UPPER SCHOOL UPDATES

Reminder: CCO Junior Family College Information Evening — Tuesday, February 3

It was great to see all of you at the Junior College Kickoff this past weekend. We look forward to chatting with you soon and to seeing you (parents and students) again on Tuesday, February 3, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Upper School Dining Hall for our Junior Family College Information Evening. At this event, we’ll continue the conversation on college research and campus visits. See you there!

Support REMIX at the International A Cappella Championship — Saturday, February 7

MKA’s a cappella group, REMIX, will be competing in the Varsity Vocals International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) on Saturday, February 7, at 7:00 p.m. in Ramsey, NJ. This competition is the only international tournament that showcases the art of student a cappella singing. Come out for a night of great music and to support REMIX as they perform and compete. Please use this link to purchase your tickets.

Rescheduled: CCO Sophomore College Information Evening — Wednesday, February 18

Please note: Due to the snowstorm, this program was rescheduled from our original date of Tuesday, January 27.

The CCO invites sophomores and their parents to join Ann Fleming Brown, former Director of Admissions at Union College, for a fun and informative presentation about high school and looking ahead to the college process. The event will take place on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper School Dining Hall.

Save the Date: CCO Ninth Grade Student & Parent Evening — Monday, February 23

Please join us on Monday, February 23, at 6:00 p.m., for our Ninth Grade Student/Parent Evening, when we welcome Mr. Greg Moyer, Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Director of Admissions Recruitment at Dickinson College, to speak about “Making the Most of the High School Years.” His remarks will be helpful to both students and parents.

Please take a moment to register for the event using this link, so we can plan accordingly. We look forward to seeing you on the 23rd!

Parent Book Club Coffee — Thursday, February 26

Join us for a meaningful discussion about Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It by Jennifer Breheny Wallace. This insightful book explores how our culture's obsession with achievement is impacting our children's mental health and offers practical strategies for raising healthier, more resilient kids.

This coffee will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 8:15 a.m. (location TBD) and is open to parents of students in grades 6-12 and will be facilitated by Daniella Kessler, Director of Counseling, along with members of MKA’s Counseling Team.

Come connect with other parents, share experiences, and gain valuable perspectives on supporting our teens through the pressures of achievement culture. Please use this link to RSVP. Any questions, please reach out to Daniella Kessler.

Senior Graduation Signs on Sale Now Through February 29

Once again, PAMKA will be selling “Congratulations” lawn signs for graduating seniors. They are 24” x 18” corrugated lawn signs (stakes included) and cost $50.00 per sign. The sale will run from Friday, January 9, until Thursday, February 29. To ensure the signs arrive on time, we will not be accepting orders after the deadline. All signs will be delivered to the Upper School in April and distributed before the May Term begins. Signs will be charged to your student’s MKA account.

To place your order, complete the Senior Graduation Sign Google Form. If you are ordering more than one sign, please fill out a separate form for each.

If this cost presents a financial hardship for your family, please contact Alyson Waldman, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. Questions about ordering? Contact Elizabeth Hejna.

Order Your 2025-2026 Upper School Yearbook

The Upper School Yearbook is currently on sale. Parents of students in grades 9-11 should reserve a copy for their child/children in advance to guarantee a copy will be available for them in the spring. Visit our publisher's website to reserve a copy.

Parents of 12th-grade students do not need to order a copy of the book because the school will automatically order one for every senior (although you may order extra copies, should you wish). If you have questions, please email Derek Morf.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Tuesday, February 3, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — Parenting Workshop Meeting
• 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.

2026-2027 Slate Nominations Due Today

Today is the last day to submit your self-nominations and recommendations for the 2026-2027 PAMKA Slate. The Nominating Committee will be slating nearly 60 positions in February for Officers, Committee Chairs, Grade Representatives, and more. Your input is critical in helping us fill these roles.

The online nominating form lists every position on the PAMKA Slate and allows you to nominate yourself or another parent for any open positions.

As you review the various roles and responsibilities, please note:

• Self-nominations are strongly encouraged, as they support the Nominating Committee’s work in knowing what position(s) interest you.
• If you have any questions about any positions, please feel free to reach out to the Nominating Chairs.
• Please be assured that both the forms and the process are confidential. All nominations go through the committee's process.
• Being a parent volunteer is a great way to stay involved in your child's MKA experience, meet fellow parents, and give back to the community.

We look forward to hearing from you! Questions? Contact Nominating Chairs Meredith Gardner and Lauren Tabak Fass.

Winter Coat and Sweater Drive — Now Through February 6

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, from January 26 to 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.

Volunteers Needed for Middle School Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game — Friday, February 6

The Middle School Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game is on Friday, February 6, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Middle School Gym! We need parent volunteers to donate baked goods and sell items at the concession stand during the game.

If you are interested in helping out with the basketball game, please fill out this SignUpGenius form.

Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

• Thursday, February 5, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — MOSAIC: Black Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group meeting
• 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.

Re-enrollment for 2026-2027 School Year

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!

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.