November 18, 2024
from James Lekatz, Middle and Upper School drama teacher and director
For those of you who were involved in the arts at MPA, the fall was full of excitement. As you grabbed our instruments, opened your scripts, or massaged your clay, you knew magic was in store. This week, the Nicholson Center will be filled with music as band, orchestra, and choir start their concert season. In November, the Middle School play, “Little Women” will open. Walk around the school, and you will see the walls covered in kindergarten to 12th-grade artwork. MPA vibrates with art! We are so lucky to have the arts as one of the main tenants of the school. MPA believes in the transformative power of the arts and arts education, a counter and radical mentality to the world we live in. We are looking forward to seeing alumni in the audience for these vital moments of joy.
As the arts are always pushing us forward, I am looking toward the spring. This is my second year at MPA, and I have seen the show posters around the garden level. What high school produces “Candid,” “Anyone Can Whistle,” and “Marat/Sade”? How were these productions able to take place? How big were those orchestras? I have met a handful of MPA alumni, and some of your favorite memories of MPA include the musical. I have heard wonderful stories of community, transformation, and sometimes regret for not starting sooner in the department.
This year’s musical is The Wizard of Oz, and here is where you come in. While you will not be in a costume on stage, we are looking to grow our orchestra pit. If you are a musician who plays an instrument, would you like to join us? Would you consider sitting side by side with current MPA students, filling out the sound of that iconic score, and sharing your joy of the arts with us?
Please contact Hannah Lawson, orchestra director, hlawson@moundsparkacademy.org or James Lekatz, Middle and Upper School drama teacher and director, at jlekatz@moundsparkacademy.org to learn more.
One of the most frequent questions asked of our admission staff when families are first exploring our school is, “Tell me about homework” or “How much homework do students have at Mounds Park Academy?” MPA’s philosophy is that homework should always affirm and confirm what students have learned in class. In other words, homework should be about practice. When homework is designed this way, it leads to students taking responsibility for their assignments because they understand how to approach it. Our end goal is that students will find motivation within themselves to succeed. We also work to teach our students balance. We want them to be able to focus on their academic achievements, but also be in the musical, or play soccer, or participate in debate. It is important that students can handle the responsibility of homework without them drowning in it. Rigor at MPA is not the amount of homework you have or the number of hours you spend studying. Rigor at MPA is a deep and meaningful inquiry.
from Paul Errickson, Middle School director
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
The school day PreK-12 MPA Preview is Friday, December 13, 8:30-10 AM! With community members as your hosts, you’ll visit classrooms to see students and teachers in action and end the morning with an opportunity to ask any specific questions you may have. If you will be bringing a child, please do let us know!
MPA Middle School French teachers Evelyn Johnson, Jessica Blue, and Liz DesLauriers were searching for a possible project to bring out a collaborative effort by their students.
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director and director of the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning 
from Paul Errickson, Middle School director
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school