February 25, 2021
We are proud to be representing the MPA community at the third-annual Minnesota Independent School Diversity Career Fair on March 6, 2021, from 9 AM-12 PM at Breck School. This career fair welcomes faculty, staff, and school administrators from a variety of backgrounds including ethnicity, gender, religious background, national origin, race and gender identity and expression. Participating schools in this year’s fair include: Breck, City of Lakes Waldorf School, DeLaSalle High School, Minnehaha Academy, Mounds Park Academy, Shattuck-St. Mary’s, St. Paul Academy & Summit School, St. Thomas Academy, and Visitation School. For more information and to register, visit breckschool.org/diversitycareerfair.
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
The Upper School Winter Show, “Almost, Maine,” took part in the Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Spotlight Education program this year. As part of the Spotlight Education program, the show was evaluated and recognized with multiple honors!
The Alumni Association is looking for nominees for the MPA Alumni Association Award. Do you know an alum who is dreaming big and doing right? We want to hear about them. The MPA Alumni Association Award is intended to honor alumni of outstanding talent pursuing their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations, while embracing the spirit of MPA’s commitment to community and social outreach. They should be real-world examples for both current students and alumni to dream big and do right. Nominations are due April 1, 2021.
March 2, 2021 is your time to show your support for MPA students, faculty, and staff by participating in our Alumni Day of Giving. This year, participation matters more than ever before with our largest challenge yet! Through the decades, MPA students and alumni have embodied Panther Pride, and now you can share your gratitude by joining in on the annual day of giving. If your decade reaches 12% participation you will unlock a $2,500 challenge gift to support MPA’s next generation. If all four MPA decades reach 12% then it will unlock an additional $10,000, totaling $20,000 in matching challenge gifts. 
We are pleased to be offering an expanded summer program with a larger choice of academic programs, enrichment classes, athletic clinics, full and half day Panther Camp, and much more for students of all ages! As always, our goal is to provide our participants with the highest quality program in the context of a safe and healthy environment.
We are so excited for Virtual Maker Fest 2021 this weekend! On Saturday, February 20 at 11 AM, join us on Zoom as community makers to showcase their projects, passions, and hands on how-to demonstrations. Participants will be able to view the presentations by visiting different breakout rooms, ask questions, and discuss with our guest presenters. We are looking forward to seeing you there to celebrate our creative community!
Do you have room to spare? Space in your heart for another family member? A desire to expand your family’s perspective of the world? MPA is seeking host families for international students for the 2021-22 school year. For one exceptional prospective Middle School student in particular, we are seeking a current family to host her.
MPA Speech participated in the Harvard Speech Tournament for the first time this weekend, and the team’s run went all the way to the Quarterfinals! Senior Ryan Ghose made it out of preliminaries, into Octafinals, and into Quarterfinals in a preview of this year’s National Tournament. The category in which he made it to Quarterfinals is Humorous, and he was also next out in Dramatic Interpretation. Seniors Salmah Elmasry and Emma Cohen also competed, placing in the top half of their fields of more than 300 other students.
Save the date for this upcoming grades 7-12 Parent Education Event. The Upper School Parents Association is virtually hosting a parent education event on Monday, March 1, from 7-9 PM. This session will cover ways to work with children during this period of social distancing, the lack of being able to socialize, issues with too much social media, depression caused by isolation, lack of social normal activities, and other concerns parents are currently facing. More details and a Zoom link will be communicated when they are available. We are looking forward to seeing you there!