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Mill Creek Magic Messages
News and Updates from Mr. Croyle and Mr. Murtha 9/1/2023
From Mr. Croyle and Mr. Murtha
It is almost "Go Time," Mill Creek, and we could not be more excited! Our building was energized with the return of teachers this past week, as well as with our Kindergarten Orientation (and Kindergarten "Signing" Photo Op.) last Tuesday and our New Family Ice Cream Social last Wednesday. But this Tuesday, September 5 we are bringing the entire band back together, along with a few new student, teacher, and staff faces.
Our teachers and staff are extremely excited to see returning and new students and to begin the work of helping our students learn and grow throughout what will surely be an amazing school year!
All of our teachers/staff will be wearing our 2023-2024 staff t-shirt on Day 1 (gray/silver shirt with burgundy lettering), which includes our school theme for this year - BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER! If a student needs guidance when they arrive on Tuesday, there will be plenty of adults to help, and we hope that our common attire will make us even more identifiable!
Please encourage your child to also wear our school colors, burgundy and silver, on day 1 of school as we look to kick the school year off with Mill Creek Pride!
Welcome to or back to "The Creek!" Let's make it a "magical" year!
Matthew D. Croyle
Principal
John C. Murtha
Assistant Principal
A Special Message from Mr. Croyle about the First Day/Start of School...
Dear Mill Creek Community,
We are so EXCITED to open our doors on Tuesday, September 5th! Staff members have been hard at work preparing their classrooms, organizing materials and lessons, and creating activities that will promote a positive classroom environment.
The first day of school brings many different types of emotions. Some students will be excited, others nervous, and some might be scared. Parents, please know we are here for your children. Our number one priority is to have a safe environment. To help ease some of the fear of the first day, ALL staff members will be wearing a Mill Creek staff T-shirt. This will assist children in looking for a “safe adult”. During morning arrival and afternoon dismissal, all hands will be on deck! Staff members, without a homeroom, will be outside assisting your children on where to go and how to get there. Additionally, in the afternoon, our student safeties will also add another layer of support. Typically, during the first few days of school, transportation is slightly delayed. Please stay patient with us as we figure out / problem solve the issues that may arise.
In an effort to provide the safest and most manageable environment possible, it is important for us to make the community aware that Mill Creek won’t allow community members / parents into the building to walk their child to their specific classroom. Typically, this adds another layer of emotion for the child as they try to separate from their loved one. While special circumstances may arise, we wanted to make sure you were aware of the expectations. Try to get their first day pictures at home or at the school bus stop, etc…
If at all possible, make sure your child(ren) know their teacher’s name and mode of transportation. If need be, please contact your child’s teacher with any last minute questions, changes, etc…If you don’t hear back from your child’s teacher, please feel free to call the main office for assistance (267-893-3600).
Mr. Murtha and I are so excited to open our doors on Tuesday!
Creekers’ Code…Let’s Go!
School Hours:
8:15AM-8:35AM (Students may arrive to school)
8:35AM-3:15PM (School is in session)
3:15PM-3:35PM (dismissal)
AM Kindergarten:
8:15-8:35 (Students may arrive to school)
8:35AM-11:10AM (School is in session)
11:10AM (dismissal)
PM Kindergarten:
12:40PM (Students may arrive to school)
12:40PM-3:15PM (School is in session)
3:15PM-3:35PM (dismissal)
Morning Arrival / Traffic Flow:
In creating the safest environment possible, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Only BUSES should utilize the bus loading / drop-off area. When entering our school campus, the first two lefts are for the buses (entering and exiting).
- CAR RIDERS should stay straight as they enter the campus and circle around the parking lot (following the traffic pattern).
- We will do our best to have staff present on the first few days to assist and to re-establish these safety routines for our car riders. Please follow staff instructions so we can keep ALL students safe.
- WALKERS / BIKE RIDERS should utilize the sidewalks. Please be safe as you enter the school campus. There is a Bike Rack for students to lock their bike if need be…
Dismissal:
Students will be dismissed by mode of transportation. Meaning, all walkers will be announced at one time, car riders, bus riders, etc….
- Our student safeties will assist all students in grades K-2. Safeties will also be present in the hallways to assist grades 3-6.
- If you are picking your child up via car rider, please utilize our car line. I respectfully ask you not to park in the parking lot and get out of your car and wait by the main entrance.
School-Wide Positive Behavior Plan:
New to Mill Creek this school year will be our monthly assembly, entitled “Magic Show”, structure. Each month, students can be recognized in the following areas:
- Creekers’ Code tickets
- Students can be given a “Creekers’ Code Ticket” by any staff member when caught being good or representing our school character traits. Students place their tickets in our special “Ticket Box” in the main lobby area. The Creekers’ Code represents the following character traits:
- Cooperation
- Respect
- Excellence
- Effort
- Kindness
- Empathy
- Responsibility
- Support
- One ticket per grade level will be pulled each month at our assembly (Magic Show). Winning student will receive a staff t-shirt!
- Magic Tickets
- Students can be given a “Magic Ticket” if they have done something OUTSTANDING. These tickets are rare and aren’t given out too often. One ticket, for the entire student body, will be pulled at our Magic Show. Winning student will receive a staff t-shirt, certificate, and lunch with a friend and the principal!
- We Salute You Award
- Staff members can nominate a student for the “We Salute You Award” each month. This award represents a student being a “great kid”. Too many times we focus on grades, athletics, or performance related activities. This award represents the “whole child”. Nominees will be reviewed by administration and the guidance department. Winning student will receive a staff t-shirt and a certificate.
- Creekers’ Code Character Counts Award
- Staff members can nominate a student for the “Creekers’ Code Character Counts Award” each month. This award represents a student representing a specific character trait. Each month a new character trait will be represented. Nominees will be reviewed by administration and the guidance department. Winning student will receive a staff t-shirt and a certificate.
- Portrait of a Graduate
- In conjunction with our school district’s vision of a “Portrait of a Graduate”, a student can receive this award if they represent a selected character trait. Each month a new character trait will be selected. Nominees will be reviewed by administration and the guidance department. Winning student will receive a staff t-shirt and a certificate. This specific award will start in October. The following are the character traits of Portrait of a Graduate:
- Resilient Learners
- Critical Thinkers
- Effective Communicators
- Thoughtful Collaborators
- Adaptable Innovators
- Balanced Individuals
- Responsible Citizens
We believe that a positive school climate and culture can enhance the learning for ALL students. Our new assembly structure will bring ALL students together, once a month, to acknowledge our “Creekers” in a positive way!
Our Incoming Kindergarteners Began Their CB Learning "Journey" During this Past Week's Kindergarten Orientation!
Important Dates
- Tuesday, September 5 - First day of School for the 2023-2024 school year!
Wear Mill Creek Gear/Colors - Burgundy and Silver! - Monday, September 11 - Wear Red, White, and Blue
- Wednesday, September 13 - 1st and 2nd Grade Back to School Night - 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, September 18 - 3rd and 4th Grade Back to School Night - 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 19 - 5th and 6th Grade Back to School Night - 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, September 22 - Mill Creek Food Truck Event - 4:30 p.m.
- Monday, September 25 - Yom Kippur - No School
- Friday, September 29 - Early Dismissal
HSA is in Search of Help on Committees for the 2023-2024 School Year. See Link Below for Sign Ups. Any Help You Can Offer is Greatly Appreciated!
Home and School Association News and Flyers
- We are pleased to share that we are in a position this year where we will not be asking for HSA dues from families. This includes no need to solicit for classroom party funds this year. We will likely need to resume soliciting dues in future years, but we hope this news for the 2023-2024 school year comes as welcome news!
- Please know that, while dues will not be solicited this year, there will likely be times when we ask for payment for activity fees. As is always the case, please reach out to the Mill Creek Main Office if an activity fee is solicited and your family may have difficulty with payment - we are here to help!
- 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.
Human Resources / VOLUNTEER Required Paperwork (cbsd.org)
Thank you, and we look forward to an incredible school year!
Meet our New Teachers!
- Ms. Bolton - Kindergarten/1st Grade
- Ms. Brown - 3rd Grade
- Ms. Denicore - Kindergarten
- Ms. Klukiewicz - 6th Grade
- Ms. Schurer - Kindergarten/1st Grade
- Ms. Yannarella - 1st Grade
We know they are going to add even more "magic" to our school. Below is a little information about each of them. Please join us in welcoming them to Mill Creek!
Ms. Bolton - I will be teaching kindergarten and first grade this year. I am so excited to join The Creek family! I am a proud Central Bucks graduate and coming back to teach in my home district has been a dream of mine. Outside of school, I enjoy watching the Phillies and Eagles with friends and family. I also have a rescue dog named Dolly that I love to take for walks on local trails! I look forward to getting to know the students and families of the Mill Creek community!
Ms. Brown - I grew up in the CBSD, and recently moved back here after years of teaching special education in the St. Louis area. I have two college-aged children, an adorably cranky cat, and I love to hike and explore the great outdoors with my husband. I am so excited to be part of the Mill Creek family!
Ms Denicore - I am originally from NJ. I taught in Cherry Hill, NJ and then moved to the Atlanta area and taught in Roswell, GA. I stayed home with my 4 children for awhile. I have a 10 yr old at Linden, a 13 year old at Lenape, a 16 yr old at CB West and an 18 yr old at the University of Pittsburgh. In my free time, I like to read, run, hike and go to the beach.
Ms. Klukiewicz - I am excited to be a 6th grade teacher at Mill Creek this year as I am also a graduate of Central Bucks! As a child, I attended Linden, Holicong, and East, and I am looking forward to bringing my love of learning to my role this year. I attended Penn State University for my teaching degree while partaking in committees such as THON and Rince Na Leon - the Irish dance group at Penn State! Over the past few years, I have worked in different teaching roles within CB, while also obtaining my Master of Education from Kutztown University. I am proud to be a part of The Creek this year and can’t wait to share my passion for learning with my students.
Ms. Schurer - Hi! This will be my fourth year teaching. I recently moved to Bucks County from Florida. Before Florida, I lived in Boston for 7 years, which is where I began my teaching career. I have been enjoying all that Pennsylvania has to offer, including the beautiful lakes and charming towns. I am so excited to be part of such an amazing school community and I am looking forward to a great year!
Ms. Yannarella - This is my 16th year living my dream of being an educator. I have taught kindergarten, first, and second grade. Most recently, I was a reading specialist in my previous district. I am excited to lead my students on not only the journey of becoming a reader but all that is the MAGIC of first grade. Being a part of the Central Bucks School District is really special to me. I live in Doylestown with my husband (who is also a CB teacher!) and my three kids- Liv, Ty, and Boomer. You can find us walking, biking, or exploring Doylestown and playing sports on any open field we can find!
Student Technology Information...
Need to submit a Technology Help Desk Ticket? Click the link below for a video on how to do it!
School and District Events/Opportunities
District Information
For Qualifying Families, Apply for Free and Reduced Lunch - It's Easy!
- English: https://vimeo.com/748146211
- Espanol: https://vimeo.com/748143109
Voluntary Information Sharing Across Programs for Free and Reduced Lunch Families...
Dear Mill Creek Families,
Please see the link below to a form that allows Free and Reduced Lunch families to share their information with other programs and ease the burden of having to sign up for support for each one individually.
Thank you, and have a great day!
Estimadas familias de Mill Creek,
Consulte el siguiente enlace a un formulario que permite a las familias de almuerzo gratuito y reducido compartir su información con otros programas y aliviar la carga de tener que inscribirse para recibir apoyo para cada uno individualmente.
¡Gracias, y que tengas un gran día!
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
Contact Information
Mr. Matthew D. Croyle
Principal
267-893-3600
Mr. John C. Murtha
Assistant Principal
267-893-3600
Mill Creek Elementary School
Email: sorman@cbsd.org
Website: http://www.cbsd.org/Domain/19
Location: 638 Bellflower Boulevard, Warrington, PA, United States
Phone: 267-893-3600
Twitter: @CBMillCreek