Elementary News

And just like that, another long weekend has come to a close. We hope you and your family had a fantastic Labor Day! Now that we're all refreshed, it's the perfect time to get back into our school routines. Let's work together to make sure our kids are getting enough sleep, have a school work plan, and are ready to tackle each day with a can-do attitude. We're so excited to see them learn, grow, and have a great year!

Sept. 8 - Sept. 12 - Mac El Scholastic Book Fair (during school)

Sept. 9 - Mac El PTO meeting 3:30 pm (Group Room)

Sept. 10 - Mac El Family Night at the Book Fair (3:30 - 6:00 pm)

Sept. 17 - Virtual Learning Day

Sept. 22 - 26 - Pipe Creek PTO Scholastic Book Fair (during school)

Sept. 24 - Pipe Creek Family Night at the Book Fair (4:00pm - 6:00pm - PCE Library)

Oct. 2 - Family Literacy Night (MES & PCE)

Many students are still learning how to make positive choices, handle big emotions, and interact respectfully with others. This year, we’ve noticed that many of our students are still developing these important social and behavioral skills, and we want to work together to help them succeed—both in and out of the classroom.

As we partner with families, we encourage families to talk with their children at home about the importance of making good choices and understanding that every action has consequences—both positive and negative. When children learn that positive behaviors (like listening, sharing, and being kind) lead to positive outcomes, and negative behaviors have fair and consistent consequences, they begin to build responsibility, self-control, and confidence.

Here are a few simple ways you can help reinforce this at home:

• Talk about choices: Ask your child what good choices they made each day and how it made them (or others) feel.
  
  

• Set clear expectations: Help your child understand your rules at home and what happens when those rules are followed or broken.
  
  

• Stay consistent: Children feel more secure when consequences—good or bad—are predictable and fair.
  
  

• Praise positive behavior: Reinforce good behavior with praise, attention, or small rewards. It makes a big impact!
  
  

• Raising problem solvers: Want to help your child build confidence and independence? When they come to you with a problem, try resisting the urge to fix it for them. Instead, ask them, "How could you solve that problem?" This simple question encourages them to think for themselves, take ownership, and become great problem solvers.

We know parenting comes with challenges, and every child is unique. Our goal is to support you as best we can and create a consistent environment between home and school, where your child feels safe, respected, and ready to learn.

As part of Indiana’s efforts to support strong reading skills for all students, state law (Indiana

Code 20-35.5) requires schools to give a universal reading screener to all students in

kindergarten through second grade within the first 90 days of school. This screener helps identify

students who may need extra support in learning to read. Maconaquah and Pipe Creek Elementary Schools will be administering the i-Ready Literacy Tasks, which is an approved screener by the IDOE.

All parents will receive their child’s screening results. If the results show that your child may be

at risk for reading difficulties, you’ll be notified and provided with next steps, including

additional reading support. We’ll also ask for your permission to give your child further

assessments, if that is needed.

The information from this screener helps your child’s teacher make informed decisions about

reading instruction and support. If you have any questions about the screener or how it is used,

please reach out to your child’s school. To learn more, visit the Indiana Department of Education’s website.

This week we are working with Kodable to learn about directional coding to prepare us for next week's "If... Then.. coding statements" that will eventually advance us into text-based programming in the upper grade levels. Students are allowed to get onto Kodable during their free times or even at home!! Classroom code will be in the Specials Google Classroom, in case it is not saved on their page.

Happy Coding!

As we get further into the school year, we wanted to send a friendly reminder about the importance of handwashing. It's one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep our students and staff healthy and to stop the spread of germs.

Please take a moment to remind your child about these simple steps:

• Wet hands with clean, running water.

• Lather with soap.

• Scrub for at least 20 seconds.

• Rinse well under clean, running water.

• Dry hands using a clean towel or air dryer.

Thank you for your help in keeping our school community healthy!

Please make sure your child is up to date on their vaccinations. If have signed a religious exemption form previously, it must be signed again. Contact your school's nurse for more information. See the information below for the Immunization Clinic on Sept. 10th!

We love having you visit our schools! To ensure the safety of all our students, anyone who wishes to volunteer or have lunch with their student must first complete a volunteer background check. You can find the link under the Parent Resources tab on our website.

A friendly reminder: for the safety of our students, please remember to bring your photo ID whenever you visit the school for any reason, including student pickup, lunch, or meetings.

If there is a change in your child's transporation, whether they will be picked up or riding a bus, it MUST be communicated with the front office. This can be done by sending a note to school or calling the office. If you call the office, please make sure you speak with a person. There is a central list at each elementary school, which allows us to check when students are unsure and the teacher may not be available. Do not just send a message to the teacher. The office MUST be notified. Thank you!

NOTE: Transportation changes should be in to the office by 2:00 pm.