Middle School Archives

Parents Association News & Events January 5, 2023

January 5, 2023

Help Plan Middle School Snow Tubing in 2023
Snow Tubing is coming back! This super fun all Middle School event is in the works. We’re looking for volunteers to plan the event. Planning meetings will start after Winter Break. To get involved, email info@moundsparkacademy.org. Save the date, Thursday, February 16.

Community Events

Snowshoe Evening at Seven Vines Vineyard: January 21, 6 PM
Back by popular demand! Enjoy a brisk evening snowshoe walk through Seven Vines Vineyard. Tickets are $55 per person and that includes snowshoe rental (and help putting them on), a drink ticket for a glass of wine or fancy coffee, several rounds of Bingo with prizes, and live music. It is a great evening out! To RSVP, Venmo @Staci-Banks-Hehenberger with the name of the event and number attending in the comment line.

Seeing The Good

December 15, 2022

from Bill Hudson, head of school

Nearly every day, I see a flurry of activity on the treetop outside my office window. It seems to be the place for several female cardinals to congregate. While less showy than the male cardinal, they have a beauty of their own. Somewhere along the line, I heard that cardinals are a sign of our loved ones that have died. I take solace in that idea and think of my dad. Whenever I spy a cardinal, I am reminded of my dad’s unconditional love for me and how he patiently accompanied me on my journey toward a better self.

The cardinals outside my window also remind me of the poetry of Mary Oliver. Her book, “Red Bird” begins and ends with poems about, what else, red birds. In the first poem, “Red Bird,” the poet is grateful that …

“Red bird came all winter
Firing up the landscape
As nothing else could.”

The fiery red of the cardinal against the snowy whiteness of winter can be startling. It can jolt me out of the day-to-day drudgery of the cold and wet weather to see anew the beauty of winter. In the final poem of her book, “Red Bird Explains Himself,” Oliver shares with us that the purpose of the red bird is “to be the music of the body” because our bodies need “a song, a spirit, a soul.” The red bird has been sent “to teach this to your heart.” Read More

Middle School Division News December 15, 2022

December 15, 2022

from Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Thank you to all who attended our Middle School Music Performance last night—it was such a wonderful evening, and I just loved the energy of having everyone together! What a wonderful way to cap off our final week as we head into winter break!

Unfinished Business and End of Quarter 2

We have worked diligently with students to get all assignments, assessments, and projects done before heading into the break—even offering additional work sessions during the day. Please check in with your student this weekend to use a little time next week to finish up anything that remains. When we return from Winter Break, anything that was not submitted before will not be accepted per our two-week grace period policy. Additionally, we will have just two weeks remaining in quarter two, and we want everyone to finish with their best foot forward.

If you have questions or concerns about your student’s academic standing or assignments, please contact advisors or teachers directly. Read More

Parents Association News & Events December 15, 2022

December 15, 2022

Thank You!
A big thank you to everyone who made this year’s Book Festival a success. We raised over $3500 for the library, donated over 100 books to teacher classroom libraries, and enjoyed a week of celebrating reading. It would not have happened without the generous support of MPA families, as well as the time and energy of our volunteers. We appreciate you all!

Success
Another successful year wrapping gifts for MPA Faculty and Staff. Parent volunteers turned out to share community and work together to wrap 221 gifts brought in by 20 MPA staff members. It was a real team effort but we got it done. A special thank you to all our parent volunteers who joined us in the PCR.

Help Plan Middle School Snow Tubing in 2023
Snow Tubing is coming back! This super fun all MS event is in the works. We’re looking for volunteers to plan the event. Planning meetings will start after Winter Break. To get involved, email info@moundsparkacademy.org. Save the date, Thursday, February 16. Read More

Meet Rooco R. ’29

December 14, 2022

What do you love about MPA?
At MPA, I love that everybody is so caring, kind, and respectful. The teachers spend so much time with you and that’s really nice. I like that nobody interrupts classes. It’s really great.

What would you tell another student considering MPA?
You should. Coming to MPA is definitely the right choice. I’ve gone to two other schools and this is definitely the best school for me. If you love having fun while still learning, then definitely come here.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
I get encouraged to dream big and do right when I think about things I like. When I read
I always dream that I’m one of the characters in the story. I dream that I’m there. When I do right, I stand up for my friends, I help other people, and I think it’s better to be in a group than alone when we do right.

Parents Association News & Events December 8, 2022

December 8, 2022

Holiday Gift Wrapping Event
Monday, December 12, 2022
Join the Parents Association for this beloved and festive holiday event in the Porter Conference Room (PCR). MPA faculty and staff bring in their unwrapped gifts. We wrap, decorate, and return them. MPA faculty and staff are truly grateful for this gift of time. And the atmosphere really gets everyone in the holiday spirit. Sign up for one hour or as many as you would like. Time slots at the end of the day may also be used for clean-up and gift delivery. The PA supplies all wrapping materials however, donations of gift wrapping, ribbon, and bows are greatly appreciated. Send questions to Tara at tmattrn@aol.com or cell 201-563-4622.

There are still plenty of time slots available. Sign up here.

MPA Book Festival Is Happening!
Support the Joy of Reading at MPA. The annual MPA Book Festival is here, just in time for Winter Break reading or holiday gifts! There’s still time to visit the Book Festival in-person or online.

Ways To Support MPA’s Book Festival

Visit the Gallery to purchase new books and gift cards. During the week of the Book Festival, Usborne will be selling books in the Gallery, and Valley Bookseller gift cards will be available for purchase. A portion of the profits generated from those sales will be donated to our library.
Help build a teacher’s classroom library. We will have the books our teachers requested for their classroom libraries available for purchase in the Gallery. Check or cashless payment only. You can hand-deliver the books you select, or we can deliver them for you. Download the list here.
Visit the Used Book Sale. Lower School used books will be sold in the Lower School Atrium at drop off and pick up. Middle School and Upper School used books will be sold during lunch and recess outside the Family Commons. We have an excellent selection of books for all ages. All proceeds raised from the Used Book Sale benefit the library.

Thriving Through Winter in Minnesota

December 2, 2022

With any relocation, there are many moving parts as families transition their lives somewhere new–one of them being your first Minnesota winter! Minnesota has a climate that allows us to experience four distinct seasons. With the right mindset and preparation, experiencing the transformation from one season to the next is inspirational and invigorating. Here’s how you can set your family on a path to thrive, not just survive, through your new favorite season here.

Keep Kids Moving
The winter months can get long here in Minnesota. It’s cold outside and there is less daylight, so it can be hard to stay motivated, but physical activity is important for everyone all year round–especially young children. Physical activity is vital to a child’s success emotionally, physically, and mentally. It helps them build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, and prevents chronic diseases. Physical activity is beneficial for the development of cognitive skills, which can help kids stay more focused in the classroom. It also helps kids sleep better and significantly reduces stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

At Mounds Park Academy, we believe in the importance of physical activity and encourage students to be active outdoors throughout the year. We know that children need time to play and socialize, so our students have recess every day—even in the winter. Although it’s colder outside, all it takes is a few extra layers. The benefits are seen in the classroom as well as on the rosy faces of our students.

MPA students also embrace winter through their activities and athletics, such as the Middle and Upper School Alpine (downhill) ski team, Middle and Upper School Nordic (cross country) ski team, the boys hockey team, grade level group outdoor adventures like snowtubing, and Northern MN i-Term adventures like dogsledding. Read More

Middle School Division News December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director

As we find ourselves in the cold, snowy, wintery weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break, it’s important to help your student focus on consistency with their habits related to completing work, getting enough sleep, eating good and healthy food, and finding quality downtime (screen-free is always a good idea!). Because this time of year can be hectic and challenging for adults, and because we know young people regulate (emotionally, socially, and psychologically) with the grown-ups around them, it is important that we offer calm, consistent, and caring support for them and take care of ourselves, too. One of my favorite podcasts takes a new approach to self-care and compassion and its relation to how we care for others…rather than the age-old wisdom to “put your oxygen mask on first,” she suggests filling our own cup so much that it overflows, and it is from that overflow that we give to those who depend on us and need us to be ever more present in their days.

Fill your cups so that they overflow … what a great goal for December!

YOU’RE INVITED! SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE, TALENT, AND YOURSELF with our division!
Many of you have reached out looking for ways to reconnect with the community after two long years apart, and we have a great idea we think you’ll love! We’re looking to begin a new initiative in the Middle School—A Parent Showcase! Several parents have offered to share their time, talents, hobbies, professions, and interests with our middle school students via a short presentation given during afternoon advisory time. These showcases would happen on B-days from 2:20-3 PM once or twice a month, depending on the volume of presenters and grade-level match. If this interests you, please fill out this form, and we will contact you to schedule your showcase!

We look forward to learning more about you and growing our community!

ISACS Parent Education Series–JOIN US TONIGHT!
Parents and families, we hope you will join other independent school parents for one of several evening sessions led by an exceptional and highly regarded team of experts to help you support your children in all areas of their development. We look forward to learning right along with you! The next upcoming webinar is:

Gift of Failure
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Jessica Lahey, Educator & Author

From ISACS: Modern parenting has become defined by an unprecedented level of overprotectiveness. We all know parents who rush to school to deliver forgotten assignments, challenge teachers on disappointing report cards, mastermind their children’s friendships or interfere on the playing field. According to bestselling author, Jessica Lahey, “overparenting” has the potential to both ruin children’s confidence and undermine their education. By letting go and allowing children to learn how to solve problems on their own, we give them the tools to grow up to be self-reliant, confident, and successful adults. That’s the Gift of Failure. Jessica reminds us that teachers, and others who work with children, also teach responsibility, organization, manners, restraint, and foresight—important life skills that shape stronger futures. Lahey champions failure as a crucial element of long-term success while providing indispensable advice to parents for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, competitive sports, and more. All are invited. The recording of this webinar will be available until January 31, 2023.

Registration is free, but pre-registration is required! Please register here to attend from the comfort of your home! Register here.

Middle School Transition Conversations–Share with those you know!
I’ll be offering two additional meetings for rising Middle School families to learn more about Middle School at MPA, to ask questions, and share in the excitement and wonder of this next important phase in students’ educational journey. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, December 8, 3:30 PM, and/or Tuesday, December 13, 8:15 AM. We will have coffee and hot tea and some light refreshments available. No need to RSVP, just join us if you can! Read More

MPA Board Of Trustees Seeking Nominations

December 1, 2022

MPA’s Board of Trustees collaborates with the Head of School to guide the school’s strategic direction, to protect its mission, to support the school’s development efforts and to safeguard the school’s financial stability.

Nominations for Trustees
We are pleased to share that the Governance Committee of the Board is launching its annual process to identify potential trustees.

If you, or someone you know, could be a strong contributor to the MPA Board of Trustees, please provide the name of your nominee and a short description of their experience and background, directly to Cherie Honan, executive assistant to the head of school, at chonan@moundsparkacademy.org.

In addition to strong leadership skills, nominees will bring a broad diversity of experience and backgrounds, and a passion to advance the mission of MPA. Areas of desired professional experience include: finance, accounting, investment, banking, business, communications, construction, education, law, governance, scientific training, the arts, IT, human resources, strategic planning, development, marketing, and community service, among others.

Trustees serve up to two three-year terms, participating in MPA Board meetings five to six times a year, in addition to participating in monthly standing committees.

The Governance committee will evaluate all nominees and reach out to shortlisted candidates for further information and interview. Candidates recommended by the Governance Committee will be presented to the full Board at its May 2023 meeting, and approved trustees will begin their first three-year term as of July 2023. Onboarding and training is provided to all trustees.

For more information on the Board and its working committees, please see the Board page on the MPA website.

Parents Association News & Events: December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

Pie Love
Right before the holiday break, the MPA Parents Association participated in our annual Thanksgiving Pie distribution to all staff. This year staff had a choice of apple, pumpkin or lemon meringue pie! Thanks to Chef Chris for ordering and Cherie and the Development team for helping with distribution.

Book Festival Is Almost Here! Support the Joy of Reading at MPA.
The annual MPA Book Festival arrives next Monday, just in time for Winter Break reading or holiday gifts! This year the book festival is in-person once again.

Ways to Support MPA’s Book Festival:

Visit the Gallery to purchase new books and gift cards. During the week of the Book Festival, Usborne will be selling books in the Gallery, and Valley Bookseller gift cards will be available for purchase. A portion of the profits generated from those sales will be donated to our library.
Help build a teacher’s classroom library. We will have the books our teachers requested for their classroom libraries available for purchase in the Gallery. Check or cashless payment only. You can hand-deliver the books you select, or we can deliver them for you. Download the list here.
Visit the Used Book Sale. LS used books will be sold in the LS Atrium at drop off and pick up. MS and US used books will be sold during lunch and recess outside the Family Commons. We have an excellent selection of books for all ages. All proceeds raised from the Used Book Sale benefit the library.

Book Discussions All Week!

December 5, 8 AM in the Gallery: Book Festival Kick-Off Coffee with book recommendations
December 7, 6 PM in the Library: Book Club with Dr. Hudson
December 8, 3-4 PM in the Family Commons: Cocoa and Popcorn Storytime, Upper Schoolers will host a story time for Lower Schoolers. Sign-up here to attend.

Can’t make it into school that week? Valley Bookseller is dedicating their bookshop.org/shop/valleybookseller affiliate link to our Book Festival. We must use this website, not the Valley Bookseller site, for the school to get a portion of our purchases. All books must be shipped to your home. Email PA@moundsparkacademy.org with questions. Happy Reading! Read More