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 our first month of school! Read her full update for news on the impact of fall grade-level trips, our new "Close in Community" daily schedule, a special fifth-grade student highlight, and more.

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.

Save the Date: Mandatory Virtual Parent/Caregiver Meeting for Sixth-Grade Play — Monday, October 26

There will be a mandatory parent/caregiver meeting for the sixth-grade play on Monday, October 26, at 7:30 p.m. (virtual). You can join the meeting by using this link.

Please note: Any student wishing to participate must have a parent at this meeting.

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

Fall Grade-Level Trip Information

We are excited to share with you information about 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.
• 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.

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, October 5, 8:15 - 10:00 a.m. — Book Fair Meeting
• Thursday, October 8, 8:15 - 10:15 a.m. — Cougar Conversations for New Families PS/MS parents only (Hosted by Admissions Office)
• Saturday, October 10, 10:00 - 3:00 p.m. — Homecoming
• Monday, October 12, 8:15 - 10:00 a.m. — Book Fair Committee Meeting
• Monday, October 19, 8:15 - 10:00 a.m. — Book Fair Committee Meeting

Save the Date:

• Thursday, November 5 - 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 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.

Volunteers and Donations Needed for Homecoming 

Upper School parents, PAMKA needs your help making Homecoming a great day for our school community.  Please click on the links below to donate food items to be sold or to volunteer your time. Please drop off donations to the Upper School front desk by Friday, October 9.

Attention all Upper School parents! PAMKA is looking for volunteers to help with ticket sales and spirit wear sales. Please use this link to volunteer.

9th grade: Please click here to donate chips

10th grade: Please click here to donate chips or pretzels

11th grade: Please click here to donate beverages

12th grade: Please click here to donate barbecue items or help man the grill

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.

Registration details coming soon—stay tuned!

KIPP New Jersey & PAMKA Tutoring Partnership

PAMKA is thrilled to continue its long-standing partnership with KIPP New Jersey to offer parents an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of KIPP students.

This year, we 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.

Your time and one-on-one attention can make a meaningful difference in a student's confidence and academic growth. Please note: no tutoring experience is necessary, just a willingness to support and encourage a young learner!

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.

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.

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

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

• 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
• 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

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, October 2

4:00 p.m. — Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey vs. Summit High School (Muenster Field)

5:30 p.m. — Girls’ Junior Varsity Field Hockey vs. Summit High School (Muenster Field)

Saturday, October 3

2:30 p.m. — Boys’ Varsity Football vs. Fieldston School (Van Brunt Field)

New Release: Order Your Custom Boathouse Parka by October 9

MKA’s School Store has dropped an exclusive release of boathouse parkas that you can personalize. Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer—place your custom order by October 9 to gear up for the season!

PLACE YOUR ORDER HERE

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.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Movie Night — Monday, October 12

Join us on Monday, October 12, from 6:00–8:00 p.m., on the Green Roof for a special screening of the documentary The Precipice: The Erosion and Resilience of a Louisiana Community. The film explores the impact of climate change on the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe. Afterward, there will be a brief discussion on environmental resilience in our local community. This event is sponsored by the Science and World Languages Departments; all MKA community members are welcome! Light refreshments will be served.

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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