Lower School Archives

Lower School Division News April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

from Renee Wright, Lower School Director

MPA Book Festival
The Mounds Park Academy Book Festival has been a cherished event over many years. The purpose of the book festival is to foster the joy and love of reading for all ages. Funds raised from book purchases go toward supporting the MPA library and directly impact students. This event is sponsored by the MPA Parents Association in conjunction with faculty and staff.

On Tuesday, April 5 Lower School students participated in the book festival kick-off assembly to begin the celebration. The assembly was hosted by Renee Wright, Nancy Lage, and Michelle Mick, member of the MPA Parents Association and book festival organizer. Each student was presented with a book festival bookmark with information for families.

The theme of the book festival is “superheroes.” Students were reminded that they are all superheroes and their superpowers can change the world. A brand-new book was shared with students entitled, “Our World is a Family,” by Miry Whitehill and Jennifer Jackson. The message shared in the book is that the world is one big family and everyone must be welcomed. We can use our superpowers to make others feel welcome. Read More

Parents Association Book Festival & April Events

April 7, 2022

Book Festival
Tuesday, April 5-Sunday, April 17
MPA’s beloved annual Book Festival is here! The goal is to promote the joy of reading and connect with the MPA community through our shared enjoyment of reading. This year we have a hybrid model with some on-campus events and online book purchasing from our booksellers, Usborne and Valley Bookseller. If you have any questions, please email michelle_wessely@yahoo.com.

Proceeds from the used book sale and purchases made through the booksellers benefit the MPA library so every purchase you make will help support our wonderful library, a great resource for both students and families. Read More

Rigor With Purpose

March 31, 2022

I enjoyed the opportunity last Friday to visit with fifth-graders about their SEEK (Science, Experiments, Explorations, and Knowledge) Projects. A tradition for more than 20 years, Middle School Science Teacher Courtney Nagle describes SEEK as “the scientific method on steroids!”

As I wandered around the Family Commons, I was impressed by the variety of scientific experiments students chose and was struck by their curiosity. In particular, I was delighted with their ability to critique their project, talk about what they would do differently next time, and how what they learned could be applied in other contexts. The SEEK Project is an excellent example of what we at MPA call “rigor with purpose.”

Rigor is different from difficulty. Traditional applications of rigor most often entail more and harder assignments that are “pushed down” from the teacher and “piled on” to the student. In reality, such an understanding of rigor requires little more than lower-level thinking skills such as factual recall and procedural regurgitation rather than greater cognitive complexity. At MPA, rigor with purpose is meaningful learning that goes deeper to challenge students’ thinking in new and exciting ways. Read More

Parents Association Book Festival Announcement

March 31, 2022

Book Festival
Tuesday, April 5-Sunday, April 17
MPA’s beloved annual Book Festival is almost here! We’ll have many fun book-centered activities, including stories to help unwind in the evening, and our padlet board for sharing your favorite read. Click here to add to the padlet board. The Book Festival’s goal is to promote the joy of reading and connect with the MPA community through our shared enjoyment of reading. This year we have a hybrid model with some on-campus events and online book purchasing from our booksellers, Usborne and Valley Bookseller, more details coming soon.

Used Book Sale
The Book Festival Committee is asking for donations of gently used books and music that will be available for sale (25 cents for paperbacks, $1 for hardcovers) during the Book Festival. Look for donation carts at the North and South entrances from March 24-April 15. We welcome books for all ages!

MPAPA One Book, One Community: Book Club with Dr. Hudson April 14, at 6:30 PM
Please join us for a lively discussion of Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel! The PA will be purchasing books for those who would like to take part. Let us know if you plan on attending the book club, and whether or not you would like a copy of the book provided to you. Please fill in this google form to order the book and sign up for the book club.

Meet The Soto Álvarez Family

March 29, 2022

Meet the Soto Álvarez family! Current parents Diana and Michael are joined by their MPA kindergartener, Lucas, to share their MPA story.

What do you love about MPA?
Lucas: I have a lot of friends. And on the school’s birthday, we got cupcakes! I like my French class. I also like my classroom because that’s where my friends are.

Diana & Michael: Everyone is so welcoming. And it is clear that the programs and offerings are incredibly well thought out.

What initially attracted you to MPA? Do your same needs/desires hold true today?
Lucas: My mommy and daddy picked it, but it was a good decision.

Diana & Michael: We wanted a school that was excellent academically, but that also took a holistic approach to the student. We value that MPA cultivates active community members and social change agents. We like how design thinking has been interwoven throughout the school. And we were blown away by the quality of the ceramics projects on display! Over the past several months we have seen Lucas growing and learning in a range of ways, including how to use his “emotional toolbox” to handle difficult situations. Read More

Welcoming Back Smiling Faces

March 24, 2022

From Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, Director of Development and Community Engagement

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.

If you’re like me, over the past few weeks, you may have been reflecting on how different our spring breaks were two years ago compared to this year. Two years ago, my two kiddos and I were enjoying a memorable trip to New York City, gearing up to take in Broadway shows and the many sites. Halfway through the trip, major sports teams, businesses, public spaces, and what felt like the entire country began to shut down due to this new virus that was sweeping across the world. One day we were walking through the bustling Times Square, and the next day I was worried about our ability to get a flight back home.

Two years in, so many things in our lives continue to be different, but I am so happy to see many areas returning to our new normal. Seeing many of your students’ smiling faces as we made the move to masks being optional, having parents back in our hallways, and being together to build community have been wonderful steps forward. Read More

Understanding MPA Athletics

March 3, 2022

from Dan Haase, Athletic Director

At Mounds Park Academy, we believe athletics complement the total academic experience and development of the student. Students learn a great deal from their participation in interscholastic athletics. Concepts such as teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership, self-confidence, self-esteem, and developing a healthy body are all vital components of our Upper School athletic programs.

Athletics at MPA strive to provide an opportunity to all students to discover their interests, improve their skills, and have fun enjoying the activity with their friends. To accomplish this, MPA practices a no-cut policy in all athletic programs. A no-cut athletic policy allows inclusion to all interested students who would like to become a member of a team. Teams are established based on the interests and registrations of each of our programs.

MPA is proud to offer 23 Upper School athletic offerings for students in grades 9-12 and is a member of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). The MSHSL provides uniform and equitable rules for students in extracurricular activities, and they promote, manage, and administer athletic programs for students at members schools on a Subsection, Section and State level.

MPA is also a member of the Independent Metro Athletic Conference (IMAC). The IMAC consists of six mission-driven independent college preparatory schools. The IMAC conference was formed in 2014 based upon an agreement with the Blake School, Breck School, Minnehaha Academy, Providence Academy, and St. Paul Academy. The conference was formed in the interest of keeping an appropriate perspective on the role of athletics in secondary education. Read More

Cultivating Scientists For The World

February 24, 2022

from Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

While walking the indoor track in the Lansing Sports Center last Friday, I took note of a large wooden structure assembled on Court Four. I had a hunch that it was a model constructed by our students on the FIRST Robotics team. If you are not familiar with FIRST Robotics, it is an international organization that combines “the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.” I’ve been to several competitions, and I have to agree. According to FIRST Robotics, “teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team ‘brand,’ hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get.”

FIRST Robotics is a terrific example of inquiry and problem-based activities that align with our MPA science philosophy of fostering creative, inquisitive, and critical thinkers. The science department is firmly rooted in the idea of the “citizen scientist,” a term that encompasses scientific research, concepts, and principles and public engagement in order to expand the reach, relevance, and impact of science to the whole of society in service of the common good. It is true that a number of MPA graduates go on to become doctors and scientists. It is also true that when they chose other fields of studies or careers, MPA graduates carry with them the knowledge and experience of how science impacts our world.

What is unique about the MPA science philosophy and curriculum is the emphasis on engaging students in the application of scientific method, principles, and research to real-world problems and nurturing important competencies and skills. Taking an inquiry-based approach, students working individually or collaboratively come to understand how content is useful and can be applied to everyday problems, both large and small. The following are only a few examples of our distinctive approach in action. Read More

Lower School Division News February 24, 2022

February 24, 2022

from Renee Wright, Lower School Director

CHAMP Service Project
At our CHAMP assembly on February 23, second graders shared the book, “The Power of One,” by Trudy Ludwig and reminded us that we can each make a difference in our community. As Ludwig says in the final lines of her book, “Acts and words of kindness DO count, and it all starts with ONE.” The CHAMP birthday bag service-learning project during the month of February inspired our students to generously support Emma’s Place, a local shelter, and make a difference. Individually students donated coins, and birthday items so children at the shelter would have the opportunity to celebrate their birthday.

Collectively, our students raised $1,287.26 and met their goal to make 60 birthday bags. Our students also donated 59 cake mixes, 40 frosting mixes, 27 boxes of candles, and 5 containers of sprinkles. Their generosity will enable children at Emma’s Place to feel loved and special on their birthday when they receive a special birthday bag. Each birthday bag will include a toy, books, game, and items to make a birthday cake. Lower School student decorated birthday bags for these items and made birthday cards to wish the children at Emma’s Place a very happy birthday.

Report Cards Are Available To Parents Monday, February 28
Second trimester report cards will be emailed to parents on Monday, February 28. Lower School teachers have worked hard to give you a comprehensive snapshot of your child’s work in the classroom. I suggest setting aside time to review the report card keeping in mind that the purpose of the report card is to share students’ academic progress based on learning expectations and standards for each grade level. The report card also provides insights into your child’s work habits, social skills, and emotional growth. Take time to recognize your child’s strengths and acknowledge growth. Look for areas that challenge your child and need further attention and practice.

Our teachers believe it is necessary to share all or part of the report card with your child based on his/her/their developmental level or grade level. Make reviewing the report card together a celebration of all that has been accomplished thus far in the school year. Set goals together for areas of improvement and get a plan for how to reach these goals. If you or your child have questions or need additional information don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. Read More

Meet Retired Faculty Member—Maureen Conway

February 24, 2022

Position while at MPA
Upper School Social Studies Teacher

How many years did you work at MPA?
30? You’d have to check. I think I started in 1983 and left in 2014. I was never any good with numbers…..

What do you miss most about MPA?
Watching young people struggle to understand the forces that made their world and witnessing their emerging determination to shape their future. It was heartbreakingly beautiful. Never surrender, you wonderful people!

What have you been up to since leaving MPA?
I vaguely remember a brief window between retirement and COVID. I believe it was filled with amazing grandchildren, family and friends, fabulous trips, an ill-fated but on-going crusade to master the French language and a menacing orange presence.