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Lower School Division News August 29, 2024

August 29, 2024

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Monday, September 2: No Classes, Labor Day
Tuesday, September 3: Alumni Current Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
Wednesday, September 4: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-9 AM, Family Commons
Friday, September 6: School Photos, 7:30 AM-12 PM, Indoor Track, Non-Uniform Day
Friday, September 6: Ice Cream Social, 3-4 PM, South Lawn
Thursday, September 12: MS/LS Curriculum Night, 6-8 PM, Classrooms
Sunday, September 15: Admission & Indexed Tuition Applications Open
Friday, September 20: LS Duty-Free Lunch with Parent Volunteers, 11:30 AM-12:45 PM, Playground and Family Commons

Welcome (back) to the MPA Lower School!

Since the first day, the children have embarked on their exciting learning journey for the 2024-25 academic year. The start of the year was remarkable in its positivity, with many smiling faces, buzzing classrooms, and happy children. Thank you for partnering with us as we offer a warm welcome and homecoming for our learners! As we look toward the coming months, please note that every week, a Panther Post will come to your inbox, chock full of helpful information, reminders, and news with every other week including Division News. Please read on for some insights for the next few weeks:

Revised Lower School Uniform Policy

At Mounds Park Academy, our Lower School students benefit from wearing uniforms, as they contribute to a positive and equitable school climate and a sense of belonging. Uniforms help to underscore consistency and cohesion while also emphasizing each student’s dignity and well-being. Our uniform policy is designed to be gender inclusive. Any student can wear any part of the uniform. Parents are welcome to source the items from various retailers and price points. Please note that we have revised our uniform policy in the Lower School to be more inclusive and practical. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions! Read More

Middle School Division News August 29, 2024

August 29, 2024

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Monday, September 2: No Classes, Labor Day
Tuesday, September 3: Alumni Current Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
Friday, September 6: School Photos, 7:30 AM-12 PM, Indoor Track
Friday, September 6: Ice Cream Social, 3-4 PM, South Lawn
Monday, September 9: MS Show Auditions, 3:15-5:15 PM, Black Box
Tuesday, September 10: MS Show Auditions, 3:15-5:15 PM, Black Box
Wednesday, September 11: MS Show Callbacks, 3:15-5:15 PM, Black Box
Thursday, September 12: MS/US International Program Back to School Social, 3:30-5 PM, Benz Courtyard
Sunday, September 15: Admission & Indexed Tuition Applications Open
Monday, September 16: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
Monday, September 16: MS Grade 6 Eagle Bluff Trip
Tuesday, September 17: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
Tuesday, September 17: MS Grade 6 Eagle Bluff Trip
Wednesday, September 18: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
Wednesday, September 18: MS Grade 5 Osprey Wild Overnight Trip
Wednesday, September 18: MS Grade 6 Eagle Bluff Trip
Thursday, September 19: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
Thursday, September 19: MS Grade 5 Osprey Wild Overnight Trip
Friday, September 20: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
Friday, September 20: MS Grade 5 Osprey Wild Overnight Trip
Friday, September 20: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, TBD

One of my duties that I grew to love during COVID times at my previous school was greeting students at our front door to ensure that they had completed their COVID app and were “OK for School.” Watching Middle School students enter a school is just so joyous and slightly comical. They carry a lot into our schools with backpacks filled with books, gym bags filled with sports equipment, bodies filled with energy, hearts filled with emotion, and minds filled with curiosity, joy, and a sense of belonging. While they don’t always have their shoes tied, appropriate outerwear for the weather, or even all that they need for the day (don’t forget that instrument!), they always appreciate a “good morning” and a smile, and even a fist-bump or hi-five. This week, I have genuinely been excited to work our door 4 entrance and get to greet and dismiss most of our Middle School students. I have also appreciated all the waves and the patience from you, their chauffeurs, as you shuttle them to school and navigate the exit maze created by our construction traffic plan.

Welcome to the Division News section of Panther Post. Here, every other week, I will share new information, important dates, and upcoming items that require your attention. This is a rich resource designed to help you and your student(s) plan for upcoming events and stay abreast of all the exciting events and activities we have planned for Middle School parents and students. Read More

Back To School Details

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
School Photos During Back To School Night
Updated 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 >
Read More

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