MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

A Letter from the MS Admin Team

Please see this week’s letter from Head of Middle School Carlaina Bell, Ed.D., as she reflects on classroom visits, student government elections, and how our programs help students find their authentic voice.

Dress Code Update from the Middle School Dean of Students

I wanted to share a quick, incredibly positive update on how our new dress code expectations are going. Thanks to your support at home, the transition has been a huge success! We are so proud of how our students have handled these changes over the last few weeks. They have been asking thoughtful questions, doing an excellent job of following daily expectations, and even gently holding each other accountable.

Because of their dedication and attention to detail, the students earned a dress-down day, which took place on September 11. Given how well they are doing, I am sure they will be earning more of these reward days very soon. Thank you for partnering with us. We appreciate everything you do.

Ms. Burks

Middle School Dean of Students

Middle School Academic Program Guide

Explore everything you need to know about the Middle School academic program in the Middle School Academic Program Guide. This resource provides more information on curriculum and course offerings, key academic policies, and essential support resources.

Speech & Debate Team Meeting — Monday, September 28

Do you like sharing your ideas, thinking fast on your feet, or just want to feel more confident speaking in front of others? The Speech & Debate team is the place for you! Please note that the first meeting will be held on Monday, September 28.

See the following letter from Amy Mai Tierney for more information.

Fall Grade-Level Trip Information

We are excited to share with you information about the fourth through eighth-grade trips scheduled for this fall. It is essential for Middle School students to spend time getting to know one another and building community in the early weeks of school. Please read the grade-level letters to families below:

• Fourth and Fifth Grades — Day trip to Camp Mason, Friday, October 16, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please read this letter for more information and to sign the mandatory Camp Mason Waiver.
• Sixth Grade — Day trip to Fairview Lake, Thursday, October 1, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please read this letter for more information and mandatory medical forms.
• Seventh Grade — Overnight trip to Fairview Lake, beginning Thursday, October 1, at 8:00, and returning Friday, October 2, by 5:00 p.m. Please read this letter for more information and mandatory medical forms. Please see the following Helpful Hints and Packing List.
• Eighth Grade — Four-day trip to Williamsburg, Virginia, beginning Tuesday, October 20, and returning Friday, October 23. Please see the following letter with more information.

IMPORTANT: Sixth- and seventh-grade parents, please refer to the PAMKA section below for more information on breakfast sign-ups and donations.

After School Music Program

Enrollment is now open for the MKA After School Music Program, which offers private lessons right after school at the Middle School. Lessons are highly recommended for all serious instrumental music students, as well as those who are just beginning. The program's curriculum is closely aligned with the MKA Orchestral Program. We offer flexible scheduling, enabling lessons to be arranged at a time that is mutually convenient. Consistent participation in these lessons can significantly accelerate the learning process. We presently provide private instruction in violin, viola, cello, bass, and piano.

Should you require further details or wish to enroll, please reach out to Dimitri Hajipetkov, Tri-Campus Strings Director.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Monday, September 28, 8:15 - 10:00 a.m. — Book Fair Meeting
• Monday, October 5, 8:15 - 10:00 a.m. — Book Fair Meeting
• Wednesday, October 7, 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. — PAMKA Board Meeting
• Monday, October 12, 8:15 - 10:00 a.m. — Book Fair Meeting

Save the Date

• Thursday, November 5 - Wednesday, November 11 — Scholastic Book Fair

For a complete calendar listing of PAMKA events, please view the PAMKA calendar in Veracross.

Fall Parent Socials

Kick off the school year by connecting with fellow parents at our Fall Parent Socials. These fun gatherings are a great opportunity to meet new parents and reconnect with old friends. We’re excited to bring our parent community together for a few relaxed evenings this fall. Thank you to all the families that are hosting these events.

Friday, September 25 — Grade 1 & Grade 6

Saturday, September 26 — Grade 8 & Grade 9

Friday, October 2 — Grades K, 7, & 11

Saturday, October 3 — Jr-K

Friday, October 9 — Grade 4

Thursday, October 15 — Grade 10

Friday, October 16 — Grade 2

Saturday, October 17 — Grade 5

Please note: The Grade 12 parent social will be held in Spring 2027. Grade 12 parents will receive an update after spring break.

Please be on the lookout for an Evite from your grade representatives with details regarding the host, location, timing, as well as how to RSVP. Invitations will be sent approximately four weeks prior to your social. For any questions, please contact your PAMKA Grade Representatives.

Sixth Grade Fairview Lake Trip — Breakfast Sign-Ups

Our sixth-grade students are heading to Fairview Lake on Thursday, October 1. Please see the links below to sign up and bring a breakfast item for your child’s homeroom. Thank you for helping make their morning extra special!

• Weller/Tierney Homeroom
• Zhang/Murray Homeroom
• Shade/Coyle Homeroom
• Gardner/Wong Homeroom
• Coronis/Martinez Homeroom
• Allen/Arcis Homeroom

Seventh Grade Overnight Trip — Breakfast Donations

Seventh-grade students will have breakfast prior to heading out on their overnight trip on Thursday, October 1, 2026. We are requesting donations of drinks and light breakfast items,  as well as paper plates. Any extra items will be brought on the trip as extra snacks (and for the bus ride home). The items can be dropped off the morning of October 1 around 7:20 - 7:30 a.m. at the front desk.

Please use this link to find your child's homeroom and sign up for an available slot.

Connect with PAMKA on LinkedIn

We’re excited to introduce the new PAMKA LinkedIn page, created as a resource to help our parent community connect beyond the school campus. Rooted in MKA’s commitment to being known and connected, the group will help foster an even stronger sense of community among MKA families.

We hope this page will provide opportunities for parents to network, share professional connections and expertise, support one another, and build meaningful relationships within our community. Members will also receive important updates about upcoming events, opportunities to get involved, and other news relevant to the parent community.

We invite all parents to follow the page, connect with fellow MKA families, and help us grow this new resource together.

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler Facebook group and stay connected to the community!

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

• Monday, September 28, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. — DIPC & Office of Community Belonging Parent & Caregiver Affinity Groups Fall Gathering
• Wednesday, September 30, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Single Parents Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
• Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — AAPI Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
• Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Muslim Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group

Stay up to date on Parent and Caregivers Affinity Group meeting dates for the 2026-2027 academic year using the Community Belonging calendar. For questions, please contact Edie Brennan, Community Belonging Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison; Callie Bond, Associate Director of Community Belonging and Admissions Liaison; and/or Shawna Morton, Director of Community Belonging.

Upcoming Athletics Home Games

Show your Cougar pride this week and cheer on our student-athletes as they defend home turf! For full schedule details, check out the athletics calendar, and don’t forget to follow @mkaathletics on social media.

Friday, September 25

2:00 p.m. — Boys’ Varsity Football vs. Horace Mann School (Van Brunt Field)

4:00 p.m. — Girls’ Varsity Tennis vs. Mount St. Dominic Academy (MS Courts)

4:15 p.m. — Girls’ Middle School Soccer vs. Bayonne Middle School (MS Fields)

Saturday, September 26

10:00 a.m. — Boys’ Junior Varsity Soccer vs. Randolph High School (MS Fields)

11:00 a.m. — Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey vs. Montclair High School (Muenster Field)

Parent and Caregiver Affinity Group Fall Gathering — Monday, September 28

The Diversity and Inclusion Parents Committee (DIPC) and the Office of Community Belonging would like to invite you to the MKA Parent and Caregiver Affinity Group Fall Gathering. The Parent and Caregiver Affinity Groups are a key way we foster and celebrate community at MKA, and this event is open to anyone who has previously participated in these spaces or is interested in learning more.

The gathering will be held on Monday, September 28, from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Head of School's home. Please note that this event is designed for our parents and caregivers only. Light hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Edie Brennan and/or Shawna Morton. We hope to see you there!

Save the Date: Homecoming — Saturday, October 10

Come join us on Lloyd Road for Homecoming on Saturday, October 10, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.! This event is a fun-filled day for our entire community, with plenty of sports games, food, carnival games, and kid-friendly crafts to enjoy. You can also shop for MKA gear at the school store table.

All student tables (food and activities) require tickets for payment, and tickets are CASH ONLY. Credit cards will only be accepted for the school store. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please note: For those attending sports games on this day, the JV and Varsity soccer games will take place at 10:00 a.m. View the Homecoming flyer to learn more.

Register for the Annual Golf & Racquet Classic — Monday, October 26

Registration is now open for the annual Golf & Racquet Classic taking place on Monday, October 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the Somerset Hills Country Club. Join fellow MKA parents, alumni, and supporters for an unforgettable day of friendly competition and camaraderie. Your support at this year’s outing does more than create a great day on the green—it strengthens the MKA experience for our students.

New this year: We've added Mahjong Open Play and a Mahjong 101 Clinic to the lineup!

Event proceeds will combine to create the MKA Athletics Challenge for MKA Day on November 19, our largest day of giving. This means your day out will inspire our entire school community to give back. Spots are limited, so make sure to secure your spot today!

Looking to make a broader impact? Sponsorships at all levels offer high-visibility brand exposure, strategic networking opportunities, and tax-deductible benefits. It's a win-win, supporting students while showcasing your brand to our engaged and dynamic community. You can view our sponsorships on our registration page.

REGISTER TODAY

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