OCTOBER 16, 2026
A Letter from Dr. Flocco: Updates on Special Schedule for October 16
Please see this letter from Head of Upper School, Dave Flocco, Ed.D., regarding details for the special schedule on Friday, October 16.
Digital PSAT/NMSQT Exam at MKA — Friday, October 16
MKA has registered all students in 10th and 11th grade for the PSAT/NMSQT exam on Friday, October 16, at 8:00 a.m. No additional steps are necessary on your part. View this document for more details.
For 10th-grade students, the PSAT is a practice for the SAT. For 11th-grade students, the PSAT/NMSQT is a practice exam and also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (for students to become commendees, semifinalists, etc.). For further information, consult the online PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide.
Please note the school day will end when students are finished with the test (standard time: approximately 11:00 a.m.; extended time: 12:30 p.m.). Lunch will be available for those who need to remain on campus for after-school activities.
Upper School Academic Program Guide
Explore everything you need to know about the Upper School academic program in the Upper School Academic Program Guide. This resource provides more information on curriculum and course offerings, key academic policies, and essential support resources.
Free At-Home Practice Digital ACT: Sunday, November 1–15
The College Counseling Office (CCO), along with Compass Education Group, will offer sophomores and juniors the opportunity to take a free full-length, at-home, computer-proctored digital practice ACT test. The available testing window is from Sunday, November 1 through Sunday, November 15. Students will receive a score report that corresponds to the scoring used on the official ACT and will be able to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses on this standardized test.
Should your child wish to take this practice ACT, you MUST register online in advance using this link.
Save the Date: CCO Standardized Testing Information Evening — Wednesday, November 11
Please mark your calendars for an upcoming in-person presentation on “Navigating College Admission Tests,” led by Adam Ingersoll of Compass Education Group. This event will take place at the Upper School on Wednesday, November 11 at 6:00 p.m. Please register using this link. We hope you can join us!
Mr. Ingersoll will provide up-to-date guidance on the following topics and more:
- The state of testing and where it's headed
- Latest changes to the SAT & ACT
- Choosing the right test, format, and timeline
- How to build an effective and manageable prep plan for a busy student
- How to approach score submission in a test-optional world
- Test prep options: costs, formats, schedules, and expectations
2026-2027 Upper School Global Experience Travel Information
Registration for all seven of our Upper School Global Experience travel opportunities is now open. To learn more about the various trip offerings, please take a look at our Global Experience Travel Info Sheet. If you have any questions, please reach out to either the faculty trip leader or Cort Bosc. If your student is interested in participating, please sign up to receive more info via the Trip Interest Sign-Up Form. Registration ends on Friday, November 13.
We will also be hosting a Global Experience Info Night on Wednesday, November 4, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the Upper School Dining Hall, where each trip will have breakout sessions to talk through specifics and answer questions from families. If you are interested in receiving information about financial aid in the form of a trip assistance grant, please reach out to Alyson Waldman in the Admissions Office or Cort Bosc.
Volunteers Needed to Host an Exchange Student
This year we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the IAC-MKA Student Exchange Program with Instituto Abdón Cifuentes (IAC) in San Felipe, Chile. We have five wonderful students joining our community for four weeks in February/March, and they need hosts. Hosts can be anyone from our community as long as they have the space and are excited about sharing their world with these students. If you are interested and/or would like more information, please reach out to Cort Bosc.
Save the Date: Annual Washington, D.C. Trip for Juniors — Wednesday, April 7
Attention Junior parents! Please read this letter from Gillian Branigan, Upper School Dean of Students, and Kyle Salkin, History Department Chair, which provides important information about this year’s Washington, D.C. trip that will take place from Wednesday, April 7 through Friday, April 9.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Book Fair Committee Meetings (8:15–9:15 a.m.)
- Monday, October 19
- Monday, October 26
- Monday, November 2
Save the Date
- Thursday, November 6 - Wednesday, November 11 — Scholastic Book Fair
- Friday, November 6, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. — PS Pajama Night
- Monday, November 9, 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. — MS Book Fair Evening Edition
For a complete calendar listing of PAMKA events, please view the PAMKA calendar in Veracross.
Fall Parent Socials
We have been enjoying connecting with fellow parents at our Fall Parent Socials! These fun gatherings are a great opportunity to meet new parents and reconnect with old friends. We’re excited to bring our parent community together for a few relaxed evenings this fall. Thank you to all the families that are hosting these events.
Friday, October 16 — Grade 2
Saturday, October 17 — Grade 5
Please note: The Grade 12 parent social will be held in Spring 2027. Grade 12 parents will receive an update after spring break. Please be on the lookout for an Evite from your grade representatives with details regarding the host, location, timing, as well as how to RSVP. Invitations will be sent approximately four weeks prior to your social. For any questions, please contact your PAMKA Grade Representatives.
📚 PAMKA Scholastic Book Fair — November 6–11
Big dreams begin with great books! PAMKA is excited to bring our Scholastic Book Fair to our MKA community, celebrating this year’s theme: Grow a Reader, Grow a Dreamer. From discovering new favorites to exploring exciting adventures, the Book Fair is a wonderful opportunity to nurture a love of reading and inspire our students’ imaginations.
Learn more: Visit the PAMKA Book Fair webpage for additional information, including shopping schedules and volunteer opportunities. Let’s grow a love of reading and help our young dreamers reach for the stars!
Drop Off Like-New MKA Spirit Wear at Primary & Middle School
PAMKA will be hosting spirit wear and dress code consignment pop-up shops at the upcoming Book Fair evening events—a great way to pass along gently used uniform pieces and help fellow families stock up for the school year. Please drop off at the Primary and Middle Schools in the collection bins. You can donate today and shop during the Book Fair!
Common Grounds Speaks: Helping Our Kids Thrive in a Digital World — Tuesday, November 10
MKA is proud to be a member of Common Grounds Speaks (CGS), a consortium of parent associations from independent schools throughout Central and Northern New Jersey. CGS brings parents together to share education, information, and inspiration on topics that matter most to our families.
Join us on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School for an evening with Max Stossel, award-winning poet, filmmaker, speaker, and Founder & CEO of Social Awakening, an organization dedicated to helping young people survive and thrive in today’s digital world.
Max will explore how technology is intentionally designed to capture our attention, how this can impact our children’s developing minds, and practical strategies families can use to navigate these challenges. View the flyer for more information.
[REGISTER TODAY]
KIPP New Jersey & PAMKA Tutoring Partnership
PAMKA will be offering a 1:1 parent-to-student tutoring opportunity at KIPP Newark SPARK Academy. Parent volunteers will work directly with students to provide individualized academic support and encouragement. No experience necessary—come join us!
If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, please reach out to Liza Helwig, PAMKA's KIPP NJ Tutor Coordinator, at lizalowell@gmail.com.
Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook
Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.
Connect with PAMKA on LinkedIn
Engage with parents on the PAMKA LinkedIn page, created as a resource to help our parent community connect beyond the school campus. This page provides opportunities for parents to network, share professional connections and expertise, support one another, and build meaningful relationships within our community.
We invite all parents to follow the page, connect with fellow MKA families, and help us grow this new resource together.
Upcoming Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings
- Monday, October 19, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — MOSAIC: Black Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
- Tuesday, October 20, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — Parents & Caregivers of Gender Expansive Children Meeting
- Wednesday, October 21, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — Single Parents Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
- Tuesday, October 27, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — Jewish Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
- Tuesday, October 27, 7:00–9:00 p.m. — South Asian Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Meeting
Stay up to date on Parent and Caregivers Affinity Group meeting dates using the Community Belonging calendar. For questions, please contact Edie Brennan, Community Belonging Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison; Callie Bond, Associate Director of Community Belonging and Admissions Liaison; and/or Shawna Morton, Director of Community Belonging.
Upcoming Athletics Home Games
Show your Cougar pride this week and cheer on our student-athletes as they defend home turf! For full schedule details, check out the athletics calendar, and don’t forget to follow @mkaathletics on social media.
Friday, October 16
4:00 p.m. — Girls’ Varsity Volleyball ECT Prelim vs. West Caldwell Tech (US Gym)
4:15 p.m. — Boys’ Junior Varsity Soccer vs. Henry Becton High School (MS Field)
Saturday, October 17
10:00 a.m. — Girls’ Varsity Soccer ECT 1st Rd vs. East Side High School (Van Brunt Field)
2:00 p.m. — Boys’ Varsity Soccer ECT 1st Rd vs. Irvington High School (Van Brunt Field)
2:00 p.m. — Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey ECT 1st Rd vs. Verona High School (Muenster Field)
3:30 p.m. — Girls’ Junior Varsity Field Hockey vs. Verona High School (Muenster Field)
Annual Golf & Racquet Classic — Monday, October 26
The annual Golf & Racquet Classic takes place on Monday, October 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the Somerset Hills Country Club. We can’t wait to see our MKA parents, alumni, and supporters for an unforgettable day of friendly competition and camaraderie. Your support at this year’s outing does more than create a great day on the green—it strengthens the MKA experience for our students. Registration is now closed. You can learn more about the event on our website.
New this year: We've added Mahjong Open Play and a Mahjong 101 Clinic to the lineup!
Event proceeds will combine to create the MKA Athletics Challenge for MKA Day on November 19, our largest day of giving. This means your day out will inspire our entire school community to give back.
Looking to make a broader impact? Sponsorships at all levels offer high-visibility brand exposure, strategic networking opportunities, and tax-deductible benefits. It's a win-win, supporting students while showcasing your brand to our engaged and dynamic community. You can view our sponsorships on our Golf & Racquet Classic webpage.
The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.