Mill Creek West

We will be passing out Sunflowers (or maybe seeds depending on the time of year) to staff members once per month based on the following criteria. Please click the link and nominate a staff member today! Any adult who works in this building are eligible.

Award Criteria:

The recipient of the Sunflower Award for Excellence in Teaching has demonstrated:

1. Positive Impact: Continuously fostering an environment where students feel valued, supported, and motivated to succeed.

2. Engagement and Inspiration: Utilizing dynamic teaching methods that inspire student participation, curiosity, and a love for learning.

3. Innovation in Teaching: Embracing new approaches to education, such as incorporating technology, creative lesson plans, or interactive learning experiences.

4. Student-Centered Approach: Consistently going above and beyond to meet the academic and personal needs of students, offering guidance, mentorship, and encouragement.

5. Commitment to Community: Contributing positively to the broader academic community, creating a space where both students and colleagues feel inspired and supported.

The official Mill Creek West spirit wear store has launched a sale! Shop Now!

May is Mental Health Month--a great time to focus on our well-being. Here are a few ideas you could practice at home to help your kids understand their feelings and practice self-care:

1. Feelings Check-In: Encourage your child to share how they’re feeling each day. Use a feelings chart to help them express themselves.

2. Journaling: Set aside time for your child to write or draw about their thoughts and feelings. This can be a great way for them to process emotions.

3. Mindfulness Moments: Practice deep breathing exercises together or try a short meditation. Apps like Headspace for Kids can be a fun way to get started.

4. Outdoor Time: Spend time outside! Nature walks can help reduce stress and improve mood, so take a family stroll or have a picnic.

Remember, it’s important to check in with our children and encourage open conversations about emotions. Together, we can create a supportive environment where everyone feels heard and valued. If you ever need mental health resources, please reach out!

As always, if you need to reach me, don't hesitate to call or email.

Mrs. Gullion (School Counselor)

jgullion@mccsc.k12.in.us

317-539-9255 ext. 502

The best option for drop off & pick up is the car rider line. This is the safest and it is very quick at this point in the year. The cafeteria will be the only means of drop off and pick up for next school year, please begin to make plans to transition to this. It is much safer for us to monitor one area versus two. Safety is our number one concern.

Mission: Develop confident, independent citizens who productively impact society.

Vision: Our graduates will show excellence in their attitudes, actions, and achievements in pursuit of their passion.

A few days a week, students in grades 1-5 are allowed to purchase "extra items" during the last 5-10 minutes of lunch. We don't do it with Kdg because they are still learning how to do school lunch and most of them take the whole 30 minutes to eat. It does not occur at all while they are in the cafeteria. These items include chips, ice cream, and other snack-type items. Students must have money in their accounts to do this. *This has nothing to do with the actual lunch—all students get their choice of lunch every day regardless of funds. This only applies to the extra "snacks" that happen a few times a week. The prices are listed below.

New plan for morning drop-off: We will have the cafeteria open and ready for students at 8:30! This is 10 minutes earlier, so hopefully, this will help some of you. We will use the same line we do for afternoon car rider pick-up. Students will go into the cafeteria via the side door and grab breakfast if they want or just hang out until the bell rings at 8:40. This door will be open until 9 when the bell rings, if you are later than this, please park and come in to sign your child in. The car rider line is the preferred method for morning drop-off.

If you want to legally park on the sidewalk (not by the buses though) and let your child out - that is fine too. We are just trying to keep all of the kids safe.

Safety is #1 here - thank you for helping us!

The laws on how we code absences recently changed, here is a graphic to help you understand it as well. We are required by law to send out letters once a student has 10 unexcused absences. We will do our best to stay ahead of this and remind you as you get close (no guarantees though). Please get a doctors note if your child will be missing for any sort of appointment. These help tremendously. If you have questions about it - please ask one of us. Thanks!

TREATS - Please check with your child's teacher or the office before sending in birthday treats for your child. We have several severe allergies & we need to make sure we are keeping everyone safe while we celebrate. Here is a list of SAFE items you can bring in if your child is in a class with one of these allergies. Thank you for helping us make sure everyone is included!

INVITES - The only way these can be passed out at school is if EVERYONE in the class (or all girls or all boys) is receiving one. If everyone is not being invited, please make plans to pass them out before or after school hours.

Please share with others who may be looking for employment, part-time or full time. Four hours per day with an excellent hourly wage and benefits for our bus drivers!
https://www.mccsc.k12.in.us/employment/opportunities/available_positions

Walkers are dismissed out front at 3:35 - an adult must be standing out there to get them.

Car Riders will be dismissed from the cafeteria doors to the cars at 3:35. Do not get out of the car and walk up to that area - this is for car riders only. Please keep your tag on your visor & pull up the farthest cone and stay in the line. We will do our best to make this as fast as possible. Thank you for your help & patience!

Please call the office for any changes that need to be made - dojo or email isn't always reliable as we aren't sure who is always in the office. All calls to the office for daily transportation changes need to be made by 2:00. Please plan accordingly and call before this time. Folders and notes are run at 2:45 each day.

2024-25 Cost

Breakfast - $1.40 (Reduced: $0.30)

Lunch - $2.75 (Reduced: $0.40)

If you were on Free or Reduced lunch last school year, the roll over period ends very soon after school starts - IT DOES NOT BACK DATE - Please fill out a new form as soon as possible. This is confidential information - the school does not know who fills it out and who doesn't. I have attached the link to the form here for you to click on and fill out. This is a wonderful resource and there is no reason why anyone who needs it should not be using it.

Home Lunch - Please make sure if your child brings a lunch from home that they can open most of the items independently - we are always willing to help, but please try to limit those items that require adult assistance daily. Also - no sodas are allowed for lunch.

The link to School Bucks is below as well so you can add funds, create your account, and download the app to pay for breakfast & lunch.

SchoolCare - We are excited to share we are partnering with SchoolCare this year to manage our student health information. SchoolCare, our new digital health platform, allows you to access and update your child's heath information and is both HIPAA and FERPA compliant. This school year we are requiring electronically in SchoolCare so that our school nurses receive valuable information about your child’s health.

Please follow these steps to create your SchoolCare account and complete student health registration:

1. Check your inbox! Use the email invite that’s sent to you from activation@schoolcare.com and click on the link to begin.

2. Create a password and log into your SchoolCare account.

3. Once you have logged in, you will see “My Family.” Click on the orange sign-up button to begin registration for your child.

If you need further assistance with your account, please contact support@schoolcare.com.

Missing School - If your child will be missing school for any reason, please call the office by 9:00 am to report the absence. If your child is seeing a Dr, please obtain a Dr note.

Immunization Clinic in Hendricks County

Did you know they still do box tops? We are signed up & would love for anyone who buys groceries to sig up for those to come to our school. You can add our school to your Kroger card (on the Kroger app or at the counter) and you can download the Box Top app and connect your Walmart app. Please join us in earning cash for our school by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and they add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need - equipment, supplies or experiences the kids love!

Use this referral code TFIG6LOQ when you sign up and you’ll get 20 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 05/31/2024, while supplies last! Download the Box Tops for Education app here: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=TFIG6LOQ

With May 28th quickly approaching, let's make every moment count! I am excited to see the amazing progress and accomplishments our Wildcats will make as we wrap up another successful school year. Your child's safety, well-being, and happiness remain my highest priorities, and together, we will continue to foster an environment where every child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Teamwork and open communication are key in making sure our students have the best possible experience here at Mill Creek West.

Let's approach these final weeks with enthusiasm, positivity, and a strong finish to the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you for your continuous support and for being an invaluable part of our Wildcat family!

Here’s to a fantastic finish!

Sonna Schafer, EdD

Principal, Mill Creek West Elementary

Email: sschafer@mccsc.k12.in.us
Website: https://mccsc.k12.in.us/
Phone: (317)539-9255
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillCreekWestElementarySchool

Twitter: @MillCreekwest