Carrying On The MPA Tradition Of Excellence

Ms. Rossbach's group hug at the lower school art and music showby Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

It is hard to put into words how I feel about coming to school each day. I am incredibly fortunate to work with amazing people who inspire me by their professionalism and by their character. They are kind and caring people who love their area of expertise, their craft, and most certainly, the children they teach. MPA English teachers indeed love literature, but they also love engaging students in the exploration of the most fundamental questions about humanity and meaning. Our math teachers undoubtedly enjoy the intricacies of the relationships of numbers, but they also love awakening the curiosity and problem-solving abilities of their students. The very best teachers do not teach math, or science, or art. They teach students.

Whether by retirement or life changes, we will say goodbye to several of these remarkable MPA educators in a few short weeks. Most of us have left jobs behind because we were dissatisfied with working conditions, or because we were bored or underappreciated. Rather than leave MPA behind, these educators move toward new chapters in their lives. While it is difficult to bid farewell to them, I do so with gratitude for the mark they have had on this community and with joy for what lies ahead of them.

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See You Saturday At The Spring Auction!

Auction volunteers hard at workOur volunteers are hard at work putting the finishing touches on the 2019 Spring Auction—Once Upon a Time! It’s not too late to get your tickets to this fun, entertaining, and important event in support of MPA. We’re so thankful for all of the hours that so many of our MPA community members have put in to make this year’s event our best yet.

We have silent auction items with starting bids as low as $35! You may preview them here. In addition, you’ll find mystery boxes, a wine toss where you’re sure to be a winner, a game of heads or tails with a cash prize, incredible live auction packages, a live band, and great food—what more could you want for a fun night out?! Perhaps most importantly, we want to build community and raise funds in support of our teachers and students in the classroom.

Contact us with questions and grab your tickets before it’s too late!

A special thank you to Lisa Vale for the progress photo above! Pictured: Reese Manger, Sarah McFarland, Renee Roach, Jen MacDonald, Billi Jo Aamodt. Volunteers not pictured: Jen Holloway, Amanda Platson, Sally Richie, Lisa Vale, Christi Zweig.


Preview The Live Auction!

Win the Orlando trip at the spring auctionOne of the most exciting parts of our Spring Auction fundraiser and community-building event is the exciting lineup of live auction items that have been generously donated by our community! Here is a sneak preview of just a few of the amazing items we’ll have up for bid next Saturday, May 11. Get your tickets or sponsorship secured today to be a part of this wonderful event to support MPA teachers and students!

Below are three of our eight exciting live auction packages including an Orlando Magic Vacation over MEA weekend donated by Michael and Lisa Vale, a trip to the American Music Awards ceremony donated by the MPA Board of Trustees, and a spring break trip to Puerta Vallarta donated by Bryce and Emily Binstadt! Read More


MPA Spring Auction Preview: Seven Nights In Paris

The LouvreWe are excited to announce a 2019 MPA Spring Auction live auction item: seven nights in Paris! Stay in the heart of the St Germain neighborhood in an elegant, light and airy three bedroom pied-de-terre encompassing the entire third floor of a lovely 19th century building.

Located at Rue du Four, you’ll be in the heart of the historic, intellectual and fashionable area of Paris. Steps away from the Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower and so much more! Sleeps up to six and includes a fully stocked gourmet kitchen. Read More


Join Us For The Annual Retirement Celebration

karen Rossbach teaching lower school artWe are celebrating three long-time faculty and staff members as they retire at the end of this school year. Please join us in showing your appreciation for Karen Rossbach, Dave McGaha, and Laurie Foss, by attending the annual Retirement Celebration on Thursday, May 30 from 4-7 PM at Keller Golf Course. An invitation will follow. Mounds Park Academy extends its sincere gratitude for all they have done for our students and community.

“It sounds so cliché, but I will miss the people the most. I could have never imagined working with people who were so supportive and philosophically on the same page about education. And the children brought me so much joy each day,” says Karen. Read More


Today Brings The Annual Alumni Challenge!

Alumni challenge logoToday, April 9, 2019, we are challenging you, our alumni and parents of alumni, to show your support for MPA by raising $75,000 and making a difference in both of these critical ways:

  • Your gift to the MPA Fund covers the gap between tuition and other revenue and the daily operational needs of our school. These gifts provide the foundation for continued support of our outstanding faculty, curriculum, and students. Help to give the gift of an MPA education to more students today.
  • Your gift to Together, We Dream includes four specific projects that cannot be supported through annual giving or operations. We need your help to improve our facilities and grow our school’s endowment to support the future of MPA.

We are asking you to give for now, through an annual gift to the MPA Fund, and to give for the future, in support of Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA. One gift in can help us to accomplish these two important goals. This is an important year in the life of our school and we call on our alumni and parents of alumni to help our students’ dreams come true.

Every gift matters, in any amount—your participation is so important to the future of our school and very much appreciated. Thank you for your support of the Mounds Park Academy students of today and of tomorrow! click here to make a gift >

And follow along on the Alumni Association Facebook page for progress updates throughout the day!

Contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, director of development and community engagement, at jrogers@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5532 with any questions or to discuss your gift.


Spring Auction Sponsorship Opportunities

heads and tails at spring auction 2018Become a sponsor of the 2019 Spring Auction! There are many different sponsorship levels, including Community Sponsor, Host Sponsor, and Family And Friends Sponsor. Community Sponsors receive two complimentary tickets to the gala, two complimentary tickets to the Private Sponsor Pre-party, the company name and/or family name on auction program, on-site recognition, website recognition, and help cover the cost of two teacher tickets.

Auction sponsors receive special recognition on the website and printed materials and are invited to the exclusive pre-party, where they will have special access to the silent auction, great gatherings, and games. Sponsors also support Mounds Park Academy’s faculty and staff by allowing us to provide them with complimentary tickets to the event Read More


Help Us Invite Your Grandparent Or Special Friend To MPA

upper school grandparents day 2018Help us invite your Upper School student’s Grandparent or Special Friend for a day at MPA on Wednesday, April 24! Grandparents and Special Friends Day has grown to include an event designed especially for Upper School. Visitors will receive a unique glimpse inside our older students’ life at MPA.

If you would like your child’s Grandparent or Special Friend to receive an invitation in the mail to attend, let us know by sharing their contact information here by March 8, 2019. Doing so does not register them for the event, but rather lets us know who you would like us to invite. Read More


Together, We Dream And Reflect

panther and middle school students at the groundbreaking ceremonyOn Thursday, February 14, the MPA community gathered in the Kreischer Gym for one large, nostalgic celebration. One of the four Together, We Dream priorities allows us to create a shared space—a new commons and cafeteria—where Mounds Park Academy students and teachers alike will enjoy meals from a new state-of-the-art kitchen in the space where the Kreischer Gym currently resides.

We were lucky to have several MPA alumni in attendance who say that the Kreischer Gym is featured in some of their fondest school memories.

“I remember the obstacle course from my phy ed class and how fun that unit was weaving through the Kreischer Gym, hopping from one green step aerobics platform to another, running through a tunnel of gym mats, crawling under jump ropes strung across the course, flying through the air on the rope swing, pulling yourself along with the seated scooters, and tumbling down gymnastics mats,” says Nate Bander ’09. “I also remember flying balsa wood gliders in Middle School science, participating in my first Homecoming assembly in seventh grade, and playing on Mr. Brandon’s ninth grade basketball team in the Kreischer Gym.”

Maddy Wolfe ’12 echoes Nate’s sentiments. “The Kreischer Gym was a really fun home to have for all of the spring musicals I was in,” she says. “That’s where we made memories hanging out backstage and getting ready for the performances. I also remember taking a self-defense class in the Kreischer for my senior seminar.” Read More


Join Us Today: Together, We Dream Groundbreaking

Commons renderingOne of the four Together, We Dream priorities allows us to create a shared space—a new commons and cafeteria—where Mounds Park Academy students and teachers alike will enjoy meals from a new state-of-the-art kitchen. In fact, we’ve already secured the funds necessary to break ground on this priority.

Please join us on campus this afternoon at 2:30 PM when our entire school community will come together to show their love for MPA and break ground on this shared dream! Stay afterward for refreshments and an informational session about Together, We Dream. Additional tours and informational sessions will also be offered in the coming weeks. Read More