OCTOBER 17, 2025
REMINDERS
SCHOOL CLOSED MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 (DIWALI)
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Please note that Veracross will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Saturday, October 18, from 2:00–8:00 p.m. and will be temporarily unavailable. Please plan ahead, as this may affect your ability to sign up for conferences or access the resource hub during that time.
A Letter from Shanie Israel, Dean of Community Life
Please see this week’s letter from Shanie Israel, Middle School Dean of Community Life. This week, Shanie shares highlights from the Middle School’s third Student vs. Faculty and Staff Kickball Game and how this lively tradition has blended fun, connection, and friendly competition.
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. In addition, the planning committee is organizing a variety of fun games and activities for the kids, including block painting. If your child is interested in block painting, please send a white t-shirt for them to participate in this particular activity.
Rising Ninth Grade Night — Wednesday, October 22
All eighth-grade students and families are invited to attend this event on Wednesday, October 22, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Upper School as a way to learn more about all the Upper School has to offer, 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 Allison Brown.
Individual Student and Class Photos Now Available for Purchase
Student and class photos are now available for purchase. Parents/guardians should have received an email from the photographer; however, if you need help ordering pictures, please see the following instructions.
2025-2026 Yearbooks Now On Sale
2025-2026 yearbooks are now on sale. Please visit the Jostens website for more information.
Last call for Parent-Teacher Conference Day Sign-up
Parent-Teacher Conference Day is Thursday, October 23. You will have until October 21 at noon to sign up via the Veracross Parent Portal. After that date and time, please get in touch with your child’s advisor directly to schedule a conference.
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.
Save the Date for a Mandatory Parent Meeting for Sixth-Grade Play — Monday, October 27
There will be a mandatory parent meeting for the sixth-grade play on Monday, October 27, at either 7:15 a.m. in the Logan Auditorium or 7:30 p.m. virtually. More information to come soon.
Haunted House — October 27 through October 31
Students will have the opportunity to visit a haunted house during lunch/recess during the week of Halloween.
Haunted House Time Slots during lunch/recess:
- Sixth Grade: Monday, October 27
- Seventh Grade: Tuesday, October 28
- Fourth Grade: Wednesday, October 29
- Fifth Grade: Thursday, October 30
- Eighth Grade: Friday, October 31
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 through October 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
Student Government Association Elections — Tuesday, October 28
Student Government Association elections are underway! Students in grades four through seven are campaigning to be the grade representatives for this school year. Elected officials will be announced by October 28. The first Student Government Association meeting will be held on October 30.
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 2026-2027 school year
*The Google link will be shared as we approach the event.
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.
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.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Friday, October 17 — Parent Social Grade 6
- Wednesday, October 22, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Book Fair Meeting
- Tuesday, October 28, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — Parenting Workshop Committee Meeting
For a complete calendar listing of events, view the PAMKA Calendar in Veracross.
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. For any questions, please reach out to Michelle Willford.
Volunteer Opportunities for the Scholastic Book Fair — November 5-12
It’s time to be the author of your own story! Join us as we celebrate books, uncover new stories, meet visiting authors, and participate in exciting events. Visit the Book Fair website for more details, including the multiple ways to volunteer and the list of our visiting authors.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for these Book Fair events:
Primary School Pajama Night — Friday, November 7
Join us for an evening of fun for our Brookside students at PJ Night on Friday, November 7, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Please RSVP for PJ Night here!
Book Fair (Evening Edition) — Monday, November 10
Held at the Middle School, our evening edition of the Scholastic Book Fair is for everyone in our MKA community. No RSVP needed to attend! Join us on Monday, November 10, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Pre-sales of the visiting author’s books will go live next Friday, October 24. Questions? Contact PAMKA’s Book Fair Co-Chairs Katie Cocco and Angie Tekriwal.
Share Your Fall Parent Social Photos
Our last Fall Parent Socials are this weekend. Many thanks to Holly and Ruben Fleischer for hosting the third-grade social this past weekend and to Jessica Meade and Dean Cerio for hosting the Jr-K Social last night. Please don’t forget to share photos with the MKA Communications team for sharing on social media. You can email photos to socialmedia@mka.org or use #WeAreMKA on Instagram and Facebook.
Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings
Join us for the following Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group meetings:
- 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.
There’s Still Time to Register for MKA’s Golf & Tennis Classic — Monday, October 27
Don’t forget to register for the Golf & Tennis Classic, which 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.
Custom MKA Boathouse Parkas Are Back — Order by November 1
New arrival at the MKA School Store! Personalize a boathouse parka with a name, graduation year, and sports team! With its durable Pro-Tech® Shell, cozy fleece lining, and two-way zipper, this parka is built for warmth, comfort, and school spirit all season long.
Place your order by Saturday, November 1, by visiting www.mka.org/schoolstore today! Please note there is a 6-8 week delivery time.
Hemmeter-McNeal Lecture Series Welcomes Amanda Ripley — Tuesday, November 4
Please join us on Tuesday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m. in Weiss Auditorium to welcome Amanda Ripley, New York Times bestselling author, Washington Post columnist, and co-founder of Good Conflict, as part of the Hemmeter-McNeal Lecture Series. Ripley will present her acclaimed lecture, “Breaking the Spell of High Conflict,” exploring why ordinary disagreements so often escalate into destructive divisions—and how we can find our way out. Her insights promise to challenge, inspire, and offer tools for navigating conflict in today’s world.
Space is limited. Please RSVP to reserve your seat today!
If you have a question you’d like Amanda Ripley to address at the event, please email Gretchen Berra. While we may not be able to answer every question, we’ll do our best.
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.
Stay tuned for more details related to MKA Day! Questions? Please contact Kelly Flippin, Director of Annual Giving.
The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.
