MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES

Global Experience Costa Rica Meeting Reminder — Tuesday, April 28

As a reminder, the mandatory second meeting for the June Costa Rica trip for parents/guardians will take place on Tuesday, April 28, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Please note that the meeting has been changed from an in-person meeting to a virtual one. Detailed information and the Google Meet link will be sent prior to the meeting time. Student travelers are welcome to join.

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. Please see the following letter from Dr. Monica Elmore with more information.

Eighth Grade Academic Night at the Upper School — Wednesday, May 6 

All students and parents of the Class of 2030 are invited to the Upper School on Wednesday, May 6, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. for Upper School Academic Orientation. This Upper School Academic Orientation is designed to provide families with a deep dive into the Upper School's academics. It will focus particularly on the ninth-grade academic program and provide all the necessary information for course selection and registration.

Studio Arts Class Trip to Princeton — Friday, May 8

Students in Studio Arts 7 and 8 will be visiting Princeton on Friday, May 8, to view and learn about the Princeton University Art Museum's collection. Students will depart school after 8:00 am and return by the end of the regular school day. Please email Joelle Francht by May 1 if your child does not want a pizza lunch or if you have any questions.

Parent-Teacher Conference Day — Thursday, May 14

On Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., you will be able to sign up for the parent-teacher conferences taking place on Thursday, May 14. To access the Parent-Teacher Conference module, log in to the Veracross Parent Portal using your Veracross credentials and click the orange button that says ‘Click here to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences.’

From here, you will see instructions for the sign-up process. Click the drop-down to select a time; it will be saved automatically. Please select a time slot for each of your children. Selections will save automatically, and you can access your schedule via the blue printer button next to My Schedule. Additionally, conference schedules will be available in your Household Calendar in Veracross and, if you have subscribed to it, in your personal calendar app.

If these dates are not convenient for you, please reach out to your child's advisor(s). More detailed directions for signing up for conferences can be found here.

• Jr-K to Grade 3: Families will have an opportunity to schedule conference(s) with their child's Advisor.
• Grades 4-5: Students do not attend conferences
• Grades 6-8: Students will attend and will help lead the conference(s)
• Grades 9-11: Students will attend conference(s), and the conference(s) will primarily focus on course selection for the upcoming school year.

Information Regarding End-of-Year Activities for Eighth Grade Students

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. Please see this letter from Dr. Carlaina Bell, Head of Middle School, with more details.

Eighth Grade Name Preferences for Closing Exercises

As we prepare for the Eighth Grade Closing Exercises, we recognize that some families may prefer a more formal or informal version of their child’s name. Please use this link to indicate how you would like your child’s name to appear in print and be announced during the ceremony.

Eighth Grade Dinner Dance — Friday, June 5

The eighth grade is invited to attend a dinner and dance on Friday, June 5, from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m., at the Middle School. More details will follow shortly.

Don’t Forget to Snap a Photo of Your Lawn Sign 

Help us celebrate the Eighth Grade Class of 2026 by snapping a photo of your lawn sign and sharing it with MKA! Tag MKA in your photo on Instagram, Facebook, or email it to socialmedia@mka.org.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Sunday, April 26, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm — Cougar Pride Day
• Wednesday, May 6, 8:15 am - 9:15 am - Parent to Parent Panel: 3rd Grade to 4th Grade Transition Panel
• Friday, May 8, 8:15 am - 9:15 am - Parent to Parent Panel: 8th Grade to 9th Transition Panel

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

Cougar Pride Day — Rescheduled to Sunday, April 26

Due to the inclement forecast, Cougar Pride Day has been moved to Sunday, April 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 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!

The Cougar Auction — Tuesday, April 21 - Sunday, April 26 

The Cougar Auction is now live and has been extended to Sunday, April 26.  Visit the Cougar Pride Day webpage to make your bids. Don’t miss your chance to win beloved “Cougar Spirit Items” like VIP car line parking, reserved commencement seating, and Head of School for a Day. Timed to close on Cougar Pride Day at 5:00 p.m., proceeds from the auction will support Faculty Trust Grants and Faculty Wish Lists.

Please reach out to Moushumi Sanghavi, PAMKA President, with any questions.

Parent to Parent Panels — Wednesday, May 6 and Friday, May 8

PAMKA is bringing back its popular Parent-to-Parent Panels this May. These in-person panels are designed to offer open dialogue, helpful insights, and a chance to hear directly from current parents about the transition experience.

Third Grade Parents & Guardians (PS to MS Transition)
Wednesday, May 6, at 8:15 am, Middle School Dining Hall
RSVP Here

Eighth Grade Parents & Guardians (MS to US Transition)
Friday, May 8, at 8:15 am, Middle School Dining Hall
RSVP here

We hope you can join us for these informative and welcoming conversations. Please reach out to Moushumi Sanghavi, PAMKA President, with any questions.

Sign-Up to Volunteer for Conference Day — Thursday, May 14

PAMKA Special Events needs your help! Thursday, May 14, is Conference Day for all three campuses. Please sign up to bring in some food, snacks, or drinks to keep our teachers nourished throughout the day.

• Primary School Volunteer Sign Up: Contact Besa Owen
• Middle School Volunteer Sign Up: Contact Michelle Willford

• Upper School Volunteer Sign Up : Contact Maggie Marotta

Volunteers Needed for Fall 2026 Parent Grade Socials

We're looking for enthusiastic families to host next year's fall parent socials. Hosting is easy and can be done solo or with other parents in your grade. You can choose to open your home for a cozy get-together or reserve a space at a local bar or restaurant—whatever fits your style!

Why Host?

• It’s a fantastic way to meet other parents in your child’s grade.
• You get to create a fun, welcoming atmosphere for our MKA community.
• No need to go overboard—these socials are about connection, not perfection!

If you’re interested or have questions, simply reach out to Meredith Levine. Not ready to host solo? Grab a few fellow parents and co-host together!

These socials are the heart of what makes MKA special—parents connecting, sharing laughs, and

strengthening our incredible community. We’d love for you to be a part of it!

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler and stay connected to the community!