Upper School Archives

February 15, 2019

On Thursday, February 14, the MPA community gathered in the Kreischer Gym for one large, nostalgic celebration. One of the four Together, We Dream priorities allows us to create a shared space—a new commons and cafeteria—where Mounds Park Academy students and teachers alike will enjoy meals from a new state-of-the-art kitchen in the space where the Kreischer Gym currently resides.

We were lucky to have several MPA alumni in attendance who say that the Kreischer Gym is featured in some of their fondest school memories.

“I remember the obstacle course from my phy ed class and how fun that unit was weaving through the Kreischer Gym, hopping from one green step aerobics platform to another, running through a tunnel of gym mats, crawling under jump ropes strung across the course, flying through the air on the rope swing, pulling yourself along with the seated scooters, and tumbling down gymnastics mats,” says Nate Bander ’09. “I also remember flying balsa wood gliders in Middle School science, participating in my first Homecoming assembly in seventh grade, and playing on Mr. Brandon’s ninth grade basketball team in the Kreischer Gym.”

Maddy Wolfe ’12 echoes Nate’s sentiments. “The Kreischer Gym was a really fun home to have for all of the spring musicals I was in,” she says. “That’s where we made memories hanging out backstage and getting ready for the performances. I also remember taking a self-defense class in the Kreischer for my senior seminar.” Read More

New Transportation Opportunity

February 14, 2019

MPA is excited to announce new transportation options for current and prospective families thanks to a new partnership with Hill-Murray! In addition to the current routes servicing North Oaks/Roseville, Highland/St. Paul, and Woodbury, MPA will be adding a dedicated route to and from the greater Stillwater/Lakeland area!

The cost for two-way transportation under a group stop model will remain $1,300, equivalent to just $145 per month. Detailed route information can be found at: https://www.moundsparkacademy.org/current-families/transportation/. The District 622 route information will be available in August, closer to the beginning of the year.

Sign-up for MPA busing is available during the re-enrollment process in TADS.

If you have any questions, please contact Rose Wick, transportation coordinator, at rwick@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5505.

A Magical Moment of Kindness

February 14, 2019

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Adults and children alike are asking a question of themselves and others these days: What does it mean to be kind? During a time of societal change and upheaval, the place of kindness in our lives is often taken up by rancor, division, and sometimes violence. I was horrified last week by the incident on I-94 when a driver, overcome with road rage, fired a gun at a school bus driver. Schools are not immune and can be cruel places. It is a sad fact that more than one out of five students nationwide will be bullied this year. Research has demonstrated time and again that when students don’t feel safe, it is difficult for them to learn and grow.

Kindness is not something to be taken for granted. It is important that parents and schools join together and intentionally foster empathy. Ravi Rao, a pediatric neurosurgeon, believes parents should teach feelings as much as they teacher things like color and numbers. She is convinced that for kids to show empathy to us, we need to show empathy to them. At MPA, we believe very strongly in fostering a kind and joyful community. What is at stake is more than academic achievement, it is a sense of self and developing the confidence to fly. Read More

IMAC Nordic Ski Championship

February 14, 2019

Congratulations to the MPA Nordic Ski teams on a fantastic IMAC Championship meet! The girls team won the IMAC Nordic Championship at Battle Creek, with a score of 568. The boys took second in the Championship with a score of 507.

MPA Senior Matt Bourne individually took first place for the boys, while senior Ellie Quam earned first place honors for the girls. We wish the MPA Nordic Individuals advancing to State at Giants Ridge the best of luck and we can’t wait to cheer you on! Go Panthers!

Senior Maia Kelly Signs With Pitzer College

February 13, 2019

Senior Maia Kelly signed a letter of intent to Pitzer College in Claremont, California to play volleyball for their team, the Sagehens.

Maia has received Player of the Match multiple times throughout her high school volleyball career, as well as received the Coaches Award this past season. Her position is middle blocker.

Congratulations Maia! The Sagehens are lucky to have you.

Enjoy Our Free Food For Thought?

February 7, 2019

We had a wonderful response to last Friday’s Free Food For Thought, in partnership with SAGE Dining. Please watch for additional dates to come for both students and parents to try MPA’s program.

If your student enjoyed the experience, Middle and Upper School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $430—equivalent to just $5.75 per day. Lower School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $380—equivalent to just $5 per day. Contact Amanda Platson, student billing coordinator, at aplatson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651748-5502 to do so.

Join Us For Maker Fest 2019!

February 7, 2019

See our community’s hard work come to life at Maker Fest in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace on Saturday, February 23 from 1-3 PM. Anyone is welcome to attend as a spectator. No RSVP is necessary! Participation is open to everyone in our community—students, parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and more–showcasing a variety of skills, crafts, inventions, and activities.

Maker Fest is the perfect opportunity to “show and tell” something that you have created and share your accomplishments. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Koen, Makerspace coordinator, at nkoen@moundsparkacademy.org.

Together, We’ll Meet The Changing Needs

February 7, 2019

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

We are fortunate to live in an older neighborhood in Minneapolis. Our house, built in 1915, is more than 100 years old and has a warm, comfortable feel to it. However, with two parents, two children, two dogs, and aging parents, we made the decision several years ago to add on a new kitchen, a bathroom on the first floor, and a family room in the basement. The old kitchen was so small that I could touch the counter and cupboards on one side and easily touch the sink and counter on the other side. Cozy doesn’t quite capture the feeling of what it was like to cook in that small space and it limited what we were able to prepare and serve for our family and loved ones.

We love our house and can’t imagine living anywhere else. However, as our family evolved, our needs did too. We needed to change how we lived. Schools are like that too. Over time, our vision of education changes and the needs of our students emerge in ways that cause us to outgrow the spaces that served us so well for so long. Mounds Park Academy is no exception. Throughout the history of the school, we have renovated and added on to the original building constructed in 1958 to better meet the changing needs of our students. Read More

Minnesota Scholastic Writing Awards Recipient

February 6, 2019

Congratulations to senior, Émilie Davidson!

Her writing portfolio entitled ‘Selected Works’ received a Gold Key Award at the Minnesota Scholastic Writing Awards. Her work is currently being considered in New York City for national recognition. She will be honored at a ceremony in April, hosted by the Minnesota Writing Project.

Social Media: Online And On Edge

January 31, 2019

by Jenn Milam, Ph.D., Middle School Director, Mounds Park Academy

Just last week I had the privilege of sitting among fellow Middle School parents to hear a presentation prepared and expertly delivered by Ms. Mohn’s Upper School women’s literature students about the power and dangers of online vulnerability that exist in and through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and any number of newly emerging applications. This parent education session serendipitously followed my attending a screening of the new film, “LIKE: A Documentary About the Impact of Social Media on our Lives,” with my family just a few days before.

What is clear to me as I write this piece is that now, more than ever, we must have open, honest, informed, and critical conversations surrounding not only how we (yes, you and I) and our children are using social media; but more, how it is using us. While online interactions in these virtual worlds may seem somewhat disconnected from reality, make no mistake the influence of the social connections, comments, tweets, direct messages, chats, and images that are exchanged online spill over into the very fiber of our daily lives, and into our beings as humans.

It is present each day that the Middle School students walk through the halls at MPA, when they play basketball afterschool, and attend Quiz Bowl tournaments on the weekend. It’s likely present in Lower School students’ experiences as they attend birthday parties and playdates and parents post pictures with captions on Facebook. And, yes, in Upper Schoolers’ interactions as they navigate college acceptances, celebrations, personal life moments, and social dynamics and move into adulthood.

Does this seem overwhelming? If you answered yes, you are not alone. The good news is, we can change our behavior and therefore, change the impact that social media has on our lives and those of our children. Read More