MCAS Communicator

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Our district-wide food drive is ON! Schools are now collecting non-perishable food items to benefit The Salvation Army of Michigan City, competing for the GIANT traveling trophy. Knapp claimed victory last year, but who will win this year?

All food collected should be brought to Ames Field on Saturday, December 10 from 9am to Noon. THANKS to the Michigan City High School Student Council for hosting this event every year. Last year our district collected more than four tons of food, and the food pantry at The Salvation Army is very low on food right now, so let's aim for a HUGE show of support from MCAS!

You can also help support The Salvation Army by signing up to ring a bell during the holidays at www.RegisterToRing.com.

One City One Sound is back to an in-person event! Join us as more than 850 MCAS students fill the air with festive music to kick off the holiday season. Vocalists and instrumentalists will perform at the event, which will take place Thursday, December 8 at 7 p.m. at Michigan City High School.

Admission is free, however all who attend are encouraged to bring a canned good/non-perishable food item for The Salvation Army. Monetary donations to The Salvation Army will also be accepted that evening. This year’s concert will be broadcast live on the Michigan City Area Schools YouTube Channel and on Channel 98 educational TV. It will also air live on Michigan City radio station WEFM (95.9 FM).

Michigan City High School will be staging the musical, "The Addams Family - School Edition" this weekend! Please plan to come out and support our students!

Friday, December 2nd at 7 pm

Saturday, December 3rd at 7 pm

Sunday, December 4th at 2 pm

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Staff get in free with MCAS ID.

The Festival of Lights Parade (formally known as the Snowflake Parade) will be held on Saturday, December 3 at 5:00 pm. The parade will run north on Franklin St. from 9th St. to 4th St., and will be followed by the lighting of the Official Christmas Tree in front of the Michigan City Public Library. MCAS will have a unit in the parade and welcomes any interested staff member to march along! Wear spirit wear and/or something holiday festive.

Line up for our unit is at 4:30 on 9th St. between Washington St. & Franklin St. -- enter 9th St. from Washington St. Look for our decked-out activity bus and Food Service truck. This parade is just five blocks long so it won't be a long time commitment.

Kevin McGuire, Chief Financial Officer, kmcguire@mcas.k12.in.us, (219) 873-2000 ext. 8305
Tracey Haas, District Treasurer, thaas@mcas.k12.in.us, (219) 873-2000 ext. 8346
(Handles all accounts payable, receivable, and reimbursements; coordinates vendor payments)
Katrina Perry, Payroll Administrator, kperry@mcas.k12.in.us, (219) 873-2000 ext. 8314
(Handles all payroll functions)
Kelly Foley, Benefits Coordinator, kfoley@mcas.k12.in.us, (219) 873-2000 ext. 8327
(Handles all insurance and benefits)
Ella Brinckman, CFO Secretary, ebrinckman@mcas.k12.in.us, (219) 873-2000 ext. 8341
(Handles textbook rental reimbursements and workers comp claims; assists school treasurers)

***Finance Department reminders***
-Please be sure all invoices have an attached voucher or PO for payment. Reach out to Tracey Haas or your building Treasurer if you have questions on how to fill out the voucher.
-If you are receiving invoices via email or mail and they do not belong to you or your department, please forward them to Tracey Haas.

The MCAS Transportation Department is collecting monetary donations and supplies for the Michiana Humane Society. Among the "wish list" items are washable dog toys, rawhides, cat toys, catnip, clay litter, dog and cat treats, pet food, leashes and collars, pine shavings, blankets, linens, paper towels, tall kitchen garbage bags, laundry detergent, Dawn dish soap, Windex, liquid hand soap and sanitizer. (Note: The Michiana Humane Society uses Fromm dry foods from Brandt's Old Fashion Emporium for all dogs and cats; other dry pet food is donated to the Best Buddies Food Pantry).

Bring your donation to the Transportation Dept (1100 S. Woodland Avenue) by December 21 or contact bus driver Leslie Bardusk Anderson at lbardusk@mcas.k12.in.us or (219) 262-4121 for a pickup.

Just in time for Christmas! The Michigan City Classified Association is selling raffle tickets to win a 50" smart TV. Tickets are $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00. The drawing will be held on December 16th. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, contact Dee Wilusz at dwilusz@mcas.k12.in.us or (219) 229-0268.

The Unity Foundation of La Porte County has announced the recipients of its 2022 grants to teachers. Congratulations to the following MCAS educators!

Michigan City Education Foundation grants:

• Arielle Smith, Barker Middle School, Kindness Project
• Elizabeth Camel, Coolspring Elementary School, Keys to Creativity
• Angela Dydo, Coolspring Elementary School, It All Works Out—A Math Project
• Ashlyn Palmer, Edgewood Elementary, Bookflix
• Michelle Sickles, Edgewood Elementary, We Are Crew
• Sheri Tuesburg and Holly Stanisci, Edgewood Elementary, Voracious Readers and Astonishing Authors
• Hannah Scheller, Knapp Elementary, Reading/Writing Independent Centers
• Erica Ackerson, Krueger Middle School, Net Worth
• Kelly Tokoly‐Rothermel, Krueger Middle School, Scents-sational Art Sensory Sketchbooks
• Elizabeth Law, Lake Hills Elementary, Phonics Fun
• Susan Shell, Marsh Elementary, We are Better Together
• Stephanie Jones, Springfield Elementary, Using play to prepare for the motor skills needed for Kindergarten
• Erin Ledyard, Springfield Elementary, Clay Therapy
• Amanda Wallen, Sharon Arndt, and Megan Orlando, Pine Elementary, Boogieing Our Day Away
  
  

Barbara A. Carmen Memorial Endowment Fund grants:

• Erin Colvin, Barker Middle School, Creating Passionate Readers
• Holly Zborowski, Coolspring Elementary School, Healthy Me
• Laurie Rockensuess, Edgewood Elementary, Ukulele Project
• Leanna Smith, Edgewood Elementary, K is for Kindergarten
• Ryan Labis, Krueger Middle School, Get Fit, Get Ready, Get Happy
• Ashley Brown, Marsh Elementary, Mr. Popper's Penguins Pop into Marsh
• Nicole Groleau, Springfield Elementary, Sensory Toys

Teacher Innovation Fund for Michigan City Area Schools grants:

• Susan Cleveland, MCHS, Mosaic Murals
• Lynne Clinkert, MCHS, It's all fun and games
• Candy Feare, MCHS, Get Moving! Get Motivated! Get Physically Active!
• Kristen Freitag, MCHS, Comfort in the Classroom
• Adam Goebel, MCHS, Elementary Science
• Rachel Pauer, MCHS, Dual Credit Biology 2: Learning About You
• Cheri Whitler, MCHS, Cut it Out!
• Amy Wojasinski‐Labis, MCHS, Celebrations through Wolfpack
• Ashley Zahrt, MCHS, Digital Microscopy
• Robert Schaffer, A.K. Smith, Dress for Success ‐ Fire Science Student Uniforms

MCAS teachers and staff are working on developing a districtwide set of Habits of Scholarship/Habits of Character that support students throughout their educational journey to become effective learners, ethical people, and contributors to a better world.

As partners in this important work, we are asking families, community members, and all MCAS staff to help identify the Habits of Scholarship/Habits of Character that will best support our students in developing these strong academic and character competencies.

Please take a few moments to complete this brief survey:

HABITS OF CHARACTER - STAFF SURVEY

(Note: If you are also an MCAS Parent, you received a separate email with that version of the survey. You are welcome to complete both surveys.)

A community-wide essay and art contest is being held to celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa: UMOJA, KUJICHAGULIA, UJIMA, UJAMAA, NIA, KUUMBA, and IMANI, which can be practiced daily through unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

The contest runs through December 26 and entries will be on display at the HOPE Community Resource Center. Prizes will be awarded to the top three elementary school submissions and the top three middle/high school submissions. Please share with interested students!

CLICK HERE for contest rules and details.

The Indiana State Library and Indiana Center for the Book are offering a great opportunity for students in grades 4-12 to get published and win prizes.

Letters About Literature is a letter-writing contest for Indiana students in grades 4-12. Students are asked to read a book, poem, or speech and write to the author (living or deceased) about how the book affected how they see themselves or how they see the world. Indiana students in grades 4-12 are eligible to enter the Indiana Letters About Literature reading and writing contest.
NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS! The deadline is January 9, 2023.

There are three competition levels: Level I: Grades 4-6; Level II: Grades 7 & 8; Level III: Grades 9-12

Prizes are awarded to the following winners in each level:

• First Place: $100.00
• Second Place: $50.00
• Third Place: $25.00
• Indiana Author Letters (Awarded to the highest-scored letter written to an Indiana Author): $50.00
• Teacher Prize: $150 (Awarded annually to a teacher who has gone the extra mile to support their students in entering the contest)
  
  

Winners will be announced in late March 2023 and will receive an invitation to the Virtual Awards Ceremony, in-person Writing Workshops, as well as a prize pack (including free books!) mailed to their home. All Indiana winning letters are published in a booklet that is distributed free to the winning students. Guest author for the Virtual Awards Ceremony will be Indiana Author, Leah Johnson.

• 2022-2023 Call for Entries
• 2022-2023 Group Entry Form
• 2022-2023 Individual Entry Form
  Watch a promotional video
  

Note from the MCAS Technology Department: You may have received a prompt to reset your password, or you may in near future. The prompt will come from your computer and tell you that you need to change your password. You will NOT be asked to reset your password via email or any other method. You will not be able to reset your password on a Chromebook.

Feel free to reach out to Caleb Browning at cbrowning@mcas.k12.in.us if you have any questions.

Password requirements:

• 12 characters or longer
• At least one uppercase and lowercase letter
• Either a special character or number
• You can't use any part of your name
• You can't use previous passwords that you have used before

Leadership LaPorte County offers grants of $50-$500 for community service projects led by students (grades 5-11). The deadline for applications is February 1.

Projects must be led by youth. A parent or teacher can assist, but the project must be student-driven. Once the grant request is submitted, the Leadership LaPorte County Youth team reviews it, then grant requesters meet with the team to do a presentation. Students do the presentation; an adult sponsor can be in the room to support. When a grant is approved, the funds are sent via check to the adult in charge or the organization. A post-project report is also required.

Click here to download a flyer about this opportunity!

Medicare annual enrollment opens December 7. Franciscan offers counseling and assistance to help choose the right plan. A "Medicare Extravaganza" will take place at Franciscan, 3500 Franciscan Way, Michigan City. This will take place on October 24 10am to noon - no cost and not registration necessary. This a great chance to learn about the different plans and get your questions answered.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the annual Chamber Awards. Categories include Community Impact of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, and Young Professional of the Year (under 40). Nominees should embody the Chamber's core values of integrity, togetherness, pride, service, and leadership.

CLICK HERE for a nomination form and for more information.

The deadline to submit nominations is 4 p.m. on Friday, December 23. Contact the Chamber office at (219) 874-6221 with any questions.

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 $15 course.
• Send Val an email or call/text to schedule the "hands-on" portion.
• You will meet Val at your school or If you live nearby, she can come to your house.
• She will need a copy of your course completion certificate.
• She will send your CPR AED card; the cost is $15.
• 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

Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM CST

Register for this Event: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2083454015653582351

Setting Boundaries with Adult Children: What role do we play as parents, now that our kids are grown? Should we still be doing laundry for them, giving them money, and giving them guidance? Or should we pull back and let them fly on their own? This webinar will discuss where and how to draw that line.

Finding Time to Exercise: In a perfect world, we'd all have at least an hour a day to devote to our fitness. But in the real world, 24 hours a day doesn't seem like nearly enough time to fit in work, school, and family. Stop stressing! Learn ways to sneak exercise into your super busy schedule.

It's December and that means you can use Tickets at Work to save throughout the holiday season on everything from electronics, gifts, flights, hotels, and more. Now is also the time to focus on your mental and physical well-being by taking advantage of savings on a variety of health-centric products and services. Visit ticketsatwork.com and enter our company code MCAS to use this free service.