MacArthur Elementary School

Dear MacArthur Families,

Words cannot fully express how thankful I am to everyone who supported our PTO Raise the Craze fundraiser. We not only met our goal of $16,000—we surpassed it by raising over $18,000. Wow!

While the funds raised are truly appreciated, I am even more proud of our students and the many acts of kindness they demonstrated throughout the fundraiser. Highlighting and focusing on kindness is invaluable. We may never fully know the impact a single kind gesture can have on someone else. One act of kindness can create a ripple effect that touches lives in ways we may never see. The wonderful thing about kindness is that it is free, unbiased, and something anyone can share. Thank you for helping us spread kindness throughout our school community.

It is hard to believe that February is almost over. The first week of March marks the beginning of the IREAD assessment for our second- and third-grade students. Below is a brief description explaining the importance of this assessment. I encourage all second- and third-grade families to help ensure their child gets a good night’s sleep during testing and eats a healthy breakfast each morning.

The Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) is a reading assessment developed in accordance with state legislation. IREAD measures foundational reading skills based on the Indiana Academic Standards through grade three. Students begin participating in IREAD in grade 2 and continue until they pass the assessment or are promoted to grade 7. Students who do not pass IREAD receive targeted reading remediation and interventions to support the development of essential reading skills. Grade 3 students who do not pass IREAD and do not qualify for a Good Cause Exemption (GCE) are retained in accordance with IC 20-32-8.5-2.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Sincerely,

Marian Buchko

Students who completed an entire bingo card for our Raise Craze fundraiser celebrated their achievement with a special Olive Garden lunch! From breadsticks to big smiles, it was a well-earned reward for their hard work, kindness, and commitment to making a difference. We are so proud of their dedication and the positive impact they are helping create in our school community.

Our mystery-themed Literacy Night was a tremendous success! Super sleuth students and their families followed clues, solved puzzles, and uncovered engaging reading challenges throughout the building. The excitement was contagious as families worked together, strengthening literacy skills while sharing laughter and teamwork. It was wonderful to see so many of our MacArthur families enjoying an evening filled with books, curiosity, and fun.

13th: Spring Pictures

21st: PTO Fun Fair

30th: Spring Break Begins

3rd: Spring Break Ends

13th: ILEARN Testing Begins for Grades 3-5

Crown Point Community School Corporation is thrilled to welcome the future class of 2039! If your child will be five years old on or before August 1, 2026, and you live in the district boundaries, we invite you to enroll for kindergarten online on February 24th.

More information is available on our website at www.cps.k12.in.us/kindergarten.

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTP4TR7B. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Friday, March 13. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

Join a documentary screening exploring how screen time, social media, and gaming shape kids’ mental health, followed by a discussion with local professionals.

• Thursday, March 5 | 6–8 p.m. | Crown Point Library, 122 N. Main Street

• Free admission; registration requested online.

Our MacRobotics Red Team 10277D is headed to the state competition on March 13–14! We’re incredibly proud of their hard work, teamwork, and dedication this season. Join us in cheering them on as they represent our school at the state level! Red team: Marlowe Monos, Nick Santostefano, Haper Fentress, Robbie Relinski, and Mateo Richardson

The NWI Foodbank offers free fruits, veggies, protein and more at their mobile market pick-ups. Supplies are first come, first served. More information is available on the NWI Foodbank website.

• Fri, Feb 6 | 1 pm | 219 Health, 13963 Morse St, Cedar Lake

• Sat, Feb 7 | 9 am | Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, 6490 Broadway, Merrillville

• Sat, Feb 14 | 9 am | Food Bank of Northwest Indiana

• Sat, Feb 21 | 9 am | Food Bank of Northwest Indiana

• Fri, Feb 27 | 4 pm | Food Bank of Northwest Indiana

Description: A flyer with a white background with dates and times listed in red along with locations the Mobile Market will be available throughout the community. Free fruits, vegetables, protein, and other nutritous items will be available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Visit foodbanknwi.org/pantry to locate pantries near you if you are unable to make to the Mobile Market.

The Household Pantry program from Community Help Network provides essential non-food supplies to low-income families in South Lake County who may struggle to afford everyday household and hygiene items. Unlike food assistance programs that focus on groceries, this pantry makes available necessities such as cleaning products, paper goods, personal hygiene supplies, diapers, wipes, and other items that are not covered by SNAP benefits, helping households maintain cleanliness, health, and dignity. The pantry operates at set hours and serves residents with proof of ID and residency, aiming to reduce hardship by ensuring basic household needs are met alongside other food-security efforts in the community.

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

This is a friendly reminder that breakfast is served daily at MacArthur from 8:15–8:45 a.m. Students are welcome to arrive during this time to enjoy a healthy start to their day before instruction begins.

We look forward to seeing our students bright and ready to learn!

Breakfast: $1.60
Lunch: $2.55
Ice cream treats: $1.00 (available daily)

Visit our Food Services webpage for online My MealTime payments, nutritional information, free and reduced meal applications, birthday treat order forms, and allergy support (please call us to plan for dietary restrictions).

We know circumstances can change for families throughout the school year. This is a reminder that you can apply for free/reduced lunches at any time in the year. Applications are available online at www.mealtimeapps.com. If you have any questions, please reach out to our food services team at 219-663-3371.

You may choose to purchase birthday ice cream treat tickets for your child’s class, which will allow your child’s classmates to select a special treat from our birthday choices at lunch!

$1.00 Birthday Tickets allow students to choose an ice cream treat for their class to be eaten in the cafeteria at lunchtime.

This form, ALONG WITH PAYMENT, must be completed ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE of your child's birthday.

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