The Bobcat Bulletin
Yesterday was a powerful reminder of why we come together each year to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rather than simply talking about service, our students lived it. In the spirit of Dr. King’s belief that everybody can serve and everybody can make a difference, our Bobcats spent the day giving their time, energy, and hearts to others. This Day of Service is deeply important to us at Indian Lane. It is rooted in purpose and meaning and helps our students understand that service is not about recognition or convenience, but about compassion, responsibility, and community. Each project was intentional, hands-on, and designed to show students how their actions can directly impact others.
I cannot express enough gratitude to our families for the generosity and support shown throughout this Day of Service. Without the donations that were sent in, the time that was volunteered, and the encouragement given at home, this day simply would not have been possible. Families truly stepped up, and the impact of that generosity was felt in every classroom and every project across the building.
A tremendous amount of planning, coordination, and behind-the-scenes work went into making this day such a meaningful success. I am especially grateful to Mrs. Bevan, one of our incredible building substitutes, who worked closely with me to help organize donations and prepare for this event. Her time, dedication, and willingness to step in wherever needed made a significant difference. Thank you as well to our Student Council for their support and involvement in helping make this day possible. Dr. King believed that everybody can be great because everybody can serve. Yesterday, our students showed us exactly what that looks like.
-Michelle Britton
Kindergarten students participated in a hands on service project supporting Angel’s Retreat in West Chester, an organization dedicated to caring for animals while they wait for permanent, loving homes. From start to finish, our youngest Bobcats were fully involved in the process of making homemade dog biscuits.
Using carrots and apples donated by families, students helped chop and puree ingredients, roll the dough, use cookie cutters, and bag the finished treats. Over the course of three days, kindergarten students returned to the project, adding a little more each day and taking great pride in their work.
Through this experience, they learned patience, teamwork, and responsibility, and saw that even at a young age, they can make a meaningful difference for others.
To make this project possible, a great deal of time and care went on behind the scenes. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Meile and Mrs. Huebner, who spent days before and after school preparing for this project, including boiling carrots at home so everything was ready for our students. We are also incredibly grateful to one of our amazing teaching assistants, Mrs. Menapace, who generously volunteered her baking expertise to help bring this project to the finish line.
First grade students focused on helping families experience joy during moments that matter most. Their project centered on creating Birthday Cake Boxes for families who may not have the financial means to celebrate a birthday. These boxes were donated to the Delco Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, an organization that supports families throughout our community by providing food and essential items during times of need.
Each birthday box included everything required to celebrate at home, including cake mix, icing, birthday candles, and even a can of Sprite. The Sprite replaces the need for eggs and oil, ensuring that families can bake a cake even if they do not have those ingredients available. This thoughtful detail made it possible for a family to truly celebrate a loved one’s birthday from start to finish.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of first grade families, over 90 Birthday Cake Boxes were assembled and donated. These boxes will allow children and adults to feel seen, valued, and celebrated on a day that might otherwise pass quietly.
Second grade students dedicated their service project to honoring those who serve and protect our community each day. Through the creation of Thank You Kits for first responders, students learned about the important and often challenging work done by police officers, firefighters, and EMTs.
As students assembled each kit, conversations naturally emerged about emergencies, helping others in difficult moments, and what it means to show appreciation to people who put others first. This project allowed students to express gratitude in a meaningful and tangible way and helped them understand that even small acts of kindness matter.
Third grade students focused their efforts on supporting Caring for Friends, an organization that provides meals to individuals who are homebound and unable to prepare food for themselves due to illness, disability, or age. Many of the individuals served by this organization experience isolation in addition to physical challenges, making reliable meals and compassion especially important.
Students assembled over 500 breakfast bags filled with nourishing items to help recipients start their day. Through this experience, students learned that service does not always happen face to face. Even without meeting the individuals receiving the meals, they understood that their work mattered deeply and would reach someone who truly needed it.
Fourth grade students took on a service project that required teamwork, urgency, and heart. Working side by side, they prepared almost 300 bologna and cheese sandwiches that were delivered to three homeless shelters, two in Chester and one in Chester County.
With the support of parent volunteers, students worked efficiently, understanding that timing mattered. The sandwiches were delivered within an hour of being made to ensure freshness. On a very cold day in January, these sandwiches provided lunch for individuals facing food insecurity. Students also included messages of encouragement, learning that service is about dignity, kindness, and reminding others they are not forgotten.
The fifth grade comfort care bag project is a long standing tradition at Indian Lane and one that holds deep meaning for our school community. For many years, this project has honored staff members and Indian Lane families who have been impacted by cancer. It is a tradition rooted in empathy, remembrance, and care.
Comfort care bags are designed to support individuals undergoing cancer treatment. They offer comfort during long days, encouragement during difficult moments, and a reminder that someone is thinking of them and wishing them strength. This year, each fifth grade student also created a Words of Wisdom bracelet to include in the bags, adding a personal message of hope and encouragement from the heart.
Many students connected this project to people they know and love, making the experience especially meaningful. The completed comfort care bags are donated to a local cancer treatment center, where they are shared with patients receiving care. We are grateful to Mrs. Blanchette, one of our retired Indian Lane teachers who continues to substitute in our building and volunteers at a cancer treatment center, for helping ensure these meaningful bags reach those who need them most.
Head Lice Information
Is anyone in your home scratching their head? Here's a quick reminder about the district's Lice Management Plan.
Updated guidance for parents about head lice was recently published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Click the link for everything you need to know about finding them and treating them. This video is very helpful in showing how to check your student's head.
Get in the habit of checking your student every couple of weeks and remind them not to share hats or put their heads together with other students. As always feel free to call the nurse's office if you have any questions.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
JANUARY
- 19 | Holiday, All Buildings Closed
- 22 | STEAM Club at Middletown Free Library, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
- 26 | Principal Advisory Board, 2:00 p.m.
- 28 & 29 | Chick-Fil-A Spirit Nights, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- 30 | January Birthday Bash
- 30 | First Grade Field Trip
- 30 | BINGO Night, 7:00-8:00 p.m. *Please RSVP
*Volunteer & Donations for BINGO
Indian Lane Principal’s Advisory Board (P.A.B.) Meeting – January 26
Our Principal’s Advisory Board (P.A.B.) will be meeting on January 26th. If you would like to suggest a topic for discussion, please complete and submit the Topics for Discussion Survey.
“Electronic games and trading cards, etc. may be accessed on the school bus, but must remain in the student’s backpack during the school day. These are distracting to the education process and are easily damaged or lost. The school shall not be responsible for the loss, damage, or misuse of any personal items brought to school.
Please note: This includes recess. Students may not take toys, trading cards (such as Pokémon cards), or similar items out during recess to play or trade. These items must stay in backpacks for the entire school day.”
Free Parent Workshop - Screen Time Addiction
February 19, 2026 - 6:30 pm at Springton Lake Middle School
Are you concerned about a loved one’s or your own social media, internet or screen use? Would you like to learn strategies to reduce screen time for yourself and your children?
Join us for a free workshop to discuss the warning signs of internet and screen time addiction on February 19, 2026 at 6:30 pm at Springton Lake Middle School. Learn what you can do develop a healthy balance using the internet and social media. Strategies for anyone age 0 through adult.
Presented by Jennifer Rice, LMFT and Gina Bell, LCSW. We will be joined by Mike McLeod from GrowNow ADHD (Executive Function Specialist and host of the ADHD Parenting podcast), Delco Unplugged and more!
This is a friendly reminder that we go outdoors for recess as often as the weather allows. With the colder weather we have been experiencing, please make sure your child comes to school dressed appropriately. Please also label all items your child brings to school, including coats, hats, gloves, lunchboxes, and other belongings, to help us keep items organized and easily identifiable.
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Create your account. Select Create Account and fill in your name, email, and password.
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Verify your email. Click verify my email and then check your inbox for the link.
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The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive it, check your spam or junk folders.
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Log back in. Once your email is verified, return to the site and complete your registration.
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Enter your information. Fill in the Parent/Family and Student details.
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Update your child’s information. Make sure you select the correct grade and homeroom teacher so you receive classroom party and volunteer communications.
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If your child has a special education teacher, please do not select that teacher unless your child’s homeroom is physically in that classroom.
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Finish up. Once these steps are complete, you will have full access to the directory.
📌 Tip: Once the Primary Account is set up, you can invite another parent or guardian by email so they can create their own login while still being connected to your family account.
Apple users: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/membership-toolkit/id912169276?platform=iphone
Indian Lane Elementary School
Email: mbritton@rtmsd.org
Website: https://www.rtmsd.org/Domain/9
Location: 309 South Old Middletown Road, Media, PA, USA
Phone: 610-627-7100