Parents Association

November 6, 2025

In case you missed it, stay in the loop with the Parent Press: November Edition!

Save The Dates!

Below is a preview of exciting opportunities for families to build community at MPA through the winter. Don’t miss your chance to volunteer, donate, and/or show up for the fun!

• Monday, December 1: Community-Wide Parents Association Meeting
• Monday, December 8- Friday, December 12: Book Festival!
• Friday, January 23: Family Trivia Night!
• Thursday, February 12: Lower School Valentine’s Day Parties!

More details to come. We look forward to seeing you around school in the coming months! Please email PA@moundsparkacademy.org with any questions.

Upcoming Events

• Friday, November 14: Lower School Family Forum, 8-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Tuesday, November 18: Coffee & Connections With The Head of School, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Tuesday, December 9: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
• Friday, December 12: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR
• Thursday, December 18: PA Book Club with Dr. Brogdon, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library, RSVP here >

November 4, 2025

Meet the remaining PA board members! We asked board members how long their families have been at MPA, the names and grades of their children, one of their favorite MPA traditions, and if they could swap with their child for one day at MPA, what they would look forward to the most.

Adi Boeder Risner ’02 | Treasurer

This is my eighth year at MPA with my own family, but as an alum, I’ve actually been part of the community for 18 years. My children, Luke (fifth grade) and Levi (second grade), love being part of MPA as well. One of my favorite traditions is the pairing assemblies—I still remember having a fourth-grade buddy when I was in kindergarten, and it’s incredibly special to see my kids enjoy the same experiences. If I could swap places with them for a day, I’d most look forward to going to the library. Having dedicated time to discover new books in a peaceful setting sounds wonderful—and, of course, I wouldn’t miss lunch! These kids are so lucky.

Read More

October 30, 2025

Halloween Pop-Up Book Fair On October 31 From 7 AM-4 PM! Shop around Halloween Parties, before, or after school. Local bookseller, Liz, will be selling a variety of books in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library. Preview the books or shop online at BookBizLiz.com. All proceeds benefit our library!

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday, November 18: Coffee & Connections With The Head of School, 8 AM – 9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Monday, December 1: Community-Wide PA Meeting, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Monday, December 8-Friday, December 12: Annual MPA Book Festival, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Thursday, December 18: PA Book Club with Dr. Brogdon, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library | We will be reading “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. Please look for our RSVP form in the upcoming Parent Press!

October 23, 2025

Ways To Help Make Halloween A Hit At MPA!

• Contribute To The MPA PA Costume Drive | In anticipation of Lower School Halloween celebrations on October 31. All MPA families are welcome to donate new or gently used costumes between October 20-30. Donation bins will be located at Doors 1 and 7. Costumes will be displayed for families to “shop” in the atrium by the second and third grade classrooms from October 21-31.
• Volunteer At The Lower School Halloween Party! | Help with a variety of activities during students’ P.E. time between 8:30 AM-2:20 PM. Parent volunteers are welcome to stay for as little or as long as they can. We need all the help we can get!
• Check Out The Halloween Pop-Up Book Fair | On October 31, from 7 AM-4 PM, shop around Halloween Parties, before, or after school. Local bookseller, Liz, will be selling a variety of books in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library. Preview the books or shop online at BookBizLiz.com. All proceeds benefit our library!

Read More

October 9, 2025

Thank you for showing up in support of the MPA school community through back-to-school events, division coffees, faculty & staff appreciation, parent-led groups, and more.

Read more about these happenings and give your input for the best “time of day” for the inaugural PA All School Meetings by October 24, via our MPA PA Parent Press: October Edition.

Ways To Help Make Halloween A Hit At MPA!

The MPA PA will be hosting a costume drive in anticipation of Lower School Halloween celebrations on October 31. All MPA families are welcome to donate new or gently used costumes from October 20-30. Donation bins will be located at Doors 1 and 7. Costumes will be displayed for families to “shop” in the atrium by the second and third grade classrooms from October 21-31. Read More

October 7, 2025

We asked board members how long their family has been at MPA, the names and grades of their children, one of their favorite MPA traditions, and if they could swap with their kid for one day at MPA, what they would look forward to the most. Keep an eye out for more board member bios next month!

Jasmin Stees | Co-President & Middle School Division Lead

Hi everyone, my name is Jasmin Stees, and this is my second year serving as the co-president and Middle School division lead on the Parents Association Board. This is my family’s fifth year at MPA, and I have two children in the school—Pierson, who is in seventh grade, and Teddy, who is in PreK. One of my favorite MPA traditions is getting to attend all of the wonderful choral and instrumental concerts. Whether it is the Lower School Art and Music Show or the combined Middle and Upper School Band Concert, the music program is simply outstanding!

If I could swap places with one of my kids for the day, I would pick a day in the PreK classroom. I would look forward to all of the fun, hands-on learning projects like baking break or taking a turn to pick some fresh produce in the PreK garden. Read More

September 25, 2025

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to donate a perishable snack to nourish our faculty during autumn conferences in early October. New items have been added to supplement the dinner we will provide faculty. Your generosity is appreciated!

As you finalize your family’s conference schedule, please consider volunteering to help set up or clean up for the conference dinner on Thursday, October 9, and/or keep our snacks replenished during the day on Friday, October 10. Guidance will be provided, and it only takes a few minutes to refill items and tidy up. Thank you MPA parents and caregivers for your hospitality!

SEPTEMBER GRADE-LEVEL SOCIAL GATHERINGS
Hosted by MPA PA Grade Reps

On-Campus

• PreK families are invited to attend Homecoming festivities together on Saturday, September 27. We will meet on the playground from 9-10 AM for coffee, treats, and playtime. We will then walk over to the family-friendly Homecoming activities that will include face painting, bounce houses, and Touch a Truck.

Off-Campus

• Grade 2 families are gathering on Sunday, September 28 from 9-11 AM at Madison’s Place Playground in Woodbury.
• Grade 7 families are invited to attend an off campus gathering on Saturday, September 27. We will meet at the pavilion at West Park in White Bear Lake for some food, visiting with other families, games, and beach time.

Read More

September 18, 2025

Call For Volunteers On Homecoming Friday! We are looking for more volunteers to join our faculty and staff appreciation event on Friday, September 26! Celebrate Homecoming Week by welcoming faculty and staff to the Peacock Teaching Kitchen as the Parents Association serves healthy snacks and desserts over the lunch hour.

We are seeking four to six volunteers for each time period. Join for an hour or spend midday meeting other MPA parents while showering gratitude on our MPA faculty and staff!

Upcoming Opportunities To Join In

• Tuesday, September 30: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, MPA Gallery
• Wednesday, October 1: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Porter Conference Room

September 11, 2025

We were so pleased to launch the MPA PA Parent Press last week! This new monthly newsletter will highlight opportunities for families to connect, get involved, and stay informed through the MPA Parents Association. In case you missed it, revisit the September edition today!

Help show appreciation to our MPA faculty and staff! Join one of our in-person volunteer opportunities or sign up to bring a perishable food item for one of our upcoming events. Volunteering at an appreciation event is a great way to meet other MPA parents and show our collective appreciation for faculty and staff.

• Volunteer in the teaching kitchen on Friday, September 26, to help serve snacks and desserts to faculty and staff during lunchtime.
• Donate a perishable snack for staff to enjoy during conferences! Drop off will be on Thursday morning, October 9, at Door 1.
• Help set up conference dinner and snacks for faculty on Thursday, October 9, right after school.
• Refill snacks and beverages for faculty and staff during conferences on Friday, October 10. Various slots throughout the day.

Upcoming Opportunities To Join In

• Friday, September 12: Lower School Family Forum (monthly version of Quarterly Coffee), 8:15-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Monday, September 15: Parents Association Board Meeting, 8 AM, Room 42 at MPA
• Tuesday, September 16: PA Grade Rep Meeting, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Tuesday, September 30: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, MPA Gallery
• Wednesday, October 1: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Porter Conference Room

September 4, 2025

Did you know Mounds Park Academy is a place for parents, too? The MPA PA (Parents Association) is your place to directly build community, continue traditions, support faculty and staff, and find resources as an MPA family. Each year, the PA is looking for volunteers!

Check out our current calls to help out below:

• Volunteer in the teaching kitchen on Friday, September 26, to help serve snacks and desserts to faculty and staff during lunchtime.
• Donate a perishable snack for staff to enjoy during conferences! Drop off will be on Thursday morning, October 9, at Door 1.
• Help set up conference dinner and snacks for faculty on Thursday, October 9, right after school.
• Refill snacks and beverages for faculty and staff during conferences on Friday, October 10. Various slots throughout the day.

If you are interested in volunteering to help make these events happen, please email PA@moundsparkacademy.org.

Stay tuned for more details about upcoming events, opportunities to volunteer and more through the weekly Panther Post and the MPA PA Parent Press, our inaugural monthly newsletter for parents from parents!

Upcoming Opportunities To Join In

• Friday, September 12: Lower School Family Forum (monthly version of Quarterly Coffee), 8:15-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Tuesday, September 16: PA Grade Rep Meeting, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Tuesday, September 30: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, MPA Gallery
• Wednesday, October 1: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Porter Conference Room