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MPA Students Recognized by MSAA

January 30, 2025

The Art Department is thrilled to share the list of students honored in the 2025 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards!

The Scholastic Art Awards is a highly competitive, nationally recognized competition for students ages 13-18. Gold Key awards will go on to competition at the national level.

This display of awards represents a variety of mediums, styles, and techniques, as well as countless hours of work over the course of years of skill development. We are so proud of the accomplishments of these artists!

Yuhan Zou ‘25, Drawing, Gold Key, “目”
Ella D. ‘29, Painting, Gold Key, “Defused Emotions”
Jenny Liao ‘28, Painting, Gold Key, “Winter Owl”
Juliun Menasco ’27, Photography, Gold Key, “Froggy Curiosity”
Nicole Kim ‘27, Fashion, Silver Key, “Background Spotlight”
Lucy Smith ‘25, Mixed Media, Silver Key, “Artist Blues”
Grace Nelson ‘26, Painting, Silver Key, “Intergalactic”
Zayna N. ‘30, Photography, Silver Key, “Sage”
Cosmo Vanzyl ‘26, Ceramics, Honorable Mention, “Bloom”
Cosmo Vanzyl ‘26, Ceramics, Honorable Mention, “Trust”
Amy Xiang ‘26, Drawing, Honorable Mention, “Fireworks”
Marlaina Minear ‘25, Drawing, Honorable Mention, “Self-Portrait”
Laila Mosley ‘26, Painting, Honorable Mention, “Savory & Sweet Dining”
Sukey R. ‘29, Printmaking, Honorable Mention, “Balanced Composition Lino Print”
Sophia T. ‘29, Printmaking, Honorable Mention, “Leaves in Symmetry”
Thomas Dickson ‘26, Printmaking, Honorable Mention, “Street Print”
Yuhan Zou ‘25, Sculpture, Honorable Mention, “Fresh Breath”

See an album of their award-winning work here!

Parents Association News And Events January 30, 2025

January 30, 2025

Get ready to fall in love with reading at the MPA Book Festival from February 10-13 in the MPA Gallery!

The book festival is for everyone! MPA will partner with Red Balloon Bookshop and PaperPie (formerly Usborne Books & More) to sell new books in the MPA Gallery during the week of the Book Festival. There will be exciting, high-interest titles available for kids from PreK through Upper School, so everyone can find a book to fall in love with this winter!

The MPA Book Festival will run from Monday, February 10, to Wednesday, February 12, from 7:45 AM-3:30 PM and Thursday, February 13, from 7:45 AM-10 AM. That Wednesday will also feature a Pairing Assembly for students!

Payment options include credit cards or checks. Online ordering will be available. All proceeds will benefit the Martin Lenz Harrison Library.

Dr. Hudson’s Book Club

Join our community of adult readers and attend our Book Festival Book Club on February 12 at 6:30 PM in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library for Dr. Hudson’s Book Club! We will be discussing “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin. All are welcome to attend, even if this is your first time attending the book club. Please RSVP here.

Call For Volunteers!

Festival organizers are looking for one to two volunteers to help for each of the following days and tasks. Please email PA@moundsparkacademy.org if you can support this event!

Pick up books from Red Balloon in Saint Paul on February 6 at 1:30 PM
Tear down the event in the library on February 13 at 10 AM

Lower School Valentine’s Party

The PA is seeking volunteers to help out during the Lower School Valentine’s Party in the Lansing Center on Thursday, February 13. Kids will enjoy games, crafts, activities, face painting, and an obstacle course during their P.E. time. Join us for part of the day or the whole day! Sign up here.

Upper School Division News January 30, 2025

January 30, 2025

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, January 31: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Agreements Sent
Friday, January 31: US Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
Friday, January 31: US Winter Show “Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of Baskerville,” 7-9 PM, Black Box, tickets >
Saturday, February 1: US Winter Show “Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of Baskerville,” 7-9 PM, Black Box, tickets >
Tuesday, February 4: Speech Tournament, 3-10 PM, MPA Campus
Wednesday, February 5: US G10 Retreat, Deep Portage Retreat Center
Thursday, February 6: US G10 Retreat, Deep Portage Retreat Center
Friday, February 7: US Classes Meet
Friday, February 7: US G10 Retreat, Deep Portage Retreat Center
Monday, February 10: MS/US Students & Screens Community Discussion, 1:45-3 PM, Recital Hall
Wednesday, February 12: All School Pairing Assembly
Thursday, February 13: US Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
Friday, February 14: No Classes, Professional Development
Saturday, February 15: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Deadline
Monday, February 17: No Classes, Presidents’ Day
Tuesday, February 18: US Nordic Ski Banquet, 4:30-6:30 PM, Family Commons
Wednesday, February 19: US Band & Orchestra Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center

In today’s rapidly evolving world, young adults who identify as members of Generation Z (Gen Z), those 13-28 years old, stand at a unique crossroads of societal change. Recent research from the Pew Research Center indicates that Gen Z students face challenges and opportunities in their educational journey. As digital natives, those who have grown up in a “connected” world (technologically speaking) bring distinctive perspectives and needs to school communities. Even though they are frequently found using their technological devices (computers, tablets, cell phones, video games, etc.), they crave authentic interpersonal connections and seek why they need to learn what is being taught.

According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Higher Education, Gen Z students demonstrate stronger engagement when they understand the practical applications of their coursework. This aligns with this generation’s logical approach to education. They want to know why some concepts “matter” and how they connect with the real world. The Harvard Educational Review says that this “purpose-driven learning approach” leads to stronger retention and application of knowledge. Gen Z learners value information taught to them and seek genuine and authentic ways in which that information applies to them in their pursuit of finding the right “fit” for college and a future profession. The International Journal of Educational Research states, “when educators share relevant personal information and create opportunities for meaningful dialogue in class, student engagement increases by up to 40 percent.” Building relationships and connections between students, teachers, and the taught curriculum leads to genuine interactions and honest discussions.

Middle School Division News January 30, 2025

January 30, 2025

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, January 31: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Agreements Sent
Friday, January 31: MS G5-8 Talent Show, 12:30-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Tuesday, February 4: LS/MS Lunch & Learn: G5 Pizza Panel, 11:35 AM-12 PM, Rooms 150-151
Wednesday, February 5: MS G7/8 Affinity Group Meeting, 2:30-3 PM, Panter Center
Thursday, February 6: LS/MS Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Friday, February 7: No LS/MS Classes, Conferences
Friday, February 7: LS/MS Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
Monday, February 10: MS/US Students & Screens Community Discussion, 1:45-3 PM, Recital Hall
Tuesday, February 11: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, TBD
Wednesday, February 12: All School Pairing Assembly
Friday, February 14: No Classes, Professional Development
Saturday, February 15: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Deadline
Monday, February 17: No Classes, Presidents’ Day
Wednesday, February 19: MS G7/8 Affinity Group Meeting, 2:30-3 PM, Panther Center

As we turn the corner in our school year by heading into a new semester, I find myself really excited about the work and opportunities ahead. This week, we will have had our Grade 5 Music Share on Thursday and the Middle School Talent Show on Friday afternoon, with close to 20 acts from all our grades and faculty.

Heading into February, we have our Winter Conferences coming up at the end of next week on the evening of February 6 and all day on February 7. Lower and Middle School students have conferences, while Upper School students still have classes. Please remember that all Middle School students are required to attend their conferences. The window to sign up for conferences closes on Friday evening, so check in there soon if you’re hoping to get some time with your child’s teachers.

Lower School Division News January 30, 2025

January 30, 2025

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, January 31: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Agreements Sent
Friday, January 31: January Uniform Sale, 8 AM-3:30 PM, Atrium
Tuesday, February 4: LS/MS Lunch & Learn: G5 Pizza Panel, 11:35 AM-12 PM, Rooms 150-151
Thursday, February 6: LS Duty-Free Lunch with Parent Volunteers, 11:30 AM-12:40 PM, Playground and Family Commons
Thursday, February 6: LS/MS Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Friday, February 7: No LS/MS Classes, Conferences
Friday, February 7: LS/MS Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
Wednesday, February 12: All School Pairing Assembly
Thursday, February 13: LS Valentine’s Day Party, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM, Lansing Sports Center and Family Commons
Friday, February 14: No Classes, Professional Development
Friday, February 14: Panther Club and PreK Closed
Saturday, February 15: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Deadline
Monday, February 17: No Classes, Presidents’ Day
Monday, February 17: Panther Club and PreK Closed
Wednesday, February 19: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons

The Lower School students had a blast celebrating Lunar New Year on January 29, with some Upper School students. We enjoyed learning about the different ways that the new year is celebrated in different countries; we inquired into our zodiac signs, played games, and made crafts, and we had fun watching a wonderful lion dance performance with a local dance troop. Happy Year of the Snake!

Winter FastBridge Assessments

All kindergarten students engaged in the FastBridge assessment for reading and math with learning specialist Mrs. Ross from January 15-24. Students in first through fourth grade who are currently in intervention groups for reading, writing and/or math also completed the FastBridge assessments for the subject(s) in which they receive intervention. Your child’s results will be shared with you at Winter Conferences. Please sign up for a time to see Ms. Ross to discuss your child’s progress.

Semester 1 Reports Sent Home on January 28
Report cards for semester 1 (September through January) were sent home earlier this week. Please let the office know if you need assistance with the report or have any questions. Read More

MPA Seeking International Student Host Families

January 27, 2025

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 $10,200 will be directly deposited in equal installments of $1,020/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!

MPA Takes On Future City Competition

January 23, 2025

Three teams were selected from the nine teams that participated in the Future City Competition from MPA. The three teams, Larmes (Holland B., Sylvie W., Mason R., Brooke S., Lily M.), AuroraVann (Mia K., Jaclyn L., Ford B., Maren G., Violette N.), and Makarapolis (Declan S, Sukey R., Tori M., Olivia K., Madelyn K.) attended the regional competition, which was held on Saturday, January 18, at Metro State University St. Paul campus. Teams spent the morning giving their seven-minute presentation twice to two different teams of City Model/Presentation judges. Teams had to present what makes their city innovative and keeps its citizens healthy and safe. Judges then had 8-10 minutes to ask the teams questions about their city.

When teams were not giving their presentations to the City Model/Q&A judges, Special Awards judges visited them and asked them questions specific to the Special Awards. Each team could select up to six Special Awards for which they wanted to be interviewed.

AuroraVann made it to the afternoon judging, where the top five teams of the competition presented. AuroraVann received an honorable mention and an award for having the most points for their city model. Makarapolis won an award for Readiness for Natural and Human-made Disasters, given to the team that has demonstrated the most thought into addressing risks to its infrastructure and populace stemming from potential natural and human-made disasters. We are so proud of our Panther representatives!

Photos from the Future City Competition can be found here.

Parents Association News And Events January 23, 2025

January 23, 2025

We are trying something new this year for Faculty and Staff Appreciation, which is being hosted by different grade groupings throughout the year, and it has been a huge hit. Last Friday, parent volunteers from seventh through ninth grade hosted candle-making, special breakfast drinks, and a raffle. Thank you to all who chipped in to show our love for the faculty and staff at MPA!

MPA PA Trivia Night

Join us for the second annual MPA PA Trivia Night on Friday, January 24, in the Family Commons! This will be a joyful night out for dinner and socializing! There will also be friendly competition against fellow parents for the chance to hold the title of Parents Association Trivia Night Champion!

Details

All parents and guardians of students in PreK-12 are welcome.
Upper School and college students are welcome with their parents, although this is primarily a parent event.
Limited childcare for students in grades K through six with pre-registration by Upper School student volunteers. Please note that the MPA PA is unable to provide childcare for children in PreK or younger.
Dinner will be provided for parents and children by Cossetta.
Cost is $6 per person, adults and children. Registration is required to help us plan food quantities. Registration must be completed in advance for childcare.

MPA Book Festival

Get ready to fall in love with reading at the MPA Book Festival from February 10-13 in the MPA Gallery!

Each year at MPA, our community supports the Martin Lenz Harrison Library and the joy of reading through the Book Festival. This is a time-honored MPA tradition for all MPA families to get new books into the hands of students while supporting Library initiatives and a beloved local bookstore. The book festival is for everyone!

Parents Association News And Events January 16, 2025

January 16, 2025

Details

All parents and guardians of students in PreK-12 are welcome.
Upper School and college students are welcome with their parents, although this is primarily a parent event.
Limited childcare for students in grades K through six with pre-registration by Upper School student volunteers. Please note that the MPA PA is unable to provide childcare for children in PreK or younger.
Dinner will be provided for parents and children by Cossetta.
Cost is $6 per person. Registration is required to help us plan food quantities. Registration must be completed in advance for childcare.

Dr. Hudson’s Book Club

All book lovers are invited to join us on February 12 at 6:30 PM in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library for Dr. Hudson’s Book Club! We will be discussing “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin. All are welcome to attend, even if this is your first time attending the book club. Please RSVP here.

Upcoming Events

Friday, January 17: PA Faculty and Staff Appreciation hosted by Grades 7-9, 6:45-10:30 AM, Peacock Family Teaching Kitchen
Friday, January 24: PA Family Trivia Night, 6-8 PM, Family Commons

Upper School Division News January 16, 2025

January 16, 2025

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, January 17: End of Quarter 2
Monday, January 20: No Classes, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 21: No Classes, Grading & Professional Development
Thursday, January 23: HeadSpace: Meeting Our Educational Promise Through A Competency-Based Approach To Education, 7-8 PM, Virtual Meeting, Check Email For Link
Friday, January 24: PA Family Trivia Night, 6-8 PM, Family Commons
Friday, January 24: US Winter Show: “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” 7-9 PM, Black Box
Saturday, January 25: US Winter Show: “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” 7-9 PM, Black Box
Sunday, January 26: US Winter Show: “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” 2:30-4:30 PM, Black Box
Thursday, January 30: US Visual Arts Semester Showcase Reception, 6:30-7:30 PM, Gallery and Rossbach Art Walk
Thursday, January 30: US Cabaret Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Family Commons
Friday, January 31: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Agreements Sent
Friday, January 31: US Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
Friday, January 31: US Winter Show: “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” 7-9 PM, Black Box
Saturday, February 1: US Winter Show: “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” 7-9 PM, Black Box
Tuesday, February 4: Speech Tournament, 3-10 PM
Wednesday, February 5: US G10 Retreat, Deep Portage Retreat Center
Thursday, February 6: US G10 Retreat, Deep Portage Retreat Center

As the start of the second semester begins next week (remember we do not have school either Monday or Tuesday), students have a unique opportunity to embrace a fresh start. Their second quarter and first semester classes draw to an end, and this transitional period can be the breadth of fresh air that allows them to reflect on the past and set new goals for the future. Research shows that resetting one’s mindset can lead towards improved academic performance and overall well-being. According to psychologist and author Carol Dweck, “The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you live your life.” By resetting and adopting a growth mindset, students can enter the second semester with a renewed determination and a sense of optimism.

There are several benefits of “starting fresh” for the second semester, and one of the primary ones is having the chance to reassess academic goals. Students can evaluate their first-semester performance and identify areas that need more attention during the second semester. A study published last October in the Journal of Educational Psychology suggests that goals setting enhances a student’s motivation and, quite possibly, increases their achievement. By setting specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely (SMART) goals, students can create a clear roadmap to achieve academic success during the third and fourth quarters.