All School Archives

Lower School Division News April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

from Renee Wright, Lower School Director

MPA Book Festival
The Mounds Park Academy Book Festival has been a cherished event over many years. The purpose of the book festival is to foster the joy and love of reading for all ages. Funds raised from book purchases go toward supporting the MPA library and directly impact students. This event is sponsored by the MPA Parents Association in conjunction with faculty and staff.

On Tuesday, April 5 Lower School students participated in the book festival kick-off assembly to begin the celebration. The assembly was hosted by Renee Wright, Nancy Lage, and Michelle Mick, member of the MPA Parents Association and book festival organizer. Each student was presented with a book festival bookmark with information for families.

The theme of the book festival is “superheroes.” Students were reminded that they are all superheroes and their superpowers can change the world. A brand-new book was shared with students entitled, “Our World is a Family,” by Miry Whitehill and Jennifer Jackson. The message shared in the book is that the world is one big family and everyone must be welcomed. We can use our superpowers to make others feel welcome. Read More

Upper School Division News April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

from Mark Segal, Upper School Director

During the past week I have had the opportunity to speak with families who had a child accepted to MPA next year. Some of them are current MPA families and already have children on campus, and many will be new next fall. I love hearing their unbridled joy emanate through the speaker of the telephone as they talk about their happiness for their children and their family. This reaction made me think about how our students and faculty look at the joy experienced on campus.

At MPA the joy of learning is one of the six tenets of our mission statement. It is not just something that we hope our community experiences, but rather something that we thoughtfully and intentionally expect of our faculty and students. As I think about this, I wonder how we measure one’s joy of learning.

My guess is that it is not through the width of a student’s smile, or the decibel levels of laughter coming from a classroom, but rather from the intangible sense that we as educators and parents innately have.

As I think about this, I “measure” the joy of learning when seeing a gaggle of seniors gathered in the Hart Commons working together while huddled around a challenging AP Calculus problem, witnessing a group of juniors leaving their American Studies class discussing the “This American Life” podcast that they listened to, noticing sophomores sharing information about a peer critique in their Photography class, or eavesdropping on freshmen reminding each other to take care of their mental health as they learned in their health class. These genuine and authentic conversations between students about things they learn in class gives me great joy. The happiness that emerges from this community fills me with deep gratitude for the students and the incredibly talented faculty members who teach them. Read More

Rigor With Purpose

March 31, 2022

I enjoyed the opportunity last Friday to visit with fifth-graders about their SEEK (Science, Experiments, Explorations, and Knowledge) Projects. A tradition for more than 20 years, Middle School Science Teacher Courtney Nagle describes SEEK as “the scientific method on steroids!”

As I wandered around the Family Commons, I was impressed by the variety of scientific experiments students chose and was struck by their curiosity. In particular, I was delighted with their ability to critique their project, talk about what they would do differently next time, and how what they learned could be applied in other contexts. The SEEK Project is an excellent example of what we at MPA call “rigor with purpose.”

Rigor is different from difficulty. Traditional applications of rigor most often entail more and harder assignments that are “pushed down” from the teacher and “piled on” to the student. In reality, such an understanding of rigor requires little more than lower-level thinking skills such as factual recall and procedural regurgitation rather than greater cognitive complexity. At MPA, rigor with purpose is meaningful learning that goes deeper to challenge students’ thinking in new and exciting ways. Read More

Parents Association Book Festival Announcement

March 31, 2022

Book Festival
Tuesday, April 5-Sunday, April 17
MPA’s beloved annual Book Festival is almost here! We’ll have many fun book-centered activities, including stories to help unwind in the evening, and our padlet board for sharing your favorite read. The Book Festival’s goal is to promote the joy of reading and connect with the MPA community through our shared enjoyment of reading. This year we have a hybrid model with some on-campus events and online book purchasing from our booksellers, Usborne and Valley Bookseller, more details coming soon.

Used Book Sale
The Book Festival Committee is asking for donations of gently used books and music that will be available for sale (25 cents for paperbacks, $1 for hardcovers) during the Book Festival. Look for donation carts at the North and South entrances from March 24-April 15. We welcome books for all ages!

Proceeds from the used book sale and purchases made through the booksellers benefit the MPA library so every purchase you make will help support our wonderful library, a great resource for both students and families.

MPAPA One Book, One Community: Book Club with Dr. Hudson April 14, at 6:30 PM
Please join us for a lively discussion of Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel! The PA will be purchasing books for those who would like to take part. Let us know if you plan on attending the book club, and whether or not you would like a copy of the book provided to you.

Welcoming Back Smiling Faces

March 24, 2022

From Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, Director of Development and Community Engagement

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.

If you’re like me, over the past few weeks, you may have been reflecting on how different our spring breaks were two years ago compared to this year. Two years ago, my two kiddos and I were enjoying a memorable trip to New York City, gearing up to take in Broadway shows and the many sites. Halfway through the trip, major sports teams, businesses, public spaces, and what felt like the entire country began to shut down due to this new virus that was sweeping across the world. One day we were walking through the bustling Times Square, and the next day I was worried about our ability to get a flight back home.

Two years in, so many things in our lives continue to be different, but I am so happy to see many areas returning to our new normal. Seeing many of your students’ smiling faces as we made the move to masks being optional, having parents back in our hallways, and being together to build community have been wonderful steps forward. Read More

Middle School Division News March 24, 2022

March 24, 2022

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director

Daylight Savings, Spring Fever, and 12 More Weeks To Go
I hope each of you had a wonderful spring break and had some time to unwind, share time together, and just to enjoy a little less busy in your days. If you traveled, I hope it filled your bucket and brought you joy, and if you stayed put, I hope you had extra time in your jammies and read a good book.

As we all return from spring break, we have an opportunity to begin anew—to have a fresh start, to refocus our energies to finish strong, and to find our best selves before we head into summer and onto the next grade-level and adventure. I hope you, as parents, and your students, see promise and possibility in this moment in time. I am grateful for you and your students at MPA!

Grateful For You!
To all those who helped to organize our Middle School Snow Tubing Event and to those who also supported iTERM courses—THANK YOU! Your time, talent, and presence in our community are so appreciated and your presence and partnership are so important! I am grateful to get to spend time with your young people, and even more fortunate to get to share these experiences with you. Read More

Understanding MPA Athletics

March 3, 2022

from Dan Haase, Athletic Director

At Mounds Park Academy, we believe athletics complement the total academic experience and development of the student. Students learn a great deal from their participation in interscholastic athletics. Concepts such as teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership, self-confidence, self-esteem, and developing a healthy body are all vital components of our Upper School athletic programs.

Athletics at MPA strive to provide an opportunity to all students to discover their interests, improve their skills, and have fun enjoying the activity with their friends. To accomplish this, MPA practices a no-cut policy in all athletic programs. A no-cut athletic policy allows inclusion to all interested students who would like to become a member of a team. Teams are established based on the interests and registrations of each of our programs.

MPA is proud to offer 23 Upper School athletic offerings for students in grades 9-12 and is a member of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). The MSHSL provides uniform and equitable rules for students in extracurricular activities, and they promote, manage, and administer athletic programs for students at members schools on a Subsection, Section and State level.

MPA is also a member of the Independent Metro Athletic Conference (IMAC). The IMAC consists of six mission-driven independent college preparatory schools. The IMAC conference was formed in 2014 based upon an agreement with the Blake School, Breck School, Minnehaha Academy, Providence Academy, and St. Paul Academy. The conference was formed in the interest of keeping an appropriate perspective on the role of athletics in secondary education. Read More

Cultivating Scientists For The World

February 24, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

While walking the indoor track in the Lansing Sports Center last Friday, I took note of a large wooden structure assembled on Court Four. I had a hunch that it was a model constructed by our students on the FIRST Robotics team. If you are not familiar with FIRST Robotics, it is an international organization that combines “the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.” I’ve been to several competitions, and I have to agree. According to FIRST Robotics, “teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team ‘brand,’ hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get.”

FIRST Robotics is a terrific example of inquiry and problem-based activities that align with our MPA science philosophy of fostering creative, inquisitive, and critical thinkers. The science department is firmly rooted in the idea of the “citizen scientist,” a term that encompasses scientific research, concepts, and principles and public engagement in order to expand the reach, relevance, and impact of science to the whole of society in service of the common good. It is true that a number of MPA graduates go on to become doctors and scientists. It is also true that when they chose other fields of studies or careers, MPA graduates carry with them the knowledge and experience of how science impacts our world.

What is unique about the MPA science philosophy and curriculum is the emphasis on engaging students in the application of scientific method, principles, and research to real-world problems and nurturing important competencies and skills. Taking an inquiry-based approach, students working individually or collaboratively come to understand how content is useful and can be applied to everyday problems, both large and small. The following are only a few examples of our distinctive approach in action. Read More

Upper School Division News February 24, 2022

February 24, 2022

from Mark Segal, Upper School Director

I pledged years ago that I would never be one of “those parents.” I had heard, read about, and as an educator witnessed the parents who re-experienced their own childhood successes through their children. This was especially true in athletics where the notorious stories of Tiger Woods’ father, Earl, and other like him filled my memories. Even though my son received his first set of (plastic) golf clubs for his first birthday, I did all that I could to allow him to carve his own path and find his own interests as he grew older.

A recent article in the Atlantic, “Let Your Kids Be Bad at Things,” shares the story of a parent who found their “compulsive overachieving core as a parent” come out as they worked with their child to perfect a choregraphed dance and singing number at an elementary talent show. The parent shared their own internal battle of not wanting to upset the other parents or the children, theirs included, by being overbearing and demanding about the performance. While at the same time wanting the performance to be crisp and well done. They explained, “you go from wanting one tiny little thing to wanting everything–for your child, for you, and for everyone who witnesses the group’s performance.” Through the trials and tribulations, the parent recognized that the children’s performance was not reflective of who they were as a parent, but rather reflective of who their child was as a child.

This was confirmed in a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education where the authors, Else-Quest, Sathy, and Hogan, share that “compassion and kindness are foundational to effective teaching (and parenting).” As much as we want our children to be perfect at school, sports, dancing, singing, and all of the other opportunities we provide them, it is just not reality. Therefore, they continue, instead of expecting themselves to do everything perfectly, the students should aim to do them pretty well and receive the grace and support of those who love and care about them the most. Read More

Middle School Division News February 24, 2022

February 24, 2022

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director

iTERM 2022 – Imagine, Dream, Learn
In just a few days, iTERM will begin–a week of passion-driven, inquiry and exploration in a chosen area, alongside peers from all grades in the middle school, and led by a teacher (or two!) and maybe even a professional boxer! Your students have been entered into Schoology groups where they will get updates, information, announcements, and other key information for their week. If you’d like to be added, please reach out to the leaders of your student’s iTERM course.

For many of you, iTERM is new…here’s a few things you can expect:

Students have lunch as usual, each day, just as they always do! Your student should plan to bring lunch or eat at school (if they have a purchased lunch plan) unless otherwise told by their instructor/course leader. Some of the courses involve cooking, field trips to markets in the city, or other excursions, but for the most part, lunch is at MPA right after recess, every day.
The day begins at 8 AM and ends at 3 PM, just like always! You should follow regular drop-off and pick-up procedures.
Their iTERM course leader will tell them what they need to bring if anything. They should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and plan not to change for PE.
They can bring snacks, water bottle, and any other creature comfort they normally use.
Please follow the dress code, per usual.
The days are full, active, engaged, and so much fun–expect a tired middle schooler at the end of the day.
Behavior and conduct expectations remain high and students are expected to show up, participate, engage, and be a good and contributing member of our community.
If your student is traveling to Ely for Dogsledding or to Puerto Rico, your course leaders have likely been in touch with details about travel, packing lists, and more. Please read thoroughly all communication in preparation for these trips!
The best part about this week is there is no homework assigned, no schedule, no grades – it’s a week of learning and exploring, for the fun of it!
We encourage students to be caught up, as much as possible, by the end of this week, as there is no time for school assignments during this week. Projects, outstanding assignments, and other schoolwork, should be completed at home and submitted prior to spring break to avoid missing the two-week grace period to submit late assignments.
There is NO study hall offered after school during iTERM week–because there’s no homework!
School dismisses promptly at 3 PM on Friday to head into Spring Break!