Office Depot/Office Max
20% OFF and 20% BONUS REWARDS
When you present a Teacher ID and Office Depot/Office Max Rewards member number
Thank YOU, School Lunch Heroes!
May 6 is School Lunch Hero Day! School nutrition employees must balance many roles and follow numerous federal, state, and local regulations to ensure safe and healthy meals are available in schools. School Lunch Hero Day is our opportunity to thank these hard-working heroes! Please be sure to thank our Food Service staff for their dedication and hard work in ensuring our students get the nutrition they need.
School Nurses Rock
Wednesday, May 11 is National School Nurses' Day. Our school nurses are critical to all aspects of students’ health -- and they continue to be invaluable as we navigate through the COVID pandemic. Please take a moment to thank a school nurse near you for all they do to keep our students safe and healthy!
Coolspring Food Service Supports Project for Ukraine
Brooke Cisar, a Food Service Tech 1 at Coolspring Elementary, saw a Facebook post from Sunshine Sisters, an online apparel retailer out of West Palm Beach, FL, about a "Be Kind Sunflower T-Shirt" to benefit charities assisting Ukraine. She knew she wanted to help! She asked staff at Coolspring if they would like to purchase some of these shirts, and she and her daughter, Paige, decorated a cafeteria wall at Coolspring with a Sunflower theme and Ukraine in mind. The Ukrainian national flower is the sunflower, which has become a symbol of resistance.
Thank you, Brooke, for going above and beyond to help others! Visit https://bit.ly/3Mga5oQ for more information and a link to purchase a shirt for $15. Like the shirt says, we should all "Be Kind"!
Better World Day is FRIDAY!
Better World Day is an annual, national event showcasing student learning that contributes to a better world. Students present learning projects and engage in acts of service that demonstrate the power of EL Education’s vision for public school: a place where children become great scholars and active citizens with the capacity to make a positive impact.
Last year, our students conducted food and hygiene item drives, constructed bird and bee habitats, cleaned up area parks and beaches, and MUCH MORE. Watch our district's social media pages for updates throughout the day this Friday!
Be a Hero: Donate Blood
The American Red Cross will hold a Blood Drive at Pine Elementary School on Wednesday, May 25 from 1:30pm to 6:00pm, and you are invited to come be a hero!
This "Pint-Size Hero" program engages elementary school students, faculty, and parents by participating in educational programs, including classroom activities. Each donor will receive a braided bracelet (while supplies last) to give to a child "hero." All donors must wear a mask.
Retirement & Wall of Fame Dinner
A form to register for the dinner will be available on May 10, once our Wall of Fame inductees are selected for this year. We'll email this form to all staff -- watch your inbox!
Transpo's Mother's Day Flower Sale is FRIDAY!
The M.C.A.S Transportation Department's Social Events Committee will hold its popular MOTHER’S DAY FLOWER SALE this Friday, May 6th, from 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. at the Service Building (1100 S. Woodland Avenue).
They'll have combination patio pots, 10” hanging baskets, 6” potted plants and more, all grown locally by Mark's Farm Market & Greenhouses. Prices are reasonable... but please note that no credit/debit cards will be accepted. Questions? Contact Dave Hack at (219) 873-2127.
Eat Chicken. Support STEM.
Tickets are $8 each for a half chicken. Pit-Tatoes will be available at the event for $4.
Purchase tickets in advance from a Lake Hills staff member or contact Shelley Deutscher at (219) 873-2105 ext. 6673 to make arrangements to pick up tickets at the Lake Hills office.
Pre-sales MUST be picked up by 5:30pm. There will be a limited supply of chicken available at the event, so it is best to purchase a ticket ahead of time.
Magazines Wanted!
May EAP Webinar
The Importance of Gratitude
& Staying Active Helps with Mental Health
Wednesday, May 18, 2022 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4649766926691146251
The Importance of Gratitude: Most of us live in the first 20 minutes of the Wizard of Oz—it's flat, black and white, and gray. Gratitude can help us live in technicolor seeing all the colors of the rainbow. Once you develop the habit of being thankful for what you have, or what you do, or who is around you, you may experience more energy, joy, peace, and mental clarity.
Staying Active Helps with Mental Health: You’ve heard it before, “Exercise to improve your health”. Physical activity has been linked to improving depression and anxiety and reducing stress. Learn about the mental health benefits of moving and how you can get started!
Understanding Medicare Options - A Free Zoom Presentation by Franciscan Health
Navigating the world of Medicare, Supplement Plans, Advantage Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans can be confusing and very overwhelming. Franciscan Health is available to help MCAS employees and their family members who are becoming Medicare eligible.
As a service to the community, the Franciscan Insurance Services department has licensed agents (who are Franciscan employees) available for no-cost Medicare consultations.
CLICK HERE to watch a 25-minute presentation about Medicare options.
The following information will be discussed:
• What is Franciscan Insurance Services?
• How can we help you navigate your Medicare choices?
• What are the four parts of Medicare?
• How can I schedule a free consultation with a licensed agent?
Franciscan Open House for Senior Care Givers
Franciscan Health will hold a Senior Care Giver Open House in Michigan City, hosted by the Franciscan Senior Health & Wellness PACE program. This is an informative event for those who are helping to care for elderly loved ones.
It will take place on Tuesday, May 24 from 2pm to 8pm at Franciscan Health Michigan City at the legacy hospital campus on Homer Street.
Taking place at the event will be:
- A tour of the facility
- Medicaid, Medicare and estate planning presentation
- Exhibit tables with 20+ senior service providers
- Refreshments & Giveaways
Franciscan Senior Health & Wellness includes adult day care services such as nursing; physican, occupational, and recreational therapies; meals; socialization opportunities; and personal care.
Donate your Shoes to Meals on Wheels!
Other collection sites in Michigan City are both Walgreens locations and La Porte Community Credit Union.
Meals on Wheels provides therapeutically prepared nutritious hot meals delivered to homebound, seniors, and disabled people. The continued support of the community and selfless volunteers help make this possible. For more information, contact Amanda Fowler at (219) 872-9117 or afowler@laportecountymealsonwheels.org.
Earn some extra $$$ at Blue Chip
Blue Chip has reached out to us to let us know they are seeking servers and bartenders for banquets and events. These opportunities are evenings, weekends, and holidays - which could be a good fit for school employees. Right now, servers and bartenders are starting at $8.63 and $10.38; but the gratuity has averaged $39/hour for both roles.
Interested? Visit boydcareers.com and under "job search" search on the keyword "banquet" for Michigan City.
Track Named for Former MCAS Teacher, Coach
Mrs. Slater, now 85, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 4x100 meter relay and winner of 365 medals in track. We were excited to have her present at the field dedication! She also met with the MCHS track teams and with the Wolvettes (fun fact: she founded and let the Rogers Raiderettes!) and was interviewed by the student MCHS-TV program.
Be sure to check out the new records board at the MCHS Track, and in case you missed the dedication ceremony, you can watch it here, courtesy of Access LaPorte County.
Summer Tech Conference is June 3 (and Other MCAS Summer PD!)
Matt Miller's coming back with more ways you can Tech Like a Pirate!
All La Porte County educators are invited to attend his free virtual conference on Friday, June 3. More details and registration information coming soon! Matt Miller is an educator, author of five books, blogger and speaker. He has taught for more than a decade in public schools and has presented to thousands of educators all over the United States.
Here are other summer MCAS PD opportunities... save the date:
June 14 Student-Led Conferences, Grades K-2
June 15 Student-Led Conferences, Grades 7 -8
June 16 Student-Led Conferences, Grades 3-6
July 19 Crew Refresher
July 20 & 21 New Teacher Modules
July 26 Principal Leadership Session
July 27 & 28 New Teacher Skills Block
Additional dates and signup information will be shared soon!
Science Teachers Invited to Focus Group Discussions
Savvas Learning Company is currently forming focus groups with educators across Indiana. The goal is to bring senior thought leaders to share insights about what science instruction currently looks like in their districts as well as insight as to what they hope it will look like with the new shifts in the IN science standards.
If you are interested in attending a quick conversation about science, there are two opportunities available:
CLICK HERE for information on the Tuesday, May 10th event in South Bend
CLICK HERE for information on the Monday, May 9th event in Merrillville
Each event will include appetizers and drinks. And in order to help "elevate" science, each attendee will receive a $25 gift card to Sky Zone.
Free Arts Integration Learning Labs available in July
The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is partnering with the Indiana Department of Education to offer two Arts Integration Learning Labs for K-12 educators and teaching artists. These Learning Labs are designed to empower teaching artists and classroom educators to partner together on meaningful arts integration experiences for their students.
The Labs will expand educators’ and artists’ tools in creative teaching strategies. The in-person, hands-on training will feature dual tracks for classroom educators and teaching artists to learn content specifically tailored to them, as well as opportunities for the two groups to come together to network with and learn from one another. Following the Learning Labs, educators will be eligible to apply for up to $3,000 in fellowship funding to put their learning into practice in their own classrooms.
The two Arts Integration Learning Lab full-day trainings will occur on Wednesday, July 13th in Muncie, IN and Friday, July 15th at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center in Jasper, IN. Each training is free to attend with limited spots available. This opportunity is open to all Indiana classroom educators, though the design of the content will be especially beneficial for K-8 non-arts educators and teaching artists who have some previous experience in working with youth.
Teacher Leaders Bootcamp
The Indiana Department of Education has announced the 2022-2023 Teacher Leaders Bootcamp, an opportunity for teachers to engage in innovative and relevant professional development in order to grow as teacher leaders. Teacher Leader Bootcamp graduates will be equipped to share successes, lessons learned, and strategies for overcoming challenges related to teacher leadership implementation. In partnership with the Indiana Department of Education and national experts, they will gain knowledge and experience, create networks and connections, and engage in professional learning. The application is open until Friday, May 6 at 5:00 pm EST. To learn more or to apply, please click here. Contact Anne Marie Milligan, Director of Educator Recruitment and Retention with any questions.
