Upper School Archives

Reflecting On The Past And Embracing The Future

September 12, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Both my Facebook and LinkedIn accounts were abuzz this week, notifying me of a very important anniversary coming up. September 16 is the five-year anniversary of my first day working at MPA. Professionally, and personally, it is an important date for me and one I truly celebrate each year.

It is the date I found a home, a community that embraced my family and me, where I experienced what inclusivity really means.
It is the date that I discovered what I think a school should be and the very best of what education is all about.
It is the date that marks the beginning of a journey that continues to be a source of great joy and fulfillment.

Meet Elli Carlson ’20

September 10, 2018

What do you love about MPA?

I love that at MPA, I am able to participate in a wide variety of activities. I can play soccer but also be on the debate team. Additionally, the arts department has so many more options than a lot of other schools do. I can take photography, two ceramics classes, and a theatre class all in one year. This allows me to pursue areas outside of just required courses, and for me, these are the areas that interest me most.

If you have attended another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?

MPA is different from my old school in virtually every aspect. The block schedule at MPA gives us longer class periods, allowing for deep discussion and more in depth learning in each class. The longer lunch period gives students to have a break in the day, allowing us to be able to focus during our afternoon classes. The wide variety of arts courses allowed is much more rigorous than my old school’s and allows me to advance my skills in an area that is important to me, as I plan on pursuing a career in the arts after high school. Read More

Traveling with Purpose

September 6, 2018

MPA students explore civil rights and social justice on “This Land is Your Land” summer trip.

Most summer road trips don’t include Topeka, Kansas. But the city made the itinerary of “This Land is Your Land,” a civil rights-focused trip organized by Mounds Park Academy history teachers Katie Murr and Mike Vergin.

“Our goal was to visit as many major sites associated with the civil rights movement as we could,” said Murr. “We wanted them to see places that are an important part of their history but they might fly over instead of visit.” Read More

September 5, 2018

Sign up to volunteer at MPA’s Homecoming 2018 ! We need your support to make this exciting event succeed. This fun-filled weekend has so many activities going on including fun runs, bounce houses, lawn games, athletic competitions, alumni events, and much more. This incredible weekend for every member of our community would not be possible without the generosity of volunteers who give of their time on Saturday, September 29. If you have an hour or two to spare, volunteering is a great way to get involved with the event and MPA! Read More

We Are a Mosaic

September 5, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

“Each individual piece of our mosaic is essential to forming the beautiful whole. Our diversity in age, cultures, talents, interests, and personalities paints an array of colors that make our mosaic vibrant.”

As quoted from the introduction of the 2017-18 school yearbook, the yearbook committee presented a powerful visual image that so eloquently captures the essence of our school’s commitment to equity and inclusion. The students went on to describe each student as unique, their own piece of a beautiful mosaic, that when fitted together, form an exquisite piece of art. Read More

Don’t Miss These September PA Events!

September 5, 2018

Come meet your Grade Reps, the PA Board and other parents! The MPA Parents Association Meet & Greet is Friday, September 7, at 8 AM in the Gallery. Light breakfast will be served while you learn about the 2018-19 Parents Association events and initiatives and how to get involved. Ask questions, share your ideas, and help us grow our community-building at MPA! We would love to see you!

The first monthly all Lower School Family Social, organized by Lower School Parents Association Grade Reps, is also right around the corner! On Saturday, September 22, from 10 AM-1 PM, please join us at Como Town, where we will use a three-hour unlimited wristband for kids to enjoy the rides and play together! The fee for this event is $5 per child. Read More

MPA Fiber Friends

August 30, 2018

Do beautiful colors and fabrics grab your attention? Are you interested in learning how to knit, crochet, quilt, or sew? Is there a project that you have neglected, but want to get back on track and finish? Do you simply want to make some friends and learn something new along the way? We have the perfect group for you! Join the MPA Fiber Friends in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace every Friday starting September 7 from 11 AM-12:30 PM! Read More

Save The Date For Homecoming 2018!

August 30, 2018

We all belong here! All families PreK-12 should save the date to come and celebrate MPA Homecoming 2018 on Saturday, September 29!

The weekend is a wonderful way to celebrate who we are, where we come from, and where we are going together. Whether you’re a parent cheering on your athlete, an Upper School student competing, a Lower School student excited for the bounce houses, or an alum coming back to celebrate a milestone reunion, this is an opportunity for all of us to support and celebrate MPA. Come home to connect with us and one another, and to celebrate MPA.

You can find all of the event details at moundsparkacademy.org/homecoming. We can’t wait to see you there!

MPA Printed Calendars

August 29, 2018

Did you get your 2018-19 MPA printed calendar? The youngest child in each family should have received one at Back to School Night. If not, please contact the Office of Communications and Marketing at communications@moundsparkacademy.org and we will send one home with your child!

MPA Experiences “History Unfolded”

August 29, 2018

Upper School social studies teacher Ms. Murr recently traveled to Washington, DC to meet with the coordinators of the “History Unfolded” project at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. This is the project to which MPA alums Maija Olson ’17, Eloise Berdahl-Baldwin ’17, Bennett Winga ’17, and Ben George ’17 made significant research contributions. In fact, one of the articles they discovered is being used in a new exhibition, titled “Americans and the Holocaust.” It is an incredible honor to have their work displayed in one of the most renowned museums in the country. Additionally, historians moving forward will have access to their articles and thousands of others found by citizen historians. This will allow more people to ask difficult questions about what Americans knew, when they knew it, and what they did with that knowledge when it came to the Holocaust.

Image courtesy of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.