Upper School

There’s Power In Being Kind To Yourself

March 7, 2019

upper school student paintingby Mark Segal, Upper School Director

Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, you will find a guest blog post here from one of MPA’s division directors. We hope you will enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

I recently celebrated a milestone birthday. It was one of those birthdays where AARP sends you both a birthday card and a membership card in the same envelope. It’s not hard to believe that I have now entered my sixth decade, but rather that I have been an educator for as long as I was a traditional student. Regardless, my experiences as a student are the ones that I often find myself replaying in my mind and on which I rely as I work with MPA students and my own fifth-grade son. The reality is that it is not my successes that draw me back to my childhood, but the challenges that I experienced. The times I did not meet the expectations that I set for myself or were given to me by others. Read More

New Busing Opportunities At MPA

March 6, 2019

middle school students getting on the busDon’t miss out on signing up for MPA busing during the re-enrollment process in TADS! Please note that the re-enrollment deadline is quickly approaching this Friday, March 8.

MPA is excited to offer transportation options for current and prospective families thanks to a new partnership with Hill-Murray! In addition to the current routes servicing North Oaks/Roseville, Highland/St. Paul, and Woodbury, MPA will be adding a dedicated route to and from the greater Stillwater/Lakeland area!

The cost for two-way transportation under a group stop model will remain $1,300, equivalent to just $145 per month. Detailed route information can be found here. The District 622 route information will be available in August, closer to the beginning of the year. Read More

Senior Service Makes An Impact

March 4, 2019

Mats Dahlberg and Haley RhodesAs part of their senior service project, Mats Dahlberg and Haley Rhodes wrote a children’s book together entitled “Little Lion Finds His Roar.” They shared their lovely book with the community at last week’s Book Festival.

Haley was primarily in charge of writing the story, while Mats illustrated it. All of the proceeds from the book go to an anxiety research foundation at Rogers Memorial Hospital.

When asked how they chose where to send the proceeds, Haley responded, “It [mental health] is something that’s meaningful to both of us, and we think there’s a gap for children in knowing about topics like this.”

To get your own copy of the book, you can email Mats or Haley at mdahlberg19@moundsparkacademy.org or hrhodes19@moundsparkacademy.org.

Seeking Student Voice

March 4, 2019

Students presentingWhat does the term “student voice” mean today? Internationally recognized expert in youth voice and student engagement, Adam Fletcher relates that it goes far beyond the important work of helping students develop their own voices. The concept now implies a much deeper commitment, suggesting that educators have an ethical imperative to engage students in new ways that are vital to school improvement. With student voice integrated into the core values at MPA, even our youngest children help to significantly impact their educational environments and experiences.

MPA’s PreK teacher Debbie LaChapelle describes how her small but mighty students shape their education. One four-year-old girl, for example, requested a PreK art show like the older children have. LaChapelle picked up on the idea, credited the student with it, and shifted her curriculum to include an annual art exhibit. “I witness in my students pride, confidence, respect for themselves and others, empathy, and leadership,” she shares. “When their ideas and thoughts are accepted and validated, it illustrates to them that they matter and can make a difference.”

Kari O’Keefe provides another example of how first graders design their educational environment. “From the moment you walk into the classroom, one sees that the room belongs to the students. They have created everything from the alphabet and number line to the bulletin boards and borders. They came up with classroom expectations and labeled special areas of the space. They have a true sense of ownership as they’ve helped to create every aspect of their classroom.”

Read More

Conduits For Joy

February 28, 2019

Upper school student and fourth grader reading together at the reading assemblyby Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

It’s true. I am a voracious reader. Throughout my life, I have loved books and can think of few greater pleasures than a good one. Reading fueled my imagination and took me to places I could have never visited. Getting lost in a book and losing track of time is pure joy. For these reasons and many more, the MPA Book Festival, produced by our incredible Parents Association, is one of my favorite MPA traditions. The Book Festival began in April 2000. It was started by the collaborative efforts of parents of alumni Elaine Johnson and Karla Myers, and the library staff. It was also the year MPA librarian Nancy Lage brought in Mary Grand Pre, the illustrator of the American version of “Harry Potter.” Part celebration and part fundraiser for the library, the Book Festival symbolizes so much of what is special about our community.

When I was a child, the library was my favorite place. In the small town I grew up in, the library was an old “mansion” in the center of town. It was warm and comforting, a bit mysterious, and had a wonderful smell. It was my happy place. In college, my use of a library changed dramatically. It served more of a social purpose than an academic one. One of my first experiences of social justice advocacy was participating in a sit in at the college library over its unjust policy banning soft drinks. (Ah, youthful ignorance.) During my graduate work, I practically lived in the library. Buried amidst the stacks, I once more found my happy place. Read More

Help Us Invite Your Grandparent Or Special Friend To MPA

February 27, 2019

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

Free Food For Thought Friday

February 27, 2019

Logan Segal serving himself lunchThis Friday, March 1, is our third Free Food For Thought Friday! For those that are unfamiliar with what this is, it is an opportunity for parents and students who normally don’t take hot lunch to try MPA’s lunch program for free. This Friday, along with the regular menu, there will be a calzone bar with homemade calzones!

If you and your student enjoyed the experience, Middle and Upper School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $430—equivalent to just $5.75 per day. Lower School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $380—equivalent to just $5 per day. Contact Amanda Platson, student billing coordinator, at aplatson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5502 to do so.

Celebrating Creativity at Maker Fest 2019

February 26, 2019

Ms. Wright with lower school studentThank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Maker Fest a success! This past Saturday, February 23, alumni, parents, students, and other members of the community came out to be Makers at the second annual Maker Fest. The woodworking group the North Star Scrollers had a woodworking station set up, as well as Jess Blue’s table where she helped attendees sew their own cloth bags. Knitting and crocheting stations, Lego spinning tops, and handmade wire dinosaurs were also among the many tables that people enjoyed visiting.

Thank you for sharing your inventions, interests, skills and projects! To see more photos from the event, click here. 

Panthers Race In State Ski Meet

February 22, 2019

State ski participants racing Congratulations to five members of the Nordic Ski team for participating in the State Nordic Ski meet! Senior Matthew Bourne placed fifth, junior Henry Snider placed 6th, ninth grader Isak Nightingale placed 54th, eighth grader Margo N. placed 24th, and sophomore Izzy Quam placed 34th at State.

Way to go, Panthers!

Finding Balance In The Snow

February 21, 2019

third graders snowshoeing in Phy EdBy Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Like you, I spent a good part of the day Wednesday shoveling out from another blast of snow. I love the quiet of a snow storm and work to find balance between appreciating the beauty and cursing the extra work it requires. It has also been a challenge to find balance between the safety of our community and our commitment to academic excellence. Cancelling school is never an easy decision, particularly when we have missed so many days already. Finding balance is tough work.

As I was shoveling, I was thinking about another challenging balance that is important to maintain: the three A’s (arts, athletics, and academics) that serve as the foundation of our school’s mission. In particular, I’ve been troubled by the state of athletics, not only in Minnesota, but nationally. There has been a rise of single sport athletes and club sports that affects not only athletic programs, but also athletes themselves. At MPA, we strive to offer a variety of opportunities for our students, maintain a no-cut policy, and be competitive. However, that is becoming increasingly difficult to balance as well. Read More