May 14, 2020
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
“You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there.” -Yogi Berra
With more frequency as of late, I’ve been asked: What does the future hold for the next school year? With so much uncertainty about the pandemic, it is difficult to give a clear answer. However, while there is much we don’t know, I can say that MPA will be prepared for any eventuality. I think what humorist and baseball great Yogi Berra meant in the quote above was that without a plan, you are never going to make progress. As we look to next year, I want to assure you that we indeed have a plan.
Uncertainty about the future can make planning feel daunting. However, envisioning various possibilities can help us prepare for the worst—and best—scenarios and everything in-between. Our board of trustees, working together with the administrative team, has been actively engaged in scenario planning considering the macroeconomic indicators and trends in order to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities. We are also preparing a number of contingency plans for the start of the new school year that first and foremost prioritizes the health and safety of our community. We know that we must always be nimble, agile, and communicate clearly. Read More
Erin Walsh is a parent, speaker, educator, and writer. She has worked with communities across the country who want to better understand child and adolescent development and cut through conflicting information about kids and technology. She is fiercely committed to bringing an equity lens and asset-based approach to our understanding of, and response to, youth and media. Her signature down-to-earth approach and sense of humor helps families and educators engage in complicated topics and leave feeling capable and motivated.
As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of the Class of 2020!
MPA’s Virtual Mentoring Program matches Upper School students with students in our Lower School. The Upper School students meet virtually weekly or bi-weekly during the day to help Lower School students in a variety personal and academic situations, including one-on-one academic support, one-on-one enrichment opportunities, story writing, Lower School reading, share and tell, word games, charades, and coloring and painting.
We are having so much fun participating in the annual MPA Book Festival virtually! From 
A note from the MPA Yearbook Staff
Giving a nod to her Upper School history curriculum on voting rights and the importance of voting, Ms. Murr had her Upper School history class vote on the name of her new kitten! They settled on the name Jackie, for Jackie Kennedy. So cute!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Ms. Cooper, Middle & Upper School Counselor, shared that mental health is “the quality of one’s social, psychological and emotional well-being. It directly impacts every aspect of our life, including how we think, feel, behave, and connect with others. Everyone has mental health. When our mental health is good, we have the flexibility to cope with life’s challenges.”
Seniors in the 21st Century Global Issues elective were lucky to hear from Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon about cybersecurity in elections. Secretary Simon discussed issues ranging from potential attacks on election infrastructure to state versus federal control over elections to how to hold elections in the context of a public health crisis. Students were able to ask a range of questions, putting their own learning and research to the test. We appreciate the work of public servants like Secretary Simon.
As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2020!