PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATES

Important Carline/Student Schedule Updates

Thank you, everyone, for your cooperation and patience on the carline. As we go forward, our efforts are to have all students in their classrooms by 8:00 a.m. when instruction begins. A helpful tip is to arrive between 7:30 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. You will most likely breeze through the morning carline.

As always, please navigate thoughtfully to the Primary School driveway while providing road space for other vehicles using Orange Road. We ask that you kindly keep your family carline sign on your dashboard as you drive through the carline until you exit the parking lot

Please be sure to follow the below important dismissal carline procedures:

Do not arrive at school for the afternoon carline BEFORE 2:10 p.m.

• Parents/caregivers arriving before 2:10 p.m. will be asked to leave, park on Llewellyn Road, and walk to campus to collect their students (you will not be permitted to rejoin the carline).
• After parking, walk to the Portico. You can tell the person on duty the name and grade level of the student(s) you will be picking up. This person will get your student(s).
• Do not park on Orange Road and walk into the school to pick up your children; you must use Llewellyn Road if you wish to park and collect your student(s). This is unsafe and unfair to others as well as against school policy.

Creatures of Carline Calendars Now Available

Thank you for your participation in our first-ever Creatures of Carline photoshoot this week! It was wonderful seeing all your fluffy, furry, flippered friends as your children were dropped off at school. Our 2026 Brookside Creatures of Carline Calendar is now available for purchase! They make excellent holiday (or anytime!) gifts! Each calendar is $20. The proceeds will support the MKA fund, and a portion will be donated to the Montclair Animal Shelter. Purchased calendars will be sent home with your child during the week of December 15. Please fill out this Google Form if you would like to order one.

To ensure timely delivery before winter break, the order form will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9.

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!

Save the Date: Primary School Winter Concert — Friday, December 19

The Primary School looks forward to welcoming families to the annual Winter Concert on Friday, December 19. The concert will begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. Seating for the concert will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The following dress code is required for all students:

• White MKA polo shirt
• Khaki slacks, skirts, skorts, or shorts
• Solid colored tights with skirts or skorts.
• Sneakers

Jr-K classes do not participate in the Winter Concert on Friday, December 19. Instead, both Jr-K classes will host a special Reggio celebration. This decision aligns with our commitment to creating experiences that are developmentally appropriate and meaningful for students.

The celebration will allow us to honor the unique strengths and needs of our Jr-K students. By designing an event that centers around the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we can encourage each child’s creativity, curiosity, and comfort within a smaller setting. This gathering will be an opportunity for the children to share their learning and joy in a way that feels authentic and playful, and singing will be included. More information to come from your student’s advisor.

MKA Music Program Enrollment 

Enrollment is now open for the MKA After School Music Program, which offers private lessons right after school at the Middle School. Lessons are recommended for all serious instrumental music students or beginners. The curriculum of the program is tightly correlated with the MKA Orchestral Program. Scheduling is flexible, and lessons can be arranged at a mutually convenient time. Lesson participation accelerates the learning process a great deal. We currently offer private lessons on Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, and Piano. For more information and enrollment, contact tri-campus strings director Dimitri Hajipetkov.

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

A Reminder Regarding Appropriate Clothing for Recess 

Weather permitting, students go outside daily unless they have a written medical excuse. It is important that students have appropriate clothing for the winter season. Hats, gloves, boots, and snow pants (or extra pants) are required in the winter months. If the temperature goes below 25° Fahrenheit, recess will be held indoors. Please remember to mark all items 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
• Tuesday, December 16,8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Spring Social Meeting

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

Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Children’s Toy Drives — Now through Friday, December 12

PAMKA is excited to host our annual Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Toy Drives to benefit Valley Settlement House and Toni’s Kitchen starting Monday, December 1, through Friday, December 12. This is a wonderful way for our community to help keep local children warm and make their holidays a little brighter.

You can support the drives in two easy ways:

1. Drop-Off Donations - Please bring new hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and new, unwrapped toys for children ages 4–12. Please place items in the collection boxes located in the lobby of each campus.
2. Order online through Amazon Wish Lists - Choose items from the Amazon Wish List links below and have them shipped directly to the organizations:
   1. Hat, Scarf, & Mitten Drive for Valley Settlement House
   2. Toy Drive for Toni’s Kitchen

Amazon Wish List Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Log in to your Amazon account
• Click on the link for the drive(s) you’d like to support
  • Hat, Scarf, & Mitten Drive for Valley Settlement House
  • Toy Drive for Toni’s Kitchen
• Select the item(s) you wish to purchase and add them to your cart. When you’re done shopping, click “Proceed to Checkout.”
• Under the address options, select Valley Settlement House or Toni’s Kitchen (these should appear at the top) so your items ship directly to the organization.
• Please do not ship to your home, and do not select gift wrap or gift note options.
• Choose your payment and shipping method and complete your order.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Primary School Engagement Chair, Ashley Hirsh. Thank you for your generosity and for helping MKA support our local children and families this season!

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

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.
Questions? Contact Edie Brennan, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging.

Tri-Campus Hanukkah Party — TODAY

We can’t wait to see you at our Tri-Campus Hanukkah Party today, 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 note, registration for this event is now closed.

EPE Winter Sessions — Registration Opens December 8

Fight the winter blues with EPE! MKA is pleased to offer after-school care for your child(ren) in grades Jr-K to 8 through our Extended Play and Enrichment (EPE) program. After-school care is provided from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. each day.

Please visit the EPE webpage to familiarize yourself with the programs, schedule, and registration details. Registration for Winter EPE opens at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 8.

Questions? Please email Amy Pacifico and Amy Moltane.

Parent Challenge Success Survey Extended to Monday, December 8

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. To ensure the results truly reflect our community, we need significantly more participation from families. The survey takes just 5–10 minutes, and our goal is to have at least one parent per family complete it. To help us reach that goal, the deadline has been extended to Monday, December 8.

Holiday Favorites from the MKA School Store

Deck the halls in green and blue! Our school store is making gifting easy this year. From cozy wearables to spirited accessories, our holiday gift picks make celebrating the season even brighter. These hand-picked favorites are ready to add holiday sparkle and school pride to every celebration.