NOVEMBER 7, 2025
Primary School Conference Day Information
Please see this letter that was sent on Monday, November 3, from Head of Primary School Katie Banks, which provides Conference Day information related to Specialists meeting schedules.
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 until noon on Tuesday, November 11. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, November 10 - Wednesday, November 12 — PAMKA Book Fair
- Friday, November 14, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Cougar Pride Day Committee Meeting
- 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.
Book Fair Evening Edition — Monday, November 10
Join your student(s) to shop the Book Fair at the Middle School Upper Gym after school on Monday, November 10, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy books and more for all ages: delicious refreshments, gift wrapping, and other fun surprises! There will be pizza and baked goods for sale, so you can take care of holiday shopping, dinner, and dessert!
View the flyer for more information.
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.
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.
Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook
Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.
MKA Day is Two Weeks 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.
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.
The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.