Mill Creek Magic Messages
News and Updates from Mr. Ortman and Mr. Murtha 4/9/2021
Mill Creekers Appreciate (and Take Advantage of) Some Beautiful Weather!
PSSA Schedule
- May 19 (Math, Grades 3-6) - AM and PM (testing from 8:35 a.m. - 1:38 p.m. with built in break and lunch)
- May 25-27 (English Language Arts, Grades 3-6) - AM only (testing from 8:35 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
- June 3 (Science, Grade 4 only) - AM only (testing from 8:35 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Virtual students will be provided with a lunch time on all dates, including the opportunity to obtain a school lunch (free of charge to all students this year). Virtual families are welcome to pick up their child at the conclusion of testing on all dates, but virtual students are also welcome to stay the entire school day on each date.
On May 25-27 and June 3, virtual students will rejoin their virtual classes after lunch (12:10 p.m.), whether from home (students who are picked up after PSSA) or from Mill Creek.
PSSA Information
March 26, 2021
Dear Mill Creek Parents and Families,
This note serves to provide an update to families about PSSA testing and scheduling at Mill Creek this year. As noted in district communication earlier this month, both the U.S. Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Education are requiring all school districts to administer PSSA testing for the 2020-2021 school year. The testing window has been extended so that districts can maintain compliance with their Health and Safety Plans.
Mill Creek School Testing Schedule
- Mathematics
3rd-6th grades - May 19
- English Language Arts
3rd-6th grades - May 25-27
- Science
4th grade - June 3
Testing Platform
All students will test online through their school-issued laptop. They will be provided with a test “ticket” with a secure code for logging on to their test.
Testing of Virtual Academy Students
Testing is only available in-person and on-site, and each virtual student will be scheduled to take the test in his/her/their homeschool. We remain committed to adhering to the guidelines in our district’s Health and Safety Plan. In most cases, virtual students will test in the classroom of their virtual teacher.
Parent Right to Opt-Out
Chapter 4 of Title 22 of the Pa. Code (22 Pa. Code 4.4) provides the right of parents/guardians to excuse their child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, they find the assessment to be in conflict with their religious beliefs. Please visit the CBSD Assessment Website for information about how to request to exclude a child from state testing. Parents requesting to opt-out their child from testing must submit a request by May 3, 2021.
Transportation
All students, including virtual students, have been assigned a bus route. Your children may take their bus to and from school on testing days. If you prefer to drive your student to and from school for testing and wish to pick them up in the middle of the day when they are finished, please let us know.
Spring ALICE Drill
As we did in the fall (November), we will conduct our spring Intruder on Campus (ALICE) Drill on Thursday, April 15 from 8:40-9:00 a.m. In maintaining accordance with the current Health & Safety Plan, the Drill will be conducted similar to how it occurred in the fall, involving the following:
- Simulated PA announcement, using elementary-friendly language. The announcement will begin with a clear communication that it is only a drill.
- Teachers will close and lock classroom doors, then conduct a "talk through" of the drill. Discussions will vary among grade levels, but common topics will include locations to move within the classroom, what to do if a student is not in a classroom when an emergency is called, and procedures for evacuating the building (including where to go and "rally" points).
- Administration will check to ensure all occupied classroom/room doors are locked.
- Once classroom doors have been checked and "talk throughs" are complete, an announcement will be made ending the drill.
Teachers of students who are 100% virtual will conduct their "talk through" of the drill at some point during the school day on Thursday, April 15, so those students are informed in the event any return to in-person school at some point this school year.
Thank you for all you do to reinforce safe practices at home and for your support as we guide our students through important safety practices.
Important Dates
- Friday, April 2 - Thursday, April 15 - Virtual Book Fair
- Thursday, April 15 - Spring ALICE Drill (8:40 - 9:00 a.m.)
- Friday, April 30 - Early Dismissal
Home and School Association News and Flyers
HSA NEWs
- 1 WEEK LEFT TO ORDER!... Yearbook orders now being accepted (see link in newsletter below). Enter school code: 107057. Cost is $15.00. 6th grade students do not need to order yearbooks as the Home & School Association provides this gift to all 6th grade students.
MILL CREEK HOME AND SCHOOL IS LOOKING FOR NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS!!! There are several positions available. If you are interested in helping to plan exciting, enriched opportunities for our children and our school community, please contact at MCHSABoard@gmail.com.
AMAZON SMILE: Link your account today! A portion of every sale will benefit our Home and School Association. Please choose "Mill Creek Home and School" under the "programs and features" button on Amazon. You can scan the QR code below, and it will take you directly to the page!
Order Your Mill Creek Yearbook Using the Link Below! ONLY 1 WEEK REMAINING TO ORDER!
Principal's Post - A Weekly Note From Mr. Ortman
We had a really nice combination of weather and updated recess protocol factors, which have given our students an opportunity to get a much more significant release from all the hard work they do each and every day. The spring weather has been very cooperative this past week, allowing our students to get outside more than they have in quite some time. Additionally, our ability to now allow students to utilized PE and playground equipment has greatly expanded their options for getting their much-needed activity releases throughout the day. It was awesome to see some students shooting hoops, passing around the soccer ball, and engaging in a good old game of blacktop kickball again. These were very welcome sights!
Hopefully the weekend weather and the weather into next week will cooperative to keep this momentum going!
Happy Friday, everyone!
Shawn M. Ortman
Principal
From the Desk of Mr. Murtha
We may have returned from Spring Break this week, but someone forgot to tell spring... it is hardly taking a break! In fact our streak of weather and blooms this week has been about as spring as it gets! As I was walking into the building with a colleague the other morning, we were chatting about the wonderful weather, and she said, "We deserve it!" in the wake of the challenges we have all overcome this year. I could not agree more, and it was so wonderful to see our students and staff taking full advantage during recess and incorporating some outdoor class lessons. While summer also has its share of fun, here's hoping the spring weather and its floral beauty can hang on for some time!
Have a wonderful weekend, Mill Creek!
Mr. John C. Murtha
Assistant Principal
Creekers' Code Winners!
Congratulations to our K-6th grade students being recognized this week for upholding our Creekers' Code tenets!
- Cooperation
- Respect
- Excellence
- Effort
- Kindness
- Empathy
- Responsibility
- Support
Click on the following link to hear a recording of Ms. Brown recognizing our 4/9/2021 students.
Our in-person winners will be invited to the main office to select a prize. Our virtual winners can stop by Mill Creek during school hours for a prize. These recognized students are:
Instructional Spotlight - Ms. Thomas, Kindergarten
Should I Keep My Child Home From School?
Facial Coverings
Contact Information
Mr. Shawn Ortman
Principal
267-893-3600
Mr. John C. Murtha
Assistant Principal
267-893-3600
Mill Creek Elementary School
Email: sortman@cbsd.org
Website: http://www.cbsd.org/Domain/19
Location: 638 Bellflower Boulevard, Warrington, PA, United States
Phone: 267-893-3600
Twitter: @CBMillCreek