Family Commons and Middle School T for the i-Term Fair.

On Wednesday, March 4, from 4-6 PM, we are excited to join our Upper School BSU in celebrating Black History Month in the Family Commons. The theme this year is “Rooted”—this theme invites us to consider the foundations that ground us, the histories that shape us, and the communities that sustain us. Read More

Upper School Division News February 26, 2026

February 26, 2026

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

As we move into the final stretch before spring break, I want to thank our students, families, and faculty for the focus, care, and commitment that define our Upper School community. With just over a week (187 hours to be exact) remaining until break, there is still meaningful academic work underway. There are projects to complete, assessments to prepare for, and responsibilities that require students to remain fully engaged. This time of year can feel demanding as our workload continues to feel as though there is no end to it, but it is also an opportunity to reinforce the habits of perseverance and organization that will serve our MPA Upper School students well beyond the classroom.

Maintaining strong routines and high standards right up to the start of spring break matters. The learning that happens in these final days before a pause is not superfluous—it is an essential part of our curriculum and our shared commitment to excellence. We ask students to continue arriving at school prepared, managing their deadlines and assignments thoughtfully, and supporting one another as classmates, peers, and friends. Doing our best work, even with a two-week break just days away, is a skill that translates directly to college, careers, and adulthood. The American Psychological Association shares, “educational research shows that students who sustain their engagement through the end of a term perform better on cumulative assessments, and maintaining this academic momentum into spring break improves motivation when we return. At the same time, cognitive science tells us that planned breaks enhance memory consolidation and reduce mental fatigue. Rest, especially sleep and time away from screens, is linked to lower stress and stronger emotional resilience in adolescents.”

At the same time, spring break offers an important and well-earned opportunity for rest. We encourage students to use this time intentionally to recharge both physically and mentally. Whether that means spending time outdoors, reconnecting with family and friends, or simply slowing down and stepping away from our technological devices and the daily academic demands, allows students to return to school on March 23 refreshed and better prepared for the “push” to the end of the school year. Read More