Time is flying, and busy are the December days as we transition from our Thanksgiving Break. Teachers and students jumped right in with a variety of wonderful learning opportunities as we only have a couple of weeks remaining before Winter Break.

A few items to note:

Science and Engineering Fair - I've included a significant amount of information about an upcoming opportunity involving our first BME Science and Engineering Fair. Boone Meadow Elementary students of all ages are invited to participate in this learning experience. A showcase and judging of projects will occur in late January, so sign up now to learn more. Students who are interested may pick up a participation permission slip and project packet in the front office or request a paper copy of our information packet here.

Crosswalk - Due to winter weather and dark mornings, our cross walk will not be staffed in the mornings beginning the week of December 13th. We will resume morning crosswalk support in the spring (Date TBD).

• Last day for AM crosswalk support before school will be Friday, December 10th. Families may choose to escort their own children to the school building in the morning should they decide to have their child walk to school.
• Staff will continue to escort walkers/students in the afternoon throughout the year, unless inclement weather is of significant concern.

Winter Reading Event @ Hussey-Mayfield Library - December 1st - January 31st - Winter readers are encouraged to complete and log 21 days of reading for 20 minutes or more to receive their own prizes and "Maker Kits". See the flyer below to register for "Make It Happen!"

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Hundley

Take on the challenge to participate in our school-wide

science and engineering competition to change the world!

We very excited to announce Boone Meadow's Science and Engineering Fair will be held on Thursday, January 27th, 2022! This is our first ever Science and Engineering Fair! Other schools host fairs and report huge successes. For example, at Eagle Elementary, they had over 50 projects submitted from 60+ student participants from all grade levels at their last fair. Four of those projects moved on to the Regional Science and Engineering fair to take 1st and 2nd place! Two of the Eagle projects made it to State where one was honored with an Award for Excellence in the Junior Division! We look forward to our achievements this first time of involvement!

If you like inquiry and STEM, consider participating in this year’s Science and Engineering Fair! All grade-levels are welcome and encouraged to enter and will be honored for their science and engineering projects! Fourth grade students, who compete in the BME Science and Engineering Fair, could possibly advance to the Central Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SEFI) at Marion University in March!

Interested, or want to know more?

• Students who are interested may pick up a participation permission slip and project packet in the front office or request a paper copy of our information packet here.

• Participation permission slips are due back to the front office NO LATER THAN Friday, December 17th.
• If you have questions, contact Mrs. Benson, our STEM Teacher, at kbenson@zcs.k12.in.us.
  

Monday, December 13 @ 3:30-5:00pm- Research/Help Session in Media Center – Optional session where parent/s and students can ask questions and develop a research plan with support

Friday, December 17 - Participation Forms Due in front office

Monday, January 10 @ 3:30-5:00pm - Research/Help Session in Media Center – Optional session where parent/s and students can ask questions and develop a research plan with support

Wednesday, January 26 @ 2:45-4:00pm - Set-Up projects in Gym

Thursday, January 27 @ 8:00am-2:30pm - Closed Judging in Gym– Specific judging times will be communicated to students and teachers the day before/of fair.

• (TBD pending COVID protocols - Family Open House in Gym– Families and community members are invited to view projects. Participating students DO NOT have to attend or stay the entire time.)

Friday, January 28 @ 8:00am Winners Announced

• 8:00am-2:00pm - Classroom Open House in Gym– Classes will have an opportunity to view projects during the school day.
• 2:00-4:00pm - Pick-Up projects in Gym – Winning projects will be kept in the Media Center to be on display. ALL other projects MUST be picked up by 4:00pm.

*Monday, February 28 - Registration Deadline – Central Indiana Regional Science Fair!

*Saturday, March 19 - TBD - Central Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Mrian University

The PTO is excited, to be able to help you with your Holiday shopping! Below, is the link to access who you contact to brighten a staff members day! Don’t forget about your class teacher, favorite specials teacher, that amazing bus driver, the helpful lunch staff and the best front office staff!

As requested from last years feedback, all the information is in one document to make it easier! Click HERE to access the spreadsheet for contact information for this project.

Thank you so much for all your support to us and the school! If you have any questions just let us know!

December 6-17 - NWEA testing window

December 13 - Research Help Session for Science Engineering Fair (media center 3:30-5) December 15- Dine for Dollars - Noble Romans

December 17 - End of Quarter 2/Semester 1; Science/Engineering Fair Participation forms due

December 20-31 - Winter Break (no school)

January 3 - Students return from break; 1st day of second semester

January 5 - Dine for Dollars - Lou Malnati's (All 3 Indy locations)

January 10 - Research Help Session for Science Engineering Fair (media center 3:30-5)

January 17 - MLK Jr. Day (no school)

January 18 - Teacher professional development day (no school for students)

January 19 - Dine for Dollars- Qdoba (tentative)

January 26 - Set-Up for Science/Engineering Fair (2:45-4:00 - in Gym)

January 27 - Science/Engineering project judging and open house for families (tentative)

January 28 - Science/Engineering Fair concludes w/ winners announced, class viewings & pick up

February 14 - Valentine's Day

February 21-25 - Presidents' Day/February Break (no school)

March 15 - End of Quarter 3

April 1-8 - Spring Break (no school)

May 25 - Last day of school

May 26- June 3 - Make up days (if needed)

May 30 - Memorial Day (no school)

Q: How does the new Executive Order from Gov. Holcombe (8/31) impact school contact tracing?

A: IF individuals are wearing masks with fidelity in the classroom & on the bus, people who are contact traced will not need to quarantine unless they are exhibiting symptoms. We will still need to notify and document the contact tracing, but if no symptoms exist and the individuals were properly wearing masks, they would not need to quarantine.

Lunchtime is when contact tracing/quarantine does apply and the 6' rule will apply as well. Quarantined individuals can still return on day 8 if they receive a negative test (rapid in lab or PCR) on day 5, 6, or 7 after exposure - or stay out for the full 14 days.

Q: What about symptoms? What symptoms must we watch and keep our child from school?

A: Every morning, families should take note of if their child is showing symptoms of illness. We know this can be complicated, frustrating, and inconvenient as we strive to keep our learning environments as healthy as possible. Fevers, sore throats, new onset of intense headache, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, coughing or shortness of breath, or new loss of taste or smell are the common symptoms and students will be required (per health department mandates) to quarantine for ten days from the start of symptoms. Student may return to school/activities sooner with a physician document stating they may return OR a negative PCR CoVID test. (This is regardless of vaccination status)

Q: If one child is home with symptoms, must my other children stay home as well?

A: Siblings of ill students will need to be picked up if at school. Siblings will need to follow quarantine guidelines.

More information regarding COVID protocols is located here on the ZCS website.

ZCS C-19 Protocol