MCAS Communicator

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The Unity Foundation of LaPorte County has extended its deadline to Jan 29th for K-8 and 9-12 teacher grants, through the Michigan City Education Foundation and the Teacher Innovation Fund. This is your opportunity to fund a classroom project, materials, etc. for the spring semester/trimester! The link to apply is here: https://uflc.net/grants/teacher-grants/

A huge THANK YOU to all who turned out to support the "drive through" Food Drive for the Salvation Army of Michigan City at Ames Field on December 19th!

A total of 2.96 TONS of food was collected (5,926.7 pounds). We filled up one bus and had to call for a second! An additional $861 was collected at the event in kettle donations, along with a donation of gift cards and several donations of toys.

Kudos to the MCHS Student Council, which spearheaded this event and provided student volunteers for sorting, weighing, and collection. Also many thanks to the MCAS Transportation Dept. and Sodexo for their assistance with setup and collection.

Congratulations to Michigan City High School, which collected the most poundage (3,269lbs, which equates to 2.1 pounds per student) and will win a pizza giveaway from Dominos. Finishing in second was Coolspring, closely followed by Joy, Pine, and Lake Hills. The BIGGEST winners were members of our community in need who turn to the Salvation Army for food assistance each week.

Thank you to all who donated during the MCAS employee giving campaign for the United Way of LaPorte County last month. Just over $6,000 was raised through our campaign this year! (In addition to the $2,173.43 raised through this year's "waterless" car wash.)

CONGRATS to the winners of the incentive prizes this year:

Deb Carpenter, Springfield - winner of the Wolves gift basket

Michael Ramsey, Barker - winner of dinner with Dr. Eason-Watkins

If you missed out on making a donation, it's not too late. You can still donate online or use this form (return to Payroll at the Ad Building) to make your payroll deduction.

The MCAS Food Service Department will have school meals available for pick-up on Monday 1/11. Upon return to in-person instruction, they will again be serving a grab and go breakfast and a hot lunch in the cafeteria. Please remember that our cafés will remain cashless. To purchase staff meals or student a la carte options, an account must be set up in our point of sale system, Titan. These instructions are on the Food Service website.

Once MCAS resumes in-person instruction, remote learners will continue to have the option to order 5 days of meals for pickup. Note: Due to the MLK holiday, pickup for remote learners will be on Tuesday 1/19/21, and then every Monday following. Orders will need to be in by noon the Wednesday before. These meals will again be available for pickup at either MCHS or Krueger Middle School.

Food Service will keep all staff and families updated about pick-up times and locations, whether we are following the in-person, hybrid or remote model!

Purdue University Northwest invites the Northwest Indiana community to celebrate diversity and inclusion through the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in a virtual event from 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 18. Karen Bishop Morris, associate professor of English at PNW, will deliver the keynote presentation during this event. (Our own Dr. Wendel McCollum will emcee!) The event is free. To view this virtual program visit YouTube.com/PurdueNorthwest.

EAP Webinar January 20, 12-12:30pm

2021 is Finally Here! Finding and Maintaining Optimism in a New Year!

& Functional Medicine and Immunity

Register HERE

EAP/WELLCARE is offering its third series of COVID-19 webinars covering topics related to mental wellness during these ever-changing, stress-producing times. These webinars have been recorded and the links are being provided below so that you can view at your convenience. Please share with family members!

How To Assist With Your Student’s Successful Learning Experience During COVID:

This webinar is designed to assist Parents/caregivers with hope! Includes ideas they can utilize/integrate into their current schedules. Please feel free to use one or more of the ideas mentioned. Above all be kind to yourself and stay focused on how we will get through this and make it to the other side.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7622174555683496459

Children Should Be Seen And Heard - Positive Parenting During The Pandemic

If being a kid during an “unprecedented event” is not easy, being a parent is even more of a challenge! How do you navigate uncharted waters with little eyes watching every move you make? What you tell a 5-year-old is different than what you tell a 15-year-old. Listen in for age-appropriate parenting tips in an “unprecedented” season.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5406461813046226959

With So Much On My Mind, How Can I Get A Good Night's Sleep?

This webinar is full of tips to help get a more restful sleep regardless of whether you are a typical nighttime sleeper or if you are a swing shifter sleeper.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6468474596693518096

Remaining Optimistic During The Pandemic:

What is optimism? How do you become more optimistic and what are the benefits of being more optimistic? This webinar will hopefully have you thinking about what you can do to face your day as an optimist, especially in tough times when it is needed most.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5009234650146394640

Quick Tips for Managing Stress During Covid: Jean Lubeckis

This webinar will provide some easy reminders and tips for managing stress without stressing you out to do it!

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8405626068346431248

It's that time of year when people start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Here's some information on Franciscan's "Aspire" smoking cessation program for anyone who might be thinking about trying to kick the habit. (The program can be customized for each participant.)

Smoking Cessation Program Flyer

There are some extra "MCAS" facemasks available. Cost is $5.00 - please contact Sarah Painter at the Ad Building if you are interested.

As you plan for 2021, you may want to explore these engaging and hands-on experiences. Connect programs allow you to replace field trips with a live broadcast from one of 12 locations across the state. Explore programs give teachers and students a closer look at Indiana historic locations and what they can teach us. Discover offers resources to enhance lessons and Share helps educators take teaching to the next level.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!

The Michigan City High School Gymnastics Team has launched a contactless fundraiser in partnership with Mid-American Fundraising. In an effort to keep everyone healthy and safe during these unusual times, the platform utilizes a specially designed virtual catalog. The timeframe to support their cause lasts now until January 11, 2021.

About The Fundraising Platform: The Mid-American Fundraising website is user friendly, easy to order, and offers shipping to your doorstep or local pick-up and drop off. You can help support their cause at https://www.mid-americanfundraising.com

Note: At cart checkout, you will select "MCHS Gymnastics" as the organization you are supporting (it should default to this).