MacArthur Elementary School
November 22, 2019
Notes from the Principal
Dear MacArthur Families,
Last Wednesday our special education team and school counselor; Mrs. Stimac, Miss Frizzell, Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Dills, Mrs. Pack, Miss Rauch and Miss Bellamy were blessed by an organization called, Community Love. Community Love has what is called, Giving Wednesdays and they randomly try to find a need within the community. MacArthur was blessed to be a recipient of a Giving Wednesday. Our school received a 3 year subscription to a program called, BoardMaker. The BoardMaker program creates visual learning materials to use as part of the curriculum, student schedules, and communication aides.
The owner of Café Fresco, Breanne Zolfo , created this outreach organization called, Community Love. It all started in her business, Café Fresco, with simple acts of kindness (i.e. positive notes on peoples coffee cups, buying a bike for a homeless gentleman) and has grown into these truly inspirational acts of kindness. Individuals volunteer their time and contribute financially to help fulfill the needs of those in our community. One person can truly make a difference and we can all do our part in our own small way. I am extremely grateful that Community Love contacted me and was able to bless our students and school. Thank you Community Love!
Also, congratulations to our Spell Bowl team and coach, Mrs. T. Zarndt. Our Spell Bowl team took 1st place in our local competition. Mrs. T. Zarndt shared a very moving story about one of the team members and I was so touched I would like to share it with all of you. One of the team members didn’t believe she was smart enough to be on the team. That team member was elated when she realized she was smart enough. She practiced her words with her grandfather and she would leave Mrs. Zarndt notes thanking her for believing in her because she had never gotten to be a part of a team before.
Have a Great Weekend.
Marian Buchko
Contact Information:
Phone: 219-662-3600 ext. 16001
Email: mlbuchko@cps.k12.in.us
Don't forget to send in your Strack and Van Til receipts for the Apples for Students Program!
Important Dates
November 25: LEAD Day (Wear your Shirt!)
November 28 & 29: Thanksgiving Vacation
December 6: 5th Grade Nut Cracker Field Trip
December 10: Student of the Month 8:00am in Cafe
December 10: December 12: Group Picture Day
December 12: Birth to School Caregiver Cafe 9:30am
December 12: Birth to School Baby Music & Movement 2:00pm
December 16: Birth to School Early Literacy 5:30 in Library
December 18: 4th Grade Music Program 6:00pm in Gym
December 19: Birth to School Baby Mustangs 9:30am
December 19: Birth to School Mini Mustangs 2:00pm
December 23-January 3: Winter Holiday Break
Our Weekly Attendance Rate This Week
Kindergarten 97%
1st Grade: 98%
2nd Grade: 93%
3rd Grade: 97%
4th Grade: 96%
5th Grade: 96%
All Grade Levels: 96%
We need at least 97% for the year to become a 4 Star School!!
Please limit voluntary absences!
News from Our School Counselor
Parents,
Learning to play our “emotional keyboard” is a very important skill. Children are born with certain emotions hardwired into their brain from DNA. These emotions include: sadness, joy, disgust, anger, surprise, and fear. Often as adults we forget that more complex emotions such as empathy and compassion need to be taught. Role modeling these things to our children and taking the time to talk and discuss them will help give our children the skills they need later in life. Studies often show that giving a young child a pet, even as small as a fish can help not only build responsibility, but also enhance their empathy, compassion, and patience. This is just one example of how easy it can be to help teach these emotions to children.
Alicia Bellamy M.S. Ed, LPSC
School Counselor
PTO News
Elves Needed!
Volunteer elves will be needed for Candy Cane Lane holiday shop to monitor tables/merchandise, assist students with purchasing gifts for family and friends, and gift wrapping! Sign up to join our Elf Crew at this link https://signup.com/go/fwqapSL
The holidays are coming, and we want to help make the season even more special for your children by giving them the opportunity to shop (in secret!) for the perfect gift for Mom, Dad, Grandparents, siblings and other important people. We'll be hosting our Candy Cane Lane holiday pop-up shop during school hours, with special hours on Friday, December 6, during our Parents' Night Out event. More information will be sent home with students before Thanksgiving, including class shopping times and money envelopes.
December 6: Parents' Night Out
We will be hosting a Parents' Night Out on December 6 from 6-9pm in the school gym and cafeteria. Parents, this is your opportunity to escape for an evening while we watch the kiddos! Pizza, ice cream, crafts and a movie will be probided, as well as a final opportunity to shop our Candy Cane Lane holiday shop! Cost is $10 per child, or $20 per family. Small children must be potty-trained. This event is only open to MacArthur students and their immediate family members. Pre-registration forms will be sent home with students soon and are due back by Monday, December 2nd. The cost will be $15 per child or $25 per family at the door if you do not pre-register.
Up Coming Events:
January 10: MacArthur Back from Break FUNraising Night @ Jakk's Warehouse
February 22: Dinner/Silent Auction Playground Fundraiser @ the Lighthouse
Cafeteria News
“Vegetable of the Month”
Sweet Potato
Did you know that sweet potatoes are only distantly related to potatoes? Non-sweet potatoes (red, white and gold) are actually part of the edible nightshade family, whereas sweet potatoes are root tubers like beets and carrots. While white potatoes are lower in fat and sugar, sweet potatoes have fewer carbs and calories. Sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamin C&B as well as potassium and fiber, and also help maintain a healthy blood pressure and protect against cancer. We will be sampling sweet potato French Fries this month during our lunches.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Chop your sweet potatoes into 2 inch pieces
Spread out in a single layer on a sheet pan
Season with garlic, olive oil, melted butter, salt and pepper to taste
Bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until tender and golden brown
Garnish with fresh parsley
Cafeteria Information
Cafeteria Manager: Michelle Milner
Contact Information: mmilner@cps.k12.in.us or 662-3600 ext. 16603
Meal Prices for 2019-2020
Breakfast $1.50
Reduced Breakfast $.30
Elementary Lunch $2.35
Reduced Lunch $.40
Milk $.40
Adult Lunch $3.40
CP Birth to School
Birth to School families, there has been a change in the Early Literacy Workshop schedule. All remaining sessions will take place from 5:00-6:00pm and will be held at The Learning Center, 130 Harrington Ave. (right next door to Wheeler Middle School); on the following dates:
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Monday, February 24, 2020
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Please visit https://www.cps.k12.in.us/Page/10872 for the latest Birth to School calendar information at MacArthur.
Upcoming MacArthur Birth to School events in December:
(There will be no programming the week of November 25, due to Thanksgiving).
-Wed. 12/4/19 Super Xmas Learn Through Play 5-7pm at the Learning Center
To register for this event, please submit this form: https://forms.gle/MKE7Y1niJ38MMGiVA
-Thurs. 12/12/19 Caregiver Café @ 9:30am
-Thurs. 12/12/19 Baby Music @ 2:00pm
-Tues. 12/17/19 Early Literacy Workshop, session 2 of 4 5-6pm at the Learning Center
To register for this event, please submit this form: https://forms.gle/Fjpf9SiiFuPGCkLD7
-Thurs. 12/19/19 Baby Mustangs @ 9:30am
-Thurs 12/19/19 Mini Mustangs @ 2:00pm
Every time you plan on attending a Birth to School event, please contact MacArthur Birth to School Liaison, Jennie Duffy, at jduffy@cps.k12.in.us so we may best prepare for your arrival, unless otherwise specified.
If you have any questions, would like further information, or are interested in enrolling in the Birth to School program, please contact Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk, at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us.
When is my child too sick to go to School?
Attendance
School Start & End Times
Doors Open 8:15
Breakfast 8:15-8:45
Student Full Day 9:05-3:44
Student Half Day 9:05-12:14
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
Website: https://www.cps.k12.in.us/Page/3689
Location: 12900 Fairbanks Street, Cedar Lake, IN, USA
Phone: 219-662-3600