MacArthur Elementary School

MacArthur Families,

We’ve officially wrapped up the first full week of school, and what a wonderful start it has been! It was such a joy to welcome our students back to school — full of energy, curiosity, and excitement for the year ahead.

Thank you for your support in helping make the transition back to school smooth and positive. From arriving on time to adjusting to new routines, your partnership is a key part of our school community's success.

Over the past week, our students have begun building relationships with their teachers and classmates, getting to know their learning spaces, and engaging in early lessons that lay the foundation for a year of growth.

As we move forward, we’re excited to continue working together to create a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment for every student. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or celebrations — we value your input and involvement.

Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!

Have a Great Weekend,

Marian Buchko

September

1st: No School-Labor Day

4th: Title 1 Parent Meeting @ 9 am

15th: PTO Meeting @ 4:15 pm

17th: E-Learning Day

18th: Picture Day

Students in the STEM room have become bubble-ologists! They have discovered new things about bubbles and just how cool they really are! As bubble-ologists the students talked about the scientific method and used that to help them complete their bubble investigations! They created their own bubble wands out of pipe cleaners to conduct their experiment!

Picture Day for MacArthur Elementary School is scheduled for
Thursday, September 18.

Use Order Code is 0133JKF.

Online ordering is available before and after Picture Day. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day.

Indiana legislature has adopted legal requirements that each Indiana public school, including charter schools and accredited nonpublic schools, shall provide age-appropriate and research and evidence-based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse to students in kindergarten through grade 12. Note that this expands the previous requirement from providing education in grades 2-5 to grades K-12. In order to meet the requirements, Crown Point school counselors and home-school facilitators will be providing age-appropriate, research-informed student personal/body safety sessions from September 2025 through December 2025. At the elementary level, students will learn the Protect Yourself Rules with their counselor or home-school facilitator in a classroom session of approximately 30 minutes. Parents can view the Protect Yourself Rules and related materials at the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation website fightchildabuse.org. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to contact Ms. Bellamy @ abellamy@cps.k12.in.us.

Indiana Legislature requires that each public school shall provide age-appropriate, research-based instruction as provided under IC 5-2-10.1-12(d) focusing on bullying prevention for all students in grades 1 through 12. Crown Point elementary students will receive age-appropriate, research-based instruction using the Second Steps Bully Prevention Unit by October 15th. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to contact our school counselor Ms Bellamy with any questions or concerns at abellamy@cps.k12.in.us

5th grade students at MacArthur in Mrs. Wenglarz’s room are diving head first into Unit 1 Bridges math. They began exploring volume in their first problem string of the year, Double the Dimension, Double the Area.

Supplies for elementary students are paid for by the district. However, CPCSC requests that elementary students also have the following:

• Backpack (no wheels, please)
• Pencil case
• Chromebook case cover (strongly recommended, Chromebook dimensions are 12 x 9 inches)
• Headphones or earbuds
• Reusable water bottle

Our food services team remains committed to providing healthy meals that meet all requirements of the federal school lunch guidelines. Mrs. Milner and the cafeteria crew look forward to serving you hot lunches this school year.

Ice cream treats will be sold every day for $1.00.

Student Breakfast: $1.60 Student Lunch: $2.55

Please visit our website at https://www.cps.k12.in.us/district-departments/food-services for:

• Online payments for My MealTime

• Nutritional information for all products

• Free and reduced applications

• Birthday Treat Order Forms

• Allergy information (call us to help plan a menu if your child has dietary restrictions)

Free & Reduced Applications can be completed online at www.mymealtime.com.

CPCSC offers a before and after school child care program (also called Latch Key care) at each elementary before school from 6-9 am and after school from 3:45-6 p.m. On scheduled e-learning days, child care will be available from 6 am – 6 pm at Solon Robinson and Jerry Ross Elementary Schools.

Child care fees are $9 before school each day and $9 after school each day. On e-learning days the fee is $9 for up to 4 hours, $18 between 4 and 8 hours, and $27 for more than 8 hours. There is an annual $10 non-refundable sign-up fee.

Please read the Child Care Procedures and Regulations

To register for Child Care in 2025-2026, please click on the link below.

If you have questions about the Latch Key Child Care program, please contact Kendra Daves at 219-663-3371 ext. 10246 or at kdaves@cps.k12.in.us.

Thank you so much for your patience and cooperation at arrival and dismissal. Each day has improved as students navigate the building and learn procedures this week.

Here are a few suggestions to help improve car rider dismissal:

• Pull all the way forward once you enter the car rider lot. Avoid leaving large gaps between vehicles.
• Please make sure your car rider tag is hanging from the rearview mirror. (We'd be happy to get you an extra one if you need it! Please let your child's teacher know.)
• Make sure you child loads and unloads on the passenger side door only.
• Please PAY ATTENTION-cell phones down and eyes forward for the safety of everyone.
• Enter the car rider lot from either direction on 129th Street.
• Please do not begin lining up for dismissal earlier than 3:15 pm.
• Lastly, make sure your child knows their first and last name AND they respond to it when called.

September 23rd: McDonald's McTeacher Night

September 25th: Mum Sale Pickup

• President - Stephanie Heim
• Vice President - Amy Harvey
• Secretary - Lissette Martinez- Kadisak
• Treasurer - Katie Santostefano
• Volunteer Coordinator - Open Position
• Communications Coordinator: Hannah Noonan

Stock up on your spirit wear! You’ll find gear and accessories with dozens of official designs on over three hundred items. Brands include companies like Under Armour, Nike, NorthFace, Ogio, and more. Visit www.cps.k12.in.us/spiritshop to find your school’s store.

Marian Buchko, Principal ext. 16001

Laura Florek, Assistant Principal ext. 16003

Carla Gard, Treasurer ext. 16000

Kim Wasserott, Secretary ext. 16002

Jodi Kvachkoff, Nurse ext. 16081

Email: mbuchko@cps.k12.in.us
Website: https://mac.cps.k12.in.us/
Location: 12900 Fairbanks Street, Cedar Lake, IN, USA
Phone: 219-662-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maccpcsc