Stonegate Elementary Newsletter
September 3, 2021
2021 Jog-a-Thon is Coming!
We kicked off our 2021 Jog-A-Thon fundraiser with Stonegate students on Wednesday this week! Lots of “Olympic athletes" were on hand to get the kids excited and to share details of our fundraiser. Pledge packets also went home this week with more information for parents.
Jog-A-Thon is Wednesday, September 22nd (rain date Friday, September 24th). Our goal is to raise $20,000 to support math and literacy materials, technology, enrichment grants, field trips, and special projects for each grade.
To do that, we are challenging each student to raise $50 in donations. 100% of the donations collected by Stonegate students will directly impact our school. Money and pledge forms should be returned by Friday, October 8th. Every student who brings in $50 in donations ($25 for preschoolers) will be awarded a running shoe keychain they can decorate!! Prizes will be awarded every week during our Jog-A-Thon donation window.
Jog-A-Thon is a success because of our volunteers! We need your help with fruit and water donations as well as cheering on the kids during the event and keeping them safe. ALL EVENT VOLUNTEERS MUST HAVE A FULL BACKGROUND CHECK. For safety, non-volunteers will not be allowed on the course. To volunteer, please visit: https://sge.ivolunteer.com/jat_2021 If your volunteer slot is full and you’d like to be put on the waitlist, please email SGEJAT@gmail.com with your name, grade and teacher’s name that you’d like to waitlist for.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Jog-A-Thon schedule will be different this year to allow for fewer kids on the course at one time and fewer volunteers. Normally two grades participate together, but this year, each grade will walk/jog individually. We block off the streets around The Commons, and students walk or jog around a 1/4 loop in front of the school. Students will have 40 minutes to walk or jog as many laps as they can. Just like prior years, Kindergarten and preschool will have a shortened time of 30 minutes. To enable social distancing, volunteers will NOT be tallying laps this year. Donations will be made on a flat-fee basis, not per lap. Thank you for your support of Stonegate Elementary!
Jog-a-Thon Schedule: (time includes warm-up and jog/walk time)
- 8:15-9:05am: 2nd grade
- 9:20-10am: Preschool + Kindergarten
- 10:10-11am: 3rd grade
- 11:10am-12pm: 4th grade
- 12:20-1:10pm: 1st grade
CoVID Quarantine Update
Governor Eric Holcomb’s executive order changes the quarantine requirements for those masked individuals considered close contacts to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. ZCS will continue to follow our district mask mandate, but effective immediately, anyone identified as a close contact in a masked setting is no longer required to quarantine (as long as the close contact is symptom-free).
MASKED SCHOOL SETTINGS:
In settings, such as classrooms or on the school bus, where all students are wearing masks, close contacts who are within three feet of positive case will be notified to monitor for symptoms for 14 days. Those students will continue in school as long as no symptoms develop. If symptoms develop, students must isolate and obtain testing whether or not fully vaccinated.
UNMASKED SCHOOL SETTING:
Close contacts within six feet of a positive case and in an unmasked setting (i.e. lunchroom, band) must quarantine with one of the below options.
1. Quarantine for 14 days (no test required).
2. Quarantine for seven days with negative test (PCR or rapid test done in lab) on days five, six or seven. Return on day eight if no symptoms develop.
*Unless fully vaccinated or previously ill with CoVID-19 within the previous three months and recovered, and without any symptoms.
CURRENT CoVID-19 PROTOCOLS
ZCS will continue to follow established CoVID-19 protocols and mitigation strategies including:
- Masks are mandatory in all district buildings and on school buses.
- Families of students considered to be close contacts will still be notified.
- Close contacts in unmasked situations must quarantine.
- Close contacts in any setting must quarantine if showing COVID-19 symptoms.
SICK CHILDREN
Please keep your child(ren) home if:
1. Child (ren) are sick or showing symptoms of CoVID-19.
2. Anyone in the household is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, exhibiting CoVID-19 symptoms, or has tested positive.
Please continue to carefully monitor your child(ren) for COVID-19 symptoms and do not send any child(ren) to school who show signs of sickness.
Important Dates and Events!
SEPTEMBER
6th - Labor Day (no school)
7th - PTO Meeting at 2:45pm
9th - Picture Day!
16th - PTO Dine for Dollars - Hotbox Pizza
17th - 3rd grade to the Indianapolis Zoo
22nd - PTO's Jog-A-Thon Event
24th - PTO Spirit Day - Favorite Team Jersey
30th - 4th grade to Camp Tecumseh (extended day trip)
OCTOBER
5th - End of Quarter 1
5th - PTO Meeting at 2:45pm
6th - Dine for Dollars - City Bareque
11th -15th - Fall Break
21st - PTO Dine for Dollars - Hotbox Pizza
22nd - 1st grade to Connor Prairie
26th - Regular school day w/ Family/student conferences (PM)
27th - E-Day + Family/Student Conferences
29th - PTO Spirit Day - Favorite Book Character
NOVEMBER
2nd - PTO Meeting at 2:45pm
11th - Veterans Day
18th - Dine for Dollars - Hotbox Pizza
19th - PTO Spirit Day - Flannel Day
24th -26th - Thanksgiving Break (no school)
DECEMBER
7th - PTO Meeting at 2:45pm
16th - PTO Dine for Dollars - Hotbox Pizza
17th - End of Quarter 2/Semester 1
17th - PTO Spirit Day - Holiday Wear
20th -31st - Winter Break (no school)
JANUARY
4th - PTO Budget Meeting at 2:45pm
13th - PTO Dine for Dollars - Papa John's
17th - MLK Jr. Day (no school)
18th - Staff Professional Development Day + NO school for students
21st - PTO Spirit Day - Your favorite Color
FEBRUARY
1st - PTO Meeting at 2:45pm
10th - Dine for Dollars - Papa John's
14th - Valentine's Day
18th - PTO Spirit Day - Choose your favorite decade
21st -25th - Presidents' Day + February Break (no school)
MARCH
1st - PTO Meeting at 2:45pm
10th - PTO Dine for Dollars - Papa John's
15th - End of Quarter 3
25th - PTO Spirit Day - Favorite Vacation Shirt
APRIL
1st -8th - Spring Break (no school)
12th - PTO Meeting at 2:45pm
14th - PTO Dine for Dollars - Papa John's
22nd - PTO Spirit Day - Hat Day
MAY/JUNE
2nd-6th - Staff Appreciation Week
3rd - PTO Meeting at 2:45pm
12th - PTO Dine for Dollars - Papa John's
20th - PTO Spirit Day - Indy 500
25th - Last day of school
26th - June 3rd- Make up days (if needed)
30th - Memorial Day
Picture Day is Coming Soon!
September 9th - Picture Day!
PRE-ORDER FOR SCHOOL PHOTOS IS NOW OPEN! To order with a debit or credit card, please follow the link below. All pre-ordering will close after Thursday, September 9, 2021. You do not need to turn in any receipt or form for an online order. Your student will be bringing home a paper form to pay by check or cash. Proof ordering will be available 4-6 weeks after the photo day.
https://cp-school-portraits.hhimagehost.com/V2/Home/LoginConsumer?EK=170731
COVID Policy for the 2021-22 school year:
Cripe Photography has instituted a "No Contact" policy for school photos. Our photographers will not be in contact with the students, therefore will not be fixing hair, collars or other clothing. Photographers will try their best to have the student fix what is needed.
In Need of Child-Size Mask Donations, Please!
Additional PTO Information
Dining for Dollars
The next PTO Dining for Dollars for the 2021-2022 school year is Thursday, September 16th, at Hotbox Pizza in Whitestown. Mention SGE PTO when you call or use the online code below and 20% of the cost of the order will be donated back to SGE PTO. Please check out the flyer below for additional information. Thank you!
Mrs. Torrance's Monthly Fitness Challenge
Important ZCS District Information
SCREENING FOR COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
ZCS Cafes
Reminder that all enrolled students at Zionsville Community Schools are eligible to receive a healthy lunch at no charge. In addition, students enrolled at the ZCS secondary schools (ZCHS, ZMS and Z'West Middle) are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast at no charge. While no action is required in order to receive the benefit, lunch payment is needed for “extra” purchases such as additional menu items, including milk, or snack items. For other educational benefits, such as textbook assistance, households may complete an application at www.lunchapp.com in order to determine eligibility.
Please note that there have been some food shortages this year which are impacting ZCS Cafeteria menu offerings. As always, menus are subject to change, yet even more so this year! As a result, there are somewhat limited choices at the present time, so your understanding and patience is greatly appreciated. The cafeterias remain committed to offering quality meals served in a friendly manner, this while retaining great flexibility in their approach!
If you or someone you know would like to join the ZCS Food Service Team, please call Eva at 317-873-1232, ext. 11630! Various job opportunities exist to fit your schedule and you are invited to come, MAKE A DIFFERNCE in the lives of kids!
Instructional Assistants Needed at ZCS!
ZCS is now hiring Instructional Assistant at multiple locations. Join the ZCS team and make an impact on the lives of our students. IAs work in the classroom with individual and small groups of students. Positions are 29 hours per week with a pay of $13 per hour. Your weekends and evenings are free and you work on the school calendar. Please apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/centralindiana/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?choosedistrict=true&district=1452 or contact Robyn Nelson at rnelson@zcs.k12.in.us with any questions.
SOARS Mum Sale Going on Now
Volunteers and Visitor Background Checks
Due to COVID-19, the acceptance of outside volunteers entering the school and classrooms will be a FLUID MATTER. When volunteers are needed and approved, appropriate staff members will reach out to you in effort to welcome your support and assistance.
Reminder: All instruction-based visitors (i.e. tutors, private music lessons, guest speakers, etc.) will be required to complete a C-19 Waiver.
If you plan to volunteer or visit in the future, please note the following information or click here to begin the background check process.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR VOLUNTEERS
We value partnerships with our families and welcome parents and guardians to serve as volunteers in our schools. Each ZCS building typically offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Examples include:
- Field Trip Chaperones
- Out of Town/Overnight Chaperones
- Tutors
- Volunteer Coaches
- Classroom Helpers (PTO parties/room parents)
- Library Helpers
- After Prom Workers
- Field Day/Jog-A-Thon Volunteers
- Book Fair Sales/Athletic Ticket Sales
During the school day, all volunteers are expected to sign in at the front office. Prior to the volunteer opportunity, all volunteers must sign a Non-disclosure Acknowledgement Form and have successfully completed a Full Criminal History Background Check. Necessary background check paperwork is available on the ZCS website at the Volunteers/BRAVO link and should be submitted at least 10 days prior to the intended volunteer date. Volunteers must also view the state mandated confidentiality/bullying video, provided on the Volunteer/BRAVO website. The volunteer will pay the fee* for the full background check which will expire after 5 years. The link to apply for the full background check can be accessed on the Volunteers/BRAVO link on the ZCS main webpage. For more information, contact the Volunteer/BRAVO Coordinator.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR VISITORS
During the school day, all visitors must enter via the front door and sign-in at the front office. Visitors need to be prepared to present a government issued photo ID which will be scanned against the National Sex Offender Registry. All visitors will be issued a visitor badge/tag to be worn inside the building at all times.
Examples Include:
- Lunch Guests
- Classroom Guest Speakers
- Classroom Special Events (Grandparent Day/Famous Hoosiers/etc.)
- Parent/Teacher Conferences
We ask that all visitors schedule an appointment to meet with teachers, counselors, administrators and all other staff members so that we may best serve everyone. Visitors other than parents/guardians must be prearranged and organized through the main office.
*ZCS thanks all volunteers for generous support of our youth and schools. Thank you, too, for supporting assurance of student and staff safety by completing and paying for a volunteer background check.