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Parents Association News And Events October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Our call to action is simple: be a part of the MPA school community! The goal of the Parents Association is to provide clear, accessible ways for parents/guardians to be active participants in the quality of community that surrounds the student body collectively. Efforts are being made each month to invite you in to learn, support, and lead in partnership with faculty and staff in a variety of ways. Check out what’s coming up this month! Let us know if you see new or different ways to strengthen our efforts by emailing PA@moundsparkacademy.org.

Panther Sports Committee Kickoff Meeting!
Saturday, October 12, from 10 AM-12 PM
Porter Conference Room

Everyone is welcome! The PA is actively seeking new members for the Panther Sports Committee.
Please contact Christine Larson at clarsonPA@moundsparkacademy.org.The Panther Sports Committee is hoping for your input if you are passionate about athletics at MPA.

If you have a sporty Lower School student and see MPA athletics in your future this is a great place to join the team! If you have a Middle School student who plays club sports and you’re not sure how that translates to MPA sports, this is the spot for you. If you have an Upper School athlete who is hoping to play their sport in college, we may be able to connect you with like-minded families. The Panther Sports Committee will determine topics of interest and work closely with Dan Haase, athletic director to support MPA athletics. Read More

Ms. Sonka’s Passion For Sumi-e Sparks Lessons

October 10, 2024

When Renee Sonka, Middle and Upper School visual arts teacher, first started work on her painting “Dancing Flower Collage,” a Sumi-e styled piece, she wasn’t sure how she felt about it.

“I painted the flowers a couple of years ago, and I was unhappy with them, actually. I put them in the cabinet for a long time,” Sonka said before looking at the piece with fresh eyes recently and touching up the piece. “The collage turned it from an okay painting into a more than okay painting.”

Revisiting the artwork proved to be a worthwhile decision as once Sonka was pleased with the piece, it proved to be a winner. “Dancing Flower Collage” was awarded the National Capital Area Chapter Award in the 61st Annual Juried Exhibition, presented by the Sumi-e Society of America.

“Most years, I will get a piece in, but not every year. To get in is an honor, and to get an award beyond getting in is a huge honor,” Sonka said on the achievement, netting her the first National Capital Area Chapter Award of her career. Read More

Upper School Division News October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, October 11: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
Monday, October 14: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples Day
Tuesday, October 15: Election 2024 Through Civil Discourse: A Sample Lesson for MS/US Parents, 6-7 PM, PCR, register here >
Wednesday, October 16: US G12 No Classes
Wednesday, October 16: US G10/11 Pre-ACT & Mock ACT Practice Tests, 8 AM-12 PM (Early Dismissal)
Wednesday, October 16: US G9 Special Programming, 8 AM-3 PM, Off-Campus
Wednesday, October 16: US G10/11 Early Dismissal
Thursday, October 17-Friday, October 18: No Classes, Fall Break
Thursday, October 24: LS/US Blood Drive, 12-6 PM, Gallery
Friday, October 25: G1-9 Bring a Friend to MPA Day, 8 AM-3 PM
Friday, October 25: US Senior Retreat, 8 AM-5 PM, Camp St. Croix
Friday, October 25: US Senior Retreat Dinner, 5-7 PM, US Commons
Wednesday, October 30: US Instrument Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, October 31: End of Quarter 1
Friday, November 1: No Classes, Grading Day

In 2001, I returned to my alma mater to serve as the assistant director of the middle school. For me, my middle school experience was one that I would have much rather forgotten. I was “that kid.” The one who was often moved to the front row from the back of the room as I was busy serving as the class clown and disrupting the learning of myself and others. My relationship with my teachers was, to say the least, strained and my parents and I could have been on a first-name basis with my school administrator. It was extremely ironic that for my first school administrative role, I served on the other side of the figurative and literal desk.

Thankfully, my parents, teachers, and administrators worked in partnership to support me. A similar partnership is also available and strong at MPA. Parent/teacher conferences play a pivotal role in fostering effective communication and collaboration between educators and parents, forming an important relationship in a student’s educational journey. According to KidsHeath.org, “Conferences help students reach their full potential by providing a space for open dialog, collaboration, and support.” They also provide a dedicated space for parents to gain insight into their child’s academic progress, social development, and progress within the school environment. Read More

Middle School Division News October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, October 11: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM, Panther Care >
Monday, October 14: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples Day
Tuesday, October 15: Election 2024 Through Civil Discourse: A Sample Lesson for MS/US Parents, 6-7 PM, PCR, register here >
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 8 AM-3 PM, information here >
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day Performance, 11 AM-12 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, October 17-Friday, October 18: No Classes, Fall Break, Panther Care >
Friday, October 25: Bring a Friend to MPA Day, 8 AM-3 PM
Friday, October 25: MS G5/6 Halloween Party, 3:15-4:30 PM, Family Commons
Friday, October 25: MS G7/8 Dance, 6-8 PM, Family Commons
Thursday, October 31: End of Quarter 1
Friday, November 1: No Classes, Grading Day

Greetings from Middle School. It is hard to believe that we are already moving into the middle of October with family conferences this week, our Fall Break next week, and the end of our first quarter of school coming up at the end of the month! I hope to see most of you with your child(ren) in here to partner with their teachers and talk about what they’ve learned, what is working well with their learning, and what areas might need a bit more support or attention to get the most out of them as learners. If you were unable to sign up for conferences, please write to any of your child’s teachers to see if they are available to meet.

Lower School Division News October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, October 11: No Classes, All School Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM, Panther Care >
Monday, October 14: No Classes, Indigenous Peoples Day
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 8 AM-3 PM, information here >
Wednesday, October 16: LS/MS Grandparents and Special Friends Day Performance, 11 AM-12 PM, Nicholson Center
Wednesday, October 16: LS PA Rainbow Club, 6-8 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Thursday, October 17-Friday, October 18: No Classes, Fall Break, Panther Care >
Tuesday, October 22: LS Duty-Free Lunch with Parent Volunteers, 11:40 AM-12:40 PM, Playground and Family Commons
Thursday, October 24: LS/US Blood Drive, 12-6 PM, Gallery
Friday, October 25: Bring a Friend to MPA Day, 8 AM-3 PM
Wednesday, October 30: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons
Thursday, October 31: End of Quarter 1
Thursday, October 31: MPA PA LS Halloween Parties, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM, Lansing Sports Center
Thursday, October 31: LS Halloween Parade, 2:30-3 PM, Hallways
Friday, November 1: No Classes, Grading Day

We are excited to welcome parents to campus for our Fall Conferences this week to celebrate all the learning and growth that the children have experienced since the start of the academic year. As you prepare for these conferences, the following questions highlighted by Harvard’s Making Caring Common article, “15 Questions to Ask Your Child’s Teacher That Aren’t About Grades” may be helpful:

Can you tell me about a time my child showed empathy or helped another student?
How does my child resolve conflict with their peers? Do they communicate effectively?
Is my child comfortable participating in group activities and collaborating with others?
How does my child react when they make mistakes? Do they check in and take responsibility?
Are there any areas where I can support my child’s social-emotional development at home?

Reminder that the following days are non-school days: Monday, October 14 (Indigenous Peoples Day); Thursday and Friday, October 17-18 (Fall Break). Please read on for more updates! Read More

Commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day

October 10, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

“Makhoche kin de dakhota thamakhoche.” (Maw-ko-chay keen day dah-ko-tah tah-mah-ko-chay) This is the land of the friendly people, the Dakota.

You may be noticing the school calendar over the next week or so is a bit wonky. This is true for several different reasons, including parent-teacher conferences and the long-standing tradition of taking “MEA days” as a fall break. This year, we are also commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, October 14.

As we recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on the profound impact that Native cultures, histories, and contributions have had—and continue to have—on our country. This day calls on us to honor the rich heritage of Indigenous peoples while also acknowledging the struggles they have faced throughout history.

Mounds Park Academy acknowledges the language and history of the Wahpekute and the larger Očhéthi Šakówin nation and its connection to these cultures through the land on which the school resides. Mounds Park Academy acknowledges that our school rests on Dakota homeland and that Indigenous Peoples have the longest relationship to this land. Read More

Parents Association News And Events October 3, 2024

October 3, 2024

Thank you! With a full month under our belt, the 2024-2025 school year has already been rich with community connections. Thank you for showing up in support of the MPA school community through Back To School events, Quarterly Coffees, Faculty & Staff Appreciation, affinity groups, and more. All parents and guardians are an integral part of this school and we look forward to further connections in October!

Panther Sports Committee Kickoff Meeting!
Saturday, October 12, from 10 AM-12 PM
Porter Conference Room

Everyone is welcome! Please email Christine Larson at clarsonPA@moundsparkacademy.org for more info.

Upcoming MPA PA Events

October 4: MPA PA Board Meeting, 8 AM, PA Room
October 10-11: Faculty & Staff Appreciation, hosted by the PA Staff Appreciation Committee
October 12: Panther Sports Committee Kickoff Meeting, 10 AM-12 PM, PCR
October 16: LS Rainbow Club Meeting, 6 PM, MPA Library
October 26: Community Coffees, 10 AM-12 PM, multiple locations
October 31: Lower School Grade Level Halloween Parties, 8:30 AM-2:20 PM, Lansing Sports Center

Preparing Students For A New Workplace

October 3, 2024

There’s a current TikTok trend that involves high school teachers reading emails that they’ve received from their students out loud. They often start with “Hey,” or “Whatsup,” if they contain a salutation. And let’s just say that rarely do they close with a “Thank you.”

While perhaps entertaining, this trend illustrates a disheartening disparity in how young people are being prepared for the workplace of the future. Rapidly changing trends and expectations shape how progressive independent schools like Mounds Park Academy equip students with essential workplace skills for life beyond the four walls of a classroom.

The trend popped into the head of admission and communications director Natalie Waters Seum recently, when she was chatting a newer MPA student. They were talking about how she might navigate the academic bumps in the road that will inevitably come in a rigorous college-prep school. Natalie encouraged her to reach out to her teacher for clarification and support and asked her if she knew how to do that well. While it shouldn’t have been, her response was pleasantly surprising. She retold with great detail what she had learned during the “How To Write An Email To A Teacher” lesson in Mr. Dean’s ninth-grade seminar class. The lesson covers topics such as formal letter structure, salutations, tone, attachments, and more. Notably, the lesson also teaches MPA students to share the solutions they’ve already tried—helping encourage them to take responsibility for their own academic journeys. This lesson is one of the hundreds of ways that MPA intentionally prepares MPA students for a new workplace daily. Read More

Parents Association News And Events September 26, 2024

September 26, 2024

In case you are wondering, the last few weeks we mentioned how the MPA PA builds community through coffee. Here are some more details on upcoming Division-level Quarterly Coffees.

Middle School Quarterly Coffee on September 27, 8-9 AM, PCR: Meet & Greet with Paul Errickson, Middle School director! Socialize with fellow parents and learn about fall happenings and MAP Testing in the Middle School.

Lower School Quarterly Coffee on October 1, 8-9 AM, Gallery: Meet & Greet with Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director! Connect with fellow parents while learning more about the new MAP Testing.

Upper School Quarterly Coffee on October 1, 8-9 AM, PCR: Meet & Greet with Mark Segal, Upper School director, for conversation and updates regarding the Upper School cell phone policy and fall events, and we’ll have special guests from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy, in Shenzhen, China.

MPA Merch Pop-Up Shop This Saturday!

The Parents Association is hosting a pop-up shop during homecoming in the Lansing Center. Sweatshirts, t-shirts, and hats will be available from 9 AM-12 PM. Show your Panther Pride at the games!

Upcoming Events

September 27: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, Porter Conference Room
October 1: LS Quarterly Coffee, 8:15-9 AM, MPA Gallery
October 1: US Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR

Coming Home

September 26, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

I’m old enough to remember those nostalgic Folgers coffee commercials in which a son surprises his family by coming home for the holidays. The warmth, laughter, and love conveyed in those moments brought home the idea that “home” is far more than just a physical place—it’s about the emotions, traditions, and connections we share with one another. That commercial tugged at my heartstrings every time, often bringing a tear to my eye.

Within families, traditions arise and are celebrated, nurturing emotions of acceptance that go beyond the concept of a home as a physical or geographical location. Likewise, Homecoming at MPA has a distinctive meaning as a PreK-12 school. Throughout this week, students of all ages have shown their school spirit in countless ways. From the annual Lower School coloring project and the Homecoming-themed CHAMP Assembly to Middle School poster-making and Upper School dress-up days, the energy has been palpable. Our student-athletes have even been greeting everyone with a smile outside door one each morning. The week culminates with a pep fest tomorrow and athletic contests and activities on Saturday, September 28, and all students, regardless of their grade level, are warmly invited to attend and celebrate together.

Merriam-Webster defines homecoming as “the act of returning to your home or to a place that is like your home.” At MPA, we often refer to our school as a second home—a place where both students and adults are known and valued. This sense of belonging is deeply embedded in our school’s DNA, and it is a crucial element of who we are. Research consistently shows that emotional safety and a strong sense of community are essential for personal growth and academic success.