UPPER SCHOOL UPDATES

Please Help: One More Host Needed for Exchange Program

Our friends from IAC in San Felipe, Chile, will be here this upcoming February for four weeks, and we need one more host family for the final female exchange student. These are amazing students who are super excited to explore all things MKA, NJ, and the USA.

If you are at all interested and available, please reach out to Cort Bosc, Director of Global Experience, as soon as possible. Here is a brief guide to hosting if you have general questions.

Save the Date: CCO College Kickoff — Saturday, January 10

Attention Class of 2027 students and parents! Please mark your calendars and join us for our first official College Counseling Office (CCO) College Kickoff program for the junior class* on Saturday, January 10 at 8:15 a.m. Please view this flyer for all details.

*Please Note: ALL juniors, unless participating in a school-sponsored event, are expected to attend this workshop.

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.

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.

Purchase a Senior Recognition Ad in the 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.

PAMKA Slate — Be a Part of our Team

The nominating process for next year’s slate will begin in January 2026. As self-nominations are preferred, we encourage you to start considering which role(s) you may be interested in taking on. Additional information will be shared after we return from winter break. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact the Nominating Chairs, Meredith Gardner and Lauren Tabak Fass.

PAMKA Holiday Drives — Many Thanks

Thank you to all MKA families, faculty, and staff who made this year’s PAMKA Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Toy Drives a success! Because of your generosity, we collected over 500 toys for Toni’s Kitchen as well as over 700 pairs of socks, hats, mittens, and glove sets for Valley Settlement House. Primary School students made wrapping paper and holiday cards that were delivered to both Toni’s Kitchen and Valley Settlement House in conjunction with the drives.

A special shout-out to Community Engagement Primary School Chair Ashley Hirsh and Primary School faculty member Brittany O’Neill for organizing this project. Thank you!

Save the Dates for Our PAMKA Spring Events

• PAMKA Spring Social — Friday, April 17
• Cougar Pride Day — Saturday, April 25 (Rain date Sunday, April 26)

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

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.

Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings

• Tuesday, January 13, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. —Junt@s Hispanic/Latinx Parent & Caregivers Meeting at the Middle School Library.
• Tuesday, January 13, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. —South Asian Parent & Caregivers Meeting in Small Conference Room (Little Higgins) located in the Middle School building
• Thursday, January 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. —Jewish Parent and Caregivers Meeting at the Upper School’s Large Conference Room
• Thursday, January 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. —AAPI Parent and Caregivers Meeting at the Upper School’s Small Conference Room
• Wednesday, January 21, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. —International & Expat Parent and Caregivers Meeting at the Middle School Library

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.

2026-2027 Preliminary Calendar

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.

Celebrate the Season of Generosity: Make Your Year-End Gift By December 31 

As the year comes to a close, many choose this time to give generously to the organizations that matter most to them. MKA’s highest philanthropic priority is The MKA Fund, and we invite you to consider making a gift this holiday season.

Your generosity creates an immediate and meaningful impact, enriching the experience of every student and faculty member in our community.

Our goal is to reach 100% participation from families in every grade. Please consider making a gift to The MKA Fund before December 31 and contribute in a way that feels meaningful to you and your family. Thank you and happy holidays!

Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day — Tuesday, April 28

The Primary School is excited to celebrate Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day on the morning of Tuesday, April 28, 2026! The event will take place at the Primary School campus, where guests will enjoy outdoor activities and a performance in the auditorium.

Each Primary School family may invite up to four guests. Guests can be grandparents, relatives, non-parent caregivers, and/or special friends. Please submit your guests' names using the button below so we can send each guest an electronic invitation in early February 2026.