PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATES

Save the Date for Math Game Night — Tuesday, February 3

We are excited to invite you and your children to our upcoming Primary School Math Game Night! This fun-filled evening will take place on Tuesday, February 3, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Cafetorium. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and explore engaging math games that can help support your child’s learning.

Please use this link to RSVP by Wednesday, January 25.

Mid-Year Progress Reports Available — Friday, February 13

Mid-Year progress reports from advisors and specialists will be available through the Veracross Parent Portal on Friday, February 13, at 4:00 p.m.

To provide a more dynamic look at your child’s creative journey, individualized feedback for Art, Music, and Dance/Theatre Arts will be shared via the Seesaw app rather than through traditional written comments on the mid-year progress report.

Save the Date: Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day — Tuesday, April 28

The Primary School is excited to celebrate Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day on the morning of Tuesday, April 28, 2026! The event will take place at the Primary School campus, where guests will enjoy outdoor activities and a performance in the auditorium.

Each Primary School family may invite up to four guests. Guests can be grandparents, relatives, non-parent caregivers, and/or special friends. Please submit your guests' names using the button below so we can send each guest an electronic invitation in early February 2026.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Wednesday, January 21, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Cougar Pride Day Meeting

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

Volunteers Needed for Cougar Pride Day

Cougar Pride Day Co-Chairs Amira Artis and Aparna Shah are looking for a few more volunteers to head Cougar Pride Day sub-committees. If you are interested in helping with event planning and organization, please reach out to them.

Winter Coat and Sweater Drive — Beginning January 26

PAMKA will host a Coat and Sweater Drive to benefit MESH Montclair, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping Montclair’s vulnerable homeless adults and families, from January 26 to February 6. We are collecting used/new ADULT coats, ADULT sweaters, and other essential items. More details about how to donate to this drive will follow in the coming weeks.

Questions? Contact Upper School Community Engagement Chair Erica Ajayi.

Nominating Slate — Deadline is Friday, January 30

Be a part of the PAMKA team! It is time to begin the search for the 2026-2027 PAMKA Board of Officers, Committee Chairs, Grade Representatives, and more. The Nominating Committee will be slating nearly 60 positions in February. Your input is critical in helping us fill these roles.

The online nominating form lists every position on the PAMKA Slate and allows you to nominate yourself or another parent for any open positions. The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 30.

As you review the various roles and responsibilities, please note:

• Self-nominations are strongly encouraged, as they support the Nominating Committee’s work in knowing what position(s) interest you.
• If you have any questions about any positions, please feel free to reach out to the Nominating Chairs.
• Please be assured that both the forms and the process are confidential. All nominations go through the committee's process.
• Being a parent volunteer is a great way to stay involved in your child's MKA experience, meet fellow parents, and give back to the community.

We look forward to hearing from you! Questions? Contact Nominating Chairs Meredith Gardner and Lauren Tabak Fass.

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

• Wednesday, January 21, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — International & Expat Parent and Caregivers Meeting at the Middle School Library
• Thursday, January 29, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Single-Parents 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.

NEW Single-Parents Affinity Group Meeting — Thursday, January 29

Save the date for the first Single-Parents Affinity Group meeting on Thursday, January 29, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Upper School Large Conference Room.

Purpose: The Single-Parents Affinity Group brings together parents who are raising children on their own, whether by choice, circumstance, or loss, to build connection, share resources, and support one another. Our goal is to foster community and belonging while centering the student experience and helping every family thrive at MKA.

If you are interested in joining this new Single-Parents Affinity Group, please attend the first meeting or contact Edie Brennan, the Community Belonging Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison.

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.

Exclusive Release: Valentine’s Day Sweatshirt

Fall in love with school spirit 💕 Our exclusive Valentine’s Day sweatshirt is here for a limited time only! Cozy, cute, and perfect for February (and beyond).

 Orders close on January 26—don’t miss out! Get yours today by visiting www.mka.org/schoolstore.