MBS SUNDAY
All-School Notes

All-School Notes

All-School Dress-Up Day — Friday, April 17

Please note that Friday, April 17 will be an All-School Dress-Up Day in observance of our Holocaust Remembrance Speaker.

No Classes: Faculty/Staff Professional Development Day — April 20

Please note that there will be no classes on Monday, April 20 for faculty/staff professional development.

Advanced Topic Beyond the Classroom: Conversations that Inspire — April 21 & 28

Join us for a two-hour lecture from our one-semester, college-level Advanced Topics (AT) program, presented as part of our AT series for parents and alumni. Step into a world of AT, where ideas are explored with depth, rigor, and creativity, and witness the thought-provoking material that challenges and inspires our students. This is your opportunity to see how curiosity, insight, and analytical skills come alive in the Upper School. 
 
Lecture 1, Tuesday, April 21: Is 21st Century the New Renaissance?, Speaker: Dr. Gorica Lalic
This lecture explores the Renaissance not as a linear sequence of events, but as an ongoing conversation about art, philosophy, and human creativity, highlighting how figures from Leonardo da Vinci and Nicolaus Copernicus to Niccolò Machiavelli, among others, reflect the enduring power of human imagination. By connecting ideas across centuries, it shows how innovation, expression, and perspective continue to shape the way we understand the world, our emotions, and ourselves, offering insights that go beyond technology or historical milestones.
 
Dr. Gorica Lalic, World Languages Faculty and Chair of the Advanced Topics Committee, has been part of the MBS community since 2011. She shares her passion for the French language and culture with her students while also drawing on her expertise as an art historian specializing in the French Nabis artists. Her teaching explores how art, art history, literature, philosophy, and political thought intersect, offering a way to see historical events and understand the world on a deeper level. Dr. Lalic holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. from The Graduate Center, CUNY, and earned her M.A. from Montclair State University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in French language, literature, and translation.
 
Lecture 2, Tuesday, April 28: Conspiracy Theories – Why We Believe, Speaker: Dr. Chris Payette
Explore the psychological and social foundations behind conspiracy theories, from the Apollo 11 moon landing to contemporary movements such as QAnon. This lecture examines cognitive biases, misinformation, media influence, and the structure of pseudoscientific arguments to understand why certain narratives persist.
 
Through engaging case studies and research in psychology and cognitive science, participants will gain practical tools for evaluating evidence and distinguishing credible claims from unfounded assertions. The talk emphasizes scientific literacy, analytical reasoning, and informed civic engagement.
 
Dr. Christopher Payette, Science Faculty, has taught in the Upper School at MBS since 2014. In addition to teaching all three levels of physics courses MBS offers, he has taught Chemistry as well as a math course (IM2H) in the past. He served as the Science Department Chair from 2019-2025. He is also an assistant coach for both the Cross Country and Girls Ice Hockey teams, and has been a faculty advisor to several clubs. Dr. Payette earned a B.Sc. in Honors Mathematics and Physics and a Ph.D. in Physics from McGill University. Born in Montreal, Canada, he moved to New Jersey to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship at Princeton University in Physics, researching Nanoelectronic Devices for Quantum Computing applications. His interest in conspiracy theories stems from a desire to understand why people believe “strange” things and, more importantly, he would like to understand how to speak with folks whose beliefs are different from his own in a productive way.
 

Spring Concert Series

Join us in Founders Hall for the Spring Concert Series:


•    Tuesday, April 28 —  Spring Orchestra & Chorus Concert, 7:00 p.m.
•    Thursday, April 30 — Spring Jazz & Percussion Concert, 7:00 p.m.
•    Friday, May 8 — Spring Dance Concert, 7:00 p.m

Performing Arts Festival — Friday, May 1 at 3:30 p.m.

The Performing Arts Festival takes place on stage in Founders Hall, offering a relaxed and informal alternative to main stage productions. Beginning after school and running through the afternoon with short breaks between acts, the festival is open to the public, and the entire MBS community is warmly invited to attend.

Unlike traditional performances, students sign up rather than audition, creating a low-pressure space to showcase their talents. Past acts have included monologues, musical performances (both covers and originals), poetry readings, magic, gymnastics, and even stand-up comedy. Both Middle and Upper School students are encouraged to participate—no audition required! 

 Please contact Mr. Marmo if you are interested.

Grandparents & Special Friends Day — Friday, May 15

Grandparents and special friends of our Middle School and Upper School students are invited to join us on Friday, May 15, 2026!  The day's program includes an assembly with student performances, refreshments in the Lee Kellogg Sadrian Dining Hall, and campus tours.  Arrival is at 12:15 p.m. in the Founders Hall Lobby.

Please register using the Grandparent's or Special Friend's name and contact information (not the parent's).  This will help ensure we have proper names for name tags, and that they receive any important updates, such as notifications about weather or parking, or event follow-ups.

Questions? Please contact Keri Skobo-Trought, Director of Special Events and Parents Association Liaison, at 973-532-7525 or kskobotrought@mbs.net.

Please RSVP here.

 

2027 Global Studies Trips

We will soon announce our 2027 Global Studies trips at a special assembly. Students will have several Upper School travel opportunities to choose from, along with one dedicated Middle School trip. Stay tuned for details!

2026-27 School Calendar

Please note that the school year will begin in the first week of September, consistent with prior years. As with many of our peer schools, the year will start before Labor Day. School will be closed on Labor Day, and the academic year will conclude in the second week of June.

Please find a downloadable PDF of the 2026-2027 Calendar of Important Dates here.

Student Support Card

Please find a downloadable link here.

Student Weekly Schedules

We are using an updated 8-day rotating schedule this year.  You may view the Middle School schedule here and the Upper School schedule here.

Delayed Wednesdays Schedule

We will once again have a late start to the school day on select Wednesdays for the upcoming year. Occurring once or twice a month, these Wednesday mornings will provide faculty the opportunity to meet, engage in important professional development, and further discuss the work they do with their students. You may view the dates here.

Dress-Up Day Schedule

Click here to view the dress-up day schedule for the year. (Updated December 2025)

 

All-School Notes Archive

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