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COVID Health & Safety Update December 16, 2021

December 16, 2021

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

As the holidays are approaching, I hope you’ll join me in being mindful about choices to gather, travel, and maintain COVID health and safety for your community. You can continue to monitor and access resources about traveling by clicking here. MPA onsite testing will not be available during the holiday break, but we have a limited supply of at-home antigen tests available for students. If you would like to take advantage of these tests to have on hand before winter break, please email me at covid@moundsparkacademy.org.

I am so incredibly pleased to share some amazing news regarding our community’s vaccination rates. Exceeding all of my expectations, I can happily share with you that 94% of all eligible students at MPA are now fully vaccinated, including the newly expanded 5-11 year old age group.

Lower School: 85% vaccinated
Middle School: 96% vaccinated
Upper School: 97% vaccinated

I’ve heard from more families who are planning to get vaccinated or boosted over Winter Break. If you have questions or need to learn more about booster eligibility or to access available appointments, please visit the Minnesota Vaccine Connector site. We highly encourage all parents and the newly expanded 16- and 17-year-old students who are now eligible to obtain their booster. Help our community to return strong from break with renewed protection if you are able.

As always, please contact me at covid@moundsparkacademy.org with questions, concerns, or to notify our team about symptoms, exposure, or other COVID-19 related information.

As was our practice last school year, we will be providing you with periodic updates of cases, contact tracing, and testing program:

In November, eight community members tested positive for COVID-19, a combination of unvaccinated and breakthrough cases. To date, we have had 28 positive cases within our community this school year.
Since the start of the school year, our team has supported 242 symptomatic individuals and 338 close contacts with a combination of resources-sharing and onsite testing opportunities.
In addition, 1,800+ Cue rapid molecular tests have been provided to students and staff who are unvaccinated, symptomatic, or have been exposed as a close contact.

Reminder: Please ensure you continue to complete the AUXS daily screening app for your student. Completing your screening pass is even more important if your student is symptomatic or is aware of a known exposure.

Charting Our Path Forward

December 16, 2021

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

As we approach the end of the calendar year, the song “Auld Lang Syne” will be sung at New Year’s Eve gatherings, a related song by Dan Fogelberg from 1980 will be repeatedly played on Sirius/XM radio, or folks will sing along at the finale of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I’ve never quite been able to remember, let alone pronounce, the words to the song, “Auld Lang Syne.” Nor can I carry a tune, for that matter. And yet I find the meaning behind the lyrics and music particularly poignant this year.

Just a year ago, there was great hope and optimism that the strife of 2020 would give way to a better year. And yet, in so many ways, it seems as though we are in nearly the same place as a year ago. It is clear to me that we will be battling with the virus for quite some time and working through its aftermath. Over the last year, we have faced both joys and challenges, managed hopes and anxieties, experienced growth and endured hardship, suffered isolation and celebrated community, persevered and remain mired in an all too familiar place.

There is much to be learned by reflecting upon our individual and collective journey over the past year. All of us—students, parents, teachers, and staff—are re-learning what it means to “do school,” how to be in relationship with one another, and the values that hold us together. All the while with masks on our faces and risk mitigation measures that sometimes have the unintended consequence of keeping us apart. Read More

Lower School Division News December 16, 2021

December 16, 2021

from Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Holiday Greetings
There is no time more fitting than the holidays to say thank you for your partnership in educating your child/children. I reflect gratefully on what an amazing Lower School we have at MPA all because of our wonderful students and families. Thanks for all you do at home to support your child’s educational journey as you communicate with teachers, guide your child through homework tasks, and contribute your time and resources to help our Lower School thrive and grow. On behalf of our entire Lower School faculty and staff, I wish you a warm and happy holiday season and a new year filled with much happiness, joy, and peace.

Winter Break (December 20-January 2)
Winter Break is a time to have some fun as a family! Spend time together baking cookies, reading a favorite holiday book, or getting cozy by the fireplace. Encourage your child to play outside in the snow and get some fresh air too! I always remind Lower School students to make time for independent reading during breaks. Keeping reading and writing skills strong is essential. Having your child write thank you notes to family members is a great way to practice writing skills as we go into the new year!

Coming Soon: The Great Kindness Challenge
The Great Kindness Challenge is presented by Kids of Peace, a global nonprofit organization. The Great Kindness Challenge was cofounded in 2006 in an effort to make our world a better place. It has grown into an interconnected network of young peacebuilders world-wide. At the heart of the program is the belief that “kindness is strength.” Students are asked to do random acts of kindness and track them during the week of January 24. By repeatedly practicing random acts of kindness, we will develop the habit of being kind and the outcome will be a more peaceful world. Lower School will work together to prove that KINDNESS matters. Students will be bringing home information about The Great Kindness Challenge and a challenge checklist in mid-January.

LOOKING AHEAD

January 17: No Classes – MLK Day
January 18: No Classes – Professional Development Day for Teachers
January 24-28: The Great Kindness Challenge in Lower School
February 3: Conferences 3:30-8 PM
February 4: No Classes – Conferences 8 AM-4 PM
February 10: Conferences – 3:30-8 PM
February 18: No Classes – Professional Development Day for Teachers
February 21: No Classes – Presidents’ Day

Middle School Division News December 16, 2021

December 16, 2021

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director

Winter Break
As you read this, we will be just one day away from winter break and I personally know 183 middle school students and their teachers who could not be more excited! We hope you all have a wonderful time away, filled with rest, fun, and joyful time with those you love. MPA classes resume on Monday, January 3–we will look forward to seeing you in 2022!

iTerm Forms Are Due Friday, December 17
All students have been assigned to an iTerm class for 2022! Paper copies of your student’s iTerm assignment were given to them on Monday. Enrollment in the course is not complete until the form is signed by you and returned to MPA. All course fees are assessed through TADS and it is imperative that your form and signature are received so that this process can begin over winter break.

If you have not seen your students form, or it has been misplaced, please reach out to the office ASAP. When the new year begins, we will begin solidifying plans for the week.

No Study Hall Friday, December 17
There is no study hall on Friday afterschool. Teachers will be leaving for some much-needed fun and fellowship together before heading home to be with their families. Please make plans to send your student to Panther Den if you cannot be at dismissal at 3 PM.

Ice Skating Friday, December 17: Grades 5 & 6
All students in grades 5 and 6 will spend Friday afternoon ice skating at Aldrich Arena! If your student has skates of their own, they are welcome to bring them, but skates are also available at the arena. If you are interested in joining the group, parents are welcome to contact Ms. Nagle (cnagle@moundsparkacademy.org) for details. It’s going to be a great time and a wonderful way to celebrate the start of winter break!

Swim Club @ MPA: Get Your Fins Ready!
Thank you for your interest in the MPA Swim Club of 2022! We are planning to start practices at the Maplewood YMCA on Wednesday, January 5. Please read the following carefully:

Practices will be held on Wednesdays. Lower School swimmers will be in the water from 3:30-4:15 PM. Middle school swimmers will be in the water from 4:15-5 PM. Parents are responsible for transportation to swim practices.

Please join the SWIM 2022 Schoology page. All future communication will be sent via Schoology. The access code is 46B8-Z7F4-RJMCW.

The fee for participation will be $250. Please mail a check to (or send to school with your student):
Mounds Park Academy
2051 E Larpenteur Ave
St. Paul, 55109
Attn: Dan Haase, Athletic Director

If you missed the information meeting and have questions about Swim Club, please reach out to DeeDee Stacy (dstacy@moundsparkacademy.org).

Homework & Late Assignments
We have been working very closely with your Middle School students to complete all outstanding assignments before the break, so that they can fully enjoy the time away. It is our policy not to assign homework/new work to be done over the break; however, if your student has outstanding work, they will need to complete that in the first week of break.

It is also important to know that we have a two-week grace period for late assignments. A student has two weeks from the assigned due date to submit a late assignment; thereafter, the grade becomes a zero. With winter break being two weeks, anything not submitted before we return, within the two-week grace period, will not be accepted. Please check-in with your middle schooler and make sure they are all caught up!

Please Continue To Be Thoughtful: COVID Protocols & Symptom Response
While all middle school students are vaccine eligible and most have received vaccinations, we ask you to remain mindful and responsive when symptoms/illness/the sniffles arise!

Just a reminder that any/all symptoms through our AUXS app and/or via email to COVID@moundsparkacademy.org.

Please do not email your divisional offices, directors, or teachers of an absence due to symptoms. It is important that all notifications are sent to Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, our COVID Health and Safety lead, so that you can be supported and informed of possible next steps including, but not limited to, the need to remain home, secure a negative test prior to return, and/or quarantine per CDC guidance.

Important Dates

December 20-January 2: Winter Break, No School
January 3: Classes Resume
January 14: Quarter 2 Ends
January 17: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Observance, No Classes
January 18: Teacher Professional Development Day, No Classes
January 19: Quarter 3 Begins

Upper School Division News December 16, 2021

December 16, 2021

from Mark Segal, Upper School Director

My last Panther Post article spoke about the recent Semi-Formal dance and how events like the one held two weeks ago helps to strengthen interpersonal relationships and make us feel that we belong and that we are something greater than ourselves. My focus was on the dance itself, but it is important to share that the successful planning and organization of this event was due to the hard work of the Upper School Student Council. This group of students has worked tirelessly since the summer to find ways to unify and celebrate the Upper School community.

This week, for no clear reason, the Student Council surprised the Upper School with a winter themed dress-up week. They determined the themed days (PJ and Comfy Robe Day, Flannel and Warm Hat Day, Whiteout Day, Ugly Sweater Day, and MPA Spirit Day) and it has been fabulous to witness strong student and faculty involvement. The Student Council has also worked incredibly hard to plan a special activity on Friday for our last advisory meeting of 2021. They created a scavenger hunt using the GooseChase app where each advisory will explore the MPA campus and participate in friendly fun competitions against each other. This is exactly the type of coalescing that upper school students need as they work to complete their last minute assignments and projects, await college decisions, and contain their exuberance prior to departing for Winter Break.

Although this post is about the work of the Student Council, they are not the only upper school organization who has shown leadership and built community. Just this past week the Social Consciousness Club hosted a Macalester College Professor of Environmental Studies who spoke about her research in energy and climate policy, the Asian Awareness Club is hosting a bake sale with incredibly delicious treats, and the Peer Leaders started the week by decorating the Upper School Commons as a Winter Wonderland and served peppermint and s’mores flavored hot chocolate on Monday morning.

I will miss the hustle and bustle of our school community over the next two weeks. I hope your families enjoy the well-earned break and time together. I look forward to seeing you in 2022.

Important Information

As we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we ask for your diligence in working with our Covid-19 symptom response and contact tracing team. At the first sign of symptoms, parents should complete the daily AUXS app symptom screening and/or email covid@moundsparkacademy.org. This should happen BEFORE seeking a Covid-19 test. When a negative Covid-19 test is required for student clearance, results must be provided prior to the student’s return. All symptomatic community members, regardless of vaccination status must remain at home pending those results. Thank you for your partnership. For any questions, please contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt at jrogers@moundsparkacademy.org.

Looking Ahead

Friday, December 17: Winter Break Begins After Classes, 2:50 PM
Monday, January 3: Classes Resume, 8 AM
Saturday, January 8: Robotics Team Kickoff Event, All Day, MPA Campus
Friday, January 14: End of Quarter 2 & Semester 1 Classes
Monday, January 17: No Classes, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday January 18: No Classes, Professional Development
Wednesday, January 19: Start of Quarter 3 & Semester 2
Wednesday, January 19: Winter Show Preview, 7 PM, Black Box Theatre
Friday, January 21: Winter Show, 7 PM, Black Box Theatre
Saturday, January 22: Winter Show, 7 PM, Black Box Theatre
Sunday, January 30: PK-12 Virtual MPA Admission Preview, 2-4 PM, via Zoom
Wednesday, February 2: Pajamarama Orchestra Concert, 6:30 PM

Invite A Friend To Discover MPA

December 13, 2021

Invite a friend, neighbor, colleague, or family member to join us for MPA’s PreK-12 admission event, the MPA Winter Preview! Held virtually on Sunday, January 30 at 2 PM, this event will be a structured program that will allow prospective students and parents to get a sense of what makes MPA an exceptional place to learn and grow.

Kindly invite your friends and neighbors to RSVP in advance for this engaging program at moundsparkacademy.org/RSVP. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admission at 651-748-5577 or admission@moundsparkacademy.org. We can’t wait to meet them!

Early Dismissal Logistical Information

December 10, 2021

After careful review of this afternoon’s forecast, we’ve made the decision to dismiss school at 1 PM today.

All of MPA’s buses will depart school shortly after 1 PM with the exception of District 622 buses. They are not able to depart until 2:10 PM and 622 riders will be cared for at MPA until then. MPA’s St. Paul and Minneapolis routes will be combined into one route. The families of our bus riders should watch for a separate email with their specific route information.

For those who do not ride a bus, Panther Club/Den/Study Hall will not be available after school today and all afterschool activities including games, practices, and meetings are cancelled this afternoon.

Please come pick up your child up at 1 PM—we will, of course, remain on campus until the last child leaves for the day, but Panther Club will not available.

Be safe on the roads and enjoy the beautiful snow!

Connect With The Parents Association

December 9, 2021

December Walks with Dogs
Join Michelle Mick on Friday, December 17 for a walk in a local dog park. Bring your dog or not, we’ll meet at Battle Creek Dog Park, a lovely, big, off-leash dog park with 35 acres at 8:15 AM. Parking is off Upper Afton Road, in the parking lot next to the dog park. Look for Michelle and her dog Rufus (pictured), near the entrance of the dog park. For your GPS, the address is: 2350 Upper Afton Road, Maplewood, MN 55119. The contact person is Michelle Mick, and please feel free to text or call 651-328-7312 if you can’t find us!
Holiday Gift Wrapping
This much-loved tradition is returning! MPA teachers and staff bring in their Holiday gifts and parent volunteers wrap them. This gift of time is greatly appreciated and will really get you into the Holiday spirit. Monday, December 13 from 8 AM-3 PM in the Porter Conference room. You can sign up here.

MPA’s Success At The Classic State Debate Festival

December 6, 2021

from Katie Murr, Social Studies Teacher and Upper School Debate Coach

Congratulations to the MPA debate team on a wonderful performance at the Classic State Debate Festival. 42 students represented the school, and Mounds Park Academy received the second-place team sweepstakes award. This award is based on the top two performances across each of the three divisions of competition – novice, junior varsity, and varsity. It’s a testament to the depth of the team.

We call the tournament the Classic Debate Championships in novice and junior varsity. In the novice division, the team of Greta Hanson and Max O’Connor advanced to the octafinal round, and the team of Zoya Nayak and Annika Binstadt advanced to the quarterfinal round. The team of Molly Vergin and Meiran Carlson advanced all the way to the final round, finishing as the runners up in the division. In the junior varsity division, the teams of Ben Murr and Akshay Somayajula and Zoe Schnell and Frances Martin advanced to the quarterfinal round, while the team of Ian Frankel and Trevor Lien made it to the semifinal round.

The varsity division is called the Minnesota State High School League Classic Debate State Festival, as the MSHSL sponsors the awards for this event. Before we get to the team results, we want to applaud two seniors who were recognized with all-state debate honors for their excellence over the entire season: Charlotte Bergh and Ruby Schwieger. In team competition, MPA had a strong performance. The team of Kaija Kunze-Hoeg and Jenna Sherwood broke to the quarterfinals, where, because of seeding, they had to debate their teammates, Charlotte and Ruby. The judges commented that it was a good round, and Charlotte and Ruby advanced. In the semi-finals, Charlotte and Ruby defeated an excellent team from Eastview High School, and in the finals, Charlotte and Ruby also debated well against another fine team from Eastview, finishing as the runner up.

A special thank you to all the alums who judged and coached for the team this season. In particular, Meg Wilkening ’18 and Elli Carlson ’20 deserve special recognition. These two alums were outstanding debaters and returned to the team to give back to MPA in ways that are hard to capture in words. This season, they coached over 100 students through the rigors of debate, teaching about research, speaking, and writing. We are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of their patient brilliance.

Go Panthers! Go Juggernaut!

Forbes 30 Under 30 Recognizes MPA Alumni

December 3, 2021

MPA acknowledges and celebrates our alumni for being featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list! Congratulations to Laurel Schwartz ’11 and Aaron Millberg ’10, we are so proud of our alums!

Laurel Schwartz ’11 was featured in the Marketing & Advertising category as the brand director of global non-profit organization: Crisis Text Line, which provides free, 24/7 mental health support by text message. In addition to this, Laurel is also a documentary filmmaker. Laurel shares that she is “so thankful for my MPA education that got me here!” Read more here.

Aaron Millberg ’10 was featured in the Hollywood & Entertainment section for his excellent work with United Talent Agency and for representing some very recognizable names such as DJ Khaled and Zachary Levi. Read more here.