UPPER SCHOOL UPDATES

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. 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. 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

• Friday, December 5, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Cougar Pride Day Virtual Meeting (Please use this link to join the meeting)
• Tuesday, December 9, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Parenting Workshop Meeting

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

Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Toy Drives — Monday, December 1 to Friday, December 12

The season of giving is almost here! PAMKA is thrilled to announce our annual Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, and Mitten and Toy Drives benefiting Valley Settlement House and Toni’s Kitchen from Monday, December 1 to Friday, December 12.

Details on how to contribute will be shared after Thanksgiving Break. Please consider participating. Every donation helps make a difference in our community! Questions? Reach out to Ashley Hirsh, Primary School Community Engagement Chair.

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

Join us for the following Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group meetings:

• Wednesday, December 3, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. — Parents & Caregivers of Gender Expansive MKA Students Group Meeting

Questions? Contact Edie Brennan, Office of Community Belonging/Caregiver Affinity Group Liaison, and/or Paris McLean, Assistant Head of School for Community Belonging. Meeting dates for the 2025-2026 academic year can be found on the Community Belonging Calendar in the Veracross Parent Portal under the "Resources'' tab.

Thank you, MKA parents! 🎉

Your incredible support on MKA Day helped us surpass our original goal of 800 donors, then 900, to over 1,000 and counting! We are so grateful for the energy and generosity you brought to this special day. A full recap of MKA Day, including final numbers and challenge updates, will be shared later today. Stay tuned!

Photo courtesy of Middle School Student Government.

Parent Challenge Success Survey Due Tuesday, November 25

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 has administered a survey to gather feedback from students (Grades 4–12) and parents and caregivers (Jr-K–12), which will inform school culture, well-being, and academic engagement.

All students have now taken the survey. All parents and caregivers are asked to complete their survey linked below by November 25.

ESS Registration - Register by Monday, December 1

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.

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.

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.