Team Meadow Update
Staff Update - February 2, 2020
Team Meadow,
Thank you for the fantastic "Global School Play Day" experiences this past Wednesday. What a wonderful experience for our students (and for you, too!) We will hold conversations regarding impact of play at our staff meeting tomorrow, February 10th.
With that, a few items for this week's agenda:
Staff Meeting- We will meet in the "Family Room" shortly after dismissal. Agenda includes an update on construction and move timelines, dialogue regarding play, PD day preview, and a few other items for upcoming events/experiences.
In and Out of the building- Throughout the week, I will be in and out of the building for a variety of reasons. On Tuesday morning, Lauren and I will be out for our monthly admin meeting. In addition, I will be out on Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning to conduct observations and transition meetings for Developmental Preschool students that will be headed our way in the fall. Lastly, I have some oral surgery scheduled on Thursday afternoon, which will most likely result in me being out of the building on Friday.
PTO Meeting on Monday morning - Last week's PTO meeting was canceled, so the PTO Board decided to host the PTO meeting at Starbucks tomorrow morning.
Lastly, I am keeping a few items in the update as a repeat from the past couple of weeks. I've had a handful of staff members asking questions related to items frequently communicated in the weekly updates. Please be sure to take time of the course of the next couple of days to review the information. Thanks in advance.
Have a great week,
Tom
Black History Month
Below is the email that Chris Squier sent out last week offering ideas and resources for celebrating black history month in your classroom.
Idea: As we celebrate and commemorate Black History Month, it is important to engage students in activities that get them to think broadly and critically about the black experience in all of its complexity. Instruction should incorporate history, point of view, politics, struggle, first-person experience, art, literature and data.
Resource: This resource/guide includes ten ideas for teaching about Black History Month for all subject areas. This is the perfect opportunity to add activities into the arts:
https://www.adl.org/media/10922/download
Opportunity: Music At Butler Series: Black History Month Concert at the Schrott Center Friday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 pm tickets: https://do317.com/events/2020/2/7/music-at-butler-series-black-history-month-concert-tickets
Have a great day!
Videos to View Prior to Our PD Day
Valentine's Day
- Valentines Parties will be this coming Friday, February 14th.
- Please communicate your V-Day time to Beth and Barb so we can prepare accordingly (times expected for volunteer arrival, etc…)
- As always, parents planning the parties need to share the snack plan with you at least a week in advance for your approval. Please keep in mind that this might include food items that are used in a craft. If items are not cleared with you in advance they are NOT allowed at the party.
- Pre-registration of volunteers is needed.Via email on last Monday, Beth communicated information regarding the pre-registration link and additional requests.
- Not required, but worth considering: Class parties are an excellent opportunity for classroom communities to engage in service projects. How can your students promote love, kindness, friendship, and care to those around them? (classmates, family, friends, others in community,…)
- Please follow district Wellness policy regarding foods and treats.
Please communicate the following in your classroom newsletters soon as we know many are already planning.
Blurb for your newsletters:
We look forward to celebrating Valentine's Day with our students at their classroom parties on Thursday, February 14th. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to emphasize the Lifelines of friendship and kindness with all of our students.
As you are preparing Valentine cards to share with classmates, please prepare cards void of candy. Due to many students with food sensitivities and allergies, we will be unable to distribute candy. We appreciate your cooperation as our main goal is to keep everyone safe.
If you elect to purchase cards that have contain something extra attached to them, please ensure they are inedible. This could include pencils, erasers, stickers, etc. Thank you for ensuring that all students can have a safe and fun celebration.
Let us know if you have questions
February PD Day - 2/18
We are so excited to be able to offer all elementary teachers the opportunity to learn from three exciting Professional Development Trainers from Teaching Tolerance during our time together in February. Teaching Tolerance is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center and has been providing training across the country for almost 30 years.
This interactive workshop will help you learn how to effectively implement anti-bias instruction in your classroom. Participants will explore practical strategies for accomplishing academic and social-emotional goals side by side. We will discuss learning conditions that honor all identities and reflect diversity, equity and justice. After exploring ready-to-use materials, applying rigorous standards and planning ways to incorporate research-based teaching practices, you will leave the workshop with ideas and tools for transforming your classrooms and school.
You will learn to-
• Incorporate the Teaching Tolerance Social Justice Standards to create and sustain classroom and school environments that honor diversity, equity and justice.
• Speak up—and teach students to speak up—against bias and injustice.
• Build a collaborative and respectful learning community with a diverse group of learners and educators.
A few important details:
- Please bring a device that is fully charged and a writing utensil to take notes on the handouts.
- Enter door 22 (back of the HS Freshman Center)
- Time 8:00 am - 3:30 pm. Doors open at 7:30 for registration.
- Lunch: We will be having Jimmy Johns sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks for lunch. If you need to bring an alternate meal we have a refrigerator in the ESC you can use.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. I am looking forward to sharing this day with you!!
Classroom Grants & Imagine PD Grants - ZEF
Due 2/20/2020!
Imagine Professional Development Grant:
Classroom Grants:
In addition, Classroom Grants support academic excellence and innovation; community and school partnerships; and matching funds for external grants. These grants are also due on Thursday, February 20th.
Please click on the link below for more information and applications.
Important Dates & Information
February
10 - PTO mtg @ Whitestown Stbx @ 8:15; Staff Mtg
11 - Tom and Lauren out for Admin Mtg (8:00-11:30)
12 - BST (SpEd) mtg after school
14 - Valentine's Day (& parties)
17 - Presidents Day (no school)
18 - Staff Professional Development Day (no school for students)
22 - Boone Meadow Blast
24- Kindy Round-up registration will go live this week - (more details & final date to come)
26 - Baby Foley due date
March
4 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
8 - Daylight Savings
10 - Holi
18 - Wellness Night
20 - Boone Meadow Mixer (evening social for adults @ Golf Club of Indiana)
25 - Kindergarten Round-Up
27-April 3 - Spring Break
April
8 - Passover
10 - Good Friday
12 - Easter
13 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
19 - Orthodox Easter
May
6 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
22 - Last Day of School
2-Hour Delay Details
A handful of a few important bits of info should we have a 2-hour delay...
- Bus arrival is at 9:50 AM; Kindergarten students arrive at 10:50 AM
- Preschool will open @ 10:15 AM, the car line will begin at 10:05 AM
- Kindergarten teachers will not meet with regular RtI groups on delay days
- Scheduled PLCs will occur after school on delay days
- Early Start Spanish and Bridge will be from 10:00-10:50
- All BAC sites are open at normal times at all sites, except for Preschool BAC, which will open at 10:15 am (car line will begin at 10:05)
- Certified Staff Members: Your expected arrival time is 9:40 when we have a 2-hour delay. If it is safe for you to come earlier, you are welcome to do so, but not expected.
- Administrative Assistants are welcome to adjust their times to the accommodate the 2 hour delay if needed.
- Instructional assistants should plan to arrive on the 2-hour delay time
- Additional information is located on the ZCS website: http://www.zcs.k12.in.us/apps/pages/school_delay_closing_information
E-DAY REMINDER
With a forecast that includes a few inches of snow with mixed participation, e-day possibilities increase. However, keep in mind that school cancellations can occur for a variety of reasons- power outages, water main breaks, etc. come to mind. if school were cancelled tomorrow, would you be e-day ready? This year, the first cancellation will activate an e-day and will not be made up in May. Please keep this in mind and make sure you are prepared.
First Five Elementary E-day RA Rotation Schedule
*NO KDG RELATED ARTS ON E-DAYS
E-Day #1 – First Grade – Wellness; Second Grade – Music; Third Grade – Art; Fourth Grade – STEM
E-Day #2 – First Grade – Music; Second Grade – Art; Third Grade – STEM; Fourth Grade – Wellness
E-Day #3 – First Grade – Art; Second Grade – STEM; Third Grade – Wellness; Fourth Grade – Music
E-Day #4 – First Grade – STEM; Second Grade – Wellness; Third Grade – Music; Fourth Grade – Art
E-Day #5 – First Grade – Wellness; Second Grade – Music; Third Grade – Art; Fourth Grade – STEM
Personal Business Day(s) Requests
For Certified Team Members:
To requests "personal business days," please complete the following process.- Go to the following link, and complete the "personal business request" form. https://goo.gl/forms/CycfilABEUyILbh83
- Once the form is completed, please send a brief email to me (Tom) that includes the date(s) of your request(s). Remember, this should be completed at least 48 hours prior to the personal day.
- Enter your upcoming absence in AESOP as soon as possible. (It can always be deleted later should plans change.)
Thanks -
Contact Us
Email: thundley@zcs.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.zcs.k12.in.us/bme/
Location: 5555 S Main St, Whitestown, IN, United States
Phone: 3178732226
Twitter: @ZCSBoone_Meadow