OCTOBER 16, 2026
A Letter from the MS Admin Team
Please see this week’s letter from Assistant Head of School, Catherine Gaynor, as she reflects on ethical leadership in action across the Middle School.
Eighth-Grade Fall Trip — October 20–23
We are excited to share with you information about the eighth-grade four-day trip to Williamsburg, Virginia, beginning Tuesday, October 20, and returning Friday, October 23. 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 see the following letter for more information.
Mandatory Global Experience Family Informational Meeting — Tuesday, October 27
An in-person informational meeting for eighth-grade students and their families will be held on Tuesday, October 27, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Logan Auditorium. Information pertaining to this year's two Global Experience Middle School trips will be provided. Please note: this meeting is mandatory.
See details below for each trip:
- Spain: March 12 - 20, 2027 — Open to students in eighth grade taking Spanish
- Costa Rica: March 13 - 18, 2027 — Open to all students in eighth grade
Rising Ninth Grade Night — Wednesday, October 28
All eighth-grade students and families are invited to attend this event on Wednesday, October 28, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. at the Upper School to learn more about what the Upper School offers, both inside and outside the classroom. Join us to learn about the Upper School schedule, research and writing, athletics, extracurriculars, and more! We will begin the evening in Weiss Auditorium and then move to various stations throughout the night. If you have any questions, please contact Steve Brown.
Picture Retake Day — Thursday, October 29
Photo retakes will be on Thursday, October 29. Students should let their advisor know if they intend to take photos. Students should come to school in dress code.
Amplify Desmos Math Caregiver Letter
Please read this letter to learn more about our core math curriculum, Amplify Desmos Math, and the resources available to support your child at school and at home.
Middle School Dress Code: Transition Guidance & New Store Options
We want to ensure our Middle School families feel informed and supported regarding our dress code policy. The school store has been updated, and the inventory includes official MKA-branded sweaters and cardigans for purchase (see photo below). We know this is a new change, so to support families, we’ll be implementing a flexible transition policy that permits students to wear plain, solid-colored sweaters and cardigans from home for the remainder of the 2026-2027 school year, with the new branded options being fully enforced in the next school year.
We are here to support our community through this transition. If you have any questions regarding the dress code or the transition policy, please reach out to Cali Burks.
Helping Students Thrive: MKA’s C.O.R.E. Program for Executive Functioning
Our Middle School Learning Specialist, Dagny Baker, developed the C.O.R.E. Program, which is a comprehensive framework designed to build students’ executive functioning skills: Control, On-Task, Responsibility, and Efficacy to best support our students. You can learn more about how the program is being implemented here.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Book Fair Committee Meetings (8:15–9:15 a.m.)
- Monday, October 19
- Monday, October 26
- Monday, November 2
Save the Date
- Thursday, November 6 - Wednesday, November 11 — Scholastic Book Fair
- Friday, November 6, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. — PS Pajama Night
- Monday, November 9, 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. — MS Book Fair Evening Edition
For a complete calendar listing of PAMKA events, please view the PAMKA calendar in Veracross.
Fall Parent Socials
We have been enjoying 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, 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.
📚 PAMKA Scholastic Book Fair — November 6–11
Big dreams begin with great books! PAMKA is excited to bring our Scholastic Book Fair to our MKA community, celebrating this year’s theme: Grow a Reader, Grow a Dreamer. From discovering new favorites to exploring exciting adventures, the Book Fair is a wonderful opportunity to nurture a love of reading and inspire our students’ imaginations.
Learn more: Visit the PAMKA Book Fair webpage for additional information, including shopping schedules and volunteer opportunities. Let’s grow a love of reading and help our young dreamers reach for the stars!
Drop Off Like-New MKA Spirit Wear at Primary & Middle School
PAMKA will be hosting spirit wear and dress code consignment pop-up shops at the upcoming Book Fair evening events—a great way to pass along gently used uniform pieces and help fellow families stock up for the school year. Please drop off at the Primary and Middle Schools in the collection bins. You can donate today and shop during the Book Fair!
Common Grounds Speaks: Helping Our Kids Thrive in a Digital World — Tuesday, November 10
MKA is proud to be a member of Common Grounds Speaks (CGS), a consortium of parent associations from independent schools throughout Central and Northern New Jersey. CGS brings parents together to share education, information, and inspiration on topics that matter most to our families.
Join us on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School for an evening with Max Stossel, award-winning poet, filmmaker, speaker, and Founder & CEO of Social Awakening, an organization dedicated to helping young people survive and thrive in today’s digital world.
Max will explore how technology is intentionally designed to capture our attention, how this can impact our children’s developing minds, and practical strategies families can use to navigate these challenges. View the flyer for more information.
[REGISTER TODAY]
KIPP New Jersey & PAMKA Tutoring Partnership
PAMKA will be offering a 1:1 parent-to-student tutoring opportunity at KIPP Newark SPARK Academy. Parent volunteers will work directly with students to provide individualized academic support and encouragement. No experience necessary—come join us!
If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, please reach out to Liza Helwig, PAMKA's KIPP NJ Tutor Coordinator, at lizalowell@gmail.com.
Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook
Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.
Connect with PAMKA on LinkedIn
Engage with parents on the PAMKA LinkedIn page, created as a resource to help our parent community connect beyond the school campus. This page provides opportunities for parents to network, share professional connections and expertise, support one another, and build meaningful relationships within our community.
We invite all parents to follow the page, connect with fellow MKA families, and help us grow this new resource together.
Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings
- Monday, October 19, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — MOSAIC: Black Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
- Tuesday, October 20, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — Parents & Caregivers of Gender Expansive Children Meeting
- Wednesday, October 21, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — Single Parents Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
- Tuesday, October 27, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — Jewish Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
- Tuesday, October 27, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — South Asian Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
Stay up to date on Parent and Caregivers Affinity Group meeting dates 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, October 16
4:00 p.m. — Girls’ Varsity Volleyball ECT Prelim vs. West Caldwell Tech (US Gym)
4:15 p.m. — Boys’ Junior Varsity Soccer vs. Henry Becton High School (MS Field)
Saturday, October 17
10:00 a.m. — Girls’ Varsity Soccer ECT 1st Rd vs. East Side High School (Van Brunt Field)
2:00 p.m. — Boys’ Varsity Soccer ECT 1st Rd vs. Irvington High School (Van Brunt Field)
2:00 p.m. — Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey ECT 1st Rd vs. Verona High School (Muenster Field)
3:30 p.m. — Girls’ Junior Varsity Field Hockey vs. Verona High School (Muenster Field)
Annual Golf & Racquet Classic — Monday, October 26
The annual Golf & Racquet Classic takes place on Monday, October 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the Somerset Hills Country Club. We can’t wait to see our 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. Registration is now closed. You can learn more about the event on our website.
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.
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 Golf & Racquet Classic webpage.
The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.