Weekly Mill Creek SOAR'n Updates

Dear Caregivers,

We can't believe that we have entered our last month together as the Mill Creek INTERMEDIATE family! This week we will celebrate a great year by showering out amazing staffulty with notes of appreciation, gifts and meals. Please considering having your student write a note to a staff member who has meant something to them this year.

In the next month, we have many exciting events happening. Please encourage your student to have good attendance and show SOARing behavior so that they are able to participate in these fun events. Let's enter May with grateful hearts, positive attitudes, and a willingness to continue to do great things!

As a reminder, we are still currently registering our first group of kindergarteners and preparing for boundary changes for the 2026–27 school year. Our kindergarten open house was on April 20. Kindergarteners are still encouraged to register ASAP even if they missed the open house. It is an exciting time to be a Mill Creek Cardinal as we transition to being one of the first K-5 schools in Berkeley County in over 25 years. For more information on kindergarten registration click here. To see where your student will attend school next year, please check your address here.

Let's have another great week!

Mrs. Beth McCoy, Principal

emccoy@k12.wv.us

Mrs. Erin Butler, Assistant Principal

ebutler@k12.wv.us

Monday - May 4
• Staffulty Appreciation Week

Tuesday - May 5

• Staffulty Appreciation Week
• Student Council - 7:20am

Wednesday - May 6

• Opt OUT for Cyber SWAT form due
• Staffulty Appreciation Week
Thursday - May 7
• Staffulty Appreciation Week
• 3rd Grade Team 2 to Musselman Library

Friday - May 8

• Opt IN form for Summer devices due
• Staffulty Appreciation Week
• 3rd Grade Team 1 to Musselman Library
• 5th Grade Field Trip to Harpers Ferry

In 2024, the West Virginia Legislature passed Senate Bill 466, which requires students in grades 3–12 to receive annual instruction on safe and responsible technology use through the Safety While Accessing Technology (SWAT) Education Program.

The purpose of this program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe and make informed choices online. Today’s students navigate an increasingly digital world. By helping them understand how to engage responsibly online, we strengthen their ability to learn, communicate, and explore safely.

WVDE has chosen RealmQuest to meet the requirements of this legislation. RealmQuest is an interactive story game designed for students in grades 3-5. Your child plays as a middle schooler who loves an online multiplayer game called "RealmQuest" and plays it with their friend group. Over three episodes, they encounter realistic online safety challenges and make choices that teach them to recognize danger, protect their information, and speak up when something feels wrong. The game takes about 45-60 minutes total (15-20 minutes per episode) and uses relatable scenarios that children this age actually face: gaming with online strangers, dealing with mean comments, and encountering suspicious messages.

Working together, our school community and families can support healthy, positive, and safe use of technology. We value our partnership with families and appreciate your continued support in helping us keep students safe—both in school and online.

If you do not give permission for your child to participate in the Safety While Accessing Technology (SWAT) Education Program, PLEASE COMPLETE THE ATTACHED FORM. After completing the form, please send it to your child's teacher by WEDNESDAY, MAY 6.

On Friday, Berkeley County Schools notified families that they will have the option to 'Opt In" for students to take ipads home over the summer.

This option is designed to support students who may not have access to a personal device, allowing them to utilize our Summer Learning Toolkit, which will include educational and community resources for continued learning. Students can also stay connected to familiar platforms and digital tools, encouraging ongoing exploration and growth throughout the summer months. More information about the Summer Learning Toolkit will be shared soon.

As a reminder, students are responsible for the care and return of their devices, as outlined in the annual technology agreement signed at the beginning of the school year. This includes any loss or damage that may occur over the summer, along with any associated replacement costs.

This program is opt-in. To have your student keep their device over the summer, please complete this form by noon on Friday, May 8, 2026. (Click here). If you do not opt in by this date and time, the device will be collected at the end of the year and remain at the school or transferred to the new school.

Our 4th 9 Weeks Reward is Tuesday, May 26th and the theme is Carnival. If you would like to volunteer to help run a game, please click the link below.

*You must be a Secure Level 1 Volunteer and have completed the video.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

💪🏽 MOBILIZE 2026 | MAY 30TH 💙🏫

All hands on deck! Join us as New Life Community Church comes together to serve Mill Creek Intermediate for one powerful day of transformation through repairs, improvements, and community impact.

Mobilize is New Life Community Church’s annual outreach initiative dedicated to rallying volunteers to bless one local school through hands-on projects that inspire students, encourage educators, and strengthen our community. How lucky are we that they picked us!!!

🔨 Sign up to serve
👷 Become a project leader & build your team
💵 Or make a tax-deductible donation to help provide supplies

Together, we can make a lasting difference for our children, schools, and community.

🔗CLICK HERE TO HELP ON MAY 30

This spring, we will be taking the General Summative Assessment. This assessment is required by the state of WV and measures grade-level proficiency. The results of this assessment are used for student placement for the school year including honors placements in middle school. In the 2027 school year, the results of the assessment could also a factor grade-level retention or promotion as defined by the Third Grade Success Act. Please encourage your student to do the their best.

We are asking for your support in encouraging student accountability, ensuring your students are well rested, fed and present in school for these dates.

GSA Testing Dates --

• April 14 - 4/5 writing
• April 15 - 3 writing
• April 16/17 - make up writing
• May 14 - 5th Grade Science
• May 18 - 4,5 - ELA; 3 - Math
• May 19 - 3 - ELA; 4, 5 - Math
• May 20-21 - Make Up Tests

Please Note - Students who are not finished with their assessments by May 21 may miss other events in the next week.

Over the past several months, Berkeley County Schools has shared information regarding boundary changes in the South Berkeley area connected to the opening of Mountain Ridge Primary School for the 2026–27 school year. Based on Board action taken on December 15, 2025, Bunker Hill Elementary, Valley View Elementary, and Mill Creek will serve grades K-5 beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Each Mill Creek family should have received a message on Feb. 6, stating where your student is slated to attend school next year. Some families will remain at Mill Creek while others will be transferred to the Bunker Hill and Valley View district. We recognize that school transitions and boundary changes can bring uncertainty, and we appreciate your patience and partnership as we work through these changes together.

If you are uncertain as to where you are scheduled to be, the new address locator is located here:

https://hmphoar.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=b1dbd419f1194538808976e498c63af7

(Disclaimer: You must clear out addresses before entering a new address in.)

Enrollments at the new schools will happen automatically. Other than updating your annual emergency information like you always do in the fall, families will not need to do anything for the enrollment to occur.

Families wishing to request an in-county transfer should visit the Berkeley County School's website for information and procedures, or contact the Office of Attendance, Enrollment, and School Choice at 304.263.0166. Please note that transfer requests are approved based on staffing and space availability, families are responsible for providing transportation, and requests are reviewed in the order they are received. Students who are granted a transfer must remain in good academic standing, have good attendance, and demonstrate good behavior. Mill Creek will begin receiving transfer forms now but, final decisions will not be made until after August 10, 2026. Your requests can be emailed to our enrollment secretary, Brandy Duvall at brandy.duvall@k12.wv.us. All requests must have the homeschool district approval signature and have all necessary paperwork attached before it will be accepted. It is the responsibility of the parent to obtain all of that information. If your family chooses to request a transfer, please note that transfers are not guaranteed.

Mr. Fleenor is an amazing volunteer reader. He makes stories so interesting for the students with his impressions of the characters. They love having him read aloud to them weekly. He has been reading aloud to students at Mill Creek for many years and is a real treasure.

Diane consistently goes above and beyond for our school community. She takes on extra responsibilities before the school day even begins, including managing the front foyer slides and cafeteria displays, as well as creating and updating our photo menus. These details help keep our school organized, welcoming, and engaging for students, families and staffulty alike. In addition to her daily classroom commitment, Diane also dedicates her time to coaching and leading the Girls on the Run program. Through this, she empowers and inspires other girls, helping them build teamwork, confidence and healthy habits.

https://infogram.com/transportation-user-dashboard-original-1h7z2l81d5gmx6o

Would you like to nominate someone for a Staffulty or Supporter of the Month?

Staffulty:https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNajt39ZIVcItDknuBWxdncppUOVJDRVJVUkUxNlgwTU9BQ05IQVVBMDRSTS4u

Supporters: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNajt39ZIVcItDknuBWxdncppUNzlONExWQ1I1WEJaOTVGTU9LQjI4TEdaTy4u

All Berkeley County menus can be found here: Click here

You can download the Nutrislice app on your phone or view the images below for this week's menus.

***While we offer two lunch choices each day, please note that limited quantities may mean students do not always receive their first choice. Rest assured, all meals served meet federal nutritional guidelines and provide a balanced, healthy option for every student.

This is an EXCELLENT, FREE resource. The Cook Center provides support on topics like mental health, physical health, digital safety, relationships, and so much more. BCS highly recommends this resource and it's confidential.

At Mill Creek Intermediate, we believe that students' success begins with taking ownership of their learning. When students develop responsibility by staying on top of their assignments, they not only build valuable life skills but also set themselves up for academic success.

To help foster this accountability, students will have two opportunities to complete any missed assignments. After these two chances, any remaining incomplete work will receive a zero. This policy is in place to encourage students to stay engaged with their work and take responsibility for their education.

Please know that our teachers are here to support every student. We are committed to working together to ensure all students succeed, but we also want to encourage the growth of independence and responsibility that will serve them well throughout their lives.

We appreciate your support as we guide our students in becoming accountable learners! You can help us support your student by monitoring grades and assignments in Schoology. If you need help with Schoology, please call the school and we will help support you.

Do you want to volunteer at MCI? You must be a Level 1 approved volunteer. Meghan's Law video must be done annually. Secure Volunteer is good for 2 calendar years. Complete these ASAP to volunteer. (Completing applications is not a guarantee that you will be selected as a chaperone.).

Click here for directions

A goal of Berkeley County Schools’ Department of Attendance is to ensure every student attends school every day. School attendance has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is important for success in school and in life.

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically.

• Families are encourages to STRIVE FOR 5! Miss less than 5 days per semester of school.
• Caregivers must send in a note for everyday their student is absent. When possible, please get a doctor's note. By policy, you are only allowed 10 parents notes per year. After those 10 are used, you will be required to obtain a doctor's note for absences to be excused.
• Berkeley County Schools no longer accepts a leave of educational value for excused absences. These absences may count toward the 10 parent notes.

BCS Attendance Verification form: https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/bcs/page/absencenote

TutorWV offers every West Virginian no-cost access to personalized tutoring and drop-off review services, test prep and self-paced resources, and job search assistance. Click the link above from any device, and you’ll get connected to a live expert tutor and resources!

Schoology will be our main platform for daily communication. We will not be using Class Dojo this school year. Please note that you should not send time sensitive information through online platforms or email. Teachers may not get these notes while they are teaching. If you have information that is an emergency, please call the front office or send in a written note to your child's teacher.

It is vital that you set up your parent account. All parents will receive an individualized code to set up your student's account if you aren't already connected. YOU MUST LOG IN WITH YOUR PARENT ACCOUNT TO SEE TEACHER MESSAGES. YOU CANNOT USE YOUR CHILD'S ACCOUNT.

Schoology is also where you can stay involved with your child's academics. You will be able to see your child's grades, missing assignments and assignments that are due.

Link to SOAR'n Newsletter about Schoology: https://secure.smore.com/n/tuazj

For the safety of our students, we ask that you follow these procedures:

• Buses Arrive: 8:20
• Parent Drop Off: South End Lot 8:20 -8:35. Please do not drop students off until a staff member is on duty. You will drive the loop and drop students off at the sidewalk. Please be cautious and look for staff directing you. There will also be buses in this loop.
• Students Tardy: 8:46 (***Students arriving after 8:35 must be signed in by an adult in the office)
• Dismissal Begins: 3:25 -- If you need to change the way your student normally goes home, please send in a note to your child ’s teacher. We discourage you from calling the office to change information at the last minute. If your child is riding home on a bus with another student, BOTH students must have notes.
• Parent Pick Up: PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR CAR UNTIL 3:25. For the safety of our students, we need to have the sidewalk clear. Please park in a parking spot and not in the fire lane. We ask that families who pick up on a regular basis to please fill out the pick -up form below. Parents will park in the south end lot and come to the music room door to sign student out. Please be prepared to show ID every day. IF YOU NEEED A PARENT PICK UP FORM, PLEASE CLICK BELOW OR EMAIL MRS. MCCOY FOR A FORM.
• Students Leaving Early: To prevent congestion in the office at dismissal time, students will not be allowed to be signed out between 3-3:25. If you have an appointment, please sign your student out before 3pm. When arriving to pick up your student, please report to the front office and be prepared to show your ID.

The Jostens Renaissance Program is a framework of culture where teachers love their job and students thrive in school. It is built on common core values and expectations. At Mill Creek, our Renaissance program is built around the core values of Safety, Ownership, Achievement and Respect. Students and staffulty will receive recognition and rewards when following these core values. Each day, our students will have the opportunity to earn a SOAR point based on these values. You can find the guidelines on the back of their daily folders.

We have partnered with YE Creations again for our school spirit wear. You order online and she will deliver to the school free of charge. Just mark 'pick up' when you check out. Click here to see the newest creations: Mill Creek Intermediate Spirit Wear 2025

The LSIC is a committee that is meant to assist the school and school system in ensuring that parent, family, business, and community involvement is embedded in all aspects of the school and county strategic improvement plans. It will help to develop and promote the school and school system vision for excellence by being catalysts for innovation and it will represent the voice of the community’s education stakeholders.

At Mill Creek, the LSIC will be working collaboratively with the SOAR'n Supporters (PTO) to plan and implement family involvement activities. We invite all caregivers who would like to help with these activities to attend our quarterly LSIC meetings.

All LSIC meetings are open to the public and will start at 4pm, unless otherwise noted. Dates are subject to change. Please follow Mill Creek's NTouch Messaging and Schoology for updates. All meetings will be held in the Mill Creek Library.

Meeting Dates:

• Sept. 10, 2025 - Election of officers meeting

• Sept. 24, 2025 - Organizational Meeting

• Oct. 22, 2025 - Organizational Meeting to review WV Balanced Scorecard Data

• Nov. 19, 2025 - CANCELLED - Will be Rescheduled

• Jan. 28, 2026 - RESCHEDULED DUE TO SNOW DAY

• Apr. 15, 2026

DATES ADDED FOR MEETINGS THAT HAD TO BE RESCHEDULED:

• MARCH 12, 2026
• MAY 13, 2026

May

• 4-8- Staffulty Appreciation Week
• 5- Student Council
• 8 - 5th grade field trip to Harper's Ferry
• 11 - 5th Grade to MMS for music selection experience - 9am
• 12 - No School - Election Day
• 13 - Testing Spirit Rally
• 13 - LSIC - 4pm
• 14 - 5th grade Science GSA
• 18 - All students take GSA (4th & 5th - Math / 3rd - ELA)
• 19 - All students take GSA (4th & 5th - ELA / 3rd - Math)
• 20 - GSA Make-Up Tests
• 20 - MHS Senior Grad Walk at MCI
• 21 - GSA Make-Up Tests
• 22 - Field Day (Students who have not completed the GSA will not participate)
• 22 - 5th grade step up celebration ( 11:30 Grant; 1:00 Houck; 2:00 Thompson)
• 25 - Memorial Day - No School
• 26 - 4th Nine Weeks SOAR Reward
• 26 - 5th grade step up celebration (11:30 Tetzloff; 1:00 Sneathen; 2:00 Clark)
• 27 - MCI Mini-Relay for Life
• 27 - 5th grade step up celebrations ( 11:30 Kirchner; 1:00 Reardon; 2:00 Mason)
• 30 - Project Mobilize with New Life Community Church - Look for more information to come. Plan to join us for a large-scale event to show our school building some love. We will be seeking help with projects. We will also have community engagement events.