The Bobcat Bulletin

We had an amazing week last week and have an exciting and busy week ahead!

Yesterday, our students celebrated World Storytelling Day with a schoolwide “Around the World” experience. Students rotated through different countries, listening to stories shared by guest readers, staff, and high school volunteers. They explored cultures through engaging books such as The Ugly Duckling, The Legend of Coquí, The Name Jar, and Strega Nona, and reflected on their learning through “travel pamphlets.” This meaningful activity helped build global awareness and a love of reading. More information and photos can be found in the bulletin below.

The week ahead continues with many special opportunities. On Wednesday, our fourth and fifth graders will meet acclaimed author Mari Mancusi, who will share her newest novel, Dawn of the Dragons. Our Reading Olympics team will also compete this week. On Thursday, fifth graders will participate in the Career Showcase, hearing from Indian Lane parent volunteers representing fields such as law, business, health science, finance, construction, engineering, communications, skilled trades, and military service, including an active-duty Army lieutenant colonel who oversees ROTC programs. On Friday, students in grades 1–5 will engage in hands-on STEM activities led by Penncrest High School’s Science National Honor Society. We will also celebrate our March Birthday Bash this week. First grade will celebrate on Thursday during lunch, and grades 2–5 will celebrate on Friday.

-Michelle Britton

MARCH

• 25 | Mari Mancusi Author Visit (4th & 5th grades), 2:00 p.m.
• 25 | March Birthday Bash
• 26 | Fifth Grade Career Showcase, 9:15 a.m.
• 26 | Reading Olympics Competition at SLMS, 6:00 p.m.
• 30 | Spring Break Begins

APRIL

• 7 | School Resumes
• 9 | Chuck & Duck, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
• 10 | April Bobcat Pride Breakfast, 8:00-8:40 a.m.

Yesterday, our students took part in a truly special schoolwide “Around the World” storytelling experience in celebration of World Storytelling Day, which is recognized each year on March 20. This global event highlights the importance of storytelling across cultures and encourages people of all ages to share stories as a way to connect, learn, and understand one another.

The excitement was felt from the moment the day began, as classrooms turned into destinations around the globe and students set off on a journey through stories.

Throughout the morning, each class rotated to different “countries,” where they were welcomed by guest readers, staff members, and high school volunteers. At every stop, students listened to stories that reflected the culture, traditions, and voices of that part of the world. It was incredible to watch students so engaged, listening closely, asking questions, and making connections as they “traveled” from place to place.

Our students visited a wide range of countries, including Finland, Scotland, Japan, Vietnam, Puerto Rico, Denmark, China, and England. They also explored stories from places like the Philippines, India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, and Canada, truly experiencing a global celebration of storytelling.

Along the way, they enjoyed a variety of meaningful and engaging books. Some favorites included The Ugly Duckling from Denmark, The Legend of Coquí from Puerto Rico, The Name Jar and Bee-Bim Bop! from South Korea, Strega Nona from Italy, Alma and How She Got Her Name from Peru, and The Water Princess from Burkina Faso, among many others. Each story offered students a window into a different culture while also highlighting themes they could relate to in their own lives.

To capture their journey, students created their own “travel pamphlets,” where they recorded the countries they visited, wrote about the stories they heard, and shared interesting facts they learned along the way. This was a wonderful way for them to reflect on their experiences and take pride in all they discovered.

More than anything, the day was about bringing people together through stories. Celebrating on March 20th connected our students to a worldwide tradition that honors storytelling as a powerful way to share history, values, and experiences across generations and cultures.

We are so grateful to our parent and community volunteers, as well as our high school readers, for helping make this experience so meaningful. Their time, enthusiasm, and willingness to share stories made all the difference, and our students will remember this day for a long time.

Sandy Wright and Alison Marshaleck, the PTG parents organizing the Indian Lane 2025–2026 Yearbook, have created a Google folder for the 5th Grade Bobcat Memories Page.

They are collecting photos of the current 5th grade class from school events throughout their years at Indian Lane. Photos should include only current 5th graders (no students from other grades or family members).

Suggested submissions include:

• Class party group photos from any year

• Field trips

• Field Day

• Photos with teachers

• Special events such as 100 Days of School, Friendship Feast, and other school activities

Families are encouraged to look back through their photos and share special memories as we celebrate our 5th graders and their time at IL. Please upload folders to this link

Three Weeks. One School. One Incredible Cause.

Polar Pop 2026 is here, and we are ready for three weeks of energy, creativity, and friendly competition in support of the Special Olympics.

• Every class gets its moment
• Every student can participate
• Every effort makes a difference

Homerooms have been organized into groups to keep the competition fair and exciting. Each class participates one time during its assigned week. When it is your week, it is your time to shine.

HOW IT WORKS

There are two ways to earn points during your homeroom’s week.

Fundraising Power in Numbers

• All homerooms in the group combine their fundraising totals
• The group that raises the most money that week earns 1 point
• Every homeroom in that winning group receives the point
• If there is a tie, both groups receive the point

This is a team effort that builds pride and impact.

Participation Show Up and Stand Out

Homerooms compete within their group based on percentage of students participating.

• The homeroom with the highest participation percentage earns 1 point
• If there is a tie, both homerooms receive the point
• Participation is based on percentage, not total number of videos

Why Percentage

Using percentages keeps the competition fair for classes of different sizes.

Example:

• 18 out of 20 students participate = 90 percent
• 20 out of 25 students participate = 80 percent
• 90 percent earns the point

Participation is about showing up, not class size.

WHAT THAT MEANS

During its assigned week, a homeroom can earn:

• 2 points if the group wins fundraising and the homeroom wins participation
• 1 point
• 0 points

Points add up across all three weeks.

At the end of Polar Pop, the homeroom with the most total points will be recognized as the overall winner. If there is a tie, co winners will be celebrated.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Polar Pop brings our school community together
• It promotes compassion, teamwork, and school spirit
• It supports the Special Olympics and our unified programs

When your group raises funds, you make an impact.
When your class participates, you show your pride.

Let’s bring the energy.
Let’s bring the creativity.
Let’s make Polar Pop 2026 one to remember.

Indian Lane Student Council

Schedule

Week of March 23 (3 groups)

Group 6

• 3-Defoor

• 3-Hausladen

• 4-Johnston

Group 7

• 4-Arbutina

• 4-Iovonnoni

• 4-Cancelosi

Group 8

• 5-Siciliano

• 5-Speir

• 5-Bianchi

• 5-Michaels

📹 Videos due: Tuesday, March 24
🎬 Featured: Friday, March 27

Mason J. was selected to represent Indian Lane Elementary in this year’s PMEA District 12 5/6 Delco Band Fest. This band fest is a one day event where exceptional 5th and 6th grade band students from public and private schools in Delaware County meet for an all day rehearsal, and evening concert. This year, the event was held at Drexel Hill Middle School with guest conductor, Dr. Hannah Morrison. Mason performed exceptionally well, and deserves high praise for this outstanding achievement. Well done, Mason!

Order a personalized and signed copy for your child today. Available in hardcover or paperback.

The Bobcats T-shirts are available for purchase online. Families can order by selecting the “Buy Bobcats Maroon T-Shirt” link and choosing their preferred size and quantity on the order form.

We are excited to announce that the 16th Annual Poem in Your Pocket (PIYP) will take place Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 in celebration of National Poetry Month. This community event is organized each April by our teacher-librarians.

PIYP gives students and community members the opportunity to share a short poem at participating local businesses in exchange for a small treat generously provided by those businesses. The event is inclusive and flexible—students choose their own poem, practice it, and decide which businesses they would like to visit.

More details and a list of participating businesses will be available soon.

Poetry Café is an opportunity for students to practice important speaking and listening skills in a fun and positive way. Students are also exposed to an appreciation of poetry and creativity. We hope you can make it to our Poetry Café to hear the children read their favorite published poems and/or original poems in our wonderful library. It's a café, so there will be snacks, too. Guests are encouraged to bring poems to share. The kids absolutely love this part! Email Mrs. Hatton at thatton@rtmsd.org with any questions.

Students do not have to be a runner to join this club! We’ll start slow and work to increase our movement and laps each week, with an optional goal of completing the Run The Lane 5k the first Saturday in June.

MEETING DATES: April 7th, April 14th, April 21st, April 28th, May 5th, May 12th, May 26th, June 2nd. Members are encouraged to join us Saturday June 6th for Run the Lane 5k. (There is no school for students on May 19th, so the club will not meet. On May 12th 5th graders should attend the Spring Concert instead, but 4th graders can still meet.)

DUE TO THE HIGH INTEREST, we will use a lottery system for 4th and 5th grade participation in mILES Intramural Running Club again this year. Please complete the interest form below before Monday, March 30th to receive further communication.

Any Questions, please contact Club Sponsor: Becka Cancelosi, bcancelosi@rtmsd.org

Dear Indian Lane Families,

As shared on March 16th, contractors have begun the next phase of our HVAC project, including classroom ceiling tile removal. The team is taking great care to protect classroom materials, with furniture covered and barriers in place. Classrooms are fully restored each evening so they remain clean, safe, and ready for students each day.

Thank you for your continued support as we move forward with this important project.

Sincerely,
Michelle Britton

Indian Lane Elementary will conduct a school bus evacuation drill on Thursday, March 26, 2026. All Indian Lane buses will participate in the drill on the side of the school. The P.M. Midday Kindergarten buses will complete their drill when buses arrive in the afternoon. This required safety drill helps ensure that students understand proper procedures and can safely exit the bus in the event of an emergency.

Uncertain about if your student is well enough to come to school? Please review the district's guidance on When to Keep Your Child at Home.

If you still are unsure, please call the nurse's office at 610-627-7104 to speak with Mrs. LaRose

Mrs. Britton’s “throwback” is that she was part of the same contest 29 years ago!!!

Springton Lake Middle School has shared several important dates to help 5th grade students and families prepare for the transition to 6th grade. Upcoming events include a 5th Grade Parent Meeting on Tuesday, April 7th at 7:00 PM, followed by the 5th Grade Visitation on Tuesday, May 26th from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

In August, students will have opportunities to become familiar with the school through 6th Grade Transition Camp on Tuesday, August 11th or Tuesday, August 18th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Families are also invited to the Schedule Release Party on Thursday, August 13th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The Springton Lake Open House for all grades will be held Thursday, August 27th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and the first day of school for 6th grade students will be Monday, August 31st from 7:55 AM to 3:00 PM.

These events are designed to help students feel comfortable and confident as they begin their journey at Springton Lake.

Dear Fifth Grade Parents,

We are excited to announce the annual 5th Grade Yearbook Cover Contest. Each year, fifth grade students are invited to submit original artwork for a chance to have their design featured on the front cover of our school yearbook. Participation in the contest is completely optional.

Please review the submission guidelines carefully:

Submission Requirements:

1. Artwork must be original student work.
   Digital submissions are not permitted, as image quality may not reproduce well in print.

2. Designs must be completed in color.

3. Artwork must be created on 8.5" x 11" white paper in portrait (vertical) orientation.

4. Students must sign their first and last name in pencil on the back of the submission.

5. All entries are due by Friday, April 10, 2026, the Friday we return from Spring Break.

Entries will be reviewed, and the selected design will be featured on this year’s yearbook cover.

We look forward to seeing the creativity and talent of our fifth grade students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Ms. Devine

Every child at Indian Lane is a BOBCAT & we want to celebrate with each of you. Families are invited to sign up to attend ONE Bobcat Pride Breakfast during the 2025-2026 school year. Younger siblings are welcome to attend, but please only sign up for the IL student(s) on the sheet. Each student should take one spot on the sign up sheet. The Breakfast are held from 8:00 - 8:40 a.m. in the Indian Lane cafeteria.

1. Go to: https://indianlaneptg.membershiptoolkit.com/

2. Create your account. Select Create Account and fill in your name, email, and password.

3. Verify your email. Click verify my email and then check your inbox for the link.

   • The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive it, check your spam or junk folders.

4. Log back in. Once your email is verified, return to the site and complete your registration.

5. Enter your information. Fill in the Parent/Family and Student details.

6. Update your child’s information. Make sure you select the correct grade and homeroom teacher so you receive classroom party and volunteer communications.

   • If your child has a special education teacher, please do not select that teacher unless your child’s homeroom is physically in that classroom.

7. Set your preferences. Complete the Directory/Publish section to choose what information is visible to others.

8. 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

A few quick links to keep handy:

• Our school website: Indian Lane
• If your student is sick please submit Absence Form
• For an educational trip: Pre-Planned Absence Request
• Breakfast and Lunch Menus - Nutrislice / to check your student's account: MySchoolBucks
• You may follow the bus routes and check for transportation updates at MyRide360

Please join Pastries with Princesses and Princes on Saturday, April 18th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. This is an annual community event sponsored by the Penncrest Student Council. All proceeds will go to a charity of the students' choice. Tickets can be purchased online only. We hope to see everyone and their families there.

Penncrest Pickleball Club is hosting a Pickleball Clinic on Saturday, April 11th.

On April 22nd at 7:00 PM, the PA Tourette Syndrome Alliance will host a parent education presentation. Please join us for this ZOOM presentation.

Grades 1st - 5th 8:50 am - 3:30 pm

AM Kindergarten 8:50 am - 11:25 am

PM Kindergarten 12:55 pm - 3:30 pm

Email: mbritton@rtmsd.org
Website: https://www.rtmsd.org/Domain/9
Location: 309 South Old Middletown Road, Media, PA, USA
Phone: 610-627-7100