PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATES

Valentine’s Day — Wear Your Favorite Outfit Day on February 12

Brookside will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Thursday, February 12. Students are invited to wear their favorite outfit on that day. All grade levels will have their parties after lunch. If your student brings Valentine’s cards to school, please be sure there is a card for each child in the classroom, and please do not include candy or treats with the card. In order to streamline the card exchange, the school asks that the cards be signed but not addressed to specific students. The party will be run by classroom advisors and is a student-only event.

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.

Rising Fourth Grade Tech Information Session — February 18 & 19

We are excited to support our third-grade students as they transition from 1:1 classroom iPads to their own school-managed laptops in fourth grade. To prepare families for this milestone, the Ed Tech Department is hosting two 30-minute information sessions (available in-person or via Google Meet).

We will provide an overview of the MKA 1:1 Laptop Program and the Tech Bytes class, which helps students build the skills and "habits of mind" needed to successfully manage their school work with their new devices. We will also discuss the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and what families can expect with this new responsibility.

Please note: The Google Meet session will be recorded and will not be interactive. Please RSVP and submit your questions in advance so we can tailor the session to your needs!
Choose the session that works for you:

• Webinar: Feb 18 at 6:30 p.m. (link to be shared soon)
• In-Person: Feb 19 at 8:00 a.m. at the Middle School

Please use this link to RSVP and submit questions by February 16.

Save the Date: First Grade Showcase — Friday, March 6

We look forward to welcoming first-grade parents to the first-grade showcase, 1C, 1Co, and 1N on Friday, March 6. Stay tuned for more information in the weeks to come.

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

• Tuesday, February 3, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — Parenting Workshop Meeting
• 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.

2026-2027 Slate Nominations Due Today

Today is the last day to submit your self-nominations and recommendations for the 2026-2027 PAMKA Slate. The Nominating Committee will be slating nearly 60 positions in February for Officers, Committee Chairs, Grade Representatives, and more. 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.

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.

Winter Coat and Sweater Drive — Now Through February 6

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, from January 26 to 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.

Volunteers Needed for Middle School Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game — Friday, February 6

The Middle School Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game is on Friday, February 6, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Middle School Gym! We need parent volunteers to donate baked goods and sell items at the concession stand during the game.

If you are interested in helping out with the basketball game, please fill out this SignUpGenius form.

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

• Thursday, February 5, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — MOSAIC: Black Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group meeting
• 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.

Re-enrollment for 2026-2027 School Year

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!

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.