China and Beyond

As we welcome new people to MPA, I recall two years ago when I was new myself. I was very excited about all the wonderful things going on here - the great teachers and wonderful students. I also noticed that there were some things that needed to be done that would make it possible for even more wonderful things to happen here - in new spaces and in new ways.

So we made a plan. And this summer, we started to put that plan into place. You may have noticed some changes. It is much easier to get on and off the south side of the campus now - drop off and pick up are considerably easier and there is more parking. Students in the lower school may have noticed that some of the classrooms look and feel much better than before. We have started renovating classrooms, and that will continue in coming years.

I also can't wait until Tuesday when we officially open the new grassy playing area that extends from the playground all the way to Larpenteur. We'll cut the ribbon Tuesday morning and it will be open to all.

But there was one other thing we did this summer, perhaps the simplest of all, that I am particularly excited about. In fact, it might be the most important addition. We put in a window. It's a special window. When you look through it, you can see forever. You can see the great big world outside. You can see the sky.

When you walk down the hall and you feel yourself coming in to the light from those new windows up above, let yourself look up. Let yourself see beyond that window to the big world outside. Imagine yourself in that world, becoming a part of it in your own special way. And imagine yourself making that world a better place for everyone, in your own special way. Because that is why you are here - so that we can help you, and you can help each other make yourselves ready for the big world outside, ready to go out and make it a better place for all of us.

Have a great year!