Lower School Archives

Understanding School Types & Finding The Best Fit

February 10, 2020

As consumers, we have the option of customizing virtually any purchase–education included. Parents can select from a wide range of school types, each with their own structure and approach. Making the best choice for your child starts with understanding the common characteristics of each kind of school: public and charter, private and independent, and religious and parochial.

Public and Charter Schools
As described by author Alex Caffee in her Niche blog, traditional public schools are tied to school districts and set their curriculums based on state education standards. Charter schools are public schools that are independent of school districts and have contracts with state or local boards.

“The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for greater accountability,” says Caffee. “As public schools, charter schools are open to all children, do not require entrance exams, cannot charge tuition, and must participate in state testing and federal accountability programs. The schools draw up their own ‘charter’ which is a set of rules and performance standards that they are held accountable to.” Read More

Momentum 2020: Living Out Our Mission

February 6, 2020

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

As we approach the end of our current 5-year strategic plan, Momentum 2020, work is underway to lay the foundation for our next plan. Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees and the school’s administration, the MPA community is engaged in a conversation around our core and aspirational values that will give direction to the new plan.

As part of this conversation, students in the Upper School were recently given the opportunity to provide their feedback on a list of core and aspirational values. They were also given the opportunity to name additional values represented at MPA that were not on the list provided. Imagine my reaction when the overwhelming value Upper School students offered was “kindness.” In a world that often feels anything but kind, I am proud that students affirmed kindness as a core value. While respect is part of our mission statement, kindness is the manifestation of respect, an expression of how students consciously choose to act. I couldn’t have been prouder.

We are fortunate to have a warm, kind, welcoming, and inclusive community, characterized by kindness. It represents a deliberate outcome set forth in our current plan that prioritized the creation and implementation of character education and wellness programs across each division. It serves as just one of many examples of how Momentum 2020 has guided the ongoing, continuous school improvement over the past five years. It is customary at this time of year that I provide an update on our strategic plan and how the school is living out its mission. As you will see in this infographic, we have accomplished a great deal. While it is impossible to capture all the progress that has been made in the last year, I would like to highlight a few notable accomplishments under each of the three strategic priorities. Read More

MPA Students Share Their Voices On Podcast

February 6, 2020

As part of Design For Change’s Earth Day Network Plastic Pollution Design Sprint, two MPA Kindergarten students and Ms. Koen were featured in a blog post and on one of their podcast episodes! The Kindergarten students’ recent project selling reusable canvas grocery bags at Kowalski’s Market gave them the knowledge and confidence to take what they learned about preserving the environment, eliminating plastic use, and global citizenship on air. Take a listen to what they have to say here!

While you listen, take a look at the Design For Change blog post, “A Look Behind the Scenes: Collaborating with Earth Day Network,” to see photos of the MPA Kindergarteners putting their passion to work. The blog expresses the importance of youth involvement, stating that “the biggest leaders in this fight are young people.” Right below that powerful statement is an image of MPA Kindergarteners marching into the Upper School commons to talk about why their efforts to save sea turtles and ocean life is so important. Further down in the story is another photo of MPA fifth grader Brooklynn J. beaming with her Kindergarten buddy while holding up the canvas bag they made in the Makerspace. Read More

Introducing The Martin Lenz Harrison Library

February 5, 2020

Thank you to our generous and kind community for helping us unveil the brand new Martin Lenz Harrison Library yesterday! Martin Lenz Harrison was a member of MPA’s first graduating class. His memory and legacy will live on for generations of Panthers as they read, learn, and grow in their beautiful library.

His surviving parents Alfred and Ingrid Lenz Harrison and members of the first graduating class joined us on campus for the ribbon cutting and celebration. Thank you to our donors, volunteers, and community members!

Feeling Supported And Strong At School

February 4, 2020

The following essay is adapted from MPA Class of 2020 member Lilly Ramalingam’s Senior Speech.

I started preschool at the age of two at my family-owned Montessori school, Ramalynn Montessori Academy. My parents, my grandparents and my uncle have all taught at the school and it is a four-minute walk away from my house, so it was almost quite literally a home away from home. Before graduating from Ramalynn after eighth grade, I was a confident and happy girl, with none of the worries I would quickly take on during my first two years of high school.

After eighth grade, I didn’t have much of a choice on where I would attend high school, since my parents and grandparents had already decided to send me where my uncle had gone before he went to college at Brown back in the 90s. This high school I attended for two years before coming to MPA will rename nameless.

I went into this new school as a freshman, while the majority of students in my grade had been together for many years before high school, so I knew I was already at a slight disadvantage, but because I’m generally a very social person, I wasn’t too worried about finding new friends. Read More

Be Part Of The Fiber Friends Quilting Project

January 30, 2020

The MPA Fiber Friends are currently working on a community-wide quilting project and want your masterpieces to be part of it! Bring your artistic vision and voice and be a part of something special. Anyone may be part of the community quilting. The Fiber Friends meet on Fridays from 11 AM to 12:30 PM. This group of knitters, crocheters, and textile gurus is open to all parents, alums, grandparents, students, staff, and faculty. Beginners are always welcome!

And don’t miss the Fiber Friends at Maker Fest 2020!

Choose Your Summer At MPA!

January 30, 2020

Summer is fast approaching, and we are excited to announce our 2020 Enrichment Classes, Panther Camps, and additional summer program offerings! You will find a variety of opportunities to help motivate and nurture your child’s curiosity and learning, while having lots of fun in the process. Register today at moundsparkacademy.org/summer!

What is summer without our Panther Camp weeks? These programs offer weekly activity themes that allow students to explore nature, science, sports, arts, and so much more. Our Panther Camp program is available June 15-26 and July 13-August 21. You can register for daily, half-day, and weekly Panther Camp options. Panther Camp is available 7 AM–6 PM. Read More

Born Of A Dream And A Shoestring

January 29, 2020

Joanne Olson, MPA’s first Lower School director, is fond of saying that MPA was born “of a dream and a shoestring.” What started as the dream of founders Bob Kriescher and Sandy Kriescher Smith, quickly became the dream of parents and educators from across the Twin Cities. Bob, Sandy, our founding teachers, board members, and parents pooled what resources they could muster to make their dream a reality on a shoestring budget that would have a lasting impact.

Sandy Kriescher Smith once shared with me that she used a small bequest from her grandmother’s estate to buy books for the new library. In the year before MPA opened, Sandy would crisscross the cities, utilizing her inheritance to purchase the books from public schools that were closing, or the inventory cast from public libraries. Little by little, she filled her garage with boxes of books so that when (or if!) the school opened, it would have a library.

Sandy’s story is just one of the many stories of our humble beginnings. MPA would not exist without the vision of the founding families and generosity of time and resources of so many. Over the years, generous gifts have resulted in beautiful campus and school community. A commitment to the school guided parents and supporters to invest in the needs of the time but also to invest in the school’s future. Read More

Maker Fest 2020: Debbie LaChapelle

January 29, 2020

We’re interviewing the Makers you’ll meet at at Maker Fest 2020 on Saturday, February 22 so you can get to know them ahead of time! Debbie LaChapelle is MPA’s PreK teacher who loves to use the Makerspace to channel her students’ and her own creativity.

What (or who) inspires you to make?
I like to learn new things and have wanted to be crafty. I sewed in junior high and my mom made most of my clothes and draperies–I guess my mom inspires me.

What do you enjoy making?
Infinity scarves, oven mitts, tissue holders, bags, baby blankets, cord keepers, placemats, and coasters.

What are the most rewarding challenges?
Doing something over and over again, not giving up, and finally getting it right. Not being afraid to make mistakes. Not being afraid to use your seam-ripper; it is your friend. Read More

See You At Pajamarama On Thursday!

January 29, 2020

Pajamarama is Thursday, January 30! From 5:45-6:45 PM, Lower School students will enjoy a short concert of their favorite Disney music, meet our musicians, and enjoy story telling in a new and imaginative way. Following the Disney performance, the children are led in interactive activities designed to spark excitement and curiosity about music. To finalize our program we will have a reading of a popular children’s book performed by a narrator while being accompanied by the MPA Upper School Orchestra. Students will receive a snack while they cozy up to hear this famous story come to life! Wear your pajamas or your comfy clothes!