Blog Archives

April 5, 2018

by Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, you will now find a guest blog post here from one of MPA’s division directors. We hope you will enjoy reading their stories and reflections about life at MPA!

A cherished MPA tradition continues for its 37th year on April 12, 2018, when the Lower School presents its Art and Music Show. You won’t want to miss seeing firsthand the pride on the faces of our Lower School students as they present their beautiful artwork and sing and dance joyfully for family and friends.

The first Lower School Art and Music Show debuted in 1982, never missing a year after that. The early years showcased student learning throughout the school year. Starting in 1989, the shows began to focus on specific themes, thoughtfully selected by the Lower School art and music teachers each year. Earlier themes included Around the World, Songs of America, Animal Fair, Disney, A Wonderful World of Color, Muppets: A Tribute to Jim Henson, Wild West, and many more. This approach has given each Art and Music Show a fresh look and created extraordinary student excitement and engagement.

This year, the students celebrate authors and illustrators of award-winning picture books. Students have studied how stories are conveyed through art and writing. They have learned to analyze the artwork in picture books for color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value. Kindergartners have explored the colorful works of Eric Carle and Richard Scarry. First graders have learned from the creativity and imagination of Ezra Jack Keats and Lois Ehlert while second graders have enjoyed the rollicking rhymes of Dr. Seuss and the engaging characters of Lucy Cousins. Third graders have been charmed by the gentle animals of Jerry Pinkney and Jan Brett and fourth graders have explored the engaging, innovative works of Sara Fanelli, Chris Raschka, and Barbara Knutson. Books by these authors and illustrators have also been the inspiration for movement, instrument playing, and singing in music class during the year. These creative artists have served as talented role models for our students, and now the students are prepared and excited to present their own inspirations to family and friends!

Alumni Help MPA Students Find Their Voices

March 19, 2018

Last week, the Middle School students were in the midst of their annual i-Term week, a unique opportunity to embody MPA’s mission of thinking independently and learning joyfully by participating in a one-week enrichment experience. i-Term courses are designed to provide inquiry-based, experiential learning beyond the classroom. The project-based, focused nature of i-Term offerings enables students to learn new skills, do things that are not possible within a normal school setting, and be exposed to things they would not be otherwise. Students venture into the community, work with experts in a particular field, and create new friendships along the way during this signature experience.

One specific class, “Social Change: Finding Your Voice,” taught by founding faculty member Ms. Anne Devout Atchison, featured several guest speakers from the community. This course challenged students to learn, lead, and effect positive change both globally and in their local community. Students learned how to effectively build awareness and discovered various forms of engagement, such as grassroots, social media, politics, and partnerships in action. It came as no surprise that many of the guest speakers were MPA alumni!

Thank you to Adam Fetcher ’02, vice president of environmental impact and policy, Askov Finlayson; Jason Utgaard ’03, founder, The Spotted Door; Kelsey Sudaard ’03, environmental engineer, MN Pollution Control Agency; Simone LaBonte ’06, director of person centered practices, New Directions; Noah Gerding ’96, director of development, People Serving People; Rob Hope ’96, initiative officer, Bay Area Workforce Funding Collaborative at the San Francisco Foundation; and Ryan Wood ’96, judge, U.S. Immigration.

MPA Senior Named State Honoree

March 15, 2018

MPA senior Ryan Guggenheim was recently named one of two State Honorees for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for his work with the Open Wide Foundation! Ryan has been recognized in an article from the Open Wide Foundation, which reads:

“Ryan’s interest increasing access to oral health care stems from his family’s strong philanthropic efforts. He has seen the difference dental care has made in the lives of those who cannot afford it, and wants to help OWF change more lives. He plans on building youth participation through new programs such as OWF Dental Student Scholarship Program, and reaching out to dental professionals in the Twin Cities. He has successfully raised over $5,000, which will pay for two dental students to volunteer at the clinic in Guatemala in July 2018. He hopes to continue to raise awareness and funds in order to send additional dental students to Guatemala. Ryan has recently been awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Award for his work with Open Wide Foundation, representing the state of Minnesota and looks forward to attending the University of Southern California Fall of 2018.

An Inspiring Night At MPA Talks

March 15, 2018

The powerful presentations at MPA Talks left us feeling inspired and motivated on Tuesday night. It was a wonderful evening here on campus to hear MPA parent Dr. Sheneeta White, MPA junior Ling DeBellis, and MPA science teacher Hannah Sullivan give talks that covered everything from efficiency and perseverance to happiness and fulfillment. As a community, we are so grateful to have these amazing women among us. Please enjoy pieces of their captivating presentations here!

“Think of what is valuable to you. Make them standard.” – Dr. Sheneeta White

“My future is bright because I can see hope in anything.” – Ling DeBellis

“Students need to be equipped to choose and supported to pursue their own metrics.” – Hannah Sullivan

Plant A Tree For Tomorrow

March 15, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I am fortunate to live in a beautiful neighborhood in south Minneapolis near Minnehaha Creek and Lake Harriet. One of the things I like most about the area is the tall, towering trees that form an umbrella over the streets. They protect our house from the summer sun and fall is absolutely spectacular. I find myself expressing words of gratitude for those families who, more than 40 years ago, planted the trees that we value and enjoy today.

Like many neighborhoods in the Twin Cities, we’ve had a terrible problem with the Emerald Ash Boer. Many of our trees have had to be removed and it has been very sad to see these majestic trees cut down. Our neighborhood, however, has banded together and are once again populating the boulevard from new trees. They are small and scrawny and do not provide any protection or beauty. Yet, as we care for the small sapling in front of our house, I imagine what it will be like in 20 or 30 years as young children yet to be born enjoy the shade.

We’re Staying In, Not Walking Out

March 13, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Our hearts have been heavy since the tragic school shooting in Florida last month. At the same time, we have been filled with hope witnessing young people around the world use their voices to ask for safer schools and less gun violence. MPA asks students to think critically and solve creatively. We ask them to dream big and do right, and that is exactly what we are seeing today’s young people do.

Having just returned from the National Association of Independent Schools Annual Conference, school violence and student safety were frequent topics of conversation. Across our nation, independent school leaders agree that civil discourse, social justice, inclusion, and equity are all important aspects of the complex society in which we live and our students have an important role to play in that.

This week will bring student-organized events around the world, including a significant walkout in protest on March 14 from 10-10:17 AM. I am writing to share how MPA will approach this time and the entire week at each division level and as a PreK-12 community. As always, the safety of our students is a paramount concern and for that reason, students will not be allowed to physically “walk out” of the building at any division level. Guided by our school’s mission and core values, students, teachers, and the administrative team have come together to ensure that every student will be appropriately empowered and respected this week. Together, they are viewing this as another opportunity to inspire students to identify problems in our community and world, use their values and knowledge to address them, and develop the confidence and courage to challenge the status quo.

Upper School

Student leaders are planning a week of action in Upper School. To get the conversation started, on Tuesday, March 13, students organized a Town Hall meeting with Minnesota State Senators Mark Johnson (R) and Chuck Wiger (D). They share, “We would like to use this opportunity to facilitate a meaningful discussion between students and bipartisan policymakers about how we can work together to keep our schools and communities safe, and to hear from a variety of viewpoints on this issue.” This is an optional event that will be held in the Recital Hall from 11:30 AM-12:15 PM.

On Wednesday, March 14, instead of walking out, Upper School students organized an opportunity to stay in and participate in 17 Minutes of Action from 10-10:17 AM followed by a student-facilitated debrief from 10:20-10:30 AM. Stations in the Commons will allow students to write postcards and make phone calls to their legislators and, for those who turn 18 before November, register to vote with the League of Women Voters. This will be a time for students to share their own personal perspectives and privacy will be possible during the phone calls. The debrief will allow student leaders to share the inspiration of the event, the goal for what their peers and they hoped to achieve, and they will also hold a moment of silence to honor the lives lost in the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Classrooms will be open for students who do not wish to participate so that they may engage with the topic and each other in their own way. Time for the 17 Minutes of Action and the debrief is being made possible by an adjustment to the schedule that day. The campus will be considered closed for seniors during the walkout time.

To conclude the activities of the week, on Thursday, March 15, the Social Consciousness Club meeting will offer students a time to process the week and think ahead to how they may continue taking action.

Please note that all of these activities have been organized by Upper School student leaders. They have been exceptionally respectful of their classmates, teachers, and administrators and kept in close touch with them throughout the planning.

Middle School

This is i-Term week in Middle School, a very special time when each student is engaged in an inquiry-based, experiential learning opportunity of their own choice. Many of the i-Term classes are venturing off campus for all or part of the week and all classes have robust schedules planned. For that reason, the Middle School is not offering any activities related to this topic.

However, one Middle School i-Term class, “Social Change: Discovering Your Voice,” will attend Wednesday’s 17 Minutes of Action in the Upper School because the subject matter of the class is an appropriate fit. Students may choose to be participants or observers. In addition, this class will explore the National WalkUp Movement that calls on students to “Walk up to someone who has different views than you and get to know him/her. Walk up to 14 students and three teachers and say something kind. Honor the lives of those lost by walking up, not out.” This movement aligns well with the Middle School Mind-Person-Action character education program and is developmentally appropriate for this age level.

Lower School

The Lower School will also take a developmentally appropriate approach to the week, recognizing that this topic may be unsettling to students at this age. Ms. Wright, Lower School director, will recommend specific picture books for teachers to read aloud throughout the week to reinforce CHAMP themes such as inclusiveness, courage, responsibility, and compassion. All of these themes allow students to consider their own role in making positive change and encourage them to use their voices for good in our world.

PreK-12

Finally, I would like to share some ways that the administrative team is taking action this week. One way that MPA provides a physically safe school is by staying in close contact with our community partners and we have two examples of that planned this week:

Lonn Bakke, our School Resource Officer from the Maplewood Police Department, will attend our administrative team meeting on Tuesday, March 13 to engage in a conversation related to school safety. This will be a time for us to ask questions about our current procedures and identify action steps to continuously improve.
Shawn Conway, the Maplewood Fire Department battalion chief of operations and training, will be on campus to debrief about the gas event on Friday. While the event went exceptionally well, every opportunity to engage our emergency plan offers lessons learned and working with Chief Conway will allow us to best identify those.

I would like to close by sharing that I am exceptionally proud of the way this week is being approached here, guided by our mission and values and with a commitment to inclusion and civil discourse. Our world desperately needs more engaged, educated, and empowered citizens who are dedicated to improving it and that starts at Mounds Park Academy. Our students dream big and do right every day and will continue to do so long after this week concludes.

Another Way to Support Mounds Park Academy

March 8, 2018

What are Planned Gifts?

Planned gifts, sometimes called “deferred gifts,” are charitable gift commitments made today, but from which MPA does not benefit until a future date. Planned gifts may be made from a donor’s estate at death or may be established now with the transfer of assets that will create a gift that provides an income stream to the donor with the remainder passing to MPA at the donor’s death. Gifts from estates can preserve lifetime flexibility (allow you to retain use of the assets and make changes during life), reduce your taxable estate, and help you to achieve a charitable purpose perhaps not possible during your lifetime. Life-income planned gifts, such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, may also produce immediate income tax benefits.

Why choose to make a Planned Gift?

Planned gifts can be an attractive way for donors to make a lasting impact by allowing them to make a larger, more substantial gift than they would otherwise be able to make during their lifetimes. Also, some donors are concerned about what happens to their annual support of MPA after they’re gone. A planned gift can be the answer. The nature of your future gift depends upon several factors: your age, total assets, estate and income tax situation, family inheritance concerns, timing, current income needs, and last but not least, your philanthropic goals: what do you want your legacy gift to accomplish at MPA? Read More

Rotary’s MPA Student of the Year

March 8, 2018

Senior William Thao was recognized at a breakfast last week as the Mounds Park Academy Student of the Year for the North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale Rotary Club. William was honored with his name on a plaque in the Upper School office, a certificate, and the opportunity to apply for a Rotary Club college scholarship. His parents, Sam Thao and Mee Vang, were present and given a gift certificate to the Lake Elmo Inn as well.

In partnership with each school, the Rotary Club annually recognizes one high school student from each school within District 622. Our criteria has been based on the type and amount of service that the student has done and their overall engagement with the ideals of both Rotary Club and MPA.

Randy Comfort, director of guidance, spoke on William’s behalf and introduced him to the Club. He shared that William has completed more than 100 hours of service in his career at MPA, he is an Eagle Scout, a Peer Leader, and an MPA Ambassador, and he participates in speech and debate. William selects and succeeds at very challenging courses and has had a job since he was 15. William’s teachers describe him as engaged, optimistic, determined, and service oriented toward his school and the world community.

We are so proud of William and so is the Rotary! Congratulations!

Easing The Transition

March 1, 2018

by Mark Segal, Upper School Director

The transition from middle to high school can sometimes be difficult. It is an awkward time when students may fit in right away, or feel like outcasts. Parents and teachers may seem like they are harping at them about the smallest things, and they may feel as though they have no similarly interested peers with whom to connect. What students might not realize–and is our responsibility to point out–is that Upper School offers new and exciting opportunities that are ready and waiting for them to explore.

MPA Talks: Meet Ling DeBellis

February 26, 2018

Ms. Ling DeBellis was adopted from Guiping, China in 2001 and has an undiagnosed neuromuscular condition. She’s a life long patient at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul. She attends MPA and lives in North Oaks with her family. This year, Ms. DeBellis is a member of the Young Women’s Initiative Cabinet of MN to advocate for a better Minnesota where all women have the opportunity to thrive.

We asked Ling some questions so you could get to know her before hearing her speak at MPA Talks on March 13! Take a look!

Who inspires you to be better and how?

My parents. My friends. My teachers. My community. The world. Their courage in me inspires everything I do. They care about me and teach me and trust me, so it’s my duty to show them how much I appreciate their endless dedication by aspiring to change the world.

What do you believe will be the greatest challenge our current students will face in their lifetimes and how do you see MPA equipping them to face that challenge?