![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/25.a3934678.jpg)
![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/25.837e887c.jpg)
Mill Creek Magic Messages
News and Updates from Mr. Croyle and Mr. Murtha 1/26/2024
From Mr. Croyle and Mr. Murtha
While many of us did enjoy some long overdue sledding sessions last week, it was nice to see much more of our students this past week as the temperatures warmed... even if only slightly. Regardless of the outdoors temps., there was plenty of warmth here at Mill Creek... most of which emanated from the kindness of both students and adults!
One of this past week's highlights were the many classes who engaged in the Diversity Committee paper chain activity to celebrate Neurodiversity Awareness. Neurodiversity is the idea that people can have a range of thought process differences and behavioral differences and that we can value and respect these differences as a school community. Many of our classes created chains (images of some of these products can be seen further down) to represent different learning and thinking styles of students. These chains symbolize that we can be individuals but also work together to make something beautiful. These wonderful chains are being put on display in the Mill Creek Library!
Another highlight of this past week was this morning's 1st Grade "Snow Day." Students and teachers donned PJ's and enjoyed a comfy, cozy morning to celebrate the Winter Season. As part of this, students enjoyed a variety of winter-themed activities and... of course... hot chocolate!
Have a great weekend, Mill Creek!
Matthew D. Croyle
Principal
John C. Murtha
Assistant Principal
Mill Creek Classes Create Paper Chains to Celebrate Neurodiversity!
1st Grade Celebrates with and Extra "Snow Day!"
An Important Message from Mr. Croyle...
Dear Parents / Guardians,
I hope you are well. Throughout my first several months at Mill Creek, I have taken the time to try to get to know the students. I’m truly enjoying the experience of matching names with faces and learning more and more about the kids and their interests. I realize it will take some time and I certainly don’t know all 758 students (yet)…but I’m trying.
One way to get to know students is by talking with them. Quick interactions in the hallway, visiting classrooms, spending time at recess, saying hi and bye during dismissal, and probably the best spot, the cafeteria (all the students in one grade level sitting in one area.) At times, my conversations with the students center on academics, other times it might be their weekend activities, or even a breakdown of a sporting event. Recently, I’ve found myself talking to the older children of Mill Creek about the concepts of character, the impact their words have on their peers, being “others-centered”, and the appropriate use of technology.
These conversations come from a good place…as a parent with four children (two in college and two in high school) and being an educator for many years, I have seen and learned a lot. In particular, I have seen the best and worst of technology. Unfortunately, it seems that each school year, I see the negative impact it can have on a school, a classroom, a family, and specific students. With that stated, I ask parents/guardians to be diligent in supervising their children’s use of smart devices.
Over the course of my tenure in schools, I have written many messages about the appropriate usage of electronic devices. In my opinion, children today have an uphill battle ahead of them trying to balance the appropriate usage of electronics. Social media, likes, dislikes, posts, YouTube clips, etc…are all part of many students’ daily lives. If allowed to have a smart device, children truly need to be guided in the right direction as unknown, external content as at their fingertips. Again, while I realize that there is a lot of good with technology, I caution parents and ask you to be extremely mindful of your child’s technology use and access.
Respectfully,
-Mr. Croyle
Mill Creek / Personal Device Technology Expectations:
At Mill Creek, students have been asked to place their cell phones in their backpacks while at school. However, a new device is beginning to impact our students. Smart watches are now being used as a communication device at school.
The staff has recently seen an increase in student personal electronic communication devices at Mill Creek, including student electronic watches. We are requesting parents to discuss the following information with their child(ren). In particular, if they wear an electronic watch.
Building administrators and classroom teachers may prohibit the use of personal Electronic Communication Devices in classrooms and common areas of the school if they are determined to be disruptive to the educational process. Cell phones should be stored in student backpacks throughout the school day and during the bus ride. Students are prohibited from using personal electronic devices to take pictures or videos at school and on the school bus.
We understand that many personal electronic devices are used by parents and students after school and for added safety measures. We are reaching out to ask parents to not use personal electronic devices as a communication avenue during the school day. If you would like to alert your child to a dismissal change and/or other notification, please reach out to the classroom teacher and/or the main office. We will make sure that your child receives the update. Our goal in the classroom is for your child to learn and be engaged in the learning activities. Our number one goal is to keep our students and staff safe. We do not want to miss any communications that you would like your child to know to ensure that they are getting to and from school in the safest way. We have also found that sometimes a student will reach out to a parent, or loved one, because they aren't feeling well. As a school team, we would like to encourage your children to go to the nurse if they aren't feeling well at school or speak directly to their teacher. This will help to ensure that we are all on the same page.
Additionally, cell phones/laptops should be stored in backpacks during the bus ride. Most bus rides are relatively short and to make sure that students are getting on and off the bus quickly, safely, and without breaking any electronics.
Parents/Guardians, it is important that we are sending the same message to our children/students. If your child is utilizing their electronic watch as a communication device (i.e. texting) during the school day, we will treat it like a cell phone. It will be removed and placed in the child’s backpack. If it continues, administration’s direct involvement will take place. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Children's Author Hillary Sussman is Visiting Mill Creek on January 30...
Next Week's Specials Days Will Be...
- Monday - Day 1
- Tuesday - Day 2
- Wednesday - Day 3
- Thursday - Day 4
- Friday - Day 5
Important Dates
- Sunday, February 4 - 6th Grade Sky Zone Event, 5:15-7:00 p.m.
- Friday, February 16 - Monday, February 20 - President's Day Weekend Break (No school)
- Friday, February 23 - 6th Grade Color Games @ Mill Creek, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Monday, February 26-Thursday, February 29 - Mill Creek Players Present The Little Mermaid, Jr. All performances @ 7:00 p.m. "Creekers Cast" on Feb. 26/28; "Magic Cast" on Feb. 27/29.
Home and School Association News and Flyers
- The District is now insistent that adult visitors to school buildings beyond the main office have their Volunteer Clearances. There is an application process, which only takes a bit of time and is fairly simple. The link below will take you to a page with detailed information about obtaining your Volunteer Clearances.
The Mill Creek Directory is Here!
Click on the link below to access. You will need to enter the password "MAKEADIFFERENCE"
6th Grade Volunteer Sign-Ups!!
6th Grade Families...please click on a link below if you are able to volunteer for one of our events. Thank you!
Instructional Spotlight - Ms. Cocca, 1st Grade
SCHOOL/DISTRICT INFORMATION
CB Realignment Input...
In anticipation of the grade level realignment for the 2025-2026 school year, the district extends an open invitation to parents, guardians, students, and community members to provide their questions and feedback here. We greatly value your input as it plays a vital role in our decision-making process, ensuring that our choices are in the best interest of our entire community. To learn more about this initiative, please visit the our website: www.cbsd.org/cbrealign.
For Qualifying Families, Apply for Free and Reduced Lunch - It's Easy!
For any family in need of free and reduced lunch for your children, please use the links below to apply. The process is fairly simple and confidential!
- Direct link to the application website: MySchoolApps - Home Page
- Link to the CBSD page about Free and Reduced Lunch: Food Services / Free & Reduced Lunch Application (cbsd.org)
Student Technology Information...
Need to submit a Technology Help Desk Ticket? Click the link below for a video on how to do it!
Student Laptop Expectations
Additionally, if your child loses or misplaces their laptop case, please reach out to the Mill Creek Main Office.
District Laptop and iPad Care
- Please encourage your children to use their laptop/iPad bags for carrying devices in school, at home, and to and from each location.
- Please encourage your children to report issues/problems with their devices, so they can be properly address and fixed as soon as possible.
- The laptop/iPad payment fee covers accidental damage. Intentional damage may result in a family being billed for the damage.
Schools will be communicating these messages in school as well.
We appreciate your support!
GUIDANCE INFORMATION
SCHOOL AND DISTRICT EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Information
Mr. Matthew D. Croyle
Principal
267-893-3600
Mr. John C. Murtha
Assistant Principal
267-893-3600
Mill Creek Elementary School
Email: mcroyle@cbsd.org
Website: http://www.cbsd.org/Domain/19
Location: 638 Bellflower Boulevard, Warrington, PA, United States
Phone: 267-893-3600
Twitter: @CBMillCreek