From Payroll: W2s
New Incident IQ System for Tech Support
The Technology Department is implementing a new Technology help desk ticket system, Incident IQ, for all school staff. You are still able to submit tickets via email, but they will now come from Incident IQ and may have a slightly different appearance. In addition, you will receive a welcome email from Incident IQ to provide some important information. As a reminder, to submit a technology ticket/request you can email support@mcas.k12.in.us. You can also reach the Technology Help Desk at x8359.
Section 125 Open Enrollment is Underway!
Reminder: Section 125 benefit review meetings are mandatory for all staff working 17.5 hours or more per week. No one is required to change anything, but you do have to complete a meeting so that you are aware of the district’s benefit offerings. Changes to benefits are only allowed during Open Enrollment. If you haven’t already, you can schedule your appointment using this link:
MCAS Employees Schedule using this link
Then select “Show All Locations +” at the bottom of the screen and pick your location.
New Smart Manufacturing Program Coming this Fall!
Our LaPorte County CTE program has received a Perkins Reserve Grant of $125,000 from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. This funding will be used to establish a new program in Smart Manufacturing in the fall, which will be housed at our new facility on US Hwy 20! Smart Manufacturing is the use of emerging, advanced technologies to increase the efficiency of traditional manufacturing. In addition to Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, coursework for Smart Manufacturing will center on the “Internet of Things,” Cybersecurity, Big Data, CNC operation, CAD/CAM, Smart Sensors, Fluid Power, Analytics, and more. Dual credit will be offered in partnership with Ivy Tech, and students will also earn industry certifications. Current sophomores and juniors interested in signing up for this program should contact their school counselor. We are also seeking industry partners. Contact Dr. David Notary for information at (219) 873-2120 or d.notary@mcas.k12.in.us.
Little Wolves Now Accepting Vouchers
Big news! The Little Wolves Early Learning Center is now accepting CCDF vouchers! Families with students who are age 4 are welcome to enroll at any time. For more information, visit http://educateMC.net/littlewolves or call (219) 873-2035.
Summer School Begins May 31
MCAS Summer School will take place May 31 - June 28. Offerings will include IREAD; Kindergarten Countdown; elementary and middle school acceleration in reading and math; high school PE, speech, and credit recovery; and middle school reading and math. Special Ed will offer a GOALS program and a Behavior Support Program in addition to supporting all summer school students with IEPs. Elementary programs will take place at Lake Hills, and middle and high school will be at MCHS. Position postings will be available in early March.
Two MCAS Music Teachers in LCSO
Did you know that MCAS has two music teachers who are members of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra? Springfield music teacher Madison Kutch plays trumpet in the orchestra, and Barker band teacher Jacen Smith was recently named the principal french horn! You can hear both of them perform (along with MCHS student Ashley Sparks who is a student apprentice on oboe) on
February 10 at 7:00 pm at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased online here for $25 for adults and $22 for seniors. Students of any age with ID receive free admission. The concert will be "Side by Side with a Twist: A Celebration of Music Education"; local music educators and enthusiasts will join the orchestra for portions of the program. The program is a celebration of Black History month, with works by Black composers William Grant Still, the "Ragtime King" Scott Joplin, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Margaret Bonds and Valerie Coleman.
Wolfpack Roundup Set for Friday, February 23
Michigan City High School will host “8th Grade Night” on Friday, February 23. This will include a “Wolfpack Roundup” orientation session in the auditorium for 8th graders (and older students considering a transfer!) and parents at 6:00pm, followed by the “Friday Night Live” social event in the gym until 10:00pm. Public, private, charter, and homeschooled students and their families are welcome to attend to learn more about the many opportunities our high school has to offer!
In addition, our Middle Schools will host “Middle School Roundup” on Thursday, March 7 at 5:00pm. This is an opportunity for 6th-grade students and their families to visit Barker and Krueger, to learn more about what is in store for them as they move on to middle school.
Tech Support Saturday to the Rescue!
The Michigan City High School Computer Science Honor Society will host a “Tech Support Saturday” event on February 24 at the high school, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will kick off with a cyber safety presentation at 10:00, followed by open hours for training and device repair.
Members of the public are invited to bring desktop computers, laptops, tablets, phones, and other devices in need of repair. Students will diagnose problems and provide basic fixes on-site. As possible, parts will be offered at no cost, thanks to a grant from the Computer Science Teachers Association.
Members of the public who are planning to bring a device for repair should complete a work order in advance at http://educateMC.net/alphabytes.
Students will also accept donations of devices, which they will refurbish and provide to local families in need through a partnership with the Salvation Army of Michigan City. Special thanks to Computer Science teacher Carols Melendez for his work with the students on this project!
IDEM Offering Free Earth Day Classroom Presentations Throughout April
To help Indiana schools celebrate Earth Day 2024, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is offering free hands-on classroom presentations to elementary students across the state. Classroom Earth Day presentations on air, land, water, and recycling are available for elementary schools and vary in length from 30 to 50 minutes. The interactive presentations offer activities such as reduce, reuse, recycle trash or a demonstration on how water flows through a watershed. In-person classroom presentations are available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the month of April. Each school may request up to four presentations.The deadline to request a classroom presentation during the month of April is Feb. 23, 2024.Teachers can learn more by visiting idem.IN.gov/iee. Educators may direct questions to IDEM’s Environmental Education Outreach Coordinator, at education@idem.IN.gov or 800-988-7901.
February EAP Webinar
Burden of Grief – Easier to Bear &
Exercise for Beginners: Building Habits That Work For You
Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM CST / 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM EST
Register Here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5806143111159292000
Can’t make the live webinar? Register now and the system will send you a recording link 24 hours after the webinar concludes.
Burden of Grief – Easier to Bear: Some of the topics will include: Ø Stages of grief Ø There is no right way to grieve. Ø Journey through grief Ø When to get help
Exercise for Beginners: Building habits that work for you - Description: Starting an exercise routine can seem intimidating but starting small is what will lead to a big difference over time. This presentation will offer tips and advice on what small changes you can make now to help build an exercise routine that works for you.
February Deals with Tickets at Work
This month, Tickets at Work offers deals on Valentine's Day gifts like candy assortments and flower arrangements. Plan your next exciting spring vacation with discounts on both domestic and international travel. Additionally, streamline your tax preparation process with convenient tools and services to save both time and money. If you haven’t signed up yet, click become a member and enter our company code: MCAS
Tickets at Work also has a new loyalty program, FunLife Rewards. Find out more on how you can earn points on eligible purchases and redeem those points on future fun with FunLife Rewards.
