Upper School Archives

March 14, 2019

$MPA Math League$ Congratulations to the MPA Math League for finishing second in the state in Class A in the state tournament! Minnesota Valley Lutheran finished in first place and Breck finished in third place.

“I am really proud of how our team performed at the state tournament,” comments Coach Ethier. “Everyone on the team contributed to their second place finish, and everyone contributed to their success during the season.”

Coach Ethier also shares that it wasn’t too many years ago that they had trouble fielding a team of eight to compete at the meets, and that this year they had 11 different students who were part of the scoring team in at least one meet, and 18 students who came to most of their meets. “It’s been great to see the growth of our Math League program over the years,” says Ethier.

Juliana Wu, a senior and co-captain of the team, shares similar feelings. “This is the highlight of my senior year,” she said, “It was the first time in four years we went to state. Our team is awesome this year; we work really hard and all share an interest and a passion for math.”

Congratulations Math League and Coach Ethier!

What Students Discover When Learning By Doing

March 14, 2019

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

For most Middle School students, this week is their favorite time of the school year. It is i-Term, a signature MPA program that offers students an intensive learning experience in a single class that aligns with their interests and fuels their passion for learning. For some, it primarily means a week without homework and without grades. For all, this inquiry-based, experiential learning experience reflects a core attribute of an MPA education that has been with us since our founding 37 years ago.

Inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and service-learning are relatively new terms in the educational world and seem to be in vogue as schools look for creative and innovative ways to more fully engage students in learning. The Nellie Mae Education Foundation defines project-based learning as “an instructional approach that addresses core content through relevant, hands-on learning—challenging students to solve ‘real world- problems.” According to the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Washington, “Service-learning refers to learning that actively involves students in a wide range of experiences, which often benefit others and the community, while also advancing the goals of a given curriculum.” Read More

Creating The Future

March 13, 2019

A Message From MPA’s Board Of Trustees

by Matthew Larson, MPA Parent, Board Treasurer, Board Chair-Elect

MPA’s faculty and staff are creating and nurturing our children’s dreams and providing the skills and mindsets it will take to fulfill them every day. Our school’s mission is held in deep regard and is sincerely felt throughout its classrooms and hallways. The future spaces and opportunities that Together, We Dream will create will be game changing for our students, faculty, staff, and entire MPA community. If I may speak on behalf of the MPA Board of Trustees, we believe Abraham Lincoln said it well: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Read More

Spring Sailing For MPA

March 12, 2019

from Toby Sullivan ’19, sailing captain

Spring sports have begun! Of course, you have all the normal sports to choose from, but here at MPA students in grades 7-12 also have something different—sailing. Did you know that we have been one of the top teams in the state recently? Did you know that we race locally, regional and nationally? Did you know that sailing is a co-ed sport?

If you are looking for a sport that has life-long potential and is tons of fun, come join the MPA Sailing Team. You do not have to know how to sail—we will teach you everything you need to know to be able to be part of our team.

Sailing is a two-season sport. You can sail in the fall or the spring or both. Practices are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at White Bear Sailing School (carpools are arranged) and races are on Saturdays at various locations. Practices and races are loose so if you cannot make one, it’s ok. If you don’t want to commit right away, come and try out three practices for free. We’ll get started after spring break.

If you have questions or want more information talk to senior Toby Sullivan (tsullivan19@moundsparkacademy.org) or team advisor and MPA math teacher Ms. Sullivan (wsullivan@moundsparkacademy.org).

Career Speakers Needed & Appreciated

March 7, 2019

High school students in class We are seeking volunteers to speak with our Upper School students to share information about their jobs, and the stories of their career preparation and paths. MPA 10th graders recently completed Myers-Briggs assessments to tie in with their current general career interests. Next we hope to give them the chance to hear from people in fields that might hold interest for them. While all students in the Upper School are invited to participate, 10th graders will be attending as a required part of their advisory program.

Our first event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 11:30 AM-12:10 PM (taking advantage of lunch/advisory meeting time). However, we envision expanding this program in the future, so even if you can’t participate on this date, please let us know of your interest and we will keep you posted on further developments and opportunities to be involved.

Your Gift Matters

March 7, 2019

by Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, Director of Development and Community Engagement

I grew up in rural Nebraska. Despite often wishing for more and to have anonymity that isn’t often found in small communities, I didn’t realize how much I missed that sense of belonging until our family found MPA last fall. Since then, I’ve experienced the joy of being a part of this tight-knit community of dreamers and doers. Through Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA, I’ve had the chance to talk with many supporters who’ve shared why they give. They often cite the impact their gift has on the school, and how they hope to make a difference in the lives of their children, and the entire community. Just as it is in most communities, giving here is both deeply personal and meaningful. Read More

There’s Power In Being Kind To Yourself

March 7, 2019

by 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

Don’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

As 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

What 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.”