MCAS Communicator

We are a diverse community of families, students, and staff who take pride in our schools, contribute positively to society, and prepare students for lifelong success.

American Education Week is November 18 through 22 - a week set aside each year to recognize the important role of our public schools and public school employees. That means YOU!

(Wednesday that week -- November 20th -- is Education Support Professionals Day, so be sure to thank an ESP!)

Michigan City Area Schools would like to acknowledge ALL of our teachers, administrators, and support staff who rise to the challenge every day to ensure our students receive high-quality learning opportunities and that their social-emotional needs are supported. You are next-level great!

THANK YOU!

The Michigan City High School JROTC will conduct its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11th at 1:30 pm in the school gym. The guest speaker will be Indiana Senator Rodney Pol. The ceremony, which also involves the MCHS band and choir, is open to the public. Visitors should enter through Door J by Athletics. Veterans are especially encouraged to attend, as all services will be honored during the ceremony.

Thank you to all MCAS Staff who are veterans!

The annual districtwide food drive for the Salvation Army kicks off after Thanksgiving Break (December 2). All schools are invited to take part; the school collecting the most will receive the coveted traveling trophy. Last year the winner was Joy Elementary....who will win this year?!

The MCHS Student Council is assisting with this effort again this year, and will be making the rounds to pick up food from schools on December 20th. Or, you can bring donations to their Stuff-a-Bus event on Saturday, December 21 at the Salvation Army (1201 Franklin Street) from 9am - Noon.

ALSO - watch for details (coming soon!) about the annual "Operation Bookworm" drive for new books, which will be distributed to children and teens in need by the Salvation Army. This is coordinated by the MCHS National Honor Society.

Friday, November 22 is the deadline to submit nominations for the 2025 Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year program! Again this school year, we will recognize employees in the following areas:

• Elementary Teacher of the Year
• Secondary Teacher of the Year
• Support Staff Employee of the Year
• Transportation Employee of the Year
• Food Service Employee of the Year

Students, former students, parents, staff, and community members may nominate a teacher or staff member. There is no limit to the number of employees a person may nominate. Please complete a separate form for each nomination.

Please visit this web page to learn more and to nominate a staff member.

Reminder: Any MCAS employee who donates $100 or more to the United Way through our Employee Giving Campaign this year will be eligible to win an amazing trip to Hawaii! (There will be a few consolation prizes also, including gift cards to local businesses and restaurants.) This trip is ONLY open to MCAS employees, so your chances of winning are really good!

Donations can be made via payroll deduction or as a one-time amount. You can give by turning in this form to your building secretary (or at MCHS, to Debbie Briggs). Or, you can donate online here. (Be sure to use your MCAS email address when donating online so that you are included in the drawing for our incentive prizes.) Our campaign ends Friday, November 22.

WHO WILL WIN THE HAWAII VACATION?!

Important links:

• Brochure about the United Way
• Pledge Form (return this to your building secretary or at MCHS to Debbie Briggs)
• Online Giving Link
• Flyer about the Hawaii Vacation incentive prize

The Little Wolves Early Learning Center is excited to announce that they will begin serving 3-year-olds on December 2! Children must be 3 by the date of enrollment. Families who would like to enroll children ages 3-5 should call Little Wolves at (219) 873-2035 to set up an appointment to tour and/or enroll.

The Indiana Learning Lab is a free, online platform that offers resources and professional development for educators, administrators, and parents. In the lab, teachers have access to a variety of resources, lesson ideas, and ready to use resources. Weekly live workshops that focus on resources aligned to common topics and areas of interests are also offered. Simply create an account and begin by learning about all the lab has to offer by starting with this collection, which will earn 27 PGPs upon completion.

Teachers can earn PGP points through participation in webinars, live meetings, or completing professional development collections. Once you have joined the Indiana Learning Lab you can sync your Learning Lab and LVIS accounts so that your PGPs automatically transfer to your LVIS account. This is a great way to track your PGPs for license renewal. To sync, log into LVIS → My Dashboard → PGP Activity Integration →Enable!

It's that time of year! Football sectional play begins tonight, and the Wolves will be traveling to Chesterton to take on the Trojans. Please come out and support our team! You can also watch the action on the IHSAA Champions network; the pre-show starts at 6:45 p.m. with kickoff at 7p.m.

(This is a free live stream.) GO WOLVES!

Our LaPorte County CTE Culinary Arts program will host a Friendsgiving fundraiser on Saturday, November 23 from 3:00-6:00pm at the Career Cafe at Elston. The event will feature a delicious Thanksgiving meal, prizes, raffles, and more. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 6-12. This is a fundraiser for the students’ trip to Orlando in the spring to take part in the Cook Around the World competition. Tickets are available from Chef Angie Nipple or by using the QR code on the event flyer below.

Our LaPorte County Career and Technical Education Program will host two Open House events for prospective students and their families next week. Tenth-graders from across the county are invited to visit the labs, meet the teachers, and tour the buildings. On Wednesday, November 6 there will be an Open House at the A. K. Smith North Campus location, for those interested in programs in Automotive, Cosmetology, Culinary, EMT, Energy, Fire Science, and Machining. On Thursday, November 7, the new South Campus location will have an open house highlighting programs in Construction, Education Professions, Criminal Justice, and Health Careers. Both Open Houses will take place from 5:00-7:00pm. All are welcome to stop by!

Did you know that Michigan City High School has a daily news broadcast? The student news crew invites you to check them out and subscribe to their YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@mchstv

Overcoming Cognitive Distortions

&

Feed Your Heart & Soul During the Holidays

• Cognitive Distortions are thought patterns that cause people to view reality in inaccurate — usually negative — ways. Learn how to combat that thinking.
• We tend to give a lot to others during the holidays and it can leave us feeling exhausted. We forget that it is just as important to feed our heart and soul during this busy time. You will learn tips and strategies that will fill your cup and keep you feeling refreshed and present so you can enjoy every moment.

Naturally Wood Furniture & Mattress in Michigan City is now offering a 5% discount to all MCAS staff. Read more about this here, or visit the store at 1106 East US Hwy 20 and speak with a sales associate. You will need to show a school ID to receive the discount.

Check out www.TicketsAtWork.com for exclusive discounts and special offers that are available to Michigan City Area Schools employees.

This month, Tickets at Work is offering savings on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, plus pre-holiday deals!

If you haven't signed up yet, click "become a member" and enter our company code: MCAS

The LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra invites all MCAS staff and families to enjoy its 52nd season opening concert, Dia de Muertos, a celebration of Day of the Dead. This concert (which is at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium) will feature works by Mexican composers Gabriela Ortiz, Carlos Chávez, José Pablo Moncayo, and Arturo Márquez. It will also feature Guido Sanchez-Portuguez performing the guitar concerto Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo.

LCSO is partnering with Purdue University Northwest SOMOS Office of Hispanic Serving Initiatives to provide pre-concert activities and will have La Central providing traditional Mexican baked goods for purchase. Ballet Folklorico Tapatio will provide a pre-concert performance of traditional Hispanic dance from 6:15-6:45 in front of the stage.

Students can attend for free! Plus, adults can get one discounted ticket at $15. Students can reserve a ticket online or show their student ID at the door.

If reserving a ticket online, go to https://lcso.net/event/dia-de-muertos/.

1. Click "Get Tickets"
2. For student tickets, click "Enter Promo Code". The code for students is "StuAdmiss". This gives you one free ticket per transaction. If there are multiple students, you have to complete a different transaction for each student.
3. For an adult discounted ticket, enter another promo code. This code is "ParDisc". This will apply at checkout and give $10 off one adult ticket per transaction.
4. Proceed through the check and the discount and the student ticket should be there.

The Salvation Army is lining up volunteers to ring bells this holiday season! Ringing begins November 8, and individuals and groups are needed to help. Sign up at http://registertoring.org. There are MANY other volunteer opportunities with the Salvation Army, such as serving or delivering food for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner, setting up the Toy Shop for families, unloading food bags at Stuff a Sleigh, and more. Contact Development Director Jessica O'Brien at jessica.obrien@usc.salvationarmy.org to learn how your group can get involved!

The 2024 Festival of Lights Celebration will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024. It begins at 5:00pm with a parade on Franklin Street. MCAS groups are welcome to enter! Sign up HERE.

Following the parade, there will be a tree-lighting at the library and the lights will be lit in Washington Park. There will also be a chili cook off, location TBA.

Questions? Contact Eric Williams, Assistant Event Planner, Michigan City Special Events, (219) 873-1400 ext. 2047, ewilliams@emichigancity.com.

• A new exhibit, "Healers and Dreamers" is now on display. See it tonight (November 1) at First Friday, 5-8pm, or join LCA’s engaging and knowledgeable curator, Whitney Bradshaw, as she takes you on a free Curator Gallery Talk Saturday, November 9 at 11:30am. An ASL interpreter will be present.
• The LCA's Holiday Artisan Market will be open for business November 9-January 3. This is the place to find unique gifts crafted by local artisans including jewelry, ceramics, wearable art and more! Open weekdays 10 AM–5 PM and weekends 11 AM–4 PM .
• On Sunday, November 17 from 11:00am - 4:00pm join LCA for a Sip & Shop at their Holiday Artisan Market. Enjoy mimosas, snacks and a day of shopping. Local vendors will be onsite with a “trunk” of special goodies to help you pick the perfect items.
• Saturday, November 23 is "Healers and Dreamers" Family Day. Kids can bring their favorite grown-ups for a day of art at LCA from 1-3 PM! Families will enjoy a free day of art making, a scavenger hunt through the galleries and yummy snacks. All are welcome!

You are reading the “MCAS Communicator,” the monthly e-newsletter for all staff. If you have news or other info you would like to include, please email Betsy Kohn at bkohn@mcas.k12.in.us before the last school day of the month. The Communicator is sent out on the first school day of each month during the school year. The next edition will hit your inbox on December 2.