Lower School Archives

December 8, 2017

Lower School Parent

What do you love about MPA?
The quality of the teachers, and the genuine concern, focus on, and love for the students. The philosophy of educating the students to be intelligent and socially responsible individuals.

How is your child encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
The class curriculum provides my daughter the opportunity to try different things and develop the skills necessary to accomplish anything or everything she wants to do. MPA encourages and informs my daughter about what is right, but also teaches her to respect that everyone is free to have their own opinion.

What would you tell another family considering MPA?
I would tell you that your child will receive focused attention by the teachers. Your child will be allowed to be whoever she wants to be. Your child will be encouraged to be a unique individual at her own pace. Your child will become socially responsible and able to tackle the challenges of today’s ever changing world.

In what ways has MPA prepared your child for life in the 21st century?
It has given her the chance to develop the skills and intellect needed for today’s world. For example, I like the fact each child is given the opportunity to work on different projects and present those project to other students and/or parents. This allows the child to build confidence necessary for the 21st century, whether it is in communicating with others at a job or articulating their dreams. Read More

The Importance of Play and Movement

December 7, 2017

by Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Lower School students participated in Sports Week the week of November 27. This Lower School tradition is a joyful way to promote physical activity, and as I watched the students immersed in sports activities, I reflected on my own childhood and realize how much I had missed in being a student prior to the enactment and implementation of Title IX. I did not have the opportunity to try out different sports or compete on a sports team. How joyful to watch our students—girls and boys alike—celebrating sports and cheering on each other.

Throughout the week students had the opportunity to tell their sports story and were reminded of the importance of being physically active. On sports dress-up day, students came dressed as soccer players, skiers, dancers, football players, skaters, and more. I was so impressed with the pride Lower School students showed when sharing their sport or talking about the physical activities they participate in individually, on a team, or with their families. When asked why sports are important to them, kindergarteners shared, “Because it is fun to play sports with friends, being active gives you more energy, and playing sports makes your body healthier.”

The kindergarteners were right in identifying the importance (not to mention the fun) of staying physically active. Research shows that sports participation is a significant predictor of a young adult’s participation in physical fitness activities. Three in four adults aged 30+ who play sports today played sports as school-aged children. Only three percent of adults who play sports did not play when they were young (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard University/NPR, 2015). Read More

Lower School Kid Of The Game

November 30, 2017

MPA students in grades PreK-4 are invited to be a Lower School Kid of the Game at an MPA Boys Varsity Basketball home game!

The Kid of the Game will first be introduced before the game, then join the Panthers and coaches on the court for pregame warm ups, and receive an MPA basketball gift and concession stand item. Being a Lower School Kid of Game is free and siblings are welcome to be Lower School Kid of Game on the same night.

“Screenagers” Viewing And Discussion

November 16, 2017

How much time does your child spend looking at screens? On average, children spend six and a half hours a day on screens, and that’s not including in the classroom or while doing homework. Do you think violent video games desensitize people to violence? Have you experienced people using screens to avoid face-to-face interactions? Does your child ever make comments online that he or she wouldn’t make in person? These are all questions that every parent struggles with and MPA would like to help better equip you to navigate this important issue.

We had so many members of our community join us for a viewing of Screenagers, followed by energetic and intriguing discussion. For those who were not able to attend, we will be hosting an additional viewing on campus on January 9 from 8-10 AM in the Recital Hall. Please join us!

Dreaming Big At The CHAMP Assembly

November 9, 2017

The theme of the Lower School CHAMP assembly Wednesday was “Be brave and dream big.” This represents the new CHAMP character trait, courage, reminding students of how much their dreams matter and to stay true to who they are, think big, take risks, and be courageous in all of their endeavors.

Students designed posters that served as self-reflections. They started with an outline of their faces, and sketched in portraits of unique hairstyles, sleeping eyes, and whatever they were dreaming up at the moment. These illustrations are an emblematic way to show what kind of dreamer they are, including responses such as World Dreamer, Outside-The-Box Dreamer, Silly Dreamer, and Independent Dreamer. The posters will soon decorate the Lower School hallway.

Click here for more photos of our dreamers!

Halloween Reflections

November 2, 2017

by Mark Segal, Upper School Director

It is hard to believe that the annual MPA Halloween Parade is the culmination of months of planning and preparation. At some point early this past summer, my fourth-grade son, Logan, began to share with me how much he enjoys Halloween. An ardent Minnesota Vikings fan, he began to think about his costume and figured out a way to meld together his favorite Vikings player (Harrison Smith) and the Vikings mascot, Viktor the Viking. It is not about the candy, he would later share, but rather about the fun costumes that students get to wear and the high-fives he receives from the “older kids” as he follows the parade route through the building.

The all-school celebration of Halloween is one of the many school wide traditions that younger students get to share with older students at MPA. Mounds Park Academy is the only independent school in the Twin Cities that offers a PreK through 12 educational and community experience under one roof. I appreciate when prospective parents ask if being in an environment of mixed-age students is beneficial. I get to share that MPA wholeheartedly knows it is and explain the many ways in which this is the case. Being in a mixed-age community allows our students to be their best selves. Our Lower School students utilize their greatest communication skills and lessons learned from the CHAMP character education program in their interactions with older students and emulate their respectful, inclusive behavior. Our Upper School students respond appropriately to the fact that they are being carefully watched by the younger students and relish opportunities to act more child-like while still modeling appropriate behavior. And those in the middle? They find great joy and meaning through interacting with their younger friends as they look ahead to becoming campus-wide leaders as older students.

Finding Balance In Today’s World

October 26, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I am having a hard time finding balance these days. I think I am pretty good at the work-home balance, but achieving a physical balance is another matter. This week, I broke a bone in my foot and one in my ankle while on an afternoon run. Even with crutches, maintaining a balance is a challenge.

Maintaining balance and achieving well-being seem to be increasingly difficult in today’s society. It is challenging for adults and even more so for our children. It is well documented that anxiety and depression are on the rise for our young people. There are a number of reasons that can be attributed to this growing problem. The pressure of academic achievement, the drive for perfection, homework, and worries about getting into the “right” college can make it difficult for young people to find balance. Social media is also partly to blame. While the data is not yet conclusive, researchers believe the use of social media and smartphones appear to be culpable for the increase in teen mental health. (Jean Twenge, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” The Atlantic, Sept. 2017)

Many years ago, MPA initiated a very unique and innovative marketing campaign. One of the taglines was “Competition belongs in the boardroom, not the classroom.” I think it speaks to one of the most distinctive attributes of MPA. Students work hard at achieving good grades, but not at the expense of their relationships with one another and with their teachers. We have a collaborative environment where students support one another and work to achieve their personal best, not to beat their classmates.

Lower School Halloween Parade

October 26, 2017

Families are invited to attend this tradition on campus! Lower School students parade the halls, much to the delight of their older audiences! It’s never easy to tell what age is most joyful! Join us in the halls on Tuesday, October 31 at 2:30 PM. Please note this time change from when the calendar was printed.

Bring A Friend To MPA Day

October 26, 2017

Friday, December 1 will be a very special day on campus for MPA students and their friends. Those in grades three through eight are welcome to bring a same-grade friend for a day of learning and fun! This is an opportunity for you to give a gentle nudge to families who you believe would appreciate the MPA experience. Learn much more and register at moundsparkacademy.org/bringafriend.

Lower School Parent Meeting

October 12, 2017

Come meet new parents and catch up with old friends while hearing about educational topics from the MPA faculty! You’re invited to the Parents Association Lower School parent meeting on Thursday, October 26 from 5-6 PM or Friday, October 27 from 8-9 AM. In an effort to accommodate busy schedules, we are offering two meeting times with the same agenda. Both meetings will be hosted in the Porter Conference Room located on the north end of of campus.

If you choose to come to the afternoon meeting, your child is welcome to attend Panther Club at the expense of the PA.

The educational topic will focus on Schoology, presented by Ms. Kitch, PreK-12 Technology Integration Specialist. You will learn how to use this new tool effectively and the answers to questions you may be experiencing, like “What is the difference between the app and the website? Do you contact teachers via email or through Schoology? If you post a message, does everyone see it?” The faculty guest is Ms. Rossbach, founding faculty member and visual arts teacher. She will share the arts department educational philosophy. This meeting is brought to you through the collaboration of Ms. Wright, Lower School director and PA Co-Lower School division leads, Heidi Nelson and Christine Larson.