Special Events Archives

November 16, 2017

As of noon, MPA families have raised an incredible $41,028. If we reach $75,000, a generous family will give a bonus gift of $25,000 to get us to the goal of $100,000 today! Incredible!As of noon, MPA families have raised an incredible $41,028. If we reach $75,000, a generous family will give a bonus gift of $25,000 to get us to the goal of $100,000 today! Incredible!

In celebration of such generosity on Give to the Max Day, please join us for a Lip Sync Assembly this afternoon in the Lansing Sports Center at 2:20 PM featuring performances from across all divisions. You won’t want to miss the fabul ous line up of faculty and students.

As Dr. Hudson shared in his Head’s Message, “I give out of gratitude, in thanksgiving for the transformational experience my daughter, and your children, are receiving. I give because parenting is tough and I need and appreciate all the help I can get. I give as a manifestation of hope.” Follow along on Facebook as MPA’s faculty and staff share why they give to MPA each hour!

Please join Dr. Hudson, faculty, and staff, and make a gift…

Pledge now and donate later! Make a pledge by simply emailing Matt Magers, Director of Development, at mmagers@moundsparkacademy.org.
Click here to give online today!
Visit the Development Office anytime. We accept cash, check, or credit cards and are open daily from 8 AM–4 PM.

If you have any questions about making a gift, please contact Matt Magers, Director of Development at 651-748-5532 or via email .

Give To The Max Day

November 9, 2017

Mark your calendars for Give to the Max Day on November 16 and the end of the Fall Campaign on November 17. If we reach our goal of $75,000 that day, a generous MPA family will contribute an additional $25,000, bringing our grand total to $100,00!

Also, please join us for a Lip Sync Battle on Give to the Max Day in the Lansing Sports Center at 2:20 PM featuring performances from faculty and staff across all divisions. Check out a recap of last year’s event to get you excited!

To make a gift …

Pledge now and donate later! Make a pledge by simply emailing Matt Magers, Director of Development, at mmagers@moundsparkacademy.org.
Click here to give online today or on Give to the Max Day!
Visit the Development Office anytime or on Give to the Max Day. We accept cash, check, or credit cards and are open daily from 8 AM–4 PM.

If you have any questions about making a gift, please contact the Development Team, at 651-748-5532 or via email.

College Years

November 9, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

A week ago, I had the pleasure of attending a social event at Dellwood Country Club organized by the MPA Parents of Alumni Association. The event brought together parents who have MPA graduates currently in college. It was a spirited group—all were very excited to talk with one another and share stories of how their children are faring at school. I enjoyed hearing from them and learning how well their children felt prepared for college after MPA. In addition to feeling prepared, I frequently hear that many of our alumni are assisting their friends and roommates with schoolwork and/or teaching them how to study and manage their time.

Another common observation that I hear from parents of alumni is that they continue to develop relationships with their professors. In the words of one parent of alumni, “My child has transitioned beautifully to college. She knows how to advocate for herself and how to learn. I am amazed by her ability to access teachers and get her questions answered. I couldn’t be more pleased with her high school experience.” Because of the meaningful relationships they form with their MPA teachers, they have the same confidence and comfort to talk to their professors after class or visit them during office hours. In some instances, this has led to internships or research assistant opportunities.

Can We Count On You?

November 2, 2017

Gifts of all size are an affirmation of your commitment to MPA. It sends a powerful message to the students, faculty, staff, and the community that MPA is an institution worth supporting, that the work we are doing to prepare our future leaders to dream big and do right has an impact on our world, and that you know how valuable participation truly is in the Fall Campaign. Thank you!

We all love a pizza party! Your class can join the celebration of giving! Participation is what really makes the difference! Classes that reach 70% participation via their families’ giving will then receive a free pizza party! Also, mark your calendars for the Give to the Max Day Lip Sync Assembly on Thursday, November 16. We can’t wait to see you there!

Inspiring Participation

October 26, 2017

a message from Matt Magers, Director of Development

“Today is one of my most favorite days of the year!” This is what I heard from several teachers last Wednesday, October 18, the third day of the Joyful Learning, Joyful Giving Fall Campaign. As a new staffer, I initially thought, “Wow! This school is really into philanthropy.”

That is true; however, I quickly realized that they were referring to our traditional Grandparents & Special Friends Day. This day provides an opportunity for our Lower and Middle School students to showcase their school to some of the most important people of their lives—grandparents and special friends! The entire day was filled with enthusiasm and joy as MPA welcomed more than 200 guests to campus (see photos here).

Makerspace Dedication Event

October 12, 2017

Thank you to all who came to the Makerspace Dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Each and every one of you made the day fun and special! We hope you enjoyed getting to use your hands and minds in the STEAM activities and learned more about what goes on every day in the Makerspace here at MPA. Whether you went home with a customized Makerspace button to wear or a newfound love for building Rube Goldberg machines, it seemed everyone had a great afternoon of discovery and play. We are proud to show you what our students are experiencing and working with at school. For more photos of the event, visit our Flickr page.

To watch Dr. AnnMarie Thomas’s inspiring and insightful talk to the MPA community during the Makerspace assembly on Friday, October 6, please visit our YouTube channel! She tells a vivid and relatable story of finding her passion, from childhood to college and now as an educator. She truly moved the community at every level.

MPA Blood Drive

October 12, 2017

The first grade and Upper School Student Council have teamed up to host the MPA Blood Drive as their service project for the year. Not only is it exciting for the students to work with each other across divisions, but they are enthusiastic about supporting an important cause.

The students are having the drive to spread a simple message: giving blood is easy, and it will save lives. Much of today’s medical care depends on having a steady supply of blood provided by donors. The philanthropy of it is that donating blood saves lives on a local and global level. Patients in need of red blood cells, transfusions for emergency surgeries, and treatment of illnesses such as Leukemia and other cancers all benefit from your irreplaceable donation.

To support them, please consider offering an hour of your time to donate blood on Thursday, October 26. You may sign-up by going online to redcrossblood.org. Our sponsor code/keyword is Mounds Park Academy. If you know that you are unable to give blood, please be sure to ask friends or relatives! If you have questions about your eligibility to donate please call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767). The first grade students and Upper School Student Council sincerely appreciate it!

Remind Grandparents And Special Friends To RSVP!

October 5, 2017

MPA grandparents and special friends are welcomed to a very joyful day on campus! Remind them to join PreK through 8th Grade students for a special glimpse inside the everyday life at MPA. Grandparents and Special Friends Day is Wednesday, October 18.

Registration, coffee, and treats will begin at 9 AM, leading up to programs and classroom visits throughout the morning until 11:30 AM. Grandparents and special friends must RSVP by Wednesday, October 11, by emailing GPDayRSVP@moundsparkacademy.org or calling the RSVP line at 651-748-5530. They must include their names and the names of the student(s) that they will be visiting. We can’t wait to have them on campus!

The Journey to MPA

October 5, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

My first impression of MPA was in 1995 and came from a neighbor whose son attended MPA. We had just bought a house in Afton and were in the process of meeting our neighbors. Our next door neighbors spoke so highly of the school and their son struck me as both bright and affable and immediately had a favorable impression of MPA. Even though I taught down the street at Hill-Murray, I did not know much at all about MPA. I made a mental note to myself that I should learn more about the school as my interaction with my neighbors peaked my curiosity.

Josh and Trish Hanson, parents of Lower School students Finley, Liv, and Willa, first heard of MPA in a similar way. Josh recalls, “Another neighbor, the Nickoski’s, attend MPA and love it. That was what initially piqued our interest to learn more. We attended an open house and we were immediately hooked.”

RSVP Today For Dedication Event!

September 28, 2017

The Makerspace Dedication and Ribbon Cutting event is coming up on October 7, starting promptly at 1 PM. The formal events will be followed by tours of the space, STEAM activities for all ages, and refreshments. This will be an incredible event that you will not want to miss! Kindly reply to rsvp@moundsparkacademy.org.

“The AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace is the only creative center of its kind in the Twin Cities for students in grades PreK through 12. Given the long-standing approach at Mounds Park Academy of hands-on, experiential learning that integrates science, technology, math with the humanities and the arts, the Makerspace fits perfectly alongside the work of Dr. Thomas,” said Dr. Hudson. Dr. Thomas will speak to students at an all school assembly on Friday, October 6.