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Parents Association News And Events September 26, 2024

September 26, 2024

In case you are wondering, the last few weeks we mentioned how the MPA PA builds community through coffee. Here are some more details on upcoming Division-level Quarterly Coffees.

Middle School Quarterly Coffee on September 27, 8-9 AM, PCR: Meet & Greet with Paul Errickson, Middle School director! Socialize with fellow parents and learn about fall happenings and MAP Testing in the Middle School.

Lower School Quarterly Coffee on October 1, 8-9 AM, Gallery: Meet & Greet with Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director! Connect with fellow parents while learning more about the new MAP Testing.

Upper School Quarterly Coffee on October 1, 8-9 AM, PCR: Meet & Greet with Mark Segal, Upper School director, for conversation and updates regarding the Upper School cell phone policy and fall events, and we’ll have special guests from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy, in Shenzhen, China.

MPA Merch Pop-Up Shop This Saturday!

The Parents Association is hosting a pop-up shop during homecoming in the Lansing Center. Sweatshirts, t-shirts, and hats will be available from 9 AM-12 PM. Show your Panther Pride at the games!

Upcoming Events

September 27: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, Porter Conference Room
October 1: LS Quarterly Coffee, 8:15-9 AM, MPA Gallery
October 1: US Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR

Coming Home

September 26, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

I’m old enough to remember those nostalgic Folgers coffee commercials in which a son surprises his family by coming home for the holidays. The warmth, laughter, and love conveyed in those moments brought home the idea that “home” is far more than just a physical place—it’s about the emotions, traditions, and connections we share with one another. That commercial tugged at my heartstrings every time, often bringing a tear to my eye.

Within families, traditions arise and are celebrated, nurturing emotions of acceptance that go beyond the concept of a home as a physical or geographical location. Likewise, Homecoming at MPA has a distinctive meaning as a PreK-12 school. Throughout this week, students of all ages have shown their school spirit in countless ways. From the annual Lower School coloring project and the Homecoming-themed CHAMP Assembly to Middle School poster-making and Upper School dress-up days, the energy has been palpable. Our student-athletes have even been greeting everyone with a smile outside door one each morning. The week culminates with a pep fest tomorrow and athletic contests and activities on Saturday, September 28, and all students, regardless of their grade level, are warmly invited to attend and celebrate together.

Merriam-Webster defines homecoming as “the act of returning to your home or to a place that is like your home.” At MPA, we often refer to our school as a second home—a place where both students and adults are known and valued. This sense of belonging is deeply embedded in our school’s DNA, and it is a crucial element of who we are. Research consistently shows that emotional safety and a strong sense of community are essential for personal growth and academic success.

Lower School Division News September 26, 2024

September 26, 2024

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, September 27: PreK-12 Spirit Wear Day (LS students wear uniform bottoms)
Friday, September 27: G3-12 Homecoming Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
Friday, September 27: Hall of Fame Dinner, 6-8 PM, Family Commons
Saturday, September 28: Homecoming,
Tuesday, October 1: LS Parent Coffee, 8-9 AM, Gallery
Tuesday, October 1: School Photo Retakes, 8-10 AM, Indoor Track
Tuesday, October 8: HeadSpace: Civil Discourse in a Polarized Society, Election 2024, 7-8 PM
Wednesday, October 9: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons
Thursday, October 10: All School Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Friday, October 11: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
Monday, October 14: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 8 AM-3 PM
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day Performance, 11 AM-12 PM, Nicholson Center
Wednesday, October 16: LS PA Rainbow Club, 6-8 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Thursday, October 17-Friday, October 18: No Classes, Fall Break

It’s been a busy but fun few weeks since our last Panther Post. This is the point that we are almost finished with the “first six weeks of school,” a crucial time for children as they solidify the new routines and expectations that come along with a new academic year. Routines require a particular set of characteristics for children to be most developmentally supportive: predictability and accessibility. Children benefit from relationships and environments that are predictable to them. Routines like the process of getting ready for school, the daily schedule of fun activities encountered at school, and evening settling-down routines at home help children:

feel in control of their environment;
feel safe, secure, and comfortable;
know what is happening now and what comes next;
know how to do an activity or task; and
engage in learning.

Soon, these new routines will become second nature, equipping your child for success with the rest that the year has in store!

Upper School Division News September 26, 2024

September 26, 2024

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, September 27: PreK-12 Spirit Wear Day
Friday, September 27: G3-12 Homecoming Assembly, 2:30-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
Friday, September 27: US Homecoming BBQ, 5-7 PM, Courtyard
Friday, September 27: Hall of Fame Dinner, 6-8 PM, Family Commons
Saturday, September 28: Homecoming, information here >
Saturday, September 28: US Homecoming Dance, 8-11 PM, MPA Campus
Tuesday, October 1: US Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
Tuesday, October 1: School Photo Retakes, 8-10 AM, Indoor Track
Friday, October 4: US Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
Saturday, October 5: Debate Tournament, 7 AM-4 PM, MS & US Classrooms
Tuesday, October 8: HeadSpace: Civil Discourse in a Polarized Society, Election 2024, 7-8 PM, via Zoom >
Wednesday, October 9: US Cum Laude Program, 7:30-8 AM, Recital Hall
Wednesday, October 9: US PSAT Testing, 8 AM-3 PM
Thursday, October 10: All School Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Friday, October 11: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
Monday, October 14: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Tuesday, October 15: Election 2024 Through Civil Discourse: A Sample Lesson for MS/US Parents, 6-7 PM, PCR, register here >
Wednesday, October 16: Grade 9 Special Programming, 8-3 PM, Off Campus
Wednesday, October 16: Grades 10 & 11 Pre-ACT & Mock ACT Practice Tests, 8 AM-12 PM (early dismissal)
Wednesday, October 16: Grade 12 No Classes, Time Set Aside for College Applications and College Visits
Thursday, October 17-Friday, October 18: No Classes, Fall Break

With Homecoming season upon us, we are approaching a fun and exciting time for students and their families. I find myself reflecting on the possibility of Upper School students being placed into situations where they may have to make difficult decisions, and I want to send this letter to ask you to do all that you can to make it a happy and safe time for your child. Nothing is more valuable to teenagers than their friends, and nothing is more valuable to parents than the safety of their children. Unfortunately, these two don’t always interact well with one another. Statistically, Homecoming weekend has been one of the most dangerous in a high school student’s life. Each year, we lose far too many teenagers to motor vehicle crashes, with an increase in intoxicant-related traffic fatalities on Homecoming Dance Night. Accidents (especially automobile crashes) are the leading cause of death for young adults between the ages of 15-19, and the reality is that many of those deaths are caused by teenage impaired or distracted driving. Sometimes, even the best kids encounter situations where alcohol and drug use occur, and our children could find themselves in an environment with unexpected expectations. As a parent or guardian, you have the opportunity and responsibility to help ensure the safety of your children and others by helping them make the right choices.

Middle School Division News September 26, 2024

September 26, 2024

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, September 27: MS G5/6 MAP Testing
Friday, September 27: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
Friday, September 27: PreK-12 Spirit Wear Day
Friday, September 27: G3-12 Homecoming Assembly, 2:30-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
Friday, September 27: Hall of Fame Dinner, 6-8 PM, Family Commons
Saturday, September 28: Homecoming
Monday, September 30-Wednesday, October 2: MS G8 Wolf Ridge Overnight Trip
Tuesday, October 1: School Photo Retakes, 8-10 AM, Indoor Track
Wednesday, October 2: MS G7 & New G8 Signs of Suicide Screening
Tuesday, October 8: HeadSpace: Civil Discourse in a Polarized Society, Election 2024, 7-8 PM, via Zoom >
Thursday, October 10: All School Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Friday, October 11: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
Monday, October 14: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Tuesday, October 15: Election 2024 Through Civil Discourse: A Sample Lesson for MS/US Parents, 6-7 PM, PCR
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 8 AM-3 PM
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day Performance, 11 AM-12 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, October 17-Friday, October 18: No Classes, Fall Break

From helping students learn how to open their lockers and navigate Schoology to setting them into classroom routines, getting the school year up and running takes quite an effort.

Over the past two weeks (and into next week for our eighth graders), we have gotten to know many of our Middle School students through two diverse ways. With the fifth and sixth grade overnight trips, many of our faculty joined our students on hikes, in treetops, and even for a “polar plunge.” Teachers got to know students, students got to know them, and everyone got to know each other better. Through laughter and tears, smores and snores, our students were challenged in various ways, and their teachers and classmates were there to support them and help them learn from these meaningful experiences. You can see some of the actions captured by our teachers on the school’s Flickr page.

The experiences that our students have on these trips helps us to talk with them about stepping out of their comfort zones, challenging themselves, and supporting others. They also serve as metaphors for ways to take on challenges in the classroom, such as how scaling the climbing wall, one hold at a time, helps us to tackle a big project or homework load or how the team building needed for a group to orient through an unknown forest might encourage students to look to a peer for help when feeling lost or needing a friend. We are already reaping the rewards of this experience as we notice new friendships, new feelings of connection, and increased empathy.

Next week, our eighth graders will have their overnight trip to Wolf Ridge in Finland, MN; I’m excited to join and ask them to think about leadership skills and legacy as they spend their final year in Middle School. Read More

Discover Something Remarkable At The MPA Preview

September 24, 2024

Discover something remarkable at the PreK-12 MPA Preview on Sunday, November 3, 12:30-2 PM!

MPA Previews are signature PreK-12 events designed to introduce you to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community that it is. These events are for family members of all ages to attend together andwill include division-specific time.

You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives, be engaged in conversation with academic leaders, experience mini-lessons taught by expert teachers, and leave with a much better understanding of the MPA way.

Prospective ninth graders, you’re invited to the Taste of Ninth Grade immediately preceding the Preview at 11 AM. Join us for lunch and the opportunity to learn more about MPA’s ninth-grade program. Students will engage in a hands-on, collaborative activity while parents participate in a Q&A about life in MPA’s Upper School, college counseling, and more. When this event concludes, students and families will then join the PreK-12 Preview event.

RSVP today to experience the joy and discover why Mounds Park Academy is an exceptional place to learn and grow.

RSVP Today

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Congratulations, National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Students!

September 23, 2024

It all started last fall, with more than 1.3 million juniors in high schools nationwide taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and then entering the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Based on PSAT performance, a nationwide pool of about 16,000 Semifinalists was announced recently.

Representing MPA and earning their place among the top one percent of high school seniors, Navreen Biring and Paul Fertig were announced as National Merit Semifinalists! Congratulations to Navreen and Paul, who will now complete an extensive application to proceed further in the competition. They will provide their academic record, an essay, a school recommendation, and SAT or ACT scores that confirm their qualifying performance on the PSAT.

Three additional seniors, Annika Binstadt, Mari Minear, and Amal Sastry, are recognized as Commended Students in the National Merit program. Their scores placed them in the top 50,000 students nationally.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success and notes that they represent a valuable national resource, contributing to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We are so proud of these five MPA students!

Parents Association News And Events September 19, 2024

September 19, 2024

Get ready for the Rainbow Club! The Rainbow Club is for any Lower School parents, faculty, and staff members who identify or have children that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. The group is being organized by MPA parent Rachael Weber and exists to have important conversations, create a close-knit community, and share resources with each other throughout the year.

The Rainbow Club will meet once a month, with the first meeting of the new year being Friday, September 20, at noon in the Panther Center. Please email Rachael at rachweb89@gmail.com with questions!

Rachael Weber is an MPA parent with two children in Lower School who started The Rainbow Club in spring of 2024. She saw a need at MPA for a Lower School LGBTQ+ affinity group and has a personal passion for connecting people with others who help them feel seen and represented.

Upcoming Events

September 20: Rainbow Club for Lower School Kick-off Meeting, 12-1 PM, Panther Den

September 23: Staff Appreciation Day hosted by Grades 5 & 6

September 27: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, Porter Conference Room

Reaffirming Ideals Rooted In Our Founding Principles

September 19, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Last week, I wrote to you about parental stress, highlighting an advisory issued by the U.S. Surgeon General. The ongoing threat of school shootings and the heated nature of the current political landscape have only heightened parental concerns. These issues, intertwined with children’s mental health, safety, technology, and social media, are pulling apart families and communities. This leaves many feeling hopeless and deepens the fears and cynicism of the old and young alike. Families and communities are being torn apart, leaving many without hope and fueling the fears and cynicism of young and old alike. But there must be a path forward, and I am steadfast in ensuring MPA is part of the solution.

As we approach the 2024 presidential election, Mounds Park Academy is reaffirming its commitment to civil discourse, civic engagement, and respect for diverse perspectives. These ideals are not new to MPA but deeply rooted in our founding principles. In 1981, co-founder Bob Kreischer envisioned a school that would prepare students to be “good citizens capable of dealing with the problems they will face in an ever-changing world.” This vision was heavily influenced by John Dewey’s educational philosophy, focusing on experiential, hands-on learning.

In today’s politically charged climate, it is more important than ever that students learn to navigate differing viewpoints with thoughtfulness and respect. MPA teaches students to analyze information critically, distinguish credible sources, and engage in evidence-based discussions. We model how to address complex issues with understanding, empathy, and inclusivity, equipping students to become well-informed, active participants in society. Read More

A Message From Tim Koerner ’03

September 17, 2024

“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back,”—Wendy Wunder, ‘The Probability of Miracles’

I remember leaving the MPA campus on June 4, practically locking up the building ourselves after a festive kindergarten graduation party at the playground. My graduate and I drove straight to Valleyfair for the day, and our family carried on exploring and engaging with new experiences all over the map across a fulfilling (and exhausting) three months away from MPA.

Then, suddenly, it was time to return.

We now find ourselves back on campus, reconnecting with treasured MPA friends and faculty, forging new connections to those who will become equally as important to us in the months and years ahead, with Wendy Wunder’s astute observation ringing true.