MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

Important Drop-Off and Dismissal Information

In an effort to prioritize safety and ensure the efficiency of our dismissal process for all students, we request that all parents/caregivers review the Middle School Carline Guidelines, which include essential instructions for drop-off and pick-up. As a reminder, students may only be dropped off at the main entrance portico. If the car line is not an option, please park legally and walk your child to the main entrance. Dropping students off in undesignated areas creates safety issues and may result in the loss of your car line privileges. Additionally, we ask all parents/caregivers to be patient and courteous to our neighbors and others waiting on the carline.

Essential Dismissal Reminders:

• Daily changes must be made in Pickup Patrol by 2:40 p.m.
• Staggered carline cohorts must be followed (blue cohort can line up at 2:55 p.m., green at 3:10 p.m.). If a family is unable to wait until their designated time, they should plan to park and walk to the tennis pavilion.
• Caregivers may not pick up students from EPE/ESS before 3:20 p.m. while the early car line is in operation. At all times, EPE and ESS caregivers must approach from Central Avenue, make a left onto Brunswick, and then enter the parking lot. They may not cut the line or make a right turn into the Middle School parking lot.
• If your child is scheduled to leave EPE at 4:00 p.m., they will be sent to the portico and should be picked up on the regular 4:00 p.m. carline.
• Caregivers picking up athletes should not line up on Central Avenue before 4:10 p.m. We have a staggered late car line to ensure that we can first dismiss EPE classes, after-school clubs, and band students through the regular car line at 4:00 p.m.

Diwali Celebration — Wednesday, October 22

The Middle School will be celebrating Diwali on Wednesday, October 22. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to wear traditional clothing as part of the day's festivities.

2025-2026 Yearbooks Now On Sale

2025-2026 yearbooks are now on sale. Please visit the Jostens website for more information.

Parent-Teacher Conference Sign Up for October 23

Sign-up for parent-teacher conferences on October 23 is available on the Veracross Parent Portal. To access the Parent-Teacher Conference module, log in to the Veracross Parent Portal using your Veracross credentials and click the orange button “Click here to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences.”

From here, you will see instructions for the sign-up process. Click on the drop-down to select a time; this time will be saved automatically. Please choose a timeslot for each of your children. Selections will save automatically, and you can access your schedule via the blue printer button next to My Schedule. Additionally, conference schedules will be available via your Household Calendar in Veracross and, if you have subscribed to your Household Calendar, on your personal calendar app.

If these dates are not possible for you, please contact your child's advisor (s). More detailed directions for signing up for conferences can be found here.

Grades 4-5: Students do not attend conferences

Grades 6-8: Students will attend and will help lead the conference(s)

Fourth Grade Trip to Waterloo — Friday, October 24

The fourth grade will be visiting Waterloo Village Historic Site, an authentic 19th-century village developed on the banks of the Morris Canal, on Friday, October 24. Please refer to the letter previously sent to families for more information.

Student Peer Tutoring Now Available

We are excited to share that we have Upper School tutors available for Middle School student peer tutoring. Please complete this Google form to request a tutor, and Michelle Barbetta will match requests with tutors as soon as possible.

Dress Down Days and Spirit Week 

There will be a school-wide dress-down day on November 3, thanks to the Student Government. Additionally, there will be a Spirit Week from October 27 - 31. Students are encouraged to wear the following attire, but may also opt for dress code or regular spirit wear on these days.

• Monday: College Day
• Tuesday: Sports Day
• Wednesday: Switch Day (students dress like teachers, teachers dress like students)
• Thursday: Comfy Chic – Please see the following suggestions
• Friday: Halloween – Please see the following guidelines

Reporting Absences 

When a student is ill, a parent or caregiver should notify the school by emailing msattendance@mka.org and the advisors by 8:00 a.m. For more information and procedures, please review the MKA Handbook.

MS Global Experience Programs Virtual Informational Meeting — Tuesday, October 28

Learn about this year's trips to France, Spain, and Costa Rica on Tuesday, October 28, at 7:00 p.m. If your student is interested in participating in one of these GE programs, families must attend this important virtual meeting*. The trips are available to:

• France: Seventh and eighth-grade students of French
• Spain: Eighth-graders of Spanish
• Costa Rica: All eighth-graders who will be returning to MKA for the 2026-27 school year

*The Google link will be shared as we approach the event.

Speech and Debate 

Speech and Debate will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. in room 209. If your child is interested in participating in Speech and Debate, please complete this form. You can read more about the programming in the sign-up form. Please reach out to Amy Mai Tierney or Shanie Israel if you have any questions.

Model UN will begin after fall sports, as the Model UN Facilitator is also a football coach. Sign-up for Model UN will begin after Thanksgiving break.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Friday, October 10 — Parent Social Grade 3
• Monday, October 13, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Book Fair Meeting
• Thursday, October 16 — Jr-K Parent Social
• Thursday, October 16, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Common Ground Speaks: Author Ruth Whippman
• Friday, October 17 — Grade 6 Parent Social

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

Don’t Forget to Register for Common Ground Speaks

MKA is a member of Common Ground Speaks, a consortium of parent associations of independent schools in the Central/Northern New Jersey area. CGS works in a collaborative effort to bring education, information, and inspiration to the community.

CGS is very excited to host Ruth Whippman on Thursday, October 16, at 7:00 p.m., at Far Brook School. Ruth Whippman, author of the acclaimed book BOYMOM, takes a sharp, witty look at what it means to raise boys in today's world and how cultural expectations shape the lives of kids, their families, and the communities they grow up in. Drawing on research and personal storytelling, she offers practical ways to nurture emotional health, resilience, and connection for every child. Please register by October 13.

Middle School Conference Day Volunteers Needed — Thursday, October 23

Middle School Conference Day is Thursday, October 23, and we like to keep our teachers nourished and energized as they get through their meetings. Please visit the MS Conference Day SignUp Genius to donate a food or beverage item or to help with set up/clean up. Any questions, please reach out to Michelle Willford.

Save the Dates for the Scholastic Book Fair — November 7-12

Be the Author of Your Own Story! The 2025 Scholastic Book Fair will be held Friday, November 7, through Wednesday, November 12. Join us as we celebrate books, uncover new stories, meet visiting authors, and participate in exciting events.

Please check out our webpage and stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks, including information about the full Book Fair schedule and opportunities to volunteer! Questions? Contact PAMKA’s Book Fair Co-Chairs Angie Tekriwal and Katie Cocco.

Fall Parent Socials

Our Fall Parent Socials are in full swing! These wonderful evenings are a fantastic way to meet other parents in your child’s grade.  Many thanks to Sonia & Sumeet Datwani for hosting the KG Social and to April & Brett Straten and Margaret & Richard Wager for cohosting the 8th Grade Social this past weekend.   We are grateful for their hospitality and generosity.

• Friday, October 10: Grade 3
• Thursday, October 16: Jr-K
• Friday, October 17: Grade 6

The Grade 12 Parent Social will be held in Spring 2025. Grade 12 parents will receive an update after Spring Break.

Please watch for an Evite from your Grade Representative 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 Representative.

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

Join us for the following Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group meetings:

• Monday, October 13, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Jewish Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
• Wednesday, October 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — AAPI Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
• Wednesday, October 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Muslim Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group
• Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Parents & Caregivers of Gender Expansive Children Meeting

Questions? Contact Edie Brennan, Office of Community Belonging/Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging. The Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group meeting dates for the 2025-2026 academic year can be found on the Community Belonging Calendar in the Veracross Parent Portal under the "Resources'' tab.

Get Ready for MKA Homecoming Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, our community is joining together from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to celebrate Homecoming, for a day full of MKA pride, fall fun, and Cougar Pride. There will be sports games, family-friendly activities like games and face painting, and more.

Please also consider bringing donations for Toni's Kitchen, which can be dropped off in bins at the ticket tables. View the Homecoming flyer to learn more about the day's festivities and what donation items are needed most.

Last Chance to Register for MKA’s Golf & Tennis Classic — Monday, October 27

The Golf & Tennis Classic returns to Somerset Hills Country Club on Monday, October 27! Hosted by Board of Trustees President Naveen Ballem ’90, M.D., F.A.C.S., the day will feature friendly competition, school pride, and meaningful connections.

Secure your spot by registering today! Questions? Contact Gretchen Berra for more information.

Did You Know? Your Gift to MKA Could Be Matched!

Many employers will match charitable contributions made by their employees, which means your support of the MKA Fund could go even further.

When you make your gift, don’t forget to check if your company has a matching program. Your donation and your company’s match will both count towards our goal of reaching 800 donors for MKA Day on November 20. It’s an easy way to double your impact for MKA students and teachers! Click below to see if your employer participates.

The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.