The Bobcat Bulletin
Welcome Back to School 2025-2026!
December 6, 2025
💜 A Message from Michelle Britton 💚
The Bobcat Bulletin is arriving on Sunday this week because our staff and volunteers were busy preparing for the Holiday Extravaganza on Friday evening, followed by a wonderful PTG event on Saturday. We were able to include some pictures from yesterday and an update from the PTG after an amazing event.
A sincere thank you to our PTG for the creativity, planning, and dedication that made the Extravaganza such a joyful event. We are also grateful to Mrs. Hatton for capturing so many beautiful photos throughout the week, helping us highlight the many moments that make Indian Lane special.
Our student leaders deserve recognition as well for organizing Pajama Day in support of CHOP. Their leadership and care for others created a meaningful start to a very cold December morning.
Looking ahead, we have an exciting week at Indian Lane. Please remember to RSVP by December 10th to help us streamline the sign-in process.
During library time this month, students have been exploring winter holiday traditions through stories, including Winter Candle by Jeron Ashford. Through these readings, students learned how different families celebrate the season in meaningful ways and how light, warmth, and community connect us all. Inspired by these lessons, each child created a luminary bag that represents a tradition involving candles or light in their own family. These unique designs will be displayed in the courtyard as you arrive for the concert.
We also extend heartfelt thanks to Mr. Fisher for preparing two Winter Sing-a-longs this year. We are hopeful that the additional space will make the experience more enjoyable for everyone. Finally, we appreciate Mr. Frank for his flexibility as the gym transforms into a concert space this week. His support each year is invaluable.
-Michelle Britton
A hot off the press update from our PTG following the Holiday Extravaganza:
As of this morning, the PTG is thrilled to report that we have raised $12,383 for the Bobcat Campaign, leaving just $617 to reach our goal. Thank you for your incredible generosity and support. If you still wish to donate, contributions are welcome and will help us cross the finish line.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
DECEMBER
- 9 | Bobcat Choir Sings at Media Courthouse, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
- 11 | Winter Concert & Sing-Alongs - Schedule Below
- 15 | ILES & RTES Band Concert at ILES - 6:30 PM
- 16 | Strings Concert, Springton Lake Middle School 6:30PM
- 19 | December Birthday Bash
- 19 | Featured Artists Breakfast, Main Lobby, 8:00 a.m.
- 23 | Early Dismissal - First-Fifth grades, 12:20 p.m. & No PM K
- 24-31 | No School for Students
JANUARY
- 1-4 | No School for Students
- 5 | School Resumes
December Bobcat Pride Breakfast
Holiday Concert & Sing-Along
🎶 Holiday Sing-Along – Details 🎶
As we prepare for our Winter Sing-Along, we kindly ask that you RSVP by December 10th at 11:00 AM to help us streamline the sign-in process and ensure that we can accommodate all of our guests. Doors will open for the morning concert at 9:00 AM. Doors will open for the PM concert at 1:40.
Parking Details
We have parking available in the top lot, with additional spaces in the lower lot. We will be able to determine if the church is available by 12/10 for overflow parking. To help alleviate parking congestion, we strongly encourage families to carpool whenever possible. For the AM concert, please arrive after the morning drop-off and note that parking in the lower lot during the car line is not permitted.
Arrival Procedures/Seating Arrangement
When you arrive, please enter through the front doors. It is very important that all visitors sign in and receive a visitor badge before entering the building. This helps us ensure a safe and orderly experience for everyone. After signing in, please head to the gym and find a seat on the bleachers.During their library time this month, our students have been learning about a variety of winter holiday traditions through different stories. One of the books they explored, Winter Candle by Jeron Ashford, highlights how families celebrate the season in meaningful and unique ways. Through these stories, students discovered that although traditions may vary, each one brings light, warmth, and a sense of community.
Inspired by this learning, every child decorated a luminary bag that represents their own family traditions and celebrations. Each design is unique, just like the families in our school. On their bags, students illustrated a holiday tradition involving candles or light that holds special meaning for them.
As you arrive at the concert, you will walk through the courtyard and see a beautiful display of the students' Winter Candle projects. We invite you to enjoy their creativity and the diverse traditions represented in their work. Inside, you will find their Winter Candle to bring home and display.
To accommodate the expected number of visitors, we kindly ask that you sit at the end of the bleacher row and refrain from standing near exit doors. For the best photo opportunities, please position yourself facing your child's grade level. After the performance, we ask for your patience as we dismiss students first, followed by visitors. Students will return to their regular school day once the concert has ended.
Event Reminder Email – December 10th at 7:30 PM
On Wednesday, December 10th, at 7:30 PM, we will send a special email with all the details you need! This email will include the color table where you can pick up your badge, parking information, layout for the concert, and a Zoom link.
Pajama Day Supporting CHOP
Winter Spirit Week — December 15–19
🧦 Monday, Dec 15 — Festive Feet Day
Start the week with your funniest, wackiest, or most festive socks!
Stripes, sparkles, silly patterns — show off your holiday spirit from head to toe!
⛸️ Tuesday, Dec 16 — Rink Ready Day
Sporty, Skater, or Cozy — Dress for the Ice!
Students choose their own winter-rink style:
🏒 Winter Athlete Look — athletic wear, jerseys, sweats, hoodies, winter hats.
⛸️ Figure Skater Flair — sparkly tops, skirts over leggings, snowflake accessories.
❄️ Cozy Ice Rink Fan — scarves, fuzzy socks, warm sweaters, snowflake shirts.
Choose the style you love!
🎩 Wednesday, Dec 17 — Holiday or Winter Hat Day
Wear your favorite festive or cozy winter hat!
🧊 Thursday, Dec 18 — Freeze Frame Day
Wear one color from head to toe — bold, bright, icy, or silly!
Become a fun “frozen snapshot” of winter spirit.
🌟 Friday, Dec 19 — Favorite Holiday Sweater Day
Wrap up the week in your favorite holiday or winter sweater — cute, funny, sparkly, or cozy!
The Holiday Extravaganza
The Generous Snowman
Please consider a visit to the Generous Snowman, our holiday giving program that supports families in need. The snowman display features tags that represent anonymous students and families, each with a suggested gift item. Your participation helps bring joy to our community during the winter season. If you would like to take part, the process is simple:
Visit the snowman located outside Mrs. Hilden’s office.
Select a tag. Each tag is labeled anonymously (for example, “Family #3, Student #2”) and includes a gift idea.
Purchase the gift.
Return the gift unwrapped, with the tag attached, to Mrs. Hilden by 12/15.
If you are unable to attend conferences but would still like to participate, please contact Mrs. Hilden at jhilden@rtmsd.org.
Thank you in advance for supporting our families during the winter holidays.
STEAM Club at MFL
Outdoor Recess Reminders
This is a friendly reminder that we go outdoors for recess as often as the weather allows. With the colder weather we have been experiencing, please make sure your child comes to school dressed appropriately. Please also label all items your child brings to school, including coats, hats, gloves, lunchboxes, and other belongings, to help us keep items organized and easily identifiable.
Parents' Night Out
Looking for a break, a quiet dinner, or just a moment to catch up on life? Join us for Parents’ Night Out, where the Class of 2026 students will keep your children entertained with games, crafts, activities, and plenty of supervised fun! Kids enjoy pizza and snacks while parents enjoy a few peaceful hours to themselves. The event takes place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 5:30–8:00 PM in the Penncrest High School cafeteria. Registration is $30 per child, and spots fill quickly—be sure to sign up!
Handbook Highlight-Toys from Home
“Electronic games and trading cards, etc. may be accessed on the school bus, but must remain in the student’s backpack during the school day. These are distracting to the education process and are easily damaged or lost. The school shall not be responsible for the loss, damage, or misuse of any personal items brought to school.
Please note: This includes recess. Students may not take toys, trading cards (such as Pokémon cards), or similar items out during recess to play or trade. These items must stay in backpacks for the entire school day.”
Message from the Nurse, Mrs. LaRose
Check for Head Lice at Home Regularly
Parents and caregivers are reminded to check their student's head periodically for lice and if they notice itching. Classrooms are not screened for lice. You can contact the school nurse at 610-627-7104 for guidance if you are uncertain or if you discover lice/nits.
Holiday Support and Resources for Families
With the fall and winter holidays upon us, I wanted to take a moment to reach out and let families know that there are some resources available for those who may need a little extra support during this time. We have a few programs that can help in various ways, so please contact me to learn more! You can reach me by email at jhilden@rtmsd.org or by phone at 610-627-7103.
Additional District Resources and Ways to Give Back
There are several wonderful ways through Rose Tree Media to support Indian Lane families this season:
-
Delaware County Food Bank Donations – A wonderful resource that provides a list of local donation sites for non-perishable food items.
-
Circle of Giving – Originally created at the start of the pandemic, this organization continues to support RTMSD families with essentials such as food, paper products, and hygiene items. Donations go directly to Ms. Martinez (School Social Worker) and Ms. Dacanay (Home and School Visitor), who distribute them to families in need.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Ms. Dacanay – bdacanay@rtmsd.org
Ms. Martinez – cmartinez@rtmsd.org
A Message from Mr. Ralph Harrison
Please read the attached resource from Mr. Harrison that celebrates December’s many meaningful traditions, highlighting important cultural and historical observances, sharing the stories behind each celebration, and providing helpful links to explore these festive moments even further.
Bobcat Pride Breakfasts
You're Invited! Pick a month! Sign up!
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.
How to sign-up for Membership Toolkit!
-
Create your account. Select Create Account and fill in your name, email, and password.
-
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.
-
-
Log back in. Once your email is verified, return to the site and complete your registration.
-
Enter your information. Fill in the Parent/Family and Student details.
-
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.
-
-
Set your preferences. Complete the Directory/Publish section to choose what information is visible to others.
-
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
Quick Links
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
Penncrest Athletic Booster Poinsettia Sale
What: Poinsettia Sale supporting the Penncrest Athletic Boosters
When: All orders are due by Tuesday, December 2!
Cost: $15 per 6.5" pot poinsettia (6-9 blooms per pot)
Order Form: Click Here
Pick-up for the poinsettia orders will be:
Date: Wednesday, December 10
Time: 4pm-8pm - if another time for pick up is needed reach out to Erin Massey at massey.erin@gmail.com
Location: 104 Moore Drive, Media, PA 19063
Various plant colors will be available to choose from at time of pick-up.
Plant color variety available on a first come first serve basis.
**Proceeds will support the efforts of the Booster Volunteers to host programs such as the Athletic Festival and events for the community in addition to helping our Penncrest Student Athletes!
School Hours
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
Indian Lane Elementary School
Email: mbritton@rtmsd.org
Website: https://www.rtmsd.org/Domain/9
Location: 309 South Old Middletown Road, Media, PA, USA
Phone: 610-627-7100
