Middle School Archives

April 30, 2018

Middle and Upper School world language teacher

How many years have you been at MPA? 14 years

What do you love about MPA?
Everything! I love the MPA community.

How does MPA nurture students who forever dream big and do right?
By providing them with multiple opportunities in school as well as out of school. i-Term in the Middle School, is a great example.

If you have worked at another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
What a I truly love about MPA is having all grades PreK-12 on one campus. We all benefit from seeing all age levels on any given day.

What would you tell a parent considering MPA?
This is a great school! Students want to learn and be successful. They are kind and supportive of each other and make great connections with students, teachers, and the community at large.

In what ways are you preparing students for life in the 21st century?
To be thinkers, doers and to have the confidence to go out there and make change in the world.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your MPA experience?
As an educator, I am constantly being pushed intellectually. I appreciate the support and opportunities to do so, be it through conferences, lectures, classes, traveling, etc.

Henry Is The Head For The Day!

April 27, 2018

Meet Henry S., MPA’s Head of School for the Day! Henry is a fifth grader who loves solving challenging math problems and skiing on MPA’s Alpine Ski team. He spent the day exploring the many daily components of the school, from business in the Athletics Office to a tour of the school (including the roof and its solar panels).

To start the day, Henry greeted students arriving at school through the south entrance with Dr. Hudson. They were so delighted to see that their friend was in charge today!

He then visited the Communications and Marketing department, where collected some brand-new MPA swag and quickly mastered graphic design and photography in order to publish his own custom display screen on campus. He even starred in a promotional video that will be shown at the Spring Auction. Read More

Upper School Parents Association Meeting Tomorrow

April 26, 2018

Tomorrow, April 27, from 8-9:30 AM is the Quarter Four Upper School Parents Association Meeting! Please note meeting is being held in the Porter Conference Room (PCR).

Parents of incoming 2018-19 freshmen are encouraged to attend for a glimpse into Upper School at MPA! This meeting will cover a welcome to incoming freshmen parents, an overview of the Upper School Fine Arts Programs at MPA by Faculty of the Fine Arts Department, Quarter Four calendar events, and an all-call for the 2018-2019 MPA Parents Association Upper School Division Lead.

Tell Your Friends About Lunch At MPA!

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.

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.

Upper School Parents Association Meeting

April 12, 2018

The date for the Quarter Four Upper School Parents Association Meeting is Friday, April 27, from 8-9:30 AM. Please note the date change!

Parents of incoming 2018-19 freshmen are encouraged to attend for a glimpse into Upper School at MPA! Keep an eye out for the next two issues of Panther Post for more details. An agenda will be sent to parents of students in grades 8-12 prior to the meeting.

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!