Upper School Division News

October 29, 2026

from Mark Segal, Upper School director Earlier this month, the MPA faculty and staff met during a scheduled professional development day. Some of us were given the opportunity to share information, and I spoke with colleagues about something that I have come to believe more deeply each year—none of us has time to read, listen to, and attend everything. There are more books worth reading, podcasts worth hearing, webinars worth watching, and conferences worth attending than any one person could take in over a lifetime. As educators, I know we feel this every day. As parents, I suspect you do too. Our calendars are full, our attention is pulled in many directions, and the stack of things we “intend to get to” keeps growing.

The good news is that we don’t have to do it all alone. When each of us takes in something meaningful and then shares it with others, we cover far more ground together than any of us could on our own. One colleague reads a book over the summer, another attends a conference, and a third listens to a podcast on the drive home. When they bring those ideas back and talk about them, we all benefit. That is the heart of how our teachers’ professional growth groups work at MPA, and I have come to realize that it is a habit worth practicing at home, too.

I saw this play out in a wonderful way just a few weeks ago. One of our MPA art teachers shared an episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, “What Art Does for Your Brain,” with members of the administrative team and with her art department colleagues. I am grateful she did, because I would likely never have found it on my own.

The episode makes the case that engaging with the arts is not just a “pleasant extra.” It has measurable effects on our mood, our mental health, and the health of our brains. Two findings stood out to me. First, a regular arts habit was linked to about half the risk of depression over a 10-year period. That is a remarkable finding, and it speaks to the value of making room for creativity in our lives, not just in our children’s schedules but in our own. Second, doing art matters more than being good at it. The benefits come from showing up and taking part, whether that means sketching, singing, playing an instrument, writing, or building something with your hands. For our students, many of whom feel real pressure to excel at everything they try, I find this deeply reassuring. Sometimes the most salient point is simply to create.

If you would like to hear the full conversation, you can listen to the episode by clicking here or wherever you get your podcasts.

As a school that values the arts as an essential part of a complete education, this research affirms much of what our arts faculty see in their classrooms every day. And it reached me only because a colleague took the time to pass it along.

So, I want to encourage each of you to do the same. The next time you read an article, hear a podcast, or attend a talk that sparks something in you, share it with your child at dinner, with a friend, with another family, or with me. You never know whose thinking you might shift or whose day you might brighten.

I closed my discussion with my colleagues with a quote that I heard years ago and am unsure to whom it is attributed: “Our growth is individual; our impact is collective.” Not knowing its author does not lessen its importance. 

Important Notes

Attendance: If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to
Chanda Williams, Upper School administrative assistant, at 651-777-2555 or cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org. 

Second Quarter Conferences: Upper School second-quarter conferences are right around the corner. They will take place on Thursday, December 3 (3:30-8 PM) and Friday, December 4 (8 AM-5 PM). Regular classes will be held on Thursday, December 3, but Upper School classes will not be held on Friday, December 4, allowing families to meet with their students’ teachers. More information will be shared toward the end of the month regarding signing up for conferences, but we wanted to ensure that you had this information on your calendar. As a reminder, Upper School students participate in their conferences and are required to attend.

Opportunities To Share MPA: Community member recommendations are the most important way new families come to MPA! When a new student completes the MPA application process based on a recommendation from a current family, the current family will receive a $500 credit toward the following year's tuition. If the new student is accepted and the family enrolls, an additional $500 credit will be applied.

We have some fantastic events coming up that are the perfect way to share MPA with a friend, neighbor, or family member! If you know someone who is exploring schools or is interested in MPA, please share the information below. Thank you for sharing MPA!

• Taste Of Ninth Grade | November 15, 11 AM-12:15 PM: Students will experience collaborative, hands-on learning while parents connect with members of the MPA community to learn more about ninth-grade, Upper School life, and the opportunities ahead. Families will enjoy lunch together before continuing on to the PreK-12 MPA Preview. Families can RSVP here!
• PreK-12 MPA Preview | November 15, 12:30-2 PM: Families discover what makes MPA such a special place to learn and grow at the PreK–12 MPA Preview. They have a chance to meet school leaders, faculty, and current parents, tour campus with MPA students, and experience signature learning opportunities while getting a firsthand look at the people, programs, and spirit of the MPA community. Families can RSVP here!

Please contact the Office of Admission at admission@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5577 if you have any questions. 

A Look Ahead 

• Friday, October 30: PA Fall Food Drive
• Friday, October 30: PA Halloween Book Sale Pop-Up with PaperPie, 7:30 AM-3:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Monday, November 2: Native American Heritage Month Begins
• Monday, November 2: US Cross Country Banquet, 4:30-7 PM, Family Commons
• Thursday, November 5: US Boys Soccer Banquet, 5:30-7:30 PM, Family Commons
• Monday, November 9: US Nordic Team Parent Meeting, 5-6 PM, Recital Hall
• Tuesday, November 10: DEIB Family Forum, 8:15-9:15 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Wednesday, November 11: US G11-12 College Money Method Financial Aid Webinar, 12-1 PM, Virtual
• Thursday, November 12: US Vocal Concert, 7:30-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
• Friday, November 13: US Senior Performance, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
• Tuesday, November 17: US Girls Tennis Banquet, 5-7 PM, Family Commons
• Thursday, November 19: PreK-G12 Give to the Max Day Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Nicholson Center