Head’s Message

September 8, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Institutions, like individuals or families, evolve. It is a natural part of life but it can sometimes be challenging and disconcerting. When my legs ached as an eleven-year-old, my father told me to “Walk it off. It’s just growing pains.” This has evolved into my doctor telling me to walk it off, but instead he’s referring to the extra weight I am carrying!

Our society has experienced a great deal of disruption over the last several years. A public health crisis, racial reckoning, political discord, and an uncertain economy coupled with confusion about what is going to happen moment to moment, day to day, week to week, has caused many to feel anxious and stressed. Our amygdala takes over in these times and the prefrontal cortex—the part that learns and plans and creates—isn’t fully engaged. Too much disruption in a short period of time can intensify negative feelings and it is well documented that this has been the case in recent times.

In times of disruption, schools must evolve to meet changing needs. At MPA, this evolution takes shape through a new strategic plan, some new leaders and employees, many new students and families, and some new curricular experiences. These are all good things for an institution because they are opportunities for growth and the results of continuous improvement. As an institution, we have always been committed to growth and improvement—never resting on our laurels—so this is not new or different at MPA. Read More

September 1, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Several years ago, I remember learning from one of our MPA parents about the new 3M research and development lab built along McKnight Road on the 3M campus. Its design was intentional, bringing together scientists from a number of divisions in a space that spurred collaboration and innovation. In addition, 3M has a long-standing practice that allows scientists to spend 15% of their time on a project of their choice. 3M knows that innovation requires time to create, space (physical and figuratively) to collaborate, and resources for implementation.

Tomorrow is the first of four BOLD days that will occur throughout the school year. BOLD stands for Building Opportunities for Learning Distinction and flows directly from 2024ward, our strategic plan. Priority One of 2024ward boldly calls for us to “create custom and personalized pathways of learning for students oriented towards achieving mastery through curricular innovation and by leveraging advances in educational technology.” I get a lot of grief for using the word “bold” as an anachronym, but I like it because it conveys urgency, courage, and confidence to meet the new and emerging needs of our students. Read More

August 25, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I was taken aback yesterday morning when I drove into the north parking lot at 6:10 AM and saw it was filled with cars. I am used to being the first one at school in the morning and was completely disoriented. Then I remembered that this year’s senior class began a new tradition, gathering in the Benz Courtyard together at sunrise to launch their senior year. My first reaction was, “Only at MPA!.” This new tradition, initiated by the seniors, is a wonderful example of what makes MPA such a special school.

I want to officially welcome you to a new school year! I especially welcome our new families who have recently joined the MPA family. It was wonderful to meet and greet so many of you at the Back To School and New Family Orientation event. The deep-seated spirit of joyfulness and community was palpable, and although I was exhausted, it was hard for me to fall asleep Monday night. After two years of health and safety restrictions, it was gratifying to be back together and in person.

In my welcoming remarks to new families, I spoke of the strong partnership between parents and the school. In many independent schools, this special relationship tends to be transactional, built upon the expectation of reciprocity, of both parties getting what they want from one another. I have long felt that the relationship between MPA parents and school is more transformational. In a transformational relationship, there exists a mutual trust built upon shared values and a belief that an MPA education is a partnership in our children’s ongoing growth and development.

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June 2, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Over the long weekend, my family undertook the colossal challenge of cleaning out the storage room in the basement. While I wouldn’t classify myself as a hoarder, I must admit that I have a tendency to save a lot of seemingly useless things. A quick search on Google led me to the following definition: “people with a hoarding disorder have persistent difficulty getting rid of or parting with possessions due to a perceived need to save items.” To be sure, there was a fair share of junk but there were also some treasures that made me feel vindicated.

In one bin, I found a stack of birthday greetings from fourth graders in Ms. Stacy’s class from 2014 in which the students shared what they liked about MPA. What made this find special was that they were written by this year’s graduating class. Here are a few examples:

• “What I like most about MPA is the great lunch variety. I also like that next year when I am in fifth grade I get to stop by at the official salad bar! (I’m kidding but it would be nice.) Anyway, I like how I can make choices on which classes I take when I am older, how we have drama and all those other classes that most people don’t get to take, and once again, a great lunch.”
• “My parents send me to this school because it’s a really good school and you make a lot of nice friends and this was the school for me.”
• “I like MPA because I get to have learning opportunities that other schools don’t have like the Book Fair.”
• “I like MPA because all my great friends are here and the fun teachers. MPA is a great school because everyone is open minded and have great personality (especially the teachers).”
• “One of the reasons Mounds Park is important to me is that the teachers are really nice.”
• “I think MPA is a great school because of all the kids. I just love how they all include each other and play with each other and are really friendly.”
• “I like the risks the school takes to make me happy. I think the new things help us learn, and if not, then they can just stop doing it. I also like the more open-ended responsibilities that the school lets me take control of on my own.”
• “There are a lot of different things that Mounds Park Academy has in store, from great and positive students to awesome fun loving teachers who know how to teach so that the lessons can be fun. MPA also has great class sizes so it is easier to get one on one attention.”

Reading their letters caused me to pause and consider all that has happened over the course of their career at MPA. Our world, our society, and our school community has experienced significant change in many ways since they were in fourth grade. It was the philosopher Heraclitus who said that the only constant in life is change. Without change, there is stagnation, a lack of growth, and no progress. While some people prefer the predictability of the status quo, such stagnation limits the full potential of an individual or institution.

While we’ve had our share of challenges and change this year, what has stayed constant is the spirit of MPA as reflected in the letters of the seniors as fourth graders. The mission and values of MPA have provided the certainty and the inspiration for growth. As I look back over this school year, I delight in the growth of our students, in their resiliency, in their excitement for learning, in their accomplishments, and in their joyfulness.

As the school year draws to a close, I want to thank you for entrusting your children to MPA. I also want to thank you for investing your expertise, volunteering your time, and contributing your financial resources to the school. I am continually in awe of the generosity of the MPA community and grateful for the positive relationship and partnership between parents/guardians and the school. It is hard to let go of our seniors and other students and families who are moving on. However, I am grateful for their impact and contributions to our school community.

As all of us part ways for a few months, I extend my warm wishes for a restful and relaxing summer. I hope you will enjoy time with family and loved ones and look forward to coming together again in August.

May 26, 2022

from Lamar Shingles, Director of Equity and Belonging

One Thursday per month you will see a guest Head’s Message from a member of the Institutional Advancement Team. We hope these additional perspectives will help you catch a glimpse inside the inner-workings of your school.

As the sun begins to set on my first year at MPA, I have become increasingly reflective of my experience over the past 10 months—a cerebral space where many educators find themselves to be on the eve of commencement and summer break. What can I say, introspection is my jam! I have learned so much about education that I didn’t already know and engaged with amazing people across this community. What has really stood out for me and made a profound impact on my experience thus far is the time I’ve spent with students in the Middle and Upper School BIPOC affinity groups.

When I think back on my own experience as one of only a few black students in my class, every day was a reminder that I was different from my peers. I recall my mom’s reaction when I begged her to let me bleach my hair blonde. I remember the feeling I got in the pit of my stomach when racial epithets were read aloud in class text—the bewildered eyes that descended upon me throughout the classroom as my peers searched for my response. Mostly, I remember an overwhelming feeling of loneliness. As a child, I didn’t have the terminology, adolescent social development models, or supportive resources to help define how I felt—but knew, I just wanted to fit in.

So what are affinity groups?

In a recent conversation with two of our Lower School teachers, Ms. Santiago and Mr. Moore, I thought they summed it up very well:

“Affinity groups provide a safe and secure space for students to explore and develop their sense of identity in a facilitated environment where they do not feel isolated, but connected. This enables them to grow into strong advocates for themselves and others”.

Affinity groups provide an opportunity for students to speak from the “I” perspective, at a critical time when they are formulating who they are among their peers and the broader community. These spaces can serve as a powerful mechanism for self and group affirmation by reducing feelings of isolation and discomfort that many students face—and instead, encourages students to be confident and proud of who they are.

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May 12, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I don’t think I ever fully realized the value of college counseling until I came to MPA. I was the first in my family and extended family to go to college. We didn’t have a college counseling office or program when I was in high school, and for the most part, we were left on our own. Although I had a wonderful undergraduate experience, the only reason I initially applied was that there was no application fee or essay required. My worldview was pretty narrow, and my college search did not extend beyond the borders of Michigan. Even the two high schools I worked in did not have such a thoughtful, comprehensive, and personalized college counseling process as we are fortunate to have at MPA.

May is one of my favorite times at MPA because of the many joyful celebrations and events. One in particular, College Choice Day, was celebrated last Wednesday and is on my top 10 list. Sporting their chosen college apparel, seniors gather in and around the College Counseling Office to create their college pennants and feast on cake and punch. The pennants and senior pictures hang in both Upper and Lower Schools. It is enjoyable to see our younger students look for their Upper School buddies and try to find the locations of all of the different colleges and universities on the map.

Fifty-one seniors will be attending 38 different colleges and universities in 19 states and Washington, D.C. They have chosen large research universities, public and private institutions, small liberal arts colleges, Ivies, art schools, and women’s colleges. Students will be attending schools in urban and rural locations that are across town, in-state, and across the country. One student is taking a gap year, and another plans to attend a trade school. Read More