PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATES

Stargazing Night — TODAY

The Upper School Astronomy Club invites you to stargaze with them today, November 14, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Van Brunt. We will provide snacks and blankets to keep everyone warm while we view the night sky! Telescopes will be available, and members of the astronomy club will be there to provide information about what you are viewing.

Please note: All Primary School students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Remember to dress warmly! We hope to see you all there!

Third Grade Science Open House — Monday, November 17

Our Science Specialist, Ms. Glynn, would like to invite the parents of third-grade students to drop by the science room anytime on Monday, November 17, between 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. for our Third 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.

First and Second Grade World Language Open House — November 19

Brookside World Language Department invites parents of first and second-grade students to experience your child’s French or Spanish language acquisition class on Wednesday, November 19, from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. While understanding what Acquisition Driven Instruction (ADI) is can be interesting, experiencing it first-hand is even more enjoyable. Come as you are—no experience necessary. We look forward to welcoming you into our French and Spanish classrooms. Kindly complete this form if you plan to attend.

Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive — Now Through 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.

Third Grade CTP-5 Testing — December 2 through December 5

Third-grade students will be taking the Educational Records Bureau’s Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP 5) for four days during the first week of December (2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th). Please read this letter from Gretchen Ievers, Assistant Head of Primary School, for more information.

Save the Date for the Second Grade Showcase — Friday, December 12

The second-grade students from 2Mc, 2LG, and 2P will share stories they wrote through collaboration with Dance/Theatre Arts teacher Kristen Weaver on Friday, December 12, from 8:10 - 8:45 a.m.

The students brainstormed ideas, improvised scenes, discussed many possibilities, and made choices along the way. As the script took shape, the students discussed what the message to the audience should be. We hope you will join us for a showcase, and know you will enjoy seeing the work these thoughtful students have created!

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

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 above. It is also important to mark ALL items that come to school with your child’s first and last names. 

Important Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, November 18, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Spring Social Meeting

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

Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive — Now Through November 19

Join us in supporting the annual Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive, taking place from 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.

ESS Registration Opens Today

It’s time to register for the winter session of ESS! This trimester, registration will take place through Camp Brain. Use the link below to create an account to register. If you have already used Camp Brain for EPE or for STAR Camp, you can use the same account information.

The winter session of ESS will run from Monday, December 1, through Friday, March 13.

The deadline to register for ESS Winter Session is Monday, December 1. If your child is not registered for the winter session, you will be charged the $25 drop-in fee on the days your child attends.

MKA Day is Less Than One Week Away

MKA Day is almost here! Every gift made between now and November 20 counts toward our goal of 800 donors. Your support helps create incredible experiences for our students—thank you for being part of it!

Questions? Please contact Kelly Flippin, Director of Annual Giving.

Reminder: Complete Parent Challenge Success Survey

MKA has partnered with Challenge Success, a nonprofit affiliated with the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, to better understand and enhance the student experience. Through this partnership, MKA will administer a survey to gather feedback from students (Grades 4–12) and parents and caregivers (Jr-K–12) to inform school culture, well-being, and academic engagement.

• Grades 9–12 will take the student survey on November 12.*
• Grades 4–8 will take the student survey on November 19.*
• All parents and caregivers are asked to complete their survey linked below between November 7–25.

*Please note: All surveys are anonymous and developmentally appropriate.

To review the questions on the student surveys in advance, Challenge Success asks that you do so in person. Please reach out to Cris Junquera, who can assist in arranging a time for you.

NEW Single-Parents Affinity Group

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 contact Edie Brennan, the Community Belonging Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison. The first meeting will be in January 2026.

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, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging.

Tri-Campus Hanukkah Party — Friday, December 5

Join us for the annual MKA Tri-Campus Hanukkah Party on Friday, December 5, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Upper School Dining Hall! Come for dinner, crafts, games, and a ceremonial candle lighting. Hosted by Upper School Jewish Cultural Society, the Jewish Parent and Caregiver Affinity Group, and the Office of Community Belonging, this evening is open to all members of the MKA community. Please complete this form to RSVP by Tuesday, December 2.