Welcome Home, Fall 2016

Welcome Home FALL 2016

Home. A place of comfort, love, and belonging. Of family. For so many of us, MPA is much more than a building or a school. It is a place where we come together around a common set of values and beliefs, as well as a passionate commitment to educate the whole child.

It’s home.

World events this summer have left many feeling unsettled and challenged to revisit and re-examine values, hopes, fears, and ways of living. MPA will always be a warm and nurturing community. It is a safe environment for students to wonder and think critically, to take on new perspectives without fear of being judged or marginalized.

DR . BI L L HU DSO N • HEAD O F SC HOO L

We welcome many new students and families into our home for the new school year as well as new teachers and staff members. One of the new students beginning at MPA this fall is my own daughter, Ari. I am so excited for her to enjoy the exceptional education offered at MPA by the most talented teachers and staff.

We have been hard at work over the summer with many “home improvements” including a new roof, new bathrooms, new air conditioning, new technology, new paint, and updated spaces.

YOU’RE INVITED TO

MONDAY, AUGUST 22 • 6 – 8 PM Meet your teachers, find your locker, and celebrate the start of a new year!

Welcome home. We have an amazing year ahead of us!

INSIDE

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS Page 2

NEW EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Page 4

POSTCARDS FROM COLLEGE Page 3

MAKING AN IMPACT Page 6

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THANK YOU for your support of the main visitor and student bathroom renovation! Our community raised $115,000 during the Fund A Need portion of the Spring Auction to address this pressing need.

of the faculty will receive new MacBook Airs as they start the school year. The remainder will receive an upgrade next year.

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2016!

The Class of 2016 will attend 33 different colleges and universities in 19 states plus Washington, D.C.

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OVER OUR HEADS

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wireless access points were added to help connect the ever-growing number of mobile devices on campus.

The final two sections of the roof were replaced this summer, completing the repairs that have been in progress for the last several years.

new pieces of science equipment ranging from microscopes to sine wave generators are ready for our students.

3x The number of iPads in Lower School has more than tripled to 75! Teachers are trained and excited about the expanding program.

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POSTCARDS FROM COLLEGE MPA’s recent graduates have been up to some incredible things this summer!

Class of 2011 Hi, Panthers!

I graduated in May with my master’s degree in materials science and engineering from Cornell University where I researched a novel material for display technologies and became an under 23 World Rowing Champion. This summer I started training with the National Rowing Team with the hopes of competing in the 2020 Olympics.

MPA ignited my passion for learning and helped me develop so many of the skills I needed to succeed moving forward.

Best regards, Kate Roach

Class of 2015 Greetings from Quito!

I’ve been in Ecuador since early June, on break from Scripps College. Traveling with an organization called Child Family Health International has given me an opportunity to participate in a program that compares urban and rural health care. I’m pursuing my passion for science that began at MPA, and am so thankful for all those years of Spanish! The people here are wonderful, and the food is sure interesting! Hope all is well in Minnesota!

Best, Emma Stacy

Class of 2014 Dear MPA, I am now a junior at the University of Minnesota where I am studying sport management and am part of the Honors Program. I have worked for the Minnesota Twins the last two summers while also coaching a baseball team. During the school year, I am a student manager for the Gopher Men’s Basketball Team. In addition, I have created lifelong friendships as a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. I’m grateful that MPA put me in a position to succeed.

From, CJ Kramer

Class of 2011 Hi, MPA! This summer I started medical school at NYU, where I hope to incorporate my interest in food and nutrition into medicine. I just started a blog called Eat Your Food Meds (eatyourfoodmeds. wordpress.com), to delve into the latest nutritional science. MPA instilled my passion to learn. There is so much to learn, so much to think about—that keeps me going every day!

Cheers, Garseng Wong 3

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY We warmly welcome new faculty and staff to MPA.

CAITLIN BECKS Middle School Band and Music Teacher Caitlin comes from the Grand Forks Public School District in North Dakota.

She studied music education at Concordia College and Chicago’s VanderCook College of Music. Caitlin has been an active instrumental, vocal, and theatrical performer and director in the communities she has lived in, and she is excited to share her musical skills and knowledge with MPA students.

BEE CHANG Panther Club Assistant Bee joined MPA’s Panther Club program last fall. She has coached junior varsity women’s soccer at Washington High School for three years and is working toward becoming a personal trainer or physical education teacher. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer as well as coaching. She loves MPA’s Panther Club children!

ASHLEY GOETZKE Database Specialist Ashley joined the Development and Admission teams in May. A graduate of the College of St. Benedict, she worked in a school following graduation while pursuing her master’s degree in special education.

Working in social services, she always missed the culture of being in a school. She is hitting the ground running and couldn’t be more excited for the year to start.

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ANN FRANCES GREGG Upper School Drama Teacher Ann Frances is thrilled to join the MPA family as a faculty member and as a parent to her new kindergartner, Georgie. Ann Frances has spent the past 15 years as a theatre teacher and director at Cretin-Derham Hall.

Ann Frances’ passion is theatre direction, particularly the rehearsal process. She looks forward to meeting the community and to doing what she loves most in the world—theatre!

HEATHER MASTEL Lower and Middle School Drama Teacher Heather moved to Minnesota to attend Hamline University in 1995 and never left! She has more than 10 years of teaching and directing experience, working with preschool through college students. Her favorite shows include Peter Pan, a musical version of The Hobbit, and The Tempest (starring fifth graders!).

Heather enjoys reading, camping, and time with her family.

NATE PLATTNER Custodial Supervisor Nate comes to MPA with more than 20 years of experience in maintenance and custodial work, most recently with Saint Paul Public Schools. Nate is known as a jack of all trades who can repair “almost anything.” Nate, his wife, and four children reside in Chisago City. In his free time he enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, and weight training.

MARK SEGAL Upper School Director A native of Minnesota, Mark has worked for the past 20 years as a history teacher and administrator at public and private schools in the Twin Cities, Washington, D.C., and most recently as the middle school director at Brentwood School in Los Angeles.

Mark and his wife, Judith, are excited to be part of MPA’s vibrant and warm community and are thrilled that their son, Logan, will be in third grade here.

SHELLEY STEINGRAEBER Third Grade Teacher Shelley comes to MPA after teaching first grade for eight years at Nova Classical Academy. Prior to classroom teaching, Shelley pursued her passion for teaching in various educational settings ranging from The English Learning Center for Immigrant and Refugee Families in Minneapolis to the British International School in Prague. Shelley resides in St. Paul with her husband and two children.

NATALIE WATERS SEUM Director of Communications and Marketing Natalie came to MPA in May and is working hard to tell MPA’s many wonderful stories to current and prospective families. After nearly 20 years as a communications consultant serving education-related nonprofits and the Minnesota Department of Education, she is delighted to put down roots at MPA with her son, Henry, who is in sixth grade.

ANNIE STEWART PreK Teaching Assistant Annie is an MPA alum and has a degree in theater from St. Olaf College. Last year she worked as a substitute teacher and Panther Den supervisor at MPA, and this summer she started toward a master’s degree in teaching at Hamline University.

She is excited to be joining the PreK classroom and looks forward to being a part of the Lower School staff!

GET INVOLVED Thank you for making a difference in our community through philanthropy.

We are grateful for the many ways that our enthusiastic community comes together to actively support MPA. We believe that how you give is unique to you. There are a wide range of volunteer and philanthropic opportunities that are flexible, convenient, and reflective of your commitment to the success of our school.

For more information about volunteering or philanthropy at MPA, please contact LaTasha St. Arnault, Director of Development at 651-748-5532 or latasha@moundsparkacademy.org.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ENDLESS WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT MPA THIS YEAR: • Volunteer at Homecoming • Attend Homecoming festivities and sporting events • Participate in the Fall Campaign • Join a committee to help plan various events and school activities • Get involved with the Parents Association • Attend the Spring Auction • Join the MPA Legacy Society • Volunteer to help in the division offices or classrooms • Donate in-kind gifts to MPA • Collect Box Tops • Shop Amazon Smile 5

MAKING AN IMPACT Continuing a tradition of community and philanthropy.

Fundraising at MPA makes many things possible—most importantly, new opportunities for our students. Your support will help ensure that MPA remains at the forefront of education. Gifts of all sizes are needed and greatly appreciated in reaching this year’s MPA Fund goal of $550,000. We invite and encourage our whole community to join together by participating in the Fall Campaign and attending the Spring Auction. Your participation matters!

GIFTS TO THE MPA FUND HELP: • Recruit and retain the best-in-class educators • Provide tuition assistance to deserving students • Secure classroom resources and equipment including technology • Maintain the safety and beauty of our 32-acre campus JOYFUL LEARNING, JOYFUL GIVING • OCTOBER 10 – NOVEMBER 17, 2016 Our Fall Campaign is the most critical fundraising effort of the year. This fall we encourage everyone to give in whatever capacity they are able. Gifts to the MPA Fund have a direct impact on the daily experiences for our students. These six weeks will be filled with fun activities for both parents and students, including an all school assembly on November 17.

SPRING AUCTION • MAY 13, 2017 • UNION DEPOT, SAINT PAUL Mark your calendars to celebrate MPA at one of the most exciting and uplifting events of the year. On this night, supporters of MPA come together to build community, applaud accomplishments, and raise important funds. The Spring Auction provides opportunities to make an impact through sponsorships, tickets sales, and live and silent auction donations. This event also allows us to support specific initiatives through Fund a Need.

For more information, please contact LaTasha St. Arnault, Director of Development at 651-748-5532 or latasha@moundsparkacademy.org.

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MPA HOMECOMING 2016 Save the date for MPA Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, September 23 and 24, 2016.

Activities will include a pep rally, alumni gatherings, milestone reunions, lawn games, great food, athletic competitions, and other activities for all ages!

Special congratulations to the classes of 1986, 1987, 1996, 1997, 2006 and 2007 celebrating their milestone reunions!

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ABOUT MPA

651-748-5505

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2051 Larpenteur Avenue East • Saint Paul, MN 55109 phone: 651-777-2555 • fax: 651-777-8633 moundsparkacademy.org