UPPER SCHOOL UPDATES

Upper School Spring Choral Concert — Friday, April 24

Join us for an evening of music as MKA’s Upper School ensembles—Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Jazz Choir, and REMIX—bring the Weiss Auditorium to life today at 7:30 p.m. Celebrate the artistry and dedication of our student performers in this annual spring showcase.

Ethical Leadership in Action Day — Thursday, April 30

On Thursday, April 30, we will be holding our third annual Ethical Leadership in Action Day for all ninth through 11th-grade students. Through a variety of activities and service projects, our students will have the opportunity to slow down, do some good, and reflect on their own ethical leadership development. Please see this letter for more information.

Sophomore Class Retreat — Thursday, April 30

Attention parents of the Class of 2028, please read this letter from Kerry Verrone, Dean of Student Life, about a Sophomore Class Retreat on Thursday, April 30.

Community Engagement Requirements — Due Friday, May 1

This is a reminder that community engagement requirements for 10th and 11th-grade students should be completed by Friday, May 1. Please review this document for the requirement details. Please reach out to Kerry Verrone with any questions.

Upper School Spring Play — Thursday, May 7 to Saturday, May 9

Tickets for this year's spring play, Rhinoceros, are now on sale and going quickly! The cast will include students from grades nine through eleven in a production that is both intruding and timely; you don't want to miss it. Make sure to email Nicole Hoppe with your ticket orders ASAP. View the flyer for more information.

Dates and Times:

Thursday, May 7 - 7:00 p.m.

Friday, May 8 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 - 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Parent-Teacher Conference Day — Thursday, May 14

On Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., you will be able to sign up for the parent-teacher conferences taking place on Thursday, May 14. To access the Parent-Teacher Conference module, log in to the Veracross Parent Portal using your Veracross credentials and click the orange button that says ‘Click here to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences.’

From here, you will see instructions for the sign-up process. Click the drop-down to select a time; it 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 in your Household Calendar in Veracross and, if you have subscribed to it, in your personal calendar app.

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

• Jr-K to Grade 3: Families will have an opportunity to schedule conference(s) with their child's Advisor.
• Grades 4-5: Students do not attend conferences
• Grades 6-8: Students will attend and will help lead the conference(s)
• Grades 9-11: Students will attend conference(s), and the conference(s) will primarily focus on course selection for the upcoming school year.

Junior Parent College Info Evening — Thursday, May 21

Please join us on Thursday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m. for our last junior parent event of this school year. We'll share some thoughts on this year's admissions cycle and advice about how to approach your child's search/application process as you put together a balanced college list. Our plan is to provide some data, but then reserve the majority of our time together for questions and conversation.

Note: For seating and planning purposes, registration is required. Please RVSP by Friday, May 15, whether or not you will be attending.

Class of 2026 End-of-Year Activities and Reminders

Commencement

Senior families, please be sure to read this letter sent by Dr. Flocco in March for important information related to all end-of-year activities. Please note that the deadline to purchase an MKA tie from the school store has been extended to May 15. Please use this updated link to place your order. Remember that graduates wear green or blue ties.

Please RSVP for Commencement tickets by May 8 (all guests require a ticket).

Don’t Forget to Snap a Photo of Your Lawn Sign 

Help us celebrate the Class of 2026 by snapping a photo of your lawn sign and sharing it with MKA! Tag MKA in your photo on Instagram, Facebook, or email it to socialmedia@mka.org.

Information Regarding Fall 2026 Athletics Pre-Season Schedules

All Upper School athletes who are trying out for a fall sport must be present at the beginning of pre-season. Please see this announcement for more information.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Sunday, April 26, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm — Cougar Pride Day
• Wednesday, May 6, 8:15 am - 9:15 am - Parent to Parent Panel: 3rd Grade to 4th Grade Transition Panel
• Friday, May 8, 8:15 am - 9:15 am - Parent to Parent Panel: 8th Grade to 9th Transition Panel

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

Cougar Pride Day — Rescheduled to Sunday, April 26

Due to the inclement forecast, Cougar Pride Day has been moved to Sunday, April 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Van Brunt Field.

Join us for an unforgettable day filled with thrilling inflatables, creative arts and crafts, and expanded field activities. Get ready to enjoy bites from our newly added food trucks, charity bake sale, and more!

The Cougar Auction — Tuesday, April 21 - Sunday, April 26 

The Cougar Auction is now live and has been extended to Sunday, April 26.  Visit the Cougar Pride Day webpage to make your bids. Don’t miss your chance to win beloved “Cougar Spirit Items” like VIP car line parking, reserved commencement seating, and Head of School for a Day. Timed to close on Cougar Pride Day at 5:00 p.m., proceeds from the auction will support Faculty Trust Grants and Faculty Wish Lists.

Please reach out to Moushumi Sanghavi, PAMKA President, with any questions.

Parent to Parent Panels — Wednesday, May 6 and Friday, May 8

PAMKA is bringing back its popular Parent-to-Parent Panels this May. These in-person panels are designed to offer open dialogue, helpful insights, and a chance to hear directly from current parents about the transition experience.

Third Grade Parents & Guardians (PS to MS Transition)
Wednesday, May 6, at 8:15 am, Middle School Dining Hall
RSVP Here

Eighth Grade Parents & Guardians (MS to US Transition)
Friday, May 8, at 8:15 am, Middle School Dining Hall
RSVP here

We hope you can join us for these informative and welcoming conversations. Please reach out to Moushumi Sanghavi, PAMKA President, with any questions.

Sign-Up to Volunteer for Conference Day — Thursday, May 14

PAMKA Special Events needs your help! Thursday, May 14, is Conference Day for all three campuses. Please sign up to bring in some food, snacks, or drinks to keep our teachers nourished throughout the day.

• Primary School Volunteer Sign Up: Contact Besa Owen
• Middle School Volunteer Sign Up: Contact Michelle Willford

• Upper School Volunteer Sign Up : Contact Maggie Marotta

Volunteers Needed for Fall 2026 Parent Grade Socials

We're looking for enthusiastic families to host next year's fall parent socials. Hosting is easy and can be done solo or with other parents in your grade. You can choose to open your home for a cozy get-together or reserve a space at a local bar or restaurant—whatever fits your style!

Why Host?

• It’s a fantastic way to meet other parents in your child’s grade.
• You get to create a fun, welcoming atmosphere for our MKA community.
• No need to go overboard—these socials are about connection, not perfection!

If you’re interested or have questions, simply reach out to Meredith Levine. Not ready to host solo? Grab a few fellow parents and co-host together!

These socials are the heart of what makes MKA special—parents connecting, sharing laughs, and

strengthening our incredible community. We’d love for you to be a part of it!

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler and stay connected to the community!