Get Ready For The Ice Cream Social!

ice creamLet’s celebrate the start of an incredible year! Make plans to join us for a beloved MPA tradition, the Ice Cream Social on Friday, September 6, from 3-4 PM on the South Lawn! This is an all-school opportunity to connect with one another, enjoy a sweet treat, and meet our new families.

Details For Lower School Families
If you are planning to attend, please meet your child at their classroom door and notify your child’s homeroom teacher in advance. Otherwise, we will send your child on the bus or to the drive thru lane as usual. All Lower School students must be directly supervised by an adult to get their ice cream.

Details For All Families
A sundae bar with all of the fixings will be available for students and their families. The ice cream will be peanut and tree nut free and provided by YoYo Donuts. All of the sundae bar toppings will be peanut and tree nut free and provided by SAGE. JonnyPops Organic Freezer Pops will be available at a separate station for food-allergic students. This should be safe for all MPA students, but it is not guaranteed. Ingredients will be available for review by parents or can be found at the link above. Because any frozen treat could be messy on a bus, bus riders will be sent home with allergy-friendly Partake cookies (free of top-9 allergens, gluten-free, vegan, OU Kosher). All students at Panther Club and Panther Den will be taken outside for a treat and supervised accordingly by Panther staff. Middle School students may navigate the event with or without a parent. If they are without a parent, they should be able to manage any allergies they may have.

If you have any questions or would like more information about ingredients, please contact communications@moundsparkacademy.org. See you there!


Emotional Milestones

headsmessagefrom Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Welcome (back) to MPA and another fantastic school year!

Whether you’re a returning family or a family with one of the 103 new students joining the MPA community this year, it’s a fresh start and a new beginning for all of us.

First, I apologize for not being with you last week for Back To School Night. Instead, I was in Tucson, dropping my daughter off at the University of Arizona for her first year of college. I managed to keep my emotions in check—until we returned home, and I passed by her bedroom. The door was open, her bed was made, and her room was spotless—three things that had never been true before. After 34 years in education, helping launch hundreds of students into their futures, I knew saying goodbye would be hard. I just didn’t realize how hard.

Dropping a child off at college for the first time is a deeply emotional milestone for parents. In many ways, it parallels the experience of entrusting your child to a new school or, even for returning students, beginning a new school year. You and I are likely navigating similar emotions right now—moments that signify significant transitions in the parent-child relationship and mark our children’s growing independence. There’s also the natural anxiety about how our children will adapt to a new environment, whether it’s the magical world of kindergarten, a new grade, or the independence of college. Rest assured, our exceptional faculty and staff are dedicated to ensuring a successful transition and making a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of our students every single day. Read More


Upper School Division News August 29, 2024

USDivisionNewsfrom Mark Segal, Upper School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Monday, September 2: No Classes, Labor Day
  • Tuesday, September 3: Alumni Current Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
  • Wednesday, September 4: US Grade 11 Families College Counseling Meeting, 7-8 PM, Virtual Meeting
  • Friday, September 6: School Photos, 7:30 AM-12 PM, Indoor Track
  • Friday, September 6: Ice Cream Social, 3-4 PM, South Lawn
  • Tuesday, September 10: US Grade 12 Parent College Counseling Night, 6:30-7:30 PM, Virtual Meeting
  • Thursday, September 12: MS/US International Program Back to School Social, 3:30-5 PM, Benz Courtyard
  • Sunday, September 15: Admission & Indexed Tuition Applications Open
  • Tuesday, September 17: US Signs of Suicide Screening (G9 & New G10 Students), 7:30 AM-2 PM, PCR
  • Wednesday, September 18: US Signs of Suicide Screening (G11), 7:30 AM-2 PM, PCR
  • Sunday, September 22: Twin Cities Partnership College Fair, 1-3 PM, Breck School

Summer is one of my favorite times of year – the sun shines more brightly, the days are longer, and the green grass provides a wonderful balance of color to the bright blue summer sky. It is the perfect time for me to think about the previous school year while planning and adjusting for the upcoming one. It is also a time where the school building can be eerily quiet as most teachers, administrators, and students are enjoying the slower pace of the year and are on vacation. Each year, while I sit at my desk in the quiet building, I play Simon and Garfunkel’s famous ballad, “The Sound of Silence.” As much as I enjoy the solitude, there is something special about the return of students and faculty and the noise that comes with them to campus.

Read More


Lower School Division News August 29, 2024

LS Division Newsfrom Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Monday, September 2: No Classes, Labor Day
  • Tuesday, September 3: Alumni Current Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
  • Wednesday, September 4: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-9 AM, Family Commons
  • Friday, September 6: School Photos, 7:30 AM-12 PM, Indoor Track, Non-Uniform Day
  • Friday, September 6: Ice Cream Social, 3-4 PM, South Lawn
  • Thursday, September 12: MS/LS Curriculum Night, 6-8 PM, Classrooms
  • Sunday, September 15: Admission & Indexed Tuition Applications Open
  • Friday, September 20: LS Duty-Free Lunch with Parent Volunteers, 11:30 AM-12:45 PM, Playground and Family Commons

Welcome (back) to the MPA Lower School!

Since the first day, the children have embarked on their exciting learning journey for the 2024-25 academic year. The start of the year was remarkable in its positivity, with many smiling faces, buzzing classrooms, and happy children. Thank you for partnering with us as we offer a warm welcome and homecoming for our learners! As we look toward the coming months, please note that every week, a Panther Post will come to your inbox, chock full of helpful information, reminders, and news with every other week including Division News. Please read on for some insights for the next few weeks:

Revised Lower School Uniform Policy

At Mounds Park Academy, our Lower School students benefit from wearing uniforms, as they contribute to a positive and equitable school climate and a sense of belonging. Uniforms help to underscore consistency and cohesion while also emphasizing each student’s dignity and well-being. Our uniform policy is designed to be gender inclusive. Any student can wear any part of the uniform. Parents are welcome to source the items from various retailers and price points. Please note that we have revised our uniform policy in the Lower School to be more inclusive and practical. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions! Read More


Middle School Division News August 29, 2024

MS Division Newsfrom Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars 

  • Monday, September 2: No Classes, Labor Day
  • Tuesday, September 3: Alumni Current Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
  • Friday, September 6: School Photos, 7:30 AM-12 PM, Indoor Track
  • Friday, September 6: Ice Cream Social, 3-4 PM, South Lawn
  • Monday, September 9: MS Show Auditions, 3:15-5:15 PM, Black Box
  • Tuesday, September 10: MS Show Auditions, 3:15-5:15 PM, Black Box
  • Wednesday, September 11: MS Show Callbacks, 3:15-5:15 PM, Black Box
  • Thursday, September 12: MS/US International Program Back to School Social, 3:30-5 PM, Benz Courtyard
  • Sunday, September 15: Admission & Indexed Tuition Applications Open
  • Monday, September 16: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
  • Monday, September 16: MS Grade 6 Eagle Bluff Trip
  • Tuesday, September 17: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
  • Tuesday, September 17: MS Grade 6 Eagle Bluff Trip
  • Wednesday, September 18: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
  • Wednesday, September 18: MS Grade 5 Osprey Wild Overnight Trip
  • Wednesday, September 18: MS Grade 6 Eagle Bluff Trip
  • Thursday, September 19: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
  • Thursday, September 19: MS Grade 5 Osprey Wild Overnight Trip
  • Friday, September 20: MS Grade 7/8 MAP Testing
  • Friday, September 20: MS Grade 5 Osprey Wild Overnight Trip
  • Friday, September 20: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, TBD

One of my duties that I grew to love during COVID times at my previous school was greeting students at our front door to ensure that they had completed their COVID app and were “OK for School.” Watching Middle School students enter a school is just so joyous and slightly comical. They carry a lot into our schools with backpacks filled with books, gym bags filled with sports equipment, bodies filled with energy, hearts filled with emotion, and minds filled with curiosity, joy, and a sense of belonging. While they don’t always have their shoes tied, appropriate outerwear for the weather, or even all that they need for the day (don’t forget that instrument!), they always appreciate a “good morning” and a smile, and even a fist-bump or hi-five. This week, I have genuinely been excited to work our door 4 entrance and get to greet and dismiss most of our Middle School students. I have also appreciated all the waves and the patience from you, their chauffeurs, as you shuttle them to school and navigate the exit maze created by our construction traffic plan.

Welcome to the Division News section of Panther Post. Here, every other week, I will share new information, important dates, and upcoming items that require your attention. This is a rich resource designed to help you and your student(s) plan for upcoming events and stay abreast of all the exciting events and activities we have planned for Middle School parents and students. Read More


Back To School Details

Panther high fives student on back to school nightWe are getting ready for the 2024-25 school year and we hope that you are as excited as we are! Below you will find all of the details about each Back To School event. If you have any questions, please reach out to your division director or the Office of Communications at communications@moundsparkacademy.org.

Thursday, August 22
New Family* Orientation & Back To School Night
*New families are considered those with students who are just joining our school PLUS all returning families with a student in grades PreK, K, 5, or 9 this fall.

  • 4 PM | New Family Arrival, plus all returning families with a student in K, grade 5, or 9
  • 6 PM | Returning Family Arrival
  • 6:15 PM | All-School Welcome Back Assembly
  • 7:15 PM | Departure

NEW FAMILY DETAILED AGENDA >
RETURNING FAMILY DETAILED AGENDA >

Thursday, August 22
School Photos During Back To School Night
Updated Location: Indoor Track

  • 3:45-6 PM | Session One
  • 6:30-7:30 PM | Session Two

We are so delighted to be joining you for Picture Day again this year. Get ready for the BEST PICTURE DAY EVER!

  • School pictures will be happening during the Back To School Night on August 22. Visit mpa.link/schoolphotos to sign up for your arrival window based on the schedule you will follow. If the line is too long, just come back later!
  • If you are unable to attend Back To School Night for pictures or would prefer to have them taken on a school day, the second Picture Day will be Friday, September 6. Retake Day will be Tuesday, October 1.
  • Lower School students do not wear uniforms for Picture Day.
  • Be sure to add hello@slowroadphoto.com to your email contacts to ensure you receive all the communications and info from us. You will hear from us directly via email on August 15.
  • Please feel free to check out the resources available on our website, including our Parents’ Guide at mpa.link/parentguide.
  • If you have any questions regarding Picture Day or image ordering and delivery, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at hello@slowroadphoto.com.
  • If you have any questions regarding Picture Day or image ordering and delivery, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at hello@slowroadphoto.com.

SIGN-UP FOR A PICTURE TIME >
Read More


Preparing For The 2024 Paris Olympics!

Olympics1

As the world comes together to celebrate the spirit of athletic excellence and international unity in Paris, we’re bringing all the excitement and inspiration right to you! Learn about the special venues at this year’s Olympic games or fuel up with a special Olympic torch dessert!Olympics2

Olympic Torch Cupcakes

CupcakesGet ready to celebrate the Paris Summer Olympics with a fun and delicious treat: Olympic Torch Cupcakes in cake cones! These adorable cupcakes are not only delightful to look at but also perfect for any Olympic-themed party.

For more mouthwatering recipes and culinary inspiration, follow Kate Thrane ’16 on Instagram at @theglutenlessmaximus! Let the games begin with these tasty Olympic Torch Cupcakes!

 

 


Bringing Home the Gold: MPA’s Top 5 Athletic Achievements

MPA SportsMounds Park Academy has an incredibly rich history of athletic success. To highlight some of that success, take a look back at the top five athletic achievements by Panther athletics!

Boys Golf: Four Years of Dominance at the MSHSL State Tournament

The boys golf program exhibited remarkable success over four years, being state participants in 2017 and winning the state championships in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Girls Tennis: Five Years of Dominance at the MSHSL State Tournament

The girls tennis program demonstrated exceptional performance over five years, finishing second in state in 2005, 2006, and 2008, and securing state championships in 2007 and 2009.

Boys Tennis: MPA’s First Team MSHSL State Championship (2005)

The boys tennis team clinched MPA’s first team state championship in 2005. Team members included Jake Sheehan, Paul Shapiro, Dan Mammel, Dan Stag, Dan Melum, Brendan Byrne, Bryan Kelly, Nate Eigenfeld, Ben Yates, Andy Brown, David Croonquist, Connor Brown, and Connor Hart, with Maddie Irvine as the team manager. The team was coached by Michelle Olson.

Girls Track and Field: MPA’s First Conference Championship (1994)

In 1994, the girls track and field team secured MPA’s first conference championship in the Tri-Valley Athletic Conference. The team was coached by MPA Hall of Fame coach Bev Docherty and Martha Connors.

Girls Golf: MPA’s First Individual MSHSL State Champion Stacey Geiser (1990)

Stacey Geiser became MPA’s first individual state champion in 1990, achieving this milestone while the school competed as an independent, not affiliated with any conference.

Did your top moment make the list? Do you know a coach, athlete, or Panther supporter who should be a part of the Mounds Park Academy Hall of Fame? Help us nominate them!


Baa Baa Boutique Brings Community Together

Baa BaaBy the time the Baa Baa Boutique closed its doors for the 2023-2024 school year, the MPA Class of 2036 had helped three students receive an education, culminating a collaborative effort by students, teachers, and alums!

The boutique, a service and educational initiative for kindergarteners aimed at fundraising for Heifer International, showcased handmade trinkets crafted by MPA students to generate funds for the cause. The kindergarten class, under the guidance of Ms. Roche and Ms. Petersen, soon received aid from its heavy alum connection. Furthering the boutique’s support featured alumni Chad Nicholson ’97, one of eight alums with children in the class, using his talents to film a commercial to advertise the shop.

Using the multi-faceted support, the Baa Baa Boutique’s donations reached a total of $1,725! A donation competition further bolstered its success, with various categories vying for contributions before ultimately raising $825 to support three students’ education. What an exceptional representation of the combined effort the MPA community turns in regularly!


2024 Alumni Award Presented to Judge Christa Moseng ‘96

Moseng Judge Christa Moseng ’96 has been an Administrative Law Judge for Minnesota since 2021 and is the immediate-past chair of MNclusive, an LGBTQIA+ resource group for state employees. She graduated with her B.A. from Grinnell College and her J.D. with Distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. While in law school, she was a senior managing editor of the Journal of Gender, Race, and Justice. Judge Moseng has nearly a decade of experience in public utility matters and rulemaking. She is known for her technical expertise, deep commitment to public service, excellence in legal writing, and commitment to inclusion and equity, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community.

While not leading the effort, she participated by offering legislative testimony about the legal implications of the trans refuge bill that passed in 2023. During hearings, Judge Moseng shared: “What brings us here today is a concerted effort, in other states, to deny human rights that Minnesotans take for granted—rights like the right to have a family, access medically necessary health care, and to have children with a minimum of government interference. If there’s one thing that I know that a public official can safely say, it’s that Minnesota is not Florida, or Texas, or Oklahoma, or Utah. We do not threaten to pull families apart. We do not erase trans people from public life and accommodations… Senate File 63 would protect children, families, and caregivers in Minnesota from extraterritorial laws and orders that could interfere with the right to receive gender-affirming healthcare in Minnesota… It would substantively strengthen Minnesota’s position as a human rights leader in the United States.”

Please take time to learn more about Judge Moseng and her work via the Q&A below:

Please describe your life’s work (personal and professional) today. What are you most proud of?

I try to make room for trans people to be comfortable as ourselves. I’ve done that by fostering an online community where trans and gender-questioning people can safely share joys, challenges, and information; writing and distributing a practical guide for overcoming wrongful insurance-claim denials; helping craft state-employee policy changes; and working extensively with other community members and allies. I relish anytime a trans person finds life or transitioning easier, fairer, or less stressful because of something I worked on or did.

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