MCES Family Updates

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O253ZMF83uEIRruVkYycInj19eyZNy3c/view

August 12 - 3rd Grade NC Beginning of Grade test

August 14 - PTA General Meeting 6:00 PM in Media Center

August 27 - 1st qtr interims go home in Tuesday Folders

September 2 - Labor Day Holiday - No School

September 6 - Picnic with a Pal during lunch times/ PTA sponsored Movie Night

September 7 - Rain Date for PTA sponsored Movie Night

September 18 - 6:30 p.m. - Zones of Regulation Parent Workshop in English and Spanish

September 20 - Middle Creek ES night at Middle Creek High School Football Game - more info to come!

September 23 - Fall Individual School Picture Day

September 24 - 9:00 a.m. Zones of Regulation Parent Workshop in English and Spanish

Our students can begin entering school at 8:00 a.m. The school day starts at 8:30 a.m. It is important that students are in class and ready to start their day prior to 8:30 a.m. Arrival after 8:30 a.m. is considered tardy. Our school day ends at 3:00 p.m.

Maintaining communication between the school and home is an important part of our community. These are the types of communication you can expect from MCES:

1. A monthly e-mail from Mrs. Miller, the school principal - typically sent on the first day of the month. Sometimes, updates are sent more frequently due to the time of year. This is shared via School Messenger and through MCES PTA communication.

2. A monthly newsletter from your child's grade level indicating the curriculum topics for literacy, math, social studies and science will be sent Via Talking Points on the first Tuesday of each month. This newsletter will also include links to WCPSS Math Video links to support with math homework at home if you need it. Your classroom teacher may send information and updates more frequently.

3. A monthly newsletter from Specialists will be shared with all families on the first Tuesday of each month.

4. A monthly newsletter update from the MCES PTA.

Our classroom teachers use Talking Points and WCPSS e-mail to communicate. Please allow 24 hours for staff to respond to e-mails. Please allow a reasonable about of time for staff to respond Talking Points knowing that our teachers are teaching are not always readily available at their device. If you have an immediate need such as a transportation change, we ask that you call to the office to communicate this.

School Administration uses School Messenger for school wide communication and Talking Points for bus updates and individual parent contact.

Stay connected with the MCES PTA on their APP, Facebook, and Instagram site.

Bus route information can be found here: https://webarchive.wcpss.net/school-directory/bus-routes/494.html

Parents can anticipate a stop time based on the route start time, estimating 3 minutes between stops for neighborhood routes and 10 minutes for express routes. The exact stop time will vary during the first weeks of school. Students should be ready and waiting for the bus at least 10 minutes before the bus is expected to arrive.

Here Comes the Bus translates GPS data into an easy to use customizable map that works on a computer, tablet or smartphone. The app allows you to see where the bus is and how close it is to your stop.

Get started with Here Comes the Bus at https://herecomesthebus.com/parents/get-started/. You will need the district code and your student’s ID number to sign up. For your smartphone or tablet, download the Here Comes the Bus app from the App Store or Google Play.

The WCPSS school code for Yellow Bus is 67500. The WCPSS school code for Vendor Transportation Services is 67501. Learn more about Here Comes the Bus for Vendor Transportation Services.

When entering your student’s last name on the app, spell it as it appears on your Home Base/PowerSchool account. If there is a hyphen in the name, make sure you include it. Only enter the first 18 characters of your student’s last name. If your name is, Yellow-School Bus Wake, you will enter Yellow-School Bus in the last name field.

Once activated, you can customize or edit features, including how the app will communicate with you and the size of the notification radius.

Information for school meals can be found here: https://www.wcpss.net/Page/1848

Breakfast cost - $1.75 per meal

Lunch cost - $3.50 per meal

It is highly encouraged that you pre-pay for school meals using www.myschoolbucks.com or calling (855)832-5226 to create an account. You will need your child's Power School ID number to create an account. Once your account is established you may:

• Securely deposit funds to your child's account
• Check balance
• Set spending limits

For families needing assistance, please use this link to apply for free or reduced meal options for your family.

The daily menu can be easily be found on the MCES PTA app.

Our teachers have created Amazon wish lists to enhance their classrooms with engaging resources and supplies. If you'd like to support a teacher or classroom, please consider browsing the list and making a donation. Every little bit helps our teachers create a more enriching educational experience for our students. Thank you for your generosity and support!

Link to Wish Lists

Families who were approved to volunteer in the 2023-24 school year received an email on June 1 outlining the simple volunteer renewal process for the 2024-25 school year. Encourage families to renew their volunteer status during the renewal window, July 1-Oct.1 Review details at wcpss.net/volunteers.

The purpose of this section is to provide updated information to families about the use of personal devices which aligns with district policy - smartwatches, cell phones, etc. on school grounds. Board Policy 3225 Technology Responsible Use states:

Students are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct and the applicable “Rules for Use of Technology Resources” set forth in this policy when students use a personal device on school property, at school-sponsored events, on school-based transportation, or anytime a personal device is connected to school system technology resources. As an example, students using a personal device on school property, at school-sponsored events, on school-based transportation, or when the device is connected to school system technology resources, shall not engage in creating, intentionally viewing, accessing, downloading, storing, printing or transmitting images, graphics (including still or moving pictures), sound files, text files, documents, messages or other material that is obscene, defamatory, profane, pornographic, harassing, or abusive.

Recently, more and more students are wearing Smartwatches or similar items to school. Smartwatches are allowed only if put on Airplane mode in order to disable text messages and phone calls from being received by the watch/device. The watch is considered a cell phone UNLESS airplane mode is activated. Cellphones should also be in Airplane mode or off at school. All students have access to district issued devices and cellphones are not needed for instructional purposes.

The school system and school assumes no responsibility for personal technology devices brought to school.

At MCES, if a smartwatch or phone is a distraction and a teacher/staff member has to ask for the device to be put away more than once, the device is collected and stored in the office for an adult family member to pick up. Cell phones should be stored in student back packs during the school day.

Support our school and get involved by joining the PTA today! A portion of your contribution pays for state and national PTA dues. The remaining dues stay at Middle Creek Elementary to support our programs and students.

PTA programs only happen with volunteers like YOU! We have opportunities to fit every schedule and experience level. Commitments vary from one-time events to joining a committee or leading a program. Every bit helps. There is no wrong way to volunteer!

Click HERE to join the PTA, connect to the MCES PTA app (Middle Creek Elementary), or contact Emily Penny, MCS PTA President (mcespresident@gmail.com).

Please email Roxanne Carter, Data Manager, rcarter@wcpss.net if your email address(es) or phone number(s) have changed. We rely on the information in PowerSchool to contact you for emergency situations and to send you school messages.

Email: cmiller6@wcpss.net
Website: https://www.wcpss.net/middlecreekes
Location: 110 Middle Creek Park Avenue, Apex, NC, USA
Phone: 919-773-9555
Facebook: facebook.com/MiddleCreekElementaryPTA
Twitter: @middlecreekes