UPPER SCHOOL UPDATES

Upper School Fall Play — November 6-9

This year’s fall comedy, Lend Me a Tenor, has students from all four grades in both the cast and crew and is not to be missed. Tickets can be reserved by emailing Nicole Hoppe. We hope to see you there!

Show Dates and Times:
Thursday, November 6 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 7 – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 8 – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 9 – 2:00 p.m.

Wellness Week — November 10-13

MKA has partnered with Prevention Education to shape our upcoming Wellness Week from November 10 through November 13. We invite you to join a virtual session on Tuesday, November 11, from 6:30 - 8 p.m., focused on your children’s health and well-being.

Throughout the week, various student groups will work with Prevention Education counselors on the topic of Substance Use Prevention. Prevention Education will provide students and faculty with evidence-based programs and resources to support informed, healthy choices. For further information on Prevention Education, please see this resource page.

In addition, Prevention Education will offer parents valuable guidance and tools to help support their children through their teenage years. This informative session will address the following topics:

• Substance Use Prevention
• Onset of Gambling Behaviors in Teens
• Gaming Addiction
• Recent Trends in Vaping and Fentanyl Use/Exposure in Teens

We hope you’ll join us for this important and informative discussion. Use this link to join the event. For more information about this event, please contact Rob Leather or Varsay Lewis.

Upper School and Primary School Parent Conference Day — Thursday, November 13

Upper School and Primary School Parent Conference Day is Thursday, November 13. You can sign up for conferences via the Veracross Parent Portal until noon on Tuesday, November 11. To access the Parent-Teacher Conference module, log in to the Veracross Parent Portal using your Veracross credentials and click the blue (US) or orange (PS) button.

From here, you will see instructions for the sign-up process. Click on the drop-down to select a time; this time will be saved automatically. Please select a timeslot for each of your children. Selections will save automatically, and you can access your schedule via the blue printer button next to My Schedule. Additionally, conference schedules will be available via your Household Calendar in Veracross and, if you have subscribed to your Household Calendar, on your personal calendar app.

If these dates are not possible for you, please reach out to your child's advisor/s. More detailed directions for signing up for conferences can be found here.

Primary School

• Grades Jr-K, K, 1, 2, and 3: Families will have an opportunity to schedule a conference with their child's Advisor(s)

PS families, if you need technical assistance, please contact Helen Noble.

Upper School

• Grades 9: Students do not attend conferences
• Grades 10-12: Students do attend conferences

US families, if you need technical assistance, please contact Erica Budd.

Global Experience Travel Applications and Registration Forms Due November 14

All those interested in participating in one of our Upper School Global Experience Travel Opportunities need to submit their signed registration form and written application on or before November 14.

If you are applying for a trip assistance grant, those applications are due to Alyson Waldman by Tuesday, November 11. 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.

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 — Wednesday, February 25

Join us on Wednesday, February 25, 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 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

• Monday, November 10 - Wednesday, November 12 — PAMKA Book Fair
• Friday, November 14, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Cougar Pride Day Committee Meeting
• 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.

Book Fair Evening Edition — Monday, November 10 

Join your student(s) to shop the Book Fair at the Middle School Upper Gym after school on Monday, November 10, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Enjoy books and more for all ages: delicious refreshments, gift wrapping, and other fun surprises! There will be pizza and baked goods for sale, so you can take care of holiday shopping, dinner, and dessert!

View the flyer for more information.

Visit the Book Fair website for more details, including the list of our visiting authors. Questions? Contact PAMKA’s Book Fair Co-ChairsKatie Cocco and Angie Tekriwal.

 Primary & Upper School Conference Day Volunteers Needed – Thursday, November 13

Primary & Upper School Conference Day is Thursday, November 13, and we like to keep our teachers nourished and energized as they get through their meetings. Please use the links below to donate a food or beverage item or to help with set up/clean up:

• Primary School Sign Up
• Upper School Sign Up

Any questions, please reach out to Besa Owen for Primary School and Maggie Marotta for Upper School.

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.

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

MKA Day is Two Weeks 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.

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.