Middle School Archives

Middle School Division News May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Thursday, May 16: MS/US Band Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
Monday, May 20-24: MS Grade 7 Washington D.C. Trip
Thursday, May 23: MS Grade 5 Inventor’s Fair, 2:20-3 PM, Family Commons
Thursday, May 23: MS Grade 5/6 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Friday, May 24: PreK-Grade 12 Spirit Wear Day!
Friday, May 24: Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, South Entrance
Monday, May 27: No Classes, Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28: MS Field Day, 12:30-3 PM, Soccer Fields, South Lawn
Thursday, May 30: MS Grade 7/8 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Thursday, May 30: Development Open House & Volunteer Breakfast, 7:30-9:30 AM, Family Commons
Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Library
Friday, May 31: MS Grades 5/6 Canoe Trip, 8-3 PM
Friday, May 31: MS Grades 7/8 Valleyfair Trip, 8-3 PM, Valleyfair
Monday, June 3: MS/US End of Quarter 4
Monday, June 3: LS/MS Grades 4 and 8 Moving Up Ceremony, 1:30-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM, Nicholson Center
Tuesday, June 4: Dismissal, 10:30 AM, no afternoon care or transportation home

There are just 12 1/4 days of school remaining (who’s counting?), and it’s most definitely a sprint to the finish! As we move through the next two weeks, please reach out to the Middle School office if you have any questions or need clarification.

Spring Sports: Calendars, Cancellations, and Coordinating Schedules!
Spring sports seasons are upon us and schedules can be very fluid, depending on the weather. Please know that we, along with the Athletic Department, do our best to avoid last-minute cancellations of games and practices, but sometimes they cannot be avoided. Please bookmark the MPA Athletics website on your phone and check the weekly athletic schedule regularly to plan and organize your family activities. Additionally, please ensure that Dawn Zimmerman has your most current contact information to be in touch as needed. You can reach her at dzimmerman@moundsparkacademy.org.

Middle and Upper School Band Concert Tonight!
Please join us at 7 PM for our final performance of the year. Students should report to Mr. Skrove at 6:15 PM—dressed in concert black—ready to perform! Our Middle and Upper School bands will be sharing their talent and growth this evening in the Nicholson Center.

Under Beds, In Closets, and Stuffed In Drawers
Please have your students look in all the familiar spaces for books, materials, and other MPA-issued property that needs to be returned! We appreciate you returning gently used items that can be used by future students. If an item is damaged, billing will be initiated via TADS. Read More

MPA’s Portrait Of A Graduate And Competency Framework

May 9, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As the school year draws to a close, we begin to celebrate the progress and growth of students, including art shows, concerts, competitions, special events, and ceremonies. The pinnacle of our academic year is commencement on Saturday, June 8. This event is a significant milestone for our school and for the 61 members of the MPA Class of 2024 as we come together to celebrate their achievements and honor their journey.

Other accomplishments are also worth celebrating, such as our progress toward realizing our strategic plan. In particular, I want to call attention to the work of a committee comprised of faculty, staff, and administrators that has been working throughout the year to create a competency framework grounded in our mission and actualizing the MPA Portrait of a Graduate. I’ve written many times before about competency-based (or mastery-based) learning and developing our unique MPA competency framework (these articles date back to 2015, but see “A Roadmap for Continuous Improvement” and “2024ward: An Update” for the two most recent). Before I share the latest update, I’d like to provide some context.

The first priority of 2024ward challenges us to “Empower students to live, learn, and thrive in our increasingly complex and globalized society.” We do this by creating customized pathways of learning for students through curricular innovation and leveraging advances in educational technology. In addition to maximizing the use and integration of technology, MPA has been on a multi-year journey to continually enhance our school’s strengths in hands-on, experiential, project-based learning. Read More

MPA Trio Selected For All-State Choir

May 9, 2024

Congratulations to Warner Reid ’26, Truman Wilgocki ’26, and Chali Yang ‘26, who auditioned and were selected to be members of the 2024-25 All-State Choir program. They were three of 1,491 students who auditioned for the various music ensembles that comprise All-State. Warner will sing in the Mixed Choir under the direction of Jake Runestad, while Truman and Chali will perform as part of the Tenor Bass Choir under the direction of Dr. Derrick Fox. The All-State Choirs convene this summer on the campus of St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. Camp will conclude with a concert featuring all three All-State Choirs. Warner, Truman, and Chali, we are so proud of you!

Ms. DesLauriers Teams Up With Pilot Light

May 9, 2024

It was from a former colleague that Liz DesLauriers heard about Pilot Light, a Food Education organization that works nationwide to refine lessons and evaluate food education.

“A former co-worker told me about this,” DesLauriers said, who joined on a fellowship for the 2023-2024 school year. “I’ve always done a lot of food education in my classroom, so this step to doing this fellowship wasn’t that much of a change or a big difference from what I am already doing.”

Since the discovery, DesLauriers has found Pilot Light to be a way to further ignite her cuisine teaching in her French classroom to benefit MPA.

“Since joining the fellowship, I’ve definitely put deeper meaning into my food education lessons and approached it from different angles,” she said. “I was using food as a venue for culture, which I still do a ton, but now I’m bringing in different aspects of where your food comes from, how does your food benefits you, and what you can do with food your food yourself as a young student to feel healthier or feel creative. I feel like we are diving deeper into cultures because of that.”

MPA Hosts Haiti Celebration

May 2, 2024

MPA’s ongoing commitment to fostering global awareness and cultural appreciation took another step as we hosted an amazing cross-age celebration focused on the country of Haiti, dubbed the Haiti Celebration! Students gathered in the Commons, Library, and Gallery to experience firsthand the wonders of Haiti. Together, we explored various aspects of Haitian culture, including its geography, history, language, cuisine, music, and art. Highlighting the event included the sampling of Soupe Joumou, also known as “Freedom Soup!”

The celebration was a collaborative effort between world language faculty member Liz DesLauriers, and MPA parent Moira Duverneau-Salifu, and her family. We are incredibly grateful to Moira for her invaluable guidance, expertise, and willingness to share her beautiful culture with all of us.

Middle School Division News May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

from Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Thursday, May 2: MS Family Dinner, 5:15-6 PM, Family Commons
Thursday, May 2: Grades 4-8 Transition Meetings, 6-6:45 PM
Thursday, May 2: MS Vocal Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
Friday, May 3: Connect With MPA’s New Middle School Director, 8:15 AM, Library
Friday, May 3: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM
Friday, May 3: PreK-12 After School Library Hours, 4-5:30 PM, Library
Monday, May 6: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
Tuesday, May 7: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
Wednesday, May 8: MS Grade 5 Service Trip, 8:30-11:30 AM, Off Campus
Wednesday, May 8: MS/US Orchestra Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, May 9: MS Grade 5/6 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Thursday, May 9: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
Friday, May 10: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
Friday, May 10: MS Grade 7/8 Dance, 7-9 PM, Family Commons
Wednesday, May 15: MS Grade 7/8 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Thursday, May 16: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
Thursday, May 16: MS/US Band Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
Friday, May 17: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
Monday, May 20-24: MS Grade 7 Washington D.C. Trip
Thursday, May 23: MS Grade 5 Inventor’s Fair, 2:20-3 PM, Family Commons
Thursday, May 23: MS Grade 5/6 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Friday, May 24: Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, South Entrance
Monday, May 27: No Classes, Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28: MS Field Day, 12:30-3 PM, Soccer Fields, South Lawn
Thursday, May 30: MS Grade 7/8 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Library
Friday, May 31: MS Grades 5/6 Canoe Trip, 8-3 PM
Friday, May 31: MS Grades 7/8 Valleyfair Trip, 8-3 PM, Valleyfair
Monday, June 3: MS/US End of Quarter 4
Monday, June 3: LS/MS Grades 4 and 8 Moving Up Ceremony, 1:30-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM

Happy May! I hope you’re marking your calendars and looking forward to a great end to this school year!

Middle School Dinner + Transition Meeting Tonight!
Please plan to join us tonight (Thursday!) for our Rising Grade Level meetings and Middle School Vocal Concert. This is an exciting evening when we share a meal, offer insight for you and your student about next year, our new schedule, class trips, and more. Our evening will begin with dinner at 5 PM, transition meetings at 6 PM, and then our concert at 7 PM. We hope you’ll join us for all (or part!) of our evening.

SAGE and Chef Chris are making pizza/flatbread, salad, and dessert, as well as allergy-friendly options. If you missed sending an RSVP by the deadline last week, you’re welcome to bring food from home/take-out and join us in the Family Commons for fun and fellowship. We cannot add families/students to SAGE dinner service at this time.

NOTE: Rising Upper School parents will meet with Mr. Segal and Mr. Dean, Upper School Director and Assistant Director, respectively, in the Upper School Commons. It’s another great opportunity to learn what’s ahead!

Special Guest: Mr. Errickson, MPA’s Next Middle School Director
Mr. Errickson will be in Minnesota for a short visit on May 2 and 3. He will join us for our Middle School dinner, transition meetings, and performance on May 2, and we will host a coffee gathering on Friday morning, May 3. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Mr. Errickson to MPA!

Attention: All Eighth Grade Parents! Moving Up Ceremony And Slideshow!
We are beginning our planning for the Moving-Up Ceremony on Monday, June 3, 1:30 PM. Please mark your calendars now for this special occasion to celebrate our eighth-grade class and to welcome our newest Middle School classmates from Lower School.

All parents and families of our grade eight students are asked to submit three photos of their student to be shared in the slideshow! All eighth-grade students will have photos included and this is your chance to celebrate your amazing kid.

Please send three photos to Christine Larson (chrisandmatt@hotmail.com) at your earliest convenience. The three photos should include one of each of the following:

one from when they were young,
one that captures their passion and personality, and
one from Middle School with their friends

The sooner you send these, the sooner we can begin putting together the most amazing keepsake slideshow!

NOTE: The Passion Project Showcase will immediately precede the Moving-Up Ceremony on the same day, at 1 PM. Please save the date/time on your calendars now–the end of the year will be here before you know it!

There Is An Increasing Anxiety In U

May 2, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

I’ve been an educator for over thirty years and have accompanied countless students and parents through the college search process. I’ve written numerous college recommendations. I’ve been the head of two college preparatory schools for 12 years. But when it matters most, accompanying my own daughter, I give myself a failing grade. Well, maybe a D. Yet my daughter succeeded largely because of her own initiative (for which I credit her middle school years at MPA). Many times throughout the last three years, I wished she could have benefitted from the outstanding college counseling program at MPA.

Yesterday, our PreK-12 school celebrated College Choice Day, and joined together to revel in the success of our seniors in gaining admission to their “right-fit” college or university. We purposely avoid celebrating the particular school they chose as much as we celebrate the culmination of a thoughtful process that resulted in a match of each individual student’s interests, abilities, and aspirations and provides opportunities for further growth and accomplishments. I am extremely proud of our seniors and their choices.

There seems to be an increasing anxiety in U.S. culture around the college search process, driven in part by an inflated importance of attending the “best” college instead of the “right-fit” college. The best fit for one student is not the right fit for the next, even among high-achieving, academically strong, and otherwise talented students. In his book, “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania,” author and former New York Times columnist Frank Bruni attempts to refocus the college search process. Bruni hopes to “restore the excitement of going off to college, which should be a time for taking intellectual and social chances, for finding or confirming a passion, and for discovering yourself,” rather than getting caught up with getting into the colleges and universities perceived as elite.

The mission of the MPA College Counseling Office is to provide information, structure, and attention to each class as a whole, as well as to each student individually. We share a common goal—a college choice that fits each child well and provides opportunities for further growth and accomplishments. Our integrated and multi-faceted approach includes our seminar and advisory programs, individual student and family meetings, special speakers and events, test-prep resources, and practice test opportunities.

Like our approach to education, the college admissions selection process at MPA is grounded in the whole child. College selection is driven by a student’s unique set of interests, preferences, and aspirations. Students also explore their own learning styles, personality, and ideas about career possibilities. Just as MPA balances arts, academics, and athletics, we encourage our students to strive for academic excellence and become well-rounded individuals through artistic pursuits and extra-curricular involvement.

Carefully considering each student’s individual interests, priorities, and aspirations and balancing that with the current college admission landscape takes time and reflection. With this in mind, students are led through a personalized and thoughtfully designed curriculum that starts in ninth grade and continues through junior and senior years. In each grade, MPA integrates developmentally appropriate elements of career exploration and college counseling through our advisory program and seminar programs, mindful of where the students are on their educational journey.

I often wish that I had access to the college counseling available at MPA when I was in high school. It was clear that my parents expected me to go to college, but I lacked the support at home or at school to engage in the kind of search afforded to students at MPA. In retrospect, I enjoyed a solid undergraduate education complete with incredible opportunities to grow and discover who I am, my strengths, and my passions. I was fortunate. I “fell into” my college rather than embracing a choice after a thoughtful and deliberate process.

According to the American School Counselor Association, the national student-to-school counselor ratio in 2022-23 was 1:385. The National Association for College Admission Counseling reports that of the many responsibilities of high school counselors, post-secondary admission counseling accounts for only 22% of their time. At MPA, students benefit from two full-time college counselors whose sole responsibility is advising and guiding students through the college search, application, admission, and selection process.

I want to encourage you to shake off any anxiety you may have about college admissions: you’re already well positioned for the college search adventure by having your child attend MPA. With the wisdom, experience, and guidance of our faculty and our outstanding college counselors, the college search can indeed be an exciting opportunity to dream big and do right, to embrace their individual interests and talents, and to become the people they are meant to be.

To see photos from College Choice Day, click here.

History Day Success

April 25, 2024

Congratulations to tenth graders Nom-Ujin Byambatsogt and Cosmo Vanzyl, who participated in the annual History Day state competition over the weekend! Out of hundreds of submissions, Cosmo received fourth place and Nom-Ujin received seventh! Picking a different theme each year, this edition of History Day settled on “Turning Points in History,” where students nationwide select a topic to research. Following the decision on the subject, students entering the event must pick different formats, including a 1500-2500-word research paper, a 500-word exhibit, a 10-minute documentary, a website, or a 10-minute performance.

“I have all my tenth-grade students write the research paper in the fall, and they have the option of whether or not they want to participate in the History Day competition,” said Summer McCall, teacher and longtime supporter of the event.

Deciding to enter and advancing to state on April 20, Cosmo and Nom-Ujin were interviewed by four judges about each of their papers before hearing about their top-10 placements. Despite barely missing out on trips to nationals, with only the top two moving on, McCall had some encouraging words for what Cosmo and Nom-Ujin had accomplished.

“The organizers at History Day said the kids competing at the competition represented the top six percent of the competitors in the state,” McCall said. “Super cool and so fun to represent our school in that way.”

State Champions!

April 25, 2024

Tanner Sunderman, coach of the Mounds Park Academy speech team, may have gotten a peek behind the curtain at what the competition thinks of the school’s ability.

“I had a Mounds Park competitor in my round… those kids are machines,” Tanner overheard.

The comment did not come without warrant as the machine marched on with the Panthers claiming another speech team title, defending its championship from 2023 during the Class A state competition this weekend in Shakopee. The championship was the third in the team’s last four years. With 53 team points in the event to edge out Melrose Area, MPA now owns the top three spots for the highest team total in Class A history. MPA also now sits third all-time in Minnesota history with 49 total state individual champions, behind Apple Valley and Eagan, and fifth overall with 203 state medalists. Of every team in the state, MPA qualified more students than anyone else, with 21. Nine of those students advanced to the final round, and six others finished in ninth place or were tie-broken from the final round.

The state champions from MPA were Paul Fertig (Extemporaneous Speaking) and Pahwa Yang (Prose). Pahwa successfully defended her individual title and scored straight 1s (perfect scores) in the final round. Runner-ups include Akshay Somayajula (second, Great Speeches), Zainab Lodhi (second, Informative), and Annika Binstadt (second, Poetry). Nico Bergh (Humorous), Rowan Mulrooney (Informative), Zoya Nayak (Oratory), Nabila Artan (Oratory), Lucy Mayer (Poetry), and Maggie Banks (Storytelling) all finished in ninth place or were tie-broken from the final round. Finalists include Ash Klann (sixth, Oratory), Mina Kim (sixth, Great Speeches), Greta Hanson (fifth, Prose), Amal Sastry (third, Extemporaneous Speaking). Pahwa and Akshay earned their third medal overall, Greta and Amal earned their second, and Ash, Mina, Zainab, and Annika earned their first.

The MPA machine now moves on to their final two tournaments of the year: The NIETOC National Tournament in Bellevue, Nebraska, in May and the NSDA National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, in June.

Summer Strength Opportunities

April 18, 2024

Ready to boost your child’s fitness and skills this summer? Look no further than our Panther Speed and Strength Programs and Fitness Foundations, all guided by the expertise of MPA Strength Coach Sean Ryther!

Panther Speed and Strength Programs
Want your child to excel in sports or simply enhance their physical abilities? Our 7-week sessions, running from June 11 to August 1, are designed for incoming grade 9-12 students (Session 1) and incoming grades 6-8 students (Session 2). Held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, these programs focus on agility, speed, endurance, and strength development. Led by Coach Ryther, they provide a supportive and dynamic environment where your child can improve their performance, boost their confidence, and foster a lifelong love for fitness.

Session 1: Incoming 9-12th graders. Register here!
Session 2: Incoming 6-8th graders. Register here!

Fitness Foundations Program
Building a solid fitness foundation is crucial for long-term health. Our 7-week session, also from June 11 to August 1, is tailored for incoming grade 3-5 students. Held on Tuesday and Thursday, this program introduces fundamental movement skills, enhances coordination, and promotes an active lifestyle. Under Coach Ryther’s guidance, your child will engage in fun and age-appropriate activities, setting them on the path to a healthier, happier life. Register here!

See photos from last year here!

Let’s champion the next generation of healthy, active Panthers together! #PantherPride #MPAStrong #YouthFitness