Mount Pulaski CUSD #23

A Joint Message from MPCUSD #23 and the Mt. Pulaski Police Department It's that time of year! High School Seniors will likely be chasing each other around local towns with water guns. The "Senior Assassin" game is here this year. In case you are out of the loop, the game involves high school seniors "stalking" and "shooting" each other with water guns in an attempt to be the last Senior standing. Think of "Hide & Seek" with water guns. Because the game involves a certain degree of hiding & sneaking around to surprise other players, there will likely be calls to the police, 911, and/or the school, reporting suspicious subjects that turn out to be students playing the game. For the students, the safest thing is not to play. We know it's “just a game,” but the reality is that it may not appear that way to the public. If a student plays anyway, here are a couple of reminders: 1 - School property is completely off limits as policy prohibits weapons (including toy/fake weapons) on school property. If played on school property, disciplinary consequences will occur. This includes both school properties, school parking lots and exteriors, and Veterans Park. 2 - Don't trespass onto or into other people's property while playing (especially at night) and, if you're asked to leave, do so. 3 - Use water pistols that are brightly colored, large and are clearly toys. Hiding in dark places and carrying anything that can be mistaken for a firearm is a recipe for disaster. Countless tragedies have occurred in our nation where someone with a realistic looking (but fake) weapon presents it and a police officer or citizen shoots them in defense. 4 - The same goes for wearing masks, camouflage, etc. - Don’t do it! Keep your everyday clothing on. 5 - If you see the police coming, don't run or hide. Instead, explain to the Officers what you are doing and cooperate if they ask you to stop. The MP Police Department and MPCUSD #23 do not condone the game. This is a notice to keep the public informed. If you see something or someone suspicious, please don't confront anyone yourself. Call 911!

Today is the last day to register for the FREE ECG screening through the organization Who We Play For. Please go to the school website to access the link for registration. All students age 10 and up are eligible for the screening.

As a reminder, school dismisses at 11:30 am on Friday, Feb. 16. There is no school on Monday, Feb 19.

Today is Safer Internet Day! This day is globally recognized each year to celebrate positive digital citizenship, promote responsible online behavior, and raise awareness for a safer internet. Today serves as a friendly reminder for parents and adults to take a SMART approach in regards to a child's access to devices, screen time, social media use, and online gaming.

Parent opinions matter! We have implemented changes at MPHS over the past two years based on the input we get from parents on this survey. The parent response rate is currently 9% for our parents. Thank you to those of you who have responded to the survey. We need 20% of our parents to respond in order to receive a report. Our school goal is a 25% parent response rate. I am inviting any parent that has not yet participated to help us reach our goal by taking the survey! We use the data from the parent report to help improve the school. Without ample parent participation, we do not receive data back to act on. Your opinions matter and we want to use your opinions to improve our school! Every parent/guardian is invited to take the survey! The survey window will close on March 31, 2023, so please plan survey administration accordingly. Survey link: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ If you have specific questions about the survey, please call 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874. Thank you for helping us make our school a better place. Sincerely, Heather Fricke, MPHS Principal

Tuesday, Jan. 23 will be an eLearning day for Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23. Freezing rain is expected into the overnight and temperatures at or near freezing will make morning travel potentially dangerous. All Mt. Pulaski School buildings are closed for in-person learning and students should follow eLearning protocol. Information on evening events and practices will be determined tomorrow. (Further updates will be posted on Facebook , our website and via our automated text/phone/email system. If you are signed up but not receiving notifications, contact your building administrator.)

Monday, Jan. 22 will be an eLearning day for Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23. Freezing rain, expected from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., will make morning, mid-day, and afternoon travel potentially dangerous. All Mt. Pulaski School buildings are closed for in-person learning and students should follow eLearning protocols. Additionally, due to dangerous conditions, all practices and competitions for all student activities are canceled for the day. (Further updates will be posted on Facebook , our website and via our automated text/phone/email system. If you are signed up but not receiving notifications, contact your building administrator.)

MPHS is seeking an additional Special Education teacher beginning next school year! Come join an awesome team! https://www.illinoiseducationjobbank.org/Job-Posting/154030/Special-Education-Teacher/job-details

Mt. Pulaski schools WILL be in session tomorrow, Wednesday, January 17th. See you then!

Mt. Pulaski CUSD 23 will be utilizing an e-Learning Day on Tuesday, January 16th due to the severely cold temperatures/windchill and boiler/heating issues at the grade school. Currently, all afternoon/evening practices and events will be held as previously scheduled. Please refer to the Plan for Snow Days/Inclement Weather: https://5il.co/2bvuu.

Tonight is the night! It’s Hoops for Hope! Come out to support Kathy Wade in her fight against cancer. The JV game (6 PM start) has been shortened to two-12 minute running quarters. The live auction will begin immediately following the JV game. We hope you can make it out to show your support and to pour out your love on this family!

As a reminder, school dismisses at 2:00 today. There is no school tomorrow, Thursday, or Friday. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy School Psychologist Week to our very own Ms. McCraith! We love you!!!

There is no school at MPGS or MPHS tomorrow, November 3, due to additional/compounded water issues. Parents/Guardians/Students should check their email for more details.

Unfortunately, we are cancelling school for Thursday, November 2 (tomorrow), due to the water main break. This decision is based on the most current information from the water company. There will be no athletic practices or home athletic events either. An attempt will be made to reschedule the boys junior high basketball game. The coach will send out information as it is available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Currently the city of Mt. Pulaski is under a boil order due to a water main break. At this time we still plan to be in session tomorrow, barring any further problems. Please send a water bottle with your child tomorrow if possible. There will also be bottled water made available in each building. Please contact your building principal with any questions or concerns when the offices re-open tomorrow.

Reminder: Students are dismissed on Thursday, October 19, at 11:30 a.m. There is no school on Friday, October 20. Parent/Teacher Conferences are Thursday, October 19, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Friday, October 20, from 8 a.m. until noon. Contact your school office if you need to make an appointment!

Don't forget to get your Topper or MPGS socks ordered! This is a fundraiser for the 2024 MPHS Prom. You can order online and get your items before Christmas. The shop closes on October 29 at 11:59 pm. If we don't meet the minimum order, your money will be refunded. There are 3 styles available. https://mountpulaskihighschoolsocks.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

**The date of the October school board meeting has been changed to WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023**

Looking for a great stocking stuffer? How about purchasing some MPGS or MPHS socks? This is a fundraiser for the 2024 MPHS Prom. You can order online and get your items before Christmas. The shop closes on October 29 at 11:59 pm. If we don't meet the minimum order, your money will be refunded. There are 3 styles available. https://mountpulaskihighschoolsocks.itemorder.com/shop/sale/