MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

Reminder: STAR Camp Registration Is Open

This year, STAR Camp is celebrating 20 years at MKA, and we’re ready for another unforgettable summer of learning and fun! Registration for STAR Camp (Grades 4-8) and Jr. STAR Camp (Jr–K - 3) is open now.

To learn more about the program and register for camp, visit www.mka.org/starcamp.

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. in the Higgins Common Room at the Middle School 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.

Updated! 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. Please see the following letter regarding the Buehler trip. Please see this letter for more information regarding the trip to the Newark Museum.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — February 27 & 28 

This month, MKA’s sixth and seventh-grade students will perform Richard R. George’s adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl. The story chronicles an adventurous tour of Willy Wonka’s famous factory through the experiences of the contest’s winners: Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, Veruca Salt, Mike Teavee, and Charlie Bucket. Throughout their adventures, the visitors learn the true meaning of kindness, teamwork, imagination, and confidence. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s timeless tale and deliciously fun factory await you!

Performances are at the Middle School on Friday, February 27, and Saturday, February 28, at 7 p.m., and in an in-school assembly on Monday, March 1.

Spring Sports Practices — Begins Monday, March 30

The Middle School spring athletics season will begin on Monday, March 30, and will be held Monday through Friday, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please see the following letter from Todd Smith, Director of Athletics, regarding the sports that will be offered in the spring.

MKA’s STEM+ Explorers Summer Program — Registration Open Now

Step Into Summer at MKA! We’re thrilled to be launching our STEM+ Explorers Summer Program, an immersive program for rising sixth through ninth-grade students that extends innovation beyond the classroom. Guided by dedicated faculty and supported by Upper School mentors, students will explore robotics, coding, bioethics, and architecture. We welcome you to browse weekly offerings on the STEM+ Explorers webpage, where you’ll find information regarding morning classes and exciting weekly themes. 

• When: July 6-31, 2026
• Where: Inquiry and Innovation (I&I) Center, Upper School Campus

Registration for Middle School families is available now with both full-day and half-day options. Registration for the general public opened on Sunday, February 1. Questions? Visit the FAQ page or contact mkasummer@mka.org.

Celebrate Your Eighth Grader — Order Your Graduation Lawn Signs

PAMKA is selling “Congratulations” lawn signs to honor graduating eighth graders. These signs are 24” x 18” corrugated lawn signs (stakes included) and cost $50.00 per sign. The sale runs from now through Monday, April 13. To ensure the signs arrive on time, no orders will be accepted after the deadline.

All signs will be delivered to the Middle School in May. To place your order, complete this online form.

If you are ordering more than one sign, please fill out a separate form for each student. If the cost presents a financial hardship, please contact Alyson Waldman, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. Have questions about ordering? Contact Valerie Puryear, Middle School Campus VP.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Wednesday, February 25 — PAMKA Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day

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

Volunteer or Donate for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day — Wednesday, February 25

We will be celebrating MKA’s faculty and staff on Wednesday, February 25. Please help us show our amazing faculty and staff how much we appreciate their hard work by volunteering to help with set-up and/or clean-up that day, or by bringing in food or beverage items for them to enjoy. Please sign up below:

• Primary School (Questions? Contact Besa Owen)
• Middle School (Questions? Contact Michelle Willford)
• Upper School (Questions? Contact Maggie Marotta)

PAMKA Parenting Workshop — Wednesday, March 11

Please join us for a PAMKA parenting workshop on Wednesday, March 11, facilitated by Nancy Wheeler, P’23, ’26, founder of Financy LLC. This workshop is open to all Jr–K through 12th-grade parents.

“Nurturing Financial Fluency” is a practical, judgment-free workshop that helps parents raise financially confident kids. Parents will learn simple ways to talk about money, spot everyday teachable moments, and model the financial habits they value (no financial expertise required). You'll leave with easy conversation starters and tools you can use right away to guide your child's financial journey.

Please RSVP by March 2. Please join us for whichever session works for you:

• 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. Middle School Higgins Conference Room — RSVP here.
• 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Middle School Library — RSVP here.

Purchase Your Tickets for The PAMKA Social — Friday, April 17

This year, PAMKA is launching a new signature event: The PAMKA Social, created with a focus on building community. We are delighted to invite MKA parents, Trustees, faculty, and staff to join us on Friday, April 17, at 4Sixty6, from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. for an evening centered on connection and celebration. There will be no auction and no speeches—just a fun, vibrant evening that we hope many will choose to attend. Purchase your tickets here.

Help PAMKA continue to support MKA faculty with the 2026 50/50 Raffle

Tickets are now on sale for PAMKA's 50/50 raffle! Purchase raffle tickets here. The winner will be announced at the PAMKA Social on Friday, April 17!

• All proceeds go directly towards Faculty Trust Grants and Faculty Wish Lists
• Tickets are $50 each. One lucky winner will take home 50% of the total pot!

Just in time for MKA Faculty Staff Appreciation Day on February 25! Did you know that you can purchase 50/50 raffle tickets on behalf of MKA faculty or staff as a way to show your appreciation?

• Each faculty member will receive an email notifying them that a raffle ticket has been purchased on their behalf as a token of your appreciation. Please purchase your tickets for Faculty Staff Appreciation Day by Monday, February 23.
• Purchase raffle tickets using this form.

Questions? Please contact Sara Elwell.

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

• Thursday, February 26, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. — Black History Month Dinner

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, Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging.

MKA Transportation Options for 2026-2027 School Year — Due TODAY

If you are interested in shuttle or van transportation for the 2026-2027 school year and have not already responded, please complete the form today.

MKA offers for-fee transportation, including three AM and PM shuttle services and one AM-only shuttle. We are also planning to offer a late shuttle option, departing from the Middle School at 4:15 p.m. and from the Upper School at 4:30 p.m., if enough students participate.

If you have any questions, please contact Eileen Richardson or Codi Hirst.

Volunteers Needed for Tri-Campus Lunar New Year Celebration — February 20 & 24

MKA’s annual Lunar New Year celebration is right around the corner. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we are seeking volunteers to help on the day of the event and/or families interested in contributing donations for our students. If you would like to support us in any capacity, please email EJ Park and Nicole Xu and/or use the sign-ups linked below.

Primary School and Upper School: Friday, February 20

• US Volunteer Sign Up
• PS Volunteer Sign Up

Middle School: Tuesday, February 24

• MS Volunteer Sign Up

Join Us for a Special Black History Month Dinner with Jillian Jones ’15 — Thursday, February 26

The Upper School Black Student Affinity Group and MOSAIC (Parents and Caregivers of Black Students Affinity Group) are excited to invite you to the 2026 Black History Month Dinner on Thursday, February 26, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Upper School Dining Hall. This celebratory evening is open to all MKA families, faculty, and staff. Join us as we celebrate Black History Month with food, community, and our special guest speaker, Jillian Jones '15.

Please RSVP by completing this form. If you are interested in bringing food, please take a moment to fill out this sign-up sheet.

All RSVPs and food sign-ups are due by February 20. Questions? Contact Tony Jones and/or Callie Bond.

Come Support the Middle School Production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — February 27 & 28

You’re invited to step inside a world of pure imagination! MKA’s sixth and seventh-grade students are taking the stage in Richard R. George’s adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The story chronicles an adventurous tour of Willy Wonka’s famous factory through the experiences of the contest’s winners: Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, Veruca Salt, Mike Teavee, and Charlie Bucket. Throughout their adventures, the visitors learn the true meaning of kindness, teamwork, imagination, and confidence.

Performances will be held at the Middle School on Friday, February 27, and Saturday, February 28, at 7:00 p.m. We hope you’ll join us for this timeless tale.

*Artwork by Elle Coyle '31

Reminder: 2026-2027 Preliminary Calendar Available to View

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.