PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATES

STAR Camp is Back — Registration Opens Monday, February 9

This year, STAR Camp is celebrating 20 years at MKA, and we’re ready for another unforgettable summer of learning and fun! Registration for Jr. STAR Camp (Jr–K - 3) and STAR Camp (Grades 4-8) opens Monday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. To learn more about the program and view the camp schedule, visit www.mka.org/starcamp.

Valentine’s Day — Wear Your Favorite Outfit Day on February 12

Brookside will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Thursday, February 12. Students are invited to wear their favorite outfit on that day. All grade levels will have their parties after lunch. If your student brings Valentine’s cards to school, please be sure there is a card for each child in the classroom, and please do not include candy or treats with the card. In order to streamline the card exchange, the school asks that the cards be signed but not addressed to specific students. The party will be run by classroom advisors and is a student-only event.

Mid-Year Progress Reports Available — Friday, February 13

Mid-Year progress reports from advisors and specialists will be available through the Veracross Parent Portal on Friday, February 13, at 4:00 p.m.

To provide a more dynamic look at your child’s creative journey, individualized feedback for Art, Music, and Dance/Theatre Arts will be shared via the Seesaw app rather than through traditional written comments on the mid-year progress report.

Rising Fourth Grade Tech Information Session — February 18 & 19

We are excited to support our third-grade students as they transition from 1:1 classroom iPads to their own school-managed laptops in fourth grade. To prepare families for this milestone, the Ed Tech Department is hosting two 30-minute information sessions (available in-person or via Google Meet).

We will provide an overview of the MKA 1:1 Laptop Program and the Tech Bytes class, which helps students build the skills and "habits of mind" needed to successfully manage their school work with their new devices. We will also discuss the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and what families can expect with this new responsibility.

Please note: The Google Meet session will be recorded and will not be interactive. Please RSVP and submit your questions in advance so we can tailor the session to your needs!

Choose the session that works for you:

• Webinar: Feb 18 at 6:30 p.m. (link to be shared soon)
• In-Person: Feb 19 at 8:00 a.m. at the Middle School

Please use this link to RSVP and submit questions by February 16.

Upcoming Occupational Therapy Workshop in Partnership Series — Thursday, February 19

Join us for More Than Handwriting: Understanding Occupational Therapy and Child Development on Thursday, February 19, at 6:00 p.m. in the Primary School cafetorium. This workshop will explore how occupational therapy (OT) supports students’ graphomotor, sensory processing, and independent self-care skills, and how these areas are nurtured within the classroom to support learning and independence.

Parents are encouraged to RSVP by completing this form, which also provides an opportunity to submit questions in advance

Save the Date: First Grade Showcase — Friday, March 6

We look forward to welcoming first-grade parents to the first-grade showcase, 1C, 1Co, and 1N on Friday, March 6. Stay tuned for more information in the weeks to come.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, February 10, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Spring Social Meeting

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

Winter Coat and Sweater Drive — ENDING TODAY

PAMKA is hosting a Coat and Sweater Drive to benefit MESH Montclair, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping Montclair’s vulnerable homeless adults and families, ending today, Friday, February 6. We are collecting used/new ADULT coats, ADULT sweaters, and other essential items. Drop-off bins for coats and sweaters will be located at the Primary, Middle, and Upper Schools. Online donations of other essentials can be made via the MESH Amazon Wish List. Select the address "MESH Executive Director, Joe Granger, Montclair, NJ" so that your items will be sent directly to the organization.

Questions? Contact Upper School Community Engagement Chair Erica Ajayi.

Middle School Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game — TONIGHT

We look forward to seeing everyone at the basketball game tonight. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Pizza, wings, drinks, and baked goods will be available for purchase in the dining hall. Admission is $10 per person or two canned /dry goods per person. All canned/dry food items will be donated.

Please see the schedule below:

• Dinner and Bake Sale: 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. in the dining hall
• Students sing the national anthem with the band!
• Sixth and Seventh Grade Game: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• Eighth vs Faculty Game: 7:40 - 8:30 p.m.

Volunteer or Donate for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day — Wednesday, February 25

We will be celebrating MKA’s faculty and staff on Wednesday, February 25. Please help us show our amazing faculty and staff how much we appreciate their hard work by volunteering to help with set-up and/or clean-up that day, or by bringing in food or beverage items for them to enjoy. Please sign up below:

• Primary School (Questions? Contact Besa Owen)
• Middle School (Questions? Contact Michelle Willford)
• Upper School (Questions? Contact Maggie Marotta)

Save the Date: Cougar Pride Day — Saturday, April 25

Cougar Pride Day will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Van Brunt Field (rain date Sunday, April 26). Join us for an unforgettable day filled with carnival games, thrilling inflatables, creative arts and crafts, exciting field activities, and captivating showcases from our student clubs.

Get ready to show off your Cougar Pride! This year, our students competed in a t-shirt design competition for Cougar Pride Day. Stay tuned for more details on the winning design and where to order your one-of-a-kind Cougar Pride Day t-shirt.

Do you have Spirit Wear and Code of Attire clothing that has been outgrown? The Cougar Consignment is back—an initiative that gives you the chance to rehome those lightly used MKA clothes and to shop at Cougar Pride Day. There will be a formal donation collection at the schools from March 30 to April 13.

Questions? Please contact Amira Artis or Aparna Shah.

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

• Tuesday, February 10, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Muslim Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group meeting
• Thursday, February 26, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. — Black History Month Dinner

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, Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging.

2026-2027 Transportation Form — Due February 10

MKA offers for-fee transportation, including three AM and PM shuttle services and one AM-only shuttle. We are also planning to offer a late shuttle option, departing from the Middle School at 4:15 p.m. and from the Upper School at 4:30 p.m., if enough students participate.

If you are interested in shuttle or van transportation for the 2026-2027 school year, please complete the registration form as soon as possible, but no later than Tuesday, February 10. Final routes and confirmations will be provided to families in April.

If you have any questions, please contact Eileen Richardson or Codi Hirst.

Re-enrollment Contracts for the 2026-2027 School Year — Due February 11

Re-enrollment contracts for the 2026-2027 school year were released via e-mail on January 28.  Families should complete their enrollment via Veracross. The deadline to return your contract and deposit to reserve your place for next year is Wednesday, February 11. Families applying for financial aid will receive their contracts in late February.

If you have any questions, please contact Alyson Waldman, Director of Enrollment Management, Admissions and Financial Aid, or call (973) 509-7930. We look forward to welcoming you back to MKA next year!

Join Us for a Special Black History Month Dinner with Jillian Jones ’15 — Thursday, February 26

The Upper School Black Student Affinity Group and MOSAIC (Parents and Caregivers of Black Students Affinity Group) are excited to invite you to the 2026 Black History Month Dinner on Thursday, February 26, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Upper School Dining Hall. This celebratory evening is open to all MKA families, faculty, and staff. Join us as we celebrate Black History Month with food, community, and our special guest speaker, Jillian Jones '15.

Please RSVP by completing this form. If you are interested in bringing food, please take a moment to fill out this sign-up sheet.

All RSVPs and food sign-ups are due by February 20. Questions? Contact Tony Jones and/or Callie Bond.

Reminder: 2026-2027 Preliminary Calendar Available to View

Families can now view and download the 2026-2027 Preliminary School Calendar. Please note that dates are subject to change, and additions may be made in the coming months. The calendar can also be found in the Veracross Parent Portal under the Resources tab. We recognize the importance of sharing this early version with families to anticipate childcare needs and/or plan family vacations.