Mill Creek Magic Messages
News and Updates from Mr. Ortman and Mr. Murtha 4/16/2021
Mill Creek 5th and 6th Grade Reading Olympics Teams Engaged in Competition!
- Bookie Monsters
- Flat Octopus A.R.M.
- Fuzzy Mud Victims
- Last Readers on Earth
- Lightning Literature
and - The Warriors...
all represented Mill Creek with pride. They did A LOT of reading and were prepared for some challenging questions about the details of a variety of books.
Regardless of how each team ends up in the standings, all had a great time reading, competing, and bonding, and no one complained about the incorporated pizza celebration!
Great job, Mill Creek Reading Olympics participants!
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.
Home and School Association News and Flyers
HSA NEWs
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!
Amazon Smile QR Code...
Principal's Post - A Weekly Note From Mr. Ortman
Recent cooler temperatures may have us fooled, but I wanted to take an opportunity to ask families to make sure they send their child(ren) in with a water bottle each day. Hydration during the school day is important regardless of the weather, and it helps keep our students fresh, healthy, and focused. We are also fortunate to now have touchless purified water stations throughout the building when the need for a bottle fill arises.
Thank you for your help, and have a wonderful weekend!
Shawn M. Ortman
Principal
From the Desk of Mr. Murtha
This past Wednesday, I was not feeling my best when I awoke. When this happens, I usually try to see if I can "muscle through" and feel better. Well, after about 45 minutes of getting ready for the day, I was still feeling pretty lousy. So, I reluctantly took a sick day. Honestly, it was the right decision. I was able to rest and get my body feeling much better to the point where I woke up the next morning completely refreshed and feeling healthy and symptom-free.
I share this story as a reminder of the importance of taking care of ourselves. In the past, I was quick to "power through" sickness, but this year's circumstances have altered my mindset. I still try to see if whatever is ailing me will pass, but I also make sure to listen to my body and self-monitor symptoms. Not only is it the right thing to do for the greater Mill Creek Community, but it also allows me to sustain health, so missing time supporting the Mill Creek Community doesn't become chronic and/or long term.
So, I encourage everyone to take care of themselves (and your family/community members) and pay attention/listen to your body. In my opinion, it's the right thing to do for everyone, especially yourself!
Have a great/healthy and even better 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 4/16/2021 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. Ruth, 4th Grade
Mrs. Ruth’s virtual fourth graders enjoy practicing their math skills every day using online, interactive platforms such as Quizziz (shown in pics below), Blooket, and Kahoot. After completing their whole group math lessons, students login digitally to these sites for review and enrichment. They love the gamification of the math content and love challenging themselves to improve their class accuracy. These fourth graders cheer every day for Quizziz and Blooket and are enjoying these math challenges in a fun, interactive way!
Guidance Department Information
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