MCAS Communicator

Please post for/share with those employees who do not check email.

MCAS is offering 2 COVID vaccine clinics this week - at Krueger tomorrow (2:30 - 5:30pm) and at Barker on Saturday (9am - 12noon). These are open to students age 12 and over, and also to any staff and family members who would like to attend. Registration for tomorrow's clinic is now closed. Please sign up and by noon on Friday for Saturday's clinic!

Sign up and more info is here

It's been a challenging school year! As Team M.C.A.S. heroes, you have all worked hard to support our students and their families. But it's also important to take care of your own emotional and mental health. Take a moment to review our new MCAS "Virtual Well-Being Room." Whether you need a soothing tune to center yourself or a link for assistance -- it's all here. (Bookmark it... this works well on your phone, too!)

Thank you to Ray Silvas, MCAS HFL grant coordinator, who created this resource!

It happens.... If you accidentally call 911 from one of our building phones, stay on the line and let the dispatcher know you made an accidental call. This will ensure that police or other emergency responders don't report to our buildings thinking there is a problem. Thank you!

Barker Middle School STEM Teacher Amy Hamann has been selected as an Indiana finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. She is one of only three Indiana Educators chosen for this prestigious award and she will now be considered at the national level. This is the second time she has been honored as a state-level PAEMST winner!

Congratulations to Krueger Middle School Math teacher Karen Eigenmann, who is a finalist for the Hoosier Star competition! She will perform with the Laporte County Symphony Orchestra on September 11. Karen grew up in Laporte and was active in musical theatre during college. We encourage everyone to "vote for Karen" at this year's Hoosier Star!

Certified Staff: We wanted to share some information with you regarding some changes in licensing testing that we recently have been made aware of from LVIS. Below is a link to the website outlining the changes in testing along with important information pertaining to the dates the tests will be valid.

https://www.doe.in.gov/licensing/educator-testing

Michigan City Area Schools is applying to receive Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER III) to address unfinished learning and COVID-19 recovery. These funds are designated for one-time or short-term expenditures to address the ongoing impact of the pandemic. MCAS would like your input on how to use these funds to meet our students' needs.

CLICK HERE to take a brief survey regarding ESSER III.

(The survey will close on June 8, 2021.)

Franciscan Health is gathering data for its 2022-2024 Community Health Needs Assessment. They invite MCAS staff to share thoughts and opinions! The survey will help them better understand our community assets and determine services they can provide as they work to improve healthcare for our community. This survey (which takes about 10-15 minutes to complete) closes on June 12. Thank you!

https://www.surveygroup.com/franciscan/healthneedsassessment

Chris Gault is this year's MCESP scholarship winner! He is the son of Cathy (and Tim) Gault, the EAP at Springfield. Chris will be studying Engineering at Trine College this fall. He also hopes to continue his Baseball career there. Congratulations!!

MCAS Director of Nursing Linda Bechinski is retiring this year (we wish her all the best!). Brandi Morlan, RN, who is currently the Edgewood School Nurse will be the district's new nursing chair. Welcome to your new role, Brandi!

The Michigan City Patriotic Parade honoring "Hometown Heroes" is on Saturday, June 19 at 11:00am. MCAS will be participating with a decorated activity bus and MCAS staff members are welcome to be there to march along. (Educators and support staff are most definitely hometown heroes!) Simply find the MCAS unit in the lineup at 10:30am and join us! If you would like to sign up your school or another organization, here is the link to enter a unit.

Looking for information about MCAS summer school, community activities & summer camps, summer food service, "Future Wolves" summer sports camps, etc.? It's all HERE at http://educateMC.net/summer!

Best wishes to Krueger principal Josh Malone as he prepares for the Salvation Army’s annual donut eating contest at Blue Chip this Friday, June 4, at 10:00am. Tickets to support his efforts are $10 each and can be purchased at the door. Anyone who is available is welcome to come and cheer him on!

Need CPR Certification? Here are two options to consider!

OPTION 1: Val Skwiat, Trainer/Safety Manager, MCAS Transportation Department has provided the following information:

• Go to elearning.heart.org and complete your course.
• Send Val an email or call/text to schedule the "hands on" portion.
• If you live near, she can come to your house, or meet at your school.
• She will need a copy of your course completion certificate.
• The cost is $15 and she will have the certification card for you.
• vskwiat@mcas.k12.in.us - Cell: 219-874-1716

OPTION 2: David Sanders, EMT Instructor at AK Smith, has provided this info about his company, Crash Course CPR:

• Go to IneedaCPRcard.com for information
• A simple CPR Card refresher class is $30. This is an all-inclusive class including an online quiz and skills test out.
• Takes approximately 1 hour to complete (also available through Zoom)
• Appointments available - Monday through Friday 10:00 am - Noon, plus after school and evening hours.
• Bring your friends: We have enough CPR equipment to provide individual or up to 40 students at a time.
  
• Payment can be made at the time of service or online at www.IneedaCPRcard.com
• Questions? Contact David Sanders (812) 821-0433

EAP Webinar - June

How to Communicate More
Effectively with My Angry Teen

&

Eat a Healthier Diet Using a
Plant-Forward Approach

Wed, June 16, 2021 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM CDT

Register HERE