Meet Retired Faculty Member, Jim Schwieger
January 13, 2022
Position while at MPA
Science teacher
How many years did you work at MPA?
26 years
What do you miss most about MPA?
The energy, the students and employees.
What have you been up to since leaving MPA?
Some volunteer work!
Connect With MPA Parents This January
January 13, 2022
Parent Education Night
Save the Date for a Zoom Parent Education Night! January 27, 6:30-7:45 PM, please join MPA families to learn about neurodiversity in our school community.
Attention Middle School Panthers and Parents
The annual Middle School Café is going tubular this year! Stay tuned and get excited. While we can’t unveil all the details just yet (sorry!), we can say, SAVE THE DATE, Friday, February 25th from 2:30-5:30 PM.
January Walks with Dogs
Join Michelle Mick Friday, January 14 for a walk in a local dog park. Bring your dog or not, we’ll meet at Battle Creek Dog Park, a lovely, big, off-leash dog park with 35 acres at 8:15 AM. Parking is off Upper Afton Road, in the parking lot next to the dog park. Look for Michelle and her dog (Rufus), near the entrance of the dog park.
For your GPS, the address is: 2350 Upper Afton Road, Maplewood, MN 55119. The contact person is Michelle Mick, and please feel free to SMS or call 651-328-7312 if you can’t find us!
Microfunding Grants
Looking for Microfunding for your club or classroom? It’s not too late to apply for these PA grants. Please send your applications to Natalie King, our micro-funding chair at natalieking10414@gmail.com. Applications can be found here.
COVID-19 Update December 30, 2021
December 30, 2021
Dear MPA Community,
In advance of next week’s return to campus, I have important updates and recommendations to share with you.
1. TEST: Regardless of vaccination status, we strongly urge you to test your student for COVID-19 prior to their return to campus. You can learn more about testing options here. Molecular (PCR) and/or antigen tests are all recommended for clearance testing prior to Monday. If you are unable to obtain a test or receive a positive result, please contact covid@moundsparkacademy.org.
2. REPORT: If your student or any member of your family has tested positive, experienced symptoms, or been a close contact over winter break, it is vital you email covid@moundsparkacademy.org prior to Monday for recommendations and next steps.
3. MONITOR: Symptom monitoring remains one of the most important ways we can all stay healthy and safe during this pandemic. All students, regardless of vaccination status, must stay home and seek a negative COVID-19 test prior to returning if experiencing the following: fever, new onset and/or worsening cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, muscle pain, excessive fatigue, new onset of severe headache, new onset of nasal congestion or runny nose.
4. VACCINATE: If a member of your family or your student is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster but has not yet received one, we strongly encourage you to obtain that as soon as possible. You can learn more and find available appointments at the Minnesota Vaccine Connector website. If your student is eligible for a booster but has not yet received it, as of January 10 they will no longer be considered fully vaccinated and exempt from certain quarantine requirements at MPA until that booster has been received.
December 16, 2021
Thank You!
A huge thank you from the MPA Parents Association goes out to all the volunteers who took part in the Annual Holiday Gift Wrapping event on Monday, December 13. Paper, ribbons and bows were flying as volunteers wrapped a total of 192 gifts for 15 very grateful Faculty and Staff. And only one reported paper cut! Thanks again to everyone who made this event possible!
One Last December Walk with Dogs
Join Michelle Mick Friday, December 17 for a walk in a local dog park. Bring your dog or not, we’ll meet at Battle Creek Dog Park, a lovely, big, off-leash dog park with 35 acres at 8:15 AM. Parking is off Upper Afton Road, in the parking lot next to the dog park. Look for Michelle and her dog (Rufus), near the entrance of the dog park.
For your GPS, the address is: 2350 Upper Afton Road, Maplewood, MN 55119. The contact person is Michelle Mick, and please feel free to text or call 651-328-7312 if you can’t find us!
Parents Connect: January Events
We are looking forward to connecting with MPA families in the new year! Upcoming events and opportunities to look forward to include Family Education Evenings, All-School Sno Daze activities, Lower School Valentine’s Day party, and Middle School Café. Keep your eye on the Panther Post for sign-ups and opportunities to volunteer!
January Walks with Dogs
Friday, January 7 and 14, join Michelle Mick for a walk in a local dog park. Bring your dog or not, we’ll meet at Battle Creek Dog Park, a lovely, big, off-leash dog park with 35 acres at 8:15 AM. Parking is off Upper Afton Road, in the parking lot next to the dog park. Look for Michelle and her dog (Rufus), near the entrance of the dog park.
For your GPS, the address is: 2350 Upper Afton Road, Maplewood, MN 55119. The contact person is Michelle Mick, and please feel free to SMS or call 651-328-7312 if you can’t find us!
Winter Wonderland Walk at 7 Vines
January 28, 5:45-9 PM, $55.00. Come enjoy a winter evening with MPA Parents at 7 Vines Vineyard in Dellwood, MN! Ticket Price includes a complimentary beverage (mulled wine, kombucha, fancy coffee), four rounds of Bingo for prizes, making s’mores while chatting around the fire, and the use of snowshoes (with help putting them on!) for a walk around the vineyard lit by twinkling candlelight ice luminaries. If you start to feel hungry, 7 Vines will have exclusive pricing on food and wine that evening. Hot Chocolate and cider are free of charge! The Parents Association has reserved some spots for this event, but it does sell out. Please let us know if you are interested in joining in the fun by January 10. Contact Staci Banks, sbhehe42@icloud.com, or Venmo the cost of the tickets to @Staci-Banks-Hehenberger. Tickets are unfortunately not refundable.
COVID Health & Safety Update December 16, 2021
December 16, 2021
From Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, Director of Development and Community Engagement
As the holidays are approaching, I hope you’ll join me in being mindful about choices to gather, travel, and maintain COVID health and safety for your community. You can continue to monitor and access resources about traveling by clicking here. MPA onsite testing will not be available during the holiday break, but we have a limited supply of at-home antigen tests available for students. If you would like to take advantage of these tests to have on hand before winter break, please email me at covid@moundsparkacademy.org.
I am so incredibly pleased to share some amazing news regarding our community’s vaccination rates. Exceeding all of my expectations, I can happily share with you that 94% of all eligible students at MPA are now fully vaccinated, including the newly expanded 5-11 year old age group.
I’ve heard from more families who are planning to get vaccinated or boosted over Winter Break. If you have questions or need to learn more about booster eligibility or to access available appointments, please visit the Minnesota Vaccine Connector site. We highly encourage all parents and the newly expanded 16- and 17-year-old students who are now eligible to obtain their booster. Help our community to return strong from break with renewed protection if you are able.
As always, please contact me at covid@moundsparkacademy.org with questions, concerns, or to notify our team about symptoms, exposure, or other COVID-19 related information.
As was our practice last school year, we will be providing you with periodic updates of cases, contact tracing, and testing program:
Reminder: Please ensure you continue to complete the AUXS daily screening app for your student. Completing your screening pass is even more important if your student is symptomatic or is aware of a known exposure.
December 16, 2021
from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
As we approach the end of the calendar year, the song “Auld Lang Syne” will be sung at New Year’s Eve gatherings, a related song by Dan Fogelberg from 1980 will be repeatedly played on Sirius/XM radio, or folks will sing along at the finale of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I’ve never quite been able to remember, let alone pronounce, the words to the song, “Auld Lang Syne.” Nor can I carry a tune, for that matter. And yet I find the meaning behind the lyrics and music particularly poignant this year.
Just a year ago, there was great hope and optimism that the strife of 2020 would give way to a better year. And yet, in so many ways, it seems as though we are in nearly the same place as a year ago. It is clear to me that we will be battling with the virus for quite some time and working through its aftermath. Over the last year, we have faced both joys and challenges, managed hopes and anxieties, experienced growth and endured hardship, suffered isolation and celebrated community, persevered and remain mired in an all too familiar place.
There is much to be learned by reflecting upon our individual and collective journey over the past year. All of us—students, parents, teachers, and staff—are re-learning what it means to “do school,” how to be in relationship with one another, and the values that hold us together. All the while with masks on our faces and risk mitigation measures that sometimes have the unintended consequence of keeping us apart. Read More
Lower School Division News December 16, 2021
December 16, 2021
f
rom Renee Wright, Lower School Director
Holiday Greetings
There is no time more fitting than the holidays to say thank you for your partnership in educating your child/children. I reflect gratefully on what an amazing Lower School we have at MPA all because of our wonderful students and families. Thanks for all you do at home to support your child’s educational journey as you communicate with teachers, guide your child through homework tasks, and contribute your time and resources to help our Lower School thrive and grow. On behalf of our entire Lower School faculty and staff, I wish you a warm and happy holiday season and a new year filled with much happiness, joy, and peace.
Winter Break (December 20-January 2)
Winter Break is a time to have some fun as a family! Spend time together baking cookies, reading a favorite holiday book, or getting cozy by the fireplace. Encourage your child to play outside in the snow and get some fresh air too! I always remind Lower School students to make time for independent reading during breaks. Keeping reading and writing skills strong is essential. Having your child write thank you notes to family members is a great way to practice writing skills as we go into the new year!
Coming Soon: The Great Kindness Challenge
The Great Kindness Challenge is presented by Kids of Peace, a global nonprofit organization. The Great Kindness Challenge was cofounded in 2006 in an effort to make our world a better place. It has grown into an interconnected network of young peacebuilders world-wide. At the heart of the program is the belief that “kindness is strength.” Students are asked to do random acts of kindness and track them during the week of January 24. By repeatedly practicing random acts of kindness, we will develop the habit of being kind and the outcome will be a more peaceful world. Lower School will work together to prove that KINDNESS matters. Students will be bringing home information about The Great Kindness Challenge and a challenge checklist in mid-January.
LOOKING AHEAD
Middle School Division News December 16, 2021
December 16, 2021
from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School Director
Winter Break
As you read this, we will be just one day away from winter break and I personally know 183 middle school students and their teachers who could not be more excited! We hope you all have a wonderful time away, filled with rest, fun, and joyful time with those you love. MPA classes resume on Monday, January 3–we will look forward to seeing you in 2022!
iTerm Forms Are Due Friday, December 17
All students have been assigned to an iTerm class for 2022! Paper copies of your student’s iTerm assignment were given to them on Monday. Enrollment in the course is not complete until the form is signed by you and returned to MPA. All course fees are assessed through TADS and it is imperative that your form and signature are received so that this process can begin over winter break.
If you have not seen your students form, or it has been misplaced, please reach out to the office ASAP. When the new year begins, we will begin solidifying plans for the week.
No Study Hall Friday, December 17
There is no study hall on Friday afterschool. Teachers will be leaving for some much-needed fun and fellowship together before heading home to be with their families. Please make plans to send your student to Panther Den if you cannot be at dismissal at 3 PM.
Ice Skating Friday, December 17: Grades 5 & 6
All students in grades 5 and 6 will spend Friday afternoon ice skating at Aldrich Arena! If your student has skates of their own, they are welcome to bring them, but skates are also available at the arena. If you are interested in joining the group, parents are welcome to contact Ms. Nagle (cnagle@moundsparkacademy.org) for details. It’s going to be a great time and a wonderful way to celebrate the start of winter break!
Swim Club @ MPA: Get Your Fins Ready!
Thank you for your interest in the MPA Swim Club of 2022! We are planning to start practices at the Maplewood YMCA on Wednesday, January 5. Please read the following carefully:
Practices will be held on Wednesdays. Lower School swimmers will be in the water from 3:30-4:15 PM. Middle school swimmers will be in the water from 4:15-5 PM. Parents are responsible for transportation to swim practices.
Please join the SWIM 2022 Schoology page. All future communication will be sent via Schoology. The access code is 46B8-Z7F4-RJMCW.
The fee for participation will be $250. Please mail a check to (or send to school with your student):
Mounds Park Academy
2051 E Larpenteur Ave
St. Paul, 55109
Attn: Dan Haase, Athletic Director
If you missed the information meeting and have questions about Swim Club, please reach out to DeeDee Stacy (dstacy@moundsparkacademy.org).
Homework & Late Assignments
We have been working very closely with your Middle School students to complete all outstanding assignments before the break, so that they can fully enjoy the time away. It is our policy not to assign homework/new work to be done over the break; however, if your student has outstanding work, they will need to complete that in the first week of break.
It is also important to know that we have a two-week grace period for late assignments. A student has two weeks from the assigned due date to submit a late assignment; thereafter, the grade becomes a zero. With winter break being two weeks, anything not submitted before we return, within the two-week grace period, will not be accepted. Please check-in with your middle schooler and make sure they are all caught up!
Please Continue To Be Thoughtful: COVID Protocols & Symptom Response
While all middle school students are vaccine eligible and most have received vaccinations, we ask you to remain mindful and responsive when symptoms/illness/the sniffles arise!
Just a reminder that any/all symptoms through our AUXS app and/or via email to COVID@moundsparkacademy.org.
Please do not email your divisional offices, directors, or teachers of an absence due to symptoms. It is important that all notifications are sent to Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, our COVID Health and Safety lead, so that you can be supported and informed of possible next steps including, but not limited to, the need to remain home, secure a negative test prior to return, and/or quarantine per CDC guidance.
Important Dates
Upper School Division News December 16, 2021
December 16, 2021
from Mark Segal, Upper School Director
My last Panther Post article spoke about the recent Semi-Formal dance and how events like the one held two weeks ago helps to strengthen interpersonal relationships and make us feel that we belong and that we are something greater than ourselves. My focus was on the dance itself, but it is important to share that the successful planning and organization of this event was due to the hard work of the Upper School Student Council. This group of students has worked tirelessly since the summer to find ways to unify and celebrate the Upper School community.
This week, for no clear reason, the Student Council surprised the Upper School with a winter themed dress-up week. They determined the themed days (PJ and Comfy Robe Day, Flannel and Warm Hat Day, Whiteout Day, Ugly Sweater Day, and MPA Spirit Day) and it has been fabulous to witness strong student and faculty involvement. The Student Council has also worked incredibly hard to plan a special activity on Friday for our last advisory meeting of 2021. They created a scavenger hunt using the GooseChase app where each advisory will explore the MPA campus and participate in friendly fun competitions against each other. This is exactly the type of coalescing that upper school students need as they work to complete their last minute assignments and projects, await college decisions, and contain their exuberance prior to departing for Winter Break.
Although this post is about the work of the Student Council, they are not the only upper school organization who has shown leadership and built community. Just this past week the Social Consciousness Club hosted a Macalester College Professor of Environmental Studies who spoke about her research in energy and climate policy, the Asian Awareness Club is hosting a bake sale with incredibly delicious treats, and the Peer Leaders started the week by decorating the Upper School Commons as a Winter Wonderland and served peppermint and s’mores flavored hot chocolate on Monday morning.
I will miss the hustle and bustle of our school community over the next two weeks. I hope your families enjoy the well-earned break and time together. I look forward to seeing you in 2022.
Important Information
As we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we ask for your diligence in working with our Covid-19 symptom response and contact tracing team. At the first sign of symptoms, parents should complete the daily AUXS app symptom screening and/or email covid@moundsparkacademy.org. This should happen BEFORE seeking a Covid-19 test. When a negative Covid-19 test is required for student clearance, results must be provided prior to the student’s return. All symptomatic community members, regardless of vaccination status must remain at home pending those results. Thank you for your partnership. For any questions, please contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt at jrogers@moundsparkacademy.org.
Looking Ahead
Invite A Friend To Discover MPA
December 13, 2021
Invite a friend, neighbor, colleague, or family member to join us for MPA’s PreK-12 admission event, the MPA Winter Preview! Held virtually on Sunday, January 30 at 2 PM, this event will be a structured program that will allow prospective students and parents to get a sense of what makes MPA an exceptional place to learn and grow.
Kindly invite your friends and neighbors to RSVP in advance for this engaging program at moundsparkacademy.org/RSVP. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admission at 651-748-5577 or admission@moundsparkacademy.org. We can’t wait to meet them!