MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

STAR Camp is Back — Registration Opens Monday, February 9

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) opens Monday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. To learn more about the program and view the camp schedule, visit www.mka.org/starcamp.

Mandatory Seventh Grade Parent Meeting for Macbeth — Thursday, February 19

It’s the 30th anniversary of the Shakespeare Project at MKA! On Thursday, February 19, we will hold a MANDATORY parent meeting for this spring's seventh-grade production of Macbeth. Parents of students interested in being involved in the show, including acting, stage management, or crew, MUST attend one session. The morning meeting will be in person at 7:15 a.m. in the Logan Auditorium. The evening session will be at 7:00 p.m. via Google Meet (Here’s the link for the virtual evening session).

Please RSVP and indicate which meeting you will attend to the director, Lisa Gunn-Becker. We look forward to seeing you!

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.

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 for more information.

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.

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

• Tuesday, February 10, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Spring Social Meeting

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

Winter Coat and Sweater Drive — ENDING TODAY

PAMKA is hosting a Coat and Sweater Drive to benefit MESH Montclair, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping Montclair’s vulnerable homeless adults and families, ending today, Friday, February 6. We are collecting used/new ADULT coats, ADULT sweaters, and other essential items. Drop-off bins for coats and sweaters will be located at the Primary, Middle, and Upper Schools. Online donations of other essentials can be made via the MESH Amazon Wish List. Select the address "MESH Executive Director, Joe Granger, Montclair, NJ" so that your items will be sent directly to the organization.

Questions? Contact Upper School Community Engagement Chair Erica Ajayi.

Middle School Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game — TONIGHT

We look forward to seeing everyone at the basketball game tonight. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Pizza, wings, drinks, and baked goods will be available for purchase in the dining hall. Admission is $10 per person or two canned /dry goods per person. All canned/dry food items will be donated.

Please see the schedule below:

• Dinner and Bake Sale: 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. in the dining hall
• Students sing the national anthem with the band!
• Sixth and Seventh Grade Game: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• Eighth vs Faculty Game: 7:40 - 8:30 p.m.

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)

Save the Date: Cougar Pride Day — Saturday, April 25

Cougar Pride Day will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Van Brunt Field (rain date Sunday, April 26). Join us for an unforgettable day filled with carnival games, thrilling inflatables, creative arts and crafts, exciting field activities, and captivating showcases from our student clubs.

Get ready to show off your Cougar Pride! This year, our students competed in a t-shirt design competition for Cougar Pride Day. Stay tuned for more details on the winning design and where to order your one-of-a-kind Cougar Pride Day t-shirt.

Do you have Spirit Wear and Code of Attire clothing that has been outgrown? The Cougar Consignment is back—an initiative that gives you the chance to rehome those lightly used MKA clothes and to shop at Cougar Pride Day. There will be a formal donation collection at the schools from March 30 to April 13.

Questions? Please contact Amira Artis or Aparna Shah.

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

• Tuesday, February 10, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Muslim Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group meeting
• 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.

2026-2027 Transportation Form — Due February 10

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 are interested in shuttle or van transportation for the 2026-2027 school year, please complete the registration form as soon as possible, but no later than Tuesday, February 10. Final routes and confirmations will be provided to families in April.

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

Re-enrollment Contracts for the 2026-2027 School Year — Due February 11

Re-enrollment contracts for the 2026-2027 school year were released via e-mail on January 28.  Families should complete their enrollment via Veracross. The deadline to return your contract and deposit to reserve your place for next year is Wednesday, February 11. Families applying for financial aid will receive their contracts in late February.

If you have any questions, please contact Alyson Waldman, Director of Enrollment Management, Admissions and Financial Aid, or call (973) 509-7930. We look forward to welcoming you back to MKA next year!

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.

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.