Parents Association

December 4, 2025

Thanks to all the parents who joined our inaugural PA Community-Wide Meeting on Monday! We’ll report back in the January edition of Parent Press. In case you missed it, here is our December edition.

Last Chance To Join The Book Club With Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon

Please join Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon and fellow book-loving parents for a discussion of Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel, “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” on Thursday, December 18, from 6-7:30 PM, in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library! Light snacks and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP here by Friday, December 5.

Stories In The Snow Book Festival Is Next Week!

There are still a few slots open to volunteer! It’s not too late to sign up to make this festival a success.

Please visit MPA’s very own Scholastic website to…

• Set up your child’s e-wallet (families may still pay with cash or credit card at the event).
• Donate funds to Share the Fair.
• Preview the books at our Book Festival.
• Shop online from Monday, December 8-Friday, December 21 (25% of every online purchase directly benefits our library).

Book Fair Purchasing Hours

• Monday, December 8-Tuesday, December 9: 7:30 AM-3:30 PM
• Wednesday, December 10: 7:30-8:30 AM, 12-1 PM, 2:30-4 PM (open later due to the after-school event)
• Thursday, December 11: 7:30-8:30 AM, 12-1 PM, 2:30-3:30 PM
• Friday, December 12: 7:30-8:30 AM, 12-12:30 PM

Upcoming Events With MPA Admin!

• Tuesday, December 9: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
• Thursday, January 15: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR (Date Change)

November 20, 2025

There’s “snow” place like the library! Please join us for “stories in the snow” at MPA’s annual book festival on Monday, December 8-Friday, December 12, in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library!

To help us celebrate the long-standing Book Festival tradition, the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books they’ll dive into again and again. Learn more by clicking here!

Sign Up To Volunteer

In order to make this event a success, we need volunteers to staff the browsing times for each of the grades, various times during the week when it is open for perusing & purchasing, and during some special after school events. Read More

November 13, 2025

Join Us! Inaugural Community-Wide Parents Association Meeting

Come together with fellow parents for our inaugural Community-Wide Parents Association meeting on Monday, December 1, from 8-9 AM in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library. This is a great time to get to know each other, what the PA makes happen at the school, and PA board openings for the 2026-27 school year.

In addition, Dr. Lori Anne Brogdon will be presenting on the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning, as well as introducing Pam Gronski, MPA’s manager of campus safety and security. Please let us know if you are attending and if you have a question that you would like Dr. Brogdon to answer at the meeting, email PA@moundsparkacademy.org.

Upcoming Events

• Friday, November 14: Lower School Family Forum, 8-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Tuesday, November 18: Coffee & Connections With The Head of School, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Tuesday, December 9: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
• Friday, December 12: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR
• Thursday, December 18: PA Book Club with Dr. Brogdon, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library, RSVP here >

November 6, 2025

In case you missed it, stay in the loop with the Parent Press: November Edition!

Save The Dates!

Below is a preview of exciting opportunities for families to build community at MPA through the winter. Don’t miss your chance to volunteer, donate, and/or show up for the fun!

• Monday, December 1: Community-Wide Parents Association Meeting
• Monday, December 8- Friday, December 12: Book Festival!
• Friday, January 23: Family Trivia Night!
• Thursday, February 12: Lower School Valentine’s Day Parties!

More details to come. We look forward to seeing you around school in the coming months! Please email PA@moundsparkacademy.org with any questions.

Upcoming Events

• Friday, November 14: Lower School Family Forum, 8-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Tuesday, November 18: Coffee & Connections With The Head of School, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Tuesday, December 9: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
• Friday, December 12: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR
• Thursday, December 18: PA Book Club with Dr. Brogdon, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library, RSVP here >

November 4, 2025

Meet the remaining PA board members! We asked board members how long their families have been at MPA, the names and grades of their children, one of their favorite MPA traditions, and if they could swap with their child for one day at MPA, what they would look forward to the most.

Adi Boeder Risner ’02 | Treasurer

This is my eighth year at MPA with my own family, but as an alum, I’ve actually been part of the community for 18 years. My children, Luke (fifth grade) and Levi (second grade), love being part of MPA as well. One of my favorite traditions is the pairing assemblies—I still remember having a fourth-grade buddy when I was in kindergarten, and it’s incredibly special to see my kids enjoy the same experiences. If I could swap places with them for a day, I’d most look forward to going to the library. Having dedicated time to discover new books in a peaceful setting sounds wonderful—and, of course, I wouldn’t miss lunch! These kids are so lucky.

Read More

October 30, 2025

Halloween Pop-Up Book Fair On October 31 From 7 AM-4 PM! Shop around Halloween Parties, before, or after school. Local bookseller, Liz, will be selling a variety of books in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library. Preview the books or shop online at BookBizLiz.com. All proceeds benefit our library!

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday, November 18: Coffee & Connections With The Head of School, 8 AM – 9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Monday, December 1: Community-Wide PA Meeting, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Monday, December 8-Friday, December 12: Annual MPA Book Festival, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
• Thursday, December 18: PA Book Club with Dr. Brogdon, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library | We will be reading “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. Please look for our RSVP form in the upcoming Parent Press!

October 23, 2025

Ways To Help Make Halloween A Hit At MPA!

• Contribute To The MPA PA Costume Drive | In anticipation of Lower School Halloween celebrations on October 31. All MPA families are welcome to donate new or gently used costumes between October 20-30. Donation bins will be located at Doors 1 and 7. Costumes will be displayed for families to “shop” in the atrium by the second and third grade classrooms from October 21-31.
• Volunteer At The Lower School Halloween Party! | Help with a variety of activities during students’ P.E. time between 8:30 AM-2:20 PM. Parent volunteers are welcome to stay for as little or as long as they can. We need all the help we can get!
• Check Out The Halloween Pop-Up Book Fair | On October 31, from 7 AM-4 PM, shop around Halloween Parties, before, or after school. Local bookseller, Liz, will be selling a variety of books in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library. Preview the books or shop online at BookBizLiz.com. All proceeds benefit our library!

Read More

October 9, 2025

Thank you for showing up in support of the MPA school community through back-to-school events, division coffees, faculty & staff appreciation, parent-led groups, and more.

Read more about these happenings and give your input for the best “time of day” for the inaugural PA All School Meetings by October 24, via our MPA PA Parent Press: October Edition.

Ways To Help Make Halloween A Hit At MPA!

The MPA PA will be hosting a costume drive in anticipation of Lower School Halloween celebrations on October 31. All MPA families are welcome to donate new or gently used costumes from October 20-30. Donation bins will be located at Doors 1 and 7. Costumes will be displayed for families to “shop” in the atrium by the second and third grade classrooms from October 21-31. Read More

October 7, 2025

We asked board members how long their family has been at MPA, the names and grades of their children, one of their favorite MPA traditions, and if they could swap with their kid for one day at MPA, what they would look forward to the most. Keep an eye out for more board member bios next month!

Jasmin Stees | Co-President & Middle School Division Lead

Hi everyone, my name is Jasmin Stees, and this is my second year serving as the co-president and Middle School division lead on the Parents Association Board. This is my family’s fifth year at MPA, and I have two children in the school—Pierson, who is in seventh grade, and Teddy, who is in PreK. One of my favorite MPA traditions is getting to attend all of the wonderful choral and instrumental concerts. Whether it is the Lower School Art and Music Show or the combined Middle and Upper School Band Concert, the music program is simply outstanding!

If I could swap places with one of my kids for the day, I would pick a day in the PreK classroom. I would look forward to all of the fun, hands-on learning projects like baking break or taking a turn to pick some fresh produce in the PreK garden. Read More