Mill Creek Magic Messages
News and Updates from Mr. Ortman and Mr. Murtha 5/14/2021
Mill Creek Gets Spirited!
Congratulations 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
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.
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.
PSSA Materials
All 3rd - 6th grade students are encouraged to bring the following materials to school on testing days:
- Fully charged laptop
- Laptop Charger (labeled with your child's name)
- Independent reading book
- Mouse (if you prefer a detached mouse)
- Headphones (for the May 19th Math PSSA and/or for students with audio access during testing)
Mill Creek Day - Coming Soon!
As we celebrate the closure of this unusual year… Mill Creek will be hold its last spirit day on Friday June 4th (Rain date: June 7th). The school will be divided into two teams for the day:
SILVER STARS & BURGUNDY BURSTS
Mill Creek Day will give students, teachers and staff the opportunity to show off their school spirit and participate in fun activities and games. Students will participate in outdoor, as well as, classroom activities. There will be a running score tally for the teams throughout the day. At the conclusion of the day, the final scores will be announced prior to dismissal.
The Virtual Academy will also be running "indoor"/classroom activities for Mill Creek Day, which will occur online - also on June 4. However, virtual students are invited to participate in their outside portion of the in-person Mill Creek Day. Virtual families - please access "Mill Creek Day Virtual Student Attendance" survey link below to indicate whether your child will attend during their "outside hour" part of the day (survey closes at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18). You only need to complete the survey if your child will attend. If so, please complete a survey for each of your Mill Creek children.
Current District COVID protocols will be enforced. MASKS will be mandatory for most events (as activities will involve students being within 6 feet) and NO VISITORS will be permitted to attend.
Mrs. Kristen N. Leuthe
Health & Physical Education Teacher
Need a Replacement School Laptop/iPad Pen or Charger?
Important Dates
- Tuesday, May 18 - Election Day (Virtual Learning Day for all students)
- *Student lunch for May 18 will be available as a "grab and go" during regular student
lunch on May 17. - Wednesday, May 19 - PSSA Math (AM and PM), Grades 3-6
- Tuesday, May 25-Thursday, May 27 - PSSA ELA (AM only), Grades 3-6
- Tuesday, May 25 - 6th Grade Move-Up Night @ Unami (7-8 PM)
- Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day (no school)
- Thursday, June 3 - PSSA Science (AM only), Grade 4
- Thursday, June 3 - 6th Grade Promotion - 4 PM (June 8 rain date)
- Friday, June 4 - Mill Creek Day (June 7 rain date)
Home and School Association News and Flyers
HSA NEWS
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
Please indulge a rerun of last week's message due to the nature of its importance...
The purpose of this message is to help you understand the process we will be using at Mill Creek this year to decide your child’s placement for the next school year.
The professional staff will be involved in placement decisions for our students. Classroom teachers will collaborate with the Student Support Counselors, Reading Specialists, Mr. Murtha, and me to create balanced classrooms taking each student's individual needs into account. The classes that are designed will be heterogeneous with a wide range of characteristics, needs, and abilities (academic, social and emotional). We will carefully review each homeroom classroom to make sure that it is well balanced, and to make sure the individual student's needs will be met.
At this time, it is unlikely we will hold a Move Up Day, as placement announcements will be delayed past their timing during a "normal" year. They will be communicated later in the summer. We will communicate more specific information about when class assignments will be communicated as we hone in on a date.
If you have information about your child’s learning style that you feel is important for the Mill Creek placement team to have prior to placement, please send an e-mail to me that includes that information on or before Friday, May 21st. While we value and consider any information you provide and will give it careful consideration, there is no guarantee about specific placement requests. Please be sure to meet the May 21st deadline.
Please do not request a specific teacher or request that specific students be placed with your child.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation!
Enjoy the weekend!
Shawn M. Ortman
Principal
From the Desk of Mr. Murtha
It may be later than usual, but PSSA is upon us for our 3rd-6th grade students, starting next Wednesday, May 19. In my opinion, there is absolute value in the PSSA, as it provides us with information about how our students are performing against state standards they are expected to understand. It gives us insight into areas we may need to revisit, and whether our students need a little more help to learn some concepts. In that vein, obtaining accurate PSSA scores is highly valuable to us. In order for students to be best prepared to take the PSSA on May 19, 25-27 (and June 3 for 4th grade only), please consider the following:
Make sure your child(ren) gets a good night's sleep prior to test days.
Make sure your child(ren) eats a substantial and healthy breakfast.
Encourage your child to do their best without putting undue pressure on themselves.
Please also refer to the "PSSA Materials" information earlier in the newsletter for items to bring and things to prepare for PSSA.
Thank you for all of your support as we look to best serve our wonderful students!
Have an incredible weekend!
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 5/14/2021 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 - 3rd Grade
Interested in Before and/or After Care for the 2020-2021 School Year?
2021-2022 Before and After School Program Registration Opens the End of June!
Visit CBSD Childcare Program site for more information!
Support CB Music!
Information from our Nurse...
Guidance Department Information
Updated COVID-19 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