Upper School

May 19, 2022

from Mark Segal, Upper School Director

It is hard to believe that the 2021–2022 school year is coming to an end. Prek-11 have 13 class days left before their summer vacations begin. The Class of 2022, however, has their last day of classes tomorrow, May 20. Thirteen years of schooling will draw to a ceremonious close when they, as a group, pull down the boldly written #1 which hangs in the Upper School Commons. Each afternoon the senior class gathers at the end of the day to pull down the handwritten numbers 10 to 1 as a countdown of their last days on campus. The emotion expressed and cohesion shown by the group is a joy to witness as they celebrate one of the MPA Rites of Passage as the graduating class.

New York Times author and Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren says, “We are made to enjoy the physical presence of other human beings. We are made to enjoy rainstorms or sunshine or walks in the woods. We are made to enjoy touchable things. We cannot escape or overcome this need… Our attempts to do so go against the grain of our deepest human needs and longings.” I believe that Warren is speaking directly to the 51 members of the MPA Class of 2022. They have experienced so much over the past couple of years. Each time a new challenge was presented to them, they rallied around and leaned into each other and kept moving forward.

The next two weeks will be ones of self-discovery for this special class. They will complete assignments and work on their Senior Service Projects–the final items due before they cross the stage to receive their diplomas on June 4. Thankfully, there is still time for the community to be with them before their special day. You are invited to attend the annual Senior Walk on Friday, May 27 and the Senior Service Fair on Tuesday, May 31. Both of these events will allow us to publicly recognize the Class of 2022 and witness the impact they have had and legacy they will leave behind. Read More

May 5, 2022

from Mark Segal, Upper School Director

There are some childhood experiences that fade away and others that last a lifetime. I am unsure why this is the case, but know that it is true. One of those experiences that has lasted a lifetime with me was when my father brought me to a business gathering where Rod Carew was the featured speaker. For those unfamiliar with him, Carew was a major league baseball player who played for almost 20 years for the Minnesota Twins and California Angeles. Appearing in 18 straight All-Star games and holding the highest MN Twins batting average (.388), Rod Carew was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, the first year he was eligible. The event and what Carew spoke about are distant memories, but what remains is my vivid recollection of meeting one of my childhood idols. Thankfully, there was a picture taken of our meeting and in it he and I were shaking were shaking hands and looking each other directly in the eye.

Earlier this week, local businessman and author Harvey Mackay wrote an article in the Star Tribune entitled, “Rediscover the Lost Art of Eye Contact and See the Magic.” In the article, Mackay shares that, “unfortunately, eye contact has become a lost art.” He refers to the frenetic pace of people’s lives and the seemingly frequent draw to looking down at a smartphone, even though someone may be right in front of you.

There have been several studies on the importance and necessity of making eye contact. In virtually every one that I reviewed, the research showed that eye contact is one of the most powerful ways to make someone feel recognized, understood, and validated. A 2002 MIT study fund that infants were more likely to follow an adult’s eye movement rather than just their head movements. The study validates the bond and importance of eye contact in an infant’s upbringing. Recognizing this, however, still can present a challenge for some. Mackay shares that, “making eye contact is a skill that can be learned. It might take a little practice, but it can have a significant impact on your work and personal life.” As a school administrator for the past quarter century, I have found that much can be said and explained by students without them actually saying a word. Eye contact, or the lack thereof, plays a vital role in both verbal and nonverbal communication. It is for this and multiple other reasons that the art of eye contact through communication (including listening) is a focus at MPA. Starting at a young age our students work on presenting to their classmates and peers in activities like the Parade of States and CHAMP Assemblies, in middle school they present their Future City projects and facilitate club and organization meetings, and in upper school they make proposals to the administration and present their Senior Performances to their peers or the full upper school community.

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