As we approach the last week of school, you can't help but reflect on this year. This year had many challenges from starting in one direction, changes due to Covid, then returning to a sense of normal including field trips, programs, and being together. For many students, being back in school for the whole year meant relearning how to be in school, build relationships with peers, deal with emotions, and focus on academics. It was a year of working to provide support for learning gaps and helping students continue to grow and learn. It was not easy, but we did it! We look forward to continuing to build on the foundation we have built this year when we return in the Fall. Teachers, parents, and students working together are the key to success...thank you!

As next week will be the last day of school, this newsletter includes information for the end of this year and the start of next year. Information will also be posted on our website.

May 23: Senior Walk

May 24: Talent Show (Rain Date for Sr. Walk)

May 25: Field Day (2nd - 4th grade); All Day Track Meet (5th grade)

May 26: Mac 500 (4th grade)

May 27: Last student day

June 1 - 3: Summer IREAD retake

• July 18th - Online Registration Opens. Teacher assignments will be visible upon completion of the application process.
• Aug 4th - Meet the Teacher Night - 4:30pm - 6:00pm. Students will be able to find their classroom, drop off supplies, and meet their teacher before school begins. The nurse will also be available to take medications. In addition, community groups will have tables of information.
• Aug 8th - First Day of School!

Note: Supply lists and additional information will be posted on our website: https://mes.maconaquah.k12.in.us/

We are so proud of our students and their talent, it is so hard to choose the acts! Students who have been chosen for the talent show will be notified next week. Due to limited seating, students in the talent show will be given 4 tickets per family to attend.

Tuesday, May 24 at 9:00 am

Families will enter through the gym doors (19 E). As it is a regular school stay, students are expected to stay for the remainder of the school day.

We are still in need of volunteers for Field Day. If you are interested, please contact Carol Howay at 765-689-9131 x. 3005 or howayc@maconaquah.k12.in.us. Thank you!

In the event of rain: There are still plans for 2nd - 5th grade field day to have inside events and we will still need volunteers. 5th grade will have alternate plans as well and still need volunteers in the classroom. Here's hoping that it will be nice and everything can be outside!

As the weather has improved and students are able to be outside for PE, recess, and the many events we have planned. Please be sure to encourage your child to put on sunscreen. They are allowed to bring a non-aerosol sunscreen with them to school and apply it themselves before going outside. Students should not share sunscreen with other students as there could be allergic reactions to various sunscreens.

Please have your child check at home and in their bags for missing library books. Notes have been given to students to remind them to return them. There are over 100 books that have not been returned at this time and it is important to return them ASAP. It is important to keep books available for all students. If books are not returned, there will be a replacement charge.

Mrs. Walsh and the Mac El Student Council collected boxes of cereal to create a domino-chain reaction throughout the school. It started by the STEM lab and stretched through the hallways all the way around to 3rd grade! All cereal boxes are being donated to Helping Hands. Thank you for your generosity - it was fun to see them fall!

Mrs. Spahr's High School French Students made a visit to our 5th-grade classes to introduce them to French. They did a great job interacting with the students and teaching them French words and phrases.

We are winding down our SEL classroom lessons as next week students will be involved in various activities. Students are practicing and putting into place the skills they have learned over the school year - cooperation, communication, kindness, empathy, and verbalizing feelings. Some are practicing conflict resolution skills and practicing being better friends. This week has seen some heightened behaviors due to the end of the year “excitement”.

ATTENTION 5TH GRADE PARENTS: Immunizations are required for 6th grade.

Now is a good time to schedule these with your doctor or the health department.

Your doctor and or the health department will be able to view CHIRP and see what your child needs. This normally includes a Tdap, and Meningitis vaccine, HPV is optional.

(For those parents who have already done this, your child does not require anything else at this time.)

Students are encouraged to bring their water bottles to school daily. There are water bottle filling stations to refill.

It was nice to have some warmer days this week and kids playing outside. Reminder please that with the warm weather, students still need to follow the dress code. Please refer to p. 21 in the student handbook for specific guidelines. Some things we have been seeing are crop tops with bare midriffs. That is current fashion and just needs a cami underneath. Also, we have been reminding students to keep their hoods off.

If you are interested in signing your child up for summer swim lessons, see the information below as well as on the Maconaquah Elementary Home Page.

If you are interested in becoming a substitute teacher, even for next year, see the flyers below and go to the website listed to start the process.

Below is the link to the Threat and Bullying Report Form. This form is also accessible on the Maconaquah School Corporation Website under Safe School Zone.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQnE35GTNfXVnNCwPNNKRQjF1sgnSFE1sY_v2sihQWNkN3jQ/viewform

Please click on the link below for ILEARN information from the Indiana Department of Education. (English and Spanish versions)

https://www.in.gov/doe/files/ILEARN-for-Families-Flyer-English.pdf

https://www.in.gov/doe/files/ILEARN-for-Families-Flyer-Spanish.pdf

If your student has lost their stylus, it is $20 to replace. Students can purchase one in the Minion Office.

If you need to change your child's bus going home or that they are being picked up, parents MUST speak to a person. DO NOT LEAVE A MESSAGE as the staff member may not hear their messages before the end of the school day.

8:10am - Doors open for student drop off. Parents may drive up to door 19E to drop off. PLEASE DO NOT drop off your student before the doors open. This is a safety concern as staff will not be present until 8:10am.