September 5, 2024
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
The recent school shooting in Georgia has deeply affected me, both as a parent and as the head of our school. The tragedy of losing innocent lives in a place of learning is heart-wrenching and fills me with profound sadness. My thoughts are with the families of the students and teachers who were killed and with the Apalachee High School community.
In the wake of such events, it’s natural to have concerns about the safety and security of our own children at school. I want to assure you that I have full confidence in our security measures and a deep trust in the strength of our school community. Nonetheless, we remain vigilant and committed to continuous improvement. I’d like to outline our approach to ensuring safety and security at MPA.
Our focus is not solely on security but also on fostering a positive school culture—a broader concept that encompasses both security measures and the values we uphold as a community. While security involves physical protocols and practices—what some might refer to as “hard” security—school culture encompasses the values and relationships that connect us all. Balancing these aspects is a crucial part of my role as head of school.
Regarding security, we have taken several measures to safeguard our campus:
- Access to the building is controlled, with the south entrance remaining locked throughout the day, except when an administrator is present. Visitors must use a video monitor to identify themselves before being granted entry. The north entrance is similarly secured and monitored, and all other exterior doors are kept locked at all times.
- Our campus is equipped with strategically placed video cameras, and teachers and staff oversee areas such as hallways, cafeterias, and playgrounds. We maintain an adult-to-student ratio that far exceeds recommended standards to ensure close supervision.
- Guests and visitors are required to sign in at both entrances using the SchoolPass kiosk and wear a temporary photo badge issued by SchoolPass. Current parents are asked to wear their nametags on lanyards during and after school hours and a SchoolPass badge if on campus during the school day (larger events require only regular nametags).
Despite these measures, the most significant aspect of safety remains our collective awareness. I urge everyone—staff, students, and parents alike—to stay alert and report anything that feels out of place. Our staff is trained to approach visitors and ensure they follow proper procedures, and we emphasize the importance of the “see something, say something” approach. As a current parent, please do not take offense if approached.
Our commitment to safety extends to crisis planning and preparedness. MPA has a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan that is regularly reviewed and updated. Faculty and staff undergo annual training and conduct drills for various emergencies, including intruders, weather events, and fires. Additionally, ongoing professional development addresses critical areas such as bullying, mental health, and cultural competence.
Small class size ensures that students are known by teachers and enable students to have confidence that teachers care for them as individuals. With a low student-teacher ratio of 1:7 and an adult-to-student ratio of 1:4, it is nearly impossible for any student to fall through the cracks at MPA. As a small school with a clear mission, students have opportunities to discover their passions and form meaningful relationships that lead to a sense of belonging.
In recent years, we have significantly increased staffing and resources for counseling, student support, and guidance services that address mental health and promote social and emotional growth. During the 2022-23 school year, Minnesota’s school counselor-to-student ratio was one counselor for every 544 students. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends a ratio of one counselor for every 250 students. Our ratio is 1:142. For further context, many school counselors also provide academic support and college and vocational counseling. MPA separates those functions by providing full-time academic and learning support for each division and two full-time college counselors so that our counselors can proactively help students build healthy relationships individually, in small groups, and in classroom settings.
Conflict resolution, character education, and positive interpersonal relationship skills are all important factors that contribute to a positive school culture. Character education and ethical development at each grade level and division contribute to the overall positive school culture. Through seminar classes and advisory time, Middle and Upper School students receive academic guidance, participate in character-building exercises, discuss topics such as digital citizenship and peer relationships, and participate in community engagement. Lower School students, in homeroom and assemblies, learn important skills such as friendship, cooperation, compassion, respect, self-control, responsibility, inclusiveness, courage, mindfulness, and integrity.
I attended the first Lower School CHAMP assembly this week. This year’s theme is “I Am Because We Are,” inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu: a concept in which your sense of self is shaped by your relationships with other people. In practice, Ubuntu means believing the common bonds within a group are more important than any individual arguments and divisions. The assembly was beautiful as students learned about Ubuntu through a wonderful book and celebrated with a very touching song.
A strong school culture, coupled with clear security measures, is our best approach to providing a safe, nurturing community within which all our students live, learn, and thrive.
As I walk the hallways each day and interact with our students, parents, faculty, and staff, I feel a profound sense of responsibility for each individual’s safety and well-being. Days like yesterday serve as tragic reminders for all of us to connect deeper, hug longer, and remain steadfast in our commitment to being aware of our surroundings.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to create a safe and nurturing environment for all our students.
