MacArthur Elementary School

Dear MacArthur Families,

As this school year comes to a close, so does an important chapter in my life. After many rewarding years in education, 30 of them here at MacArthur I can’t believe this is my very last newsletter. It is difficult to put into words how grateful I am for the privilege of serving alongside such dedicated staff, supportive families, and incredible students. Each day has brought opportunities to learn, grow, laugh, and make lasting memories. The relationships built here will always hold a special place in my heart. I personally believe that all of us that have had the privilege to work at MacArthur have had a calling. I know one of the best decisions of my life has been accepting the principalship job at MacArthur on July 1, 1996.

To our students: thank you for your energy, curiosity, and resilience. Watching you grow has been the greatest joy of my career.

To our families: thank you for your trust, encouragement, and partnership throughout the years. Your support has made our school community stronger.

To my colleagues: thank you for your friendship, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to education. I will deeply miss the daily connections and shared purpose we enjoyed together.

While retirement brings excitement for new adventures and more time with family and friends, leaving this school family is bittersweet. I carry with me countless cherished memories and immense gratitude for the years we have shared.

I am confident that our school’s future remains bright because of the caring people who make this community so special.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives and this remarkable school family. So many great memories that I will hold onto forever, so many great stories that I will forever share, so many blessings that I hope to pay it forward in the next chapter of my life.

Love ya,

Marian Buchko

25th: Memorial Day-No School

29th: Last Day of School & 5th Grade Walk @ 2:45 pm

Our MacArthur Mustangs had an amazing time cheering each other on, building friendships, showing teamwork, and celebrating inclusion both on and off the field at Unified Games Day this week. From opening ceremonies to events and time spent together on the field, the day was filled with smiles, encouragement, and school spirit. We are so proud of all of our students for representing MacArthur with kindness, support, and positivity.

Please remind your child to check the Lost & Found for any missing jackets, sweatshirts, water bottles, lunch boxes, or other personal items. Our Lost & Found collection has grown quite a bit! All unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the school year, so we encourage families to stop by and claim belongings as soon as possible. Thank you for your help in clearing out our Lost & Found before summer break!

Please check your student's PowerSchool account balance for any unpaid items. Fees are due and payable by the end of the school year. Please note that unpaid balances could be sent to collections and also incur additional charges.

All library books must be returned to the school library by the last student day, Friday, May 29. Please check your email for overdue notices from the school librarian. Notices will be sent from do-not-reply@cps.k12.in.us and may be in your junk or spam folder.

If you believe there is an error with a notice, please contact the school library as soon as possible. Books not returned by May 29 will be considered lost, and a fine to replace the book will be charged. All fines for lost and damaged library books will be available in PowerSchool by June 10. Please note that book fines will not be reversed or refunded if a book is returned after the fine is entered.

A credit card payment for lost books can be made through the PowerSchool website https://cpcsc.powerschool.com/public/home.html by logging into your parent account and going to “Balance.” The app does not have a payment option. You can also pay in person by cash, check, or money order made payable to the school.

Families who need assistance this summer with meals can check for local Summer Meal Sites at idoenutrition.com or via the USDA Site Finder Map.

• Families seeking food assistance for their children can contact the USDA National Hunger Hotline, operated by Hunger Free America. The hotline can be reached Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET at 1-866-348-6479.
• If you have additional questions, please reach out to our Food Service team at 219-663-3371

Second semester report cards will be available after 10:00 am on June 5 in PowerSchool. Click here for a screencast showing how to view a report card. Kindergarten progress reports will be sent to parents/guardians on June 5 via ParentSquare.

Parents/Guardians,

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of emotional well-being for children and families. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and early support can make a lifelong difference. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 children ages 3–17 has a mental, emotional, behavioral, or developmental disorder, and many signs first appear during the elementary years. Research also shows that early identification and intervention can improve school success, relationships, coping skills, and long-term outcomes for children.

Parents can support their child’s mental health by maintaining routines, encouraging open conversations about feelings, limiting screen time, ensuring healthy sleep habits, and spending quality time together each day. Small actions such as reading together, playing outside, practicing gratitude, and checking in emotionally can help children feel safe, connected, and supported. If concerns arise, reaching out early to your child’s teacher, pediatrician, or school support staff can make a meaningful difference.

For more information and resources, families can visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at NAMI.org or the CDC Children’s Mental Health page at CDC Children’s Mental Health Resources.

Miss Bellamy

President: Stephanie Heim

Vice President: Amy Harvey

Treasurer: Naomi Longoria

Secretary: Lisette Kadisak

Volunteer Coordinator: Julie Lynch

Communications & Social Media Coordinator: Ashley Summers

Member-at-Large: Callie Letz

Member-at-Large: Becca Ruiz

New Family Liasons: Tatiana Reyes & Rachel Dickinson

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).

Laura Florek, Assistant Principal ext. 16003

Carla Gard, Treasurer ext. 16000

Donalee Golding, 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