FEBRUARY 27, 2026
A Letter from Shanie Israel, Dean of Community Life
Please see this week’s letter from Shanie Israel, Middle School Dean of Community Life, featuring photos and reflections from recent Middle School events and accomplishments.
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.
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 today, 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 Graduation Lawn Signs By April 13
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
- Tuesday, March 3, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Spring Social Meeting
- Wednesday, March 4, 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. — PAMKA Board Meeting
- Wednesday, March 11, 8:15 - 9:30 a.m. — PAMKA FinLit Talk
For a complete calendar listing of events, view the PAMKA Calendar in Veracross.
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.
Reminder: Get 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!
Questions? Please contact Sara Elwell.
Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook
Join the MKA Parent Watercooler and stay connected to the community!
Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings
- Tuesday, March 10, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. — Tri-Campus Family Iftar Celebration
- Thursday, March 12, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Parents & Caregivers of Gender Expansive Students Meeting
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.
Recognize Extraordinary Impact: 2025–2026 Founders’ Cup Award Nominations Are Open
At the heart of MKA’s vibrant community are the extraordinary educators who shape minds, inspire curiosity, and guide students far beyond the classroom. The Founders’ Cup Award honors MKA’s proud tradition of teaching excellence and celebrates an outstanding faculty member who embodies the very best of what it means to teach at MKA, in the classroom, on the field, in the studio, and through coaching and mentorship.
Nominate a faculty member whose impact is lasting, whose dedication is unwavering, and whose presence strengthens the fabric of our school community.
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 today, 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
B6T Application for Private School Transportation — DUE Friday, March 6
Aid-in-Lieu of Transportation (AIL) is available to families if the town they reside in would have provided bus transportation for their student(s) if they attended the local public school. The reimbursement is approximately $1,100.00 and will be remitted twice for the 2025-2026 academic year: in January and June.
Families can download the B6T form here. The deadline to submit is Friday, March 6. Please complete the form and email it OR send a hard copy to school with your child as soon as possible.
Completed forms and any questions should be directed to:
- Primary School: Fay Lonsinger
- Middle School: Pia Kutten
- Upper School: Remlyn Gongob
Upper School Winter Musical — March 6-8
Tickets for this year's winter musical, Something Rotten, are now officially on sale! This hilarious comedy about two brothers trying to write something better than Shakespeare is a must-see. The cast and crew totals over 65 Upper School students in grades 9-12. Don’t miss out! Email Nicole Hoppe for tickets while they last.
Poster design by the incredible Vicki So ’26.
MKA’s Fifth Annual Tri-Campus Iftar Celebration — Tuesday, March 10
Ramadan Mubarak! The Muslim students of the Upper School, along with the Office of Community Belonging, invite you to MKA’s Fifth Annual Tri-Campus Iftar Celebration on Tuesday, March 10, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Middle School Dining Hall.
Please join us for an opportunity to come together as a community before we break fast. This event is for all МКА students and families across our three campuses. Food will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!
Please complete the form linked below to RSVP by March 8. For any questions or for more information, please email Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging, or Callie Bond, Associate Director of Community Belonging and Admissions Liaison.
Join Us for The Sun Does Shine: A Morning with Mr. Hinton — Saturday, April 11
This year, MKA is proud to host the East Coast HackBAC Conference, an inspiring gathering of students and educators committed to using innovation as a force for good. Centered on the theme Civic Catalysts: Cultivating Justice & Designing an Equitable Future for All, the conference challenges participants to think boldly about their role in shaping a more just and inclusive society.
We are especially honored to welcome Anthony Ray Hinton as this year’s keynote speaker, and we are pleased to invite our community members to join us for this incredible opportunity to engage with a voice that has helped shape the national conversation on justice and human dignity. Learn more about Mr. Hinton here.
The event will take place on Saturday, April 11, at 9:00 a.m. in Weiss Auditorium at the Upper School Campus. Click the link below to register.
*Please note: Seating is limited, and we encourage you to register as soon as possible.
The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.