September Communicator 2026
SPIRIT STICK CHALLENGE #3: Attendance Spirit Day
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we’re celebrating with our next Traveling Spirit Stick Challenge!
From September 14-18, MCAS will compete for the Traveling Spirit Stick with a focus on strong student attendance. Student and staff attendance will be tracked throughout the week, with the school earning the highest combined average attendance score taking home the Spirit Stick.
But wait! There’s more! As part of the challenge, we’re adding some school spirit to Wolfie Way Wednesday on September 16. Students and staff are encouraged to Wear Your School Pride by wearing school colors, school spirit wear, Wolves wear, or MCAS gear. Schools will also share photos from the day on their social media pages, highlighting attendance, belonging, and pride across MCAS.
With student attendance at the heart of this month’s challenge, MCAS buildings serving students will compete for the September Traveling Spirit Stick. However, all MCAS buildings are encouraged to participate throughout the week, especially on Wolfie Way Wednesday. District and support buildings can wear MCAS gear or colors, share their Pack pride on social media, and help us celebrate Attendance Awareness Month across the district.
Together, we can reinforce the message that showing up, being present, and supporting one another helps build a stronger Pack. It’s another way we are putting the Wolfie Way into action and building the positive culture and sense of belonging reflected in the Culture and Environment pillar of our MCAS Strategic Plan.
The winning school will be announced and presented with the Traveling Spirit Stick in October.
Strong Attendance Builds the Pack. #OneCityOnePack
Andrew Sperling - Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Sperling has joined our district this school year as CFO. In his new position, he manages all fiscal operations, such as managing the district budget, completing government financial reports, and overseeing school funding and grants.
Email: a.sperling@mcas.k12.in.us
Ext: 8343
Tracey Haas - Business Manager
Tracey has recently become the district's Business Manager, overseeing the business/finance floor and all financial functions of the school corporation.
Email: thaas@mcas.k12.in.us
Ext. 8346
Ella Brinckman - CFO Secretary
Ella's duties as CFO Secretary consist of supporting the finance department in all clerical and administrative tasks.
Email: ebrinckman@mcas.k12.in.us
Ext. 8341
Maria Frye - Payroll Assistant
As a Payroll Assistant, Maria supports the preparation and processing of all payroll for MCAS support staff and Food Service staff.
Email: m.frye@mcas.k12.in.us
Ext. 8317
Jill Lomax - Payroll Assistant
As Payroll Assistant, Jill supports the preparation and processing of all payroll for MCAS teachers and transportation staff.
Email: jlomax@mcas.k12.in.us
Ext. 8308
Autumn Escapes
Enjoy special savings on hotels, rental cars, and both domestic and international flights.
National Women's Health and Fitness Day
Focus on your well‑being with special offers on wellness products and services as we celebrate National Women’s Health and Fitness Day with deals all month long.
Back-to-School
Set your loved one up for success with special offers on tutoring, daycare, enrichment programs, and more.
Free digital news subscriptions for NWI Teachers & Students
The Times of Northwest Indiana is once again providing free digital subscriptions for Region students and teachers through the News for Students program. The subscription includes one year of free access to nwi.com, the mobile app, an archive of stories, and The Times of Northwest Indiana E-edition, which is a digital replica of the day’s printed newspaper.
Teachers must sign up for subscriptions by Aug. 31. The subscriptions start Aug. 31 and run for about a year. Educators should sign up with their school email address, and the students will then be given accounts.
The Times of Northwest Indiana website, nwi.com, and E-edition contain a variety of news, sports and information. There are also puzzles, video, cartoons, photo galleries and more. Students and teachers will find content that inspires and challenges them.
As teachers take on the challenge of educating a new group of students this fall, the NWI Times is honored to play a small role.
Free Code to Dunes Arts Theatre this summer!
Use code EDUCATION26 to claim tickets to any mainstage show at www.dunesARTS.org.
Our mainstage shows are for ages 16+ but we also have a scholarship for free tuition to our Youth Program for students ages 8-18.
Introvert/Extrovert: Which Are You & How Do You Recharge? & Functional Fitness
Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 • 11:30am CST/12:30pm EST
Registration Required: https://franciscanhealth-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zH_w-9hvTO2tsJi0xmwe5Q
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
This webinar explores the differences between introversion and extroversion—how people gain energy, process experiences, and connect with others. Learn how to recognize where you fall on the spectrum, why understanding your type matters for relationships and self-care, and practical ways to recharge and thrive in daily life.
Functional Fitness: Benefits of movement at any age, ability, or fitness level. When and how to stretch. Getting fit without the use of equipment.
Renewal Grants for Indiana K-12 Educators DUE SEPTEMBER 8!
The Lilly Endowment is accepting applications for its Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program. This program supports educators throughout Indiana by providing resources that allow them to take time for meaningful renewal. The Endowment believes that through new experiences, exploration, and reflection, educators can generate renewed energy in their careers, innovative approaches to teaching and educational leadership, and thoughtful ways to encourage students’ creative thinking. The Endowment expects to award approximately 150 grants, each totaling up to $15,000, in 2027. The application deadline is 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 8. Four information sessions will be held in 2026 on April 14, May 7, August 6, and August 11.
To learn more or register for one of these sessions, visit the Lilly Endowment website. Contact Lilly Endowment staff at teachercreativity@lei.org with any questions.
Volunteer Tutors Needed!
They're hoping to find a few dedicated people to spend a couple hours after school helping local students with their studies. While tutoring may be needed for all ages, the greatest need right now is for elementary-age students.
Tutoring will take place in their fully equipped office, located at 228 W. 4th Street. This facility is set up with all necessary resources, including computers and printers, to ensure a productive and effective learning experience.
If you are interested, or if you know of anyone in your network who might be able to help, please reach out directly to Executive Director, Jackie Dermody, with any questions or to express your interest: 219-363-3509 (Cell) or jdermody@lpcasa.com.
Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County
Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County is hiring several additional program leaders for the school year. Rates start at $15/$16 per hour. These staff members work directly with youth, facilitating programs and activities. Positions are available at our Clubs at Pine and Springfield elementary schools, as well as our Westcott Club at the Elston building. Club hours run from the time school ends to 6:00 PM daily.
Visit https://www.bgclpc.org/join-our-team/ for details and to print an application. Questions? Please contact Sally Riffer, Chief Operations Officer at sriffer@bgclubmc.org or (219) 873-2298. Thank you for all you do to help us build Great Futures!
