MacArthur Elementary School
September 4, 2020
Just a reminder when picking up & dropping off items please wear a mask. Thank you
Notes from the Principal
Dear MacArthur Families,
First, just a reminder that this coming Monday, September 7th is Labor Day and the students have no school. That means for the “A” students they will only meet in person on Thursday, September 10th.
I would like to thank our PTO for doing a fantastic job kicking off this school year for our students. The first two days of school our new mascot, Mac, greeted the students as they entered the building. Many parents were able to have their child’s picture taken with Mac, which was such a special treat. Our PTO also bought each Kindergartner student a plush mustang stuffed animal, complete with a MacArthur t-shirt, to take home and snuggle with at night. And lastly, the PTO purchased a water bottle for every MacArthur student. Wow, our PTO is truly amazing.
Our PTO can’t continue to do all these amazing things for our students and school without the help and support of each of you. This week our PTO Brochure sale kicked off. The Brochure sale has been our biggest money maker for the PTO in the past and we are hoping that with your help it can continue to be.
I would like to thank all of our parents for all the patience and grace you are offering our team as we, along with you, try to navigate this first 9 weeks.
I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy family time and recharge during this three day weekend.
Have a Great Weekend.
Marian Buchko
Contact Information:
Phone: 219-662-3600 ext. 16001
Email: mlbuchko@cps.k12.in.us
MacArthur Spiritwear Store
The MacArthur Spiritwear Store has been revamped and is ready for ordering! Order deadline is September 7th, and items should be ready by the beginning of October! There are some really awesome designs this year - be sure to check them out! I'm loving the tie-dye and the winter hats!
Important Dates
Sept. 7: Labor Day/NO School
Sept. 21: College Go Week
Sept. 22: LEAD Day
Sept. 23: 1/2 Day for Students
Oct. 5: World Wide Bully Prevention Day
Oct. 8: Group A Picture Day
Oct. 9: Group B Picture Day
Oct. 16: Fall Break/NO School
Oct. 19: Fall Break/NO School
Oct. 26: Red Ribbon Week Begins
Oct. 28: LEAD Day
Happy Birthday!
Tristan C. - Mrs. Hochstetler
Atom C. - Mrs. Dembowski
Jacob K. - Mrs. T. Zarndt
Jordynn K. - Mrs. T. Zarndt
Ian B. - Mrs. Copeland
Charlee F. - Mrs. Hochstetler
Benjamin T. - Mrs. McClelland
Dylan A. - Mr. Bysiek
Laura M. - Mrs. Larson
Gabriella B. - Mrs. McClelland
Myla K. - Mrs. Hummel
Julian A. - Mrs. Dills
Student Attendance
To “attend” school means to be physically present and enrolled in a school or another location where the school’s educational program is being conducted during regular school hours on a day in which the educational programming is being offered.
Any student who is enrolled and accumulates at least ten (10) unexcused absences during a school year is considered habitually truant. Any student who accumulates at least ten (10) absences, excused or unexcused, during a school year is considered chronically absent.
Our school will continue to track daily student attendance from the beginning of the school year. Therefore, a student will be counted absent using the criteria below when attending in-person days and distance learning days.
On in-person days, a student will be counted absent if they are not present in school/class on their assigned A or B day. Parents must notify the school of the absence.
On distance learning days the student is absent if there is no evidence by the start of the next school day of the following: course progress, participation in virtual class meetings, participation on assigned instruction, system activity and login times, and completion of daily work and/or long-term projects.
Chromebook Repair and Support
The Chromebook is the property of the school within the Crown Point Community School Corporation. Therefore, the device must be repaired by Crown Point Technology staff.
1. If a student is attending classes in person, please see your School Librarian for Chromebook repair.
2. If a student is an at-home learner and the Chromebook is broken or fails to work or your charger needs repair please fill out this form Chromebook Repair Form. Your School Media Specialist will contact you.
3. For help with the RDS Log-in or the Buzz Button inside RDS complete the CPCSC Support Form.
4. If you are having issues with one of your courses on Buzz, please contact the teacher by email.
News from Our School Counselor
Parents/Guardians,
Next Thursday, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. The purpose of World Suicide Prevention day is to encourage us to engage with each other and to join together to spread awareness of suicide prevention. According to statistics, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for children age 10-14. Unfortunately, suicidal thoughts can start even younger and early intervention can make a world of difference. There are many common misconceptions regarding suicide. Below are a few facts:
● Asking someone directly about suicidal intent lowers anxiety, opens up communication and lowers the risk of an impulsive act. It does not “put the idea” in their head
● Most suicidal people communicate their intent sometimes during the week preceding their attempt.
If you suspect that a loved one or someone you know if thinking about suicide, here are some ways to help:
● Take your loved one seriously: Some people feel that kids who say they are going to hurt or kill themselves are “just doing it for attention.” But if your child, friend, or family member confides thoughts of suicide, believe them and get help
● Learn the warning signs: Friends sometimes let friends know if they are thinking about suicide or dying. Other times, changes in behavior may show that someone is struggling.
● Listen with empathy and provide support: A fight or breakup might not seem like a big deal, but for a young person it can feel immense. Sympathize and listen. Minimizing what your child or friend is going through can increase his or her sense of hopelessness.
● Question-Persuade-Refer: Ask them if they are having suicidal thoughts. Persuade them to talk to a professional, and refer them to that person.
Suicide can be a sensitive topic. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self harm, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273- TALK. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
For more information, please visit: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Ms. Bellamy, M.S.Ed, LPSC
School Counselor
Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse Prevention Education for Students
Indiana legislature has adopted legal requirements that each Indiana public school, including charter schools and accredited nonpublic schools, shall provide age appropriate and research and evidence-based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse to students in kindergarten through grade 12. Note that this expands the previous requirement from providing education in grades 2-5 to grades K-12. In order to meet the new requirements, Crown Point school counselors and home-school facilitators will be providing age appropriate, research-informed student personal safety sessions from September 2020 through December 2020. At the elementary level, students will learn the Protect Yourself Rules with their counselor or home-school facilitator in a classroom session of 30-40 minutes. Parents can view the Protect Yourself Rules and related materials at the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation website fightchildabuse.org. Parents are encouraged to contact Mark Gianfermi, Director of Student Services and School Safety, with questions or concerns at (219)663.3371; mgianfermi@cps.k12.in.us
Birth to School
Do you have a child aged 0-5 and not yet in kindergarten? If so, enroll in the Birth to School program for FREE developmentally appropriate learning opportunities. Visit the Birth to School website or contact Program Coordinator, Jamie Kalk, at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us for more information.
Please visit the Birth to School website for enrollment information and to register for your FREE learning kits! https://www.cps.k12.in.us/Page/11905
Distance Learning Students Computer Issues
Before and After School Latch Key Child Care Application
Complete a form for each child.
In order to formally apply for the Latch Key Program for Child Care a $10.00 annual non-refundable family enrollment fee must be paid.
The Latch Key program is in operation before school from 6:00-10:00 a.m. and 3:45-6:30 p.m. every day school is in session. School is considered in session when in-person or distance learning is taking place.
Due to requirements for social distancing, there will be limits to the number of children at each child care site. Therefore, the Latch Key Child Care Program will be a weekly fee-based program per child. The before school weekly fee is $25.00 and the after school weekly fee is $25.00.
To reserve your child’s spot for the week prepay by Thursday of each week. The prepayment reserves your child’s spot for the following week, regardless of attendance.
If your registration is received and there are no openings, your name will be put on a waiting list and you will be notified when an opening becomes available.
All checks should be made payable to the school site your child attends: Eisenhower Latch Key, Jerry Ross Latch Key, Lake Street Latch Key, MacArthur Latch Key, Solon Robinson Latch Key, Timothy Ball Latch Key, or Winfield Latch Key.
Please use the link below to submit a ‘Before and After School Latch Key Child Care Application.’
Box Tops 2020
Collecting Box Tops is a simple & easy way to raise money for MacArthur! We are still collecting the traditional old box tops, found on grocery items such as cereals, Kleenex boxes, kids snacks, etc. You can also scan a grocery receipt to see if any items have the new digital box tops, found on the free Box Tops app. You are also welcome to send in your grocery receipts to the school. Grocery receipts must be scanned within 2 weeks of the purchase date. Thank you for participating & helping our school!
PTO Membership Drive
A flyer/form will be going home with the kiddos once school starts, but in case anyone wants to get a head start and sign up for membership this year or are doing the distance learning option, here's a sneak peek of the membership perks that start at the $15 donation level. Can't do $15? Membership starts at just $5! Credit & debit cards/paypal are accepted at [https://www.macpto.com/donationfop](https://www.macpto.com/donationfop) or you can submit cash or check payable to MacArthur Elementary School PTO.
We thank you in advance for your support! <3 <3
Order your PTO Plush Mustang!
You can now order your very own plush Mustang at the following link:
(https://www.macpto.com/product-page/10-plush-mustang-with-tee-shirt)
PLEASE DO NOT ORDER FOR INCOMING KINDERGARTNERS, as we are looking into an option to make this a "welcome" gift for incoming kindergarten students. For other grades, no worries, we have plenty of surprises in the works for them, too!
Please be sure to include the first and last names and incoming grade level of each child you're ordering for in the "notes" section. If you're a teacher or staff member, just type "self." If you're planning to do e-learning, please note that too so we know to reach out to you so we can get you your mustang.
IF you don't have PayPal, I believe you can still just select "pay with PayPal" and then instead of using an account, just click "pay with debit or credit" and it will allow you to check out as a paypal guest without an account!
THANK YOU!
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