MKA Parents' Association Celebrates Accomplishments
The Parents' Association of The Montclair Kimberley Academy held their Annual Meeting on May 11, 2011, where the work of countless parent volunteers and the remarkable results of a years worth of fund-raising efforts were celebrated.
Through activities that include old favorites – the largest Scholastic Book Fair in the country, a Gift Wrap fundraiser, and the annual Gala Dinner and Auction (with its associated Tuition Raffle and Ad Journal) – together with newer initiatives, such as the second annual Internship Auction for juniors, seniors and recent graduates, and the first ever one-day Winter Boutique held in December, PAMKA raised close to a remarkable $400,000 for the school.
In support of the Board of Trustees goals for a campaign that will ensure the school's continued pre-eminence in the world of independent education through enhanced facilities, program and endowment, PAMKA pledged $200,000 of this year's proceeds to Faculty Compensation Endowment. This brings PAMKA's total contributions to endowment to over $2 million –making them the largest single supporter of the endowment that the school has to date. In addition, PAMKA gave a special gift of $50,000 – the first in a five-year commitment towards a total of $250,000 dedicated to the campaign - to establish the PAMKA Family Fund that may be used towards a variety of future projects.
The remaining $144,000 will be distributed among the three campuses and includes gifts to the libraries, the athletic department, classrooms, the fine and performing arts departments, professional development and community programs, as well as a gift to support MKA's continuing 1:1 technology initiative, with the purchase of 30 iPads for the Primary School library.
PAMKA President Karen Ross opened the well-attended meeting by acknowledging the countless hours and commitment of the MKA parent body, and reviewing the highlights of the year – including the numerous PAMKA activities that do not involve fundraising. 2011 Faculty Trust Grant recipients were announced and a special presentation was made by one of last year's recipients, Middle School science teacher Dan Weller, who traveled to Tahiti to conduct research and experience a solar eclipse first-hand.
President of the Board Michael Johnson outlined the Board's strategic plans for limiting tuition increases, while growing gifts to the Annual Fund, endowment and future campaign initiatives, and was followed by Headmaster Tom Nammack who gave a State of the School Address. In his address, Nammack discussed the school's efforts to maintain focus on the well-being and learning of students in the wake of the recent arrest of a faculty member and then described MKA's robust admissions season, as well as upcoming faculty transitions and the overall strength of the school at this time. Throughout his remarks, gratitude to and appreciation of the MKA parent body was first and foremost, and Nammack concluded by reflecting on the extraordinary abilities and creativity of this volunteer organization that brings renewed energy, enthusiasm and success to every event, every year.
Click here to see photos from the event