Back to School

Why You Need to Fill Out the Alternate Income Form

Even though meals are free, it’s crucial that all families complete the Alternate Income Form by August 12, 2026. This form helps SCM qualify for additional state and federal funding that supports your child’s education.

💡 What the Form Helps With:

• Direct Student Benefits:
  • Reduced AP, SAT, and ACT test fees
  • Waived college application fees
  • Eligibility for summer meal programs
  • Sponsored Internet
  • 21st Century Learning
• School & District Benefits:
  • More funding for classroom resources, technology, and academic programs
  • Qualification for Title I support
  • More staff like counselors and intervention specialists
  • Access to grants for enrichment programs

Filling out this form ensures we continue receiving these important supports — regardless of your income.

📝 How to Fill Out the Alternate Income Form

1. Visit myschoolapps.com
2. Enter zip code 46544 or choose Indiana from the state list, then click Search.
3. Select School City of Mishawaka, then click Select District & Continue.
4. Click Begin Application Process.
5. Agree to the Terms & Use to proceed.
6. Complete the form with your household information.

💬 Need help? Contact:
Lisa Thompson, Administrative Assistant
📞 574-254-4545 | ✉️ thompsonli@mishawaka.k12.in.us

Prefer a paper form? Reach out to us and we’ll help you get one.

🎯 Don’t Miss the Deadline:

Submit the Alternate Income Form by August 12, 2026.
Help us continue to bring free meals and critical resources to all SCM students!

Families that are returning or new to School City of Mishawaka MUST complete important documents for each child enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year. 

RETURNING FAMILIES
Returning families need to complete:

• 2026-2027 Returning Student Form
• 2026-2027 Technology at Home Form
• Annual Health Form

NEW FAMILIES
New families to SCM need to complete:

• 2026-2027 Technology at Home Form
• CHIRP/Immunization Health Form
• Annual Health Form

NEXT STEPS
Steps to complete the forms:

1. Login to your Skyward Parent Portal (current username and password).
2. Tiles for form completion are listed individually for each student listed in your parent portal.
3. If you are having trouble logging into your Skyward Parent Portal, please contact your school office.
    

UPDATE PHONE NUMBER AND/OR ADDRESS
Please note that any phone numbers or address changes (with proof of residency) need to be done at the main office of your child's school.

GOALS FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

According to the State of Indiana, students need to be in school at least 94% of the time.
Students who consistently attend school are more likely to perform well in school and graduate.
Similarly, students who are chronically absent are much less likely to achieve in the classroom or graduate.

SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS

We understand that sometimes you need to schedule appointments or trips. To help plan ahead and not miss any school, below are days school is not in session that would be the best days for scheduling appointments or trips.

PARENT RESOURCES

Every day a student is absent is a lost opportunity for learning. Too many absences not only can affect achievement for the absent student but also can disrupt learning for the entire class.

Research shows that students who consistently miss school are at risk of lower academic achievement, failure and even dropping out of school altogether.

Indiana State Senate Bill 282, entitled Truancy Prevention Policy (IC 20-33-2.5), and Indiana House Bill 1243 require us to make changes to our attendance policy beginning this school year. These bills require:

• School boards to adopt a policy that will apply to students who are absent 5 days within a 10-week period unless the absence is (1) excused or (2) in conformity with a note on file from a physician, therapist, or other professional under a student’s IEP, service plan, or 504 plan.
• The superintendent or attendance officer to notify the prosecutor when a student has been identified as a habitual truant (defined as a student who has 10 unexcused absences).

Indiana Department of Education’s definitions regarding attendance:

• IC 18-2-6.5 IDOE defines “chronic absenteeism” as students absent from school for 10 percent or more of a school year for any reason.
• IC 18-2-6.5 defines “habitual truancy” to include students absent ten (10) days or more from school within a school year without being excused or without being absent under parental request filed with the school.

Attendance Notifications
We send automated Attendance Notifications to parents/guardians (via email) whose children are marked “Absent” on a given school day to notify them of the absence or late arrival. 

You will receive a notification of your child’s absence when they have missed the following number of days:

• 3rd Unexcused Absence: Letter
• 5th Excused/Unexcused Absence: Letter and Administrator Call
• 5th Excused/Unexcused Absences (in a 10 week period): Parent Conference
• 8th Excused/Unexcused Absence: Letter
• 10th Excused/Unexcused Absence: Letter and notification sent to the Prosecutor
• 15th Unexcused Absence: Letter and notification to DCS

What Can Families Do?
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Start building this habit on the first day of school so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college and in their careers.

What you can do:

• Avoid scheduling vacations when school is in session.
• Build regular routines for bedtime and the morning.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school.
• Don’t permit missing school unless your child is truly sick. Use a thermometer to check for a fever. Remember that stomach aches and headaches may be signs of anxiety.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• Avoid medical appointments when school is in session.
• Keep a chart recording your child’s attendance at home. At the end of the week, talk with your child about what you see.
• Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Ask a family member, neighbor or another parent for help.

Additional information regarding the Attendance Policy can be found in the Parent/Student Handbook.

Thank you for your support.

Attendance Goals Flyer

Q&A Open Session

For the past four years, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor was required by public grant funding to offer school-year programs at no cost. Those grant requirements, and the funding, have now ended.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, program fees will be introduced for the school-year programming. This step is necessary to sustain their services, strengthen program quality, and ensure they can continue reaching as many kids and families as possible.

SCM families are invited to a Q&A Open session so Boys & Girls Club can answer any questions parents have about the Boys & Girls Club programming.

• Date: July 16, 2026
• Time: 4:45 PM
• Location: Emmons Elementary School (1306 S. Main St., Mishawaka)

Where will Club programs be offered?
Before school care and after school care will be offered at Battell, Beiger, Emmons, Hums, LaSalle, Liberty and Twin Branch. After care will be offered at John Young Middle School.

When will Club start?
Club beginning date TBD.

​What are Before Care hours and rates?
Boys & Girls Club Before Care Program will be offered at every School City of Mishawaka elementary school as in previous years, at the rate of $35 per week. Before care will begin at 6:45 AM.
​
What are After School program hours?
Boys & Girls Club After School program at all SCM elementary schools will run from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
Boys & Girls Club After School program at John Young Middle School will run from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM. After school programs are at no cost.

Questions?
​Any questions should be directed to register@bgcsjc.org.

Want to Sign Up for Boys & Girls Club?
You can fill out the form below. Please note there may not be openings at this time at your child's school but you can still fill out the form to join the waitlist.

Boys & Girls Club Registration

The School City of Mishawaka (SCM) web filter provides a Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant filter on the Chromebook year round, in and out of school. When Chromebooks are off campus, parents/guardians can take an active role in making their children 21st century digital citizens by setting time access controls on Chromebooks for streaming content, Youtube, gaming, social networking and more. The Parent Dashboard allows parents/guardians to take an active role in monitoring their child’s school Chromebook and enforcing bedtime.

Below are instructions on how parents/guardians can set parental controls by creating a Blocksi account, access time controls, view their child’s web history, and set up an automatic weekly report to their email.

Updated Student Cell Phone Policy for the 2026-2027 School Year

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to inform families about an important change to our student cell phone policy. This update is in response to Indiana Senate Bill 78, which requires schools to implement a "bell-to-bell" policy limiting student cell phone use during the school day.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, students will be required to power off their cell phones and store them in their lockers for the duration of the school day. At our schools, this means cell phones must be turned off and put away:

• Elementary Schools: 8:25 AM - 3:00 PM
• JYMS: 8:10 AM - 3:15 PM
• MHS: 7:55 AM - 3:10 PM

This policy is designed to minimize distractions, support student engagement in learning, and create a more focused educational environment. We appreciate the partnership of our students and families as we implement this state-mandated change.

Additional information regarding expectations and procedures will be shared prior to the start of the school year. You can also learn more about the updated Student Cell Phone Policy in the Parent Student Handbook.

We’re pleased to share a selection of local events and activities that offer opportunities for families to stay connected, engaged, and informed beyond the classroom. These events are shared as a resource to support community involvement and enrichment.

Please note that participation is entirely at the discretion of parents and guardians. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement or affiliation with School City of Mishawaka. We encourage all families to exercise due diligence and make informed decisions when considering attendance at any event.

2026-2027 DAILY SCHEDULE

Students may enter their building for breakfast at:

• Elementary: 8:05 AM
• JYMS: 7:45 AM
• MHS: 7:30 AM

Please know there is no supervision before these times. Students must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of the day times unless they are participating in a supervised activity. Thank you for your cooperation.

Make sure you are prepared for the entire school year by checking out the 2026-2027 school year calendar.

2026-2027 School Year Calendar

Stay up to date with all events and activities in the Calendar section.

Open Houses are a great way to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and help your child feel confident and excited for the first day of school.

Learn about FREE meals for ALL SCM students, menus, meal times and more.

Meals & Menus

FREE Meals for ALL SCM Students in 2026–2027

Great news! All students enrolled in School City of Mishawaka (SCM) schools will receive FREE breakfast and lunch every school day during the 2026–2027 school year — thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

• No applications.
• No meal fees.
• No worries.

A la carte items (extra snacks and drinks) will still be available for purchase. Payments can be made with cash, check, or through MySchoolBucks.

📋 Why You Still Need to Fill Out the Alternate Income Form
Even though meals are free, it’s crucial that all families complete the Alternate Income Form by August 12, 2026. This form helps SCM qualify for additional state and federal funding that supports your child’s education.

💡 What the Form Helps With:

• Direct Student Benefits:
  • Reduced AP, SAT, and ACT test fees
  • Waived college application fees
  • Eligibility for summer meal programs
• School & District Benefits:
  • More funding for classroom resources, technology, and academic programs
  • Qualification for Title I support
  • More staff like counselors and intervention specialists
  • Access to grants for enrichment programs

Filling out this form ensures we continue receiving these important supports — regardless of your income.

📝 How to Fill Out the Alternate Income Form

1. Visit myschoolapps.com
2. Enter zip code 46544 or choose Indiana from the state list, then click Search.
3. Select School City of Mishawaka, then click Select District & Continue.
4. Click Begin Application Process.
5. Agree to the Terms & Use to proceed.
6. Complete the form with your household information.

💬 Need help? Contact:
Lisa Thompson, Administrative Assistant
📞 574-254-4545 | ✉️ thompsonli@mishawaka.k12.in.us

Prefer a paper form? Reach out to us and we’ll help you get one.

🎯 Don’t Miss the Deadline:

Submit the Alternate Income Form by August 12, 2026.
Help us continue to bring free meals and critical resources to all SCM students!

Join us for an exciting and informative start to your high school journey!
August 5, 2026

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

3:30-3:50 PM - Schedule pick up in the Auditorium

• Enter the building at Door B (Auditorium doors, off Lincolnway East)

4:00–5:30 PM (Freshmen Students Only)

• Orientation is a structured event that begins promptly at 4:00 PM.
• During this time, Freshmen will:
  • Find their locker
  • Tour the building and locate your classes
  • Meet your Freshman Mentor and other MHS staff

5:00–5:30 PM – Parent Meeting (Auditorium)

• Enter the building at Door B by the Auditorium (follow the signs to the front of the building).
• While students finish their activities, parents are invited to attend a brief information session.

5:30–6:00 PM – (Optional) Open Building

• Freshmen parents and students may explore the building together and ask any final questions.
• Great opportunity to practice unlocking your locker.

We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2030!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Caveman? If you are interested in finding out, you are invited to be a Future Caveman this year during Mishawaka High School football!

The Future Cavemen initiative aims to foster positive relationships and community pride with our flagship school, Mishawaka High School. The rules and requirements are easy to follow, so plan to come and have some fun!

HOW IT WORKS:

1. Each elementary school has been assigned a Friday night football game to attend (see schedule below).
2. When it is your school’s night to attend, bring this completed form to the entry gate.
   NOTE: You will enter at the practice field by the Alumni Plaza main gate.
3. Each elementary student with a completed form will receive a FREE Future Cavemen T-shirt!
   (You must arrive by 6:15 PM to receive your t-shirt and participate in the activities. Anyone showing up past this time will not get to participate.)
4. You and your family will be able to enter the game for $1.00 each (CASH ONLY). You still need to pay $1.00 even with a game pass and/or are an SCM employee. (Students must attend the game with a parent/guardian.)
5. NOTE: ONLY students will be allowed on the field for the pregame activities. Parents will be seated in the Future Cavemen bleachers and students will be returned to parents there.
6. During the game your school will be announced as the feature school(s) of the night and provided exclusive opportunities to interact with our Cavemen football team, cheerleaders, and band! 

FEATURED SCHOOLS:

• August 28 vs. Penn: Battell & Twin Branch
• September 4 vs. Plymouth: Beiger
• September 18 vs. Northwood (Homecoming): Emmons & Liberty
• October 2 vs. Northridge (Senior Night): Hums & LaSalle

FUTURE CAVEMEN FORM

PROGRAMS
Growing Together Preschool offers inclusive programs for 3 - 5 year-old children of all ability levels. Classroom activities are intentionally offered to your child to assure growth in the following areas:

• cognitive development
• social development
• emotional development
• language development
• physical development

These classroom activities and materials are concrete, real, and relevant to the lives of young children, providing for a wide range of interests that are challenging to each age group and ability level.

LOCATIONS
We utilize the Indiana Early Learning Foundations, which are connected to the Indiana Kindergarten Standards. These Foundations guide the implementation of curricular activities to promote kindergarten readiness for all of our students.

We are excited to announce that beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, our preschool program will expand to three locations, providing more opportunities for families to access early childhood education.

Beiger  -  Hums  -  Liberty

Having three preschool locations allows us to better serve our community and meet the diverse needs of families. Each site offers unique programs and resources tailored to the specific demographics and preferences of the surrounding neighborhoods. This expansion not only provides families with more convenient access to high-quality early childhood education but also fosters a greater sense of community engagement. By having multiple locations, we can accommodate more children, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing environment, regardless of where they live.

More Information about Growing Together Preschool

Additional information about kindergarten immunizations, sixth grade entrance requirements and senior year requirements can be found in the immunizations section of the website.

The state of Indiana has released the immunization requirements for the 2026-2027 school year. Please make note of the updated requirements and recommendations. (Click image to enlarge)

Indiana law now requires that students who do not pass the Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment by the end of the 3rd grade will be retained in 3rd grade. This law went into effect during the 2024-2025 school year. The IREAD assessment evaluates whether students have mastered essential reading skills. Students will have multiple opportunities to pass the IREAD, including a summer retest. There are some limited exemptions to this law. Please contact your child’s school for more information about IREAD and the retention policy.

Welcome to the John Young Middle School Back-to-School Hub! Here you'll find everything you need to help your child start the school year confident, prepared, and ready to thrive.

To support a smoother transition and allow additional time for testing, Kindergarten students will dismiss after lunch (12:00 PM) for the first three days of school (Wednesday-Friday). This will allow students to gradually adjust to the new environment without becoming overwhelmed. 

This transition period also gives teachers an opportunity to build rapport with students and establish classroom norms in a less stressful setting. Additionally, families can use this time to help their children adapt to the new schedule and expectations, promoting a smoother transition overall.

Safety Policy: Lockers and Classroom Bags

Effective immediately upon return to school:

• All students will be assigned lockers for storing their belongings, including backpacks, textbooks, and personal items. These will be assigned on the first day of school.
• Traditional backpacks will not be permitted in classrooms during instructional time. Students may bring traditional backpacks to school but they must be stored in their locker.  Coats must also be stored in lockers.
• Students may carry small crossbody bags only in classrooms for essential items such as pencils, pens, and small personal items.

How This Will Work

• Locker Assignment: All students will receive locker assignments and combinations during the first week of school
• Locker Times: Students will have designated times to visit their lockers between classes, before and after lunch, and at the beginning and end of the school day
• Crossbody Bags: Students may bring small crossbody or hand bags (maximum size: 8.5" x 11" x 3"-- No bigger than a sheet of paper) to carry essential classroom supplies
• Textbooks: Digital textbooks will be prioritized, and classroom sets will be available to reduce the need for students to transport heavy materials
• Coats and winter items: Students will store their coats in their lockers
• Extra bags for our Student Athletes: Students that require an extra bag for athletic practice or games will be provided a secure storage location upon entry to the building. 

What You Can Do to Help

• Practice locker use: If possible, practice combination locks at home with your child
• Organize supplies: Help your child organize their materials so they can efficiently use their locker space
• Choose appropriate bags: Select a small crossbody bag that meets size requirements for classroom use
• Review the policy: Please discuss this policy with your child so they understand the safety reasons behind these changes and are prepared for their implementation on the first day of school

Questions and Support

We understand that any policy change requires an adjustment period. Our teachers and staff are prepared to help students adapt to this new system during the first weeks of school. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please don't hesitate to contact your child’s administrator:

• Bryon Scoggin, students last name A-G: 254-7307
• Clara Bepe, students last name H-Q: 254-7314
• Laura Sigler, students last name R-Z: 254-7312

We appreciate your support in creating a safer learning environment for all our students. These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to prioritizing student safety while maintaining an excellent educational experience.

Important Dates: 

• Freshman Orientation/locker practice: Date TBA - 3:30-5:30
  • Doors open at 3:30 for schedule pick up
  • Event starts promptly at 4:00 so try to arrive no later than 3:45
  • Students only from 3:30-5:00; there will be a parent meeting from 5:00-5:30 in the auditorium. Parents and students will have the opportunity to walk the building with their student’s schedule from 5:30-6:00. 
• First day of school: August 12, 2026
  • Locker assignments distributed
• Policy Questions: Please contact your child’s administrator
• Academic Questions: Please contact your child's counselor

The Mishawaka Parent Group was developed for the purpose of promoting partnerships with parents, teachers, school administration and the community to enhance the educational environment at School City of Mishawaka.

Our goals are simple:

• To provide a sense of inclusion between families and schools,
• To share information and strategies in order to establish strong student success,
• To promote healthy minds and attitudes in developing young citizens,
• To create leaders, young and old, to build a better community around us.

We would love for you to become involved! Feel free to contact us via email at Mishawakaparentgroup@gmail.com or find us on Facebook as the Mishawaka Parent Group Cabinet.  

School City of Mishawaka uses ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

Here’s what you can do with ParentSquare:

• Receive messages from the school via email, text or app notification 
• Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6:00 PM 
• Communicate in your preferred language
• Comment on school postings to engage with your school community
• Direct message teachers, staff and other parents
• Participate in group messages
• Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
• Send payments, sign forms & permission slips, receive report cards, sign up to volunteer and more all from your desktop or mobile device

Download the App:
Stay involved with your child's learning and activities at school. From anywhere.

The 2026–2027 Parent-Student Handbook is now available. This resource provides important information about school policies, procedures, student expectations, and available services to help families prepare for a successful school year. Browse handbook topics by category for quick access to specific information, or view the complete handbook as a PDF.

2026-2027 Parent Student Handbook

Below is the School Supply List for the 2026-2027 school year.

For middle school and high school, teachers will let students know what supplies will be needed. It's best to start the school year with some paper, pens, pencils, and folders.

REQUIRED ITEM FOR K-6: 

• Backpack
  Only a backpack is required for students in grades K-6, schools will be providing all other supplies. The backpack does NOT have to be clear.

OPTIONAL ITEMS TO DONATE:
School City of Mishawaka will be providing general school supplies to elementary students for the 2026-2027 school year. However, if a family is interested and able to donate any of the items listed below, it would be greatly appreciated. These extra donated supplies will be made available for students to share throughout the school year. 

***DO NOT label items with student's name***

• Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
  • Fiskars Round Scissors
  • 24ct. or more Beginner Pencils (Kindergarten or 1st Grade)
  • 24ct. or more #2 Pencils (2nd Grade)
  • 24ct. or more Crayons
  • 8ct. or more Washable Markers
  • 8ct. or more Dry Erase Markers
  • 8ct. or more Glue Sticks
  • Large Boxes of Tissues
  • 20ct. or more Quart-size Bags
  • 20ct. or more Gallon-size Bags

• 3rd - 6th Grade
  • Scissors
  • 24ct. or more #2 Pencils
  • 24ct. or more Crayons
  • 8ct. or more Washable Markers
  • 8ct. or more Dry Erase Markers
  • 8ct. or more Glue Sticks
  • Large Boxes of Tissues
  • 20ct. or more Quart-size Bags
  • 20ct. or more Gallon-size Bags
  • 2-Pocket Folders (red, blue, green, yellow)
  • 1 pkg. Wide-ruled Lined Paper
  • Single Subject, Wide-ruled Spiral Notebooks (any colors)
  • 4ct. or more Red Pens
  • 4ct. or more Highlighters (any color)

SKYWARD PARENT ABSENCE ENTRY
Parents are able to enter their child’s absence in Skyward. This will eliminate families needing to call school when a child is absent. Please follow the instructions below to enter an absence.

1. Login to Skyward Parent Access
    
2. Click on the Attendance tile for the student you are reporting an absence
    
3. Click on the Absence Requests Tab

    

4. Click Add Absence Request on the right side of the screen

    

5. Enter the Start Date and End Date
    
6. Entire Day: Check All Day if the absence will be an entire day
   Partial Day: Enter a Start Time and End Time of absence
    
7. Select an Attendance Reason from the drop down menu
    
8. Add a Comment to provide information about the absence
    
9. Select Save in the upper left hand corner
   

    

Once saved, the absence request will be sent to the school for processing. After approval by the school, the request will change from Pending to Processed.

Changes to the absence can be made by the parent/guardian in Skyward while it is still marked as pending. Once the request is processed, a parent/guardian will need to contact the school to make any changes.

Indiana House Bill 1216 requires each public school to provide curricular materials at no cost to each student enrolled in the public school. This bill took effect July 1, 2023 and established the curricular materials fund to provide state advancements for costs incurred by public schools in providing curricular materials to students at no cost.

This means you will not be charged for textbook fees this year. Please note that you may see textbook fees listed in your child’s Skyward account. Those are needed in order for us to report the cost of the fees to the State. Please contact your child’s school with any questions.

Mishawaka Students Ride Transpo FREE with School ID!

STUDENT ID CARD
If a student has not yet received their student ID card, they will need to identify themselves as a John Young Middle School or Mishawaka High School student when boarding the bus to be allowed to ride at no charge. Once ID cards are issued, students will be required to show their ID card to be eligible for a free ride.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR
When students ride a Transpo bus, we expect them to have good behavior as well as show respect to the driver and Transpo property. The same consequences for poor behavior or damage to property apply as if they were on a School City of Mishawaka bus or at school. In addition, Transpo bans students from riding the bus if they fight, vape on the bus, or are abusive to the driver.

Transpo Routes, Fees & Information