Middle School Archives

February 21, 2019

By Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Like you, I spent a good part of the day Wednesday shoveling out from another blast of snow. I love the quiet of a snow storm and work to find balance between appreciating the beauty and cursing the extra work it requires. It has also been a challenge to find balance between the safety of our community and our commitment to academic excellence. Cancelling school is never an easy decision, particularly when we have missed so many days already. Finding balance is tough work.

As I was shoveling, I was thinking about another challenging balance that is important to maintain: the three A’s (arts, athletics, and academics) that serve as the foundation of our school’s mission. In particular, I’ve been troubled by the state of athletics, not only in Minnesota, but nationally. There has been a rise of single sport athletes and club sports that affects not only athletic programs, but also athletes themselves. At MPA, we strive to offer a variety of opportunities for our students, maintain a no-cut policy, and be competitive. However, that is becoming increasingly difficult to balance as well. Read More

Spend Your Summer With Us

February 21, 2019

Summer is fast approaching, and we are excited to announce our 2019 Enrichment Classes, Panther Camp, and additional summer offerings! The variety of opportunities will help motivate and nurture your child’s curiosity and learning, while having lots of fun in the process!

Weekly-themed Panther Camp programs offer activities that allow students to explore nature, science, sports, arts, and so much more. Panther Camp is available June 10–14 and July 8–August 9. You can register your child for daily, half-day, and weekly Panther Camp options. Panther Camp is available 7 AM–6 PM.

Summer Enrichment Classes runs June 17–21 and offers a wide variety of engaging class topics such as: chess, art, science, academic, carpentry, sport, and more. Enrichment classes run 9 AM–4 PM, and during this week, free Panther Care is available from 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM.

During the week of June 24–28, we are offering the national award-winning STEM program, Camp Invention. This week-long camp consists of exciting, hands-on, inquiry-based activities that allow students to explore, create, and innovate. Camp Invention runs 9 AM–3:30 PM, with free Panther Care available 7–9 AM and 3:30–6 PM.

Also, for the first time ever, MPA is running a two-week long Summer Musical Theatre Camp directed by a local Twin Cities theatre director! Whether you have experience on stage or not, here is your chance to “SHINE.” This camp runs July 15–26 from 9 AM–12 PM, with a performance scheduled at end.

We look forward to a fun and productive summer, and hope you join us! Register and learn more here. Please contact Russ Purdy at rpurdy@moundsparkacademy.org if you have any questions.

Food For Thought Fridays

February 21, 2019

Friday, February 22 and Friday, March 1 are two more Free Food For Thought Fridays! These are opportunities for both students and parents to try MPA’s lunch program, in partnership with SAGE Dining.

If you and your student enjoyed the experience, Middle and Upper School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $430—equivalent to just $5.75 per day. Lower School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $380—equivalent to just $5 per day.

MPA Maker Fest This Saturday

February 21, 2019

Maker Fest 2019 is this weekend! On Saturday, February 23 from 1-3 PM, See our community’s hard work come to life in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace. Anyone is welcome to attend as a spectator, and no RSVP is necessary! Students, parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and more will be showcasing a variety of skills, crafts, inventions, and activities.

If you have questions, please contact Ms. Koen, Makerspace coordinator, at nkoen@moundsparkacademy.org. We can’t wait to see you there!

Join Us For Lunch At MPA

February 20, 2019

Please join us for lunch here at MPA on Tuesday, March 13 from 11:30 AM-1 PM!

This will include a casual lunch with students and administrators, as well as a tour of campus to see students and teachers in action during a regular school day. Students are welcome, but not required to attend. We look forward to getting to know your entire family!

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.

Together, We Dream And Reflect

February 15, 2019

On Thursday, February 14, the MPA community gathered in the Kreischer Gym for one large, nostalgic celebration. One of the four Together, We Dream priorities allows us to create a shared space—a new commons and cafeteria—where Mounds Park Academy students and teachers alike will enjoy meals from a new state-of-the-art kitchen in the space where the Kreischer Gym currently resides.

We were lucky to have several MPA alumni in attendance who say that the Kreischer Gym is featured in some of their fondest school memories.

“I remember the obstacle course from my phy ed class and how fun that unit was weaving through the Kreischer Gym, hopping from one green step aerobics platform to another, running through a tunnel of gym mats, crawling under jump ropes strung across the course, flying through the air on the rope swing, pulling yourself along with the seated scooters, and tumbling down gymnastics mats,” says Nate Bander ’09. “I also remember flying balsa wood gliders in Middle School science, participating in my first Homecoming assembly in seventh grade, and playing on Mr. Brandon’s ninth grade basketball team in the Kreischer Gym.”

Maddy Wolfe ’12 echoes Nate’s sentiments. “The Kreischer Gym was a really fun home to have for all of the spring musicals I was in,” she says. “That’s where we made memories hanging out backstage and getting ready for the performances. I also remember taking a self-defense class in the Kreischer for my senior seminar.” Read More

New Transportation Opportunity

February 14, 2019

MPA is excited to announce new transportation options for current and prospective families thanks to a new partnership with Hill-Murray! In addition to the current routes servicing North Oaks/Roseville, Highland/St. Paul, and Woodbury, MPA will be adding a dedicated route to and from the greater Stillwater/Lakeland area!

The cost for two-way transportation under a group stop model will remain $1,300, equivalent to just $145 per month. Detailed route information can be found at: https://www.moundsparkacademy.org/current-families/transportation/. The District 622 route information will be available in August, closer to the beginning of the year.

Sign-up for MPA busing is available during the re-enrollment process in TADS.

If you have any questions, please contact Rose Wick, transportation coordinator, at rwick@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5505.

A Magical Moment of Kindness

February 14, 2019

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Adults and children alike are asking a question of themselves and others these days: What does it mean to be kind? During a time of societal change and upheaval, the place of kindness in our lives is often taken up by rancor, division, and sometimes violence. I was horrified last week by the incident on I-94 when a driver, overcome with road rage, fired a gun at a school bus driver. Schools are not immune and can be cruel places. It is a sad fact that more than one out of five students nationwide will be bullied this year. Research has demonstrated time and again that when students don’t feel safe, it is difficult for them to learn and grow.

Kindness is not something to be taken for granted. It is important that parents and schools join together and intentionally foster empathy. Ravi Rao, a pediatric neurosurgeon, believes parents should teach feelings as much as they teacher things like color and numbers. She is convinced that for kids to show empathy to us, we need to show empathy to them. At MPA, we believe very strongly in fostering a kind and joyful community. What is at stake is more than academic achievement, it is a sense of self and developing the confidence to fly. Read More

Meet Evan W. ‘24

February 14, 2019

What do you love about MPA?
How people are very kind and inclusive. Another thing that I really like about MPA is that the class sizes are very small, so the teachers really get to know you and your personality genuinely well. That makes it easy and comfortable to ask them for help.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
What encourages me is that the teachers are always supportive. If you have an idea and you tell one of your teachers, they would never make you think that your idea is stupid or not good. They would actually encourage you to try it and help you with it.

If you have attended another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
One of the things that is different is that there are 10 times more teacher help than at other schools. Because MPA has such small class sizes, the teachers will give you lots more help and you will be able to get all your questions answered.

What would you tell a family considering MPA?
I would tell them that the environment at MPA is super welcoming and nice and that there are great people at the school, so you will be able to make friends very easily. Read More

Seventh Graders Help Define Library Dreams

February 13, 2019

When MPA faculty and staff learned of the extraordinary changes that Together, We Dream: The Campaign For MPA was bringing to our school, ideas started circulating about how student voice could be incorporated into the process. With the exact concepts yet to be entirely defined, Ms. Koen, Makerspace coordinator, decided to incorporate the design of our new library into one of her classes: seventh grade students were going to take on the task of turning our shared library dreams into a reality. Read More