Join The Parents Association For Upcoming Events

The MPA Parents Association Spring Reading Book Club with Dr. Hudson
April 6, 6:30-8 PM
Looking for something great to read this spring? Try The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict! This historical fiction novel tells the story of a not-so-famous scientist who not only loved Albert Einstein, but also shaped the theories that brought him lasting renown. This is a great pick for Women’s History month. Dr. Hudson will host a discussion of the book. The MPA PA will be providing copies of the book to those who would like to participate and child care will be provided. Please fill out this form to sign up for the book club and request a book.

Kate ThraneMPA All-School Gluten-Free Cooking Class with Kate Thrane ’16
New Date: April 13, 5:30-7 PM
Please join us in the teaching kitchen for some hands-on cooking, as well as learning about the joy of cooking gluten-free. You can learn more about Kate and her recipes on Instagram at @theglutenlessmaximus. Please RSVP to Staci at sbhehe42@icloud.com so that we can have plenty of ingredients prepared!  Hope to see you there!

Culture Day Cultural Diversity Day
April 26, 3-7 PM
Save the date for the Culture Diversity Day celebration at MPA! Enjoy an evening of food, music and crafts from around the world! Would you like to share your culture through cuisine, music, dance or art? We invite you to be a part of our cultural showcase or host a cooking demonstration. Please email seema_anwar@hotmail.com.


Keeping Up With Our Alumni

Allison Leopold ’16: Allison is in her second year of medical school at the University of Minnesota and loves it! She’s planning to pursue a career in addiction medicine and is most excited about her work in harm reduction, health equity, and Medicare for All advocacy. Outside of school, she has been writing/directing a play, singing in a local choir in Minneapolis, dabbling in poetry, tending to houseplants, and rollerblading about town. Allison mentions that she is grateful to be still connected to friends from MPA through traditions like annual gingerbread competitions, Shabbat reading circles, and Friendsgiving celebrations. She looks forward to the continued support from old friends near and far.

Emily Rhodes ’15: After MPA, Emily attended Grinnell College and graduated in 2019 with degrees in History and French. Not long after, she moved to England and completed an MPhil in Early Modern History at the University of Cambridge in 2020. Emily’s Master’s dissertation won the Women’s History Network’s prize for best MA dissertation. She is in the third year of a Ph.D. in early modern history at the University of Cambridge. Currently studying the public and political lives of non-elite women in 17th-century Britain and striving to tell the stories of those often overlooked in history. Emily recently published an academic article exploring how poor women navigated marital breakdowns when they did not have the money to obtain a legal separation. Emily still attributes her love of history to Ms. Conway’s class in Junior year!

We would love to hear what you have been up to since graduating MPA. Please reach out to alumni@moundsparkacademy.org to provide your update.


Building A Path For Success Through Alumni Mentorship

After a successful Alumni Meet & Greet event, MPA seniors and alumni mentors submitted their meaningful experiences and connections formed through the MPA Mentorship Program. Community members gathered in the Family Commons and connected based on similar interests, hobbies, career goals, and college choices. See all of the photos from the networking event here!

Pairing curious and inquisitive students with adults that have experience in their field of passion is an invaluable way to provide insight. This especially applies to students seeking to get a more detailed sense of a profession, college, or industry’s nuances. William Tan ’23 explains, “this program really helped me gain new perspectives on the transition between undergrad and medical school. I also picked up many great tips to help me with college. While I have heard more generalized perspectives regarding undergrad in the past, it was nice to hear about a more focused experience regarding the career I want to pursue. Knowing I will be starting this path next year, it was nice to hear a perspective from someone who has already experienced college.” Read More


Alumni Holiday Shopping Guide

‘Tis the season for holiday shopping. The Alumni Association Board developed this for graduated MPA students to share their business/products to be featured in an Alumni Holiday Shopping Guide!

Monday—Hippy Feet
Why buy Hanes when you can buy Hippy Feet?! @hippyfeetsocks, co-founded by Sam Harper ‘12, are sure to be a hit this holiday season. These fun patterned socks, clothing and accessories are sure to be the perfect stocking stuffer. Plus, Hippy Feet is a socially responsible sock company on a mission to help homeless youth. 50% of company profits are donated to support non-profit organizations that are working to help young people in need. Learn more at www.hippyfeet.com

Tuesday—Pas de Deux Dance Studio
‘Plie’ your way into 2023 with Pas de Deux Dance Studio, owned by Zachari Wetz ‘99! Give the gift of dance lessons this season! Offering ballet classes for ages 3 through adult. @pasdedeuxdancestudio’s mission is to develop a love of dance in a supportive and family-friendly environment. Convenient to most areas of the Twin Cities- contact the studio to purchase a gift certificate or sign up for classes. Learn more at www.pasdedeuxdance.com

Wednesday—Pryes Brewing
Keep your eye on the Pryes… @PryesBrewing that is! Owned by Alan Flinn ‘93, Pryes Brewing Company is serving up award-winning craft beers and wood-fired pizza in their riverside taproom just north of downtown Minneapolis. A great place to hang with friends or give the gift of a few crowlers!! Pryes’ riverside beer garden, taproom, and pizza restaurant open daily at 11 AM. Learn more at www.prysebrewing.com Read More


Founders’ Day 2022

middle school students playing in the leavesby Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

I invite you and your family to our annual pancake breakfast next Wednesday, December 7, from 7-8 AM to celebrate Founders’ Day. Founders’ Day celebrates the official date that the school was established. This is a very special celebration, and what better way to mark the school’s founding than with a delicious pancake breakfast made by members of the MPA Board of Trustees?! This year, the day is being made extra special with an all-school pajama day in honor of the Book Festival.

My family spent a quiet Thanksgiving with my husband Ross’ brother and sister-in-law. We gathered for the annual Olson Family Lefse and Flatbread Making Day on Saturday. True North Dakotan Norwegians Willard and Vernita would spend a day making lefse and flatbread for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to enjoy over the Christmas holidays. Now that they have both passed away, we started a new tradition of getting together as a family to make the lefse and flatbread. It is a beautiful day of remembering, telling stories, arguing over which of Vernita’s lefse recipes we should use, working together to roll the perfectly rounded lefse, nurturing a shared identity, and sharing a meal. Read More


College Years Social

After a two year pause for the pandemic, the MPA Parents of Alumni annual College Years Social made a return in November. Parents reunited at Keller Clubhouse to reminisce, catch up and meet other POA. To make the gathering even more enjoyable, Melissa Peacock, won Carmel Chocolate Turtle Cocktail gift basket!

“We were so happy to be meeting all the new Parents of Alumni at MPA from 2017 to 2022,” stated Lindo Goodno, POA Board Chair classes of ’16, ’18 and ’20. ” The College Years Social is POA’s cornerstone annual event to keep in touch with MPA families. It’s just a fun time!”


POA Board Holiday Gathering

Ho, ho, ho…..the holidays have begun and the board members of MPA Parents of Alumni met at Jax Cafe on November 17 to kick off the season.

“Our role as board members of Parents of Alumni is planning, fun and fun planning!” states POA Board Chair, Linda Goodno. “We enjoy a holiday event every year in addition to our regular four board meetings. It’s such a great way to keep connected with MPA as well as meet new friends.” Every parent is a member of Parents of Alumni when their student graduates. No dues, no fundraising, just fun and connection. If you have an interest and would like to join the fun, please contact POA Secretary Amanda Campbell at a.m.ploog@gmail.com.


Alumni Connect with Phillipe Thao

We’re catching up with Phillipe Thao ’14 in the first episode of our new video series “Alumni Connect.” While at MPA, Phillipe discovered his love of writing thanks to MPA’s English teachers. After attending DePaul University, Phillipe has been pursuing his passion for creative writing and now works on exciting projects for Netflix and has been published in the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and more! Phillipe is a testament to the incredible achievements of our alumni! Check out the full instastory here. If you are interested in being our next featured alum contact alumni@moundsparkacademy.org, we would love to hear your update!


Alumni Holiday Shopping Guide

Tis the season for holiday shopping. Submit your business to be featured in the 2022 Alumni Holiday Shopping Guide! We’ll be featuring submissions all season long. Take advantage of this free promotional opportunity! Do you have videos or photos to include in your feature? Please email them to agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org.

Steps for Submission:
1. Visit the @alumnimpa page on Instagram, click the link in the bio and select 2022 Holiday Shopping Guide.
2. Fill out your detailed information.
3. Stay tuned for updates on your submission!


Host Family Needed For Semester Two

Dear MPA Community,

Do you have a desire to expand your family’s perspective of the world? A room to spare? Space in your heart for another family member? MPA is seeking a host family for a new Upper School international students for the second half of the 2022-23 school year and beyond.

As you and your family consider hosting, please review the MPA Host Family Recruitment Flyer and Host Family Application.

STIPEND

  • A monthly stipend will be directly deposited in installments of $900/month on the first of each month for the previous month, January through June. January and June will be prorated.

TRANSPORTATION

  • Host families are responsible for providing transportation to and from school and school-related activities.
  • Host families will work with their student in scheduling rides for social events.

MEALS

  • All international students will receive the MPA school lunch. Host families and students do not need to pack lunches.
  • Host families are responsible for providing two meals on all weekdays and three meals on all weekend days.

We hope you’ll consider opening your hearts and homes to one of our international students! Give it some thought, and if interested, please reach out to me for additional information and/or to begin the process of becoming a host family. I would love to have a conversation with you!

Thank you so much for considering,

Cory Becker-Kim
International Student Program Coordinator
Advanced Language and Culture Teacher
cbeckerkim@moundsparkacademy.org