Union Elementary Weekly Update
January 18, 2019
Upcoming Union Events
January 21- No School
January 22-25- First Grade OLSAT
January 23- Second Grade Dads Club Breakfast (RESCHEDULED), 7 AM in Cafeteria
January 25- PTO Movie Night
February 5- Dads Club Meeting, 7 PM in Teachers Lounge
February 7- Family Wellness Night, 6-7:30 PM
February 8- Union Soiree
February 11- PTO Meeting, 9:15 AM
February 13- Dads Club First Grade Breakfast, 7AM in Cafeteria
February 14- Valentine's Day Parties
February 18-19- No School
March 22-23- Spotlight Night
Report Cards
Counselor Corner
Here are our Second Step Home Links for this week. Please take a moment to read your child’s grade level Home Link. It provides a great overview of what they are learning in their Second Step class lesson!
Look for a kindergarten and first grade Home Link coming soon!
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day, the Union Ambassadors are encouraging all students to complete an act of compassion and kindness on their day off from school this Monday. This can be a simple act of kindness such as helping with chores, playing with a younger sibling, or saying a kind word to someone. Thank you for helping us honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrating his legacy.
Valentines Day Parties
Family Wellness Night
Mark your calendars!
Union Elementary Family Wellness Night
Thursday, Feb. 7th from 6:00 - 7:30
This years focus is the Brain + Body Connection
Exercise keeps your brain healthy.
"The real reason we feel so good when we get our blood pumping is that it makes the brain function at its best" says John Ratey author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. :"The point of exercise is to build and condition the brain"
The night will include activities that focus on the Brain + Body connection, as well as our Social, Physical, Intellectual, Nutritional and Emotional Health. Some of the activities include an obstacle course, making a stress ball (Amygadala), Imagination playground(Pre-frontal Cortex), Tour of the cafeteria and creating a balanced snack (Cerebrum), Minds in Motion, Drum Fit, Brain games and more. We would love for your family to join us for a night of family fun!
OLSAT- First Grade
The OLSAT is administered to all students in 1st Grade and any new 2nd Grade students this month. This test will be given orally during the week of January 22nd - 25th. The OLSAT is used specifically to measure abilities related to success in school, testing critical thinking and reasoning skills. This assessment is intended to test memory, speed of thought and ability to see relationships and patterns. Scores are normed based upon a child’s age in months rather than grade level in school and will be posted on each child’s Power School account after scoring has been completed. For more information about the 1st grade OLSAT, please contact Mrs. Karnuta at lkarnuta@zcs.k12.in.us
School Delay/ Closing Information
Note that our next school cancellation would prompt an eDay. Lessons will be published on CANVAS the morning of the cancelled date. Elementary students have until the following week to complete all assignments. With this longer window for work completion, we are able to provide support if there are factors that impact accessibility (devices, internet access).
PTO News
UPCOMING MEETING
I was right. The meeting that took place without our president was a complete lawlessness. You'll find our more about that later.
Until then, mark your calendar for Monday, February 11 at 9am for the next Union PTO meeting.
BOX TOPS
I hope that you're still saving Box Tops because the race for first place and the winners of the spirit wear is really heating up. Mrs. Ticsh's fourth grade class is in the lead, but Mrs. Pourcho's first graders and Mrs. Clark's third graders aren't too far behind.
Now, it's easier than ever to find products with Box Tops and track your earning with the new Box Top Bonus App. Just buy, scan and earn. Download the app today in the App Store or on Google Play. You can earn Bonus Box Tops in combination with the on-pack Box Tops clip and any other coupon, discount, store program or promotions.
MOVIE NIGHT
Have your kiddos seen 'Christopher Robin'? Mine haven't, and now's their chance. The next Union Movie Night will be on Friday, January 25 and we'll be showing 'Christopher Robin' in the Union Café. You know the drill by now, right? Drop off starts at 6:15 with Pick Up between 8:10 and 8:15. Snack and a movie for $5 at the door... you can't beat that.
Register below, or sign up to help out.
SOIREE
The annual Union Soiree is coming up on Friday, February 8 at Moontown Brewery in Whitestown. With dueling pianos, silent auction and a few more surprises you won't want to miss this event in which you can raise a little money for the PTO, hob knob with local celebrities (teachers and staff members) and just generally relax and enjoy the other Union parents during a social, adults only event.
Tickets went on sale on Monday and you can get yours by following the link below. You can also sponsor a teacher to attend and purchase the exclusive Union Soiree 2019 vintage eagle t-shirt (t-shirt can e viewed on the PTO website or the PTO Facebook page)
www.qtego.net/qlink/unionelementary
If you can't attend the Soiree, but still want participate go ahead and purchase a t-shirt, make a donation, bid on silent auction items or donate a gift card for one of the special features of the soiree at the following sign up genius.
SPOTLIGHT NIGHT
Held every three years, Spotlight Night, is one of the many special and unique things about attending Union Elementary and dates all the way back to the "old Union" on Highway 32. On March 22 & 23 the Soiree Committee will completely transform the school in a matter of hours and you won't believe your eyes. Your student won't want to miss it, I promise! So, make sure to help them meet their grade specific reading challenges to earn their ticket to attend. Reading challenges and summary sheets can be found on the PTO website at https://uni.zcs.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=483927&type=d&pREC_ID=1019178 under the Spotlight Night tab.
Just released, the Spotlight Night Schedule of Events.
Dads Club
Our next event is the Second Grade Breakfast which was rescheduled for Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 7 AM. To sign up to volunteer to cook/serve or to donate an item, please click on here.
School Calendar- Updated
Background Check Information
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 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
Union Elementary School
Email: jraycroft@zcs.k12.in.us
Website: http://uni.zcs.k12.in.us/
Location: 11750 E 300 S, Zionsville, IN, United States
Phone: 317-733-4007
Twitter: @ZCSUnionElem