Lower School

Improve Mental Health By Releasing Unrealistic Expectations

November 14, 2019

upper schoolers working in pairs in classToday’s popular culture is often highly packaged and thoroughly curated. Everything looks good on screen, and the social media tally of likes, loves, and shares literally quantifies a hierarchy of success. But this desire to effortlessly excel at all can quickly backfire, especially for teens—leading to paralyzing anxiety on the path to perfection.

“Perfectionists often set unrealistically high standards for themselves and tie all results to their intrinsic self-worth,” writes Sheila Achar Josephs, Ph.D., in her column for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. “In contrast, what I call ‘positive strivers’ set realistic goals, enjoy challenging themselves and see mistakes as task-specific rather than as a blow to their self-esteem. Practicing this new approach to success means making sure goals are doable, changing the level of effort depending upon the importance of the task and finding satisfaction in the process of doing a task, not just in perfect outcomes.” Read More

Invite A Friend To Lunch At MPA

November 14, 2019

upper schoolers working together in the commonsInvite your friends and neighbors to join us on campus for lunch on Thursday, December 12 at 11:30 AM! This small-by-design event includes a casual lunch with students and administrators and opportunities to see inside classrooms, where students and teachers are in action during a regular school day.

Kindly have them RSVP in advance for this engaging program at moundsparkacademy.org/RSVP and contact the Office of Admission at 651-748-5577 or admission@moundsparkacademy.org with any questions.

Creating A Better Future

November 13, 2019

kindergartners with the canvas bags that they madeby Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Last week was extremely exciting as the community pulled together in support of our Girls Volleyball Team and their quest for a state championship. And although they were ultimately not successful, their incredible season will remain in the memories of MPA students and families. More than 250 students in grades eight through 12 filled five buses for the trip to the Xcel Energy Center last Thursday. Meanwhile, on campus, many Lower and Middle School students, faculty, and staff gathered in the new Family Commons to watch the game on the big screen. There was singing, cheering, and even a “wave” making itself across the fans in the commons.

The school spirit of last week is just one of many indications that our school year is off to a great start. We have wonderful new students and families who are enriching our community. Our newly built and renovated spaces have made it easier to come together as a family over a meal or an event. In the classroom, on the court, and on the stage, students are excelling and truly making an impact, locally, and globally. Read More

Join Us For Lunch This December

November 12, 2019

middle schoolers doing peer readingPlease join us on the Mounds Park Academy campus for lunch on Thursday, December 12 at 11:30 AM.

This small-by-design event will include a casual lunch with students and administrators, as well as opportunities to see inside the classrooms where students and teachers are in action during a regular school day.

“Partnering with MPA to help us educate and raise our children gives us a great sense of comfort—the school we chose is as devoted to seeing our children develop to their fullest potentials as we are,” says MPA parent Patricia Aw-Yang. This event will allow you to see exactly how MPA does that for all students.

Kindly 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. Students are welcome, but not required to attend.

We look forward to getting to know your family!

Preparing Students For The New Marketplace

November 11, 2019

upper school students hands-on in science classHow we work, and learn to work, is changing for real and in real time. The technology, pace, and business models that define our local and national economies are shifting almost by the day, with old structures retiring and new approaches taking center stage. This fundamental change in career paths and professional expectations is shaping how progressive schools view the skills they teach students, and how they create opportunities for students to grow and prepare in and beyond the classroom.

Alison Kay, EY Global Accounts Committee Chair, writes that “we can help the next generation, who have not yet entered the workplace, by being alert to the scale of change taking place.” She emphasizes that “I think the best we can do as parents, mentors, and business leaders is to support qualities that will help them to deal with and work through uncertainty.” In her article, Kay outlines the key skills that will help students prepare for jobs that don’t yet exist, or that are evolving rapidly: Read More

The New Library Is Opening Soon: Help Us Move!

November 7, 2019

second graders In order to efficiently pack and move nearly 30,000 titles from their current space into their new home, many volunteers are needed! Please click here to sign up for a shift or two. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

To make space for this moving process, the library will be closed from 3 PM on Friday, November 22 through winter break. We know that MPA families regularly check out books and welcome that. Before the library closes, please see Ms. Lage or Ms. Petrich to check out any titles you may need during the closure. Students will continue to read, research, and connect with books with via their classrooms.

More information will be forthcoming about the grand opening of our new library!

Girls Varsity Volleyball In The State Tournament

November 7, 2019

girls volleyball competing this fallFor the first time in school history, Mounds Park Academy Varsity Girls Volleyball is competing in the State Tournament! The Panthers play TODAY at 1 PM and Friday, November 8 at the Xcel Energy Center. You can watch today’s game live here and if you plan to attend Friday’s game, it is encouraged that you purchase tickets in advance. Tickets will also be available to purchase at the gates one hour prior to the first session beginning each day. Tickets are $10 for students and $16 for adults. Thank you for all of your support this season and GO PANTHERS!

Small Classes Make A Big Difference

November 7, 2019

Katie Murr with her social studies classby Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I meet throughout the fall in small groups with seniors to check in with them about how their year is going, what plans they have for next year, and solicit their feedback on our school and how I might be a better leader. Their stories fill me with great pride and joy, and sometimes bring a tear to my eye. This past Monday was no exception. Each student—some of whom have been here for many years and some of whom are newer—spoke of the school as family, of the remarkable sense of community that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive of all.

Small class size is indeed a significant factor that contributes to the close-knit community we enjoy. However, we are committed to small classes for another very important reason: they result in academic success and higher levels of achievement. Our teachers know this from their experience, but there is also an immense amount of research that confirms it. Read More

Give To The Max Day Is One Week Away!

November 7, 2019

Sally Richie holding her reason for donating to the fall campaignGive to the Max Day is the one day when our community rallies together to reach a big milestone for our “Make a Joyful Gift, Create a Better Future” campaign. Learn more about the Fall Campaign and why this time of year matters to every student, teacher, and community member at MPA.

Join us on Thursday, November 14 for a Give to the Max Day Community Coffee at 8 AM in the Family Commons, and at the end of the school day for our Give to the Max Day assembly and Lip Sync Contest in the Lansing Sports Center at 2:30 PM.

Make a gift today to increase your grade’s giving and to earn fun class prizes if they reach the goal of 70% participation! If a grade reaches 70% participation by November 15, Lower School students will win a party with Mr. Sheehan, Middle School students will win a Friday Night Party, and Upper School students will have a Coffee and Hot Chocolate Bar.

Join Us For The Second Screening Of “Angst”

November 7, 2019

Angst promo imageMounds Park Academy invites you to the second showing this week of the documentary “Angst” with open conversation to follow. The MPA Parents Association is graciously sponsoring this IndieFlix original documentary designed to raise awareness around anxiety. The film includes interviews with children, teens, educators, experts, parents, and a very special interview with Michael Phelps.

Friday, November 8, 8-9:30 AM
Recital Hall | adults only
No RSVP is Required
Watch the trailer at angstmovie.com Read More