Upper School Archives

Experience The “Sound Of Music” Starting Tonight!

April 26, 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! Tickets are available 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.”

Plus, take a sneak peek here at all of the magic the MPA theatre department is putting on in “The Sound Of Music!”

Enhancing Play Spaces For All

April 26, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

At the dinner table, we have a tradition of sharing our day with one another. Among other topics and questions, we often ask the kids, “What did you like best about your day?” Inevitably, the response is one of three possibilities: phy ed class, lunch, or recess. Obviously, we hope it’s about a riveting discussion about a novel or an exciting discovery during a science experiment. However, as an educator, I am okay with their response. Physical activity, free play, unstructured time, and nutrition are all necessary aspects of a student’s life, no matter the age. This is also true for adults!

In a few weeks, we will gather at the historic JX in Stillwater for our annual Spring Auction. It is our only school-wide community builder solely for the grown-ups in our community and our only fundraising event of the year. The newly opened JX is a beautiful setting with wonderful views and plenty of space for socializing and joy-raising. We will have many items in the silent auction, fun games of chance, and some unique experiences in the live auction. As is our custom, we will end the auction with an opportunity to fund a specific need of the school.

Through this Fund A Need portion of the evening, together over the past several years we’ve raised more than $300,000 to enhance the educational experience of our students. Past projects include the Digital Fabrication Studio (an early iteration of the Makerspace), Virtual Classroom, extensive bathroom renovations, sound, lighting, and seating replacement in the Blackbox Theatre.

Two Golds For MPA At State Speech

April 22, 2018

Mounds Park Academy led all schools with two gold medals at the Class A State Speech Tournament, April 21 at Apple Valley High School. Eleven schools followed with one gold apiece. Pranay Somayajula defended his gold in Extemporaneous Speaking and Sarah Ley placed first in Great Speeches. Overall, MPA placed second in the team standings out of 186 schools that competed in Class A speech this year.

All told, MPA had seven medalists:

Pranay Somayajula – Champion – Extemporaneous Speaking
Sarah Ley – Champion – Great Speeches
Emmett Haak – 2nd Place – Great Speeches
Misk Khalif – 5th place – Serious Interpretation of Poetry
Garrett Hollihan – 6th place – Extemporaneous Speaking
Rayaan Ahmed – 7th place – Discussion
Charlie Galicich – 7th place – Humorous Interpretation

MPA now has 37 Speech Champions in its history. That’s the fifth most among all Minnesota schools, regardless of class. Its 164 total medals are second among Class A schools.

Upper School Parents Association Meeting

April 19, 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. Parents will additionally get an overview of the Fine Arts programs in Upper School from faculty guests, take a look at the remaining Upper School events scheduled for the year, and discuss the opportunity of a new MPA Parents Association Upper School Division Lead.

Upper School Grandparents Day is Next Week!

April 19, 2018

We are very excited to bring Grandparents and Special Friends Day to the Upper School! This special MPA tradition has grown into an event specially designed for the Upper School division, and we are happy and proud to host all of your grandparents and special friends on Wednesday. Visitors will receive a unique glimpse inside our older students’ life at MPA!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Gallery Entrance
9 AM-12:20 PM
Full Agenda here!

If your Upper School student’s Grandparent or Special Friend is able to attend, kindly register them online, email GPDayRSVP@moundsparkacademy.org, or call 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.

Enhancing Play Spaces For All

April 19, 2018

We are excited to announce this year’s Spring Auction Fund A Need! Through our community’s generous support, we will significantly enhance the spaces where our students play and rejuvenate, PreK-12. Our goal is to raise $75,000.

With new equipment on the playground specifically designed for students PreK-8, and more comfortable and extensive seating for Upper School students in the Benz Courtyard, our students will benefit from these improved spaces each and every day. Rooted in the knowledge that young people thrive cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically when they have plenty of time and space to move and play, this Fund A Need will enhance MPA’s ability to deliver on its mission and nurture the whole child.

A Special Surprise For CHAMP Kids

April 19, 2018

Wednesday’s Lower School CHAMP assembly included a warm reading of “The Hugging Tree” by Mr. Wilson, time to brainstorm ideas about resilience as a division, and a complete surprise unveiling of the newest Peace Garden additions! Upper School student Connor McFarland engraved stumps from tees found fallen with every CHAMP trait to enhance the MPA Peace Garden. Bela Larsen and Jaeden McFarland will be putting the finishing touches on them just in time for spring weather!

Enjoy all of the photos of the CHAMP assembly and surprise unveiling here!

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.

The Sound of Music

April 12, 2018

sound of music at MPA 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!

Breakfast At MPA

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.