Parents Association

Parents Association News And Events January 8, 2026

January 8, 2026

An MPA teacher working with students in class. In case you missed it, here is the January edition of the Parent Press!

January brings several opportunities to connect with school leadership. The Upper School Quarterly Parent Coffee will be held on Thursday, January 15, from 8-9:30 AM in the PCR. Upper School college counselors Lisa Pederson and Justin Quam will begin the morning by outlining how they support students and families throughout the college exploration, search, application, and decision-making process. Upper School director Mark Segal will then share important upcoming Upper School calendar events and address parent questions. We look forward to welcoming you to this informative and engaging community gathering.

Here is the full list of upcoming division coffees and other opportunities:

ISACS Parent Series: Elevating Discipline With the Brain in Mind | Tuesday, January 13, 6:30-7:30 PM, Via Zoom >

Upper School Quarterly Coffee | Thursday, January 15, 8-9:30 AM, Porter Conference Room

Lower School Family Forum | Friday, January 16, 8:15-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library

Middle School Quarterly Coffee | Thursday, February 12, 8-9 AM, Porter Conference Room

 

NEW! MPA Ski & Snowboard Club

December 18, 2025

MPA skiers at the Afton Alps We are very excited to announce MPA’s Ski & Snowboard Club for grades seven through 12 at Afton Alps! If 15 students—who don’t already have season passes—sign up, we will be eligible for Ski Club discount tickets. If we can hit our goal, lift tickets will be $39 and rentals will be $37. Click here to sign up!

We plan to go every other Friday, after school. Students and families will need to provide their own transportation. Permission forms are available for anyone who would like to coordinate a carpool.

Waivers and rental forms must be completed in advance. Please fill out these forms and either send them to Sean Andrews at sandrews@moundsparkacademy.org or drop them off in the tech office on campus.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Sean Andrews at sandrews@moundsparkacademy.org!

Join Us For MPA Family Open Gym!

December 18, 2025

A Lower School student with a basketball in the Lansing Center.

We are excited to welcome back the MPA Family Open Gym—a long-standing tradition returning for the first time since before the pandemic! Please join us on January 11, January 18, January 25, and February 8 from 1-3 PM in the Lansing Sports Center for one or more of the open gyms. Click here to register!

Important Notes:

  • Arrive between 1-1:15 PM at Door 7 on the north end of campus. Doors will be locked outside of the arrival window, and fobs will not work.
  • Please wear your MPA nametag or bring an ID to check in and receive a name tag.
  • Supervision will not be provided. Upper School students may attend on their own, but Lower and Middle School students must attend and remain with a parent or guardian.
  • More concession stand volunteers are needed. Sign up here!

We look forward to gathering together for an afternoon of fun and community. We hope to see you there!

Parents Association News And Events December 11, 2025

December 11, 2025

A student and parent at the MPA Book Festival. “Stories In The Snow” at the Book Festival has lived up to its name this week! Thank you to all the families who have joined and the parent volunteers who made it happen. There is still one day left to make purchases!

Please join us tomorrow during the following times or order online:

  • 7:30-8:30 AM
  • 12-1 PM

As we head into winter break, please look ahead for upcoming events in 2026 via the MPA calendar.

Parents Association News And Events December 4, 2025

December 4, 2025

A Lower School parent makes a pie with studentsThanks to all the parents who joined our inaugural PA Community-Wide Meeting on Monday! We’ll report back in the January edition of Parent Press. In case you missed it, here is our December edition.

Last Chance To Join The Book Club With Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon

Please join Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon and fellow book-loving parents for a discussion of Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel, “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” on Thursday, December 18, from 6-7:30 PM, in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library! Light snacks and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP here by Friday, December 5.

Stories In The Snow Book Festival Is Next Week!

There are still a few slots open to volunteer! It’s not too late to sign up to make this festival a success.

Please visit MPA’s very own Scholastic website to…

  • Set up your child’s e-wallet (families may still pay with cash or credit card at the event).
  • Donate funds to Share the Fair.
  • Preview the books at our Book Festival.
  • Shop online from Monday, December 8-Friday, December 21 (25% of every online purchase directly benefits our library).

Book Fair Purchasing Hours

  • Monday, December 8-Tuesday, December 9: 7:30 AM-3:30 PM
  • Wednesday, December 10: 7:30-8:30 AM, 12-1 PM, 2:30-4 PM (open later due to the after-school event)
  • Thursday, December 11: 7:30-8:30 AM, 12-1 PM, 2:30-3:30 PM
  • Friday, December 12: 7:30-8:30 AM, 12-12:30 PM

Upcoming Events With MPA Admin!

  • Tuesday, December 9: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
  • Thursday, January 15: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR (Date Change)

Parents Association News And Events November 20, 2025

November 20, 2025

A MPA P.E. teacher and Lower School student playing basketball. There’s “snow” place like the library! Please join us for “stories in the snow” at MPA’s annual book festival on Monday, December 8-Friday, December 12, in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library!

To help us celebrate the long-standing Book Festival tradition, the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books they’ll dive into again and again. Learn more by clicking here!

Sign Up To Volunteer

In order to make this event a success, we need volunteers to staff the browsing times for each of the grades, various times during the week when it is open for perusing & purchasing, and during some special after school events. Read More

Celebrate Stories In The Snow At The MPA Book Festival!

November 14, 2025

A student looks at a book during the MPA Book Festival. There’s “snow” place like the library! Please join us for “Stories In The Snow” at MPA Parent Association annual Book Festival on Monday, December 8-Friday, December 12, in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library!

To help us celebrate the long-standing Book Festival tradition, the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books they’ll dive into again and again.

The easiest way to let your child shop the fair independently is by creating an e-wallet. It’s easy to set up and easy for others to add funds. Once you create an e-wallet, you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to Share the Fair—the giving program that supports students at our school who need help buying books. Consider participating so that no child leaves the festival empty-handed. Read More

Parents Association News And Events November 13, 2025

November 13, 2025

An MPA parent helping out at the food drive.Join Us! Inaugural Community-Wide Parents Association Meeting

Come together with fellow parents for our inaugural Community-Wide Parents Association meeting on Monday, December 1, from 8-9 AM in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library. This is a great time to get to know each other, what the PA makes happen at the school, and PA board openings for the 2026-27 school year.

In addition, Dr. Lori Anne Brogdon will be presenting on the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning, as well as introducing Pam Gronski, MPA’s manager of campus safety and security. Please let us know if you are attending and if you have a question that you would like Dr. Brogdon to answer at the meeting, email PA@moundsparkacademy.org.

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 >

Parents Association News And Events November 6, 2025

November 6, 2025

Parents cheer on Lower School students during the Halloween Parade. 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 >

Meet Your PA Board!

November 4, 2025

PA Board Member Adi Boeder RisnerMeet 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