OCTOBER 24, 2025
A Morning at the Middle School for Third-Grade Parents — Wednesday, October 29
Third-grade parents are invited to visit the Middle School on Wednesday, October 29, from 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. During the visit, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Dr. Carlaina Bell, Head of Middle School, Ms. Catherine Gaynor, Assistant Head of Middle School, and Dr. Roshni Shah, Grade 4 Dean, to learn more about the campus and enjoy a tour.
Please RSVP using this Google Form. We look forward to seeing you! If you have any questions, please e-mail Alyson Waldman, Director of Enrollment Management, Admissions & Financial Aid.
Halloween at the Primary School — Friday, October 31
Please take a moment to read this letter for details about Halloween at the Primary School. Halloween fun will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31.
Picture Retake Day — Tuesday, November 4
The photographer will be returning to campus on Tuesday, November 4, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. If your student was absent on Picture Day OR if you would like a retake, please email Colleen Helsel to reserve a spot for your student.
Connection Conversations: Navigating the Evaluation Process on November 5
Join the MKA Office of Student Support and Katie Banks, Head of Primary School, on Wednesday, November 5, at 8:30 a.m. for an interactive workshop led by the Co-Directors of Student Support. In a welcoming, collaborative setting, parents and caregivers will learn how the evaluation process supports student growth, the types of assessments available, and the vital role of school-family partnerships. Gain practical strategies to advocate for your child, understand available supports at MKA, and access helpful resources—no matter where you are in the process.
Primary School and Upper School Parent Conference Day — Thursday, November 13
On Monday, October 27, you will be able to sign up for the November 13 conferences via the Veracross Parent Portal. To access the Parent-Teacher Conference module, log in to the Veracross Parent Portal using your Veracross credentials and click the orange (PS) or blue (US) button.
From here, you will see instructions for the sign-up process. Click on the drop-down to select a time; this time will be saved automatically. Please select a timeslot 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 via your Household Calendar in Veracross and, if you have subscribed to your Household Calendar, on your personal calendar app.
If these dates are not possible for you, please reach out to your child's advisor/s. More detailed directions for signing up for conferences can be found here.
Grades Jr-K, K, 1, 2, and 3: Families will have an opportunity to schedule a conference with their child's Advisor(s)
Grades 9: Students do not attend conferences
Grades 10-12: Students do attend conferences
Primary School Lunch
Our Primary School lunch program is off and running! From favorites in the cafeteria like breakfast for lunch, to meals celebrating cultures and heritages like pulled pork tostadas, students are loving the options. Want to know what's on offer that day? We encourage you to check out the monthly menu (you can also find it on your Veracross parent portal)! It can also be helpful to preview the options with your child in advance, as this allows them to engage in conversations with you about what a balanced, healthy plate is ahead of time.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, October 28, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — Parenting Workshop Committee Meeting
For a complete calendar listing of events, view the PAMKA Calendar in Veracross.
Scholastic Book Fair: November 7 through November 12
It’s time to be the author of your own story! The Tri-Campus Scholastic Book Fair is just weeks away. Join us as we celebrate books, uncover new stories, meet visiting authors, and participate in exciting events.
There are multiple ways to be involved in the Book Fair, and we’d love for you to join us! Sign up to volunteer via the links below or visit mka.org/pamkabookfair for more details.
Volunteer at the Primary School | Donate to the PS Faculty & Staff Tea
Volunteer at the Middle School | Donate to the MS Faculty & Staff Tea
Pre-sales of visiting author books are now live! Don’t miss the opportunity to secure signed copies of exclusive titles from our visiting authors. Pre-ordering is the ONLY way to guarantee an author-signed book. Use this form to place your order now. We’re excited to share this year’s selection of visiting author books!
Mark your calendars for our special events:
- Primary School Pajama Night, Friday, November 7, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: An evening of fun for our Brookside students. RSVP by November 6!
- Book Fair: Evening Edition, Monday, November 10, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: Held at the Middle School, this event is for everyone in our MKA community. No RSVP required.
Don’t forget to purchase gift certificates for faculty and staff and set spending limits for Primary School students.
Visit the Book Fair website for more details, including the list of our visiting authors. Questions? Contact PAMKA’s Book Fair Co-ChairsKatie Cocco and Angie Tekriwal.
Share Your Fall Parent Social Photos
Our last Fall Parent Social was this past weekend. Thank you to Adenah and Michael Monxhwedey for generously hosting the sixth-grade social. Please don’t forget to share photos with the MKA Communications team for sharing on social media. You can email photos to socialmedia@mka.org or use #WeAreMKA on Instagram and Facebook.
Custom MKA Boathouse Parkas Are Back — Order by November 1
New arrival at the MKA School Store! Personalize a boathouse parka with a name, graduation year, and sports team! With its durable Pro-Tech® Shell, cozy fleece lining, and two-way zipper, this parka is built for warmth, comfort, and school spirit all season long.
Place your order by Saturday, November 1, by visiting www.mka.org/schoolstore today! Please note there is a 6-8 week delivery time.
Hemmeter-McNeal Lecture Series Welcomes Amanda Ripley — Tuesday, November 4
Please join us on Tuesday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m. in Weiss Auditorium to welcome Amanda Ripley, New York Times bestselling author, Washington Post columnist, and co-founder of Good Conflict, as part of the Hemmeter-McNeal Lecture Series. Ripley will present her acclaimed lecture, “Breaking the Spell of High Conflict,” exploring why ordinary disagreements so often escalate into destructive divisions—and how we can find our way out. Her insights promise to challenge, inspire, and offer tools for navigating conflict in today’s world.
Space is limited. Please RSVP to reserve your seat today!
If you have a question you’d like Amanda Ripley to address at the event, please email Gretchen Berra. While we may not be able to answer every question, we’ll do our best.
MKA Day is coming up on November 20
Here are three things to know as we get ready to celebrate our community's biggest day of giving:
It’s all about participation! High MKA Day turnout unlocks challenge funds that directly benefit our students.
All gifts between today and November 20 count toward our ambitious goal of 800 donors.
Your gift goes straight to your child’s experience: supporting teachers, facilities, and all the things that make MKA special. Give to The MKA Fund today.
Stay tuned for more details related to MKA Day! Questions? Please contact Kelly Flippin, Director of Annual Giving.
Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings
Stay up to date on Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group meeting dates for the 2025-2026 academic year using the Community Belonging Calendar in the Veracross Parent Portal under the "Resources'' tab.
Questions? Contact Edie Brennan, Office of Community Belonging/Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging.
The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.