MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

Come See the New Inquiry & Innovation Center — Wednesday, December 17

On Wednesday, December 17, we invite all parents of students in grades 8-12 to the Upper School for a very informal visit to the newly opened I&I Center. The evening will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Academic Center with brief remarks from Dr. Flocco and Dr. Sauer to explain the space and its intended use. Afterwards, our students will be available to give tours of the space. We anticipate concluding the evening around 8:15 p.m. We realize that the Middle School Chorale Concert is that evening. This is a hectic time of year, and our options for parents who want to see this space before the winter break are limited. Please know there will be other opportunities to see this space in the spring.

Chinese Class Trip to Lily Yip Table — Thursday, December 18

Students in sixth and seventh-grade Chinese 1A and 1B classes will be going to the Lily Yip Table in Dunellen, NJ, on Thursday, December 18, to learn about the history of ping pong and to practice together.

Students will need a bagged lunch and a water bottle for the trip. The bus will depart MKA at 8:15 a.m. and return around 1:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Fangzhou Zhang.

Shoutouts and Announcements

Please use this link to view shoutouts and announcements, including important information regarding Spirit Week and upcoming events.

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. More information to follow.

Lost and Found to be Donated

Please note that all non-MKA clothing in the lost and found will be donated to the local food pantry if not claimed by winter break. All jackets in the lost and found were displayed at an assembly, and a slide show with pictures of all jackets and non-MKA sweatshirts was shown in homerooms. However, there are still many items of clothing that have not been claimed. If you suspect your child may have items in the lost and found, please encourage them to look through the collection during their lunch period.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Important Correction: 2025-2026 Yearbook Personal Ads

The yearbook is a timeless way to capture your child's precious memories from this school year.

We want to clarify an important detail from last week's announcement regarding personal ads. Please note that the opportunity to create a personal ad is reserved exclusively for our eighth-grade students and their families. We sincerely apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

For Our Eighth Grade Families:

Don't miss this chance to celebrate their journey!

• Deadline: Monday, December 15
• How to Create Your Ad: For pricing, design options, and to submit your order, please use this link.
  

For Families of Grades Four Through Seven:

Please visit the Jostens website for more information on how to purchase a yearbook.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, December 16, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Spring Social Meeting (POSTPONED UNTIL JAN 13 2026)

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

Last Call to Support the Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Children’s Toy Drives

The annual Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Toy Drives this year will benefit Valley Settlement House and Toni’s Kitchen, and today is the last day to drop off donations or order online through Amazon wish lists. This is a wonderful way for our community to help keep local children warm and make their holidays a little brighter.

You can support the drives in two easy ways:

1. Drop-Off Donations - Please bring new hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and new, unwrapped toys for children ages 4–12. Please place items in the collection boxes located in the lobby of each campus.
2. Order online through Amazon Wish Lists - Choose items from the Amazon Wish List links below and have them shipped directly to the organizations:
   1. Hat, Scarf, & Mitten Drive for Valley Settlement House
   2. Toy Drive for Toni’s Kitchen

Amazon Wish List Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Log in to your Amazon account
• Click on the link for the drive(s) you’d like to support
  • Hat, Scarf, & Mitten Drive for Valley Settlement House
  • Toy Drive for Toni’s Kitchen
• Select the item(s) you wish to purchase and add them to your cart. When you’re done shopping, click “Proceed to Checkout.”
• Under the address options, select Valley Settlement House or Toni’s Kitchen (these should appear at the top) so your items ship directly to the organization.
• Please do not ship to your home, and do not select gift wrap or gift note options.
• Choose your payment and shipping method and complete your order.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Primary School Engagement Chair, Ashley Hirsh. Thank you for your generosity and for helping MKA support our local children and families this season!

PAMKA Slate — Be a Part of Our Team

The nominating process for next year’s slate will begin in January 2026. As self-nominations are preferred, we encourage you to start considering which role(s) you may be interested in taking on. Additional information will be shared after we return from winter break. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact the Nominating Chairs, Meredith Gardner and Lauren Fass.

Save the Dates for Our PAMKA Spring Events

• PAMKA Spring Social — Friday, April 17
• Cougar Pride Day — Saturday, April 25 (Rain date Sunday, April 26)

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

Important Notice Regarding Cold And Flu Season

Cold and flu season is upon us. In order to prevent widespread flu and other illnesses within the school, we recommend that your child stay home if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. Please include your campus nurse on emails regarding a child’s absence due to illness. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please review the guidelines on our Health & Safety webpage.

• Rachael Masters, R.N., Primary School Nurse
• Debra Van Eerde, R.N., Middle School Nurse and Tri-Campus Nursing Supervisor

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.

Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

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, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging.

EPE Winter Sessions — Registration Closes Today, December 12 

Fight the winter blues with EPE! MKA is pleased to offer after-school care for your child(ren) in grades Jr-K to 8 through our Extended Play and Enrichment (EPE) program. After-school care is provided from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. each day.

Please visit the EPE webpage to familiarize yourself with the programs, schedule, and registration details. Questions? Please email Amy Pacifico and Amy Gonzalez.

Celebrate the Season of Generosity: Make Your Year-End Gift By December 31 

As the year comes to a close, many choose this time to give generously to the organizations that matter most to them. MKA’s highest philanthropic priority is The MKA Fund, and we invite you to consider making a gift this holiday season.

Your generosity creates an immediate and meaningful impact, enriching the experience of every student and faculty member in our community.

Our goal is to reach 100% participation from families in every grade. Please consider making a gift to The MKA Fund before December 31 and contribute in a way that feels meaningful to you and your family. Thank you and happy holidays!

Holiday Favorites from the MKA School Store

Deck the halls in green and blue! Our school store is making gifting easy this year. From cozy wearables to spirited accessories, our holiday gift picks make celebrating the season even brighter. These hand-picked favorites are ready to add holiday sparkle and school pride to every celebration.