OCTOBER 31, 2025
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 Friday, October 31.
Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive — October 27 - November 19
Join us in supporting the annual Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive, taking place now through November 19, to benefit the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair.
To donate online, please visit the Thanksgiving Food Drive SignUp Genius. You can donate food virtually or make a monetary donation. The amount donated will be charged to your student’s account, and the food will be delivered directly to the Human Needs Food Pantry.
The food pantry is also in need of clean, lightly used clothing. If you wish to donate items directly, there will be food and clothing collection boxes located inside the Primary and Middle School campus lobbies. All food items must be non-perishable and cannot be stored in glass containers.
Many thanks to the Cuellar family of ShopRite of Passaic/Clifton for their generous support of our food drive! Questions? Please contact Community Engagement Middle School Chair Natalie Trento.
First Grade and Third Grade Science Open House
- First Grade: Monday, November 3 – 8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
- Third Grade: Monday, November 17 – 8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
Our Science Specialist, Ms. Glynn, would like to invite the parents of first-grade students to drop by the science room anytime between 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. on Monday, November 3, for our First Grade Science Open House. While there will be no formal presentation, please feel free to stop in to see the science lab, try some of the hands-on activities your child will experience this year, and ask any curricular questions you may have.
Additionally, third-grade parents are invited to attend a Science Open House dedicated to third grade on Monday, November 17, from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
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 — Wednesday, November 5
Join the MKA Office of Student Support and Katie Banks, Head of Primary School, on 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
Primary School and Upper School Parent Conference Day is Thursday, November 13.
You can sign up for 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 blue (US) or orange (PS) 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.
Primary School
- Grades Jr-K, K, 1, 2, and 3: Families will have an opportunity to schedule a conference with their child's Advisor(s)
PS families, if you need technical assistance, please contact Helen Noble.
Upper School
- Grades 9: Students do not attend conferences
- Grades 10-12: Students do attend conferences
US families, if you need technical assistance, please contact Erica Budd.
Clothing for Recess
Weather permitting, students go outside daily unless they have a written medical excuse. For this time of year, light jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts may come to school for cooler mornings and become forgotten as the day warms up. Please remember that all items need to follow the dress code attire, as noted below. It is also important to mark ALL items that come to school with your child’s first and last names.
Winter Dress Code:
Same as fall and spring, excluding skirts, skorts, and jumpers unless worn with tights or SPIRIT FRIDAYS (every Friday unless otherwise notified):
- Dress code bottoms or jeans
- Green and navy blue tops (solid or patterned)
- Shirts with visible MKA logos must be from MKA Bookstore or MKA-sponsored events
- (i.e., previous Field Days, New Cougar t-shirts, Field Trip t-shirts)
- No non-MKA sweatshirts
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, November 3, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Book Fair Meeting
For a complete calendar listing of events, view the PAMKA Calendar in Veracross.
Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive — October 27 - November 19
Join us in supporting the annual Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive, taking place October 27 through November 19, to benefit the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair. To donate online, please visit the Thanksgiving Food Drive SignUp Genius. You can donate food virtually or make a monetary donation. The amount donated will be charged to your student’s account, and the food will be delivered directly to the Human Needs Food Pantry.
The food pantry is also in need of clean, lightly used clothing. If you wish to donate items directly, there will be food and clothing collection boxes located inside the Primary and Middle School campus lobbies. All food items must be non-perishable and cannot be stored in glass containers.
Many thanks to the Cuellar family of ShopRite of Passaic/Clifton for their generous support of our food drive!
Questions? Please contact Community Engagement Middle School Chair Natalie Trento.
Scholastic Book Fair: November 7 through November 12
It’s time to be the author of your own story! The Scholastic Book Fair is just one week 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.
Primary & Upper School Conference Day Volunteers Needed – Thursday, November 13
Primary & Upper School Conference Day is Thursday, November 13, and we like to keep our teachers nourished and energized as they get through their meetings. Please use the links below to donate a food or beverage item or to help with set up/clean up:
Any questions, please reach out to Besa Owen for Primary School and Maggie Marotta for Upper School.
Last Chance to Order Custom MKA Boathouse Parkas — Deadline November 1
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 tomorrow, Saturday, November 1, by visiting www.mka.org/schoolstore today! Please note there is a 6-8 week delivery time.
Don’t Forget to Register for the Hemmeter–McNeal Lecture Series — 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.
Three Things to Know for MKA Day 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.