NOVEMBER 14, 2025
Global Experience Travel Applications and Registration Forms Due Today
For all those interested in participating in one of our Upper School Global Experience Travel Opportunities, today is the last day to submit a signed registration form and written application. Please reach out to Cort Bosc with any questions.
Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive — Now Through November 19
Join us in supporting the annual Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive, taking place now through November 19, to benefit the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair.
To donate online, please visit the Thanksgiving Food Drive SignUp Genius. You can donate food virtually or make a monetary donation. The amount donated will be charged to your student’s account, and the food will be delivered directly to the Human Needs Food Pantry.
The food pantry is also in need of clean, lightly used clothing. If you wish to donate items directly, there will be food and clothing collection boxes located inside the Primary and Middle School campus lobbies. All food items must be non-perishable and cannot be stored in glass containers.
Many thanks to the Cuellar family of ShopRite of Passaic/Clifton for their generous support of our food drive! Questions? Please contact Community Engagement Middle School Chair Natalie Trento.
Save the Date: CCO Junior Parent Coffee - Wednesday, December 10
Please join us for our first Parent Coffee on Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 p.m. This informal gathering will provide an overview of the college counseling process and help set the stage for the months ahead. We’ll touch on topics such as researching colleges, planning visits, standardized testing, and the overall application timeline. There will also be plenty of time for questions.
Take a moment to register using this link so we can plan accordingly. We look forward to seeing you in December and beginning this exciting next chapter with your students.
2025-2026 Upper School Yearbook On Sale Now
The Upper School Yearbook is currently on sale. As of November 1, the cost of the yearbook is $78 per copy. 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.
Senior Recognition Ads For Yearbook
Parents of 12th-grade students are welcome to purchase Senior Recognition Ads in the back of the yearbook. These ads usually contain family photos and a note of congratulations to celebrate your soon-to-be high school graduate! These ads can be purchased by extended family members as well. One hundred percent of funds go directly towards the 2025-2026 MKA Upper School Yearbook publication.
As of November 1, the cost of a half-page ad will be $225, and a full-page ad will cost $450. The final deadline for purchasing a Senior Recognition Ad is January 18, 2026. To purchase an ad, visit our publisher's website.
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 (Location TBD). If you have any questions, please reach out to Daniella Kessler.
Host an Exchange Student
This year, we celebrate the 14th anniversary of the IAC-MKA Student Exchange Program with Instituto Abdón Cifuentes (IAC) in San Felipe, Chile. We have six 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, Director of Global Experience.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, November 18, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Spring Social Meeting
For a complete calendar listing of events, view the PAMKA Calendar in Veracross.
Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive — Now Through November 19
Join us in supporting the annual Patty Strain Thanksgiving Food Drive, taking place now through November 19, to benefit the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair. To donate online, please visit the Thanksgiving Food Drive SignUp Genius. You can donate food virtually or make a monetary donation. The amount donated will be charged to your student’s account, and the food will be delivered directly to the Human Needs Food Pantry.
The food pantry is also in need of clean, lightly used clothing. If you wish to donate items directly, there will be food and clothing collection boxes located inside the Primary and Middle School campus lobbies. All food items must be non-perishable and cannot be stored in glass containers.
Many thanks to the Cuellar family of ShopRite of Passaic/Clifton for their generous support of our food drive. Questions? Please contact Community Engagement Middle School Chair Natalie Trento.
ESS Registration Opens Today
It’s time to register for the winter session of ESS! This trimester, registration will take place through Camp Brain. Use the link below to create an account to register. If you have already used Camp Brain for EPE or for STAR Camp, you can use the same account information.
The winter session of ESS will run from Monday, December 1, through Friday, March 13.
The deadline to register for ESS Winter Session is Monday, December 1. If your child is not registered for the winter session, you will be charged the $25 drop-in fee on the days your child attends.
MKA Day is Less Than One Week Away
MKA Day is almost here! Every gift made between now and November 20 counts toward our goal of 800 donors. Your support helps create incredible experiences for our students—thank you for being part of it!
Questions? Please contact Kelly Flippin, Director of Annual Giving.
Reminder: Complete Parent Challenge Success Survey
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 will administer a survey to gather feedback from students (Grades 4–12) and parents and caregivers (Jr-K–12) to inform school culture, well-being, and academic engagement.
- Grades 9–12 will take the student survey on November 12.*
- Grades 4–8 will take the student survey on November 19.*
- All parents and caregivers are asked to complete their survey linked below between November 7–25.
*Please note: All surveys are anonymous and developmentally appropriate.
To review the questions on the student surveys in advance, Challenge Success asks that you do so in person. Please reach out to Cris Junquera, who can assist in arranging a time for you.
NEW Single-Parents Affinity Group
The Single-Parents Affinity Group brings together parents who are raising children on their own, whether by choice, circumstance, or loss, to build connection, share resources, and support one another. Our goal is to foster community and belonging while centering the student experience and helping every family thrive at MKA.
If you are interested in joining this new Single-Parents Affinity Group, please contact Edie Brennan, the Community Belonging Parent & Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison. The first meeting will be in January 2026.
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 — Friday, December 5
Join us for the annual MKA Tri-Campus Hanukkah Party on Friday, December 5, 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 complete this form to RSVP by Tuesday, December 2.
The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.