The Parents’ Association of Montclair Kimberley Academy (PAMKA) is a parent volunteer organization established to provide opportunities for parents to participate in the support and enhancement of the students' educational experience at Montclair Kimberley Academy. PAMKA pursues its mission working in cooperation with the school administration through activities consistent with the policies and goals established by the MKA Board of Trustees.
PAMKA achieves its objectives by:
- Directing its financial, volunteer, and organizational resources to broaden and supplement the educational environment of MKA students and faculty
- Communicating information essential to each family's participation in the daily life of the school
- Fostering a strong MKA community through parent involvement in programs, social gatherings, volunteer opportunities, and special events
- Sponsoring safe social events for students
- Actively raising funds and organizing volunteers to achieve all goals
PAMKA EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
PAMKA events span all three campuses and bring the entire MKA community together through social, educational, and community engagement opportunities.
The PAMKA Lecture is a public series, sponsored by the Parents' Association of Montclair Kimberley Academy, that brings speakers of national and international repute to the MKA community and to the general public. Past speakers have included Stephen Colbert and Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Andrew Solomon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Bryan Stevenson.
Every winter, PAMKA's Parenting Workshops Committee, in conjunction with MKA, offers a morning of engaging and thoughtful discussion with guest experts that focuses on parenting issues of interest to MKA families throughout the campuses. Recent workshops have included a wide range of topics for the whole community, including anxiety, rethinking the brain, cultivating grit, and navigating relationships in a digital world.
MKA is proud to be the site of the largest annual Scholastic Book Fair in the country. This tri-campus annual event, organized by PAMKA, has become a highlight of school and community life. The book fair runs for five days in early November. In addition to author visits and signings, the book fair has become a vehicle for tri-campus community building, teacher appreciation efforts, and outreach to KIPP, MKA's partner charter school in Newark, New Jersey.
Since 1996, some of the world's most respected children’s authors have visited the book fair, including J. K. Rowling (the only school visit she made on her first-ever Harry Potter book tour to the US), Carl Hiaasen, Henry Winkler, Jerry Spinelli, Jack Gantos, Mary Pope Osborn, Paula Danziger, Mike Lupica, Jon Scieszka, Avi, Walter Dean Myers, Robert Sabuda, Kathryn Lasky, Anthony Horowitz, and Cornelia Funke. MKA has been fortunate to welcome Hyewon Yum, Doug Salati, Todd Parr, Lauren Tarashis, Brian Selznick, and Claribel Ortega in recent years.
A celebration that brings together parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees in a spirit of community and connection. This festive evening features food, music, and meaningful conversation, offering an opportunity to strengthen relationships and celebrate the shared values of the MKA community.
Cougar Pride Day is a day of fun for the entire MKA community in the spring. Rain or shine, a carnival atmosphere, varsity games, live music, crafts, contests, and lots of food ensure a great turnout.
The PAMKA Faculty Trust Grants committee has awarded grants to over 100 faculty members since the inception of this program in 1978. Grant recipients embark on domestic and international adventures to pursue experiences that enlighten them and enrich their students' classroom experience in a unique way. Over $550,000 has been awarded throughout the years, and MKA students have continually reaped the benefits of these inspirational and educational experiences.
Each campus works with PAMKA volunteers to establish developmentally appropriate ways for students to engage with our local community. PAMKA's Community Outreach Campus Chairs each sponsor a drive for the entire school community. The Thanksgiving Food Drive benefits Montclair's Human Needs Food Pantry; the Hat, Mitten, and Toy Drive benefits Toni's Kitchen and The Valley Settlement House; and the Blood Drive benefits Community Blood Services and those in need of life-saving blood donations. PAMKA is proud to support our local community through these drives and other volunteer opportunities.
UPCOMING PAMKA EVENTS
There are no upcoming PAMKA events at this time.
