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Middle School Division News June 2, 2022

June 2, 2022

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director

3.3 DAYS TO GO!
This issue of Middle School News & Notes is a “need-to-know” look at the last few days of school! Grab your planners, family calendars, and get to looking forward to summer!

GRADE 6 RETURNS TOMORROW!
Reports from Eagle Bluff are that all is well and the kids are having a great time! Your big kids will likely have showered less than you’d hoped, and they’ll return with plenty of clean clothes to your dismay (it always amazes parents that the stack of undies and socks that you sent, are still clean as a whistle–LOL)! They’ll also be positively exhausted, have a hundred stories to tell that will trickle out over the weekend. They’ll have tales of friendships, fusses, and newfound confidence in themselves, their peers, and the world around them. While it’s true that this class has been unable to share in many experiences over the last two years, I have no doubt that this adventure for them has been a good one – no phones, new experiences, and a taste of independence!

We’ll see you at the end of the day tomorrow. While I know some of you may have to work (and that’s OK!), if you can be here at the end of the day (2:45-3 PM) to pick them up, that would be best. They’ll be tired, in need of a bath, a big dinner, and some rest in their own comfy bed. You’re welcome to come hang in the Middle School hallways to await their awesome return…I do always love standing in the hallway and watching them all re-enter the school world.

PS: The cell phone/internet connection at Eagle Bluff is notoriously poor. We will post pictures into a Flickr page/album as soon as we all return and have had a moment to catch our breath! If you need anything or are worried, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Read More

Upper School Division News June 2, 2022

June 2, 2022

from Mark Segal, Upper School Director

One of the most challenging things an educator does is say goodbye to their students at the end of the school year. They spend the year building relationships based on trust and shared experiences only to have them come to an end early each June. There are some educators who believe that they have become experts at striking the right balance between attachment and detachment. Meaning that when the time comes for them to say goodbye they can do it with relative ease. I am unable to do that, especially with those students who are on the cusp of graduation. I have found that toward the end of each May, when stress, fatigue, and emotion is running high, I focus on the positive interactions and experiences with students. Although this practice eases the inevitable, I still get sad thinking about not having those students as part of the day-to-day community.

Over the past several years the Class of 2022 has spent more time with each other than anyone else in their lives, and next year they will be spread across North America attending new schools, meeting new people, and building new relationships. This will be a significant adjustment for all of us. Gemma Cheney, a senior clinical psychologist and a visiting lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London, says that “students who are securely attached and have grown up with caring teachers in their lives, turn up in the classroom and school building ready to engage and learn.” I have been fortunate to see this with six graduating classes, and believe whole-heartedly that this is the case at MPA.

I invite you to attend graduation this Saturday evening to celebrate the Class of 2022. As educators, we often spend more time with our students than our own children, so we grow to love and care about each one of them. This class of fifty-one young adults have brought laughter, tears, chaos, and joy to our community. I will continue to reminisce about the time and experiences we shared. To me, they will always be remembered as members of this senior class, and I am excited for their futures and to see who they will become.

I look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Read More

Parents Association News & Events June 2, 2022

June 2, 2022

Open Garden with Michelle Mick
Saturday, June 4 from 3-6 PM
565 Arlington Avenue West, St Paul, MN 55117

For anyone who would like to wander through a rather wild unruly but fun garden in St Paul, our gardening guru, Michelle Mick has graciously offered a tour of her gardens this Saturday, June 4. All are welcome from 3-6 PM to come on over and wander through her gardens. The irises are starting to bloom, as well as many other lovely plants; many natives share their beautiful colors. For those interested, there are three rain gardens out back, boulevard gardens, and solar on the roof too! If there are seeds around, you are most welcome to have some too!

End of Year Grade Events
Pre-K: Saturday, May 28, 2-3:30 PM, MPA playground. Renee Roach, reneetroach@gmail.com
Kindergarten: Wednesday, June 8 at 11 AM Powers Lake Pavilion, Woodbury
Grade 1: Party has already taken place!
Grade 2: June 6, 3:30-5:30 PM, West Park Pavilion and Playground, White Bear Lake nelsonhe5@yahoo.com, latodero@gmail.com
Grade 3: June 8, 11:00 AM-2 PM, SkyZone in Oakdale, Jumping and lunch! nelsonhe5@yahoo.com
Grade 4: June 11, 9:30 AM-12 PM, 10145 Bush Lake Rd., Bloomington, MN 55438. heatherthurmes@gmail.com
Grade 5: June 30, 2-4 PM, West Park in White Bear Lake adenight@siscovers.com
Grade 6: June 8, 5-7 PM, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, North Pavilion, Lake Elmo darcyjerome@comcast.net
Grade 7: June 8 at 11:30 AM, Wakefield Park Shelter #2, Maplewood, MN
Grade 8: June 8, 11 AM-1 PM, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, North Pavilion, Lake Elmo, chrisandmatt1289@gmail.com
Grade 9: June 8, 11 AM-2 PM, Ojibway Park, Ojibway Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125 juliebixby1@gmail.com
Grade 10: June 8, 2-4 PM, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, North Pavilion, Lake Elmo sbhehe42@icloud.com
Grade 11: June 8, 6-8 PM, Ojibway Park, Ojibway Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125
Grade 12: TBD, Valleyfair Event canceled due to COVID.

Meet Some New Families Over the Summer!
Join us for summer fun and to meet new friends and families. We’ve organized a number of events to bring the MPA community together over the summer. All events are for new and returning families. For all the details, download the pdfs below. Read More

Providing A Safe And Secure Space

May 26, 2022

from Lamar Shingles, Director of Equity and Belonging

One Thursday per month you will see a guest Head’s Message from a member of the Institutional Advancement Team. We hope these additional perspectives will help you catch a glimpse inside the inner-workings of your school.

As the sun begins to set on my first year at MPA, I have become increasingly reflective of my experience over the past 10 months—a cerebral space where many educators find themselves to be on the eve of commencement and summer break. What can I say, introspection is my jam! I have learned so much about education that I didn’t already know and engaged with amazing people across this community. What has really stood out for me and made a profound impact on my experience thus far is the time I’ve spent with students in the Middle and Upper School BIPOC affinity groups.

When I think back on my own experience as one of only a few black students in my class, every day was a reminder that I was different from my peers. I recall my mom’s reaction when I begged her to let me bleach my hair blonde. I remember the feeling I got in the pit of my stomach when racial epithets were read aloud in class text—the bewildered eyes that descended upon me throughout the classroom as my peers searched for my response. Mostly, I remember an overwhelming feeling of loneliness. As a child, I didn’t have the terminology, adolescent social development models, or supportive resources to help define how I felt—but knew, I just wanted to fit in.

So what are affinity groups?

In a recent conversation with two of our Lower School teachers, Ms. Santiago and Mr. Moore, I thought they summed it up very well:

“Affinity groups provide a safe and secure space for students to explore and develop their sense of identity in a facilitated environment where they do not feel isolated, but connected. This enables them to grow into strong advocates for themselves and others”.

Affinity groups provide an opportunity for students to speak from the “I” perspective, at a critical time when they are formulating who they are among their peers and the broader community. These spaces can serve as a powerful mechanism for self and group affirmation by reducing feelings of isolation and discomfort that many students face—and instead, encourages students to be confident and proud of who they are.

Read More

Two National Merit Finalist Scholarship Winners in MPA’s Class of 2022

May 26, 2022

Congratulations to Elissa Frankel and Ruihan (Leo) Yu, recently announced as winners in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program! Elissa and Ruihan (Leo) entered the scholarship competition when they took the PSAT as juniors in October 2020 and scored in the top percentile. This past fall, they were among 16,000 Semifinalists chosen nationwide state-by-state, based on their scores relative to other Minnesota students. After submitting a substantial scholarship application and supporting materials from MPA, they were chosen as National Merit Finalists this winter.

Elissa is one of only about 1,000 students nationally who will receive a corporate National Merit award. Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage. Elissa will take her scholarship, sponsored by 3M, to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she plans to major in neuroscience. At MPA, among other things, Elissa sang in Concert Choir and Madrigals, led the Social Consciousness Club in discussions of national and international subjects, initiated a voter registration drive, and co-captained the girls varsity soccer team.

Ruihan’s scholarship is funded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. He is one of only 2,500 Merit Scholar designees from across the country, assessed by NMSC to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Ruihan (Leo) will attend Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California, where he plans to study economics and philosophy. Ruihan (Leo) also is a strong advocate for the liberal arts at MPA, co-leading the STEM Education Club over the past four years, playing cello in the Orchestra and keyboards in Jazz Ensemble, serving on Student Council and competing with MPA’s varsity baseball team.

We also congratulate the following MPA graduating seniors who scored well on the PSAT as juniors and were recognized by National Merit as Commended Students: Skyler Burnett, Rohit Iyer, Kaija Kunze-Hoeg, and Ruby Schwieger.

Parents Association News & Events May 26, 2022

May 26, 2022

We Love our Faculty and Staff!
On Friday, May 20 all Staff at MPA were treated to a Pop-Up Staff Appreciation event. This event also coincided with the release of Harry Styles’ new album, so it also doubled as an album release party. At MPA , we appreciate our great staff and great music.

Eighth Grade Moving-Up Ceremony
Tuesday, June 7 from 1:30-3 PM
Our Middle School days are coming to an end very soon! To celebrate our wonderful rising ninth graders please plan on attending the moving-up ceremony on Tuesday, June 7 from 1:30-3 PM.
We will honor each student during this commemorative event and ask for your help to make sure everyone is included. Each student will have their own slide during the presentation to celebrate just them!

Please send three (3) pictures of your eighth grader:

  1. From when they were young
  2. One that captures their personality
  3. One with middle school buddies

You can provide your THREE (3) pictures two ways:

  1. Upload to the PARENTS ASSOCIATION GROUP (Class of 2026) Schoology Group: Album – Eighth Grade Moving Up Photos. Albums are found on the left-hand navigation when you are in the Class of 2026 Parent Association Group.
  2. Or if it’s easier you can email the photos to Christine Larson, Grade Rep at chrisandmatt@hotmail.com

Your photos are due today. If your eighth grader has a fluid identity, may not want pictures of their youth, or any other worry about photos, they can submit any photos they’d like. We just want everyone to be represented and happy!

If you have any questions or concerns about the ceremony, presentation or photos please connect with Dr. Milam.

Open Garden with Michelle Mick
Saturday, May 28 from 9-11 AM and 3-5 PM
565 Arlington Avenue West, St Paul, MN 55117
For anyone who would like to wander through a rather wild unruly but fun garden in St Paul, our gardening guru, Michelle Mick has graciously offered a tour of her gardens this Saturday, May 28. All are welcome from 9-11 AM and 3-5 PM to come on over and wander through her gardens. The irises are starting to bloom, as well as many other lovely plants; many natives share their beautiful colors. For those interested, there are three rain gardens out back, boulevard gardens, and solar on the roof too! If there are seeds around, you are most welcome to have some too!

The address is 565 Arlington Avenue West, St Paul, MN 55117. You can’t miss it, there is a free-stacked stone wall, very English looking! michelle_wessely@yahoo.com

Gardening at MPA
Thursdays at 8 AM
Calling all those who want to spend some time outside, at MPA, in the gardens! You’re invited to spend time in the gardens tidying up, building, sowing, and spuddling around in the dirt. Come for a few minutes or stay for an hour or two. All are most welcome. We’ll meet outside under the flagpole at the Lower School entrance, with gardening tools in hand!

End of Year Grade Events
Pre-K:  Saturday, May 28, 2-3:30 PM, MPA playground. Renee Roach, reneetroach@gmail.com
Kindergarten: Wednesday, June 8 at 11 AM Powers Lake Pavilion, Woodbury
Grade 1: Party has already taken place!
Grade 2: June 6, 3:30-5:30 PM, West Park Pavilion and Playground, White Bear Lake nelsonhe5@yahoo.com, latodero@gmail.com
Grade 3: June 8, 11 AM-2 PM, SkyZone in Oakdale, Jumping and lunch! nelsonhe5@yahoo.com
Grade 4: June 11, 9:30 AM-12 PM, 10145 Bush Lake Rd., Bloomington, MN 55438. heatherthurmes@gmail.com
Grade 5: June 30, 2-4 PM, West Park in White Bear Lake adenight@siscovers.com
Grade 6: June 8, 5-7 PM,  Lake Elmo Park Reserve, North Pavilion, Lake Elmo darcyjerome@comcast.net
Grade 7: June 8 at 11:30 AM, Wakefield Park Shelter #2, Maplewood, MN
Grade 8: June 8, 11 AM-1 PM, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, North Pavilion, Lake Elmo, chrisandmatt1289@gmail.com
Grade 9: June 8, 11 AM-2 PM, Ojibway Park, Ojibway Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125 juliebixby1@gmail.com
Grade 10:  June 8, 2-4 PM, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, North Pavilion, Lake Elmo sbhehe42@icloud.com
Grade 11: June 8, 4-8 PM, Ojibway Park, Ojibway Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125
Grade 12: TBD, Valleyfair Event canceled due to COVID.

Vote for Next Year’s PA Board
The Parents Association (PA) is an organization formed by and for the MPA parents. Every family is automatically a member and eligible to vote. This is your last week to vote for the PA Board. Look for results in the June 2 Panther Post. Please vote for the Executive PA Board for 2022-23 here!

The board position of Community Development Lead is open. This person helps coordinate the Grade Rep Program, organizes a few community events during the year, and attends monthly board meetings. We would love to have a full voting board for the 2022-23 school year.

We are looking for a Grade Rep for the current fourth/rising fifth grade, as well as some co-grade reps at a couple of grade levels.

The PA will be forming Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School committees next school year to help plan our traditional division-specific events.

Please consider getting involved! It is a great way to meet the school community, show our appreciation to faculty and staff, enrich our children’s school experience, all while making new friends and seeing old ones. A willingness to help is the only experience needed. New families are especially encouraged as it’s a great way to get to know your fellow parents. If you are interested in any of these opportunities or have questions, please contact Staci Banks-Hehenberger (sbhehe42@icloud.com).

Lower School Division News May 19, 2022

May 19, 2022

Lower School student working in the Makerspaceby Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Planting A Seed
Sunday, May 1 was College Decision Day and fifty one seniors at MPA and across the nation announced their college decision. MPA seniors will be going off to thirty-eightdifferent colleges and universities next fall. In celebration of this special day Lisa Pederson, college counselor, along with many MPA seniors attended the Lower School Monday Morning Meeting this week to share where they will be going to college next year. Lower School students listened intently and were in awe of the college choices and reasons why these seniors selected their college. I predict they were thinking of the day they will make their college choice and go off to college.

When you enter through the south door, you will notice the College Choice bulletin board by the kindergarten rooms. You will see pictures of the Class of 2022 and personalized pennants announcing the college they will be attending in the fall. A careful look at the board will reveal that our MPA seniors have chosen colleges from 19 different states and Washington D.C. We are truly proud of our seniors!

Lower School Summer Reading Program
Reading is an essential skill for students and helps children find joy in books, which leads to lifelong reading. Keeping students reading over the summer helps students retain their reading skills, builds comprehension, keeps children curious, and builds knowledge. Nance Lage and I have collaborated on a summer reading program, Growing Summer Readers, for Lower School students and their families. Each Lower School student will receive the gift of a special book the week of May 31. Book festival proceeds were used to purchase books for this program. Along with the book students will receive a reading calendar and fun activities to do with the book and promote summer reading. It is our hope that families will read together over the summer and bond over books and reading. You can look forward to receiving the book and more information in the next few weeks! Read More

Middle School Division News May 19, 2022

May 19, 2022

middle schoolers at recessby Jenn Milam, Middle School Director

13 DAYS TO GO!
This issue of Middle School News & Notes is a “need-to-know” look at the last few days of school! Grab your planners, family calendars, and get to looking forward to summer!

SPRINGTIME BLUES AND SUMMER SLIDE
It is not unusual at this time of year for students to act-out, push boundaries, and make some poor choices. They are tired, just like we are as parents, and they are acting out for any number of reasons–exhaustion, lack of motivation, frustration, overscheduled activities, friendship blunders, and more. It is also not acceptable for these behaviors to be disruptive to class (we are still learning!), disrespectful to teachers and other adults or to their peers, or hurtful to other people in our community. While we can explain, we cannot excuse.

Today, during lunch announcements, I reinforced my expectations and I also let students know that if they make bad choices that are obviously out of line per our community expectations and standards, and hurtful to others, that they would be calling you to share why they felt it acceptable to be less than their best self at school. Simply, we cannot tolerate disruption and deliberate defiance of our community expectations, regardless of the reason. And we are at a point in the year where those expectations have been reinforced often, and clearly.

I hope you’ll take some time over the next few days to reinforce YOUR expectations and values and the reason why it is important to show up at school, each day, even in the last few days, to learn, contribute positively, and grow. As members of our MPA community, each of us has committed to a shared culture of kindness, respect, and diligence–even in the last 12 days of school! If we all do our part, we can finish joyfully!

GRADE 6 OVERNIGHT
As I wrote in my email yesterday, we made the decision to postpone the seventh grade class trip to the fall. We have rescheduled the trip for September 26-28, 2022. Please have your seventh grader attend school, as usual, next week, Monday through Wednesday.

We remain optimistic that the sixth grade class will be able to have their trip in just a couple of weeks. The sixth grade class will leave on Wednesday, June 1 and return on Friday, June 3. We will send more information as the dates get closer! If you have not completed the MEDICAL RELEASE FORM for participation, please do so at your earliest convenience by clicking on the link below. Any student who does not complete the release form, will not be allowed to travel.

GRADE 6 EAGLE BLUFF RELEASE FORM

NOTE: If you do not wish for your student to participate in this class overnight, they will need to remain at home during the trip, as all sixth grade teachers will be away, too. Read More

Upper School Division News May 19, 2022

May 19, 2022

environmental science students measuring turtlesfrom Mark Segal, Upper School Director

It is hard to believe that the 2021–2022 school year is coming to an end. Prek-11 have 13 class days left before their summer vacations begin. The Class of 2022, however, has their last day of classes tomorrow, May 20. Thirteen years of schooling will draw to a ceremonious close when they, as a group, pull down the boldly written #1 which hangs in the Upper School Commons. Each afternoon the senior class gathers at the end of the day to pull down the handwritten numbers 10 to 1 as a countdown of their last days on campus. The emotion expressed and cohesion shown by the group is a joy to witness as they celebrate one of the MPA Rites of Passage as the graduating class.

New York Times author and Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren says, “We are made to enjoy the physical presence of other human beings. We are made to enjoy rainstorms or sunshine or walks in the woods. We are made to enjoy touchable things. We cannot escape or overcome this need… Our attempts to do so go against the grain of our deepest human needs and longings.” I believe that Warren is speaking directly to the 51 members of the MPA Class of 2022. They have experienced so much over the past couple of years. Each time a new challenge was presented to them, they rallied around and leaned into each other and kept moving forward.

The next two weeks will be ones of self-discovery for this special class. They will complete assignments and work on their Senior Service Projects–the final items due before they cross the stage to receive their diplomas on June 4. Thankfully, there is still time for the community to be with them before their special day. You are invited to attend the annual Senior Walk on Friday, May 27 and the Senior Service Fair on Tuesday, May 31. Both of these events will allow us to publicly recognize the Class of 2022 and witness the impact they have had and legacy they will leave behind. Read More

Honoring All Who Make MPA Great

May 18, 2022

from Bill Hudson, Head of School

Great schools depend on great teachers and staff. I am reminded of that each day as I travel from my morning post in Lower School to my office in Upper School. It’s the informal conversations, not necessarily the perfect lessons, that most often illustrate that for me. It’s the quick reminders, the high fives, the quiet conversations. What I have learned from my past experience is that one can become a better teacher or staff member, but someone needs to have the heart of an educator first and foremost. MPA has been fortunate to have a strong school culture built and fostered by faculty and staff who not only have the heart, but they are also masters of their craft. They are all committed to continuous improvement and lifelong learning.

As a community, it is our privilege and responsibility to honor the people who make our school great. And next week, we have the opportunity to not only honor faculty and staff who are retiring dating back to the 2019-2020 school year, but the larger community as well. MPA would not exist without the vision of the founding families and generosity of time and resources of so many through the years who have built our incredible community and beautiful campus. This year we are celebrating 40 years of MPA—40 years of faculty, staff, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, trustees, and friends coming together to demonstrate their love for and commitment to the MPA way. Read More