Mill Creek Elementary Newsletter

Dear Caregivers,

Thank you for your patience as we complete our transition from Intermediate to Elementary. While 60 new students submitted paperwork to enroll since July 1st, our secretaries have only been back a few weeks.

Mill Creek has implemented several new procedures this year: all buses now drop off at the South End (Office), and parent drop-off/pick-up is at the North End (closest to Tudor's). Some of our younger students move at "sloth-like speed" so learning new routines has to happen in steps. Please know that our staff is making necessary changes daily to streamline procedures.

As we move into the end of August, please ensure you're connected to Seesaw (K-2), Rooms (3-5), and your Schoology parent account (3-5). These platforms help you stay updated on communication, grades, assignments, and attendance so we can partner together for your student's success.

We look forward to a wonderful week ahead!

Mrs. Erin Butler Principal

ebutler@k12.wv.us

Mrs. Jennifer Pownell

jpownell@k12.wv.us

All Berkeley County menus can be found here: https://berkeleycountyschools.nutrislice.com/

You can download the Nutrislice app on your phone.

***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.

***If your child JUST wants a milk with a packed Breakfast or Lunch, it's 25 cents. Your child should let their teacher know they just need to buy a milk at breakfast & milks for packers or EXTRA milks are announced after the lunch line finishes. We will double check the packers this week to ensure they get their milk.

Do you want to volunteer at MCE? 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: https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/bcs/page/volunteers-chaperones

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.

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.

If you are new to Schoology, this google handbook can help you with everything you need to know. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1w9BxtwoxTJRVXrEj1Tme5SWEkEN5Uq2SyrfW0ya7xZQ/preview?slide=id.g8e952e3ece_0_3

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

• Buses Arrive: 8:20 at the School's Office (South End)
• AM Parent Drop Off: (North End Lot) 8:20 -8:35. Please do not drop students off until a staff member is on duty. Anyone can drop off. Turn at Tudor's and do the loop.
• Students Tardy: 8:46 (***Students arriving after 8:35 must be signed in by an adult in the office)
• Dismissal Begins: 3:20 -- 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.
• PM Parent Pick Up: 3:20 (North End Lot)For the safety of our students, we need Parents who will PICK UP EVERY DAY to have an assigned number (unless the school has contacted you about other arrangements).
• Students Leaving Early: If you have an appointment, please sign your student out before 3pm or buses will block you in. 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 follow our SOAR rules.

We have partnered with YE Creations again for our 2026-27 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.

Join our Staff next Monday, Aug. 31st for our Annual Parent Pep Rally at Musselman Middle School Auditorium at 6pm (looking at the front of MMS, enter front left side)! Your child/children will find out their Team Color this Thursday. Staff, Parent Volunteers, & Students will compete to see what color will win the Spirit Stick-- Red, Green, or White!