Lower School Archives

April 26, 2018

Our next upcoming admission event is Lunch at MPA on Tuesday, May 15, starting at 11:30 AM! Invite a friend, neighbor, colleague, or anyone you know who shares your educational values. We can’t wait to meet them!

Guests are invited to campus during a regular school day to meet school administrators over a casual meal and tour the campus to see our students and teachers in action.

Kindly extend our invitation for lunch and have your friends RSVP in advance for this engaging program at moundsparkacademy.org/RSVP. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admission at 651-748-5577 or admission@moundsparkacademy.org.

Experience The “Sound Of Music” Starting Tonight!

April 26, 2018

Come see the MPA Upper School theatre put on the world’s most beloved musical! On April 26, 27, and 28 at 7 PM in the Nicholson Center, they will be performing “The Sound Of Music” at MPA! Tickets are available here!

From Rodgers & Hammerstein Theatricals: “When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually capture the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon, the two discover Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain’s immediate service in their navy. The family’s narrow escape of the mountains of Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time.”

Plus, take a sneak peek here at all of the magic the MPA theatre department is putting on in “The Sound Of Music!”

An MPA Retirement And Celebration

April 26, 2018

Mary Beggin, a beloved Lower School teacher at Mounds Park Academy, has decided to retire at the end of this school year. While she may not come to our campus next year, her legacy will live on through the many students she has taught throughout the past 45 years, 20 of which were spent at MPA.

Mary, who has taught second, third, and fourth grade at MPA, is exceptionally passionate about teaching and has truly enjoyed her teaching career. She loves her children as if they are her own—connecting deeply with each and every one of them and their families.

Mary is known for going above and beyond for every child, having tutored and provided extra learning support for many Lower School students. She genuinely wants each child to recognize and focus on his or her strengths—she wants each child to feel even better about herself or himself when the year ends.

Parents Association Family Dinner Social

April 26, 2018

As you rush to get ready for the Middle School Parent Meetings and Vocal Concert, the MPA Parents Association wants want to take one thing off your plate: dinner! On Thursday, May 3 from 4:45-5:45 PM, the PA invites you for fresh and delicious soup or salad and sandwiches prepared by Sage. The cost is $6 per person, in cash or check made out to the MPA PA, to be paid ahead of time via the Lower or Middle School offices, or pay the afternoon of the dinner. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Please RSVP here by Friday, April 27 at so the PA can plan on your attendance!

Enhancing Play Spaces For All

April 26, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

At the dinner table, we have a tradition of sharing our day with one another. Among other topics and questions, we often ask the kids, “What did you like best about your day?” Inevitably, the response is one of three possibilities: phy ed class, lunch, or recess. Obviously, we hope it’s about a riveting discussion about a novel or an exciting discovery during a science experiment. However, as an educator, I am okay with their response. Physical activity, free play, unstructured time, and nutrition are all necessary aspects of a student’s life, no matter the age. This is also true for adults!

In a few weeks, we will gather at the historic JX in Stillwater for our annual Spring Auction. It is our only school-wide community builder solely for the grown-ups in our community and our only fundraising event of the year. The newly opened JX is a beautiful setting with wonderful views and plenty of space for socializing and joy-raising. We will have many items in the silent auction, fun games of chance, and some unique experiences in the live auction. As is our custom, we will end the auction with an opportunity to fund a specific need of the school.

Through this Fund A Need portion of the evening, together over the past several years we’ve raised more than $300,000 to enhance the educational experience of our students. Past projects include the Digital Fabrication Studio (an early iteration of the Makerspace), Virtual Classroom, extensive bathroom renovations, sound, lighting, and seating replacement in the Blackbox Theatre.

Lower And Middle School Parent Events

April 19, 2018

Many Lower and Middle School family and parent events are coming up this spring!

There will be an Lower School Parent AnnMarieThomas Makerspace event on Thursday, April 26 from 5-6 PM and on Friday, April 27 from 8-9 AM! In an effort to accommodate busy schedules, there are two meeting times with the same agenda. If you choose the afternoon time your child is welcome to attend Panther Club/Den at the expense of the Parents Association!

The education topic will cover the Makerspace and Ms Koen, Makerspace Coordinator, is the faculty guest. By consciously connecting liberal arts thinking with 21st century skills and competencies, the Makerspace provides students with the opportunities to construct meaning through making by way of practical, hands-on, interdisciplinary, problem-based projects. Come experience the innovative space and see a glimpse of STEAM at work!

All Middle School parents are invited to the last Middle School Parent Education Event of the year on Friday, April 20 from 8-9 AM in the Porter Conference Room. Dr. Jules Nolan will lead a conversation titled, “It’s All About Emotions: What are developmentally appropriate emotional behaviors for your child? How do we manage our own emotion and that of our children during stressful times?” This session will explore emotional life, how emotions can impede or enhance learning, and how to protect our children by helping them develop emotional resilience. Research from Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence will be discussed as well.

Enhancing Play Spaces For All

April 19, 2018

We are excited to announce this year’s Spring Auction Fund A Need! Through our community’s generous support, we will significantly enhance the spaces where our students play and rejuvenate, PreK-12. Our goal is to raise $75,000.

With new equipment on the playground specifically designed for students PreK-8, and more comfortable and extensive seating for Upper School students in the Benz Courtyard, our students will benefit from these improved spaces each and every day. Rooted in the knowledge that young people thrive cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically when they have plenty of time and space to move and play, this Fund A Need will enhance MPA’s ability to deliver on its mission and nurture the whole child.

A Special Surprise For CHAMP Kids

April 19, 2018

Wednesday’s Lower School CHAMP assembly included a warm reading of “The Hugging Tree” by Mr. Wilson, time to brainstorm ideas about resilience as a division, and a complete surprise unveiling of the newest Peace Garden additions! Upper School student Connor McFarland engraved stumps from tees found fallen with every CHAMP trait to enhance the MPA Peace Garden. Bela Larsen and Jaeden McFarland will be putting the finishing touches on them just in time for spring weather!

Enjoy all of the photos of the CHAMP assembly and surprise unveiling here!

Lower School Family Science Night

April 12, 2018

Join us as we celebrate “Screen-Free Week” with MPA Lower School Family Science Night! This hands-on and extremely fun event is sponsored by the MPA Panther Club program, and is on Tuesday, May 1 from 6:30-7:30 PM in the Kreischer gym and cafeteria. Students must be accompanied by an adult to attend the evening full activities! Plus, you do not want to miss the “Magic of Science” presentation with Mr. Purdy!

Contact Russ Purdy at rpurdy@moundsparkacademy.org or (651) 748-5571 with any questions. Light refreshments will be served. We can’t wait to see you there!

Crochet For Beginners Camp At MPA

April 12, 2018

Crochet for Beginners with Ms. Schwieger is coming to Summer At MPA! From June 18-22, campers entering grades 2-5 are welcome to join this hands-on class.

“I can’t wait to share my love of crochet with students during Summer Enrichment! I’ve enjoyed needlework, embroidery, sewing, and working with yarn for many years,” says Ms. Schwieger. “Crocheting is a fun and relaxing hobby that’s easy to learn. They’ll also go home with plenty of ideas and resources to continue their new hobby over the summer!”

Join Ms. Schwieger and discover a new passion! Students will be introduced to the basics of crochet and pattern reading. Materials, terminology, and basic stitches are covered. When the students feel comfortable with the basics, they can choose a project to work on. By the end of the week, they will have completed their first crochet project and have a creative skill for life! Click here to learn more and register!