Lower School Archives

August 20, 2017

It seems like just yesterday we were sharing, Ideas for a Learning-Rich Summer. Now, here we are preparing for the start of school. The back-to-school transition is upon us, and our school community is bustling with excitement.

Everyone, children and adults alike, handles transition differently. Some people naturally embrace it, celebrating and welcoming the change. Others worry about the unknowns or focus on what they didn’t accomplish, instead of what they did, dampening their enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

Wherever you are on the back-to-school-enthusiasm spectrum—and we find that most Mounds Park Academy students and family are high on the scale—we hope that our Lower School families in particular will find some useful tips below as you prepare for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Celebrate The Summer

For parents of school-age children, particularly those in elementary school, summer days can swing from moments of pure joy to ones of frustration. You can wish for the summer to never end one minute, and then beg for late August to arrive the next. That’s why we think it’s important to reflect on the summer as a whole and celebrate the adventures, big and small, that made up your 2017 summer. Here are some suggested ways to celebrate the summer:

Spend a carefree afternoon. Summer should include some relaxation, yet in today’s world, relaxation can be rare. So lounge by a lake, on a beach or in a hammock in these remaining days of summer and enjoy some quiet time.
Create a photo book of summer memories. This could be as simple as creating a collage with photos printed on a home printer. Engage your child in its creation and reflect on their favorite parts of the summer.
Draw pictures of your best family memory or write a story about it. Grab the crayons or the markers and some paper and draw or write away. Don’t let your child have all the fun, though. Release your inner
Focus on what you accomplished, not what you didn’t. Many people start the summer with a long list of potential summer activities. Often we run out of time to pursue them all. Celebrate what you did do instead of starting the school year with a pang of we-didn’t-quite-get-to-that regret.

“I take time to reflect and write down everything I did (big or small) that I can remember. My list usually ends up being so long that I cannot believe I did so much in such a short time. I end up being very excited about all the things I did that summer and look forward to making a new school-year list.” – Karen Rossbach, MPA Lower School and Upper School Art Teacher

Welcome To The Family

August 9, 2017

Enjoy these extended profiles of the amazing faculty and staff joining our community in the 2017-18 school year!

Mr. Dylan Brodeur
What position will you be holding? Fourth Grade Teacher
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I majored in philosophy at Tufts University and earned my Master of Arts in teaching at Brandeis University.
What school/organization are you coming from? I previously taught third grade at the Downey School in Westwood, Massachusetts.
What did you find appealing about MPA? I was drawn to MPA because of its focus on building character and on student-driven academics.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? I am looking forward to reading the stories that my students will write.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? My son is two and a half, and his new favorite game is “going to work,” which can involve a toy toolset, a ukulele, and/or crawling into a large cardboard box.

Mr. Thomas Connors
What position will you be holding? Custodial Supervisor
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. Industrial Tech, Rhode Island College. Telecommunications Specialist, U.S. Coast Guard.
What school/organization are you coming from? North Central University
What did you find appealing about MPA? Working with Vern Kissner!
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Working with the MPA staff and faculty.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I love the outdoors … camping, hiking, golf, boating, hunting. I am fluent in Morse Code, which I learned during my time in the Coast Guard. I also play the drums.

Ms. Ashley Cooper
What position will you be holding? Middle & Upper School Counselor
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in family social science. In 2015, I completed my master’s degree in counseling psychology at Bethel University in Saint Paul. I’m currently seeking my professional clinical counseling license.
What school/organization are you coming from? I most recently completed two years as a School-Linked Mental Health Therapist at Thad Wilderson & Associates, where I conducted individual and family psychotherapy with students in grades K-12 at various Saint Paul Public Schools. Prior to my role as a mental health therapist, I worked at MPA for seven years as a staff member with Breakthrough Twin Cities.
What did you find appealing about MPA? MPA is a tight-knit, holistic, and student-focused community. I am inspired by the continuous rays of curiosity, kindness, intentionality, innovation, and love of learning that emulates from faculty, staff, administrators, and students alike. We are a building of learners and “do-good”ers!
What are you most looking forward to this school year? I am most looking forward to building personal relationships with MPA students and families this year!
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I’ll be marrying an MPA alum and running my fifth marathon in New York City in November 2017!

Ms. Lauren Hernandez
What position will you be holding? Communications and Marketing Coordinator/Graphic Designer
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I graduated from DePaul University in 2016 with a bachelor’s in journalism.
What school/organization are you coming from? North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois.
What did you find appealing about MPA? From the start, MPA was warm and welcoming. I could immediately tell that students, faculty, and staff all love coming here to dream big and do right every single day.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Becoming part of this wonderful community!
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I love to paint, draw, and write.

Ms. Ariel Kitch
What position will you be holding? PreK-12 Curriculum and Technology Integration Specialist
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I grew up in Oregon, attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and then lived in a few places (including Minnesota). I got my master’s in technology education at Columbia University Teachers College.
What school/organization are you coming from? Friends Seminary, a private Quaker school in NYC
What did you find appealing about MPA? The positive comments I heard from current students, parents and teachers. The sense that students were personally invested in their own education.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Getting to know everyone. Collaborating and coming up with new ideas! Trying out new projects.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I am really looking forward to being outdoors more after living in NYC. Camping, cycling, and skiing tips appreciated!

Mr. Doug Pittman
What position will you be holding? Food Service Director
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. Johnson and Wales University, Culinary Arts
What school/organization are you coming from? Vic’s Restaurant
What did you find appealing about MPA? The campus, the area, and the friendly people. Very professional.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Preparing new menu items with a focus on scratch cooking. Mostly meeting my new Guests—the kids, staff, and parents.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I love making people happy with my cooking. I’m hard working and dependable.

Ms. Jess Powell
What position will you be holding? Middle School Physical Education and Health Teacher
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. Graduated from University of Minnesota, Duluth, in 2008. My master’s degree is from St. Mary’s University.
What school/organization are you coming from? Marshall School, an independent 4-12 school in Duluth.
What did you find appealing about MPA? The MPA community is very welcoming, kind, and cares for all learners.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? Meeting all the new students and faculty.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I grew up in Inver Grove Heights and have lived in Duluth for the last 14 years. My husband and I are excited to be closer to family and can’t wait for new adventures. We have a bulldog/puggle named Ruxin.

Mr. Tim Sheehan
What position will you be holding? Lower School/Upper School Physical Education and Health Teacher
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I grew up in La Crescent, Minnesota and attended La Crescent High School. I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas.
What school/organization are you coming from? Woodbury Leadership Academy
What did you find appealing about MPA? I was a student teacher with Mr. Scinto and Mr. McGaha in 2008 while I was at St. Thomas, and I had a wonderful experience. All of the faculty, staff, students, and parents were so welcoming. Since then, I have loved getting to know the community even better through coaching girls soccer and boys basketball at MPA.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? I’m most looking forward to the opportunity to get to know the students and families at MPA!
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I met my wife, a 2003 MPA graduate, while we were coaching at MPA in 2009 and we are expecting our first child in August!

Ms. Becky Tesdahl
What position will you be holding? Lower School Administrative Assistant
Tell us a little bit about your educational background. I graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in sociology.
What school/organization are you coming from? My previous title was financial operations coordinator at CBRE in Bloomington/Edina. Prior to working at CBRE, I worked as an administrative assistant at Menasha Packaging in Lakeville.
What did you find appealing about MPA? The strong sense of culture and community at MPA was very evident to me during the interview process, and that was a huge selling point to me. I am excited to be able to associate myself with such a positive and successful school.
What are you most looking forward to this school year? I am very excited to start this new adventure with MPA! I look forward to meeting and getting to know the students, their families and the staff. I can’t wait to learn more about the school and get involved with everything it has to offer.
Any interesting facts about yourself or your family you would like to share? I just recently moved to Woodbury and got married in June! My husband Bryce is a teacher at East Ridge High School in Woodbury and is also the Boys Basketball Coach. When I am not at work, I love watching Bryce coach by going to his basketball games, exercising, being outside, and spending time with friends and family.

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.

First Graders Sweep Fair Housing Poster Contest!

June 1, 2017

The Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS honored MPA’s first grade class last week for their exceptional entries in the Fair Housing Month Poster Contest! Lucie, Alex, and Mitch took first, second, and third place overall! Congratulations to the entire class for dreaming big about equal opportunity and inclusivity during your social studies unit on community.

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.

Finding The Right Kindergarten

May 26, 2017

by Renee Wright, Mounds Park Academy Lower School Director

What makes a strong kindergarten program? How do you know what will be a good fit for your child? Should you find a program that stresses academics, play, or one that promotes both? Is a public neighborhood school the right choice or a private one with small classes?

There is no one right answer, and every family needs to base the decision on what works best for its individual circumstances and family values. Given our experience at Mounds Park Academy, a private PreK–12 school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, we believe that strong kindergarten programs are places where the following occur: Read More

Advice For Their Kindergarten Friends

May 26, 2017

We asked several members of the Class of 2017 what advice they have for the members of the Class of 2029, current kindergartners. Here are a few of their thoughts …

“Being fair and passionate never goes out of style. Don’t lose sight of what you want to do. Sometimes your kindergarten passion is your lifelong passion. Don’t abandon it too soon.”
–Jack Gangestad

“I would advise the Class of 2029 to be grateful for the opportunities at MPA and to be appreciative of the time they have here, since it goes fast!”
–Eloise Berdahl-Baldwin

Kindergarten Service-Learning Project

April 28, 2017

Our kindergarten students were at Kowalski’s Markets in Stillwater on Saturday, engaged in a service-learning project. Lessons in math, social studies, English, and more prepared them, and they used the money they earned to shop for the North Saint Paul Food Shelf. Many thanks to Kowalski’s for their longtime support of this wonderful project, and to the students for their hard work to help stock the Food Shelf for those in need! Click here see more photos of this project.

Cross-Age Environmental Science Project

April 28, 2017

This week, fourth grade students joined seniors in Ms. Sullivan’s class to learn about pollinators and the role they play in our environment. The Maplewood Nature Center held a pollinator in-service for seniors last week, who in turn passed this knowledge on to the younger students with a short presentation followed by several educational, hands-on stations. This was a great example of how beneficial cross-age relationships are how much our students enjoy interacting with each other PreK-12.

Get to Know a Kindergartner

April 15, 2017

A Q & A With Maahi, MPA Class of 2029

When did you come to MPA and what was the transition like?

I came to MPA … I’m going to say I did it when I was almost … Umm, I don’t remember. Okay, just before the first part of the year. I came in September. For kindergarten. It felt like fun here. When I was in PreK, I cried. Here I didn’t cry because I thought it was a pretty good place.

If you met someone who was unfamiliar With MPA, what would you tell them about our school?

There are so many fun things to do. We have pajama day and we celebrate really cool things about your birthday and there are so many amazing classes. It’s like a party. Kindergarten is so fun. The teachers are nice and tell you that it’s okay to make an accident. You know, you don’t have to do it perfectly.

What is your favorite MPA memory?

My favorite school memory is going outside and feeling how the weather is. And then I also love staying inside and doing beautiful artwork. And some of my favorite memories are in the Monday Morning Meetings … to find out who won the CHAMP awards. And if Mrs. Wright says a kindergartner, it’s so exciting! Read More