Blog Archives

February 22, 2018

At Mounds Park Academy, a private school in Saint Paul, the words “kindergarten” and “joy” are inseparable. And it doesn’t matter who’s describing the experience.

When asked what she loves about teaching kindergarten, MPA’s Kristine Petersen said immediately, “Pure joy!” While Petersen didn’t specify if it was her joy or that of her students, it’s clear from a parent’s feedback that it’s both.

“Our daughter seems so committed to school because of her joy for it, which is the goal. She not only believes in the joy of school, but she trusts in the joy and excitement you bring to learning and to the classroom!”

Learning by Doing

The overarching philosophy at MPA is that kindergartners learn best by doing. MPA kindergartners move, play, dream, and do. The teachers present every single day as filled with wonder. In an MPA kindergarten class, education is fun, meaningful, purposeful, challenging, and always hands-on.

For example, students: Read More

MPA Talks: Meet Hannah Sullivan

February 22, 2018

Hannah Sullivan has been teaching science at MPA since 2004. She grew up in New Hampshire and attended high school at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. She went on to study Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT. She is passionate about science education, the outdoors, and spending time with her own two young boys.

At MPA Talks, Hannah will discuss what it looks like when we create a career that gives us a sense of pride and purpose, how to discover opportunities to use our talents and pursue our passions, and how we can make space to engage our passions in our careers.

We interviewed Hannah so that you could get to know her better before hearing her speak at MPA Talks!

We ask our students to dream big and do right. Do you feel that call to action is important to the future of our society and if so, why?
I think there many different ways to approach dream big and do right. We need people who are making the world a better place on many different levels. We need local leaders, teachers, healthy role models. We need to support our friends and family. We also need national and global leaders. If we can inspire our students to think about how they can make an impact on the community around them, on any scale, then we are setting everyone up for a better future.

Connect Deeper, Hug Longer, Remain Steadfast

February 15, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I had almost finished my Panther Post article yesterday when I heard the news of the latest school shooting in Florida. My worst fears as an administrator and as a parent were realized as I scrolled through my newsfeed and in the evening as I watched CNN. In light of this tragedy, it is natural to have questions of our own about the safety and security of our beloved children while at school. Tragic as it is, it is important to note that less than one percent of violent deaths are “school associated,” yet such instances do indeed feed our fears.

Very quickly, I made the decision that my initial message written for today would have to wait for another week. Instead, I offer my thoughts about the safety and security of Mounds Park Academy. In my professional assessment, I have confidence in our security measures and great faith in our school community culture. We can never, and should not ever, take anything for granted or let down our guard. There is always room for growth and we are committed to continuous review and improvement. In order to answer any questions, address any concerns, or allay any fears you may have, I offer the following.

Demonstrating Values-Based Leadership

February 8, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

It’s not often that I start my day in tears. In fact, I don’t cry much at all. But a recent morning was different as I listened to the six seniors give their senior performances. I was incredibly moved by their courage as each reflected on how they have overcome challenges and adversity. I was also grateful to be a part of a community where these young people felt comfortable and safe to tell their stories and knew they would be supported and accepted.

Senior performances are a capstone experience at MPA. The seniors reflect on their learning, values, struggles, and passions as evidence of their readiness for college and life. The speeches then compel them to speak publicly about the formative moments that have helped shape who they are. Being able to authentically present yourself in front of your peers can feel risky for the student, but is ultimately rewarding as empathy and support for one another builds throughout the year. It is not uncommon to hear classmates say to one another, “I never knew that about you.” Or, “I am so proud of you.” Each senior is encouraged to end their speech with an expression of gratitude to those who have supported them.

MPA Students Rally Against Human Trafficking

February 8, 2018

Last Thursday, 20 MPA Upper School students crafted their own signs and slogans, bundled up to face single-digit temperatures, and marched together in a rally supported by local nonprofit Breaking Free to fight human trafficking.

These students are passionate about fighting human trafficking, and Breaking Free gave them an opportunity to unite and speak out against a global problem commonly connected to the Super Bowl. Breaking Free is a social justice organization that aids women in escaping systems of prostitution and sexual exploitation. They joined the Minneapolis Police Department in hosting the rally at DeLaSalle High School. MPA seniors Pranay Somayajula, Alayna Fox, Ryan Guggenheim, Sierra Klein-Roque, Nashad Mahamoud, and Kate Van Hecke attended the rally in cohesion with their Senior Service Project.

“I was really proud of all the MPA students who showed up to this rally to support such an important cause and draw attention to this hugely underserved issue,” said Pranay. “It was amazing that so many people cared enough to brave the cold to march against human trafficking, and the support we got from all the people who honked and cheered as we went by them made it all worth it!” Read More

Maker Fest 2018: Meet Maker Jess Blue!

February 1, 2018

Jess Blue, more commonly known at MPA as Madame Blue, is a Middle and Upper School French teacher who uses her creativity and love for making to inspire all around her.

She is so excited to share her work at the first annual Maker Fest on February 24! Ms. Blue is a master of textiles, jewelry, and miniature dioramas. She is also a veteran to the MPA faculty and staff holiday market. Her dedication to making produces clothing, accessories, and completely custom pieces to fit anyone’s personality, while showcasing her own through each unique work of art.

“I am inspired by the feeling of satisfaction that comes from taking an idea from a picture to my head to something I can hold, and from making something with my own two hands. There is really nothing quite like it,” she said.

Ms. Blue is also motivated by others’ creativity. As a teacher, she is always excited to learn. While working, her “maker playlist” consists of podcasts that discuss the creative process and creative people. You’ll also find her using vintage fabrics and garments, such as linens, tablecloths, bedsheets, napkins, housecoats, and wool felt to generate a new life into what comes out of her own creative process.

The Middle School is Full STEAM Ahead

February 1, 2018

by Erica Brewinski, Middle School Director

“Birthday candle smell is hot rods lab!” I’m guessing that most people, upon seeing this message in the subject line of an email, would surmise that it is: a) spam, b) a link to a funny YouTube video sent by a coworker, or c) a line from a recent late night show. For me, and all of the faculty and staff who received that message on Tuesday, the message is further evidence that our Middle School students are highly engaged in a collaborative, hands on learning experiences.

Upon investigation, I indeed found sixth grade students clustered around lab stations, talking animatedly as they tested their hypotheses. Next door, the eighth graders were working in small groups on a problem-based activity that required them to study various factors to determine the best location for a research station in Yellowstone Park. Each group then had to give a five-minute pitch to an outside scientist. These types of project-based, open-ended learning activities include real world applications and use multiple 21st century skills, and they permeate our Middle School experience. MPA is helping students to dream big and do right; our students are actively engaged in their own learning, teachers are discovering ways to weave together content from many disciplines into projects, and our classrooms have seen positive changes with the addition of our one-to-one laptop program.

The Great Kindness Challenge

January 25, 2018

If this is your first time hearing of “The Great Kindness Challenge,” it can be described in many ways. By definition, it is an annual, nation-wide initiative that takes place at the end of January. To those who see our Lower School students participating, it is one week dedicated to enhancing a pervasive culture of kindness in our school. To everyone who witnesses the Challenge taking place, it is a system of encouragement for our littlest minds to consider how their random acts of kindness add up. Lower School students are taking action and participating this week, as kindness is a core principle of their CHAMP program.

“Character education is one of the most important cornerstones at Mounds Park Academy. Our commitment to educating the whole child means that academic preparation is but one aspect of education, and that the artistic, physical, social, emotional, and ethical development are equally important. In practice, character education comes to life through the Lower School CHAMP Program,” Dr. Bill Hudson shared in an earlier Head’s Message.

Kindness and compassion make a significant contribution to the early character development Dr. Hudson speaks of. Thus, all week, students have been taking action to complete the “kindness checklist.” Many students have quickly figured out that their daily behavior already checks a thing or two off the list!

Celebrating Progress: A Momentum 2020 Report

January 25, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

We are now in year three of our five-year strategic plan, Momentum 2020. A mentor of mine was famous for saying, “Plan the work, work the plan.” Generally speaking, a strategic plan sets forth a vision that is part inspirational and part operational. Momentum 2020 is serving its purpose and we have been hard at work implementing year by year, executing the strategy laid out in the plan.

It has become a tradition at this time of year to provide an update on our progress. Click here for a visual representation of our cumulative three-year progress.

More specifically, one year ago, I outlined four priorities flowing from Momentum 2020 that would be the focus of the 2017-2018 school year:

Inspire innovation and creativity through staffing our new Makerspace and developing the accompanying educational program.
Provide additional and enhanced personal counseling and guidance services to ensure the health, wellness, and wholeness of each student.
Continue to invest in our exceptional faculty and staff through salary, benefits, and professional development.
Further strengthen our financial vitality and sustainability.

What follows is a brief overview of progress so far this school year in addressing these four priorities, including some of the open-ended responses from the recent Net Promoter survey that MPA conducted in December. I am overjoyed to see that MPA is living up to your expectations and our strategic direction aligns with what you value most in a school.

Priority One: Inspiring innovation and creativity through staffing our new Makerspace and developing the accompanying educational program.

“When I talk about MPA to others, I first talk about the Makerspace and that my child has had French, gym, grama, music, and art since kindergarten—as well as the other basic classes.”

“MPA stays at edge of innovation, diversity training, discipline, and has strong, competent faculty.”

With an incredibly generous gift, MPA was afforded the opportunity to “inspire innovation and creativity through staffing our new Makerspace and developing the accompanying educational program.” There has been a great deal of excitement and interest in the Makerspace this school year. In just a few short months since its opening, students from every grade level have spent time in the Makerspace. It has become wildly popular among students and many consider it to be their favorite part of the school day.

Faculty Explore the 6 Cs

January 24, 2018

The academic emphasis on only reading, writing, and arithmetic is long gone; the emphasis today is broader and more nuanced than these foundational skills encompass. Some schools, including Mounds Park Academy, are even broadening the skills identified in the “21st Century Skills” movement, commonly known as “the 4 Cs” or critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity, to include two additional Cs: culture and connectivity.

At MPA, we welcome the increased focus on these critical skills, because, as a progressive and independent school, we’ve been emphasizing them since our beginning in 1982. This was long before the 21st Century was in our public consciousness. We have known for 36 years that these skills are critical for students to become engaged, thoughtful, and informed global citizens who are able to use their deep content knowledge to make a difference in their communities, in our country, and in the world.

We asked six MPA faculty members from across our community to share how they develop the 6 Cs in their students:

Thoughts on Critical Thinking from Jason Schwalen, Upper School English

In the English Department at MPA, we are creating students who are not simply critical thinkers, but informed thinkers who are willing to use those critical thinking skills to confront and solve the problems our culture has carried throughout history…attaining justice, equality, equity, and inclusivity begins with education.

In order to move our culture in a positive direction, our students need to be informed readers, critical thinkers, and skilled writers, and we build these skills by analyzing authors and artists who have attempted to document and improve our culture. Examining these authorial perspectives—and writing about them—helps create a foundation that equips our students to assess, analyze, and tackle the challenges that accompany trying to change the world. Read More