Mill Creek Principal Update

Dear Mill Creek families,

We had an amazing first week of school. It was lovely to see our students smiling and making friends while also learning school routines. We can't wait to see what this school year brings!

This week, many of our students are taking their fall iReady benchmark assessment. The data from these assessments allows us to tailor instruction and necessary interventions to improve student learning. Students will take the benchmark again in January. Please ensure your students come to school rested and ready to do their best on this test.

If you don't already know, Mill Creek has an incredible PTA. We had a small but mighty turnout for our Fun Fest organizational meeting last week. We are looking forward to our first general PTA meeting of the year next Tuesday, September 8 at 6 pm. This meeting is open to all families! We are excited to have our new families come and learn all about our Mill Creek traditions. We are in a time of transition at Mill Creek and definitely would love more parents to get involved. Please join us next Tuesday in the Media Center.

Thank you for helping us have a fantastic start to the school year. We look forward to seeing you at school soon.

Go Cougars!

Amy Rogers & Kurtis Jensen

September 7 - Labor Day - No School

September 8 - PTA Meeting, 6 pm - All are welcome!

September 11 - Last day to order spirit wear - https://fastyowi.com/store/mill-creek/products

September 14-18 - Food Drive for the Food Bank for Central Missouri

September 16 - Walk to School Day - meet in The Pines Neighborhood at Woodberry Ct., 7:30 am

September 24 - Fall Picture Day - https://inter-state.com/order and enter code 0515JGF

September 30 - Early Dismissal, 12:50 pm

October 9 - Cougar Fun Fest!

Returning to school after a long summer can sometimes be difficult for children. We have listed some tips below to help you navigate challenges you may be experiencing.

1. Set a standard bedtime for your child. Make sure they know what time they will be expected to be in bed. Start winding down the day at least an hour ahead of time. Establish calm routines for this hour such as reading a book and bath/shower time. Stick to the routine throughout the school year as much as possible. Kids crave routine!

2. Limit the amount of time your child is on a device after school hours. Be sure to take away any devices at least an hour before bedtime. Research has established that device use can be disruptive to sleep in children and adults.

3. Try to spend some time outside, read books, and play with friends after school, rather than allowing your child to spend a lot of time on a device.

4. Don't be afraid to tell your child "no." Children need to learn there are boundaries, and that it's ok to be disappointed from time to time.

5. Play board games with your child. Learning and following rules (and losing sometimes!) helps students feel better adjusted at school.

We will celebrate Walk to School Day on Wednesday, September 16. We have a new routine this year! We will meet in the The Pines Neighborhood at Woodberry Court at 7:30 am and walk to school from there. This is a safer walking route, as we will have a sidewalk to walk on the entire distance. The Pines HOA is aware that there will be many parent vehicles in the subdivision that morning.

This year, Mizzou's Homecoming Committee is once again partnering with the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri to combat food insecurity in our community. Please send nonperishable food to school the week of September 14-18. Students may drop off donations in the barrels that will be located in our Commons. Thank you for helping us rally our CPS community around an important cause!

Inter-State Studio will be here Thursday, September 24 to take pictures of our students. These pictures are for our yearbook. Flyers will come home in Friday folders, or you can go to www.inter-state.com/order and enter code 0515JGF.

Tuesday, September 8 — First PTA Meeting

6:00 PM | Media Center or Zoom. Everyone is welcome! You don't have to be a board member or commit to volunteering to attend. Come hear what we're working on, share ideas, and get involved as much or as little as you'd like!

Wednesday, September 16 — Walk to School Day, Meet at The Pines Neighborhood, Woodberry Ct. cul-de-sac Walk begins at 7:30 AM

October 4–8 — Cougar Fun Fest Silent Auction Our online auction will be packed with amazing donations, experiences, gift cards, classroom treats, and more! Do you own a business, work for a company that gives back to local schools, or know a business that might be interested in donating? We’d love to hear from you!

Friday, October 9 — COUGAR FUN FEST! 5:00–8:00 PM

Join the PTA!

Joining PTA can be a very low commitment! Simply becoming a member helps support our school, you don't have to attend every meeting or volunteer for every event.

It takes a village, and we'd love for you to be part of ours! Even if your involvement is simply joining PTA or attending a meeting when you can, you are welcome.

Join here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/2026-2027-pta-membership-dues-copy/items

Help in Your Child's Classroom

Your child's teacher will share a Room Coordinator SignUpGenius with opportunities to help with classroom parties and other fun activities throughout the year.

Didn't receive it? Email us at MCEPTABOARD@GMAIL.COM, and we'll help get you connected!

Cougar Spirit Wear Is OPEN!

Show off your Cougar pride! Spirit Wear orders are open now through September 11.

https://fastyowi.com/store/mill-creek/products

Stay Connected!

Don't miss PTA updates, reminders, volunteer opportunities, Fun Fest news, and everything happening throughout the year!

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18z2otYWzH/

And SAVE our Linktree! We keep it updated with all the important Mill Creek links you'll need throughout the school year: https://linktr.ee/millcreekpta

We can't wait for another wonderful year with our Mill Creek families. Welcome back, Cougars!

Counselors will be sending home information about community resources. Please look for the handout and return the form to school.

VAC holiday sign ups begin September 2. Here is the link to sign up: https://www.vacmo.org/programs/holiday/ Counselors can also give you a copy of the flyer electronically if needed.

Mrs. Biener (mbiener@cpsk12.org) and Mrs. Baker (thbaker@cpsk12.org) can be reached by email or by calling the Main Office at 573.214.3280.

In accordance with Missouri Senate Bill 68, CPS does not allow the use of Personal Electronic Devices, such as cell phones, at any school at any time during the instructional day.

What will that mean?

• The act defines an "electronic personal communications device" as a portable device that is used to initiate, receive, store, or view communication, information, images, or data electronically.

• Phone and personal electronic devices must be on silent and put away from the beginning of the day to the end of the day, including, but not limited to, during instructional time, meal times, breaks, time between classes and study halls.

• Exceptions are allowed during emergency situations or when authorized under federal law for health or special education purposes.

Please support our teachers and have conversations about this with your students at home. You are always able to call our front office should you need to get a message to your child during the day. Our top priority has always been providing impactful learning opportunities for our students.

We will offer a variety of clubs this school year for our students. Club information may be advertised in Friday Folders. Club signups will all come through a Parentlink email, and students will be chosen by lottery.

Website: www.cpsk12.org/mce
Location: 2200 West Nifong Boulevard, Columbia, MO, USA
Phone: 573.214.3280