MCAS Communicator

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It's May.... and that means it's time to say THANK YOU to special members of Team M.C.A.S.!

• This week (May 3-7) schools nationwide are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. THANK YOU to our outstanding classroom teachers and other certified staff members for all you do.
  
  
• Friday, May 7, is "School Lunch Hero Day." We appreciate our Food Service professionals and the key role they play in ensuring our students (both online and in-person) are receiving healthy meals.
  
  
• Wednesday, May 12 is School Nurse Day. We truly appreciate our nurses this year, who are working hard each day to help keep our students and staff safe and healthy!
  
  
• And finally, May 1 was National School Principals' Day. If you haven't already done so... please let your building principal know how much they are appreciated, too!

“Better World Day” is this Friday, May 7! This national movement is associated with our K-8 Language Arts curriculum, EL Education, and engages students in student-led service-learning that impacts our community and connects with topics they have been addressing in the curriculum. Grade-level teams have been planning for this for weeks; be sure to watch our district and school Facebook pages for photos and information about all of the amazing projects taking place on Friday.

Thank you to all who donated to the collection drives for hygiene items and diapers/wipes. (There's still time to bring in your donation by Friday to any elementary school!) Next up: Fifth-graders are kicking off a food drive this week that will last through the end of May. Bring your nonperishable food items to any elementary school or the Ad Building!

MCAS is offering another COVIC vaccine clinic at Michigan City High School on Thursday, May 6 from 9-3. This is open to students age 18 and over, and also to any staff and family members who would like to attend.

Sign up and more info is here!

Please remember to contact Debbie Briggs at the Open Door Health Center if you need to cancel or change your appointment time after filling out this form.

(Staff and students who are fully vaccinated -- two weeks after their final dose -- do not need to quarantine if they are close contacts. Hooray!)

The Michigan City Area Schools Transportation Department will be hosting its Annual Mother’s Day Plant and Flower Sale on Friday, May 7. The sale runs from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. on the front lawn of the Service Building at 1100 S. Woodland Avenue, directly behind Joy Elementary School. Proceeds will benefit the Transportation’s community involvement efforts, including purchasing warm clothing for students in need. In conjunction with this sale, the Transportation Department will be conducting tours of the facility and a bus for anyone interested in learning more about becoming a school bus driver or monitor. Don't miss this!

The Unity Foundation of Laporte County has announced recipients of its 2021 Teacher Grants through the Michigan City Education Foundation, the Barbara A. Carmen Memorial Endowment Fund, and the Teacher Innovation Fund. These grants aim to support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning possible for students – particularly during the pandemic.

Michigan City Area Schools recipients include:

• Bruce Parker and Erin Colvin, Barker Middle School

• Angela Dydo, Coolspring Elementary

• Leanna Smith, Tess Pavloff, and Sheri Tuesburg, Edgewood Elementary

• Jamie Mullenhour, Knapp Elementary

• Erica Ackerson and Ryan Labis, Krueger Middle School,

• Laura Charpentier, Lake Hills Elementary

• Susan Shell, Marsh Elementary

• Christine Kiser, Robin Krassow, and Laura Wassilak, Pine Elementary

• Laura Daly, Cheri Whitler, Amy Wojasinski-Labis, and Adam Goebel, Michigan City High School

Below are 2 great summer opportunities for our students... please help us spread the word!

Safe Harbor Summer Adventure Camp (for K-6)

"Summer of Innovation" Camps - A. K. Smith Manufacturing Camp, Safe Harbor STEAM Camp and Michigan City Police Dept. Leadership Academy (for middle school)

• Congratulations to Edgewood 4th grade teacher Patrice Huley, who has been selected as a 2021-2022 Armstrong Teacher Educator for the Indiana University School of Education. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding teachers across Indiana, providing them with a variety of interactions with faculty and students at the IU-Bloomington campus. Patrice was honored on April 15 during a virtual Celebration of Teaching announcing this year’s Armstrong Teachers. She will also receive an honorarium and will take part in two panel discussions at the School of Education during the 2021-2022 academic year.
• Congratulations to Knapp 2nd grade teacher Camellia Dabagia, who was honored recently by the Independent Colleges of Indiana and one of her former Knapp students, Samarah Williams. Samarah, who now attends Bethel University majoring in education, is the recipient of a "Realizing the Dream" scholarship award as a first-generation college student. As Samarah’s most "influential educator" Camilla received a $1,000 grant for her classroom.

The Michigan City Patriotic Parade is on Saturday, June 19 at 11:00am. MCAS will be participating with a decorated activity bus and MCAS staff members are welcome to be there to march along. If you would like to sign up your school or another organization, here is the link to enter a unit.

Best wishes to Krueger principal Josh Malone as he prepares for the Salvation Army’s annual donut eating contest at Blue Chip on June 4. Josh will be representing Michigan City Area Schools, taking on big eaters from the police department, fire department, and several other area organizations (including last year's champion, School Board Member Jenilee Haynes Peterson).Tickets to support his efforts are $10 each and can be purchased from Josh or Betsy Kohn. (Tickets support the Salvation Army; for each one purchased you'll be entered into a drawing for a Patrick's Grille gift certificate and other prizes.)

Need CPR Certification? Here are two options to consider!

OPTION 1: Val Skwiat, Trainer/Safety Manager, MCAS Transportation Department has provided the following information:

• Go to elearning.heart.org and complete your course.
• Send Val an email or call/text to schedule the "hands on" portion.
• If you live near, she can come to your house, or meet at your school.
• She will need a copy of your course completion certificate.
• The cost is $15 and she will have the certification card for you.
• vskwiat@mcas.k12.in.us - Cell: 219-874-1716

OPTION 2: David Sanders, EMT Instructor at AK Smith, has provided this info about his company, Crash Course CPR:

• Go to IneedaCPRcard.com for information
• A simple CPR Card refresher class is $30. This is an all-inclusive class including an online quiz and skills test out.
• Takes approximately 1 hour to complete (also available through Zoom)
• Appointments available - Monday through Friday 10:00 am - Noon, plus after school and evening hours.
• Bring your friends: We have enough CPR equipment to provide individual or up to 40 students at a time.
  
• Payment can be made at the time of service or online at www.IneedaCPRcard.com
• Questions? Contact David Sanders (812) 821-0433

The Food Service Department will be celebrating “School Lunch Hero Day" on Friday May 7. We especially want to recognize our “Super Heroes” and thank them for being “Flexible” this school year. They have met the challenge, instituting numerous new procedures and offering options to make sure healthy meals are available to children of the community. Please take time to say thank you. They also like pictures and notes from students and staff!

EAP Webinar - May

Mindfulness & Meditation

and

How to Get More Out of Your Workout

Wed, May 19, 2021 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM CDT

Register HERE

According to the CDC, in 2020 approximately 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school students currently use e-cigarettes.

Understanding and recognizing the signs of vaping is the first step in prevention. Franciscan Health's Tobacco Treatment Specialist (also the coordinator of their Aspire Smoking Cessation and Teen Vaping Quit programs) has created two webinars to provide information and resources. Both versions of these webinars cover:

• Known risks of vaping
• What you need to know
• What to look for in your home or classroom
• How to talk to your kids or students about vaping
• Online resources for further information

Below are links for these webinars; you can view at your convenience.

Vaping Presentation: 15-minute version

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/7707651691973767170

Vaping Presentation: 40-minute version

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8959883285622647559

The Laporte County Broadband Task Force is conducting a survey about gaps in internet service in our county. Please help them by taking the following survey (at home) to assist them in their effort! https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cHHs1K3FVkJXH4G

Here is a recent article with more information about this survey and the task force.

Michigan City's Office Max/Office Depot store (in the plaza by Kohl's on Rt.20 across from Marquette Mall) has shared the following information... this includes coupons for educators, information on "give backs" and more. Need additional info? Contact Scott Voss, Scott.Voss@officedepot.com

Office Max/Office Depot Flyers and Coupons