PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATES

Connection Conversations Recording and Slides

Thank you to those who have been able to join us for our first two Connection Conferences this year, Developing Resilience and Grit and Navigating the Evaluation Process. If you were not able to attend, you can find the recordings below:

• Developing Resilience and Grit Recording (slide deck can be found here)
• Navigating the Evaluation Process Recording (handouts can be found here)

Additionally, if you have any questions about the evaluation process or would like to request a conversation with the Student Support Team, please fill out this Google Form.

Third Grade CTP-5 Testing — December 2 through December 4

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

Third Grade World Language Open House — Thursday, December 4

Brookside World Language - French invites parents of third-grade students to experience your child’s French language acquisition class on Thursday, December 4, 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 the French classroom. Kindly complete this form if you plan to attend.

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

• Friday, December 5, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Cougar Pride Day Virtual Meeting (Please use this link to join the meeting)
• Tuesday, December 9, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Parenting Workshop Meeting

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

Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Toy Drives — Monday, December 1 to Friday, December 12

The season of giving is almost here! PAMKA is thrilled to announce our annual Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, and Mitten and Toy Drives benefiting Valley Settlement House and Toni’s Kitchen from Monday, December 1 to Friday, December 12.

Details on how to contribute will be shared after Thanksgiving Break. Please consider participating. Every donation helps make a difference in our community! Questions? Reach out to Ashley Hirsh, Primary School Community Engagement Chair.

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

Join us for the following Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group meetings:

• Wednesday, December 3, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Parents & Caregivers of Gender Expansive MKA Students Group Meeting

Questions? Contact Edie Brennan, Office of Community Belonging/Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging. Meeting dates for the 2025-2026 academic year can be found on the Community Belonging Calendar in the Veracross Parent Portal under the "Resources'' tab.

Thank you, MKA parents! 🎉

Your incredible support on MKA Day helped us surpass our original goal of 800 donors, then 900, to over 1,000 and counting! We are so grateful for the energy and generosity you brought to this special day. A full recap of MKA Day, including final numbers and challenge updates, will be shared later today. Stay tuned!

Photo courtesy of Middle School Student Government.

Parent Challenge Success Survey Due Tuesday, November 25

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 has administered a survey to gather feedback from students (Grades 4–12) and parents and caregivers (Jr-K–12), which will inform school culture, well-being, and academic engagement.

All students have now taken the survey. All parents and caregivers are asked to complete their survey linked below by November 25.

ESS Registration - Register by Monday, December 1

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.

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.

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.