April 5, 2018
The date of the Middle School Art Show Opening and the 5-12 grade Band Concert has been moved from Thursday, May 17 to Wednesday, May 16. The times remain the same, with the opening at 6 PM and the concert at 7 PM. Our apologies for this necessary change to the calendar!
Arts Education: A Beautiful Gift
April 5, 2018
by Renee Wright, Lower School Director
Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, you will now find a guest blog post here from one of MPA’s division directors. We hope you will enjoy reading their stories and reflections about life at MPA!
A cherished MPA tradition continues for its 37th year on April 12, 2018, when the Lower School presents its Art and Music Show. You won’t want to miss seeing firsthand the pride on the faces of our Lower School students as they present their beautiful artwork and sing and dance joyfully for family and friends.
The first Lower School Art and Music Show debuted in 1982, never missing a year after that. The early years showcased student learning throughout the school year. Starting in 1989, the shows began to focus on specific themes, thoughtfully selected by the Lower School art and music teachers each year. Earlier themes included Around the World, Songs of America, Animal Fair, Disney, A Wonderful World of Color, Muppets: A Tribute to Jim Henson, Wild West, and many more. This approach has given each Art and Music Show a fresh look and created extraordinary student excitement and engagement.
This year, the students celebrate authors and illustrators of award-winning picture books. Students have studied how stories are conveyed through art and writing. They have learned to analyze the artwork in picture books for color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value. Kindergartners have explored the colorful works of Eric Carle and Richard Scarry. First graders have learned from the creativity and imagination of Ezra Jack Keats and Lois Ehlert while second graders have enjoyed the rollicking rhymes of Dr. Seuss and the engaging characters of Lucy Cousins. Third graders have been charmed by the gentle animals of Jerry Pinkney and Jan Brett and fourth graders have explored the engaging, innovative works of Sara Fanelli, Chris Raschka, and Barbara Knutson. Books by these authors and illustrators have also been the inspiration for movement, instrument playing, and singing in music class during the year. These creative artists have served as talented role models for our students, and now the students are prepared and excited to present their own inspirations to family and friends!
Upper School Grandparents and Special Friends Day
April 3, 2018
Register your Upper School Student’s Grandparent or Special Friend for a day at MPA on April 25!
Grandparents and Special Friends Day has grown to include an event designed especially for Upper School! Visitors will receive a unique glimpse inside our older students’ life at MPA.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Gallery Entrance
9 AM: Registration, Coffee, Morning Treats
9:35 AM: Attend Students’ Second Block Classes
10:40 AM: Attend Preview of The Sound of Music With Students
11:25 AM: Lunch With Students
12:20 PM: Event Concludes for Grandparents and Special Friends. Students return to their regular schedules.
If your child’s Grandparent or Special Friend is able to attend, kindly RSVP them by clicking here for the registration form, emailing GPDayRSVP@moundsparkacademy.org, or calling 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.
March 15, 2018
The Mounds Park Academy Athletics Department is conducting a survey regarding athletic participation for the 2018-2019 school year. We are specifically looking at Minnesota State High School League Sponsored Athletics and offerings provided by Mounds Park Academy. This survey takes approximately 5-10 minutes. Your responses to this survey will help us look at our current athletic model and determine if Mounds Park Academy is accommodating the athletic interests and needs of our students. Please access the survey here.
If you have any questions, please contact Dan Haase, MPA Athletic Director.
Registration Is Open For Basketball Camp!
March 15, 2018
Mounds Park Academy Basketball is excited to offer our annual Panther Summer Basketball Camp held Monday, June 11–Thursday, June 14, 2018 from 9 AM–12 PM in the Lansing Sports Center. Panther Basketball Camp is open to MPA and non-MPA students alike, who are entering grades 4-9 in Fall 2018. The cost of attending is $60 per camper and includes a camp t-shirt.
Register at moundsparkacademy.org/basketballcamp!
Learn French Cuisine This Summer At MPA
March 15, 2018
Middle and Upper School French and Spanish teacher Ms. Johnson will be continuing her French cooking class during Summer at MPA! Ms. Johnson inherited her French cooking skills from her mother and her uncle, who was a chef in France, and we are so excited to pass them onto students this summer. They will become versed on a variety of French recipes, mastering crêpes, quiche Lorraine, mousse au chocolat, soupe à l’oignon, and madeleines. During the week, students also learn about other culinary specialties from France as well as cooking techniques.
Ms. Johnson’s session is offered June 18-22 for students entering grades K-5. This type of summer enrichment is so unique to MPA, and will motivate and nurture students’ learning, while having so much fun in the process! We’re looking forward to a fun and engaging summer! Find more information and register here.
March 15, 2018
The Parents Association is seeking volunteers to serve on next year’s PA Board! Serving on the PA Board is a wonderful opportunity to make connections with other parents and students, build community between staff, faculty, parents, and students. Join us, and have a lot of fun with your children and their classmates, too!
Descriptions of the Board positions may be found on the Parents Association section of the MPA website. Should you have any questions or if you would like to be considered for a Board position, please email Wendy Cusick at wjcusick@gmail.com.
Congratulations To MPA Mathcounts!
March 15, 2018
What an exciting weekend for our Middle School Mathcounts teams! The team finished 21st at State overall!
Our top individual finisher was Leo Y. (8th grader) in 42nd place. Chloe A. (8th grader) was 74th, Griffin J.(7th grader) was 95th, and Skyler B. (8th grader) was 122nd. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience and the challenge!
A warm congratulations to the team and to their coach, Mr. Ethier!
Come One, Come All To The Spring Auction!
March 15, 2018
Come one, come all to the Spring Auction 2018-Under the Big Top at the JX in Stillwater! This fabulous community building event allows parents, alumni families, faculty, and grandparents to connect, enjoy an evening out, and take home some fantastic auction items, all while supporting the school that brings us together!
There are many ways to support Mounds Park Academy, like becoming a Spring Auction sponsor! This is your ticket to the exclusive sponsor pre-party where you will have special access to the silent auction, great gatherings, and games! Become a sponsor here!
Another way is by donating an auction item. Items ranging from themed baskets to weekend holidays are needed and very much appreciated. Your contributions are what make this event possible. All items may be dropped off in the Development Office. See the auction item wish list here!
March 15, 2018
The 2018 MPA Varsity Boys Basketball Team is one game away from the State Tournament!
Ranked the #6 seed, the Panthers defeated #14 seed Community of Peace Academy 80-49 in the first round of the Section 4A tournament here on campus last Thursday, March 8, and then upset the #3 seed Christian Life Academy in the quarterfinals 47-38 on March 10 on the road, and then went on to upset the #2 seed Prairie Seeds Academy 93-88 in double overtime this week for the section semifinals title!
In the semifinals versus Prairie Seeds, Senior Nick Guiang led the Panthers with 31 points, Junior Yahya Madar added 24, and Junior Ben Nippolt had 20.