Blog Archives

September 20, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I am showing my age and asking you to perhaps share yours. Growing up in the 70s, that phrase is very familiar to me. I heard it an inordinately, embarrassing number of times, sprawled on the living room floor, watching reruns of the “Beverly Hillbillies” television show. It is not proper English for a number of reasons and it may well be a stereotype of the South, but I think it conveys a family-like warmth and means, “We all belong here.”

“We All Belong Here” is the message of homecoming at MPA and the reason we celebrate all next week, culminating in a day-long celebration on Saturday, September 29. At many schools, homecoming pertains only to older students, athletes, and alumni. At MPA, homecoming is an inclusive, community-wide celebration. Throughout the week, and on Saturday, students of all ages will take part in the festivities. Parents, grandparents, and all family members are invited to join in the fun. It is for all of us. Read More

Bringing Mindfulness To The Classroom

September 18, 2018

Parents are all too familiar with navigating the stress of everyday life. From getting children ready for the day and out the door in the morning, to helping with homework at night and everything in between, there is a lot to manage. As a parent, it can be easy to forget that even the youngest people in our lives can become overwhelmed and stressed. In our fast-paced world, learning to cope with challenging situations is just as important as learning how to read and write. Research has shown that mindfulness programs can help students of all ages learn to deal with everyday stress. More schools across the country are integrating mindfulness into their curricula to teach students to be present and better able to identify how they’re feeling in order to manage their stress.

Mindfulness is the intentional practice of maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of a person’s thoughts, feelings and what their body senses. It was first introduced at Mounds Park Academy two years ago. This year, students in the Lower School will be learning about mindfulness through the MindUp curriculum, a program designed specifically for educators to help young students further develop social and emotional skills. Teachers at MPA will integrate mindfulness into lessons throughout the day. Teachers will also use mindfulness strategies during transition times to help students refocus. By practicing mindfulness throughout their school day, students will learn to identify their emotions and understand why they are feeling a certain way. With a stronger understanding of their feelings, students should be able to more appropriately respond to stressful situations. Read More

MPA Students Collaborate With Local Arts Community

September 12, 2018

We are so excited to share a recent opportunity brought to MPA students to engage with and assist the local arts community. MPA alum Kelly Turpin ’04, founder of the Arbeit Opera Theatre, was awarded the Artists Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to produce her own production of “The Consul,” an opera that premieres on November 29 and November 30, 2018. She reached out to MPA to assist in building the set, wanting to directly involve students, since MPA is the place where her passion for art, music, theatre, and singing all began.

“The overall goal of Arbeit Opera Theatre is to fuse multiple forms of art to create a diverse artistic community in order to share the excitement of Opera Theatre with as many communities as possible. Having the MPA community and students involved (will be) be a thrilling addition to this venture,” she said. Read More

Reflecting On The Past And Embracing The Future

September 12, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Both my Facebook and LinkedIn accounts were abuzz this week, notifying me of a very important anniversary coming up. September 16 is the five-year anniversary of my first day working at MPA. Professionally, and personally, it is an important date for me and one I truly celebrate each year.

It is the date I found a home, a community that embraced my family and me, where I experienced what inclusivity really means.
It is the date that I discovered what I think a school should be and the very best of what education is all about.
It is the date that marks the beginning of a journey that continues to be a source of great joy and fulfillment.

We Are a Mosaic

September 5, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

“Each individual piece of our mosaic is essential to forming the beautiful whole. Our diversity in age, cultures, talents, interests, and personalities paints an array of colors that make our mosaic vibrant.”

As quoted from the introduction of the 2017-18 school yearbook, the yearbook committee presented a powerful visual image that so eloquently captures the essence of our school’s commitment to equity and inclusion. The students went on to describe each student as unique, their own piece of a beautiful mosaic, that when fitted together, form an exquisite piece of art. Read More

Culture Starts With Connections

August 29, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

There was great excitement on a recent morning as I greeted students at the south entrance, particularly from eighth grade students. With sleeping bags, pillows, duffel bags, and suitcases in tow, our eighth graders prepared to depart for three days and two nights to Eagle Bluff, an environmental learning center in Lanesboro. I found myself chuckling as students looked like they packed for a three-month backpacking trip across Europe rather than several days in southern Minnesota!

The eighth grade trip has been an MPA staple for many, many years. It is a time to reconnect with friends, form new friendships, and grow as the “leaders” of the Middle School. At Eagle Bluff, the eighth graders will challenge themselves individually on the high ropes course and as a team through group challenges and GPS orienteering. Time to bond and reconnect over free time and everyone’s favorite camp activity—the bonfire and s’mores—make this the perfect beginning of their final year in Middle School. Similarly, sixth grade just returned from a trip to Audubon.

The ninth grade class spent time together at the State Fair for a scavenger hunt to foster relationship-building and class identity. In small groups determined by their advisory, new and returning students worked together to accomplish a series of tasks. Problem-solving, communication, and collaboration are critical skills students must employ to be successful. As new Upper School students, the day is symbolic of the independence they now enjoy and the accompanying responsibility of representing themselves and the school respectfully and positively.

This summer, I read an article published by the Harvard Graduate School of Education about school culture. The article emphasized that a positive and healthy school culture starts with connections—strong and overlapping interactions among all members of the school community.

“A culture will be strong or weak depending on the interactions between people in the organization. In a strong culture, there are many overlapping and cohesive interactions so that knowledge about the organization’s distinctive character—and what it takes to thrive in it—is widely spread,” it reads.

The article defines culture in light of five interwoven elements:

1. Fundamental beliefs and assumptions
2. Shared values
3. Norms
4. Patterns and behaviors
5. Tangible evidence

At MPA, we frequently describe the school community as a family. Implicitly and explicitly, our core beliefs and shared values are translated into norms of behavior expressed through patterns and actions. The results include traditions and experiences, such as the eighth grade Eagle Bluff trip, the sixth grade Audubon trip, and the ninth grade day at the Fair, that foster the connections essential to building a strong school culture. These are just three of the countless tangible manifestations of the incredible school culture that is intentionally strengthened and nurtured throughout the school year.

Author’s Note: I’d like to make my weekly message more interactive. Click here to offer your thoughts on school culture. I will incorporate your feedback into future Head’s Messages. Thank you!

This Land Is Your Land

August 23, 2018

Needless to say, race and social justice are important topics of conversation these days. Headlines related to police brutality, the legacy of slavery, the expansion of hate groups, and mass incarceration appear frequently. To explore these issues and, in particular, the role of the civil rights movement in American history, 21 MPA Upper School students and two MPA teachers traveled more than 3,000 miles on the “This Land is Your Land” bus trip. They saw sights ranging from one of the segregated schools associated with the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision to the Lorraine Motel and the National Civil Rights Museum to the new National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. Additionally, they visited six presidential libraries and homes and other major sights, including the World War I Museum in Kansas City and Graceland. Read More

Welcome Home

August 23, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Welcome home to MPA! It was wonderful to see you Tuesday evening for Back to School Night. There was great energy and optimism in the school as we welcomed 80 new students and families to MPA and re-connected with returning families. The packed bleachers in the Lansing Center was a sight to behold and filled me with gratitude and great pride. As I stood at the south entrance on such a beautiful morning, the hugs, handshakes and high fives reminded me how fortunate I am to lead this amazing community. Thank you for the joy your family brings to our school.

A common theme emerges when students, parents, teachers, or staff are asked to describe MPA in one word. Family. The strong relationships that form between members of the MPA community resemble the bonds between family members. Because of those bonds, our students develop the confidence to discover and pursue their dreams and uncover their purpose in the world.

In October, we will welcome educators from independent schools across the Midwest who are serving on our accreditation visiting team. After one year of self-reflection here on campus, we seek their review and affirmation of the plans and priorities we offer as part of our commitment to continuous improvement. They will make a recommendation of accreditation to the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), validating who we are as well as offering suggestions that will enhance our school. This is a very important part of the life of an independent school and I am looking forward to the process.

Witnessing Growth

June 7, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

At the door this morning, a kindergartener excitedly showed Ms. Wright and me her wiggly tooth. “Look! I’m losing another tooth! Right next to the one I already lost!” she said as she worked the tooth back and forth with her finger. For several weeks earlier this spring, we received daily updates of the process of losing her first tooth. It is stories like this that I tell when people ask me what I love most about my job.

Losing teeth, “high water” pants, and deeper voices are all outward signs of growing students. Not as obvious are the maturity and confidence students develop over their time at MPA, whether over the course of one year, or many. I see it in the way they carry themselves in the hallways and how they perform on the stage or playing field. Nothing is more rewarding than to witness this growth and to somehow be a part of it.

The Class of 2018 Senior Walk

June 7, 2018

After 13 years of joyful learning, the Class of 2018 took one final walk among their PreK through 11th grade friends to remember where they came from, celebrate what they have achieved, show gratitude for their community, and inspire those who follow in their footsteps. You can watch this touching tradition here!