Compiled by Janet Wight
Hmong College Prep Academy (HCPA)
Submitted by Anna Her, creative content coordinator
The prep academy’s talented band students represented the school as part of the University of St. Thomas Honor Band in October. They spent the day learning from college faculty and guest conductor Joseph Cheung from China.
The day was capped off with an evening concert and the opportunity to reconnect with two HCPA alumni.
Metro Deaf School
Submitted by Susan Outlaw, executive director
Metro Deaf School’s volleyball team won the City Conference championship in October for the first time in the school’s history.
The school also held its 14th annual arts and crafts festival and all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast on Nov. 15. Proceeds from this family-friendly event went to support the student life and art departments.
Great River School
Submitted by Aja Parham, communications coordinator
Families of prospective students in grades one through six are invited to attend one of the upcoming elementary open houses. These sessions provide the chance to meet the program director, take a tour, learn more about the school and ask questions.
Open houses will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Register at tinyurl.com/GRS-open-houses or email Karen Amway at [email protected].
Murray Middle School
Submitted by Principal Jamin McKenzie and Stefanie Folkema
Forty-nine eighth graders, five teachers and three family members participated in Murray’s inaugural field trip to Washington, D.C., in October.
Murray’s social studies teachers—Kareem Aal, Janey Atchison, Kirsten Croone and Carrie Newman—planned the trip. Despite the government shutdown, the group was able to visit many monuments, memorials and historic sites during the four-day tour.
The Murray delegation visited several major attractions including the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument. They also visited the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, Ford’s Theatre, Gettysburg, the Library of Congress, Howard University and the Catoctin Mountain Orchard.
In other news, Murray is holding a book fair at Barnes & Noble on Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. The winter band and orchestra concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16.
St. Anthony Park Elementary School
Submitted by Principal Phillip Hutcheson
St. Anthony Park Elementary School recently held an assembly to celebrate students who exemplify the Wolfpack Way—superb safety, remarkable respect and robust responsibility. The assembly coincided with Bullying Prevention Month. The students were asked “Who would stand up for you” and “Who would have your back?”
A fifth-grader named Margot was chosen by her classmates as one of the recipients of the special Upstander Award given to students who are most likely to support and protect classmates.
October was filled with outdoor learning. Third and fifth graders took trips to the Belwin Conservancy in Afton.
Students had the opportunity to explore the outdoors through classes on predator and prey relationships. They also learned about birding. The students have been practicing these new skills in Langford Park, which is adjacent to the school.
Twin Cities German Immersion School
Submitted by Paige Yurczyk, communication and community outreach manager
The Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Cultures has named Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, executive director of the Twin Cities German Immersion School, as the recipient of its 2025 administrator award.
Zehnpfennig was selected for her outstanding leadership and commitment to world language education as well as her significant contributions to intercultural learning within both the TCGIS community and the broader language immersion network in Minnesota.
TCGIS, a free public charter school located in St. Paul’s Como Park neighborhood, is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Applications are due by Jan. 30.
German language proficiency is not required for enrollment. For more information visit tcgis.org/enrollment.
Janet Wight lives in the Como neighborhood and is a regular freelance writer for the Bugle.
