August 31, 2023
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
The new school year is off to a terrific start! To new families, welcome to the MPA family, and I look forward to getting to know you. To returning families, welcome back. Seeing how students have grown and matured in just a few short months is wonderful.
My spirits soared on Tuesday by the enthusiasm and energy of the first official day of school. When I arrived at school around 6:15 AM, I was surprised by the number of cars parked in the north lot. I quickly remembered that our seniors were gathering in the Benz Courtyard to celebrate the break of dawn on their last first day of school at MPA.
There was fantastic excitement on the other side of the building as students bounded into the building with zeal. Their enthusiasm was matched by parents who accompanied their children into the building and stayed for coffee and pastries sponsored by the Parents Association. It was a fantastic turnout and many told us that it was hard to leave the conversation and head off to work.
We have a longstanding MPA tradition of ending the first day of school with an all-employee meeting. I invite faculty and staff to share stories about the day and the mission moments that illustrate who we are. The joyfulness in the room was palpable. Here are a few examples of what was shared that reflect the common values we share at MPA:
- In a Lower School classroom at 1 PM, one student excitedly exclaimed, “When will we start learning!” This reflects the intellectual ambition our mission calls for and is present among our students.
- A new student who had moved to Minnesota from another state shared her surprise and delight that our library carried a book that was banned at her former school. MPA’s mission ensures that a sense of global responsibility is instilled in our students and that is reflected in the books we offer in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library.
- In Middle School, students quickly bonded with one another and their teacher by giving all of the essential elements in their classroom silly names. This illustrates the importance of finding the joy of learning so present in our mission.
- At Middle School lunch announcements, a group of new students felt comfortable enough to take the microphone to invite others to a new club they had formed. They are already living out our value of being involved and engaged in their education.
After 35 years in education and more than 10 years as head of school, I still begin each year with unbounded optimism, confident that what lies ahead are endless possibilities. New beginnings still hold their magic for me; this year is no different. As a community, we are united by our shared belief that education is fundamentally an act of hope and that by investing in our children, we invest in a better world.
Thank you for entrusting your children to MPA. Now, more than ever, our young people need an extended family to support and guide them and provide a safe, nurturing environment in which to thrive. Welcome home to MPA.
If you’d like to read more about MPA’s mission, values, and history, click here.
