All School Archives

July 25, 2024

We are getting ready for the 2024-25 school year and we hope that you are as excited as we are! Below you will find all of the details about each Back To School event. If you have any questions, please reach out to your division director or the Office of Communications at communications@moundsparkacademy.org.

Thursday, August 22
New Family* Orientation & Back To School Night
*New families are considered those with students who are just joining our school PLUS all returning families with a student in grades PreK, K, 5, or 9 this fall.

4 PM | New Family Arrival, plus all returning families with a student in K, grade 5, or 9
6 PM | Returning Family Arrival
6:15 PM | All-School Welcome Back Assembly
7:15 PM | Departure

NEW FAMILY DETAILED AGENDA >
RETURNING FAMILY DETAILED AGENDA >

Thursday, August 22
Outdoor School Photos During Back To School Night
Benz Courtyard (Rain location: indoor track)

3:45-6 PM | Session One
6:30-7:30 PM | Session Two

We are so delighted to be joining you for Picture Day again this year. Get ready for the BEST PICTURE DAY EVER!

School pictures will be happening during the Back To School Night on August 22. Visit mpa.link/schoolphotos to sign up for your arrival window based on the schedule you will follow. If the line is too long, just come back later!
If you are unable to attend Back To School Night for pictures or would prefer to have them taken on a school day, the second Picture Day will be Friday, September 6. Retake Day will be Tuesday, October 1.
Lower School students do not wear uniforms for Picture Day.
Be sure to add hello@slowroadphoto.com to your email contacts to ensure you receive all the communications and info from us. You will hear from us directly via email on August 15.
Please feel free to check out the resources available on our website, including our Parents’ Guide at mpa.link/parentguide.
If you have any questions regarding Picture Day or image ordering and delivery, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at hello@slowroadphoto.com.
If you have any questions regarding Picture Day or image ordering and delivery, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at hello@slowroadphoto.com.

SIGN-UP FOR A PICTURE TIME >
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Preparing For The 2024 Paris Olympics!

July 17, 2024

As the world comes together to celebrate the spirit of athletic excellence and international unity in Paris, we’re bringing all the excitement and inspiration right to you! Learn about the special venues at this year’s Olympic games or fuel up with a special Olympic torch dessert!

Olympic Torch Cupcakes

Get ready to celebrate the Paris Summer Olympics with a fun and delicious treat: Olympic Torch Cupcakes in cake cones! These adorable cupcakes are not only delightful to look at but also perfect for any Olympic-themed party.

For more mouthwatering recipes and culinary inspiration, follow Kate Thrane ’16 on Instagram at @theglutenlessmaximus! Let the games begin with these tasty Olympic Torch Cupcakes!

Bringing Home the Gold: MPA’s Top 5 Athletic Achievements

July 17, 2024

Mounds Park Academy has an incredibly rich history of athletic success. To highlight some of that success, take a look back at the top five athletic achievements by Panther athletics!

Boys Golf: Four Years of Dominance at the MSHSL State Tournament

The boys golf program exhibited remarkable success over four years, being state participants in 2017 and winning the state championships in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Girls Tennis: Five Years of Dominance at the MSHSL State Tournament

The girls tennis program demonstrated exceptional performance over five years, finishing second in state in 2005, 2006, and 2008, and securing state championships in 2007 and 2009.

Boys Tennis: MPA’s First Team MSHSL State Championship (2005)

The boys tennis team clinched MPA’s first team state championship in 2005. Team members included Jake Sheehan, Paul Shapiro, Dan Mammel, Dan Stag, Dan Melum, Brendan Byrne, Bryan Kelly, Nate Eigenfeld, Ben Yates, Andy Brown, David Croonquist, Connor Brown, and Connor Hart, with Maddie Irvine as the team manager. The team was coached by Michelle Olson.

Girls Track and Field: MPA’s First Conference Championship (1994)

In 1994, the girls track and field team secured MPA’s first conference championship in the Tri-Valley Athletic Conference. The team was coached by MPA Hall of Fame coach Bev Docherty and Martha Connors.

Girls Golf: MPA’s First Individual MSHSL State Champion Stacey Geiser (1990)

Stacey Geiser became MPA’s first individual state champion in 1990, achieving this milestone while the school competed as an independent, not affiliated with any conference.

Did your top moment make the list? Do you know a coach, athlete, or Panther supporter who should be a part of the Mounds Park Academy Hall of Fame? Help us nominate them!

Baa Baa Boutique Brings Community Together

June 18, 2024

By the time the Baa Baa Boutique closed its doors for the 2023-2024 school year, the MPA Class of 2036 had helped three students receive an education, culminating a collaborative effort by students, teachers, and alums!

The boutique, a service and educational initiative for kindergarteners aimed at fundraising for Heifer International, showcased handmade trinkets crafted by MPA students to generate funds for the cause. The kindergarten class, under the guidance of Ms. Roche and Ms. Petersen, soon received aid from its heavy alum connection. Furthering the boutique’s support featured alumni Chad Nicholson ’97, one of eight alums with children in the class, using his talents to film a commercial to advertise the shop.

Using the multi-faceted support, the Baa Baa Boutique’s donations reached a total of $1,725! A donation competition further bolstered its success, with various categories vying for contributions before ultimately raising $825 to support three students’ education. What an exceptional representation of the combined effort the MPA community turns in regularly!

2024 Alumni Award Presented to Judge Christa Moseng ‘96

June 10, 2024

Judge Christa Moseng ’96 has been an Administrative Law Judge for Minnesota since 2021 and is the immediate-past chair of MNclusive, an LGBTQIA+ resource group for state employees. She graduated with her B.A. from Grinnell College and her J.D. with Distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. While in law school, she was a senior managing editor of the Journal of Gender, Race, and Justice. Judge Moseng has nearly a decade of experience in public utility matters and rulemaking. She is known for her technical expertise, deep commitment to public service, excellence in legal writing, and commitment to inclusion and equity, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community.

While not leading the effort, she participated by offering legislative testimony about the legal implications of the trans refuge bill that passed in 2023. During hearings, Judge Moseng shared: “What brings us here today is a concerted effort, in other states, to deny human rights that Minnesotans take for granted—rights like the right to have a family, access medically necessary health care, and to have children with a minimum of government interference. If there’s one thing that I know that a public official can safely say, it’s that Minnesota is not Florida, or Texas, or Oklahoma, or Utah. We do not threaten to pull families apart. We do not erase trans people from public life and accommodations… Senate File 63 would protect children, families, and caregivers in Minnesota from extraterritorial laws and orders that could interfere with the right to receive gender-affirming healthcare in Minnesota… It would substantively strengthen Minnesota’s position as a human rights leader in the United States.”

Please take time to learn more about Judge Moseng and her work via the Q&A below:

Please describe your life’s work (personal and professional) today. What are you most proud of?

I try to make room for trans people to be comfortable as ourselves. I’ve done that by fostering an online community where trans and gender-questioning people can safely share joys, challenges, and information; writing and distributing a practical guide for overcoming wrongful insurance-claim denials; helping craft state-employee policy changes; and working extensively with other community members and allies. I relish anytime a trans person finds life or transitioning easier, fairer, or less stressful because of something I worked on or did.

Eddie And Megan Snider Punch Tickets To State!

June 3, 2024

Congratulations to Eddie ’25 and Megan Snider ‘27 as the pair of Panthers punched their tickets to state during the two-day Section 4A track and field championships held on May 30 and June 1 at Bethel University! The siblings secured spots in the Class A state track and field championship meet in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter races.

Megan was the first to grab a bid, racing in the 3,200 on the first day of action during the section meet. She kept her stride strong to finish the race in 11:34.30, earning her the silver medal and a trip to St. Michael-Albertville High School for the upcoming state showdown. Eddie’s turn to try to take a trip to the coveted tournament came after Megan’s triumph. Leaving no doubt that he would join his sister, Eddie blazed to a 9:51.51 to take first place in the meet, winning by .23 seconds over the second-place finisher from West Lutheran.

With bids secured, the pair wasn’t done there. Heading into Saturday hungry for more, Megan again had the day’s first opportunity, taking to the 1,600. She upgraded her showing from the first day of sections, claiming the top spot on the podium and finishing the race in 5:20.66.

Like the prior occasion, Eddie’s chance to match his sister was shortly thereafter. The boys 1,600 featured a tight race with the top four runners all neck and neck and Eddie right in the mix. Though Eddie claimed a bronze medal in the meet (4.24.90), with the top two automatically advancing to state, he advanced to state by meeting the state track and field standards (4.28.41). The showing was a personal best performance for Eddie!

The two will now prepare for the trip to the MSHSL Class A state track and field championships! Both will race in the 3,200 on Thursday, June 6, before returning to STMA for the 1,600 the following night. Good luck, Eddie and Megan!

More Strong Results For The Panthers
Nearly matching Eddie and Megan with a state berth of his own was Ben Murr ’24 and his performance in the 800. Ben burned to a personal best at 2:00.99 to place third in the meet (top two go to state). He also added a sixth-place finish in the 1,600 via a time of 4.28.97, a personal record.

Ben’s showing at sections wasn’t done there as he teamed up with Jay Green ‘24, Bryan Wong ‘24, and Alex Larson ’26 in the 4×400 relay to help the relay to fifth place. The quartet ran a 3:35.86 for the placement. The girls 4×400 relay, made up of Nora Pederson ’24, Annika Binstadt ’25, Delaney Cunnington ’25, and Rowan Mulrooney ’25, nearly matched the other side of the team’s performance by taking sixth place at 4:19.29. Nora took sixth in the high jump (4-10), Jay added eighth in the high jump (5-11), Delaney chipped in an eighth of her own in the long jump (16-4.5), Josh Murr ’27 raced to eighth in the 3,200 (10:45.95), Rowan placed ninth in the 300 hurdles (51.86) and the 4×800, consisting of Trevor Lien ’24, Oliver Frey ’24, Odin Foote ’25, and Soren Winikoff ’26, finished ninth (8:58.32).

The Panthers’ combined efforts helped the team finish 10th place in the section meet for both boys and girls. Go, Panthers!

Parents Association News And Events May 30, 2024

May 30, 2024

Gardening at MPA
We are looking for volunteers to help with the MPA garden! No previous gardening experience or long-term commitment is necessary. Traditionally, we have met on Thursday or Friday mornings after drop-off, but we can be flexible with schedules. If interested, please contact Sara Carroll at smtanaka@gmail.com or Tenia Kalogeropoulou at tenia2@yahoo.com to coordinate.

End Of The Year Grade Events
The end of the year is coming soon! If you haven’t RSVPed yet, it’s not too late to join.

Pre-K: Tuesday, June 4, 10:30 AM, Richard Walton Park, Oakdale
Kindergarten: Tuesday, June 4, after kindergarten graduation, MPA Campus
Grade 1: Tuesday, June 4, 10:30 AM, Richard Walton Park, Oakdale
Grade 2: Tuesday, June 4, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, Sarah Cotter’s house
Grade 3: Tuesday, June 4, 10:30 AM, Richard Walton Park, Oakdale
Grade 4: Tuesday, June 4, 2-4 PM, Sarah Cotter’s house
Grade 5: Tuesday, June 4, 11 AM-2 PM, West Lake Park, White Bear Lake
Grade 7: Tuesday, June 4, 11 AM-1 PM, Rosebrook Park
Grade 8: Tuesday, June 4, 11 AM-1 PM, Smash Park
Grade 9: Tuesday, June 4, 11-1 PM, Smash Park
Grade 10: Tuesday, June 4, 11-1 PM, Smash Park
Grade 11: Tuesday, June 4, 11-1 PM, Smash Park
Grade 12: Senior All-Night Party

Summer Sporting Events
MPA x MNUFC: MN United vs. Austin FC, Allianz Field
Saturday, June 22, 7:30 PM
Get your tickets ($49 each) in our group section here! The deadline to purchase tickets is June 7.

MPA x St. Paul Saints: St. Paul Saints vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, CHS Field
Friday, July 26, 7:07 PM (fireworks to follow the game)
Purchase tickets (infield seats this year!) in our group section here. The deadline to purchase tickets is July 8.

Congratulations, Upper School Students!

May 30, 2024

Upper School students invest significant time and effort into their work in ways that make the Mounds Park Academy community proud. To honor that, MPA hosted the Upper School Award Assembly on Friday, May 24, recognizing those who achieved accolades. Academic, National Merit, Scholarship, Yearbook, Choir, Band, Orchestra, Visual Art, Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Forensics, French, Spanish, Drama, Athletics, Service, Spirit of ’86, Junior Mission Statement, Certificate of Distinction, and Alumni Association awards were given. Please join us in congratulating the following students! View photos of the assembly here!

Cum Laude Inductees
Zain Ali
Maggie Banks-Hehenberger
Devneet Biring
Vito Bloyer
Eilam Deinard
Ian Frankel
Sylvia Hawley
Ella Li
Ben Murr
Soumya Raman
Akshay Somayajula
NayMyo Zaw

Valedictorian
Maggie Banks-Hehenberger
Meiran Carlson

Salutatorian
Ian Frankel

National Merit Scholars
Annika Binstadt
Navreen Biring
Paul Fertig
Mari Minear
Amal Sastry Read More

Middle School Division News May 30, 2024

May 30, 2024

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Library
Friday, May 31: MS Grades 5/6 Canoe Trip, 8-3 PM
Friday, May 31: MS Grades 7/8 Valleyfair Trip, 8-3 PM, Valleyfair
Monday, June 3: MS/US End of Quarter 4
Monday, June 3: MS Grade 8 Passion Projects, 12:30-1:30 PM, MS Hallways
Monday, June 3: LS/MS Grades 4 and 8 Moving Up Ceremony, 1:30-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM, Nicholson Center
Tuesday, June 4: Dismissal, 10:30 AM, no afternoon care or transportation home
Thursday, June 20: MS Summer Gathering (Meet at Mini Golf), 5-7 PM, The Burrow (Oakdale)

Happy last days of school!

As this is my final “News and Notes” to you, my beloved Middle School division, I want to extend my deepest and most sincere gratitude to you all—parents, grandparents, caregivers, students, and friends, for your love, your support, your partnership, and your hearts! Raising “middles” is hard work, and it’s beautiful work—work we’ve done together through joy and sadness, pandemics and parties, field trips and overnights, and all the while we’ve grown up together with our young people. My youngest, Keith, was in fifth grade when we came to MPA, and he spent four years in this division. It wasn’t always easy, and certainly being the “principal’s kid” was NOT cool, and yet it was a gift to experience life with him and to grow in my own person, leadership, and parenting along with all of you.

Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your trust in my leadership and that of our team. Thank you for choosing MPA. Thank you for sharing your young people with me. It’s been an honor of a lifetime.

Under Beds, In Closets, and Stuffed In Drawers
Please have your students look in all the familiar spaces for books, materials, and other MPA-issued property that needs to be returned! We appreciate you returning gently used items that can be used by future students. If an item is damaged, billing will be initiated via TADS. Read More

Lower School Division News May 30, 2024

May 30, 2024

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Friday, May 31: LS G4 Mr. Wilson Class Play, 1:15-1:45 PM, Black Box
Friday, May 31: LS G4 Ms. Kimmerle/Stacy Class Play, 2:15-2:45 PM, Black Box
Monday, June 3: LS End of Trimester 3
Monday, June 3: LS G2 Ms. Scalia Class Play, 8:15-8:45 AM, Black Box
Monday, June 3: LS G2 Ms. Fisher Class Play, 9:15-9:45 AM, Black Box
Monday, June 3: LS/MS Grades 4 and 8 Moving Up Ceremony, 1:30-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM, Nicholson Center
Tuesday, June 4: Dismissal, 10:30 AM, no afternoon care or transportation home
Tuesday, June 4: Kindergarten Graduation And Class Picnic, 9:15 AM-2 PM, Family Commons, Gallery, Playground
Wednesday, June 5-Friday, June 7: No PreK Classes
Monday, June 10: First Day of Summer PreK
Tuesday, June 18: LS Playground & Popsicles Tour, 6-8 PM, Battlecreek Park
Wednesday, June 19: No PreK Classes, Juneteenth

Thank you for the wonderful first year that I have experienced in the Lower School! It has been amazing to get to know children, colleagues, and families since September. I am excited for all we have in store for our final days and fun plans for the upcoming school year. Thank you for also celebrating your child’s learning and the hard work of their teachers as we cap off the 2023-24 academic year and look ahead to a sunny summer ahead.

Grades 4 And 8 Moving Up Ceremony: June 3
The Moving Up Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 3 from 1:30-3 PM in the Nicholson Center. During this special assembly, we will celebrate our eighth graders as they begin their transition to Upper School, and our fourth graders will celebrate their Lower School experience and will be welcomed to the Middle School. At the end of the ceremony, the fourth-grade students will convene with the Middle Schoolers on the West Lawn, just outside the Gallery doors, for popsicles and fun. You’re welcome to join us! Read More