Join Us For All-School PA Meetings!

Last month, we highlighted changes in the PA based on thoughtful feedback from our parent community in our spring survey. This month, we want to highlight the addition of two All-School PA Meetings! These meetings will be an opportunity to come together as a parent community in support of strengthening relationships, clarifying needs, and providing opportunities to be helpful and have some fun. As we collaborate with Dr. Brogdon, we aim to meet in January and April. 

Call For Volunteers: Staff Appreciation

More hands are needed! As you finalize your family's conference schedule, please consider volunteering to help set up or clean up for the conference dinner on Thursday, October 9, and/or keep our snacks replenished during the day on Friday, October 10. Guidance will be provided, and it only takes a few minutes to refill items and tidy up. Thank you, MPA parents and caregivers, for your hospitality!

Thank you to everyone who signed up to donate a perishable snack that nourishes our faculty during conferences. Additional items have been added to supplement the dinner we will provide to the faculty. Your generosity is appreciated!

PA Hosted Lower School Halloween Party

Watch for a sign-up to volunteer at the Lower School Halloween Party in the Lansing Sports Center on Friday, October 31. There will be a variety of activities during students’ P.E. time between 8:30 AM-2:20 PM. Join us for part of the day or the whole day! 

Parent-Led Club Highlights!

Garden Club

Our school gardens are a community effort, cared for by a group of parents who pop in when they can to water, weed, and keep things thriving. The goal is to create a welcoming space for bees, birds, and butterflies while also giving classrooms a place to learn, explore, and connect with nature. If you’d like to get updates or join us in the garden (no experience required), sign up for our parent email list here.

Rainbow Club

Rachael Weber has kicked off the Rainbow Club LGBTQ+ group, and the first meeting was both energizing and heartfelt. Parents, caregivers, and staff came together to reflect on what meaningful advocacy might look like within our school, how to intentionally expand spaces of belonging, and the importance of recognizing intersectional identities in the lives of our students.

The discussion was rich with ideas about listening more deeply, amplifying marginalized voices, and ensuring that LGBTQ+ students and families feel a true sense of welcome. As we look ahead, the Rainbow Club is committed to building on MPA’s tradition of compassion by helping foster a community where every student thrives—and where creating a safe and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ members strengthens the fabric of the entire school.

If this is a club that might interest you, please reach out to Rachael Weber at rachweb89@gmail.com. The group meets monthly and is always welcoming new voices and perspectives!

Upcoming Events

Please note: all Parent Association upcoming events are listed on the MPA Calendar.

Coffee & Conversations With The Head Of School | Wednesday, October 8: 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library

Before heading to work, start your day with MPA! Join Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school, for Coffee & Conversations on Wednesday, October 8, at 8 AM in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library.

Connect, share, and build community together.

Faculty & Staff Appreciation | October 9 and 10

One Parents Association tradition is hosting dinner for faculty and staff the evening of conferences, and putting out healthy (and not-so-healthy) snacks for faculty to recharge during the long, full day of conferences. October 9 and 10 will be no different! The PA is hosting dinner from Chipotle on Thursday evening, and on Friday, the Teaching Kitchen will be ground central for candy, chips, fruit, yogurt, soda, iced coffee, and more. If you missed it in our call for volunteers, it isn’t too late to sign up!

• Thursday, October 9: Donate a perishable snack or dinner item 
• Thursday, October 9: Help set up or clean up for the conference dinner
• Friday, October 10: Keep our snacks replenished

Division Coffees

Lower School Family Forum | Friday, October 24: 8:15-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library

Meet and greet with James Ewer, Lower School director, and fellow division-level parents as we set the partnership tone for the 2025-26 school year. 

*Please note these family forums will be monthly instead of quarterly. 

Halloween Pop-Up Book Fair | Friday, October 31: 10:30 AM-3:30 PM

Please save the date for a one-day Halloween book fair! Liz, from Usborne Books, will be setting up shop in front of the library and will be selling the brand's popular offerings from 10:30 AM-3:30 PM on October 31. Due to changes in the overall Book Festival structure this year, the PA will be hosting this pop-up event, followed by a week-long Scholastic Book Fair in December. This is the perfect time to pop in when you are on campus for the Lower School Halloween Party or parade. All proceeds go directly to supporting the Martin Lenz Harrison Library.

Meet Four Of Our PA Board Members

We asked board members how long their family has been at MPA, the names and grades of their children, one of their favorite MPA traditions, and if they could swap with their kid for one day at MPA, what they would look forward to the most. Keep an eye out for more board member bios next month!

Jasmin Stees | Co-President & Middle School Division Lead

Hi everyone, my name is Jasmin Stees, and this is my second year serving as the co-president and Middle School division lead on the Parents Association Board. This is my family’s fifth year at MPA, and I have two children in the school—Pierson, who is in seventh grade, and Teddy, who is in PreK. One of my favorite MPA traditions is getting to attend all of the wonderful choral and instrumental concerts.

Whether it is the Lower School Art and Music Show or the combined Middle and Upper School Band Concert, the music program is simply outstanding! If I could swap places with one of my kids for the day, I would pick a day in the PreK classroom. I would look forward to all of the fun, hands-on learning projects like baking break or taking a turn to pick some fresh produce in the PreK garden.

Laura Nicholson | Co-President & Lower School Division Lead

Hi everyone! This is my third year as a parent at MPA—my son, Gabe, is in the second grade, and my husband, Chad, is an alum from the Class of 1997. I served as a grade rep for kindergarten and first grade, and I helped organize the Lower School Halloween and Valentine’s Day parties last year. This is my first year as Lower School Division lead and co-president of the PA Board. One of my favorite MPA traditions is the Halloween Party!

I love seeing everyone (kids, parents, and staffulty) dressed up and really enjoying themselves. So many families participate in the day, and it culminates in a celebratory parade of Lower School students around the school. If I could swap places with Gabe for the day, I would probably spend the whole day in the art room. I love drawing, painting, and creating. 

Jamie Kreeger | Grade Rep Coordinator

Hi all! This is my second year as an MPA parent and my first year serving on the PA Board. I have two children, and they both attend MPA—Lucy, who’s in kindergarten, and Frank, who’s in third grade. One of my favorite MPA traditions is the casual afterschool hangouts on the playground when the weather is nice. It’s a wonderful way to connect with other families, let the kids burn off some extra energy, and avoid the rush in the parking lot.

If I could swap places with my kids for one day at MPA, I’d spend it rotating between the energetic P.E. movement drills, a creative hands-on project in the Makerspace, and some peaceful reading time in the cozy library. Looking forward to a great year ahead!

Melissa Suek | Staff Appreciation Lead

Greetings! Our family joined MPA three years ago, when my now fifth grader, Vincent, was in third grade. We are also a host family to Robin, who is in eighth grade. My first year, I volunteered at a few different Parents Association events, and in the classroom—I knew volunteering was a good way to meet other parents in our new school community. Last year, I joined the PA Board as appreciation lead, and I have continued in the role this year. Being newer to the community, I didn’t know what to expect for our first few years.

However, seeing the musical performances of Middle Schoolers in particular has been a joy! Whether vocal or instrumental, I am amazed at the confidence and skill our kids demonstrate. If I could trade places with one of our Middle Schoolers for the day, I would choose to attend Ms. Mastel’s theater class and stay after school to work with Ms. Jaques on crew, or rehearse for the current theater production. I can’t wait to see "Dracula: A Comic Thriller" in November!

Parents Association Paw Prints

Lower School Family Forum 

The forum was led by Lower School director, Mr. James Ewer, accompanied by Ms. Julia Ross, Ms. Dana Distad, and Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon.

There was an excellent turnout, with over 30 parents and grandparents attending the forum.

The main topics discussed were:

• School safety and security.
• Utilizing FastBridge and in-class observation to help determine a child's strengths and areas for growth, inform classroom instruction, and track progress over time.
• Need for more teacher training and support regarding neurodivergence and the possible formation of a parent group.  

Keep a lookout for a more lengthy meeting summary from Mr. Ewer in the next few weeks, and please join us at the next Lower School Family Forum on October 24, from 8:15-9:45 AM.

Middle School Quarterly Coffee

We had a meet and greet with MPA’s Middle School Director, Mr. Paul Errickson! Mr. Errickson shared fall updates on MAP testing, including changes to the Middle School schedule, such as flex time and recess. He also discussed student-led clubs, outlining when they take place and the process to get approval for a new club. Parents then shared a variety of questions for group discussion, which centered on the Middle School homework load, social/emotional learning skills, and safe technology usage.

Mr. Errickson will continue co-leading another round of the Students and Screens parent education series this year, with a kick-off session slated to be held on October 21. If you want to learn more about how to keep your student(s) safe online, please watch for more information.

Homecoming Staff Appreciation

We showed our appreciation to faculty and staff on the Friday before Homecoming, hosting autumn-themed treats and savory snacks in the Peacock Teaching Kitchen.

Congratulations to the three winners of our mum raffle—Ms. Petersen (kindergarten), Ms. DesLauriers (Lower and Middle School French), and Ms. Blue (Middle and Upper School French). 

Grade-Level Social Gatherings!

• PreK: The PreK class had a fun breakfast gathering on the playground on September 27, before the start of Homecoming. Parents, teachers, and kiddos chatted and played before walking over to the athletic fields to enjoy the bounce houses, face painting, tattoos, beading, and sign-making. Several families stayed and attended the girls varsity soccer game together, enjoying a picnic lunch. 

• Second Grade: The second-grade families met at Madison’s Place Playground in Woodbury on Sunday, September 28, in the morning. It was another gorgeous day, the playground kept everyone busy for two-plus hours, and some kids even braved the splash pad!
• Seventh Grade: The seventh-grade parents and students met up on the afternoon of Saturday, September 27, at West Park in White Bear Lake. It was a beautiful weather day for visiting with other parents, while students played soccer, roamed the playground, and chatted with friends.

The MPA PA is 100% parent-led! If you want more information on how to get involved or have ideas to share, we want to hear from you. Please reach out to us at PA@moundsparkacademy.org at any time.