APRIL 2, 2026
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, APRIL 3 (GOOD FRIDAY)
A Letter from Shanie Israel, Dean of Community Life
Please see this week’s letter from Shanie Israel, Middle School Dean of Community Life, as she reflects on the return from spring break and the collaboration, creativity, and joy that defined our recent tri-campus STEM+ Week.
Eighth Grade Special Elections — April 6 - 17
Are you a seventh-grade student interested in running in the eighth-grade special elections? Elections will be held from Monday, April 6, to Friday, April 17.
Students who would like to be considered should complete this interest form by Friday, April 3, by the end of the school day.
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.
Fourth Grade Trip to Ellis Island — Friday, April 17
Our fourth-grade students are so excited about our upcoming field trip to Ellis Island on Friday, April 17. Please make sure to send your child to school with a packed lunch and a water bottle. The students WILL NOT be allowed to purchase lunch at Ellis Island.
Students can bring a small drawstring bag with their lunches and bottled water. Students should be dressed in Spirit Wear with an MKA top (we suggest dressing in layers). As a reminder, cell phones are not allowed on the trip and will be kept in students' lockers at school.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to your child's homeroom teacher.
Eighth Grade Class Photo — Friday, April 17
Please note that the eighth-grade class photo will take place on Friday, April 17, at 8:00 a.m.
Students are asked to wear the following:
- Summer dress of any solid, spring color (NO black) and dress shoes
- Pantsuit of any solid, spring color (NO black) and dress shoes
- Navy blue or black, solid-colored blazer with white dress shirt and tan, gray, or light blue slacks; tie; and dress shoes
After the photo is taken, students will be able to change into dress code. Therefore, they should bring a change of clothing if they choose to do so. If you have any questions, please reach out to Shanie Israel, Dean of Community Life.
Middle School Spring Dance Concert — RESCHEDULED to Thursday, April 30
Attention Middle School parents and guardians! The spring dance concert has been rescheduled to allow the performance groups additional time to prepare. The dance concert will now take place on Thursday, April 30, from 9:50 - 10:55 a.m. in the Logan Auditorium at the Middle School.
Save the Date: Eighth Grade Closing Exercises — Friday, June 5
The Eighth Grade Closing Exercises will take place on Friday, June 5, at 11:30 a.m. in the Logan Auditorium at the Middle School. More details will follow soon.
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.
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.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, April 8, 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. — PAMKA Board Meeting
- Tuesday, April 14, 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. — Parenting Workshop Meeting
- Friday, April 17, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. — PAMKA Spring Social
- Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. — Common Ground Speaks: AI, Education, and the Human Skills That Still Matter
- Saturday, April 25, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. — Cougar Pride Day
For a complete calendar listing of events, view the PAMKA Calendar in Veracross.
Cougar Consignment is Back — Now Through April 13
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 on each campus from March 30 to April 13.
Please only donate items that are in good or new condition. Questions? Please contact Janice Jacobson and Nicole Harris.
The PAMKA Social & 50/50 Raffle
Tickets are going fast for PAMKA’s newest signature event. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it! The PAMKA Social is just around the corner, offering parents a perfect opportunity to enjoy a fun and lively night out together.
Join us at 4Sixty6 on Friday, April 17, from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. for a vibrant night—no auction, no
speeches—just great company and a chance to connect. Be sure to grab your tickets before it’s too late! Purchase your tickets here.
Help PAMKA continue to support MKA faculty with the 2026 50/50 Raffle!
PAMKA's 50/50 raffle is now more than $18,000! Purchase your 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.
Cougar Pride Day — T-shirts & Volunteer Opportunities
Get ready for Cougar Pride Day on Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Rain date, Sunday, April 26) at Van Brunt Field! Join us for an unforgettable day filled with thrilling inflatables, creative arts and crafts, and expanded field activities. Get ready to enjoy bites from our newly added food trucks, charity bake sale, and more.
Sign up to Volunteer
Be part of the excitement on this special day by signing up for a volunteer slot—your support is key to making it a success!
Cougar Pride Day T-shirt Sales
The Cougar Pride Day t-shirt sale has been extended to this Friday, April 3. Quantities are limited, so be sure to place your order today. Availability at the event is not guaranteed.
These super-soft shirts, designed by fifth-grade students Ellie Mark and Eve Mersten, will be delivered to homerooms/advisory groups by mid-April. Proceeds will support our Upper School clubs. Questions? Contact Kandace Simpson.
Common Ground Speaks: AI, Education, and the Human Skills That Still Matter
Please register to attend AI, Education, and the Human Skills That Still Matter, a Common Ground Speaks panel discussion on Wednesday, April 22, at Far Hills Country Day School. The moderated panel will bring together national research, classroom insight, institutional leadership, and the parent perspective to examine how AI is transforming education and why human skills matter now more than ever.
Volunteers Needed for Junior Mock Interviews
Have you formerly or do you currently interview for your alma mater? Stephanie Salzman, PAMKA’s College Counseling Office (CCO) Liaison, is seeking interviewers for the CCO’s Junior Mock Interviews that will take place in May. This is an incredible program that helps students in 11th Grade prep for college interviews next fall. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie Salzman.
Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook
Join the MKA Parent Watercooler and stay connected to the community!
Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings
- Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — AAPI Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
- Thursday, April 9, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Jewish Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
- Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — MOSAIC: Black Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group 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.
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.*
Immediately following Mr. Hinton's keynote, MKA's Diversity Inclusion Parent Committee (DIPC) will host an interactive discussion. We look forward to seeing you on April 11.
*Please note: Seating is limited, and we encourage you to register as soon as possible.
Tri-Campus Art Mural Initiative: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month
This spring, MKA's counseling team is partnering with One River Art School in Montclair to bring a meaningful, school-wide art initiative to all three campuses in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
Students across every age group will create artwork that reflects what mental health, emotional well-being, and feelings mean to them—with projects thoughtfully designed and scaffolded to meet each developmental stage. One River's instructors will collaborate with the counseling team and faculty to guide and execute the project on each campus during the first week of April.
By May, a community mural will be on display at each campus, weaving together every student's contribution into a collective expression of wellness, resilience, and connection. We can't wait for you to see it!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Daniella Kessler, Director of Counseling.
The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.