PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATES

Important Carline/Student Schedule Updates

Thank you, everyone, for your cooperation and patience on the carline. We are off to a great start thanks to you. As we go forward, our efforts are to have all students in their classrooms by 8:00 a.m. when instruction begins. A helpful tip is to arrive between 7:30 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. You will most likely breeze through the morning carline. Carline will close at 7:55 a.m. and cones will be placed in the driveway.

We ask that you kindly keep your family carline sign on your dashboard as you drive through the carline until you exit the parking lot during morning arrival AND afternoon dismissal.

IMPORTANT: Families may not park on Orange Road and walk into the school to drop off or pick up their children, per signage posted by the Montclair Police Department. This is unsafe and unfair to others as well as against school policy.

Families who live within one mile of the Primary School are eligible to be walkers. If you would like to be a walker, kindly submit your request to psnotifications@mka.org. During dismissal, parents of walkers should wait under the portico at the end of the building.

Please be sure to send student absences, late arrivals, early pickups, carpools, or play date information to psnotifications@mka.org and copy your student's advisor.

MKA’s No Pets on Campus Policy

Please note, pets are prohibited on all MKA properties, including outdoor and/or athletic events, even if they occur after school hours. MKA does recognize the rights of people with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animal while on campus. Thank you for your understanding of and adherence to this policy.

Extended Play and Enrichment Program (EPE) Reminders

If you are registered for EPE, you can always refer to your CampBrain account to see which days/courses you signed up for. Also, be on the lookout for our email blasts with important updates!

Please contact Amy Pacifico or Amy Moltane by 1:00 p.m. if:

• Your child will not attend on their scheduled day.
• Your child will be going home with someone other than an MKA-authorized pick-up person.
• Your child will be leaving before their scheduled pick-up time.

MKA After School Music Program — Enrollment Open

Enrollment is now open for the MKA After School Music Program, which offers private lessons right after school at the Middle School. Lessons are recommended for all serious instrumental music students or beginners. The curriculum of the program is tightly correlated with the MKA Orchestral Program. Scheduling is flexible, and lessons can be arranged at a mutually convenient time. Lesson participation accelerates the learning process a great deal. Students who take private lessons do not have to participate in any additional group sessions offered after school. We currently offer private lessons on Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, and Piano. For more information, please contact Strings Teacher and Tri-Campus Director of Orchestras Dimitri Hadjipetkov.

Spirit Day Fridays Have Begun

Students are invited to participate in Spirit Day Fridays each week. You may reference the Code of Attire for more details. Go Cougars!

Primary School Snack Time

Our food service company provides one daily snack option for each student. If your student has specific preferences you are invited to send a snack from home in their backpack.

Back to School Night — Thursday, September 25

The Primary School Back To School Night will take place on Thursday, September 25, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. This is an in-person event. We are excited to welcome parents to campus to meet advisors, specialists, and support staff, and learn about the Primary School experience. Stay tuned for more information from our campus head, Katie Banks.

Picture Day — Tuesday, September 30

Smile! Primary School Picture Day is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30. The rain date is scheduled for Friday, October 17. A retake date will be announced at a later time for students who are absent on picture day or need a retake. Stay tuned.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Saturday, September 13 — Parent Social Grades 1, 7, and 10
• Monday, September 15,8:15 - 10:15 a.m. — PAMKA Book Fair Meeting
• Wednesday, September 17, 8:15 - 10:00 a.m. — PAMKA Tri-Campus Informational Coffee
• Friday, September 19 — Parent Social Grades 4 and 11
• Saturday, September 20 — Parent Social Grade 5
• Monday, September 29, 8:15 - 10:15 a.m. — PAMKA Book Fair Meeting
• Tuesday, September 30, 8:15 - 9:30 a.m. — Meet the Counselors Coffee

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

Tri-Campus Informational Coffee — Wednesday, September 17

The Tri-Campus Informational Coffee will take place on Wednesday, September 17, at 8:15 a.m. at the Primary School Cafetorium. This meeting will provide information about the numerous and varied opportunities on all three campuses to support the school. The coffee is also a perfect opportunity to meet fellow parents and connect with the community. Please kindly RSVP online to this event by Friday, September 12. You can also learn more about PAMKA volunteer opportunities by completing the online Volunteer Form.

Any questions? Contact Meredith Levine, PAMKA’s Volunteer Coordinator VP.

Jr-K–12 Parent Coffee: Meet the Counselors — Tuesday, September 30

Please join MKA's school counseling team for a brief overview of the tri-campus counseling program on Tuesday, September 30, at 8:15 a.m. in Higgins at the Middle School. Hear about the Office of Student Support and how the counselors collaborate with members of the Academic Support team, and learn what you can expect for support for Jr-K–12 students. There will also be time for Q&A for campus-specific questions. Coffee and refreshments will be served.

Jr-K–12 parents are welcome to attend. Please RSVP by September 25.

Fall Parent Socials

Mark your calendars! These wonderful evenings are a fantastic way to meet other parents in your child’s grade. Many thanks to Besa and David Owen for generously hosting the Second-Grade Social—their hospitality helped make the evening a great success. We’re also deeply grateful to Ruchi Misra and Nicholas Hailey, and Courtney and Christopher Meeker for cohosting the Ninth-Grade Social, which was the first ever to be held on campus. Their generosity and willingness to try a new format created a memorable and well-attended event.

• Saturday, September 13: Grades 1, 7, and 10
• Friday, September 19: Grades 4 and 11
• Saturday, September 20: Grade 5
• Friday, October 3: Kindergarten, Grade 8
• Friday, October 10: Grade 3
• Thursday, October 16: Jr-K
• Friday, October 17: Grade 6

The Grade 12 Parent Social will be held in Spring 2025. Grade 12 parents will receive an update after Spring Break.

Please watch for an Evite from your Grade Representative with details regarding the host, location, timing, as well as how to RSVP. Invitations will be sent approximately four weeks prior to your social. For any questions, please contact your PAMKA Grade Representative.

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

MKA’s Website Has a New Look

As you may have noticed, MKA’s website has a brand new look! The refreshed design highlights the vibrancy of our community and provides a welcoming first impression for prospective families interested in learning more about our school.

Current families should continue to visit the Veracross Parent Portal for all important information and use resources like WeAreMKA for reminders and updates.

Please note, you can access the parent portal from the website by clicking “Veracross Portals” at the top left-hand corner of the homepage. On mobile devices, you can locate the portals by tapping the magnifying glass symbol next to the main menu.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating and sharing all that makes MKA extraordinary.

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

Join us for the following Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group meetings:

• Monday, September 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Junt@s Hispanic/Latinx Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group
• Wednesday, September 17, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. — Office of Community Belonging Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Fall Gathering
• Wednesday, October 1, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — Admissions & Office of Community Belonging - International & Expat Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Breakfast

Questions? Contact Edie Brennan, Office of Community Belonging/Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging. The Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group meeting dates for the 2025-2026 academic year can be found on the Community Belonging Calendar in the Veracross Parent Portal under the "Resources'' tab.

Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Fall Gathering — Wednesday, September 17

The Diversity and Inclusion Parents Committee (DIPC) and Office of Community Belonging would like to invite you to the MKA Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Fall Gathering. The gathering will be on Wednesday, September 17, from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the Middle School Dining Hall.

The Parent and Caregiver Affinity Groups are a key way in which we foster and celebrate

community at MKA, and this event is open to all who have previously participated in these spaces or are interested in learning more. Please complete this form by September 12 to RSVP.

Questions? Contact Edie Brennan, Office of Community Belonging/Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging.

International Parent Affinity Group Breakfast — Wednesday, October 1 

Are you living in the U.S. temporarily, or have you recently returned to the U.S. after living abroad? Come meet others who have had the same experience and share your story on Wednesday, October 1, from 8:15 - 9:15 a.m., in the Middle School Higgins Common Room.

To RSVP, please contact Callie Bond, Associate Director of Community Belonging and Admissions Liaison.

Join Us for MKA’s Golf & Tennis Classic — Monday, October 27

MKA's Golf & Tennis Classic returns to Somerset Hills Country Club on Monday, October 27! Hosted by Board of Trustees President Naveen Ballem ’90, M.D., F.A.C.S., the day will feature friendly competition, school pride, and meaningful connections.

Secure your spot by registering today! Questions? Contact Gretchen Berra for more information.

New Items in the School Store

Gear up for the school year! New spirit wear is now available for online ordering. Visit www.mka.org/schoolstore to place your order now and show your Cougar pride in style this fall.

The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.