MCES Colt Connection
Dear Morning Creek Families,
We had another full week at Morning Creek, with plenty of smiles, flexibility, and fun along the way!
This week, we kicked off our Character Strong focus for the month: Respect. We define Respect as seeing value in all people and things and treating them with care. Throughout the month, students will explore what respect looks and sounds like while building skills such as perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and leadership.
It was also a hot one at Morning Creek! Students enjoyed the cool air in the MPR for lunch recess most days. Between drawing, coloring, games, time with friends, and plenty of dancing, we discovered that our Colts have some pretty impressive dance moves!
We wrapped up the week with a successful Picture Day today, and we’re excited to kick off our first VAPA day on Monday!
Be sure to take a look below for our monthly CharacterStrong newsletter, which includes simple tips and conversation starters to help continue the conversation about Respect at home.
Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our Colts learn, grow, and care for one another.
Warmly,
Principal Sullens
As our students settle into their school routines, we want to continue helping them build independence and responsibility while also protecting classroom learning time.
If you need to drop off a forgotten item, such as a lunch, water bottle, or jacket, please communicate with your child before the start of the school day so they know to check the front office at recess or lunch. This helps us avoid interrupting classroom instruction to notify students of dropped-off items.
For students participating in band or Safety Patrol, remembering their instrument or uniform is an important part of the responsibility that comes with these programs. At the request of our band teachers, instruments should arrive with students at the start of the school day. The same applies to Safety Patrol uniforms. If either is forgotten at home, students will participate according to the program’s plan for that day rather than having the item delivered later.
Thank you for partnering with us as we help our Colts build independence, responsibility, and strong habits that will serve them well throughout the school year.
We would like to provide some clarification regarding excused and unexcused absences, including how absences are classified, how they may impact make-up work, and how all absences contribute to chronic absenteeism.
One important distinction to remember is that a parent or guardian reporting an absence does not automatically make the absence excused. California law identifies the reasons that schools may classify as excused.
What is an Excused Absence?
Common examples of excused absences include:
Student illness, including an absence for the benefit of the student's mental or behavioral health
Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic appointments
Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer
Funeral services or bereavement for an immediate family member
Court appearances or jury duty, as permitted by law
Religious holidays, ceremonies, or retreats
Certain circumstances involving an immediate family member who is an active-duty member of the uniformed services
The student's U.S. naturalization ceremony
Qualifying cultural ceremonies or events
Certain civic or political events for students in grades 6–12, with advance notice
Some excused absences have specific requirements regarding documentation, advance notice, or the number of days that may be excused. Your school's attendance office can assist you if you have questions about whether a particular absence qualifies.
What is an Unexcused Absence?
When the reason for an absence does not meet California's criteria for an excused absence, the absence is considered unexcused, even when the parent or guardian has notified the school.
Common examples include:
Family vacations or trips
Oversleeping
Transportation issues
Missing school for a non-school activity
Staying home for convenience
"Personal reasons" that do not otherwise qualify as an excused absence
We understand that families may occasionally encounter circumstances that make school attendance difficult. An absence being classified as "unexcused" does not mean that the school is questioning a parent's decision or that the reason is not important to the family. It simply means that the reason does not fall within the categories California law allows schools to record as excused.
Make-Up Work and Grading
For an excused absence, students must be given the opportunity to make up missed schoolwork. When assignments and tests are satisfactorily completed within a reasonable make-up period, students must be provided the opportunity to receive full credit.
PUSD Board Policy 6154 also addresses work missed because of an unexcused absence and states:
"Students who miss schoolwork because of unexcused absences may be given the opportunity to make up missed work."
This means that, unlike an excused absence, the same make-up privileges are not automatically guaranteed for an unexcused absence. Because student circumstances vary, opportunities to make up work following an unexcused absence should be considered based on the individual circumstances and in accordance with District, school, and classroom practices.
All Absences Count Toward Chronic Absenteeism
It is also important to understand that both excused and unexcused absences count toward chronic absenteeism.
A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school days in which they are enrolled, regardless of whether those absences are excused or unexcused.
Chronic Absenteeism = ALL absences (excused + unexcused)
The distinction between excused and unexcused absences is required for accurate attendance reporting and compliance with California law. However, from an instructional standpoint, every absence represents time away from classroom learning.
Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in a student's academic success and connection to school. We recognize that illness and other unavoidable circumstances occur, and we appreciate your partnership in helping students attend school consistently whenever they are able.
If you have questions about your child's attendance or whether a particular absence qualifies as excused, please contact your school's attendance office.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
TB Test Clarification
New this year, all volunteers—both new and returning—must have the new TB Risk Assessment form completed and signed by a healthcare provider. Unfortunately, TB forms or test results submitted in previous years cannot be accepted in place of the new form.
If you have had a TB test within the last four years, you may bring documentation of that test along with the new TB Risk Assessment form to your healthcare provider for review and signature.
The required TB Risk Assessment form can be found using the button below.
Thank you for taking care of this important step so we can continue welcoming our wonderful volunteers to campus!
Want to volunteer at Morning Creek this school year? We’re excited to welcome our Colt volunteers back! 💙
Before applying, please note these important updates:
📋 New application: All volunteers (new and returning) must complete the 2026–2027 application.
🪪 Photo ID required: Upload a current government-issued photo ID (military ID is not accepted). Your application name must match your ID exactly.
🩺 TB clearance: A completed California School Employee TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire is required.
📚 Level 1 volunteers: AB 1913 training must be completed within 90 days of applying, with the certificate uploaded to your application Visit the JPA Learning Library in your desired browser to access the training..
⏰ Please be patient! Volunteer applications will be processed as our school routines and procedures are established.
We appreciate your patience and support as we get the new school year underway! 💙
About Us
Principal: Kristin Sullens
Email: Ksullens@powayusd.com
Website:https://morningcreek.powayusd.com/
Phone: 858-748-4334