MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

Parent Coffee: Navigating the Return to School After Winter Break

*Please note the change to only ONE Parent Coffee conversation

Join our Primary and Middle school counselors for a warm cup of coffee and conversation as we discuss strategies to help your child transition smoothly back to school after the holiday break. We'll cover topics like re-establishing routines, managing post-break emotions, and setting a positive tone for the new year.

• Wednesday, January 14, 8:15 a.m. — Grades Jr-K through fifth grade (at the Primary School)

Come with your questions, share your experiences, and connect with other parents as we support our students in getting back into the swing of school life. Please use this link to RSVP. We look forward to seeing you there!

Deadline Extended for 2025-2026 Yearbook Personal Ads

For our 8th-grade families:
Don't miss this chance to celebrate their journey!

• New Deadline: January 18, 2026
• How to Create Your Ad: For pricing, design options, and to submit your order, please use this link.

For all other grade families (4th-7th):
Please visit the Jostens website for more information on how to purchase a yearbook.

MLK and Lunar New Year Dance Recital — Thursday, January 22

Please come out to support your children as they display their artistic talent during the MLK and Lunar New Year Dance Recital on Thursday, January 22, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Logan Auditorium at the Middle School. Families are also welcome to attend the 9:50 a.m. performance if they are unable to attend the evening event.

Please see the following letter from Dr. Elmore regarding mandatory dress rehearsals and costumes.

Eighth-grade Snowball Dance — Friday, January 23

We’re excited to announce that our eighth-grade Snowball Dance will take place on Friday, January 23, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Middle School.

We are seeking parent volunteers to assist with setup, decorations, food donations, and cleanup. If you’re available to help, please use this link to sign up.

Annual AMC 8 Examination — Tuesday, January 27

The Middle School Math Department will be hosting the annual American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 8 on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 9:50 a.m. in the Logan Auditorium. This competition is open to students in grades six, seven, and eight. Students who participate in the competition will be missing their FLEX that morning. The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple-choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. This challenging test assesses mathematical problem-solving with algebra, arithmetic, counting, geometry, logic, number theory, and probability. Past contests are available on the Art of Problem Solving website.

Please complete this form before January 20, 2026, if your student wishes to participate. Reach out to Elizabeth Coyle with any questions.

Fifth Grade Trip to the MET — Thursday, January 29 and Friday, January 30

On January 29th and 30th, the fifth grade will visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to view the Egyptian Art collection. Please see this letter for more information.

Faculty/Student Basketball Game — Friday, February 6

The Student Government Association is excited to host its annual Student/Faculty Basketball Game on Friday, February 6, from 6:00–9:00 p.m. in the MS Main Gym.

This fun, community-filled event is always a highlight for our middle school babies. All proceeds from the evening—including the bake sale and admissions—will go to three charities selected by the MS SGA as their organizations of choice.

We hope you’ll join us to cheer them on and to see some new surprises this year, including the debut of a brand-new BIG trophy!

Do you want to play or volunteer? Please complete this Faculty/Student Basketball Game Sign Up Form. More details coming soon. We look forward to seeing you there!

Parent Book Club Coffee — Thursday, February 26

Join us for a meaningful discussion about Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It by Jennifer Breheny Wallace. This insightful book explores how our culture's obsession with achievement is impacting our children's mental health and offers practical strategies for raising healthier, more resilient kids.

This coffee will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 8:15 a.m. (location TBD) and is open to parents of students in grades 6-12 and will be facilitated by Daniella Kessler, Director of Counseling, along with members of MKA’s Counseling Team.

Come connect with other parents, share experiences, and gain valuable perspectives on supporting our teens through the pressures of achievement culture. Please use this link to RSVP. Any questions, please reach out to Daniella Kessler.

Sixth Grade Trip to Buehler Challenger & Science Center and Newark Art Museum — February 26-27

On Thursday, February 26, and Friday, February 27, half of the sixth grade will travel to the Buehler Challenger & Science Center in Paramus, NJ, as part of the science curriculum, while the other half of the class will travel to the Newark Art Museum for social studies. More information will be provided closer to the trip dates.

After School Music Program — Enrollment Open

Enrollment is open again for the MKA after-school music program, which offers private lessons immediately after school at the Middle School. Lessons are recommended for all serious instrumental music students, as well as beginners. The curriculum of the program is closely correlated to the MKA orchestral program. Scheduling is flexible, and lessons can be arranged at a mutually convenient time. Participating in lessons significantly accelerates the learning process. Students who take private lessons do not have to participate in any additional group sessions offered after school. We currently offer private lessons on violin, viola, cello, bass, and piano. For more information, please contact Strings Teacher and Tri-Campus Director of Orchestras, Dimitri Hadjipetkov.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, January 13, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Spring Social Meeting
• Wednesday, January 21, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Cougar Pride Day Meeting

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

Eighth-grade Snowball Dance — Friday, January 23

We’re excited to announce that our eighth-grade Snowball Dance will take place on Friday, January 23, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Middle School.

We are seeking parent volunteers to assist with setup, decorations, food donations, and cleanup. If you’re available to help, please use this link to sign up.

Volunteers Needed for Cougar Pride Day

Cougar Pride Day Co-Chairs Amira Artis and Aparna Shah are looking for a few more volunteers to head Cougar Pride Day sub-committees. If you are interested in helping with event planning and organization, please reach out to them.

T-shirt Contest (Submissions due January 14)

Attention all MKA Middle School and Upper School students! We are excited to announce the launch of the Cougar Pride Day T-shirt Design Contest! This is your chance to help design the official t-shirt that the entire school will wear at our annual Cougar Pride Day. We are looking for creative designs that celebrate school spirit, community, and what it means to be a Cougar.

• Who can participate
  Students in Middle School and Upper School are invited to submit designs. You may work independently or with one other student.
• How it works
  All submitted designs will be shared with the school community for voting. The winning design will be featured on this year’s Cougar Pride Day T-shirt.
• Submission deadline
  All designs must be submitted by January 14
• Design Submission
  Designs will need to be in a .jpeg electronic format to Cougar Pride Day co-chair Aparna Shah.

Winter Coat and Sweater Drive — Beginning January 26

PAMKA will host a Coat and Sweater Drive to benefit MESH Montclair, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping Montclair’s vulnerable homeless adults and families, from January 26 to February 6. We are collecting used/new ADULT coats, ADULT sweaters, and other essential items. More details about how to donate to this drive will follow in the coming weeks.

Questions? Contact Upper School Community Engagement Chair Erica Ajayi.

Nominating Slate — Deadline is Friday, January 30

Be a part of the PAMKA team! It is time to begin the search for the 2026-2027 PAMKA Board of Officers, Committee Chairs, Grade Representatives, and more. The Nominating Committee will be slating nearly 60 positions in February. Your input is critical in helping us fill these roles.

The online nominating form lists every position on the PAMKA Slate and allows you to nominate yourself or another parent for any open positions. This webpage provides the job descriptions for the volunteer opportunities available. The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 30.

As you review the various roles and responsibilities, please note:

• Self-nominations are strongly encouraged, as they support the Nominating Committee’s work in knowing what position(s) interest you.
• If you have any questions about any positions, please feel free to reach out to the Nominating Chairs.
• Please be assured that both the forms and the process are confidential. All nominations go through the committee's process.
• Being a parent volunteer is a great way to stay involved in your child's MKA experience, meet fellow parents, and give back to the community.

We look forward to hearing from you! Questions? Contact Nominating Chairs Meredith Gardner and Lauren Fass.

Senior Graduation Signs on Sale Now Through February 29

Once again, PAMKA will be selling “Congratulations” lawn signs for graduating seniors. They are 24” x 18” corrugated lawn signs (stakes included) and cost $50.00 per sign. The sale will run from Friday, January 9, until Thursday, February 29. To ensure the signs arrive on time, we will not be accepting orders after the deadline. All signs will be delivered to the Upper School in April and distributed before the May Term begins. Signs will be charged to your student’s MKA account.

To place your order, complete the Senior Graduation Sign Google Form. If you are ordering more than one sign, please fill out a separate form for each.

If this cost presents a financial hardship for your family, please contact Alyson Waldman, Director of Enrollment Management, Admissions & Financial Aid. Questions about ordering? Contact Elizabeth Hejna.

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

• Tuesday, January 13, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Junt@s Hispanic/Latinx Parent & Caregivers Meeting at the Middle School Library.
• Tuesday, January 13, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — South Asian Parent & Caregivers Meeting in Small Conference Room (Little Higgins) located in the Middle School building
• Thursday, January 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Jewish Parent and Caregivers Meeting at the Upper School’s Large Conference Room
• Thursday, January 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — AAPI Parent and Caregivers Zoom Meeting (Email Edie Brennan at ebrennan@mka.org for the Zoom link)
• Wednesday, January 21, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — International & Expat Parent and Caregivers Meeting at the Middle School Library

Stay up to date on Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group meeting dates for the 2025-2026 academic year using the Community Belonging Calendar.

Questions? Contact Edie Brennan, Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging.

2026-2027 Preliminary Calendar

Families can now view and download the 2026-2027 Preliminary School Calendar. Please note that dates are subject to change, and additions may be made in the coming months. The calendar can also be found in the Veracross Parent Portal under the Resources tab. We recognize the importance of sharing this early version with families to anticipate childcare needs and/or plan family vacations.

NEW Single-Parents Affinity Group Meeting — Thursday, January 29

Save the date for the first Single-Parents Affinity Group meeting on Thursday, January 29, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Upper School Large Conference Room.

Purpose: The Single-Parents Affinity Group brings together parents who are raising children on their own, whether by choice, circumstance, or loss, to build connection, share resources, and support one another. Our goal is to foster community and belonging while centering the student experience and helping every family thrive at MKA.

If you are interested in joining this new Single-Parents Affinity Group, please attend the first meeting or contact Edie Brennan, the Community Belonging Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison.