Lower School

Reflecting on Safety and Community In Light Of The Recent Tragedy

September 5, 2024

Campusfrom Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

The recent school shooting in Georgia has deeply affected me, both as a parent and as the head of our school. The tragedy of losing innocent lives in a place of learning is heart-wrenching and fills me with profound sadness. My thoughts are with the families of the students and teachers who were killed and with the Apalachee High School community.

In the wake of such events, it’s natural to have concerns about the safety and security of our own children at school. I want to assure you that I have full confidence in our security measures and a deep trust in the strength of our school community. Nonetheless, we remain vigilant and committed to continuous improvement. I’d like to outline our approach to ensuring safety and security at MPA.

Our focus is not solely on security but also on fostering a positive school culture—a broader concept that encompasses both security measures and the values we uphold as a community. While security involves physical protocols and practices—what some might refer to as “hard” security—school culture encompasses the values and relationships that connect us all. Balancing these aspects is a crucial part of my role as head of school. Read More

Get Ready For The Ice Cream Social!

August 29, 2024

ice creamLet’s celebrate the start of an incredible year! Make plans to join us for a beloved MPA tradition, the Ice Cream Social on Friday, September 6, from 3-4 PM on the South Lawn! This is an all-school opportunity to connect with one another, enjoy a sweet treat, and meet our new families.

Details For Lower School Families
If you are planning to attend, please meet your child at their classroom door and notify your child’s homeroom teacher in advance. Otherwise, we will send your child on the bus or to the drive thru lane as usual. All Lower School students must be directly supervised by an adult to get their ice cream.

Details For All Families
A sundae bar with all of the fixings will be available for students and their families. The ice cream will be peanut and tree nut free and provided by YoYo Donuts. All of the sundae bar toppings will be peanut and tree nut free and provided by SAGE. JonnyPops Organic Freezer Pops will be available at a separate station for food-allergic students. This should be safe for all MPA students, but it is not guaranteed. Ingredients will be available for review by parents or can be found at the link above. Because any frozen treat could be messy on a bus, bus riders will be sent home with allergy-friendly Partake cookies (free of top-9 allergens, gluten-free, vegan, OU Kosher). All students at Panther Club and Panther Den will be taken outside for a treat and supervised accordingly by Panther staff. Middle School students may navigate the event with or without a parent. If they are without a parent, they should be able to manage any allergies they may have.

If you have any questions or would like more information about ingredients, please contact communications@moundsparkacademy.org. See you there!

Emotional Milestones

August 29, 2024

headsmessagefrom Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Welcome (back) to MPA and another fantastic school year!

Whether you’re a returning family or a family with one of the 103 new students joining the MPA community this year, it’s a fresh start and a new beginning for all of us.

First, I apologize for not being with you last week for Back To School Night. Instead, I was in Tucson, dropping my daughter off at the University of Arizona for her first year of college. I managed to keep my emotions in check—until we returned home, and I passed by her bedroom. The door was open, her bed was made, and her room was spotless—three things that had never been true before. After 34 years in education, helping launch hundreds of students into their futures, I knew saying goodbye would be hard. I just didn’t realize how hard.

Dropping a child off at college for the first time is a deeply emotional milestone for parents. In many ways, it parallels the experience of entrusting your child to a new school or, even for returning students, beginning a new school year. You and I are likely navigating similar emotions right now—moments that signify significant transitions in the parent-child relationship and mark our children’s growing independence. There’s also the natural anxiety about how our children will adapt to a new environment, whether it’s the magical world of kindergarten, a new grade, or the independence of college. Rest assured, our exceptional faculty and staff are dedicated to ensuring a successful transition and making a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of our students every single day. Read More

Lower School Division News August 29, 2024

August 29, 2024

LS Division Newsfrom Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Monday, September 2: No Classes, Labor Day
  • Tuesday, September 3: Alumni Current Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
  • Wednesday, September 4: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-9 AM, Family Commons
  • Friday, September 6: School Photos, 7:30 AM-12 PM, Indoor Track, Non-Uniform Day
  • Friday, September 6: Ice Cream Social, 3-4 PM, South Lawn
  • Thursday, September 12: MS/LS Curriculum Night, 6-8 PM, Classrooms
  • Sunday, September 15: Admission & Indexed Tuition Applications Open
  • Friday, September 20: LS Duty-Free Lunch with Parent Volunteers, 11:30 AM-12:45 PM, Playground and Family Commons

Welcome (back) to the MPA Lower School!

Since the first day, the children have embarked on their exciting learning journey for the 2024-25 academic year. The start of the year was remarkable in its positivity, with many smiling faces, buzzing classrooms, and happy children. Thank you for partnering with us as we offer a warm welcome and homecoming for our learners! As we look toward the coming months, please note that every week, a Panther Post will come to your inbox, chock full of helpful information, reminders, and news with every other week including Division News. Please read on for some insights for the next few weeks:

Revised Lower School Uniform Policy

At Mounds Park Academy, our Lower School students benefit from wearing uniforms, as they contribute to a positive and equitable school climate and a sense of belonging. Uniforms help to underscore consistency and cohesion while also emphasizing each student’s dignity and well-being. Our uniform policy is designed to be gender inclusive. Any student can wear any part of the uniform. Parents are welcome to source the items from various retailers and price points. Please note that we have revised our uniform policy in the Lower School to be more inclusive and practical. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions! Read More

Welcome to MPA, Mandi Wilson!

August 15, 2024

WilsonWelcome to MPA, Mandi Wilson! Mandi started as a Pre-K teacher on August 14, and we are so excited to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Children’s House Montessori School. (Eau Claire, WI)

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in chemistry. I have a Professional Science Master’s Degree in conservation biology. I subbed for Eau Claire Public Schools before becoming a lead PreK teacher at the Children’s House.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I truly value the emphasis of individual growth, inclusiveness, and the development of a global responsibility. I appreciate the welcoming atmosphere that promotes and celebrates diversity on multiple levels.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
I want our students to feel safe, loved, and appreciated for who they are. I feel lucky to be able to bond with students and families to become a part of their educational journey! Read More

Back To School Details

July 25, 2024

Panther high fives student on back to school nightWe are getting ready for the 2024-25 school year and we hope that you are as excited as we are! Below you will find all of the details about each Back To School event. If you have any questions, please reach out to your division director or the Office of Communications at communications@moundsparkacademy.org.

Thursday, August 22
New Family* Orientation & Back To School Night
*New families are considered those with students who are just joining our school PLUS all returning families with a student in grades PreK, K, 5, or 9 this fall.

  • 4 PM | New Family Arrival, plus all returning families with a student in K, grade 5, or 9
  • 6 PM | Returning Family Arrival
  • 6:15 PM | All-School Welcome Back Assembly
  • 7:15 PM | Departure

NEW FAMILY DETAILED AGENDA >
RETURNING FAMILY DETAILED AGENDA >

Thursday, August 22
School Photos During Back To School Night
Updated Location: Indoor Track

  • 3:45-6 PM | Session One
  • 6:30-7:30 PM | Session Two

We are so delighted to be joining you for Picture Day again this year. Get ready for the BEST PICTURE DAY EVER!

  • School pictures will be happening during the Back To School Night on August 22. Visit mpa.link/schoolphotos to sign up for your arrival window based on the schedule you will follow. If the line is too long, just come back later!
  • If you are unable to attend Back To School Night for pictures or would prefer to have them taken on a school day, the second Picture Day will be Friday, September 6. Retake Day will be Tuesday, October 1.
  • Lower School students do not wear uniforms for Picture Day.
  • Be sure to add hello@slowroadphoto.com to your email contacts to ensure you receive all the communications and info from us. You will hear from us directly via email on August 15.
  • Please feel free to check out the resources available on our website, including our Parents’ Guide at mpa.link/parentguide.
  • If you have any questions regarding Picture Day or image ordering and delivery, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at hello@slowroadphoto.com.
  • If you have any questions regarding Picture Day or image ordering and delivery, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at hello@slowroadphoto.com.

SIGN-UP FOR A PICTURE TIME >
Read More

Reflections From Parents Of The MPA Class Of 2024 Lifers

July 12, 2024

Class of 2024 graduatingParents of Lifers are those who chose MPA for their children every year for all 13 years of their education. Right before they graduated from MPA, we interviewed the Class of 2024 Lifers in a group reflection on their MPA journeys. After hearing their touching reflections, filled with gratitude for MPA, advice, and optimism for the future, led us to further expand on the conversation to their parents.

How has MPA’s community supported and shaped your child?

Lisa (Nora ’24): For my kids, I think the opportunity to do a substantial amount of fine arts. They both played in instrumental groups as well as choirs. Athletics has been just a great opportunity–one child did three sports and the other did two.

Katie (Ben ’24): It’s being able to do everything. I felt a fair amount of pressure in high school–which happened to be public high school–and I thought I got a really fabulous education, but I had to do more picking. It was kind of like, “Well, you’re either devoted to this program or you’re going to be devoted to this program.” And I feel like Ben has gotten an opportunity to do a lot of different things. There’s flexibility and a willingness, too. That’s helped make him more well-rounded. In other places, he would’ve dropped off some of these things and really lost out on what is going to end up being life-changing, and now things that I would’ve never imagined him continuing to do in college, he’s going to try to continue to do in college.

Mike (Molly ’24): Being a younger sibling and the kid of an employee, Molly doesn’t remember ever not coming here. She was carried here certainly before she was walking. In her particular case, the community shaped her even in all the time she wasn’t yet a student here. It’s the place where she was always known and looked out for. We’ll take a lot of what happened outside the classroom as much as anything would happen inside.

Mark (Hunter ’24): I think the size. Hunter had the opportunity to do pretty much whatever he wanted and it was good to know that people are always looking out and saying, “Keep moving forward,” because I know kids can get lost in the shuffle.

Jeremy (Jay ’24): Jay’s been able to do so many things. A lead in a play, choir, jazz band, and multiple sports. I always tell him being able to be a big fish in a little pond sometimes is a good thing, because you get to be able to try everything. That has been very special here, those opportunities.

"MPA sets everybody up for success when they're younger. Everybody's happy and willing to help out, and I think the structure that he had here is going to help him later on in life."Kristi (Jay ’24):  The opportunities he’s had across the board. I don’t think he would’ve been in a school play if he was at a different school. And selfishly, I already knew that there were outstanding teachers here–some of them that I had!–so I knew from the get-go what he was getting into and how it was going to help him flourish in school, because I feel like that’s a huge piece too–knowing how supportive and invested all these outstanding teachers are. Read More

Welcome to MPA, Nelle Tokheim!

July 9, 2024

TokheimWelcome to MPA, Nelle Tokheim! Nelle will be joining us as the library assistant later this fall. We can’t wait to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked for St. Paul Public Schools.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a Bachelor of Arts in physical education and health from Luther College. I wound up working in the fitness industry for ten years before staying home for a while with my two kids. When I decided to return to work, I realized that I still enjoyed working in schools with students and that I truly enjoyed connecting with them through books! I have worked at St. Paul Public Schools for the past three years. I have been running the library at one of their elementary schools, and it was a blast!

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA has been part of me for 42 years. I was an MPA Lifer back in the day, and when my family moved back to Minnesota from Colorado, we chose this school because we wanted our kids to feel safe, supported, and part of a community. I love the connection that students have with staff. I also love how the school has grown into its own identity over the years!

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
I want to help kids love books! I don’t want reading to feel like a chore every time. My belief is that reading is reading, whether your child reads chapter books, biographies or graphic novels. Hopefully, I can help students discover what a joy reading a book can be!

What’s your big dream?
To earn my Master of Library Science.

What are you and your family passionate about?
I am passionate about soccer (ask Mr. Scinto)! I played through college and well into my adult years until an injury stopped me in recent years. I attend as many MNUFC games as I can and try to support the MN Aurora as well.

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I met my husband rappelling from the ceiling of a building.

Baa Baa Boutique Brings Community Together

June 18, 2024

Baa BaaBy the time the Baa Baa Boutique closed its doors for the 2023-2024 school year, the MPA Class of 2036 had helped three students receive an education, culminating a collaborative effort by students, teachers, and alums!

The boutique, a service and educational initiative for kindergarteners aimed at fundraising for Heifer International, showcased handmade trinkets crafted by MPA students to generate funds for the cause. The kindergarten class, under the guidance of Ms. Roche and Ms. Petersen, soon received aid from its heavy alum connection. Furthering the boutique’s support featured alumni Chad Nicholson ’97, one of eight alums with children in the class, using his talents to film a commercial to advertise the shop.

Using the multi-faceted support, the Baa Baa Boutique’s donations reached a total of $1,725! A donation competition further bolstered its success, with various categories vying for contributions before ultimately raising $825 to support three students’ education. What an exceptional representation of the combined effort the MPA community turns in regularly!

Welcome To MPA, Mallory Lewis!

June 6, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Mallory Lewis! Mallory will join us this fall as the student success teaching assistant. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked for The Blake School prior to this position.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a bachelor of science in theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This has helped me incorporate a play-based learning approach into my teaching.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The faculty and the students were so kind to me on my first visit! I loved touring around and meeting everyone. MPA has such an air of kindness, and I was delighted to be there.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA?
I hope to leave the students feeling loved, respected, and safe. School should be an inclusive, fun, and welcoming place, and my goal is to foster that space whenever and wherever I can.

What’s your big dream?
I would love to get my master’s degree in psychology!

What are you and your family passionate about?
The arts and animals are very important to me! In my free time, I act professionally and love to sing. Watercolor painting is also a fun hobby of mine! As far as my passion for animals, I have two cats: Benjamin and Binx. I also love reptiles and bats!

What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
I fear fish.