August 29, 2018
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
There was great excitement on a recent morning as I greeted students at the south entrance, particularly from eighth grade students. With sleeping bags, pillows, duffel bags, and suitcases in tow, our eighth graders prepared to depart for three days and two nights to Eagle Bluff, an environmental learning center in Lanesboro. I found myself chuckling as students looked like they packed for a three-month backpacking trip across Europe rather than several days in southern Minnesota!
The eighth grade trip has been an MPA staple for many, many years. It is a time to reconnect with friends, form new friendships, and grow as the “leaders” of the Middle School. At Eagle Bluff, the eighth graders will challenge themselves individually on the high ropes course and as a team through group challenges and GPS orienteering. Time to bond and reconnect over free time and everyone’s favorite camp activity—the bonfire and s’mores—make this the perfect beginning of their final year in Middle School. Similarly, sixth grade just returned from a trip to Audubon.
The ninth grade class spent time together at the State Fair for a scavenger hunt to foster relationship-building and class identity. In small groups determined by their advisory, new and returning students worked together to accomplish a series of tasks. Problem-solving, communication, and collaboration are critical skills students must employ to be successful. As new Upper School students, the day is symbolic of the independence they now enjoy and the accompanying responsibility of representing themselves and the school respectfully and positively.
This summer, I read an article published by the Harvard Graduate School of Education about school culture. The article emphasized that a positive and healthy school culture starts with connections—strong and overlapping interactions among all members of the school community.
“A culture will be strong or weak depending on the interactions between people in the organization. In a strong culture, there are many overlapping and cohesive interactions so that knowledge about the organization’s distinctive character—and what it takes to thrive in it—is widely spread,” it reads.
The article defines culture in light of five interwoven elements:
1. Fundamental beliefs and assumptions
2. Shared values
3. Norms
4. Patterns and behaviors
5. Tangible evidence
At MPA, we frequently describe the school community as a family. Implicitly and explicitly, our core beliefs and shared values are translated into norms of behavior expressed through patterns and actions. The results include traditions and experiences, such as the eighth grade Eagle Bluff trip, the sixth grade Audubon trip, and the ninth grade day at the Fair, that foster the connections essential to building a strong school culture. These are just three of the countless tangible manifestations of the incredible school culture that is intentionally strengthened and nurtured throughout the school year.
Needless to say, race and social justice are important topics of conversation these days. Headlines related to police brutality, the legacy of slavery, the expansion of hate groups, and mass incarceration appear frequently. To explore these issues and, in particular, the role of the civil rights movement in American history, 21 MPA Upper School students and two MPA teachers traveled more than 3,000 miles on the “This Land is Your Land” bus trip. They saw sights ranging from one of the segregated schools associated with the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision to the Lorraine Motel and the National Civil Rights Museum to the new National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. Additionally, they visited six presidential libraries and homes and other major sights, including the World War I Museum in Kansas City and Graceland. 
Come for the sundaes, stay for the friends! The MPA Ice Cream Social is on Thursday, August 30, from 3-4 PM. This annual community gathering is hosted by MPA faculty and staff, servings scoops to anyone who would like to attend and spend the afternoon with us! The Social will take place outside of the Lower School Atrium. All families are welcome to come and we hope to see you there to celebrate a fantastic first week back at MPA!
We can’t wait to see you and your children in the Makerspace this year! There are many new activities and creative projects to explore, and Ms. Koen is so happy to guide you through them all. “I have some new ideas to bring to the table after taking an engineering class over the summer!” she said. We also have exciting announcements for Makerspace events both new and back by popular demand from last year!
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at New Family Orientation and Back To School Night to start off another fantastic school year! Grab your new school supplies and head to campus on Tuesday, August 21, for time with your teachers, an all-school assembly, and snacks! Welcome home, Panthers!
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
Congratulations to all of the Upper School students who received honors and awards at the 2018 Upper School Awards Assembly! On Friday, June 1, the school gathered to commemorate all of these students’ achievements. Academic, National Merit, Scholarship, Yearbook, Choir, Band, Orchestra, Visual Art, Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Forensics, French, Spanish, Drama, Athletics, Service, Spirit of ’86, Junior Mission Statement, Certificate of Distinction, and Alumni Association awards were given. Please join us in congratulating the following students! 
After 13 years of joyful learning, the Class of 2018 took one final walk among their PreK through 11th grade friends to remember where they came from, celebrate what they have achieved, show gratitude for their community, and inspire those who follow in their footsteps. 
As the 2017-18 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2018!