The Bobcat Bulletin

I know some families have already reached out about the registration deadline for the first of our two Special Friends Days, which will be held on Monday. The deadline was originally set for 9/18 as shared in the Bobcat Bulletin, and I kept the form open until late morning on 9/19 to allow a little extra time. On Friday afternoon, we needed to begin printing and sorting labels so everything would be ready for Monday, which takes quite a bit of preparation.

This year is unique with the first event falling on a Monday, since schools are closed on Tuesday for the holiday. To help accommodate families who missed the deadline, I will be going into school on Sunday afternoon to generate additional labels and add them to the sets already prepared. If you have already emailed me this weekend, your information will be included.

For anyone who still needs to be added, I am sharing a late entry link below. I will return to school tomorrow (Sunday) at 3:00 PM to process any final submissions for Monday's event:

https://forms.gle/pLjfGfqSqu3YzhQy5

Please remember, the same registration form is used to generate the name tags for both Special Friends Days, so it is important that all information is entered here.

Each grade level will have its own unique Special Friends Day experience on Monday:

• Kindergarten – in the classrooms with a classroom-based activity

• First grade – in the gymnasium with a grade-level activity (to accommodate the larger grade level)

• Second grade – in the cafeteria with a grade-level activity

A logistics email will go out the evening before each Special Friends Day (Sunday for Monday’s event, and Wednesday for Thursday’s event) with details about parking, arrival, and the color-coded table assignments for pick-up.

We are so excited to welcome your special friends on Monday and look forward to celebrating these meaningful experiences with our students and their guests.

Warmly,
Michelle Britton

1. Go to: https://indianlaneptg.membershiptoolkit.com/

2. Create your account. Select Create Account and fill in your name, email, and password.

3. 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.

4. Log back in. Once your email is verified, return to the site and complete your registration.

5. Enter your information. Fill in the Parent/Family and Student details.

6. 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.

7. Set your preferences. Complete the Directory/Publish section to choose what information is visible to others.

8. 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

SEPTEMBER

• 22 | Special Friends Day

  • KA: 9:00–9:40 AM

  • Grade 1: 9:40–10:20 AM

  • Grade 2: 10:20–11:00 AM

  • KP: 1:00–1:40 PM

• 23 | Holiday – Building Closed

• 24 | Orders Due for Chris Van Dusen book, If I Built a Town

• 25 | Special Friends Day – Grades 3–5

• Grade 5: 9:00–9:40 AM

• Grade 4: 9:40–10:20 AM

• Grade 3: 10:20–11:00 AM

• 26 | Picture Day
• 29 | September Birthday Bash

• 29 | Popsicles on the Playground

• Grade 1: 5:30-6:15 PM

• Grade 3: 6:15-7:00 PM

• 30 | Kindergarten Ice Cream Social, 5:30-6:15 PM

• 30 | Popsicles on the Playground

• Grade 4: 6:15-7:00 PM

OCTOBER

• 1 | Chris Van Dusen Author Visit, 2:00 PM

• 2 | No School
• 3 | No School

Families were sent a personal link from Active Image Media for each student for pre-ordering photos through email. Please read the below letter for all the details.

We are changing things up this year to make birthdays even more exciting! For the past two years, students received Bobcat t-shirts, and last year we trialed the VIP Lunch as a reinforcer. It was such a huge hit that we are bringing the celebration to a whole new level with the Bobcat Birthday Bash! 🥳

Students will receive a birthday invitation to join Mrs. Britton for a VIP lunch on the stage. The table will be set up with a special surprise theme each month to make every celebration unique and memorable.

Students may bring their own lunch or buy from the cafeteria, and each will receive a voucher for a special birthday treat as their present.

Our youngest Bobcats in Kindergarten will also be celebrated with a birthday treat delivered right to their classrooms.

✨ Our very first Birthday Bash will be held on September 29th to celebrate all of our September birthdays. 🎂

The December Sing-Along is one of the most joyful and heartwarming traditions at Indian Lane. Our students love coming together, and it has always been so special to welcome families to share in the celebration. Over the past few years, families have kindly shared with me that the gym has become more and more crowded, making it difficult to see and enjoy the performance. At the same time, I know how deeply this tradition is loved. With that in mind, Mr. Fisher and I worked together to find a way to keep this wonderful tradition alive while making it even more comfortable for everyone.

This year, we will hold two concerts on the same day instead of one. By expanding to two performances, we can continue the tradition we all treasure, while giving families more space and a better viewing experience. Rather than changing the event, we see this as enhancing it so that everyone feels welcome and included.

Thursday, December 11th:

• Morning Concert – 9:15 AM
  AM Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 4

• Afternoon Concert – 2:00 PM
  PM Kindergarten, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 5

We understand that some families may need to attend both concerts, and we truly appreciate the extra effort this may take. We also plan to still offer a virtual option for those who are not able to attend in person, so that every family has the opportunity to enjoy this tradition.

Please know that this decision was made with great care, based on the thoughtful feedback you have shared. I am so grateful to Mr. Fisher for his willingness to adjust the format, and I am thankful to our families for the love and support you bring to this tradition. We will include a survey after the event to take your feedback on the new format.

-Michelle Britton

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

Thank you so much to everyone who volunteered to help in classrooms this year! Now that homeroom parents have been confirmed, it is time to begin selecting class photographers. In some cases, more than one parent was interested, so we used the Wheel of Names to keep things fair and fun. The class photographer plays an important role in capturing memories and will also work closely with the yearbook parent representative to make sure photos are shared and organized. A few homerooms are still in need of homeroom parents, and we are reaching out to those families individually. We are so grateful for the time, energy, and support you give to make our students’ year so special! 💜🐾

PSSA letters were mailed out from the Education Center on Thursday. Test scores will not appear in HAC immediately; they will be uploaded along with Fall MAP scores in November so families have access before conferences.

Bobcat Campaign Facts

What is it? The Bobcat Club Campaign is a PTG fundraiser created to allow Indian Lane families a way to donate money directly to IL PTG instead of traditional buying/selling fundraisers (for example, wrapping paper, silent auction, cookie sales, etc.)

The campaign is our main fundraiser and we do it at the start of the school year. The money we collect sets our budget for the year. The more money we collect, the more we can do!

100% of your donation supports PTG events like the Holiday Extravaganza, Bingo for Books, the Bobcat Winter Festival, Kindergarten Ice Cream Social, Popsicles on the Playground, Run-the-Lane, Teacher Luncheons... and more!

Our goal is to achieve 100% family participation. Simply decide what amount you are comfortable with giving and make a one-time donation.

To continue to support Indian Lane with our current PTG events and to avoid the need for additional fundraisers during the upcoming school year, we need your support to reach our fundraising goal of $13,000. This is our 2025-26 operating budget, not a savings account.

Donations are on the household level and all donations are appreciated and confidential.

Your donation may be tax deductible and many companies have programs that will match the charitable contributions made by their employees. Check with your company today!

All families that donate will get a 2025-26 school year magnet!

Donate to the Bobcat Club Campaign Today! Here's How:

1. Click this link or scan this QR code and fill out the Google form with the details of your donation
   
2. Choose your payment method (Venmo, PayPal, Cash, or Check payable to ILES PTG) and make your donation following the instructions provided below.
3. That's it! You're done!
   

IMPORTANT: No matter the method of payment, please fill out the Google form from Step 1 above and include a note/memo it’s for the Campaign and your family/student’s name.

Get ready to represent Indian Lane Elementary in style! Our Bobcats Spirit Wear is now available, featuring fresh designs and cozy gear that lets you wear your school pride loud and proud. T-shirts, hoodies, and more - there's something for every Bobcat in the family!

Orders will be delivered to school approximately 3 weeks after the online store closes. All of the t-shirts have 2 design options, select the design and then color size you wish to order.

Don't miss out! Place your orders before the deadline to ensure delivery in time for upcoming spirit days and school events.

Mrs. Hatton is thrilled to announce that two author-illustrators will be visiting our students soon! Chris Van Dusen is coming on October 1st to visit our first, second, and fourth grade students. John Patrick Green is coming on October 24th to visit our third and fourth grade students. Other visits are in the works for the remaining grade levels.

This is a unique opportunity for children to meet the creative mind behind the stories they love, hear about the writing and illustration process, and be inspired to explore their own creativity.

To help support this special visit, we are offering selected books by the authors for sale. The books will be personalized and signed by the authors. Purchasing a book not only gives your child a keepsake from the event—it also helps us continue to bring enriching experiences like this to our school.

All members of the Indian Lane community are welcome to purchase a personalized and signed copy of If I Built a Town.

Chris Van Dusen is one of Mrs. Hatton's absolute favorites! Please consider purchasing a book to support this event for our students. It's a great series that builds creativity and problem solving. To learn more about Chris Van Dusen, click here.

About If I Built a Town

“My town will be swanky! My town will be swell! My town will be prized as the best place to dwell,” says Jack to the mayor one day as he describes his plans for improving their community.

And what a town he has dreamed up! The zoo is packed with fantastic, Jurassic, and mythical creatures, the mail is delivered by super-fast hover vans, the health clinic travels right to your door, and a parade passes through each and every week. And don’t forget the robots! All of Jack’s plans include the most exciting and useful serving machines. But most of all, wait till you see the beach!

Jack’s over-the-top creativity and infectious enthusiasm will inspire budding young inventors. It’s a storytime romp that you’ll want to return to again and again.

The students are REALLY excited about this one too! These books are extremely popular in our library. John Patrick Green is the creator and illustrator of these fun graphic novels. More details about ordering personalized and signed books coming soon.

About InvestiGATORS Case Files

Special agents Mango and Brash are back again, and this time they’ll be asking their readers for help in cracking the case! The gators have been given a brand new add-on for their V.E.S.T.s to help with gathering evidence and making sense of clues – the G.R.I.D. (Gator Reasoning, Inquiry, Deduction) – and with that powerful tool in hand, kids can follow along as they solve six brand-new mysteries! Featuring plenty of familiar faces from investigations past, as well as a few brand new suspects, Mango and Brash and YOU (the reader) will get to the bottom of cases big and small!

We are looking for parent volunteers to help warmly welcome our guests and assist with snacks and drinks. Families are also invited to donate snacks and beverages for students, grandparents, and special friends to enjoy during their visit. Donations should be dropped off the day prior (9/21 and 9/24). Thank you for helping make this celebration extra special for our students and their loved ones!

Our students will soon have the chance to get involved in a variety of before- and after-school clubs! Details will be shared in the final Bobcat Bulletin of September, and clubs will officially begin in October. A dedicated section in the bulletin will highlight all available opportunities so families can easily explore what’s offered. Teachers and staff are busy planning, and we cannot wait to roll out another year of fun, engaging, and enriching activities for our Bobcats.

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.

As always feel free to call the Mrs. LaRose's office if you have any questions.

This year, all students in grades 1–5 will be issued a district-owned Chromebook for instructional use. Devices are assigned individually and may go home only when needed for learning. Families are asked to review and acknowledge the Responsible Use & Loan Agreement, which outlines care guidelines, digital citizenship expectations, and repair/replacement responsibilities. Attached is the agreement which was sent to all families in early August.

Breakfast at Indian Lane

• Breakfast is free for all students every day.

• Each morning, teachers ask students what they would like to order for the following school day.

• Morning Kindergarten through Grade 3: Breakfast is delivered to classrooms in individually packaged bags.

• Grades 4 and 5: Students pick up their prepared breakfast bag at a Kiosk in the hallway.

• If you do not want your child included in the breakfast count, please notify their homeroom teacher.

Lunch at Indian Lane

• Cost is $3.45 per meal for the 2025–2026 school year.

• Students who qualify for Free or Reduced Meals receive one no cost lunch meal daily.

• A la carte items are also available at additional cost.

• Funding Meal Accounts:

  • Send cash or a check to school with your child along with the completed meal account form. Change cannot be given back. Extra funds are added to the account.

  • Use MySchoolBucks to add funds with a debit or credit card. Please note that MySchoolBucks charges a 3.25 percent processing fee per transaction. This fee is not set or collected by the district.

• Lunch menus are posted on the district website under the Meals tab.

• All Parents/Guardians who wish to receive Free and Reduced Lunch benefits and qualify are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application available on the district website. The link can be found under Departments, Food Services, Free and Reduced Lunch Information (on the left side of the webpage). If you receive a Direct Certification letter, you do not need to fill out an application. Please contact Jenni Lee (jlee@rtmsd.org) for assistance.

I thought I could further explain since our Food Services Department has received some questions. I hope this helps make everything a little clearer. Please know you can always reach out if you have additional questions. We are always happy to help.

The Rose Tree Media School District uses the My Ride K-12 app to provide families with student transportation information. This app replaced Ride 360 beginning in the 2024–2025 school year and will continue for 2025–2026.

• Access Information: Usernames and passwords from Ride 360 carried over, and you may also log in using the web version at https://patmsd.myridek12.tylerapp.com.

• Features: My Ride K-12 provides real-time updates, including estimated time of arrival (ETA) to your child’s bus stop.

• Download the App:

  • Apple App Store

  • Google Play Store

The state of Pennsylvania requires three clearances for all volunteers, chaperones or employees.

A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CLEARANCE

Website: https://epatch.pa.gov/home

Click on the button that says "New Volunteer Record Check". The cost for volunteers is waived.
Follow the instructions for filling out the application.

DHS FBI CLEARANCE - IDEMIA - 1-844-321-2101
Register online or by phone.
Online: https://uenroll.identogo.com/

For employment: enter service code 1KG6XN
For volunteers: enter service code 1KG6ZJ

Click on "Schedule or Manage an appointment"
For employment the screen should read "1KG6XN Pennsylvania PDE-School Districts"
For volunteers the screen should read "1KG6ZJ Pennsylvania DHS-Volunteer"

Fill in the information on the page and click next. Follow through completing all of the pages.
On the last page, you will schedule your fingerprint appointment.
Payment in the amount of $25.25 will be made at the fingerprint site by credit card, money order or check.
Be sure to bring your ID with you to the fingerprint site.

The volunteer clearance is now done through Pennsylvania DHS-Volunteer. The original FBI clearance must be shown at the school before anyone can volunteer.

CHILD ABUSE CLEARANCE

The application for the Child Abuse Clearance must be completed online at the following link:

https://www.compass.state.pa.us/CWIS/Public/Home

You will need to create a log-in before applying. The cost of the clearance is $13.00. For volunteers, the cost will be waived. After you apply for the child abuse clearance, you will receive an email confirming your application. You will be able to print out your child abuse clearance when it is ready, you do not need to wait for it to come in the mail.

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

Email: mbritton@rtmsd.org
Website: https://www.rtmsd.org/Domain/9
Location: 309 South Old Middletown Road, Media, PA, USA
Phone: 610-627-7100