November 3, 2022
from Bill Hudson, head of school
It is nearly impossible not to notice that pumpkin spice has overtaken the grocery aisles. According to NielsenIQ data, pumpkin spice products accounted for more than $231 million in sales over last year, 27% higher than the year before. Someone even noticed a sign at a service station offering pumpkin spice oil changes. While I am not a fan of anything pumpkin spice flavored, it does serve as a reminder of fall and the season of gratitude. It won’t be long before many families and friends gather for Thanksgiving and share with one another. In the midst of passing the gravy and turkey, we will share all the reasons we are grateful this year.
As we move into a season of gratitude, our annual fall fundraising drive launches this Monday, November 7, and continues through Friday, November 18. Give to the Max Day is Thursday, November 17, and includes our own special tradition of a faculty and staff lip sync competition and all-school assembly.
Our fall campaign theme, “Forward Together,” represents the momentum we are experiencing as we come together as a community, both metaphorically and literally. After two and one-half years of isolation, separation, and distancing, our building is full again with parents, grandparents, friends, and special guests, adding even more joy to an already joyful school community.
Last Friday was a good example. If you don’t know, MPA has had a longstanding tradition of Lower School students parading through the halls of the school in their Halloween costumes, much to the delight of Middle and Upper School students who take a break from their studies to join in the celebration. Students, faculty, staff, and parents line the hallways to smile, wave, and applaud the Lower School students. I can never decide what I appreciate more—the faces of the young students on parade or the older students cheering them on!
Gratitude and giving have a direct and reciprocal relationship. The more grateful we are, the more generous we tend to be. Giving in and of itself not only expresses our gratitude, but research indicates that giving increases the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals.
Like colleges and universities, independent schools have a unique funding model. Tuition only covers part of the annual operating expenses necessary to run a school. The remaining percentage is raised through philanthropy—gifts from our community. In our case, tuition covers only 80% of the real cost of an MPA education.
The goal of “Forward Together” is to raise $400,000 to support students, and teachers, and to bridge the gap between tuition and the cost of an MPA education. Your gift will ensure students, faculty, and staff have the tools, resources, and support they need for today and tomorrow. One of the ways we demonstrate our gratitude for our community is to invest in it financially. A gift shows support for the school and its mission. Collective community support makes a difference, and each person’s individual gift—at any level—matters, too.
Give to the Max Day will be a bit different this year. Alumni and parents of alumni are joining in to help us meet a big challenge. The annual Alumni Day of Giving has been combined with this year’s Give to the Max Day to make a huge impact on MPA students and staff. If we are able to raise $250,000 in one day, we will unlock an additional $100,000 in bonus challenge gifts from anonymous alumni, current parents, and parents of alumni.
As we pack up the Halloween decorations and haul out the Thanksgiving décor, please know how grateful I am for this incredible community. I don’t need pumpkin-spiced lattes, cereal, or candles to remind me how fortunate I am to experience the inspiration and joy that comes from your children every day.
Learn more about the Fall Campaign and what the MPA Fund supports by visiting moundsparkacademy.org/support or contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, director of development and community engagement, at jrogers@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5532.
