Blog Archives

September 23, 2021

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director

Growing More Comfortable
As we find ourselves in Week 5 together, we are learning more about each other and our needs, limits, and boundaries. As I have shared with all of you, it is important that middle schoolers feel safe to push boundaries and test limits (it often feels like it’s their job most days!) and it’s also important for them to realize that their actions, words, and habits impact those around them. We are working, diligently and often, to reinforce what it means to be back in school together, as an entire middle school, grades 5 through 8, and conduct ourselves as the caring, compassionate, and academically motivated students we all aspire to be.

As I make my way to each grade level and aim to set expectations, I would appreciate your partnership in reinforcing some fundamental commitments that we hold at MPA in the Middle School:

Every student’s learning is important. And it is not acceptable that one’s student’s behavior hinders their own learning and/or the learning of others.
Students should arrive to class on-time, prepared, with all materials required to be a fully present and active participant.
Students will respect all other human beings and expect respect in return.
Language that is insulting, demeaning, hurtful, and disrespectful is not acceptable at MPA.
Physical contact that harms another student, intentional or otherwise, will not be tolerated.
Teachers are leaders in the learning environment, and they deserve respect.
Poor choices, inappropriate behavior, and not following directions can, and will, result in consequences, including detention, a conversation with parents, and removal from privileges.
We are a community, and we all rise by being the best version of ourselves we can be.

I want to acknowledge that, for many of our students, the last 18 months have completely up ended our routines, our work, our learning, and our comfort in being together. It will take some time for us to settle in and come to honor the community expectations we have set forth. I hope you will join me in sharing these expectations with your student and welcome the invitation to partner with me, and your student’s teachers, to help them realize their full potential.

A Reminder: Middle School Dismissal
I am, so far, grateful for the ease and efficiency with which we are dismissing at 3:00pm in the West Lot. A few reminders to keep us moving and allow all of us to get to our next destination safely, and in a timely way:

Please do not stop along the curb near the busses to allow your student to enter the car. I ask that you pull around to the curb close to the building to keep cars from backing-up on Larpenteur and/or in the driveway.
I am always, very lovingly, encouraging your students to “hustle” to get into the car and keep things moving. I don’t do this to be hurtful, but rather because I realize that many times folks are on their way to the next thing, and we need to keep the line moving.
I also appreciate everyone staying in the car line (unless parking and waiting outside the door, which you are welcome to do!) and not “leap-frogging” or “budging” ahead in the line.

Finally, while I know there can occasionally be issues that hold us up as parents and we get to school a bit late, we are beginning the practice this week of taking all students not picked up by 3:15pm upstairs to either Study Hall or Panther Den. Our dismissal staff and faculty have meetings after school and cannot be downstairs waiting indefinitely. We also cannot leave your Middle School student outside to “wait” for you without an adult. Please make every effort to be on time unless you have previously determined that your student is going to Study Hall, Athletics, or Panther Den.

If you run into an issue and cannot make pick-up time, please call the office before 2:30pm and let us know and we will send your student to Study Hall or Panther Den.

Mrs. Lassonde and the Middle School Office
Mrs. Lassonde is available by email at jlassonde@moundsparkacademy.org and by phone at (651) 748-5565. We need to hear from you if you need an early dismissal or late arrival for an appointment, an absence from classes, or have any other question or concern, please reach out.

Middle School Show–Congratulations To Our Cast And Crew!
We are delighted to begin rehearsals for our Middle School show and congratulate all who were selected as cast and crew members. Please work with your student to know the rehearsal schedule, note it in their planners, prepare and have a plan for pick-up, and communication. Just like sports, students are responsible for arranging transportation, pick-up, and snacks with parents.

If you have questions or need information, please email Ms. Mastel (hmastel@moundsparkacademy.org) or have your student stop by to see her in her classroom.

Parent-Teacher Conferences—Save The Dates
Our PickATime system has been open since last week. If you have not already scheduled conferences and wish to do so, you have until the end of this week. Conference dates are:

Thursday, September 30, 3:30-7PM
Thursday, October 7, 3:30-8PM
Friday, October 8, 8AM-4PM (NO CLASSES)

All conferences are being held via ZOOM and each family is offered the opportunity to sign-up for up to five, 10-minute conferences with their student’s teachers.

If you are not scheduled by the end of this week, you will not be able to schedule conferences for this session. If you need assistance, please reach out to Mrs. Lassonde (jlassonde@moundsparkacademy.org) or call the Middle School Office.

MPA COVID-19 Symptom Response Protocol–Important Reminders
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. 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.

Planners: Use Them–Check Them–Be Accountable
Student planners were distributed last week, and we have been working diligently on learning to use them consistently, productively, and in a way that supports self-regulation and success. Please ask your student about their planner, ask them to show you their progress, and remember that their planner is their first line of organizational super-power!

Please Send Snacks
Middle Schoolers are always hungry. ALWAYS! And each day, most teachers take time, either during advisory or Block 3, to offer a snack time. For obvious reasons, we cannot provide snacks for all students (allergies, preference, preparation, etc.) but we welcome you to coordinate with your student a snack they can bring to school to give them just enough to make it to lunch.

On this note, eating breakfast is often hard for Middle Schoolers – they are tired, not awake enough to eat, are using every minute to sleep/snooze before coming to school. Especially if your student is not eating breakfast, their snack is ESSENTIAL!

Excellent ideas for snacks include, but are not limited to:

Carrots and hummus
String Cheese and crackers
Goldfish
Yogurt tube and fruit (already cut and prepared)
Sliced apple and sunflower butter (no peanuts/tree nut butters)
Celery and ranch dip
Small half of sandwich

On a related note, if your student is staying after school for a sports practice, they also NEED an after-school snack that they may eat in preparation for an hour and a half of activity. NO ONE likes a “hangry” (pre)teen…it would be wonderful if students came prepared for their day not just academically, but nutritionally, as well.

Water Bottles–A Necessity
A full day of learning is a full day that requires water – PE, academic classes, arts classes, lots of movement and activity! Students need water bottles, and they need to drink water consistently. Please send a water bottle, that can be kept at school, labeled with your student’s name, with them each day. We do not have cups, disposable water bottles, or any other way for student to remain hydrated!

Parent Coffees Coming Soon
I recognize that not being able to be in the building and on campus can lead to feelings of disconnection – it’s difficult for me, too, to not have you with us. Please look for emails invitations in the coming week for Grade Level Coffee gatherings with me – I look forward to conversation, fellowship, and community building with you!

Sept 30 All School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7 PM
Oct 7 All School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Oct 8 All School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 8 AM-4 PM, NO CLASSES
Oct 20-22 Fall Break – NO CLASSES
Oct 29 End of Quarter 1 – All Assignments and Assessments Due
Nov 1 GRADING DAY – NO CLASSES
Nov 2 Quarter 2 Begins

Lower School Division News

September 23, 2021

from Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Monday Morning Meetings In Lower School
On many Mondays Lower School students gather for a Monday Morning Meeting. Our first Monday Morning Meeting of the school year took place on Monday, September 20 at 8:30 AM via Zoom. Coming together for these meetings unites the Lower School and sets the direction for the week ahead.

Our Monday Morning Meeting follows an agenda which encourages student participation. To start the meeting students get moving for “Brain Dance” led by Ms. Espeland. Brain Dance is composed of eight developmental movements that fire up the central nervous system and encourage the brain and body to work together. Often times, students are moving to the music they are learning about in music class. This week students were moving to the music of Esperanza Spalding, a well-known jazz string bass player, singer, composer, and teacher. Students also meet new faculty/staff during the “Who’s Who at MPA?” segment of the meeting. This week students met third grade teacher, Mrs. Colianni. She shared information and virtual photos about herself and her family. Another important agenda item is “Student Splash” when students present what they are learning in the classroom. This week fourth graders presented information about our Conflict Manager program which empowers fourth graders to help Lower School students solve conflicts on the playground. Other fourth graders shared a science lesson on variables. During the “Word Wizard” segment of the agenda a fourth grade student is quizzed on the meanings of the Words of the Week. It is inspiring to see our fourth graders show their vocabulary skills as word wizards. Lastly, as a way to chart the course for the week students hear about events of the week during the “Joyful Journey” segment of the meeting. This week the students heard about Homecoming and the special things they can look forward to next week. These meetings last about 30 minutes and end with the MPA School song as a way to show school spirit and start the week on a high note.

Monday Morning Meeting is a wonderful way to start the week. The meetings are a beautiful collaboration between teachers and students. Everyone benefits from the Monday Morning Meeting experience. Lower School students experience and get comfortable with public speaking and find it rewarding to present at the meeting. Teachers believe the meetings build community within Lower School. These meetings are a highlight of the week for everyone!

Conflict Managers
Fourth graders at Mounds Park Academy received conflict management training during the first few weeks of school for their role as Conflict Managers. Each day for the rest of the school year two fourth graders (on a rotating basis) will assist Lower School students with conflicts as they arise on our playground. This is a wonderful leadership opportunity for the fourth graders and a terrific service to our LS students. It is honorable to see how seriously our fourth graders take this responsibility.

Homecoming Happenings
September 27 – October 1 is Homecoming Week at Mounds Park Academy! This is an exciting time to come together as a community to show school spirit and celebrate our fantastic school. Lower School students will be involved in many of the special events throughout the week as a way to help students experience the Homecoming tradition at MPA. Below you will find the list of Lower School events throughout the week and special opportunities your child may want to participate in.

Monday, September 27: Pajama Day for all LS students.
Friday, October 1: Spirit Day! Students should wear their Homecoming T-Shirt and non-uniform bottoms. We encourage the MPA colors blue and white!

Recess Events:

Recess Photo Booth: Students will have the opportunity to get their photo taken with MPA spirit props at the Homecoming Photo Booth during recess. Photos will be made available to families on Schoology.
Thursday, September 30: All Lower School Students will gather together at the end of recess to sing and sign the MPA School Song as one group. Ms. Espeland will lead the song and our communication office will document this special event with a video. This will also be shared on Schoology for parents to enjoy.

Coloring Sheet
Lower School students took home an MPA Panther coloring sheet this week to promote Homecoming. Encourage your child to color the Panther and return the sheet to school during the week of September 27. We will hang their beautiful pictures in the LS hallway for everyone to enjoy!

Ways To Foster Lifelong Reading Habits

Provide a wide variety of reading material. Children need to experience reading fiction and non-fiction, magazines, graphic novels, and comic books. Children need access to lots of texts to help them discover their interests. You never know what will absorb a child when reading.
Celebrate all reading. Children will read more if given choices in what they read. Do not push children to read harder books, give up picture books or comics, or limit their reading choices when they are selecting books for pleasure. Praise them for reading and show interest in the books they choose.
Limit screen time. The more time children spend using electronic devices and watching television, the less they read. Encourage children to read books or magazines in print to develop reading stamina.

Credit: Eight Ways for Parents and Teachers to Foster Wild and Lifelong Reading Habits, by Donalyn Miller. Miller is an education and literacy consultant.

Dates To Remember

September 27 – October 2: Homecoming Week
September 30, October 7, October 8: Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 8: No Classes
October 20 – 22: No Classes/Fall Break

The Responsibility of Bold Innovation

September 16, 2021

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I have to admit I am a big fan of dystopia books, film, and television. Favorite books include “The Stand” by Stephen King and “Swan Song” by Robert McCammon, movies such as “The Day After Tomorrow” and “I Am Legend”, and television shows like “The Leftovers” and “The Walking Dead.” It’s not that I like gloom and doom or enjoy blood and gore. Rather, I see dystopian literature, films, and television as windows into the human condition, what humans are capable of in the face of horrific conditions, great suffering, or terrible injustice, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Living through the last several weeks, let alone the last 18 months, has been all too much like a dystopian novel. Wildfires in the west, hurricanes in the south, the drought here in Minnesota combined with the lingering effects of the pandemic, all present a series of challenges that are testing the fabric of our society. Like characters in a dystopian movie, we are learning a great deal about ourselves, what we value, and what we are willing to do to endure.

Imagine my surprise last week when dystopia seemed to invade my professional life when I came across the article “Schooling in the ‘Fifth Season’” by Justin Reich in the latest edition of one of my favorite education journals, Educational Leadership. What caught my attention was a quote from a study conducted by the United States Change Research Program, “Humans are re-engineering the geo-chemistry of the planet to be inhospitable to our current civilization. As average temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more common, there will be more fires, more floods, more freezes, more novel disease events, and accompanying migration, civil unrest, and conflict.” (Reidmiller, et al., 2018) While I’m not sure I agree with this assessment, I believe that conducting school no just like we did 18 months ago would be a mistake. Educational systems must be inherently structured to pivot and change and to become more agile and proactively responsive. Read More

Connecting With The MPA Parents Association

September 9, 2021

Parents Connect: Wednesday Morning Walks

The Parents Association invites parents and guardians to get together Wednesday mornings after drop off. Mark your calendars, it will be fun! Wednesday, September 8 we’ll have a 30-minute walk with Michelle Mick. We’ll meet at the flagpole near the LS entrance. LS, MS and US families are welcome. Chat with new parents and connect with friends. Younger children are welcome to walk with us.

After that walk if parents are interested, we can head over to the Farmer’s Market at Aldrich Arena, a short walk from MPA. They have a large variety of great produce and you’ll be supporting local farmers.

Remember to bring a mask to all events! Hope to see you there!

Parents Connect: Monday and Thursday Mornings in the Garden

Get your hands dirty after drop off, helping in MPA’s gardens. No experience necessary. Come and help weed, plant, dig, or sow, all are welcome. How long you stay is up to you. If Michelle Mick is not at the flagpole, go around the corner, in the Library gardens, next to Door #2.

Upcoming garden dates resume on Monday, September 13. Michelle is unable to meet Thursday, September 9.

Remember to bring a mask! Hope to see you there!

News from the MPA Gardens

‘Tis the season to see the beautiful Monarch butterflies fill up, on their way down to Mexico where they overwinter. In the library gardens, this past week there have been lots of butterflies (a kaleidoscope of butterflies!) feeding off the long purple flower at the end of the gardens near the library — the flower is liatris/blazing star, a native, and if you have a chance, do please wander through the gardens, with your student or alone to catch the last glimpse of them before they fly off on their way until next year. This past week we have seen up to 20 of them circling around, landing, dancing in the air — it really is a beautiful sight!

A Commitment To Growth

September 9, 2021

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

On Wednesday morning I had the pleasure of attending the first Lower School CHAMP assembly of the new school year. If you are not familiar with CHAMP, it stands for “Character Happens At Mounds Park.” My day began greeting students as they entered school wearing a rainbow of designated colors unique to their grade level. The assembly would ordinarily take place in person, but instead students gathered via Zoom to engage joyfully in song, learn about the attribute of the new year, and listen to a book read by librarian Nancy Lage. Afterwards, classroom teachers invited students to share their thoughts and experiences on the theme.

Now in its eleventh year, the CHAMP program will continue to focus on its primary philosophy of guiding students to act with a specific set of traits to produce responsible citizens. As explained by Renee Wright, Lower School Director, classes will continue to focus on the eleven attributes in order to endorse real-life application of Friendship, Compassion, Respect, Inclusiveness, Courage, Self-control, Responsibility, Cooperation, Mindfulness, Integrity, and Perseverance. The focus this year will be on being accountable and students will focus on being accountable to self, family, school, and community. Read More

The Magic Of A Noisy Classroom

September 2, 2021

After several months of quiet and sometimes eerie peacefulness, the hallways and classrooms are abuzz with energy and joy this week. And so, it should be as the MPA family comes together again for a new school year. With 139 new students and an overall enrollment of 577, much of our time over the last week has been dedicated to building community and developing relationships with one another.

There are volumes of research demonstrating that when students feel like they belong, self-esteem, positive peer relationships, classroom engagement, academic achievement, positive attitudes toward school and learning, resilience, and many other positive attributes increase. One of those volumes collecting dust in the stacks of the University of St. Thomas Library is my own dissertation on the importance of creating a school culture that is grounded in relationships.

Late last week, I was drawn to a classroom by the laughter emanating from it. Rather than be concerned, I simply smiled, for I learned early in my career as a teacher and administrator that there is magic in a noisy classroom. What on the surface may seem a bit chaotic or messy can in reality be a very intentional experience with students engaged in their own education, building relationships, and learning collaboratively, in a robust and captivating place. Read More

How To Get Connected By MPA Upper School Student Council

September 2, 2021

The MPA Upper School student council is providing the newest members of our community with a current insight into our program, this week with their top five pieces of advice for new students to connect and be involved socially and in other ways!

Join clubs to meet people with similar interests
Attend Student Council events and dances
Start your own club or project
Sit in the student section at sporting events
Join music groups

And don’t forget to follow and connect with the Upper School student council on Instagram at @mpastudentcouncil!

Providing A Joyful Light

August 26, 2021

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Welcome home! I hope that you had a wonderful summer, filled with plenty of time with family and loved ones. Although I enjoyed the slower pace, I am thrilled to start a new school year. We begin the school year with 575 students, the highest enrollment in more than 10 years with 138 new students, several grade levels full, and others close to capacity. Our growing enrollment is surely an indication that “Dream Big. Do Right.” speaks resoundingly to the hearts and minds of a growing number of families in the Twin Cities. With confident humility, we acknowledge our place among the very best independent schools in the nation.

I love to read but find very little time during the school year to tackle a good novel while also staying abreast of journals, the most current educational research, and professional reading. During the summer, however, you can find me reading on the deck, the dock, the boat, or on long car trips (in the passenger seat, of course). Of all the books I read this summer, one stands out, the Pulitzer Prize winning “All the Light We Cannot See.” It is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read and is deeply, deeply moving.

As I was thinking about many reasons why MPA is a unique and special place and the tremendous growth of the school over the last several years, I was inspired by a line in the book:

“So how, children, does the brain, which lives without a spark of light, build for us a world full of light?”

The mission of MPA over the last 40 years, as captured by our school motto, “Dream Big. Do Right.” is dedicated to bringing light to a world that all too often seems darkened. Each child holds within them immense possibility and potential. By igniting and nurturing the light within each student, our students are better able to bring that light to the world. Through cultivating critical thinking, creative inquiry, and social responsibility, we inspire and empower our children to improve an ever-changing and sometimes, challenging world. We do that by truly knowing each student and though a rigorous, yet joyful, education delivered by an exceptional faculty and staff dedicated to fostering caring relationships with their students.

Thank you choosing MPA and entrusting your children to us. It is going to be a fantastic year!

Top 5 Things MPA Student Council Wants You to Know

August 25, 2021

The MPA Upper School student council is reaching out to new students! To provide the latest members of our community with a current insight into our program, the council members have accrued a list of the TOP FIVE best aspects of being a new student at MPA:

MPA is a warm and welcoming community.
MPA offers amazing student resources outside the classroom.
MPA has an endless number of clubs and organizations to join.
Teachers and staff are friendly, supportive, and sociable.
Students are constantly supported in discovering new passions and interests.

Follow the Upper School student council Instagram page @mpastudentcouncil on Instagram! Let us know of some more amazing things about being a new MPA student in the comments!

Interested in Theatre at MPA?

August 10, 2021

Have you ever wanted to audition, but had a case of stage fright? You want to try working backstage, but have no knowledge of tools? That is okay–that is what this Theatre Info Meeting is for! We will cover the following in a brief zoom session with the MPA theatre teachers, Ann Frances Gregg, Emily Jaques, and Heather Mastel:

Can I play a sport and be in a play?
How much does it cost to participate?
What is the time commitment?
How do auditions work?
What jobs can I do backstage?
How do I get involved?

Join us next Wednesday, August 18 at 6 PM. We will cover all in this meeting for Middle School and Upper School families.

In addition, students are invited to join us Tuesday, August 31 for a Theatre Info Meeting just for students. Grab your lunch and meet us in the Black Box at 11:20 am (pending safety precautions, Middle School—grab your lunch at recess time and join us).

See you there—break a leg this year!

JOIN VIA ZOOM >