Upper School Archives

Upper School Division News April 4, 2024

April 4, 2024

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, April 5: US End Of Quarter 3
Monday, April 9: US/LS Solar Eclipse Party, 8-10:30 AM, Family Commons
Tuesday, April 9: HeadSpace “Mental Health Crisis,” 3-15-4:15 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Wednesday, April 10: No Classes, Eid al-Fitr
Thursday, April 11: PA Cultural Celebration Day, 3-6 PM, Family Commons
Friday, April 12: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151
Thursday, April 18: Senior Performances 8-9:15 AM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, April 18: Spring Book Club With Dr. Hudson, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Friday, April 19: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151
Friday, April 19: Pairing Assembly, 2:20-3 PM
Friday, April 19: Spring Auction, 6:30-11 PM, Dellwood Golf Club
Wednesday, April 24: Spring Musical Preview Performance, 1:35-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, April 25: LS/US Haiti Cultural Celebration, 1-3 PM, Family Commons, Gallery
Friday, April 26: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151
Friday, April 26: Spring Musical Performance, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center
Saturday, April 27: Spring Musical Performance, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center
Sunday, April 28: Spring Musical Performance, 2-4 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, May 2: MS/US Grade 8 Parent Meeting, 6-6:45 PM, Recital Hall
Friday, May 3: US Parent Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
Friday, May 3: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151
Friday, May 3: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM, MPA Campus
Saturday, May 4: Prom, 8-11 PM, American Swedish Institute
Wednesday, May 8: MS/US Orchestra Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
Friday, May 10: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151

Important Informantion

If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to the Upper School office via cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org.
Space is still available to attend the 2024 MPA Spring Auction, Together We Can Move Mountains, on Friday, April 19 at Dellwood Golf Club. This is your chance to attend a night of fun, inspiration, and community building while supporting MPA with fellow parents, alumni, and friends.
While the MN weather remains unpredictable, the spring athletic season has arrived. Even though the athletic department works hard to stick to the established schedule, practice and game schedules can be extremely fluid due to the weather. For this reason, it is suggested that you bookmark the MPA athletics website and ensure that the athletic department has the most up-to-date email addresses for you should there be a schedule adjustment.

For many years, I heard the statement, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” and I really did not know its meaning. Maybe it was because I was too literal or because my focus during my formative years was primarily on anything but work. Regardless, over the past 33 years of my professional life, 28 of them as an educator, I have learned that taking a break from doing schoolwork is crucial for maintaining mental health and achieving academic success. The American Psychological Association states that “constant studying (or grading) without breaks can lead to burnout, decreased motivation, and increased stress levels.” This research highlights the importance of taking regular breaks and confirms data published by the Journal of Educational Psychology that states, “Students who take short breaks during study sessions demonstrate improved focus and retention compared to those who study continuously.”

School (and work) has become more demanding in recent years, and finding intentional ways to step away from assignments and projects provides an opportunity for students to recharge and rejuvenate their minds. Psychologists, including Dr. Jules Nolan, emphasize the importance of incorporating relaxation techniques into student study routines. By stepping away from schoolwork periodically, students are then able to return with a refreshed perspective and greatly increased productivity.

It is critical to prioritize self-care in our student’s study routines as it is our job and duty to support them so they are successful and feel good about themselves. Your students and I appreciate your commitment and partnership as they make their way along their educational journey.

I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Introducing The Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning

April 4, 2024

from Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, director of development and community engagement

Editor’s Note: Periodically, you will find a guest Head’s Message here from members of the administrative team. We hope you will enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

From an early age, I loved stories. I would make them up for myself at playtime. When I began to devour them in books, I couldn’t put them down, and when I started to write down the fantastical comings and goings of my active mind, I never wanted to stop. As I’ve gotten older, had children, and experienced the highs and lows that life offers, I’ve continued to go back to the stories that have opened my eyes, inspired my heart, and made me think. As a fundraiser, I witness the power of our personal and collective stories every day when:

I hear from an alum that their appreciation for MPA grows the more they experience in life;
I hear from parents about their journey to MPA and their hopes and dreams for what it can offer their children; and
I hear the joys and wishes of our faculty and staff as we dream about continuing to do right by our mission and the children in our care.

When I first came to MPA, my own story unfolded: someone not from Minnesota who had never experienced the independent school world and a fundraiser who had always wanted to be thoughtful about how I approached my work. Throughout my career, I have witnessed that if we dream big, tell stories, and stay true to our mission, we will once again spark the beautiful generosity of our community. I’ve now had six years of seeing that generosity come to life at MPA in so many ways: our incredible Family Commons and Martin Lenz Harrison Library, new tools and technology for students, a renovated outdoor track, new scholarship opportunities, COVID crisis funding, underwriting our diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, an innovation fund for teachers, and now, the Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning. Throughout it all, I have talked with hundreds of community supporters and heard and shared stories of our collective impact through these funds.

Four MPA Artists Selected for High School Visual Arts Exhibition

March 28, 2024

Please join us in celebrating the four MPA artists who had their artwork selected for inclusion in the annual juried High School Visual Arts Exhibition at White Bear Center for the Arts: Lia Sonka ’24, Clara Deneault ’25, Piper Hubert ’26, and Nom-Ujin Byambatsogt ‘26.

Lia was selected for her two ceramic pieces, “Cacti” and “Lotus and Lily”; Clara will have her drawing “Fragmented Still Life” and painting “Color Bubble Koi Fish”; Nom-Ujin has painting “Bubbles and Bones” and drawing “The Mori Tower,” while Piper is to be represented by her drawing, “Ribbon.”

Their work will be part of an exhibition that runs from April 15 to May 22, with an awards reception on Thursday, April 25. All are welcome to attend the reception to honor young artists from the region. We are so proud of Lia, Clara, Piper, and Nom-Ujin!

Attend HeadSpace With Dr. Bill Hudson!

March 28, 2024

Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School, launched HeadSpace as a way to connect with families around big-picture topics relevant to today’s world. Please join him for the next and last informal conversation of the year about a topic that matters, a topic that is worth grappling over. You’ll walk away feeling enlightened, connected, and empowered.

Mental Health Crisis
Tuesday, April 9 | 3:15 PM
Martin Lenz Harrison Library

If you have any questions about HeadSpace, please contact Cherie Honan, assistant to the head of school, at chonan@moundsparkacademy.org.

Join Us For Cultural Celebration Day at MPA!

March 28, 2024

Enjoy an evening of food, music, and crafts from around the world by attending Cultural Celebration Day at MPA! The MPA Parents Association invites you to partake in the event that highlights the many different backgrounds present in our school. Cultural Celebration Day is set to take place on April 11, from 3-6 PM in the Family Commons.

Enjoy sweet and savory street food from around the world and an international tea bar.
Experience beautiful music and interactive folk and classical dance performances.
Engage with community members sharing their cultural heritage.

Other offerings include going home with some cool body art from an expert henna artist, trying your hand at global crafts such as Greek laurel wreath making or Rangoli, and learning how to use chopsticks.

Also available will be a food demonstration, an opportunity to learn the steps of Sirtaki, a Greek folk dance, and Kathak, an Indian classical dance! Chatting with community members with booths set up to share their culture and or offer samples of their cuisine is strongly encouraged!

Food and drink tickets ($1 each) will be sold at the event. Zabiha, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are available. Please email sanwarPA@moundsparkacademy.org with any questions regarding Cultural Celebration Day at MPA!

Welcome to MPA, Giselle Wynia!

March 28, 2024

Welcome to MPA, Giselle Wynia! Giselle joins us as a Middle School science and design teacher. We are so excited to introduce her to our community!

What school/organization are you coming from?
I previously worked for St. Odilia School.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
Prior to teaching middle school science, I taught courses at the University of Minnesota including human anatomy and worked in the anatomy bequest program. I have a Masters of instruction in human anatomy and physiology. I left the University of Minnesota to teach middle school science, and it is the most fun I have had during my teaching career. I have experience in public and private schools, and I am currently finishing up the year at St. Odilia. I have a passion for lifelong learning and I am excited to share that with the students at MPA.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The sense of community and belonging was evident from the time I walked in the door. I really enjoyed my time teaching in Mr. Milam’s room as the students were eager to participate and a joy to interact with. Read More

The Why Behind End-Of-Term Exams

March 28, 2024

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Editor’s Note: Periodically, you will find a guest Head’s Message here from members of the administrative team. We hope you will enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

The pressure to end the quarter on the “right note” is frequently a focus for students and their families this time of year. Next week in the Upper School, most third-quarter English, math, science, social studies, and world language classes will be offering final exams to students in grades 9-11 (seniors do not take final exams.) End-of-term final assessments serve as a crucial tool to assess students in educational systems worldwide. They play a pivotal role in evaluating students’ comprehension, retention, and application of rigorous course material.

Research underscores their significance in measuring learning outcomes and guiding instructional strategies. According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, “Final exams contribute substantially to students’ overall academic performance, with performance on these assessments strongly correlating with their final grades.” End-of-term exams also highlight areas of strength and vulnerability, informing students and their teachers of areas of focus and adjustment.

MPA faculty do a wonderful job of asking students essential questions based upon the material taught and discussions had throughout the quarter. According to the Institute of Education Sciences, “Cumulative and larger end-of-term exams have been proven to improve long-term knowledge retention, cementing the very reason we go to school in the first place.”

Classes Canceled March 25

March 25, 2024

Good morning, MPA Families –

Members of the administrative team and I have been closely monitoring the weather and road conditions since Sunday morning. Unfortunately, due to the storm, we have decided to cancel all classes, activities, and events for Monday, March 25.

We do not take this decision lightly as we balance the safety of our students, families, and employees with our commitment to having students at school. Safety, however, is always our highest priority.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday after what I hope was a wonderful spring break. Enjoy the snow day!

Sincerely,
Dr. Bill Hudson
Head of School

A Vibrant Place To Learn And Grow

March 19, 2024

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the March 10, 2024 issue of InsideMPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

In and beyond the classroom, MPA students are inspired to pursue their aspirations with confidence and curiosity.

Last week, Middle School students embarked on Innovation Term (i-Term). This signature MPA Middle School program offers students a learning experience like no other in a single class of their choice. One week long and entirely ungraded, this is inquiry-based, experiential learning that far exceeds what can normally happen in the classroom. Some chose a French immersion experience in Quebec City. Others observed biology in Costa Rica. No matter which class they choose, students in small, mixed-grade classes go out into the world, work with subject-matter experts, and ignite some serious passions along the way. Read More

Meet International Student Ella Li ’24

March 11, 2024

Ella Li has been at MPA since eighth grade. She is from China and is currently living with an MPA host family. Learn more about our international student program and becoming a host family here!

What do you love about MPA?
I love the various curriculums at MPA. I can take different humanities courses, like world history, Western literature, US history, etc. From these courses, I have been able to learn about many interesting cultures and read high-quality literature works from the US. Also, I can access different levels of math classes, like algebra, statistics, and calculus, which inspired my curiosity to explore more knowledge. MPA’s science courses, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science, are wonderful. Additionally, I like watercolor drawing, painting, and photography. At MPA, I have opportunities to take various art courses, such as art and design. All of these courses enrich my life at MPA.

How is your experience at MPA different than your former school?
At MPA, I have a closer relationship with each teacher and classmates. During class, I have a lot of group discussions and projects with my classmates. We could share many exciting ideas and help each other. After class, I am also very willing to discuss questions with my teachers. They always give me detailed explanations, enabling me to understand the content I learned clearly. In my former school, I spent most of my time preparing for standard tests, rarely had opportunities to discuss questions with teachers, and participated in after-class activities. Read More