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Mill Creek Magic Messages
News and Updates from Mr. Croyle and Mr. Murtha 3/15/2024
From Mr. Croyle and Mr. Murtha
Glowing and Fabulous are two apt words to describe recent events at Mill Creek...
Last Friday night, we held our annual Spring Dance. This year, the Dance was a fluorescent affair, as we held a Glow Dance event! Students donned glow necklaces, bracelets, and shirts and "busted some moves" to the DJ's beats. Many of our students and attending family members worked up quite a sweat with all the movement. Fortunately, we had plenty of snacks and refreshments for breaks and recharging. Many thanks to our Home and School for organizing this incredible night of fun!
The "fabulous" descriptor then came in to play during much of this week, as the Mobile Fab Lab form the Bucks County Intermediate Unit visited our 5th Grade students to engage them in some truly "fabulous" learning! During a few sessions, students learned about the design process, then worked in small groups to create their own designs. The Fab Lab 3-D printer then brought those 3-D designs to life!
Lastly, we wanted to share some wonderful news... all profits from our recent sales of pins, tridents, shell wands and concessions sold at performances of The Little Mermaid, Jr. were donated to charity. The Cast and crew collected $1,635 for the CB Community Farmers Market at Barclay. We are so proud of the cast's and crew's work on and off stage!
For those of Irish descent (of those who just celebrate for the heck of it), Happy St. Patrick's Day. May your weekend be full of riches!
Matthew D. Croyle
Principal
John C. Murtha
Assistant Principal
Highlights from our Spring Glow Dance!
5th Graders Have a "Fab"ulous Time Learning from the Mobile Fab Lab!
STUDENT INFORMATION FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2024-2025
Over the next few months, we will begin the process of assigning students to an appropriate class for next year. In putting together our roster of classes, we will take into consideration many factors including: girl/boy ratio, academic ability, behavioral characteristics, talents, personalities, needs, and learning styles. Our goal is to ensure that each child is in a class that has an appropriate balance of students with the proper teacher. We will assess each child using the data collected from the present classroom teacher(s), specialists, and the input of the school counselors, reading specialists, and administration.
Class placement is made after reviewing considerable data. If you feel that we would benefit from additional information, please see the form entitled, Student Information Form (click this link to access) located on the Mill Creek website, or through the link in this letter. Once completed, please send back to Mill Creek in an envelope addressed to Mrs. Quindlen in the Mill Creek office or e-mail it to her at bquindlen@cbsd.org. Please note, you SHOULD NOT name a specific teacher! This form is designed to speak to your child’s areas of strength and need and not to a specific teacher preference. Requests for specific teachers will not be considered. With that stated, if you have had personal experience with a specific staff member that wasn’t a good fit for your child/family, please make note on the placement form. Additionally, please do not assume that each teacher will remain in the same grade level from year to year.
Much time and attention go into creating well-balanced class groupings that consider the social, academic, and emotional needs of our students, as well as any input which is shared by parents on the Class Placement Input Form. We ask all parents to respect the amount of hard work and thought that the administration, school counselors, reading specialists, classroom teachers, and special education teachers put into this process and not request changes to your child’s placement.
Moving even one child from a class could upset the balance of a classroom and have an impact that extends far beyond your child. Your son may not have gotten his “first” choice of teacher. Your daughter may not be with all her friends from last year. You may be disappointed because you’ve heard through the grapevine that Mr. “A” isn’t as “warm and fuzzy” as Mrs. “B”. All our teachers are caring, capable, and highly qualified educators, and our job as adults is to support students and to help them develop confidence and a positive outlook as they begin the new school year, encouraging them to look forward to the challenges and excitement that accompany making new friends and getting to know a new teacher. Thank you for your cooperation in not requesting changes and for your understanding, trust, and support.
We want what is best for your child and that involves them having a wide variety of educational experiences. Again, please send any information regarding student placement in an envelope addressed to Mrs. Quindlen in the school office or e-mail her at bquindlen@cbsd.org. For your convenience, a form is provided to allow your input in the placement process. You are not required to fill out this form. Student Information forms must be returned by Friday, April 26, 2024. Forms not submitted by the return date (4/26/24) may not be able to be considered.
While we realize that classroom placement can be a stressful time for students and parents, I ask that you support us in an effort to create well-balanced classrooms. Please be mindful of your conversations in front of your child about this topic. Too much praise about one particular teacher or a negative comment about another can certainly impact how a child reacts to their placement.
Paper versions of the information above and the linked form are being sent home with students grades K-5 today as well.
Classroom placements are typically communicated in the beginning of August.
Thank you for your continued support,
-Mr. Croyle and Mr. Murtha
PSSA Information
Dear Mill Creek Parents and Families,
This information within this letter provides an update to families regarding PSSA testing and scheduling in our school this year.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all school districts to administer PSSA testing for the 2023-24 school year. The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment is aligned with the PA Standards. The English Language Arts and Mathematics PSSAs are administered in grades 3 through 8 and the Science PSSA is administered in grade 4 and grade 8.
The specific dates for the English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science Assessment are listed below.
Mill Creek Testing Schedule:
English Language Arts (3rd – 6th)
- April 24th - Section 1
- April 25th - Section 2
- April 26th - Section 3
Mathematics (3rd – 6th)
- April 30th - Section 1
- May 1st - Section 2
Science (4th grade only)
- May 2nd - Sections 1 and 2
Students learn all skills, concepts, and content necessary to take the assessment within their daily reading, writing, mathematics, and science instruction. These assessments are critically important; please encourage your child to do their best. The results will be one of the measures we use as we make curricular updates and revisions. Individual performance will be one of the factors we consider when determining which students need additional support or enrichment. The data will help the district plan support for students who are not meeting the expectation of proficient on the exam.
A parent/guardian may choose to exempt their child from participating in the exam(s) if the tested content is found to be in conflict with their religious beliefs as per PA Code 22, Chapter 4.4. To exclude your child from taking one or more Keystone Exam(s), a parent/guardian must complete the following actions required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
- Email the School Assessment Coordinator. For our school, please e-mail Mr. Murtha (jmurtha@cbsd.org) to request an appointment to view the exam(s) to determine if they conflict with your religious beliefs.
- Report to Mill Creek at the appointed time and sign the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Confidentiality Agreement prior to viewing the exams.
- Write a letter to the Superintendent of Schools for Central Bucks School District, Dr. Jim Scanlon, stating the specific exam(s) you want your child exempt from for religious reasons. Submit the letter to Mr. Murtha (jmurtha@cbsd.org).
Sincerely,
Matthew D. Croyle, Principal
John C. Murtha, Principal
Lunchroom Request...
We kindly ask that you remind your child(ren) that they should not be sharing food in the cafeteria or buying food for other students. Student allergies and good health practices require us to prohibit food sharing. Please also know that we are able to provide food options for any student in need.
Thank you for your support!
Last Call for Lost and Found!
After Friday, March 22, we will be donating any items currently in our Lost and Found. Please have your child take a look for any missing items prior to end of day on March 22.
Thank you!
Important Dates
- Saturday, March 16 - 6th Grade Sports Night at the Doylestown YMCA - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 19 - Parent Positive Panel @ Mill Creek (see flyer below) - 6:00-7:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 22 - Student Council Spirit Day - Colors Wars (see flyer further down for grade assigned colors.
- Monday, March 25 - Monday, April 1 - Spring Break (no school)
- Friday, April 5 - Student Council Spirit Day - Beach Day (no swimsuits, please)
- Wednesday, April 10 - Harlem Wizards Event - 7 p.m. (see flyer further down for ticket/event info.)
Next Week's Specials Days Will Be...
- Monday - Day 3
- Tuesday - Day 4
- Wednesday - Day 5
- Thursday - Day 1
- Friday - Day 2
Upcoming Parent Presentations...
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.
April 11 Staff Appreciation Luncheon
If you would like to donate an item to the Aprill 11 Mill Creek Staff Appreciation Luncheon, please use the link below. Thank you!
The Mill Creek Directory is Here!
Click on the link below to access. You will need to enter the password sent to you through blast email on February 29, 2024.
Order Your Mill Creek Yearbook Today!... Deadline is April 12
This month, Mill Creek’s Diversity Committee will celebrate Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Alliance has designated the theme for Women’s History Month 2024 as “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” We encourage our Mill Creek Community to celebrate the achievements of women, especially those who have championed equity, diversity, and inclusion. We will be featuring the achievements of a famous woman in history during our morning announcements each week during the month of March.
Instructional Spotlight - Mr. Tonik, 4th Grade
Support Staff Spotlight - Ms. Galdi
Ms. Galdi is a Mill Creek Support Staff member who works in Ms. Schurer's classroom. She is an incredible support to Ms. Schurer's students, but her positive and energetic personality has allowed her to establish a rapport with students and staff throughout the building. We are very fortunate to have her with us here at The Creek!
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
Annual Art T-Shirt Fundraiser
The annual art t-shirt fundraiser supports the Central Bucks Art Scholarship Fund. All proceeds go to one high school senior at each CB high school to pursue their future dreams. The design features this year’s District Art Show theme… Stuck on Art!
Please follow the directions below if you would like to purchase a t-shirt. Thank you for your support!
1. Visit https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome
2. Go to CB South Student Activity
3. Search “CB 2024 District Art Show T-Shirt”
4. Place your order before April 12th, 2024
5. Shirts will be delivered to Mill Creek’s Art Teacher for distribution.
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