November 9, 2020
During the Fall Campaign, we are excited to share stories from our community about the impact the school has made on their children and their family. Heidi and Ryan Baldwin, two of our Lower School parents have seen the belonging their girls Audrey and Anna have experienced since joining MPA.
How did your family come to MPA?
We came to MPA because our older daughter Anna was at a different school for her PreK years, and it was not the right fit for us. She was experiencing some bullying and we did not feel supported in the response from the school to keep her safe and protected. At that point, we started the search to look for a new school for our family. When we visited MPA, it felt like home. When we met with teachers, administration, and the staff, we knew it was the right fit for us and that proves to still be correct today. MPA works so well because of its mission, vision, culture and values. These aren’t things we just say, they’re things that everyone at our school stands behind, lives, and breathes.
Can you share your motivation for volunteering and giving back?
It feels amazing to be able to give back to this wonderful school and community that means so much for us. It means so much to our daughters and us as a family. We get to meet other families and dream big and do right for our school. It also instills in our daughters the value of volunteering and giving back and encourages them to get involved and make a difference.
This year has been a year unlike any other. Can you share what it has been like being back on campus this school year?
We’re so proud to be part of the MPA community. Last spring with the virtual learning pivot, the quality, learning, and connection with the teachers was still present. We know teachers, administration, and staff have worked tirelessly since COVID began to make sure we had a seamless experience in the spring and this school year. The commitment, communication and clarity have been incredible. To see our daughters back on campus has been so incredible and exciting for our family. It has meant everything to us because we know the commitment and the level of safety protocols, that when we drop our daughters off at school, we’re not worried. MPA has put in multiple safety protocols and it’s very clear that MPA takes this quite seriously and has done an excellent job to execute and bring students back to campus.
What does MPA give to your children and your family?
The first word that comes to mind is joy. MPA also gives our family safety with the peanut and tree nut protocols as well as the robust Covid-19 measures. It really connects back to MPA’s philosophy of teaching the whole child. MPA is strong academically, in building character, giving the children a sense of security, and instills an overwhelming sense of joy. We see all of these characteristics every day in our daughters.
Why do you give to MPA?
The why is easy. We give because we 100% support MPA in every way. We’re also thankful for the families who have given before us. Our daughters have benefitted from so many who made MPA possible. We give so all students can continue to experience all that MPA has to offer and appreciate the benefits from this incredible school. It’s easy to give to MPA because of everything we experience as a family, the planning and preparation, and everyone at MPA has gone above and beyond to make school fun and safe, especially during times like we are currently experiencing.
What would you tell other parents who are considering making a gift to MPA?
You will share in the sense of pride and see the incredible things that can be accomplished through your gift. We know we’ve had a part in those accomplishments, and it’s a remarkable feeling. It’s also an investment in the future of MPA and what it will continue to give back to current and future students. We are so thankful for MPA. Every day, we count our blessings and we know our girls are safe and looked after. Everyone at MPA cares about every student and every family. It’s the perfect fit for our family and we truly love MPA.
