Upper School Parents Association Meeting
April 12, 2018
The date for the Quarter Four Upper School Parents Association Meeting is Friday, April 27, from 8-9:30 AM. Please note the date change!
Parents of incoming 2018-19 freshmen are encouraged to attend for a glimpse into Upper School at MPA! Keep an eye out for the next two issues of Panther Post for more details. An agenda will be sent to parents of students in grades 8-12 prior to the meeting.
April 12, 2018
Come see the MPA Upper School theatre put on the world’s most beloved musical! On April 26, 27, and 28 at 7 PM in the Nicholson Center, they will be performing “The Sound Of Music” at MPA! Purchase tickets here!
From Rodgers & Hammerstein Theatricals: “When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually capture the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon, the two discover Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain’s immediate service in their navy. The family’s narrow escape of the mountains of Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time.”
April 12, 2018
Have your friends and neighbors been asking about MPA? We can’t wait to meet them! Spread the word and invite them to our next admission event, Breakfast at MPA, on April 17 at 8:30 AM! Guests are invited to campus during a regular school day to meet school administrators over a breakfast, tour MPA, and see our community in action.
Please extend our invitation and have your friends RSVP in advance for this engaging program at moundsparkacademy.org/RSVP. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admission at 651-748-5577 or admission@moundsparkacademy.org.
April 12, 2018
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
MPA was founded on the conviction that a balance between academics, the arts, and athletics is an important part of a whole-child education and leads to success in school and in life. The balance is maintained in a number of ways, including a commitment to physical education in the curriculum and offering a robust athletic program. The key to balancing academics, the arts, and athletics is teachers, coaches, and directors who encourage students to participate in a variety of clubs, activities, and sports, and do not make it difficult for them to do so.
At MPA, we encourage students to play a variety of sports. With a no-cut policy, students have the opportunity to try different sports and learn new skills. Multi-sport participation is important at MPA and we take every opportunity to promote its value. Each sport challenges athletes in different ways and skills developed in one sport may help them in other sports. The exposure to different coaches, teaching methods, and teammates may increase their mental toughness, appreciation, and humility, which is helpful in the overall development of the athlete. Having choices helps students learn what they enjoy, and they may discover a love for a sport they had not previously considered.
The rise of specialization–when a student focuses on only one sport–is troubling and impacts the overall strength of a school’s athletic program and the physical well-being of athletes. Specialization is driven in part by the belief that it is the best path to earn a college scholarship. In reality, only four percent of athletes actually earn an athletic scholarship for college. Some in the medical field also believe that the increasing number of sports-related injuries can be tied to specialization. High school athletes who specialize in a single sport are 70 percent more likely to suffer an injury during their season than those who play multiple sports, according to a study released last year commissioned by the National Federation of High School Associations.
April 7, 2018
Mounds Park Academy won the Section 4A Speech Tournament held today at MPA with a score of 95! There were 300 students competing from 19 different schools. MPA had 32 students competing in 12 categories. Second place was Watertown Mayer with a score of 35.
The next stop for the students who placed first through third will be the State Tournament on Saturday, April 21 at Apple Valley High School starting at 10:15 AM. Observers are welcome and encouraged! Congratulations and Go Panthers!
Today’s results are as follows … Read More
Join A School For Dreamers and Doers
April 5, 2018
If you haven’t yet applied, Mounds Park Academy’s regular admission deadline is coming up on Sunday, April 15. This is the date by which all documents should be received and steps completed. more information >
Our next admission event will be Breakfast at MPA on Tuesday, April 17 starting at 8:30 AM. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet our school administrators over a casual meal and tour the campus to see students and teachers during a regular school day. rsvp >
If you have any questions or need any assistance as we approach these dates, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Admission! We are here to help families navigate the process every step of the way. We look forward to welcoming your family to campus this fall! contact us >
April 5, 2018
The date of the Middle School Art Show Opening and the 5-12 grade Band Concert has been moved from Thursday, May 17 to Wednesday, May 16. The times remain the same, with the opening at 6 PM and the concert at 7 PM. Our apologies for this necessary change to the calendar!
Upper School Grandparents and Special Friends Day
April 3, 2018
Register your Upper School Student’s Grandparent or Special Friend for a day at MPA on April 25!
Grandparents and Special Friends Day has grown to include an event designed especially for Upper School! Visitors will receive a unique glimpse inside our older students’ life at MPA.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Gallery Entrance
9 AM: Registration, Coffee, Morning Treats
9:35 AM: Attend Students’ Second Block Classes
10:40 AM: Attend Preview of The Sound of Music With Students
11:25 AM: Lunch With Students
12:20 PM: Event Concludes for Grandparents and Special Friends. Students return to their regular schedules.
If your child’s Grandparent or Special Friend is able to attend, kindly RSVP them by clicking here for the registration form, emailing GPDayRSVP@moundsparkacademy.org, or calling 651-748-5530. Include your name, your student’s name(s), and the Grandparent or Special Friend’s name(s). Please register by April 20.
Any questions may be directed to Susan Robertson, Annual Giving & Alumni Relations Manager, at srobertson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5531.
March 21, 2018
Middle and Upper School music teacher and choir director
How many years have you been at MPA?
Eighteen years as the choir director. I was hired by Barb Bradley to vocal direct and accompany the musicals in 1996. I have been walking MPA halls for nearly half of my life!
What do you love about MPA?
The joy, positivity, passion, and drive exhibited by faculty, staff, and students.
How does MPA nurture students who forever dream big and do right?
We instill in our students the idea of possibility. What can we do now? The world is at your fingertips. Why not dive in and experience all that you can?
If you have worked at another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
You can be yourself at MPA. Your uniqueness is celebrated. You are important and have something to “bring to the table.” It is like a choir … everyone’s voice is important and we want to hear what you have to say (or sing, in my case!).
What would you tell a parent considering MPA?
You will be jealous of your children’s education!
In what ways are you preparing students for life in the 21st century?
In choir, we are a community. What one person does affects not only you, but the whole. We may be independent thinkers, but we are interdependent beings. Music-making teaches discipline, perseverance, creativity, and the importance of deep listening. Read More
MPA Senior Named State Honoree
March 15, 2018
MPA senior Ryan Guggenheim was recently named one of two State Honorees for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for his work with the Open Wide Foundation! Ryan has been recognized in an article from the Open Wide Foundation, which reads:
“Ryan’s interest increasing access to oral health care stems from his family’s strong philanthropic efforts. He has seen the difference dental care has made in the lives of those who cannot afford it, and wants to help OWF change more lives. He plans on building youth participation through new programs such as OWF Dental Student Scholarship Program, and reaching out to dental professionals in the Twin Cities. He has successfully raised over $5,000, which will pay for two dental students to volunteer at the clinic in Guatemala in July 2018. He hopes to continue to raise awareness and funds in order to send additional dental students to Guatemala. Ryan has recently been awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Award for his work with Open Wide Foundation, representing the state of Minnesota and looks forward to attending the University of Southern California Fall of 2018.