All School Archives

November 28, 2022

The PreK-12 Preview is the perfect opportunity to discover why you belong at MPA! You and your entire family are warmly invited to attend the PreK-12 MPA Preview on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 2 PM. RSVP here!

The PreK-12 MPA Preview is designed to introduce you to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community it is. You’ll hear from various perspectives, be engaged in conversation with academic leaders, and leave with a much better understanding of the MPA way. These events are designed for family members of all ages to attend together and will include division-specific time. Read More

Our Community Is Powerful And Strong

November 17, 2022

from Bill Hudson, head of school

Throughout the day, you have undoubtedly received multiple messages from MPA and other non-profits urging you to make a gift today. Give to the Max Day in Minnesota is a fun and exciting way to maximize your giving to make a tremendous impact on schools and non-profits. For instance, we have an opportunity today at MPA to unlock $100,000 in gifts if we raise $250,000.

In determining your philanthropic priorities, you may ask, “Why give to MPA? Why give philanthropically when I already pay tuition?” That’s a fair question. From one perspective, an MPA education is transactional. Families pay tuition and, in return, receive an excellent education. However, I would venture to say that the relationship between the students, faculty, staff, and families is much more than a simple business transaction. It is transformative, and that is what motivates me more than ever to give to MPA. Read More

Parents Association Book Festival & More

November 17, 2022

December 5-11
This year, the MPA Book Festival will arrive just in time for holiday gifts or Winter Break reading! Usborne will be joining us in the Gallery during the school day with a wide range of books. Come and peruse the selection, chat with Liz, and enjoy the books on display. Valley Bookseller, a local independent bookstore, will also be represented online and via gift cards. Teacher wish lists will be available soon. Come and share the love of books and reading with all of your family. Please contact Michelle Wessely, Michelle_wessely@yahoo.com, with any questions or for more information.

We are asking for donations of books for readers of all ages (hardcover and paperbacks). Carts are located at the Upper and Lower School entrances through December 9 for convenient drop-off. Sales of these used books take place during the Book Festival and the proceeds benefit the library.

December 7 at 6 PM in the MPA Library, the MPAPA will host a book club moderated by Dr. Bill Hudson. This year’s selection is The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. “A remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Bella da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation.”

Lower School Division News November 10, 2022

November 10, 2022

from Ann Jurewicz, Lower School director

Student Performance and Report Cards
As we come to the end of our first trimester, teachers are preparing report cards with scores in various subjects and thoughtful individual comments on student performance. Earlier this week, we sent home our early assessments on your child. These assessments help teachers with understanding each student’s readiness level for learning at grade level this school year. The assessments show both areas of strength in reading and math, as well as areas for growth. In combination with other performance indicators of student performance, if there are areas of concern, we are addressing these early to support students in their best success at MPA this school year. If you have further questions on the early assessments or the report cards when they arrive home on November 21, please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher.

The Importance of Sleep for Children
Did you know that children spend as much as half of their early years asleep? Sleep promotes healthy brain and cognitive development according to a study from researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Additionally, children undergo significant changes in how they sleep over time, from sleeping up to 20 hours a day as infants to taking periodic naps throughout the day as toddlers. Children phase out of naps at different ages, from as young as 2 to as old as 8 years old. The age a child transitions out of naps is related to brain and memory development rather than age. This means that about 30 percent of children ages 6 to 11 do not get enough sleep. While MPA does not have a routine of napping beyond PreK, perhaps parents might consider an early bedtime as an option. This will support your child with the rich learning experience we have each day at MPA. A well-rested child is a happy and engaged child.

Fall Campaign: Forward Together
This year’s “Forward Together” campaign kicked-off on Monday, November 7, and lasts through November 18. During this time, we ask our community to help us meet the gap between tuition and the cost of an MPA education to help ensure students, families, faculty, and staff have the resources they need. Read More

Middle School Division News November 10, 2022

November 10, 2022

from Jenn Milam, Middle School director

I’m happy to report that we have made it safe, healthy, and happy to November on the heels of a beautiful fall and a successful end to our first quarter. As you’ll receive from me on Friday with the release of grade reports, the end of a quarter is a time to reflect, to process, and to set goals for moving forward. The Middle School faculty and I ask for your partnership and continued diligence in supporting your student in timely arrival at school, continued diligence in completing schoolwork, and clarity and consistency in supporting our Middle School Community Expectations. Good habits are not always hard to develop, but sustaining engagement, focus, and efficient work habits can be challenging and your support is truly important and most welcomed as we move into the colder months when motivation and persistence can wane a bit. We can all use some encouragement in our daily lives!

Planned Absences and Attendance Policy
As we approach the holidays and time when families begin to plan for longer times away, I’d like to ask you to review our Planned Absence and Attendance Policy. Both can be found in our Community Handbook and I ask that you read and review with your student.

If you and your family plan to travel outside of the MPA scheduled holidays, please contact the Middle School office to notify us of your planned and extended absence. It is your student’s responsibility to notify teachers of their time away, and request that materials (when possible) be prepared to accompany them while away so that they can keep up to date with schoolwork. If your planned absence impacts a major assessment or project due date, the student and you, should work with the teacher to develop a plan for when those items will be completed and/or scheduled for a make-up date.

If a student is absent from school, per our policy, they have that many days to make-up missed work. More, if a student is absent on a planned assessment day, they should be prepared to sit for that assessment upon their return, unless otherwise arranged with the teacher.

When questions or need for clarification arise, please reach out to your student’s advisor and/or the individual teacher for support. Read More

Upper School Division News November 10, 2022

November 10, 2022

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Yesterday was “one of those days.” It started with welcoming students to campus while standing in the damp drizzle before the sun rose, and ended as I bid adieu to the students as they left campus while standing, again, in the drizzle as the sun set (I am not a fan of going back to standard time). However, in-between the bookends of my day I was able to spend time with members of the Class of 2023 as they shared their stories. One of the requirements of graduation for all MPA students is to give a Senior Performance. Most students choose to give an 8-10 minute speech about how they have developed and grown into young adults and thank those who have helped them along the way, while some actually share their talents by performing for the audience.

Yesterday, we heard speeches about the power of words, the meaningfulness of volunteering, the power of positivity, and a beautiful rendition of David Bowie’s “Life on Mars” as it related to the speaker’s question, “Is this it?” and their optimism after escaping the Syrian civil war. All of the performances were tremendous, yet the last speaker shared a story of their experience of climbing Mount Lemmon, the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona, alone. Twenty-four miles of rugged terrain contributed to his doubt of if he could make it to the summit or not. He explained that the thought of his teachers, friends, and “home” at MPA gave him the strength to carry on as he confronted snakes, lost his cell phone, and forged a new path through the wilderness to make it to the top.

The support and care classmates show toward each speaker is eclipsed only by the way they huddle around each other at the end of the performances to celebrate the success of their friends. This huddle is a time-honored MPA tradition. The willingness of the speakers to be vulnerable in front of their peers is like nothing I have experienced in any other school environment, and is one of the things that makes MPA so special.

I look forward to the upcoming set of Senior Performances later this month, and will carry the memory of each seniors’ story with me when another one of “those days” occurs.

I look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Read More

Parents Association News & Events November 10, 2022

November 10, 2022

Save the Date for the MPA Book Festival
December 5-11
This year, the MPA Book Festival will arrive just in time for holiday gifts or Winter Break reading! This year we’ll be back in person with opportunities for parents to engage in the festivities. Please contact Michelle Wessely, Michelle_wessely@yahoo.com, with any questions or for more information.

Usborne will be joining us in the Gallery during the school day with a wide range of books. Come and peruse the selection, chat with Liz, and enjoy the books on display. Valley Bookseller, a local independent bookstore, will also be represented online and via gift cards. Teacher wish lists will be available soon. Come and share the love of books and reading with all of your family.

Needed! Your Gently Used Books. We are asking for donations of books for readers of all ages (hardcover and paperbacks). Carts are located at the Upper and Lower School entrances through December 9 for convenient drop-off. Sales of these used books take place during the Book Festival and the proceeds benefit the library.

Wanted! Your time. If you would like to sign-up to help out, we would love to have you. Decorate, sell used books, or help LS students shop and create wish lists during library time. Be sure to look through all three tabs on the Signup Genius. Many thanks to those who have already signed-up!

Prepare….for Book Club! During the week of the Book Festival, the MPAPA hosts a book club moderated by Dr. Bill Hudson on December 7 at 6 PM in the MPA Library. This year’s selection is The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. “A remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Bella da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation.” The PA provides books for those interested in taking part in the evening’s discussion. Sign up for a book using this google form. Questions, email sbanksPA@moundsparkacademy.org

PA Board Meeting
Friday, November 18 at 9 AM
The next MPA PA board meeting will be open to PA members. If you’re interested in attending, email sbanksPA@moundsparkacademy.org for a zoom link and more information.

Upcoming Community Events
If you are interested in signing up for any of these events, please email Staci at sbanksPA@moundsparkacademy.org or Venmo @Staci-Banks-Hehenberger with the name of the event and number attending in the comment line.

MPA at the MIA
November 20 at 1 PM
Join other MPA families to tour the Special Exhibit, Botticelli and Renaissance Florence: Masterworks from the Uffizi. The cost of the exhibition is $20.00 for adults and free for children, and the MPAPA will be picking up the cost of the guided tour.

US Parent Dinner at India Palace
December 3, 8-10 PM
Looking for something to do while your US student dances the night away? Come meet other parents and have dinner at India Palace in Woodbury! They will stay open late for us, so please come and enjoy delicious food and great company.

If you are interested in signing up for any of these events, please email Staci at sbanksPA@moundsparkacademy.org or Venmo @Staci-Banks-Hehenberger with the name of the event and number attending in the comment line.

Middle School Show Tickets On Sale Now

November 3, 2022

This fall will be our first full return to the Black Box, with the Middle School production, “Space Princess Wars” by Don Zolidis. It is a bit ridiculous, at times chaotic, but always a lot of fun! Ms. J and Ms. Mastel have been working with 61 Middle and Upper School students to bring this show to life. Star Wars + The Princess Bride = Space Princess Wars!

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Friday November 4, for the following days/times:

Friday, November 18 at 7 PM
Saturday, November 19 at 2 PM
Sunday, November 20 at 2 PM

Forward Together

November 3, 2022

from Bill Hudson, head of school

It is nearly impossible not to notice that pumpkin spice has overtaken the grocery aisles. According to NielsenIQ data, pumpkin spice products accounted for more than $231 million in sales over last year, 27% higher than the year before. Someone even noticed a sign at a service station offering pumpkin spice oil changes. While I am not a fan of anything pumpkin spice flavored, it does serve as a reminder of fall and the season of gratitude. It won’t be long before many families and friends gather for Thanksgiving and share with one another. In the midst of passing the gravy and turkey, we will share all the reasons we are grateful this year.

As we move into a season of gratitude, our annual fall fundraising drive launches this Monday, November 7, and continues through Friday, November 18. Give to the Max Day is Thursday, November 17, and includes our own special tradition of a faculty and staff lip sync competition and all-school assembly.

Our fall campaign theme, “Forward Together,” represents the momentum we are experiencing as we come together as a community, both metaphorically and literally. After two and one-half years of isolation, separation, and distancing, our building is full again with parents, grandparents, friends, and special guests, adding even more joy to an already joyful school community.

Last Friday was a good example. If you don’t know, MPA has had a longstanding tradition of Lower School students parading through the halls of the school in their Halloween costumes, much to the delight of Middle and Upper School students who take a break from their studies to join in the celebration. Students, faculty, staff, and parents line the hallways to smile, wave, and applaud the Lower School students. I can never decide what I appreciate more—the faces of the young students on parade or the older students cheering them on! Read More

Parents Association News & Events November 3, 2022

November 3, 2022

Thank You!
A huge thank you to our Lower School Halloween party volunteers! You helped make the celebration a huge success. A special thank you to Jasmin Stees, MPAPA’s community development lead who worked tirelessly to make it happen. Thank you!

PA Board Meeting
Friday, November 18 at 9 AM
The next MPA PA board meeting will be open to all MPA families. If you’re interested in attending, email sbanksPA@moundsparkacademy.org for a zoom link and more information.

Save the Date and Engage With the MPA Book Festival
December 5-11
This year, the MPA Book Festival will arrive just in time for holiday gifts or Winter Break Reading! As we prepare for this fun week, we have opportunities for parents to engage in the festivities. This is a very long-standing and beloved MPA event that families will not want to miss!

First, get ready to tidy up your bookshelves! We will be hosting a Used Book Sale at school during the week of the Book Festival. We are asking for donations of gently used books for readers of all ages (hardcover and paperbacks). Donation carts will be set up at the North and South entrances from October 27- December 9 for convenient donation drop-offs. Families will be able to purchase used books during the weeks of the Book Festival. If you would like to sign-up to help out with the Used Book Sale or other aspects of the Book Festival, we have sign-up times here. Be sure to look through the three tabs! Read More