MCAS Communicator

Please post for/share with those employees who do not check email.

Exciting news! Michigan City Area Schools is now a "partner district" with DonorsChoose.

You may already be familiar with this online crowdfunding resource, where teachers can post needs and receive materials and equipment for classroom projects. Since 2007, MCAS has received over $286,000 in materials (most of this since 2014), with 53% of contributions coming from out of state.

As one of the 120+ members of the DonorsChoose District Partnership Program, MCAS now has a customized landing page. (We'll be sharing this page with our community soon... so this is a great time to consider posting a project!)

The new partnership also:

• Gives MCAS early notification of funding opportunities such as corporate matches.
  

• Provides principals with notifications when teachers post a project, and when materials are on the way.

• Provides our district with annual reports about what is requested and received.

• Shows MCAS teachers a pop-up window about MCAS Technology recommendations when they are ordering technology items on the site.

MCAS teachers using DonorsChoose will no longer have to fill out a Fund Drive Request form (#256) for each project they submit. (Principals now fill out one blanket form at the beginning of each school year, approving all projects.) Please remember that materials remain property of the school/classroom, and that project posts should maintain student privacy (not showing faces in photos or identifying individual students as special needs, in poverty, etc.)

Teachers: Are you ready to get started? Here is a webinar that gives you an overview and tips on posting a project... and here's a toolkit with even more info. We also have four DonorsChoose Teacher Advocates in our district, and all of them are happy to help and share tips: Tessa Maguire (Pine), Susan Shell (Marsh), Laura Daly (MCHS) and Laura Charpentier (Lake Hills).

National School Breakfast Week is March 8 - March 12. This year's theme is "Score Big with School Breakfast"! Elementary students will receive a special treat with their grab-and-go breakfast this week. Please help us celebrate the importance of school breakfast and starting our students' day right.

We will also be serving an early Easter turkey meal on March 18th. This will consist of sliced turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, dinner roll, cranberry jello, cupcake, and chilled milk. Staff may preorder at their schools. We will send a separate email with details this week. Please support our department AND enjoy a delicious meal!

A reminder that P-EBT cards have all been issued and that parents should keep the student cards this time for future issuances. Parents should not call the FSSA office directly for any reason other than a lost card. School staff are to investigate whether benefits have been issued or not. For questions on this, please call the Food Service office at (219) 873-2131. Information is also available here and on the MCHS Food Service website.

Spread the word to anyone you know who may be interested: The MCAS Transportation Department is in need of bus drivers. This is a great part-time opportunity for individuals who would like to work only during the school year and have holidays off! No experience is needed; training takes place at the Transportation Dept. Apply online at http://educateMC.net or call Val Skwiat at (219) 873-2127.

Did you realize that you have a space quota for voicemail on your CISCO desk phone? If you have been with MCAS for a while...and/or if you are not listening to messages or deleting saved messages, you could have a full (or almost full!) voicemail box. People attempting to leave a message may be bumped to a central voicemail box, causing delays and frustration. Solution: Listen to (and delete) messages you do not need anymore and clear out some space!

PLUS... here is how to access your voicemail remotely:

1) Dial 873-2000

2) Press * then (extension). (If it asks for ID, that is your extension.)

3) Enter your Pin code followed by #

4) Check voicemail, change your greeting, delete old messages, etc.

Reminder from Technology: All staff needs to migrate your user directory (u: drive) data to your Google account. This is easiest if done with Google File Stream. Technology will begin turning off access to U: drives on Tuesday, March 2. If you have questions or issues, contact your building tech or email kmcguire@mcas.k12.in.us. Most building shares can be found with Google File Stream now, as well.

Here is the link to File Stream. Please download and follow the instructions to install.

Here is a link to a folder that contains 2021 Mileage Log Sheets and Information. If you claim mileage, be sure to use these updated documents!

MCAS Kindergarten Roundup will take place online this year, March 22-26. (Parents needing assistance can come to schools that week, by appointment only.) A virtual "Kinder Q&A" will take place on our YouTube Channel on Tuesday, March 23, at 4:00pm, to provide tips on enrollment and school readiness. Kindergartners must be age 5 by October 1, 2021.

Magnet School applications for Lake Hills and Pine will also be accepted online this year, beginning March 22. As is the case each year, these schools will be accepting students from outside their neighborhood boundaries, mainly at the kindergarten level but also at other grade levels as space allows. The deadline for Magnet applications is April 30.

Watch for links and more information, coming soon!

The 2021-22 School Year Calendar was approved by the MCAS Board of Trustees last week at its regular meeting. A one-page summary will be available soon. Here are some key dates:

• August 16 & 17 - Teacher Work Days
• August 18 - First Day of School
• October 14-15 - Fall Break
• November 22-26 - Thanksgiving Break
• December 20-31 - Winter Break
• January 17 - MLK Day (No School)
• February 21 - Presidents Day (No School)
• April 4-8 - Spring Break
• April 15 - Good Friday (No School)
• May 30 - Memorial Day (No School)
• June 2 - Last Day of School for Students
• June 3 - Teacher Work Day
• June 12 - Graduation

Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County is now hiring one or two additional Afterschool Program Leaders. Our Program Leaders plan, implement, supervise and evaluate activities and curriculum that support Healthy Lifestyles, Academic Success and Character & Citizenship. Core afterschool program hours are 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM daily, Monday through Friday. Rates start at $12.00/hour. For more information, please visit https://www.bgclpc.org/join-our-team/ or contact Karen Kintigh, Director of Operations, at kkintigh@bgclubmc.org.

Safe Harbor is recruiting students for after-school at all levels! Safe Harbor serves students at all MCAS schools except Springfield and Pine (which are served by the Boys & Girls Club). Please share these flyers with any families you feel might benefit! Registration forms are on the Safe Harbor website at http://educateMC.net/safeharbor

Safe Harbor Elementary Program

Safe Harbor Club Discovery (Middle School)

Safe Harbor Club Inspire (High School)

Need CPR Certification? 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 $15.00 and she will have the certification card for you.
• vskwiat@mcas.k12.in.us - Cell: 219-874-1716

The MCHS Athletic Department is hosting the IHSAA Boys Basketball Sectional tournament this week! Here's the schedule:

Tuesday, March 2 6:30 Michigan City v Culver

Wednesday, March 3 5:00 LaPorte v Mishawaka

Wednesday, March 3 7:30 SB Adams v Plymouth

Friday, March 5 5:00 SB Riley v Winner Game 1

Friday, March 5 7:30 Winner Game 2 v Winner Game 3

Saturday, March 6 6:30 Championship Game

Tickets are $6 each, and will be available at the door 1 hour before game time for each game. Tickets are only available for one game at a time, and the gym will be cleared between games of a doubleheader. Tickets purchases are cash only. All games are open to the general public. All games will be livestreamed on www.ihsaatv.org for a pay-per-view fee of $10 payable by debit or credit card.

For the latest athletics info and updates visit https://michigancityathletics.com/. Thank you for supporting our student-athletes!

Barker Middle School is offering a wide range of Wolves Wear options. Proceeds help support STEM programs at the school.

(Enjoy the Wolves Wear Baby "infomercial" as you decide what to order!)

Ladies Order Form

Mens Order Form

Questions? Contact Amy Hamann, ahamann@mcas.k12.in.us

The United Ways in Indiana have created a survey to better understand how COVID-19 and economic disruption affected and continues to affect communities. This survey will help local United Ways and their communities identify trends and needs to best provide resources and support in this challenging time.

You can help by completing the survey below (it should take 5-10 minutes). It closes on March 5. Responses are confidential. Take the survey here.

EAP Webinar March 17, 12-12:30pm

How to Fit in More Time for Self-Care
& Franciscan Senior Health and Wellness PACE
(Program of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly)

Register HERE

Purdue University's Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies Certificate Program (GCT) is now enrolling for online summer classes. Certified Indiana educators who wish to earn the GCT Certificate are eligible for High Ability Licensure upon completion of the program.

Click here for a flyer about this opportunity. For more information contact EducationOnline@purdue.edu.

The Michigan City St. Patrick's Parade will take place on Saturday, March 13 from 1:00-2:15 at Fedder’s Alley in Washington Park. This is "reverse" parade: a family fun drive-thru event where all parade spectators will stay in their vehicles.

Cars will enter Fedder’s Alley from Washington Park on the west side and travel slowly through the parade on Clover Leaf Lane. If the Franklin Street Bridge is still under construction, entrance to Washington Park will be redirected.

Event highlights include: Candy for each child from Capt. Ed’s Furniture Showroom • “Shamrock Stops” to collect other surprises • Animals visiting from the Washington Park Zoo • Bagpipes, Kid Friendly Characters, and More! • Food Collection for the Michigan City Salvation Army • You might even spot a leprechaun or two!

MCAS will be one of the reverse parade participants. Transportation, Food Service, and Administrators will be on hand to show wolfpack pride and pass out treats to children.

Tickets are required and are available at the Michigan City YMCA, Meijer, and Al’s on S. Franklin and Karwick.