Parents Association

October 3, 2024

Thank you! With a full month under our belt, the 2024-2025 school year has already been rich with community connections. Thank you for showing up in support of the MPA school community through Back To School events, Quarterly Coffees, Faculty & Staff Appreciation, affinity groups, and more. All parents and guardians are an integral part of this school and we look forward to further connections in October!

Panther Sports Committee Kickoff Meeting!
Saturday, October 12, from 10 AM-12 PM
Porter Conference Room

Everyone is welcome! Please email Christine Larson at clarsonPA@moundsparkacademy.org for more info.

Upcoming MPA PA Events

• October 4: MPA PA Board Meeting, 8 AM, PA Room
• October 10-11: Faculty & Staff Appreciation, hosted by the PA Staff Appreciation Committee
• October 12: Panther Sports Committee Kickoff Meeting, 10 AM-12 PM, PCR
• October 16: LS Rainbow Club Meeting, 6 PM, MPA Library
• October 26: Community Coffees, 10 AM-12 PM, multiple locations
• October 31: Lower School Grade Level Halloween Parties, 8:30 AM-2:20 PM, Lansing Sports Center

September 26, 2024

In case you are wondering, the last few weeks we mentioned how the MPA PA builds community through coffee. Here are some more details on upcoming Division-level Quarterly Coffees.

Middle School Quarterly Coffee on September 27, 8-9 AM, PCR: Meet & Greet with Paul Errickson, Middle School director! Socialize with fellow parents and learn about fall happenings and MAP Testing in the Middle School.

Lower School Quarterly Coffee on October 1, 8-9 AM, Gallery: Meet & Greet with Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director! Connect with fellow parents while learning more about the new MAP Testing.

Upper School Quarterly Coffee on October 1, 8-9 AM, PCR: Meet & Greet with Mark Segal, Upper School director, for conversation and updates regarding the Upper School cell phone policy and fall events, and we’ll have special guests from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy, in Shenzhen, China.

MPA Merch Pop-Up Shop This Saturday!

The Parents Association is hosting a pop-up shop during homecoming in the Lansing Center. Sweatshirts, t-shirts, and hats will be available from 9 AM-12 PM. Show your Panther Pride at the games!

Upcoming Events

• September 27: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, Porter Conference Room
• October 1: LS Quarterly Coffee, 8:15-9 AM, MPA Gallery
• October 1: US Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR

September 19, 2024

Get ready for the Rainbow Club! The Rainbow Club is for any Lower School parents, faculty, and staff members who identify or have children that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. The group is being organized by MPA parent Rachael Weber and exists to have important conversations, create a close-knit community, and share resources with each other throughout the year.

The Rainbow Club will meet once a month, with the first meeting of the new year being Friday, September 20, at noon in the Panther Center. Please email Rachael at rachweb89@gmail.com with questions!

Rachael Weber is an MPA parent with two children in Lower School who started The Rainbow Club in spring of 2024. She saw a need at MPA for a Lower School LGBTQ+ affinity group and has a personal passion for connecting people with others who help them feel seen and represented.

Upcoming Events

September 20: Rainbow Club for Lower School Kick-off Meeting, 12-1 PM, Panther Den

September 23: Staff Appreciation Day hosted by Grades 5 & 6

September 27: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, Porter Conference Room

September 12, 2024

Connection is brewing! You don’t have to drink coffee to take advantage of the way coffee brings people together. Throughout the school year, the MPA Parents Association hosts social events that build community between families and between families and school staff.

• Division-level Quarterly Coffees are an intimate opportunity to be in conversation with Division leadership and sometimes special guests. We hope to see you at one or more of our coffee dates this year!
• Community Coffee Saturday is coming up in October and is a great way to connect with MPA families who live near you. Save the date for Saturday, October 26. Interested in being a local host for your neighboring MPA families? Please email PA@moundsparkacademy.org.

MPA parents are brewing up the community in many ways, including;

• Rainbow Club! An LGBTQ+ affinity group for Lower School parents/guardians, faculty and staff. Check out this week’s Lower School Division News for more info.
• Panther Sports Committee! For all grade level parents/guardians who are passionate about supporting athletics at MPA. Email Christine Larson at clarsonPA@moundsparkacademy.org for more info.

Upcoming Events

September 13: Fall Grade Rep Meeting, 8-9 PM, Family Commons

September 20: Rainbow Club for Lower School Kick-off Meeting, 12-1 PM, Panther Den

September 23: Staff Appreciation Day hosted by Grades 5 & 6

September 27: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, Porter Conference Room

September 5, 2024

Did you know Mounds Park Academy is a place for parents, too? The MPA Parents Association (MPAPA) is your place to directly build community, continue traditions, support faculty and staff, and find resources as an MPA family. Each year, the MPAPA is looking for volunteers to give their time to lead, support, and assist with the following events:

• Book Festival
• Cultural Celebration
• Trivia Night
• Faculty & Staff Appreciation
• Grade Rep Program
• Lower School Halloween Party
• Lower School Valentine’s Party
• Panther Sports Committee
• Upper School Events

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

Upcoming Events
September 6: PA Board Meeting, 8 AM, PA Room at MPA
September 23: Staff Appreciation Day hosted by Grades 5 and 6
September 27: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, Porter Conference Room

August 29, 2024

Welcome to the Parents Association, and happy first week of school! It was great to connect with members of our community at our First Day of School Coffee. If you missed it, it is not too late to learn more about the Mounds Park Academy Parents Association (MPAPA), sign up for a committee and/or get involved.

Find more information on the MPA website, @MPAParents Instagram, or email PA@moundsparkacademy.org. Stay tuned through the weekly Panther Posts for upcoming events and opportunities to volunteer!

Upcoming Events
September 6: PA Board Meeting, 8 AM, PA Room at MPA
September 23: Staff Appreciation Day hosted by Grades 5 and 6

Call For Volunteers
Are you ready to bring your team spirit? The MPAPA Panther Sports Committee is looking for 1-2 parents from each Middle School sports team to help build community through the sports programs at MPA. From coordinating a team potluck to decorating athletes’ lockers, you will be sparking a new level of Panther pride for our MPA community! Learn more about the role and contact Christine Larson, our panther sports committee lead, at clarsonPA@moundsparkacademy.org with any questions or interest.

May 30, 2024

Gardening at MPA
We are looking for volunteers to help with the MPA garden! No previous gardening experience or long-term commitment is necessary. Traditionally, we have met on Thursday or Friday mornings after drop-off, but we can be flexible with schedules. If interested, please contact Sara Carroll at smtanaka@gmail.com or Tenia Kalogeropoulou at tenia2@yahoo.com to coordinate.

End Of The Year Grade Events
The end of the year is coming soon! If you haven’t RSVPed yet, it’s not too late to join.

Pre-K: Tuesday, June 4, 10:30 AM, Richard Walton Park, Oakdale
Kindergarten: Tuesday, June 4, after kindergarten graduation, MPA Campus
Grade 1: Tuesday, June 4, 10:30 AM, Richard Walton Park, Oakdale
Grade 2: Tuesday, June 4, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, Sarah Cotter’s house
Grade 3: Tuesday, June 4, 10:30 AM, Richard Walton Park, Oakdale
Grade 4: Tuesday, June 4, 2-4 PM, Sarah Cotter’s house
Grade 5: Tuesday, June 4, 11 AM-2 PM, West Lake Park, White Bear Lake
Grade 7: Tuesday, June 4, 11 AM-1 PM, Rosebrook Park
Grade 8: Tuesday, June 4, 11 AM-1 PM, Smash Park
Grade 9: Tuesday, June 4, 11-1 PM, Smash Park
Grade 10: Tuesday, June 4, 11-1 PM, Smash Park
Grade 11: Tuesday, June 4, 11-1 PM, Smash Park
Grade 12: Senior All-Night Party

Summer Sporting Events
MPA x MNUFC: MN United vs. Austin FC, Allianz Field
Saturday, June 22, 7:30 PM
Get your tickets ($49 each) in our group section here! The deadline to purchase tickets is June 7.

MPA x St. Paul Saints: St. Paul Saints vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, CHS Field
Friday, July 26, 7:07 PM (fireworks to follow the game)
Purchase tickets (infield seats this year!) in our group section here. The deadline to purchase tickets is July 8.

May 23, 2024

Gardening at MPA
We are looking for volunteers to help with the MPA garden! No previous gardening experience or long-term commitment is necessary. Traditionally, we have met on Thursday or Friday mornings after drop-off, but we can be flexible with schedules. If interested, please contact Sara Carroll at smtanaka@gmail.com or Tenia Kalogeropoulou at tenia2@yahoo.com to coordinate.

2024-2025 Volunteer Opportunities
The PA is looking for volunteers for next year. We need volunteers in all divisions, supporting everything from classroom parties to teacher appreciation to summer events. We want all parents and guardians to feel welcome and to engage in meaningful ways that fit their schedules. We often hear that people want to help but do not want to be in charge. We are working on turning planning into more of a committee structure. If you would be willing to help organize within a group setting, reach out. Please get in touch with the PA at PA@moundsparkacademy.org to let us know how you might like to be involved. It is a great way to give back to the community and connect with other parents!

Summer Sporting Events
MPA x MNUFC: MN United vs. Austin FC, Allianz Field
Saturday, June 22, 7:30 PM
Get your tickets ($49 each) in our group section here! The deadline to purchase tickets is June 7.

MPA x St. Paul Saints: St. Paul Saints vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, CHS Field
Friday, July 26, 7:07 PM (fireworks to follow the game)
Purchase tickets (infield seats this year!) in our group section here. The deadline to purchase tickets is July 8.

May 16, 2024

Gardening at MPA
We are looking for volunteers to help with the MPA garden! No previous gardening experience or long-term commitment is necessary. Traditionally, we have met on Thursday or Friday mornings after drop-off, but we can be flexible with schedules. If interested, please contact Sara Carroll at smtanaka@gmail.com or Tenia Kalogeropoulou at tenia2@yahoo.com to coordinate.

2024-2025 Volunteer Opportunities
The PA is looking for volunteers for next year. We need volunteers in all divisions, supporting everything from classroom parties to teacher appreciation to summer events. We want all parents and guardians to feel welcome and to engage in meaningful ways that fit their schedules. We often hear that people want to help but do not want to be in charge. We are working on turning planning into more of a committee structure. If you would be willing to help organize within a group setting, reach out. Please get in touch with the PA at PA@moundsparkacademy.org to let us know how you might like to be involved. It is a great way to give back to the community and connect with other parents!

Summer Sporting Events
MPA x MNUFC: MN United vs. Austin FC, Allianz Field
Saturday, June 22, 7:30 PM
Get your tickets ($49 each) in our group section here! The deadline to purchase tickets is June 7.

MPA x St. Paul Saints: St. Paul Saints vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, CHS Field
Friday, July 26, 7:07 PM (fireworks to follow the game)
Purchase tickets (infield seats this year!) in our group section here. The deadline to purchase tickets is July 8.

May 9, 2024

Thank You!
A HUGE fresh-baked thank you to everyone who came into the Teaching Kitchen on Tuesday to clean, bake, and decorate cookies for all MPA staff on National Teachers Appreciation Day! We baked nearly 500 cookies for staff from Rebecca’s Nut-Free Cookies and Sweet Loren’s. Staff had a warm cookie with lunch and could sign up to take a small box home. Thank you, volunteers!

2024-2025 Volunteer Opportunities
The PA is looking for volunteers for next year. We need volunteers in all divisions, supporting everything from classroom parties to teacher appreciation to summer events. We want all parents and guardians to feel welcome and to engage in meaningful ways that fit their schedules. We often hear that people want to help out but do not want to be in charge. We are working on turning planning into more of a committee structure. If you would be willing to help organize within a group setting, reach out. Please get in touch with the PA at PA@moundsparkacademy.org to let us know how you might like to be involved. It is a great way to give back to the community and connect with other parents.

Farewell Party
Tuesday, May 28
Please join our middle schoolers and families for Field Day and a Farewell to John and Jenn Milam. Contact your grade reps or Molly.Oliver1@gmail.com for more information.

Summer Sporting Events
MPA x MNUFC: MN United vs. Austin FC, Allianz Field
Saturday, June 22, 7:30 PM
Get your tickets ($49 each) in our group section here! The deadline to purchase tickets is June 7.

MPA x St. Paul Saints: St. Paul Saints vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, CHS Field
Friday, July 26, 7:07 PM (fireworks to follow the game)
Purchase tickets (infield seats this year!) in our group section here. The deadline to purchase tickets is July 8.