Elementary News

We kicked off the week strong as our 4th and 5th grade students finished up their ILEARN assessments—what a great accomplishment! Our Kindergarten and 1st grade students also showed their hard work by completing their iReady end-of-year diagnostic.

Our 2nd graders had a blast with a hands-on visit from Silly Safaris, while our kindergarten students were busy exploring the community with trips to the library, the Peru Fire Department, and the Miami County Museum.

With the sunny (but cooler!) weather, classes were excited to get outside for P.E., where students ran the mile, learned kickball, and built teamwork skills together. In between all the fun, students have been staying focused—reviewing important skills for upcoming benchmark assessments and continuing to grow as readers in small groups as they prepare for IREAD reassessments.

We know this time of year can be both exciting and challenging when it comes to staying motivated, and we truly appreciate the encouragement and support you give your students each day to help them finish strong!

May 4 - 8 - Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

• IREADY End of Year Diagnostic Assessments begin (2 - 5)

May 5 - Pipe Creek PTO Meeting 3:00 - 4:00 pm

May 6 - 5th grade Field Trip - Lost Sister Trail (Eash/Heishman)

• Mac El Book Fair & Art Gallery 3:30 - 6:00 pm

May 7 - 5th grade Field Trip - Lost Sister Trail (Berry/Chaney)

• K-1 Field Trip - Down on the Farm @ MHS

May 8 - 5th grade Field Trip - Lost Sister Trail ( Kelly/Ross)

May 11 - 13 - IREAD retesting

May 14 - Pipe Creek Field Day

May 15 - 4th grade Field Trip - Indiana State Museum

May 20 - Mac El Field Day

May 21 - Last Student Day

May 26 - June 4 - IREAD Summer School

As we head into Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, we invite you to join us in recognizing the incredible people who pour their time, energy, and heart into your children each day. From classroom teachers to support staff, every member of our team plays a role in creating a safe, encouraging, and engaging environment where students can grow and succeed. A simple note, kind message, or small gesture of appreciation can go a long way in reminding them that their efforts truly matter. Thank you for partnering with us to celebrate the dedication and impact of our amazing staff!

It was an exciting day when Silly Safaris visited our second-grade students and the winners of the fundraiser prizes! The students learned about animal adaptations and had the opportunity to see the animals up close. They even got to touch some of them! It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved!

Pipe Creek students had the chance to experience a new instrument this week called a classroom cajon. It is a box-shaped percussion instrument that students sit on and play with their hands. Originally from Peru, it’s typically made of wood and has a thin front panel that produces different sounds depending on where it’s struck. When students tap near the center, it creates a deeper, bass-like tone, while hits closer to the top corners produce a higher, snare-like sound. Inside, there are often strings or wires that add a crisp, buzzing effect. In the classroom, cajons are great for teaching rhythm, keeping a steady beat, and engaging students in hands-on music-making—they’re simple to use, versatile, and fun for all ages.

Thank you to Northern Indiana community Foundation/First Farmers Bank for the donation funds.

If you would like to submit a request for your child for the next school year, please complete the following:

• Write a letter/email to Mrs. Tidd (tidds@maconaquah.k12.in.us) including your child's name, grade, and reason for a request.
• Do NOT include a specific teacher as letters requesting specific teachers will not be accepted.
• Do describe the needs of your child and the best learning environment for them to be successful.

Letters must be received by May 8th. Classroom placement will be available when fall registration for the 2025-26 school year is completed.

If you received a letter regarding IREAD summer school if your third or fourth grade student did not pass, or if your second grade student was considered at risk, please return the letters as soon as possible. It is important to know that if your child would attend and if they need transporation.

Third and Fourth grade students will have an opportunity to test in May. If they pass the IREAD, they will not need to attend summer school. Second grade students will have an opportunity to test after sumer school.

If you are still interested in purchasing a yearbook for your student in either elementary school, the cost is $25. It is on a first come, first serve basis, as there is a limited supply of extra yearbooks.

If there is a change in your child's transportation, 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.

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.