All School Archives

January 9, 2019

Calling all makers, creatives, tinkerers, inventors, and crafters! Registration is now open to be a part of the second annual MPA Maker Fest.

See our community’s hard work come to life on Saturday, February 23 from 1-3 PM. Anyone is welcome to attend as a spectator (no RSVP necessary) or host a display table (sign up here)!

Participants can sign up either individually or with a group to host a display table. Participation is open to everyone in our community—students, parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to “show and tell” something that you have created and share your accomplishments. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Koen, Makerspace coordinator, at nkoen@moundsparkacademy.org.

Invite A Friend To MPA’s January Admission Events

January 9, 2019

Invite a friend to visit and get to know MPA! We are hosting two wonderful admission events in January–the Middle and Upper School Preview and Pajamarama!

On Sunday, January 27 at 1 PM, prospective Middle and Upper students and their families are invited to campus to preview MPA! This is a fantastic opportunity to explore our school and help participants get to know MPA.

On Thursday, January 31 from 5-7:30 PM, is Pajamarama! This beloved event at MPA welcomes prospective Lower School families to campus for an unforgettable evening of games, music, community, and pure joy! Take a closer look at the joy of Pajamarama with MPA Orchestra Director Leah Abbe Bloem’s insight and experience.

Lansing Center Open Gym

January 3, 2019

The Lansing Sports Center will once again be open most Saturday mornings this winter for MPA families and their friends. If you know a family who might be interested in learning more about our school, this would be a great opportunity to welcome them to campus!

Saturday, January 5: 9 AM-12 PM
Saturday, January 19: 8 AM-10:30 AM
Saturday, January 26: 9 AM-12 PM
Saturday, February 2: 9 AM-12 PM
Saturday, February 23: 9 AM-12 PM
Saturday, March 2: 9 AM-12 PM

You are welcome to come and use the track, sports center and fitness center. If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Office at 651-748-5630.

Board of Trustees Seeking Nominations

January 3, 2019

MPA’s Board of Trustees collaborates with the Head of School to guide the school’s strategic direction, to protect its mission, to support the school’s development efforts and to safeguard the school’s financial stability.

Nominations for Trustees
We are pleased to share that the Governance Committee of the Board is launching its annual process to identify potential trustees.

If you, or someone you know, could be a strong contributor to the MPA Board of Trustees, please provide the name of your nominee and a short description of their experience and background, directly to Zoe Dickson, Trustee and Governance Chair, MPA Board of Trustees at zdickson1@mmm.com.

In addition to strong leadership skills, nominees will bring a broad diversity of experience and backgrounds, and a passion to advance the mission of MPA. Areas of desired professional experience include: finance, accounting, investment, banking, business, communications, construction, education, law, governance, scientific training, the arts, IT, human resources, strategic planning, development, marketing, and community service, among others.

Trustees serve up to two three-year terms, participating in MPA Board meetings five to six times a year, in addition to participating in standing committees.

Nate Bander ’09 Named Assistant Coach Of The Year

October 26, 2018

Congratulations to MPA Cross Country coach Nate Bander ’09 for being named the Section 4A Assistant Cross Country Coach of the Year! To celebrate his accomplishment, we interviewed Coach Bander about why coaching and athletics are so important to him.

What led you to coach at MPA? And why cross country?

Remembering back on all the joy that I had competing for MPA, I knew I had to come back and give that opportunity to the next generation of athletes. Coaching cross country is totally unique because it’s such a distinct sport. It’s an interesting blend of team and individual competition where athletes are competing as much against themselves as against one another or other teams. I coach cross country because I love our team’s culture of emphasizing collaboration as much as competition. Read More

MPA Junior Joins Trip To HBCUs

October 25, 2018

MPA junior Quincy Lewis, along with a group of students from Breck and other local independent schools, went on a trip to three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) over the long MEA weekend.

Led by Breck history teacher Paul Slack, the group of students began their journey bright and early at 3:30 AM on October 18. They first made their way to the Atlanta area, where they visited Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. The group also visited Georgia Tech along the way. They additionally went to tour Florida A&M University, where Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter met the students and gave the tour, as he is a Florida A&M alum! Read More

Middle School Cafe Planning Meeting

October 25, 2018

The Middle School Cafe is a week-long, beloved tradition at MPA, where fifth through eighth graders get a chance to come together and socialize with their peers. The Parents Association is looking for volunteers to help plan this event! If you would like to get involved, please join us for a planning meeting on Thursday, November 15 from 1:30-2:30 PM in the PA Room, and stay to enjoy the Give to the Max “Lip Sync” Assembly with us!

Bring A Friend To MPA Day

October 25, 2018

Has a friend or co-worker ever asked, “What is MPA really like?” Do you know a family who would be “SO MPA?” Have the parents of your child’s neighborhood friends ever asked, “What makes MPA so special?”

Bring A Friend Day is a fantastic way for those outside our immediate community to experience firsthand who we are and what it is like to be student at Mounds Park Academy! On Friday, November 30, we are inviting students in grades one through nine to bring a friend to MPA for a special day of learning and fun!

The invited friend should be near the same grade as your child and each child may only bring one friend. Space is very limited by grade level. Please have the family of the visiting friend register online at moundsparkacademy.org/bringafriend by Friday, November 23.

On the day of the visit, if possible, please help the visiting family with transportation to/from school. Visiting students are welcome to ride MPA buses, but not District 622 buses. Bus passes may be obtained from the Office of Admission. Visitors and their hosts should check-in together at the South Entrance at 7:45 AM.

Visitors will follow a typical school schedule, attending all of the regular classes with their friend. Teachers will take the time to introduce visitors in each class and help them feel welcome. Lunch will be provided, or the friend may bring a bag lunch. The day ends at 3 PM in cafeteria and does not include after school care or activities.

If you have any questions, Contact Nate Bander, Admission Outreach Coordinator via email at nbander@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5518. Thank you for sharing your love for MPA with friends! We can’t wait to meet them!

MPA Student Artwork In Invitational Exhibition

October 25, 2018

MPA is proud to share that the following students’ artwork has been juried into the 14th Annual Shattuck-St. Mary’s Invitational! The exhibition opens Thursday, October 25 and runs until November 12. Local Faribault artist, Jessica Prill, owner of Fleur De Lis Gallery, was this year’s juror. Each school invited was allowed to enter only 10 pieces. Congratulations to the artists!

Junior Elli Carlson received third place for her ceramics piece, titled “Seventeen.”
Senior Mats Dahlberg received fourth place for his painting, “Moonlight Moths.”
Senior Olivia Burton showcased her colored pencil piece, titled “Self-Portrait.”
Senior Dylan Dickenson showcased ceramics, his work titled “Teapot.”
Freshman Amelia Dickson showcased a cut-paper collage, titled “Fleurs.”
Sophomore Colin Simonson showcased photography, “Yellow Flower.”

Fifth Grade Volleyball Playoffs

October 25, 2018

The fifth grade girls volleyball team won their playoff match yesterday! It was a incredible third match, with Maddie D. serving, tied at 13-13. The Panthers came out on top with a 15-13 win! The team plays today at 4:30 PM at Saint Ambrose in Woodbury–come cheer them on! Go Panthers!