DECEMBER 5, 2025
Winter Choral Concert — TODAY
Today is the Winter Chorus Concert featuring 71 Upper School singers and string orchestra members performing in Weiss Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Come support your peers and see and hear them perform an exciting night of music featuring songs that span from the 1500s to today's popular music!
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 (RSVP required). We look forward to seeing you and beginning this exciting next chapter with your students.
US Winter Band Concert — Friday, December 12
The Upper School Band Concert is Friday, December 12, at 8:00 p.m. and will feature the Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Percussion Ensemble. Come hear music from "The Simpsons," from several Hans Zimmer movies, and a heavy metal mash-up with "Carol of the Bells." All are invited, and there is no admission fee. View the flyer for more information.
Come See the New Inquiry & Innovation Center — Wednesday, December 17
On Wednesday, December 17, we invite all parents of students in grades 8-12 to the Upper School for a very informal visit to the newly opened I&I Center. The evening will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Academic Center with brief remarks from Dr. Flocco and Dr. Sauer to explain the space and its intended use. Afterwards, our students will be available to give tours of the space. We anticipate concluding the evening around 8:15 p.m. We realize that the Middle School Chorale Concert is that evening. This is a hectic time of year, and our options for parents who want to see this space before the winter break are limited. Please know there will be other opportunities to see this space in the spring.
Spots Still Available for Global Experience Travel
There are still spaces available for our travel programs to the Dominican Republic (Spring Break), Greece (May Term for Seniors), China, Tanzania, and our Chile Exchange Program (All in June). If you want more info or an application, please check our Global Travel Info Doc and reach out to Cort Bosc with questions!
One More Host Family Needed for Our Chilean Exchange Students
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 we are just one host family away from giving them all great homes for the month. The remaining exchange student in need of a host family is a female-identifying student. If you are interested and/or would like more information, please reach out to Cort Bosc.
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. 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.
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.
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
- Tuesday, December 16,8:15 - 9:15 a.m. — PAMKA Spring Social Meeting
For a complete calendar listing of events, view the PAMKA Calendar in Veracross.
Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Children’s Toy Drives — Now through Friday, December 12
PAMKA is excited to host our annual Tri-Campus Hat, Scarf, Mitten, and Toy Drives to benefit Valley Settlement House and Toni’s Kitchen starting Monday, December 1, through Friday, December 12. This is a wonderful way for our community to help keep local children warm and make their holidays a little brighter.
You can support the drives in two easy ways:
- Drop-Off Donations - Please bring new hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and new, unwrapped toys for children ages 4–12. Please place items in the collection boxes located in the lobby of each campus.
- Order online through Amazon Wish Lists - Choose items from the Amazon Wish List links below and have them shipped directly to the organizations:
Amazon Wish List Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Log in to your Amazon account
- Click on the link for the drive(s) you’d like to support
- Select the item(s) you wish to purchase and add them to your cart. When you’re done shopping, click “Proceed to Checkout.”
- Under the address options, select Valley Settlement House or Toni’s Kitchen (these should appear at the top) so your items ship directly to the organization.
- Please do not ship to your home, and do not select gift wrap or gift note options.
- Choose your payment and shipping method and complete your order.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Primary School Engagement Chair, Ashley Hirsh. Thank you for your generosity and for helping MKA support our local children and families this season!
Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook
Join the MKA Parent Watercooler on Facebook.
Parents and Caregivers Affinity Group Meetings
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 — TODAY
We can’t wait to see you at our Tri-Campus Hanukkah Party today, 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 note, registration for this event is now closed.
EPE Winter Sessions — Registration Opens December 8
Fight the winter blues with EPE! MKA is pleased to offer after-school care for your child(ren) in grades Jr-K to 8 through our Extended Play and Enrichment (EPE) program. After-school care is provided from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. each day.
Please visit the EPE webpage to familiarize yourself with the programs, schedule, and registration details. Registration for Winter EPE opens at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 8.
Questions? Please email Amy Pacifico and Amy Moltane.
Parent Challenge Success Survey Extended to Monday, December 8
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. To ensure the results truly reflect our community, we need significantly more participation from families. The survey takes just 5–10 minutes, and our goal is to have at least one parent per family complete it. To help us reach that goal, the deadline has been extended to Monday, December 8.
Holiday Favorites from the MKA School Store
Deck the halls in green and blue! Our school store is making gifting easy this year. From cozy wearables to spirited accessories, our holiday gift picks make celebrating the season even brighter. These hand-picked favorites are ready to add holiday sparkle and school pride to every celebration.
The archive of weekly tri-campus newsletters can be located on the homepage of your Veracross Portal.