Lower School Archives

Lower School Division News January 30, 2025

January 30, 2025

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, January 31: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Agreements Sent
Friday, January 31: January Uniform Sale, 8 AM-3:30 PM, Atrium
Tuesday, February 4: LS/MS Lunch & Learn: G5 Pizza Panel, 11:35 AM-12 PM, Rooms 150-151
Thursday, February 6: LS Duty-Free Lunch with Parent Volunteers, 11:30 AM-12:40 PM, Playground and Family Commons
Thursday, February 6: LS/MS Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Friday, February 7: No LS/MS Classes, Conferences
Friday, February 7: LS/MS Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
Wednesday, February 12: All School Pairing Assembly
Thursday, February 13: LS Valentine’s Day Party, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM, Lansing Sports Center and Family Commons
Friday, February 14: No Classes, Professional Development
Friday, February 14: Panther Club and PreK Closed
Saturday, February 15: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Deadline
Monday, February 17: No Classes, Presidents’ Day
Monday, February 17: Panther Club and PreK Closed
Wednesday, February 19: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons

The Lower School students had a blast celebrating Lunar New Year on January 29, with some Upper School students. We enjoyed learning about the different ways that the new year is celebrated in different countries; we inquired into our zodiac signs, played games, and made crafts, and we had fun watching a wonderful lion dance performance with a local dance troop. Happy Year of the Snake!

Winter FastBridge Assessments

All kindergarten students engaged in the FastBridge assessment for reading and math with learning specialist Mrs. Ross from January 15-24. Students in first through fourth grade who are currently in intervention groups for reading, writing and/or math also completed the FastBridge assessments for the subject(s) in which they receive intervention. Your child’s results will be shared with you at Winter Conferences. Please sign up for a time to see Ms. Ross to discuss your child’s progress.

Semester 1 Reports Sent Home on January 28
Report cards for semester 1 (September through January) were sent home earlier this week. Please let the office know if you need assistance with the report or have any questions. Read More

MPA Seeking International Student Host Families

January 27, 2025

Do you have room to spare? Space in your heart for another family member? A desire to expand your family’s perspective of the world? MPA is seeking host families for international students for the 2025-26 school year!

Between the adults in their school and home lives, our international students feel supported, nurtured, and loved while living so far from their families. This is vital to their success and the strongest testament to everything our MPA host families and staff do to care for our international students.

We would love it if you and your family considered hosting an international student for next school year. As you and your family consider hosting, here are some topics that may arise. The information below is by no means an exhaustive list, but it may answer some of the initial questions you have and prompt additions ones as well:

Stipend

A 10-month stipend of $10,200 will be directly deposited in equal installments of $1,020/month on the first of each month for the previous month, September through June.
An early installment of $500 will be deposited on August 1 in preparation for your student’s arrival; the remaining $500 will be deposited on September 1.
The daily stipend rate of $30/day will be taken from and disbursed to host families who are providing respite care for a student, as needed.

Transportation

Host families are responsible for providing transportation to and from school and school-related activities.
Host families are responsible for providing transportation to and from the airport when the student travels.
Host families will work with their students 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.

By hosting an international student, you and your family have a unique opportunity to bring the language, culture, and perspective of another country into your home, allowing for a truly rich and genuine intercultural experience. The students will love to share their lives with you while becoming a part of your family, exploring Minnesota, and enjoying MPA student life all at the same time.

We hope you’ll consider opening your hearts and homes to one of our international students. If you have any questions, please contact Cory Becker-Kim, International Student Program Director and Advanced Language & Culture Teacher, at cbeckerkim@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-383-8961.

Click here to fill out a Host Family Application, and here for more information. Thank you so much for considering!

Why Alumni Are Choosing MPA For Their Children

January 22, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the January 22 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

The full-circle moment of welcoming alumni back when they bring their own children to MPA is very special. As such a young school, we’ve started to see an upward trend of alumni bringing their children to MPA in recent years. And because the fabric of our alumni community is so unique, we hear a lot of different reasons why; joyful memories of their time here, aligning values, an overall feeling of home, and crediting MPA for preparing them for the world.

“A lot of who I am and who I came to be started in this building and continues to stay with me today,” says Spencer Butts, a class of 1999 MPA alum. “I’ve seen both of my boys, since they’ve been at MPA, learn better study habits and learn how to challenge themselves without being prompted. I think their self-confidence–socially and academically–has changed and improved. MPA really beautifully walks along that fence of making sure that students understand that rigor is an important part of life. But, I think it’s also understood that you have to be able to understand failure to succeed at the end of the day.” This is why Spencer chose MPA for his children.

Like Spencer, our alumni have had transformative experiences at MPA, and they want their children to benefit from the same environment that shaped their own growth–both academically and personally. Alumni returning, and bringing the next generation with them, reflects the lasting impact MPA strives to have on students for a lifetime.

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Lower School Division News January 16, 2025

January 16, 2025

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Monday, January 20: No Classes, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 20: Panther Club Closed
Monday, January 20, PreK Closed
Tuesday, January 21: No Classes, Grading & Professional Development
Tuesday, January 21: Panther Club Closed
Tuesday, January 21: PreK Closed
Wednesday, January 22: MS G4 to G5 Transition Parent Meeting, 8-9 AM, Family Commons
Thursday, January 23: HeadSpace: Meeting Our Educational Promise Through A Competency-Based Approach To Education, 7-8 PM, Thursday, January 23: HeadSpace: Meeting Our Educational Promise Through A Competency-Based Approach To Education, 7-8 PM, Virtual Meeting, Check Email For Link
Friday, January 24: LS PreK to K Transition Parent Coffee, 8:15-9:15 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Friday, January 24: PA Family Trivia Night, 6-8 PM, Family Commons
Wednesday, January 29: January Uniform Sale, 8 AM-3:30 PM, Atrium
Wednesday, January 29: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons
Thursday, January 30: January Uniform Sale, 8 AM-3:30 PM, Atrium
Friday, January 31: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Agreements Sent
Friday, January 31: January Uniform Sale, 8 AM-3:30 PM, Atrium
Thursday, February 6: LS Duty-Free Lunch with Parent Volunteers, 11:40 AM-12:40 PM, Playground and Family Commons
Thursday, February 6: LS/MS Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
Friday, February 7: LS/MS Conferences, 8 AM-3 PM

Welcome back to the Lower School, and welcome to 2025! I trust that you’ve had a restful and rejuvenating winter break and are enjoying seeing your children back in the thick of learning at school. Even amidst freezing temperatures, things are heating up as we explore new units and concepts. Read on for more updates on some exciting events and important reminders!

Winter FastBridge Assessments: January 15-24

All kindergarten students will engage in the FastBridge assessment for reading and math with learning specialist Mrs. Ross from January 15-24. Students in first through fourth grade who are currently in intervention groups for reading, writing and/or math will complete FastBridge assessments for the subject(s) in which they are receiving intervention. Your child’s results will be shared with you at Winter Conferences.

PreK to Kindergarten Transition Parent Coffee: Friday, January 24

To support our PreK families, we warmly invite the parents of our youngest learners to the Library on January 24 from 8:15-9:15 AM to meet the kindergarten teaching team, learn more about the MPA kindergarten program, and get any questions answered about the next step in your PreK children’s journey. All PreK families are welcome to attend, even if your child will enjoy another year in our PreK program! Kindergarten faculty Ms. Katie Roche and Ms. Kristine Petersen along with Ms. Jennifer Le Varge and Ms. Jennifer Jasinski are excited to collaborate with you! If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director, at jlevarge@moundsparkacademy.org. Read More

Announcing The Hudson Fund

January 16, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As I prepare to step away from my role as head of school at Mounds Park Academy at the end of this school year, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey this community has taken together. It has been my deepest honor to serve this extraordinary school, to walk alongside students, faculty, and families who inspire me every day with their strength, compassion, and determination.

When the Board of Trustees kindly asked how they might celebrate my tenure, my thoughts turned not to recognition but to the students who represent the heart of MPA’s mission. It is in their stories—of resilience, courage, and triumph over adversity—that I have found my greatest
fulfillment. Warren Buffet once said, “Tell me who your heroes are, and I’ll tell you how you’re going to turn out.” Truly, students are my heroes, and I am incredibly grateful that the board knew me well enough to establish and work with me to initiate the Hudson Fund for Resilient Students.

This endowed fund embodies our shared commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of the challenges they face, has the opportunity to thrive at MPA. Whether overcoming personal, academic, or socio-economic barriers, these students exemplify the values we hold dear: perseverance, dedication, and the belief that education has the power to transform lives. Read More

The Remarkable Value Of An MPA Education

January 9, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As we approach the midpoint of this academic year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for entrusting us with your child’s education. Returning to school after a long break can be tough for anyone, especially our students, but it was wonderful to see the excitement and joy on the faces of our students on Monday. The privilege of partnering with you to nurture, challenge, and inspire your children is one that I cherish deeply. Today, I invite you to reflect on the extraordinary value of a Mounds Park Academy education and the enduring impact it has on our students, families, and community.

Although we are in the depth of winter, we are already hard at work planning for the 2025-2026 school year. Our outstanding admission team is hard at work fielding inquiries from prospective families and guiding them toward enrollment. In just a few weeks, we will begin the re-enrollment process for returning families. At their January 27 meeting, the MPA Board of Trustees will approve a preliminary budget for the upcoming school year by setting tuition and determining compensation for faculty and staff. This is a challenging task because the decision is made on an enrollment forecast of both new and returning students. However, it is important for parents and guardians to know tuition before re-enrolling, which allows the school to offer work agreements to teachers before spring break. Read More

MPA Experiences At The January 26 Preview

January 9, 2025

We’re thrilled to offer six MPA experiences at the PreK-12 MPA Preview on January 26, 2025! These are formatted for your family to completely customize your time at the event and take part in the hands-on, joyful learning MPA students do every day. In this casual format, you can explore as many sessions as you’d like and switch to a different one at any time. As you explore our classrooms, interact with students and faculty, and experience firsthand our approach to learning, you’ll discover what makes MPA a spectacular place to learn and grow.

Lower School Homeroom Teacher Meet & Connect | Recommended for Lower School
Meet our Lower School teachers! Stop into the homeroom of the grade(s) you’re exploring to meet, connect, and ask any questions you may have for our faculty.

Reach New Heights On The MPA Climbing Wall | Open to all ages PreK-12
Belay on! The MPA climbing wall is open to all skill levels and ages. With MPA physical education teachers as your guides, you’ll receive tips and support to reach new heights.

Behind The Scenes Of “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” | Open to all ages PreK-12
Go behind the scenes of “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” with the cast and crew of the show! You’ll get to tour the set, peek at the makeup and costumes, meet MPA theatre faculty, and explore the magic of our Black Box Theatre. Read More

Warmly Welcoming 2025

January 8, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the January 8 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

The new year has arrived, and MPA’s office of admission is both reflecting on what went well in the past year and dreaming big about what else we can work on as we embark on the next.

Ask around the MPA community, and you’ll hear a recurring theme of our school’s warmth and welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere. We are a close-knit community of students, parents, and educators who believe that everyone thrives when we are inclusive, collaborative, and having fun together. Read More

The Importance Of Play

January 2, 2025

When parents are just beginning to explore early childhood and kindergarten programs for their children, many questions are at the forefront of their minds. Will their child be safe and nurtured but also challenged? At MPA, the answer would be ‘yes’ to these questions. However, parents also question what institutes the proper amount of academic rigor for five to six-year-olds and ask what this rigor should look like in kindergarten.

Mounds Park Academy, one of the top two private schools in Minnesota and one of the nation’s top STEM schools, serves students PreK through 12th grade and features both a PreK and a kindergarten program that deeply believes that play is, in fact, one of the most important components of a successful early childhood and kindergarten program.

Benefits of Play in Child Development

In Suzanne Bouffard’s book “The Most Important Year,” she discusses best practices for the earliest years of school. She explains that successful early childhood programs follow the research, which states “very clearly that children learn through play and this notion that you have to choose between play and academic learning is a false dichotomy.” She writes, “One study showed that you can give children building blocks and let them build whatever they want. Or you can give children building blocks with a goal–to build a landing pad for a helicopter, for example. In both cases, everybody ends up having fun and learning something, but the kids who had a goal actually used richer vocabulary, especially around spatial skills and building concepts.” Read More

Lower School Division News December 19, 2024

December 19, 2024

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, December 20: Caroling with the Madrigal Singers, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni, 7:30-8 AM, Family Commons
Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3: No Classes, Winter Break
Tuesday, December 24-Thursday, December 26: Panther Club and PreK Closed
Wednesday, December 25: MPA Campus Closed
Wednesday, January 1: MPA Campus Closed, Panther Club and PreK Closed
Monday, January 6: Classes Resume
Wednesday, January 8: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons
Wednesday, January 8: HeadSpace: Meeting Our Educational Promise Through A Competency-Based Approach To Education, 7-8 PM, Virtual Meeting Via Zoom

And just like that, another calendar year has almost finished, and a new year is on the horizon. The Lower School has been buzzing with activity as we count down the days left in December.

Semesterly Reports
As announced last school year, the Lower School has made the move to semesterly report cards for our students. The report cards will be sent home each January and June. Semester 1 report cards will be emailed to families on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. We look forward to sharing the progress that each child has made so far and identifying some areas of growth that students will focus on through the rest of the academic year.

Winter Break
MPA’s winter break will kick off on Saturday, December 21, until Sunday, January 5. School will resume on Monday, January 6.

CHAMP Assembly: January 8
At our next CHAMP assembly on Wednesday, January 8, we will celebrate the CHAMP attribute of integrity. Please wear your CHAMP shirts! Read More