April 5, 2018
The date of the Middle School Art Show Opening and the 5-12 grade Band Concert has been moved from Thursday, May 17 to Wednesday, May 16. The times remain the same, with the opening at 6 PM and the concert at 7 PM. Our apologies for this necessary change to the calendar!
Upper School Grandparents and Special Friends Day
April 3, 2018
Register your Upper School Student’s Grandparent or Special Friend for a day at MPA on April 25!
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.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Gallery Entrance
9 AM: Registration, Coffee, Morning Treats
9:35 AM: Attend Students’ Second Block Classes
10:40 AM: Attend Preview of The Sound of Music With Students
11:25 AM: Lunch With Students
12:20 PM: Event Concludes for Grandparents and Special Friends. Students return to their regular schedules.
If your child’s Grandparent or Special Friend is able to attend, kindly RSVP them by clicking here for the registration form, emailing GPDayRSVP@moundsparkacademy.org, or calling 651-748-5530. Include your name, your student’s name(s), and the Grandparent or Special Friend’s name(s). Please register by April 20.
Any questions may be directed to Susan Robertson, Annual Giving & Alumni Relations Manager, at srobertson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5531.
March 21, 2018
Middle and Upper School music teacher and choir director
How many years have you been at MPA?
Eighteen years as the choir director. I was hired by Barb Bradley to vocal direct and accompany the musicals in 1996. I have been walking MPA halls for nearly half of my life!
What do you love about MPA?
The joy, positivity, passion, and drive exhibited by faculty, staff, and students.
How does MPA nurture students who forever dream big and do right?
We instill in our students the idea of possibility. What can we do now? The world is at your fingertips. Why not dive in and experience all that you can?
If you have worked at another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
You can be yourself at MPA. Your uniqueness is celebrated. You are important and have something to “bring to the table.” It is like a choir … everyone’s voice is important and we want to hear what you have to say (or sing, in my case!).
What would you tell a parent considering MPA?
You will be jealous of your children’s education!
In what ways are you preparing students for life in the 21st century?
In choir, we are a community. What one person does affects not only you, but the whole. We may be independent thinkers, but we are interdependent beings. Music-making teaches discipline, perseverance, creativity, and the importance of deep listening. Read More
MPA Senior Named State Honoree
March 15, 2018
MPA senior Ryan Guggenheim was recently named one of two State Honorees for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for his work with the Open Wide Foundation! Ryan has been recognized in an article from the Open Wide Foundation, which reads:
“Ryan’s interest increasing access to oral health care stems from his family’s strong philanthropic efforts. He has seen the difference dental care has made in the lives of those who cannot afford it, and wants to help OWF change more lives. He plans on building youth participation through new programs such as OWF Dental Student Scholarship Program, and reaching out to dental professionals in the Twin Cities. He has successfully raised over $5,000, which will pay for two dental students to volunteer at the clinic in Guatemala in July 2018. He hopes to continue to raise awareness and funds in order to send additional dental students to Guatemala. Ryan has recently been awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Award for his work with Open Wide Foundation, representing the state of Minnesota and looks forward to attending the University of Southern California Fall of 2018.
March 15, 2018
The 2018 MPA Varsity Boys Basketball Team is one game away from the State Tournament!
Ranked the #6 seed, the Panthers defeated #14 seed Community of Peace Academy 80-49 in the first round of the Section 4A tournament here on campus last Thursday, March 8, and then upset the #3 seed Christian Life Academy in the quarterfinals 47-38 on March 10 on the road, and then went on to upset the #2 seed Prairie Seeds Academy 93-88 in double overtime this week for the section semifinals title!
In the semifinals versus Prairie Seeds, Senior Nick Guiang led the Panthers with 31 points, Junior Yahya Madar added 24, and Junior Ben Nippolt had 20.
MPA Upper School Week Of Action
March 15, 2018
At 10 AM on March 14, across every time zone in the country, students walked out of schools and classes to demand attention to school safety and gun legislation. When the clocks on our campus struck 10, the Lansing Lobby did not flood with students rushing to walk out. Instead, the Upper School Commons filled.
It has been a historic week at MPA that the Upper School students will surely never forget. They have exhibited the kind of responsibility, dedication, and action that we are proud to have at our school. The week of action was organized completely by Upper School student leaders.
To get the conversation started, on Tuesday, March 13, students organized a bipartisan Town Hall meeting on our campus with Minnesota State Senators Mark Johnson (R) and Chuck Wiger (D). “We would like to use this opportunity to facilitate a meaningful discussion between students and bipartisan policymakers about how we can work together to keep our schools and communities safe, and to hear from a variety of viewpoints on this issue,” they shared.
Then on Wednesday, equipped with calling stations, postcard templates, and the League of Women Voters, Upper School students took 17 Minutes of Action. They wrote and called their legislators and they registered and committed to voting. Some of the Middle School i-Term classes that were on campus at the time also came to witness and understand the Upper School’s 17 Minutes of Action. They were even motivated to take action themselves.
An Inspiring Night At MPA Talks
March 15, 2018
The powerful presentations at MPA Talks left us feeling inspired and motivated on Tuesday night. It was a wonderful evening here on campus to hear MPA parent Dr. Sheneeta White, MPA junior Ling DeBellis, and MPA science teacher Hannah Sullivan give talks that covered everything from efficiency and perseverance to happiness and fulfillment. As a community, we are so grateful to have these amazing women among us. Please enjoy pieces of their captivating presentations here!
“Think of what is valuable to you. Make them standard.” – Dr. Sheneeta White
“My future is bright because I can see hope in anything.” – Ling DeBellis
“Students need to be equipped to choose and supported to pursue their own metrics.” – Hannah Sullivan
We’re Staying In, Not Walking Out
March 13, 2018
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
Our hearts have been heavy since the tragic school shooting in Florida last month. At the same time, we have been filled with hope witnessing young people around the world use their voices to ask for safer schools and less gun violence. MPA asks students to think critically and solve creatively. We ask them to dream big and do right, and that is exactly what we are seeing today’s young people do.
Having just returned from the National Association of Independent Schools Annual Conference, school violence and student safety were frequent topics of conversation. Across our nation, independent school leaders agree that civil discourse, social justice, inclusion, and equity are all important aspects of the complex society in which we live and our students have an important role to play in that.
This week will bring student-organized events around the world, including a significant walkout in protest on March 14 from 10-10:17 AM. I am writing to share how MPA will approach this time and the entire week at each division level and as a PreK-12 community. As always, the safety of our students is a paramount concern and for that reason, students will not be allowed to physically “walk out” of the building at any division level. Guided by our school’s mission and core values, students, teachers, and the administrative team have come together to ensure that every student will be appropriately empowered and respected this week. Together, they are viewing this as another opportunity to inspire students to identify problems in our community and world, use their values and knowledge to address them, and develop the confidence and courage to challenge the status quo.
Upper School
Student leaders are planning a week of action in Upper School. To get the conversation started, on Tuesday, March 13, students organized a Town Hall meeting with Minnesota State Senators Mark Johnson (R) and Chuck Wiger (D). They share, “We would like to use this opportunity to facilitate a meaningful discussion between students and bipartisan policymakers about how we can work together to keep our schools and communities safe, and to hear from a variety of viewpoints on this issue.” This is an optional event that will be held in the Recital Hall from 11:30 AM-12:15 PM.
On Wednesday, March 14, instead of walking out, Upper School students organized an opportunity to stay in and participate in 17 Minutes of Action from 10-10:17 AM followed by a student-facilitated debrief from 10:20-10:30 AM. Stations in the Commons will allow students to write postcards and make phone calls to their legislators and, for those who turn 18 before November, register to vote with the League of Women Voters. This will be a time for students to share their own personal perspectives and privacy will be possible during the phone calls. The debrief will allow student leaders to share the inspiration of the event, the goal for what their peers and they hoped to achieve, and they will also hold a moment of silence to honor the lives lost in the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Classrooms will be open for students who do not wish to participate so that they may engage with the topic and each other in their own way. Time for the 17 Minutes of Action and the debrief is being made possible by an adjustment to the schedule that day. The campus will be considered closed for seniors during the walkout time.
To conclude the activities of the week, on Thursday, March 15, the Social Consciousness Club meeting will offer students a time to process the week and think ahead to how they may continue taking action.
Please note that all of these activities have been organized by Upper School student leaders. They have been exceptionally respectful of their classmates, teachers, and administrators and kept in close touch with them throughout the planning.
Middle School
This is i-Term week in Middle School, a very special time when each student is engaged in an inquiry-based, experiential learning opportunity of their own choice. Many of the i-Term classes are venturing off campus for all or part of the week and all classes have robust schedules planned. For that reason, the Middle School is not offering any activities related to this topic.
However, one Middle School i-Term class, “Social Change: Discovering Your Voice,” will attend Wednesday’s 17 Minutes of Action in the Upper School because the subject matter of the class is an appropriate fit. Students may choose to be participants or observers. In addition, this class will explore the National WalkUp Movement that calls on students to “Walk up to someone who has different views than you and get to know him/her. Walk up to 14 students and three teachers and say something kind. Honor the lives of those lost by walking up, not out.” This movement aligns well with the Middle School Mind-Person-Action character education program and is developmentally appropriate for this age level.
Lower School
The Lower School will also take a developmentally appropriate approach to the week, recognizing that this topic may be unsettling to students at this age. Ms. Wright, Lower School director, will recommend specific picture books for teachers to read aloud throughout the week to reinforce CHAMP themes such as inclusiveness, courage, responsibility, and compassion. All of these themes allow students to consider their own role in making positive change and encourage them to use their voices for good in our world.
PreK-12
Finally, I would like to share some ways that the administrative team is taking action this week. One way that MPA provides a physically safe school is by staying in close contact with our community partners and we have two examples of that planned this week:
I would like to close by sharing that I am exceptionally proud of the way this week is being approached here, guided by our mission and values and with a commitment to inclusion and civil discourse. Our world desperately needs more engaged, educated, and empowered citizens who are dedicated to improving it and that starts at Mounds Park Academy. Our students dream big and do right every day and will continue to do so long after this week concludes.
Making Change In Labor Trafficking
March 8, 2018
Mounds Park Academy Seniors Pranay Somayajula and Kate Van Hecke met with State Senator Chuck Wiger last week to seek (and receive!) his co-authorship for a bill that they and Ryan Guggenheim, Alayna Fox, Sierra Klein, and Nashad Mahamoud are writing for their senior service project.
The bill allocates $700,000 over two years to the Department of Public Safety for statewide training of law enforcement on the issue of labor trafficking and how to combat it. These students are dreaming big and doing right and we are so proud of them.
Rotary’s MPA Student of the Year
March 8, 2018
Senior William Thao was recognized at a breakfast last week as the Mounds Park Academy Student of the Year for the North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale Rotary Club. William was honored with his name on a plaque in the Upper School office, a certificate, and the opportunity to apply for a Rotary Club college scholarship. His parents, Sam Thao and Mee Vang, were present and given a gift certificate to the Lake Elmo Inn as well.
In partnership with each school, the Rotary Club annually recognizes one high school student from each school within District 622. Our criteria has been based on the type and amount of service that the student has done and their overall engagement with the ideals of both Rotary Club and MPA.
Randy Comfort, director of guidance, spoke on William’s behalf and introduced him to the Club. He shared that William has completed more than 100 hours of service in his career at MPA, he is an Eagle Scout, a Peer Leader, and an MPA Ambassador, and he participates in speech and debate. William selects and succeeds at very challenging courses and has had a job since he was 15. William’s teachers describe him as engaged, optimistic, determined, and service oriented toward his school and the world community.
We are so proud of William and so is the Rotary! Congratulations!