All School Archives

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

Upper School Division News May 30, 2024

May 30, 2024

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Library
Friday, May 31: US Math Finals
Friday, May 31: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20 AM-12 PM, Room 150-151
Friday, May 31: US English Finals, 12-1:30 PM
Monday, June 3: MS/US End of Quarter
Monday, June 3: US Science Finals, 8:45-10:15 AM
Monday, June 3: US Social Studies Finals, 12-1:30 PM
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
Wednesday, June 5: US Senior Dinner, 6-8 PM, Dellwood Country Club
Friday, June 7: Madrigal and Concert Choir Rehearsal, 10-11 AM, Nicholson Center
Friday, June 7: US Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal, 11 AM-1 PM, Nicholson Center
Saturday, June 8: US Commencement, 6-7 PM, Nicholson Center, watch live (password 2051)
Friday, June 14: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180
Monday, June 17: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180
Tuesday, June 18: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180
Thursday, June 20: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180
Friday, June 21: US Safeway Driving School, 9 AM-12 PM, Room 180

One would think that after nearly three decades in the education field, I would have become an expert, or at the very least knowledgeable, in saying goodbye to students at the end of the year. After spending the school year building relationships based on trust, shared values, and lived experiences, it is no easier today than in 1995 to bid students farewell as the school year ends. I have found that toward the end of each May, when stress, fatigue, and emotion are running high, I focus on the positive interactions and experiences shared with students throughout the year. Although this practice eases the inevitable, I still get sad thinking about not having those students as part of the day-to-day community and how quiet the building will be over the summer. It was wonderful to witness the smiles, exuberance, and accolades at the end of last week during the Senior Walk and Upper School Awards Assembly and refreshing to have the seniors back on campus earlier this week as they hosted Service-Con and shared their senior service projects with the MPA community. Read More

End of the Year Milestones at MPA

May 30, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

You may have heard that I turned 60 last Friday. To my surprise, I was serenaded by the fourth grade in the morning and again in the afternoon by all those gathered for the Senior Awards Ceremony. It was a memorable day, to be sure. I am still coming to terms with turning 60, mostly because I think of myself in my late 40s. As a milestone, however, it reminds me to approach this phase of my life in gratitude for a life well lived and for the many more opportunities ahead of me.

In Roman times, every mile was marked by a stone along roadways with a number that signified the number of miles coming or going from Rome. Today, a milestone signifies a momentous life event or accomplishment, such as a birthday, marriage, graduation, or retirement. Like the days of old, these events mark our journey through life and are a way to measure growth, literally or figuratively. Milestones serve as reminders to pause and reflect and celebrate what matters most in our lives.

There are many milestones at MPA this time of year. In just over a week, we will celebrate the high school graduation of 61 remarkable young adults. We will hold a Moving Up Ceremony to mark the matriculation of the fourth grade to Middle School and the eighth grade to Upper School. Tonight, we will celebrate the careers of dedicated educators Scott Wilson and Kristy Petrich. Read More

Future Collegiate Athletes Share Emotions

May 30, 2024

Congratulations to the six MPA students who were celebrated on College Athlete Recognition Day! Izzy Espinosa, Jay Green, Else Kunze-Hoeg, Ben Murr, Nora Pederson, and David Steinberger will all continue on to the collegiate level to compete in their respective athletics. Aiming to capture some of the emotions shown through on the day of celebration, the six shared sentiments from the day.

Jay Green
School: Macalester College
Sport: Football, track and field
Why did you choose Macalester College? “I chose Macalester because, right away, I think I’m going to be able to play, and the academics are really good.”
What are some of the emotions you are feeling today? “I’m feeling really excited and good about it.”
Who would you like to thank for helping you get to this position? “I want to thank my parents, family, and all my coaches. They always pushed me and got me to where I wanted to be.”

Ben Murr
School: Luther College
Sport: Cross country, track and field
Why did you choose Luther College? “It felt like a really good fit for me. The opportunities to have a flexible cross country program where I could still pursue academics and my other interests pretty heavily is something that really interested me and made me want to choose the school I did.”
What are some of the emotions you are feeling today? “It’s pretty exciting. This is something I wasn’t expecting going into my college search, and it’s pretty incredible that I get to do it.”
Who would you like to thank for helping you get to this position? “I’d like to thank my parents for always encouraging me to do running and track and my coaches, coach (Adam) Pettipiece, Declan (Dahlberg ’18), and Ms. (Bev) Docherty, especially, for really pushing me through these past couple years of cross country despite the pandemic messing with things.” Read More

All Students Benefit

May 23, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

I recently went through some boxes in my mother’s house and came across a collection of my elementary school report cards. Year after year, very similar comments went something like this: “Bill would do much better if he learned to raise his hand and not blurt out answers during class discussions.” “Bill needs to be better about handing in his assignments.” “Bill scored highly on tests, but his lower grades reflect the absence of homework.” And “If Bill would only try harder, his grades would be higher.” I talked too much, didn’t raise my hand, and didn’t turn in my homework, but I scored very high on tests. Nonetheless, I felt like a failure, which only compounded the problem.

Many years later, I ran into my fifth-grade teacher, who was delighted to know I had earned a doctorate and was experiencing success in my career. “I always knew you’d do well. You had the highest IQ in the class.” I was stunned and wondered what my academic career would be like if we knew then what we know now about ADHD.

While ADHD affects how we learn, there is no correlation with intelligence. It is similar for learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Neurodiversity is used more frequently to promote the idea that conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental conditions are natural variations of the human brain rather than disorders to be cured. People with learning differences may have difficulty acquiring or demonstrating knowledge in traditional ways, but that doesn’t mean they cannot succeed in rigorous coursework or at schools like MPA.

The percentage of students with learning differences has consistently been on the rise in schools across the country. In a recent survey of independent heads of schools from across the United States, 85% said that supporting the learning needs of neurodiverse students is a priority for them. This reflects a 52% increase in just one year, from 2023 to 2024.

Parents Association News And Events May 23, 2024

May 23, 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.

2024-2025 Volunteer Opportunities
The PA is looking for volunteers for next year. We need volunteers in all divisions, supporting everything from classroom parties to teacher appreciation to summer events. We want all parents and guardians to feel welcome and to engage in meaningful ways that fit their schedules. We often hear that people want to help but do not want to be in charge. We are working on turning planning into more of a committee structure. If you would be willing to help organize within a group setting, reach out. Please get in touch with the PA at PA@moundsparkacademy.org to let us know how you might like to be involved. It is a great way to give back to the community and connect with other parents!

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.

Free Webinars Through The MPA Learning Consortium!

May 23, 2024

Tuesday, June 4: Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking, 11 AM
Struggling with anxiety and intrusive thoughts? Join Dr. Caroline Leaf’s webinar for a proven five-step plan to tackle anxiety, depression, and toxic thoughts. Improve your mental and physical health with insights from this bestselling author and cognitive neuroscientist

Thursday, June 13: “No” Problem: Strategies to Stop Saying Yes at Work When You Want to Say No, 11 AM

Struggle to say no to extra tasks? Join author and speaker Candace Doby’s empowering webinar to learn the psychological reasons behind it and gain seven practical strategies for confidently setting boundaries. Enhance your assertiveness and prioritize your well-being.

Tuesday, June 18: Unscripted: How to Communicate and Connect using the Improv Approach, 11 AM

Struggling with communication? Join actor and author Caitlin Drago’s webinar to learn how the principles of improv comedy can enhance your listening skills and help you ask for what you want. Discover how to navigate difficult conversations, solve common communication mistakes, and increase empathy and understanding.

For more classes and other events, click here.

Celebrating This Year’s Retirees

May 16, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

In 2017, when Edutopia, a well-respected educational foundation, asked its readers to describe the traits of a life-changing teacher, very few of the responses were about test scores or academics. People overwhelmingly said that great teachers make their students feel safe and loved, believe in their students, model patience, and help their students reach their full potential—all qualities that remain largely unmeasured. I can’t think of a better way to describe the impact of fourth-grade teacher Scott Wilson and library assistant Kristy Petrich, who are retiring from MPA this year.

Many people will be surprised to learn that teaching is Scott’s second career. From 1987-1998, Scott owned and operated a successful restaurant in Winter Park, Colorado. He went back to school and earned a master’s degree in elementary education at the University of St. Thomas. Scott began substitute teaching at MPA in 1999 before becoming a permanent teacher in the 2000-01 school year. Since then, Scott has taught kindergarten, first, second, and fourth grades at MPA.

Colleagues and students describe Scott as kind, gentle, patient, and wise. Scott has always been flexible and supportive of his colleagues. “I once heard someone refer to him as the ‘Lower School Handyman’ because if there’s a flat tire, someone stuck in a ditch, or in need of a help hanging lights or fixing a faucet, he is there,” shared fellow fourth-grade teacher DeeDee Stacy.

Parents Association News And Events May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024