PRIMARY SCHOOL UPDATES

Family Stem+ Night — Thank You for Attending

Thank you to those families who attended STEM+ Night at the Primary School on Tuesday, April 7. We invite you to complete this STEM+ Night 2026 Parent Feedback Form. Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Third Grade Dance Concert — Friday, April 17

Third graders are working hard as they prepare for their dance concert on Friday, April 17! The students have learned a variety of dance skills, including spiral sits, lunges, pivots, front falls, and quarter turns. They also added elements of isolation, canon, and dancing in unison based on the choreographers that were studied in the fall. As they work together to create their sequences, they are learning to exchange ideas respectfully and share their creativity. The students are very excited to share their work with the Brookside community.

Primary School Spring Concert — Friday, April 24

The Primary School looks forward to welcoming families to the annual Spring Concert on Friday, April 24. The concert will begin promptly in the auditorium 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 (Please visit the MKA School Store if you need to purchase a white polo.)
• Khaki slacks, skirts, skorts, or shorts
• Solid-colored tights with skirts or skorts
• Sneakers

**Jr-K classes DO participate in the Spring Concert on Friday, April 24. 

As in the past, the Spring Concert will begin with a brief performance from the after-school Strings program. Participating students should bring their instruments and any necessary music or materials.

Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day — Tuesday, April 28

The Primary School is excited to celebrate Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day on the morning of Tuesday, April 28! The event will take place at the Primary School campus, where guests will enjoy outdoor activities and a performance in the auditorium.

If you submitted names for Grandparents’ Day, please confirm that your guests have completed the RSVP form sent directly to their email, which is separate from the initial submission form. For more information and a complete schedule of the day, please visit www.mka.org/gsfd.

Save the Date: Third Grade Closing Exercises — Friday, June 5

The Third Grade Closing Exercises will take place on Friday, June 5, at 9:00 a.m. in the Primary School Cafetorium. More details will be provided in the weeks to come.

NEW Wacky Wednesday Community Dress Down Days

As a part of a new initiative at Brookside, Wacky Wednesday Community Dress Down Days, students are invited to dress down following the themes below. Please note that all Wacky Wednesday Dress Down Day clothes must still be ready to learn and play appropriately.

Here is a preview of what is to come:

• April 29: Earth Day - Dress in a way that celebrates our earth and how we care for it (Ideas can include: save the earth shirt, earth colors, outdoor gear, or come up with your own creative ideas)
• May 20: Own Your Letter - Students can choose any letter of the alphabet to represent in any way they find creative and fun!
• June 3: Dress the Rainbow

Important Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, April 14, 8:15 am - 9:45 am — PAMKA Workshop Meeting
• Friday, April 17, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. — PAMKA Spring Social
• Wednesday, April 22, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm — Common Ground Speaks: AI, Education, and the Human Skills That Still Matter
• Saturday, April 25, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm — Cougar Pride Day

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

Cougar Consignment — Last Chance to Drop Off Donations

Do you have Spirit Wear and Code of Attire clothing that has been outgrown? The Cougar Consignment is here—an initiative that gives you the chance to rehome those lightly used MKA clothes and to shop at Cougar Pride Day. April 13 is the last day to drop off donations. Collection boxes have been placed at each campus.

Please only donate items that are in good or new condition. Questions? Please contact Janice Jacobson and Nicole Harris.

Don’t Miss The PAMKA Social — Purchase Tickets Before April 15

The PAMKA Social will be held on Friday, April 17, at 4Sixty6, from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.  Please join us for an evening centered on connection and celebration. There will be no auction and no speeches—just a fun, vibrant evening that we hope many will choose to attend. Purchase your tickets here before Wednesday, April 15.

Help PAMKA continue to support MKA faculty with the 2026 50/50 Raffle!

PAMKA's 50/50 raffle is now more than $24,000!

Purchase your tickets here! The winner will be announced at The PAMKA Social on Friday, April 17. All proceeds go directly towards Faculty Trust Grants and Faculty Wish Lists. 

Tickets are $50 each. One lucky winner will take home 50% of the total pot! Questions? Please contact Sara Elwell.

Cougar Pride Day — Volunteers Needed

Get ready for Cougar Pride Day on Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Rain date, Sunday, April 26) at Van Brunt Field!

Join us for an unforgettable day filled with thrilling inflatables, creative arts and crafts, and expanded field activities. Get ready to enjoy bites from our newly added food trucks, charity bake sale, and more.

Sign up to Volunteer! Be part of the excitement on this special day by signing up for a volunteer slot—your support is key to making this event a success!

The Cougar Auction — Tuesday, April 22 - Saturday, April 25 

Get ready to bid big on some unforgettable perks! This year, PAMKA is hosting a virtual auction of exclusive “Cougar Spirit Items”—think Head of School for the day, VIP car line spots, and guaranteed event seating. Timed to close on Cougar Pride Day, this limited virtual auction ensures families can still access their favorite items while supporting Faculty Trust Grants and Faculty Wish Lists.

Details on how to register and bid will be shared by Monday, April 21, with bidding open Tuesday, April 22, through Saturday, April 25. Don’t miss your chance—quantities are limited!

Common Ground Speaks Panel Discussion — Wednesday, April 22

Please register to attend “AI, Education, and the Human Skills That Still Matter,” a Common Ground Speaks panel discussion on Wednesday, April 22, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Far Hills Country Day School. The moderated panel will bring together national research, classroom insight, institutional leadership, and the parent perspective to examine how AI is transforming education and why human skills matter now more than ever.

Volunteers Needed for Junior Mock Interviews

Have you formerly or do you currently interview for your alma mater? Stephanie Salzman, PAMKA’s College Counseling Office (CCO) Liaison, is seeking interviewers for the CCO’s Junior Mock Interviews that will take place in May. This is an incredible program that helps students in 11th Grade prep for college interviews next fall. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie Salzman.

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler and stay connected to the community!

Last Chance To Submit Founders' Cup Nominations — Due Monday, April 13

At the heart of MKA’s vibrant community are the extraordinary educators who shape minds, inspire curiosity, and guide students far beyond the classroom. The Founders’ Cup Award honors MKA’s proud tradition of teaching excellence and celebrates an outstanding faculty member who embodies the very best of what it means to teach at MKA, in the classroom, on the field, in the studio, and through coaching and mentorship.

Nominate a faculty member whose impact is lasting, whose dedication is unwavering, and whose presence strengthens the fabric of our school community.

Tri-Campus Art Mural Initiative: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month

This spring, MKA's counseling team is partnering with One River Art School in Montclair to bring a meaningful, school-wide art initiative to all three campuses in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

Students across every age group will create artwork that reflects what mental health, emotional well-being, and feelings mean to them—with projects thoughtfully designed and scaffolded to meet each developmental stage. One River's instructors will collaborate with the counseling team and faculty to guide and execute the project on each campus during the first week of April.

By May, a community mural will be on display at each campus, weaving together every student's contribution into a collective expression of wellness, resilience, and connection. We can't wait for you to see it!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Daniella Kessler, Director of Counseling.