Upper School Archives

October 25, 2018

MPA junior Quincy Lewis, along with a group of students from Breck and other local independent schools, went on a trip to three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) over the long MEA weekend.

Led by Breck history teacher Paul Slack, the group of students began their journey bright and early at 3:30 AM on October 18. They first made their way to the Atlanta area, where they visited Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. The group also visited Georgia Tech along the way. They additionally went to tour Florida A&M University, where Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter met the students and gave the tour, as he is a Florida A&M alum! Read More

Bring A Friend To MPA Day

October 25, 2018

Has a friend or co-worker ever asked, “What is MPA really like?” Do you know a family who would be “SO MPA?” Have the parents of your child’s neighborhood friends ever asked, “What makes MPA so special?”

Bring A Friend Day is a fantastic way for those outside our immediate community to experience firsthand who we are and what it is like to be student at Mounds Park Academy! On Friday, November 30, we are inviting students in grades one through nine to bring a friend to MPA for a special day of learning and fun!

The invited friend should be near the same grade as your child and each child may only bring one friend. Space is very limited by grade level. Please have the family of the visiting friend register online at moundsparkacademy.org/bringafriend by Friday, November 23.

On the day of the visit, if possible, please help the visiting family with transportation to/from school. Visiting students are welcome to ride MPA buses, but not District 622 buses. Bus passes may be obtained from the Office of Admission. Visitors and their hosts should check-in together at the South Entrance at 7:45 AM.

Visitors will follow a typical school schedule, attending all of the regular classes with their friend. Teachers will take the time to introduce visitors in each class and help them feel welcome. Lunch will be provided, or the friend may bring a bag lunch. The day ends at 3 PM in cafeteria and does not include after school care or activities.

If you have any questions, Contact Nate Bander, Admission Outreach Coordinator via email at nbander@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5518. Thank you for sharing your love for MPA with friends! We can’t wait to meet them!

Our MPA Moments

October 25, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Every fall, I invite seniors to have lunch with me in small groups of eight to 10. It is a fantastic time to check in with them about how their senior year is going, learn what their plans are for next year, solicit their feedback on my leadership, and thank them for serving as leaders and role models. I also ask them to share their “MPA moment”–the moment, memory, or experience that captures or illustrates the MPA mission to them. I enjoy hearing their stories and it only deepens my love and appreciation for this amazing community.

A common MPA moment I hear often has to do with their experience of a PreK-12 school under one roof. Seniors will talk about what it was like for them to have an Upper School buddy when they were in Lower School or how much they enjoy now the “pairing assemblies,” when as seniors, they are matched with younger students. Their eyes light up with joy as they share the special relationship they have developed.

MPA Student Artwork In Invitational Exhibition

October 25, 2018

MPA is proud to share that the following students’ artwork has been juried into the 14th Annual Shattuck-St. Mary’s Invitational! The exhibition opens Thursday, October 25 and runs until November 12. Local Faribault artist, Jessica Prill, owner of Fleur De Lis Gallery, was this year’s juror. Each school invited was allowed to enter only 10 pieces. Congratulations to the artists!

Junior Elli Carlson received third place for her ceramics piece, titled “Seventeen.”
Senior Mats Dahlberg received fourth place for his painting, “Moonlight Moths.”
Senior Olivia Burton showcased her colored pencil piece, titled “Self-Portrait.”
Senior Dylan Dickenson showcased ceramics, his work titled “Teapot.”
Freshman Amelia Dickson showcased a cut-paper collage, titled “Fleurs.”
Sophomore Colin Simonson showcased photography, “Yellow Flower.”

Join Us For Halloween At MPA!

October 24, 2018

All parents are welcome to attend the MPA Halloween Parade on Wednesday, October 31! The festivities will begin with warm drinks and treats in the Lower School Atrium, courtesy of the Parents Association, at 2:20 PM. At 2:30 PM, Lower School students, dressed in their costumes, will parade through the student-lined hallways. This is one of MPA’s signature PreK-12 events that has become an honored tradition. Are the younger students or the older students more joyful? It is always hard to tell! Please join us!

And as part of MPA’s efforts to be a more allergy aware school, we are also happy to share the Snack Safely list and a peanut and treenut-free board of ideas on Pinterest to assist you in what to bring to our Halloween festivities!

Flu Season Information From The Nurse

October 24, 2018

from MPA’s school nurse, Julie Koster, and School District 622

Many students and parents/guardians are frequently concerned about when students should stay home or attend school. The following information is intended to help with this decision.

General Guidelines:

If the student:

Has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, the student should stay home for 24 hours after their temperature returns to normal (less than 100 degrees) without fever reducing medication.
Has vomited or has had diarrhea two or more times, the student should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
Has a rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with their healthcare provider before returning to school.

If the student is ill, please keep them home and notify (your division office) daily to report the illness. Please notify the School Nurse, Julie Koster, at jkoster@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5509 if your child has a contagious condition such as chicken pox, strep throat, whooping cough, or influenza.
Read More

Your Gifts Make Elective Opportunities Possible

October 23, 2018

This article is the second in a series called “The Fall Campaign Stories of Impact: Five Weeks, Five Stories, Five Reasons to Give.”

MPA’s Upper School curriculum features a breadth and depth of challenging topics, from Modern United States History and Computer Science, to Literary Analysis and Advanced Argumentation. Can you find the electives in this list? It’s probably not obvious, and that’s by design. At MPA, all courses, both core and elective, are developed around specific academic requirements and developmental goals. Electives play a special role in the mix, reinforcing an interdisciplinary approach to learning that supports the whole student.

“Core and elective classes at MPA have distinct roles, and also have equal billing,” explains Mark Segal, Upper School director. “What’s learned in electives carries over to other courses. For example, the critical thinking and persuasion skills acquired through our elective course in debate translate into the public speaking component of our English courses, and the analytical approach needed in our science program.” Read More

Meet MPA Talks Speakers Gabby Law and Julia Portis

October 17, 2018

Gabby Law and Julia Portis are both seniors at Mounds Park Academy who worked as teaching fellows with Breakthrough Twin Cities this past summer. At MPA, Gabby captains the tennis, Nordic skiing, and track teams, and has earned several awards in speech and debate. She is a student ambassador, peer leader, and co-leads Social Consciousness Club. When not being a concertmaster to the school’s orchestras, All-State Choir member, and licensed beekeeper, Gabby is busy applying to colleges. Julia is is heavily involved in speech, music, theater, student council (co-president), peer leaders, ambassadors, and debate—interacting with different people and mentors. She also enjoys attending events that allow her to advocate for her beliefs. She also loves traveling and spending time with friends and family.

We asked Gabby and Julia several questions so that you could get to know them better prior to MPA Talks!

Who inspires you to be better and how?

GL: My students inspired me to take full advantage of my educational opportunities. Their lack of access to small class sizes and hands-on learning during the school year reminds me of just how lucky I am to go to a private school. Because of them, I give 100% at school. Read More

Meet JD Ogden ’20

October 11, 2018

What do you love about MPA?
I love that I get individual feedback from my teachers on assignments.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right?
When I see classmates working hard and challenging themselves around me, it makes me aspire to be my best self.

If you have attended another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
I came to MPA in kindergarten, so I don’t recall exactly!

What would you tell a family considering MPA?
It’s a great community and I know everyone so well. For example, on the Deep Portage overnight trip last year, our grade got to know each other even better. There was a moment when we were in groups and I had new students that I didn’t know as well in mine, plus some teachers that our grade was just getting to know, yet everyone was themselves with each other.

In what ways has MPA prepared you for life?
It has taught me so many life lessons around how to be an ethical person. Read More

MPA Sailing Qualifies For National Competition

October 11, 2018

Despite frigid, soaking conditions, MPA Sailing is excelling on the water this fall. With a team of three seniors, one sophomore, one freshmen, and one 8th grader, the team has constantly performed at or near the top in every regatta they have competed in, including the Great Oaks Qualifier at Hoover Sailing Center in Ohio. Because of their first place finish there, four members of the team are headed to the Great Oaks Invitational at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans in early November.

High school sailing in Minnesota is considered a club sport and any student in grade seven through 12 may participate, regardless of experience. Together with students from White Bear Public Schools, Mahtomedi Public Schools, and Mounds View Public Schools, Mounds Park Academy practices out of the White Bear Sailing School at the White Bear Yacht Club.