All School Archives

April 22, 2018

Mounds Park Academy led all schools with two gold medals at the Class A State Speech Tournament, April 21 at Apple Valley High School. Eleven schools followed with one gold apiece. Pranay Somayajula defended his gold in Extemporaneous Speaking and Sarah Ley placed first in Great Speeches. Overall, MPA placed second in the team standings out of 186 schools that competed in Class A speech this year.

All told, MPA had seven medalists:

Pranay Somayajula – Champion – Extemporaneous Speaking
Sarah Ley – Champion – Great Speeches
Emmett Haak – 2nd Place – Great Speeches
Misk Khalif – 5th place – Serious Interpretation of Poetry
Garrett Hollihan – 6th place – Extemporaneous Speaking
Rayaan Ahmed – 7th place – Discussion
Charlie Galicich – 7th place – Humorous Interpretation

MPA now has 37 Speech Champions in its history. That’s the fifth most among all Minnesota schools, regardless of class. Its 164 total medals are second among Class A schools.

Lower And Middle School Parent Events

April 19, 2018

Many Lower and Middle School family and parent events are coming up this spring!

There will be an Lower School Parent AnnMarieThomas Makerspace event on Thursday, April 26 from 5-6 PM and on Friday, April 27 from 8-9 AM! In an effort to accommodate busy schedules, there are two meeting times with the same agenda. If you choose the afternoon time your child is welcome to attend Panther Club/Den at the expense of the Parents Association!

The education topic will cover the Makerspace and Ms Koen, Makerspace Coordinator, is the faculty guest. By consciously connecting liberal arts thinking with 21st century skills and competencies, the Makerspace provides students with the opportunities to construct meaning through making by way of practical, hands-on, interdisciplinary, problem-based projects. Come experience the innovative space and see a glimpse of STEAM at work!

All Middle School parents are invited to the last Middle School Parent Education Event of the year on Friday, April 20 from 8-9 AM in the Porter Conference Room. Dr. Jules Nolan will lead a conversation titled, “It’s All About Emotions: What are developmentally appropriate emotional behaviors for your child? How do we manage our own emotion and that of our children during stressful times?” This session will explore emotional life, how emotions can impede or enhance learning, and how to protect our children by helping them develop emotional resilience. Research from Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence will be discussed as well.

Upper School Parents Association Meeting

April 19, 2018

The date for the Quarter Four Upper School Parents Association Meeting is Friday, April 27, from 8-9:30 AM. Please note the date change!

Parents of incoming 2018-19 freshmen are encouraged to attend for a glimpse into Upper School at MPA! Keep an eye out for the next two issues of Panther Post for more details. An agenda will be sent to parents of students in grades 8-12 prior to the meeting. Parents will additionally get an overview of the Fine Arts programs in Upper School from faculty guests, take a look at the remaining Upper School events scheduled for the year, and discuss the opportunity of a new MPA Parents Association Upper School Division Lead.

Upper School Grandparents Day is Next Week!

April 19, 2018

We are very excited to bring Grandparents and Special Friends Day to the Upper School! This special MPA tradition has grown into an event specially designed for the Upper School division, and we are happy and proud to host all of your grandparents and special friends on Wednesday. Visitors will receive a unique glimpse inside our older students’ life at MPA!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Gallery Entrance
9 AM-12:20 PM
Full Agenda here!

If your Upper School student’s Grandparent or Special Friend is able to attend, kindly register them online, email GPDayRSVP@moundsparkacademy.org, or call 651-748-5530. Include your name, your student’s name(s), and the Grandparent or Special Friend’s name(s). Please register by April 20.

Any questions may be directed to Susan Robertson, Annual Giving & Alumni Relations Manager, at srobertson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5531.

Enhancing Play Spaces For All

April 19, 2018

We are excited to announce this year’s Spring Auction Fund A Need! Through our community’s generous support, we will significantly enhance the spaces where our students play and rejuvenate, PreK-12. Our goal is to raise $75,000.

With new equipment on the playground specifically designed for students PreK-8, and more comfortable and extensive seating for Upper School students in the Benz Courtyard, our students will benefit from these improved spaces each and every day. Rooted in the knowledge that young people thrive cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically when they have plenty of time and space to move and play, this Fund A Need will enhance MPA’s ability to deliver on its mission and nurture the whole child.

School Closed Monday

April 16, 2018

Good morning, MPA families.

Due to the poor road conditions, school is cancelled today, Monday, April 16. This includes all activities, practices, and events.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, Panthers!

Update Regarding Monday

April 15, 2018

At this point, we are planning for a regular school day tomorrow, Monday, April 16. We will reevaluate conditions early in the morning and let our community know if there is any change to our schedule.

As always, weather-related tardies will be excused and if you feel your commute is too difficult, please call the school to report your child’s absence.

Travel safely!

Live Auction Sneak Peek!

April 12, 2018

“Game – set – match.” Whether you favor Nadal, Murray or Federer, or Kerber, Williams or Wozniacki, there will be tennis greats galore as you head to the Big Apple for the U.S. Open Tennis Championship in New York City. You will sit up close to the best players in the world. This auction item includes two premium seats for the night session on Thursday, August 30 and two passes for the day matches on Friday, August 31. The U.S. Open is one of the greatest sports and entertainment events in the world. Don’t be left “out”—call yourself “in” for the Open with these terrific tickets!

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Robertson, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Manager, at srobertson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5531. Full event information may always be found at moundsparkacademy.org/springauction.

Lower School Family Science Night

April 12, 2018

Join us as we celebrate “Screen-Free Week” with MPA Lower School Family Science Night! This hands-on and extremely fun event is sponsored by the MPA Panther Club program, and is on Tuesday, May 1 from 6:30-7:30 PM in the Kreischer gym and cafeteria. Students must be accompanied by an adult to attend the evening full activities! Plus, you do not want to miss the “Magic of Science” presentation with Mr. Purdy!

Contact Russ Purdy at rpurdy@moundsparkacademy.org or (651) 748-5571 with any questions. Light refreshments will be served. We can’t wait to see you there!

Upper School Parents Association Meeting

April 12, 2018

The date for the Quarter Four Upper School Parents Association Meeting is Friday, April 27, from 8-9:30 AM. Please note the date change!

Parents of incoming 2018-19 freshmen are encouraged to attend for a glimpse into Upper School at MPA! Keep an eye out for the next two issues of Panther Post for more details. An agenda will be sent to parents of students in grades 8-12 prior to the meeting.