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.

Welcome back, Team M.C.A.S.! 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 September 3rd!

Michigan City Area Schools welcomed many new teachers and other certified staff this school year. We asked them to share a bit about their background and to answer the question, “Why did you become an educator?” Visit our website to read their responses and view the welcome slideshow from our kickoff presentation!

A huge THANK YOU to the many staff and student volunteers (including the MCAS Food Service Department, shown here) who made this year's Back-to-School Rally on August 10th a success! Over 1,500 backpacks were distributed to students, and families enjoyed free food, activities, vendor giveaways and much more. We're off to a great start!

MCAS Transportation staff took part in an unusual drill last week, when they had an opportunity to navigate through a bus that had been rolled over on its side in front of the Service Building on Woodland Ave. Drivers and monitors practiced opening safety hatches in the top of the bus, cutting seatbelts and "rescuing" crash dummies through the rear exit door. Michigan City Firefighters and EMTs were on hand to assist with the drill, and staff from the New Prairie Transportation Dept. came to observe the action. Thank you to our Transportation staff for keeping the focus on student safety!

MCAS' summer newsletter to the community, Connections, was mailed in early July to all postal customers in Michigan City and nearby areas. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check it out online and be ready to share the positives! Connections features an update on our Strategic Plan pillars and spotlights all of our schools.

Exciting news! Michigan City High School will have a Girls Flag Football team this fall. We are the only school in the Duneland Conference to field a team in this sport, which our girls are very excited about. The first game will be played on Saturday, August 24 at 10:00a.m. EST (9:00a.m. Central Time) at South Bend Riley High School. They will host a tournament at MCHS on Saturday, September 14 (MCHS will play at 11:30am Central Time). Come out and support our Wolves!

The Michigan City High School Athletic Booster Club invites all MCAS staff members to become 2024-25 members! For only $20, you support our athletes -- and you will receive a great discount card for area restaurants and businesses as a thank you gift. Please consider supporting the boosters, which help fund equipment for our teams, scholarships, and much more.

• 2024-25 Booster Club Membership Application
• Booster Club Raffle Information (buy a ticket and win up to $1,000!)
• Booster Club Fall 2024 Newsletter

Thank you for your support!

REMEMBER: Your staff ID gets you free admission to any home athletic event. LET'S GO CITY!

Former MCAS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins was honored last month with Indiana's most prestigious civilian award: the Sagamore of the Wabash. State Senator Rodney Pol, Representative Pat Boy, and MCAS Chamber Membership Director Danny Hogan presented her with the Sagamore during a retirement celebration held in her honor at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts on July 31. Dr. Eason-Watkins retired on August 2 after 14 years with MCAS and 50 years as an educator.

Marsh Kindergarten teacher Susan Shell has been named a Top 10 Finalist for Indiana Teacher of the Year, from among hundreds of teachers nominated by districts across our state! We wish Susan all the best as she heads to Indianapolis next week for an in-person interview with the state Teacher of the Year selection committee. Read more about Susan here.

Congratulations to Dave Williamson, who has been named Director of Facilities 3 by Sodexo. He will be overseeing all construction, maintenance, and custodial services for our district. Dave has worked for MCAS (and Sodexo), supporting our buildings for 40 years!

Did you know that MCAS is a partner district with Donors Choose? Last year MCAS teachers received $53,457 in materials through this crowdfunding platform.

On August 14th, the Gates Foundation will be matching every donation to classroom projects on DonorsChoose by at least 50%. (This may be a perfect time to post a project!)

Here's the link to get started and Create a project.

HURRY! Applications are due September 13th for teacher grants from the Michigan City Education Foundation, Barbara A. Carmen Memorial Endowment Fund, and Teacher Innovation Fund. These funds provide $$$ for classroom projects, activities, and materials; there are programs for K-8 teachers and for 9-12 (both MCHS and CTE). Don't delay! Click here to apply online!

Wondering if you should apply? Here's a testimonial from Marsh teacher Katie Haughtington (Unity used this in its press release about the small grant program this year!):

“Unity Grants are wonderful!” said Katie Haughtington, Marsh Elementary second grade teacher and 2023-2024 MCEF grant recipient. “It's impressive that grants have been given for so long due to the generosity of so many people. Teachers have come to rely on this grant as a way to bring hands-on learning and excitement to students each year. Applying for the grant is simple and straight forward.”

Lilly Endowment’s Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program invites Indiana’s K-12 educators to dream big and create renewal experiences that will strengthen their commitment to education. Approximately 125 grants, each totaling up to $15,000, will be awarded in 2025. The September 9 application deadline for 2025 awards is quickly approaching. Interested educators can attend an informational session on August 13.

It's Time to Think Positive
& Sleep and Well-Being

Register Here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5082682056075978334

*Can’t make the live webinar? Register anyway and the system will automatically send you a link to the recording 24 hours later.

Thinking positively is a choice. Looking at the positive side of things or seeing the cup as half full can bring about many benefits. Research shows that positive thinkers are not only healthier and less stressed, but they also tend to have an overall level of well-being and higher level of resilience. Positive thinking focuses on your belief in your abilities, a positive approach to challenges, and trying to make the most of the bad situations. It is not ignoring reality and pretending that everything is sunshine and rainbows. If you tend to count your worries instead of your blessings, it’s time for a change. It’s time to learn how to put positive thinking into practice. Attend this month’s webinar to learn how to think more positively.

Sleep and Well-Being: The class focuses on the importance of sleep and strategies to improve sleep.

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

Offers include tickets to theme parks, sporting events, movies, and attractions, as well as savings on health and fitness, gift ideas, travel, and more. August features back-to-school deals, and it's also National Wellness Month, so there are exclusive offers to help you achieve optimal well-being. Plus, be on the lookout for early Labor Day deals on travel, tech, and entertainment.

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

The Lubeznik Arts Festival is a highlight of summer in Northwest Indiana! This year’s festival lineup includes over 70 artists from across the US in various media including paintings, ceramics, glass, jewelry, wearables, photography, and more. There's also a family tent and food and drink. PLUS you can come inside and see the blockbuster summer exhibit, KAPOW! Mighty Mythos, featuring a collection of superhero artwork and memorabilia.

The festival will be held on Saturday & Sunday, August 17 & 18, from 10:00a.m to 5:00 p.m. -- both inside and outside at the Lubeznik Center, 101 W. 2nd St. in Michigan City.

Tickets are $5 on Saturday. LCA members, children ages 16 and under, veterans, and active military can pick up their free tickets at will call. Sunday is Free Family Day thanks to the generous sponsorship of McDonald's of LaPorte County. Free parking is available in the You Are Beautiful lot south of LCA.

As a new school year starts, it's a good time refresh your memory about our Social Media 101 tips - some common "do's and don'ts" when it comes to Facebook, TikTok, and more.

CLICK HERE for a handy guide on social media. Thank you for being an ambassador for Team M.C.A.S.!