The Tiger Times

Email: kmcguffey@decaturproud.org

Website: decaturproud.org/westnewtonelementary
Location: West Newton Elementary School, 7529 South Mooresville Road, West Newton, IN, USA
Phone: 317-856-5237
Twitter: @wntigers

Facebook: West Newton Elementary School

Dear West Newton Families,

I am honored and excited to share that I will be stepping into the role of principal at West Newton Elementary for the 2026–2027 school year. Having proudly served as assistant principal for the past four years, I am deeply grateful for the relationships, growth, and shared successes we have experienced together as a school community.

West Newton Elementary holds a special place in my heart, and I am passionate about continuing the important work we’ve started—supporting every student, empowering our dedicated staff, and partnering with families to create a positive and enriching learning environment. I look forward to building on our strong foundation while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Thank you for your continued support and trust. I am truly excited to continue this journey with our incredible students, staff, and families.

With Tiger Pride,

Kelli McGuffey

Dear West Newton Families,

I am Haley Aus, the proud new Assistant Principal of West Newton Elementary School! This is my 22nd year in education. Last year I was the Director of Behavior and Instructional Interventions in Decatur Township. I am beyond excited to be a part of this incredible team at West Newton. Outside of school, I am the mother of four amazing girls who remind me why educators are so important. I am so grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to get to know our families.

New Cell Phone/Personal Device Policy

Revised Policy to Align with NEW State Guidelines

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, MSD of Decatur Township has updated its wireless device policy to align with Indiana state law (IC 20-26-5-40.7). The new law requires schools to establish policies that limit student access to personal wireless communication devices during the school day in order to support learning, reduce distractions, and promote student engagement. As a result, all personal wireless devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, gaming devices, and similar electronics, must be powered off, stored away, and inaccessible to students throughout the entire school day. This expectation applies during instructional time as well as passing periods, hallways, lunch, recess, and other non-instructional times. Middle and high school students will be assigned lockers to store their belongings. Elementary students will continue to have cubbies, lockers, or hooks for their belongings.

Students should use only school-issued devices when technology is needed for instructional purposes. Parents and students should also be aware that the district is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of personal devices brought to school.

Consequences:

• Any personal wireless device that is used or accessible during the school day may be confiscated and will only be returned directly to a parent or guardian.

• Repeated violations of the policy may result in additional disciplinary consequences, including suspension or expulsion.

• Families are encouraged to review the Student Handbook for information regarding any approved exceptions to the policy.

We appreciate your support and partnership as parents/guardians in speaking with your student about this significant policy change mandated by the state of Indiana. If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call the school office.

West Newton UMC Food Pantry Co-Op
6843 Mendenhall Road, Indianapolis, IN 46221

West Newton United Methodist Church offers a unique opportunity to those within the community that may be experiencing food scarcity and need a hand up. Unlike food pantries that provide prebagged selection of canned goods, West Newton UMC invites our Co-Op members to a self-pick experience.

Joining the Co-Op costs five dollars per month. Members are given two reusable cloth bags to use to shop for food and hygiene products twice a month in the pantry. Once a month we gather for a short devotional in the sanctuary before the shopping begins. Members are also given the opportunity to put in an order for meat (hamburger or chicken) and choose between milk and eggs. Those foods are distributed on the next food co-op date.

Special additional assistance opportunities are offered to Food Co-Op members during the holiday season.

The Food Co-Op is open on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings from 6:00-7:30 pm and the 2nd and 4th Wednesday mornings from 10:00-12:00.

Questions? Please feel free to call the church office for more information @ 317-856-5435 or email office@wnumc.com.

*QUICK GLANCE NEED TO KNOW*
• 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
• 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 10:00 - 12:00 pm
• $5.00 covers 2 visits ($10.00 for all four days)

• Pre-order Hamburger, chicken, eggs and milk one time per two visits

Thanks so much!

Blessings,

Pastor Anne

WEST NEWTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOOD PANTRY CO-OP

West Newton United Methodist Church (WNUMC) is considering hosting their Food Pantry Co-Op one evening every two weeks and would like your input! They are looking at Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evenings. The Food Co-Op has a $5 monthly fee, payable on your first visit each month, which allows you to fill two shopping bags with groceries, plus toiletries, bread, and occasional extras.

If you’re interested, please email your preferred night to office@WNUMC.com or reach out to kspragg@decaturproud.org directly.

Believing in the dignity of each person and realizing that a hand up is more desirable than a hand out, West Newton UMC has adopted the following governing policy for the West Newton Food Pantry Co-Op effective January, 2019.

· Each member will be given 2 reusable cloth bags to bring to the co-op to bag their items.

No other bags will be permitted for use.

· Each member will be able to make suggestions as to what the Food Pantry Co-Op may provide.

· Each member will be eligible for special free meals/giveaways as they are made available throughout the year.

· If a parent, plus an adult child (18 or older) live together, only 1 qualifies for Food Pantry Co-Op

· If a parent, plus an adult child (18 or older) has children living with adult child, then both parent and adult child qualifies for Food Pantry Co-Op

· Food Pantry Co-Op will be closed for inclement weather if Decatur Township Schools are closed.

Food Pantry Info

· Open the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month 10:00-12:00pm

· November and December Food Co-Op meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month due to the holidays.

· A monthly fee of $5.00 is due the 1st Wednesday you come to Food Pantry Co-Op

· The monthly fee allows you to fill 2 shopping bags with groceries, plus toiletries and bread

· We have a devotion/worship service on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Those who attend the devotion may place a special food order. You will choose either hamburger or chicken and one of the following items: eggs, milk, or fruit.

· The special food order is placed on the 4th Wednesday of each month after the devotion and will be picked up the 2nd Wednesday of the month.

DCHS/Gleaners Food Pantry

Dry and fresh food items are available for drive-thru pick-up for any families with children enrolled in MSD of Decatur Township Schools.

When: Select Fridays • 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Where: Decatur Central High School, Door 10

How to Apply:
Complete the intake form for each distribution date you plan to attend (required).
The form must be submitted by the Friday before your selected pick-up date.

Contact for Questions:
Mattie Hurt • mhurt@decaturproud.org
DCHS Main Office: 317-856-5288 (during school hours)

Intake Form: DCHS/Gleaners Food Pantry Intake Form

We’re proud to support our Decatur Township families — please share this with anyone who may benefit!

Popcorn is $1.00 per bag. Popcorn money will be collected on Friday only and the popcorn will be distributed during the students' lunch time. All proceeds benefit the Student Activity fund and the Staff Fund.

Decatur Township School Police Department, (DTSPD), in collaboration with the Drug Free Coalition, is excited to offer a new diversion program for students found to be in possession of tobacco products,

e-cigarettes, and or vaping devices. DTSPD has also partnered with our local courts in an effort to minimize the use of these products and devices on our campuses. Our students, if found with the aforementioned items, would be in violation of Indiana Code 35-46-1-10.5, Minor in Possession of a Tobacco Product or an Electronic Cigarette or 7.1-5-12-8 Smoking in a Prohibited Area. Each of these would be met with an Indiana citation, also known as a “Uniform Traffic Ticket,” (UTT). When submitted to the courts, the cost of the ticket for this violation is $170.50. This is an actual ticket and will affect your license or the ability to obtain one if left unpaid. Our objective however, is not to create financial hardship, but to have an opportunity to educate students and families on the dangers of vaping and tobacco products. Twice per month, DTSPD officers will present a 1-hour class for students who have opted to accept the terms of the diversion program. The cost of the class for a student attending alone is $75.00. If a student attends the class with a parent or guardian, the class is discounted at a cost of $25.00. Upon the completion of the class, the UTT, or citation, will not be referred to the courts, and there will be no record of the violation. A student may only participate in the program once per school year, and only twice throughout their entire school career.

Volunteer Application

Hello Decatur Township community members.

Please share your input on programs you would like to see offered at the Indianapolis Public Library Decatur Branch and what times work best for you and your family. Follow the link to fill out a brief survey. Thank you for your time. https://forms.gle/SMY6iUxCGHUaSbMF9

Distribution of information by a community group in accordance with MSD Decatur policy does not imply, directly or indirectly, that the group's program(s), event(s) and/or service(s) is sanctioned, sponsored or endorsed by the district, the Board of Education or the superintendent."

24 Hour Suicide Hotline

• Dial 988 or text IN to 741741

LGBTQ+ National Hotline

• 888-843-4564
• email: help@LGBThotline.org

Mental Health Support & Referrals

• Mental Health America
• 800-969-6642
• http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/

Physical Abuse

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• 800-799-7233
• http://www.thehotline.org/
  
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
• 800-422-4453
• http://www.childhelp.org/ \

Substance Abuse Support

• National Drug & Alcohol Treatment Hotline
• 800-662-4357
• http://www.addictioncareoptions.com/
  

Eating Disorders

• National Eating Disorders Assoc. Helpline
• 800-931-2237
• http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
  

Teen Health Questions

• 888-711-TEEN (confidential)

Boys Town National Hotline: struggling youth & families

800-448-300

http://www.boystown.org/hotline

Connect to Skyward here or download the Skyward App:

ParentSquare is the official communication platform of the MSD of Decatur Township.

Visit https://www.parentsquare.com or download the ParentSquare app to get started:

K-12 Curriculum - No Fees

Per state legislation, Indiana families will not be charged textbook fees. Parents and students will continue to be responsible for any lost or damaged educational material, including but not limited to, lost textbooks, lost or damaged iPad and related components, library books, cafeteria fees, extracurricular activities, fundraising, and NSF check fees.