Head's Message Archives

September 21, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

When I first heard that Lower School Music Teacher Mari Espeland was introducing her second graders to musician Lionel Hampton and to jazz, I had to see for myself. I thought I was going to simply observe a class, but I was drawn in as a participant, singing, dancing, and learning alongside the students. As a master teacher, Ms. Espeland wove together the basic musical foundation of rhythm and beat in jazz with a history lesson of race in America through the life of Lionel Hampton. I don’t know about the music education you received at this age, but I know this wasn’t part of mine.

I am continually amazed by the incredible music program we have at MPA. Students benefit from early and sustained music education that not only fosters a life-long appreciation for music, but engages students in making music, aesthetic appreciation, and creating beauty. Education in general, and most self-contained gifted and talented programs in particular, sacrifice time for the arts in favor of time for a narrow STEM-related curricula. I think that is a mistake and counter to good pedagogy. It also runs counter to the MPA mission.

What Are You Afraid Of?

September 14, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I am deathly afraid of heights. The higher floors of office buildings or hotels terrify me. Scary movies, too. My mother still teases me about making my father stay up with me to watch A Nightmare on Elm Street when I was home from college one summer.

What are you afraid of? Lower School students gave voice to their fears yesterday morning in the first CHAMP Assembly of the year and made plans to overcome them throughout this school year. Some responses included speaking in front of a crowd with confidence, scary movies, swimming, starting at a new school, competing at a karate tournament, and doing their best in kindergarten.

CHAMP stands for Character Happens At Mounds Park, and is the Lower School character development program. This year’s character trait is courage, defined as “facing your fears with confidence and being brave.” Nelson Mandela was used as a role model as students learned about the courage he demonstrated when he peacefully fought apartheid in South Africa.

“When Everyone Comes Back”

September 7, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” I was recently at a meeting when someone shared that famous quote from Peter Drucker to emphasize the importance of culture as foundational for organizational success. Clearly strategy is important, yet it will certainly fall flat without engaged, motivated, and cohesive employees who share a common purpose.

As we approach Homecoming in a couple weeks, I found myself thinking about the strong culture at MPA. Educational research is clear that a strong culture leads to higher levels of student achievement. In the ISACS survey administered last year, 85 percent of students agreed that MPA is a caring community, high above the independent school benchmark. A whopping 96 percent of parents agreed as well, also above the benchmark. In the words of one parent, MPA “is a positive nurturing environment. It provides the best well-rounded education I think you can get in Minnesota.”

We Make Meaning

August 24, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Walking through the halls today, one can feel the energy and joyfulness as the MPA community comes together once more. I have been struck by the goodwill and genuine warmth as I see students greet one another, parents reconnect with each other, and teachers welcoming students to their classrooms.

Our Solar Eclipse Viewing Party on Monday was evidence of the strength of the MPA community. There was a wealth of opportunities available to view the eclipse offered by towns and libraries, museums, and nature centers throughout the metro area, yet more than 400 choose to experience it here at MPA. Coupled with educational activities, the event expressed what makes MPA unique—hands-on, experiential, and joyful learning.

Joyful is also the word I would choose to describe Back to School Night. Even those who lament getting up early or the return of homework were swept up in the joy of coming back to school. I am continually surprised by how much a child can grow in just a few short months and how much more mature they become. I enjoyed hearing many wonderful stories of summer adventures and achievements.

Ideas for a Learning-Rich Summer

June 8, 2017

By Dr. Bill Hudson, Mounds Park Academy Head of School

Summer was made for students. That might sound counterintuitive for the head of an independent PreK–12 school to say, but please hear me out.

Consider the words that best describe the students who call MPA home: freethinkers, free spirits, risk takers, right makers. Dreamers and doers. Throughout the school year, we promote these qualities across our academic and extracurricular activities. We create days that are filled with wonder so that students emerge from each year even more joyful, confident, and creative than they were in the fall.

Then summer comes. Extra time, a slower pace, and beautiful weather, all set the perfect stage for MPA students, and all children, to continue developing those qualities on their own and with their families.

Full Circle

June 1, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

My grandmother used to say that everything comes full circle, that in one way or another, we end up where we began. As we mark the end of the school year, we celebrate the ways in which the academic careers of our graduating seniors have come full circle.

This past week was the seniors’ last at MPA. They celebrated in a number of ways, including a fun senior “prank.” (I must share with you that MPA is the only school I know of where the seniors work with the administration in advance to plan their prank.) Upper School teachers served them waffles for breakfast and I treated them to Chipotle for lunch. For me, the lunch comes full circle from last fall when I met with them in groups of 10 over lunch and asked them to share with me their college dreams. Having come full circle, they received offers of admission from 113 different colleges and universities in 31 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada. Next fall they plan to matriculate to 33 different schools in 14 states.

Honoring MPA’s Luminares

May 25, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I am notorious for having eyeglasses covered with fingerprints and smudges. I don’t always take the time to slow down and clean them on a regular basis. My mother would often exclaim, with equal parts resignation and frustration, “It’s a wonder you can see anything with those glasses!” She tells me the same thing about the windows in our house, admonishing me for letting them get so dingy. Mothers are always right, of course, and when I do clean them, I really do see and appreciate the difference, seeing the world anew, with a degree of clarity.

Let’s Talk About Digital Citizenship

May 18, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

In the battle with my children over the internet, the Circle has become my favorite tool and their nemesis. If you haven’t heard of it, it is a device that connects to the home Wi-Fi and enables parents to set limits on what children are accessing online, when they can access it, and for how long. It allows us to monitor and filter what and how Mateo and Ari are using the internet. It drives the kids crazy, but gives us parents a modicum of relief in the never-ending, always contentious, struggle over screen time and technology.

The advancement of technology has made navigating childhood and adolescence increasingly complex, not only for students but for their parents as well. In particular, social media and online safety have been of particular concern. Although the research on the effects of internet use on adolescent social development is inconclusive, educators are working to better understand social interactions through technology in the larger context of adolescent development so they can help students grow into healthy and happy adults.

Head’s Message: Differentiated and Personalized Learning at MPA

May 11, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Several years ago, a battle was waging between parents in the form of bumper stickers. For every “My Child is on the Honor Roll at Lakeside Elementary,” there was one that read, “All Children are Honored at Creekside Elementary.” The bumper stickers were symptomatic of an overall conversation about how to meet the needs of all learners. The problem, in my opinion, was that the conversation focused on only one dimension of education, the intellect. There is more to education than ability.

While I don’t see as many of those bumper stickers as I once did, educators have yet to find the appropriate way to frame the conversation that is inclusive of all learners, on both ends of the spectrum. Special education programs have been mainstream for many years. In recent years, many school districts have created discreet gifted and talented programs. Together with comprehensive programs, these offerings segment learners in order to meet their needs.

Head’s Message: Coming Together

May 4, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending our school’s production of Pippin. I am impressed on so many levels with the accomplishments of our students. The singing was phenomenal, the music was beautiful, and the acting and staging was excellent. I was also struck by the diversity of the cast and crew. Students from across all three grade levels, peer groups, and interests were represented. It was an “MPA Moment” that captured the mission of our school.