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 13 through 17 - 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 15 -- 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.

THANK YOU!

The Michigan City High School MCJROTC will honor veterans with a ceremony on November 9th at 1:30 pm in the high school gym. The public is invited (enter through Door J by Athletics); veterans will be honored during the ceremony. Representative Pat Boy is scheduled to be the guest speaker.

Our annual United Way employee giving campaign runs through November 17th.

Remember, we have BIG incentive prizes for donating! Donors at any level will be eligible to win a MCAS/United Way swag bag or a dinner with Dr. Eason-Watkins. Donors who give $100 or more, either through a one-time donation or over the course of the year through payroll deduction, you will be entered to win a TRIP TO LAS VEGAS during Spring Break! This includes a 7 day stay at an amazing 2BR/2BA condo, $250 toward airfare, and a $250 VISA gift card. Click here for details about this prize.

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.)

Past inductees to the Michigan City Area Schools Wall of Fame -- and their friends and families -- are invited to an Open House that will take place in Heritage Hall at Michigan City High School on Thursday, November 9, from 6:00-7:00pm. (Guests for the Open House should enter through Door I by the Tennis courts.)

This is an opportunity for people to visit with former colleagues and friends while they view our renovated Wall of Fame and the memorabilia in Heritage Hall. Plaques from the former Wall of Fame will be available for recipients or family members to take home.

A big THANK YOU to Dave Williamson and Sodexo for constructing and mounting the new recognition boards and to the MCHS Helping Hands Club for helping to spruce up the memorabilia cases in Heritage Hall for this Open House.

We are excited to launch our new Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year programs! Each spring, 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.

Nominations are due by Thursday, November 30, 2023.

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

The annual districtwide food drive for the Salvation Army kicks off after Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 27th). All schools are invited to take part; the school collecting the most will receive the coveted traveling trophy. Last year the winner was Knapp 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 15th. Or, you can bring donations to their Stuff-a-Bus event on Saturday, December 16 at the Ames Field parking lot 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.

Joy Elementary School held a ribbon cutting last Friday to celebrate its “All IN”clusive playground project. Thanks to funding from the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte, the school’s two playgrounds have been renovated with “pour in place” surfaces and new equipment. The renovation allows all students – including those who use wheelchairs or may have other special needs – to play together.

And we have more exciting news: We have just been awarded a grant of $192,794 from the Healthcare Foundation of Laporte for similar playground improvements at Knapp, which also serves a high number of students with special needs. Special thanks to Christine Kiser and Robin Krassow, who took the lead on securing grant funding for these projects -- and to the MCAS Playground Committee that is planning for more improvements in the future!

A new scholarship fund has been established at the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County to honor the memory of Connie Bachmann, who passed away on October 16th. The fund will help with college costs for students who are Lake Hills alumni.

Connie retired in 2020 after 49 years of service with Michigan City Area Schools, and she was principal at Eastport, Mullen, and Lake Hills. As a tribute to her lasting impact, the City renamed Ferguson Road in front of Lake Hills “Connie Bachmann Drive” after she retired!

Donations in Connie’s memory can be made online HERE, or by mail to the Lake Hills Connie Bachmann Scholarship Fund, 422 Franklin Street, Suite C, Michigan City, IN 46360.

For those staff who receive mileage reimbursement, here is a link to the current form that should be used. Please make a copy of this form for your own use to submit.

2023 MILEAGE LOG SHEET WITH DROP DOWNS

The Michigan City High School Esports team will take part in a 12-hour livestream fundraiser on Twitch this Saturday, November 4th, from 10am to 10pm. Funds raised will support Extra Life, which is a program of the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Extra Life was established in 2008 to honor the life of Victoria Enmon, who lost her battle with leukemia but inspired gamers across the globe to support children’s hospitals in her memory. Donate HERE -- and watch the live Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/mcwolvesesports

Linda Schwab is the new Education Coordinator for the LaPorte County Soil & Water Conservation District. She invites K-12 teachers to schedule programs; topics typically focus on soil and water conservation issues, and can also include wildlife, plants, climate, landscape ecology and geography. If you have a topic of interest, please ask! She may be able to create a program. For info on existing programs, visit https://www.laporteswcd.org/classroom-programs/. For more info contact:

Linda Schwab, Lschwab@Laporteco.in.gov, 219-326-6808 x 2112.

Explore.Act.Tell. is a project-based program that teaches students (grades 6-12) to understand and act on solutions to hunger insecurity in their community, while developing leadership skills.

• Consists of four interactive lessons with ready-to-use student and teacher lesson plans

• Students will practice skills needed to become good citizens and advocate for community involvement and service

• Enter projects into the competition for a chance to win a $2,500 (10) or $1,000 (20) grant for a hunger-focused charity of choice (30 winners will be selected).

• NEW $100 Early Submission Incentive for teachers that submit qualified projects by 2/16/23.

• Free to schools, funded by Jewel-Osco (Albertsons Nourishing Neighbors Foundation)

For more information, CLICK HERE or contact Beverly Johnston, Beverly@ExploreActTell.org

317.730.0024.

Several MCAS Staff members have been featured in profiles over the past month. Springfield teacher Sheila Sobecki was featured on the cover of Lakefront Living's October edition! And check out these LaPorte County Life "Life in the Spotlight" features of:

• Barker Registrar Tava Daniels
• MCAS Director of Transportation Sue Harrison
• MCAS Director of Food Service Nicole Santana and her husband, Sodexo Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ricky Santana

Want to support our MCHS Gymnastics team and add some Wolves wear to your wardrobe? Check out this year's shirts! We have tshirts, long sleeves, crewnecks, and hoodies available in both blue and grey. A portion of all items purchased goes back to the team. Thank you for your support!!! https://www.imagemarket.com/MCHSGymnastics

Check out www.TicketsAtWork.com this month for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals! They can help you optimize your time with the best deals on travel destinations, hotels, and cruises as well as the latest savings on electronics, clothing, and entertainment.

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

The YMCA is engaging in a feasibility study to determine our community's current and future needs, as well as the potential impact a new facility could have on the Greater Michigan City area. They need financial support from community members like you to embark on this study. It's a significant undertaking, and every contribution, no matter the size, will bring them closer to their goal. CLICK HERE to learn more and make your contribution.

The Salvation Army is lining up volunteers to ring bells this holiday season! Ringing begins November 3, 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!

Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County has two available positions at the Charles R. Westcott Club in Michigan City. Rates start at $15 to $16 per hour.

• Afterschool Program Leader - Works directly with youth, facilitating programs and activities that support Academic Success, Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles. Programming runs from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM daily, Monday through Friday.
• Academic Success Program Leader - Supports afterschool programming with a special focus on Academic Success. Responsibilities may include assisting with homework, tutoring, or facilitating other learning activities. This position requires availability from 3:15 PM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Thursday.

Visit https://www.bgclpc.org/join-our-team/ for details and to print an application. Questions? Please contact Sally Gabric, Chief Operations Officer, at sgabric@bgclubmc.org or (219) 873-2298.