Hello From i-Term!

Adam Fetcher '02 with the social change iterm groupFrom the looks on their faces in all of the photos, i-Term week has been amazing for MPA Middle Schoolers! They’ve been near and far all over the map, spending the week immersed in learning things completely new to them through hands-on projects.

i-Term courses this year range from the intricacy of dramatic stage make-up to dog sledding, and these unique opportunities all embody MPA’s mission of thinking independently and learning joyfully. Some students will come home with the newfound knowledge of how to cook Puri or where to find the best tostadas in the Twin Cities. Some students will have created their own computer app and galaxy-ready rovers. Some have met and befriended our alumni who dream big and do right beyond MPA. Some will return with adventurous stories of the rainforests in Costa Rica.

These impressionable young minds are out in the world, exploring inquiry-based, experiential learning beyond the classroom. That is the nature of i-Term. Take a look at some of the fun so far and make sure to visit our Flickr page for ongoing updates!


MPA Upper School Week Of Action

students registering to vote at mpaAt 10 AM on March 14, across every time zone in the country, students walked out of schools and classes to demand attention to school safety and gun legislation. When the clocks on our campus struck 10, the Lansing Lobby did not flood with students rushing to walk out. Instead, the Upper School Commons filled.

It has been a historic week at MPA that the Upper School students will surely never forget. They have exhibited the kind of responsibility, dedication, and action that we are proud to have at our school. The week of action was organized completely by Upper School student leaders.

To get the conversation started, on Tuesday, March 13, students organized a bipartisan Town Hall meeting on our campus with Minnesota State Senators Mark Johnson (R) and Chuck Wiger (D). “We would like to use this opportunity to facilitate a meaningful discussion between students and bipartisan policymakers about how we can work together to keep our schools and communities safe, and to hear from a variety of viewpoints on this issue,” they shared.

Then on Wednesday, equipped with calling stations, postcard templates, and the League of Women Voters, Upper School students took 17 Minutes of Action. They wrote and called their legislators and they registered and committed to voting. Some of the Middle School i-Term classes that were on campus at the time also came to witness and understand the Upper School’s 17 Minutes of Action. They were even motivated to take action themselves.

Read More


Auction Items Needed and Appreciated!

Spring AuctionItems ranging from themed baskets and event tickets to extravagant 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. auction wish list >


Making Change In Labor Trafficking

Students with state senatorMounds Park Academy Seniors Pranay Somayajula and Kate Van Hecke met with State Senator Chuck Wiger last week to seek (and receive!) his co-authorship for a bill that they and Ryan Guggenheim, Alayna Fox, Sierra Klein, and Nashad Mahamoud are writing for their senior service project.

The bill allocates $700,000 over two years to the Department of Public Safety for statewide training of law enforcement on the issue of labor trafficking and how to combat it. These students are dreaming big and doing right and we are so proud of them.


Planning For A Regular School Day March 6

We are monitoring the forecast and road conditions closely. Mounds Park Academy is planning for a regular school day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 6. If this changes, we will notify families as soon as possible via email, text, voicemail, the website, and social media.

Conditions tomorrow will be less than ideal. Please use great caution when traveling to campus and know that tardies are excused in inclement weather. As always, if you determine that your commute is too difficult or unsafe, the absence will also be excused.

Please take good care and we hope to see you tomorrow morning!


School Closed Monday, March 5

We have been monitoring the weather forecast closely this evening. Due to the approaching rain, ice, and snow, classes will be cancelled tomorrow, Monday, March 5. This includes all after-school and evening activities. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, Panthers!


Become A Sponsor For The Spring Auction!

Sponsors for the 2018 Spring Auction receive special recognition on the website and printed materials and are invited to the exclusive pre-party, where they will have special access to the silent auction, great gatherings, and games. Sponsors also support Mounds Park Academy’s faculty and staff by allowing us to provide them with complimentary tickets to the event.

There are many different sponsorship levels, including Community Sponsor, Host Sponsor, and Family And Friends Sponsor. Community Sponsors receive two complimentary tickets to the gala, two complimentary tickets to the Private Sponsor Pre-party, the company name and/or family name on auction program, on-site recognition, website recognition, and help cover the cost of two teacher tickets.

Host Sponsors receive two complimentary tickets to the gala, two complimentary tickets to the Private Sponsor Pre-party, on-site recognition, website recognition, and help cover the cost of two teacher tickets.

Family And Friends Sponsors receive two receives two complimentary tickets to the gala, two complimentary tickets to the Private Sponsor Pre-party, on-site recognition, and website recognition.

Thank you for your support! You can find more information about sponsorship and the Auction at moundsparkacademy.org/springauction.


Microfunding Availability

E-club planting treesThe MPA Parents Association would like to remind student clubs and organizations, as well as faculty, of the availability of microfunds through the PA.

You will find on the MPA website that the Board of the PA accepts applications from student organizations, clubs, and classrooms to receive microfunding and/or parent volunteers for projects that benefit the mission of MPA. This support is a way to connect students with families that is financially supported by the Parents Association dues.

This microfunding provides funds to student organizations, clubs, and classrooms that may not have access to as many funds as they would like to have. It can be used for a regular or new project during the school year. The PA is also offering the support of the parent community for student organizations, clubs, and classrooms needing more than their usual number of volunteers for a project. Read More


Save The Date For Basketball Camp!

basketball campMounds 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.

Registration will be opening soon at moundsparkacademy.org/basketballcamp!


MPA’s Honor Choir Singers

honor choir singers at MPACongratulations to sophomores Jordan Akers and Solveig Svennevig-Brosi on their excellent performance at the American Choral Director’s Association of MN 9-10 Honor Choir Concert!

Jordan sang in the SATB choir under the direction of Mark Potvin while Solveig sang in the SSAA choir with Jennaya Robinson. Both conductors are on the faculty at Luther College. It was a day full of rehearsals, building ensemble, culminating with the concert at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Keep on singing, Panthers!