Team Meadow Update
Staff Update - September 15, 2019
Team Meadow,
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.
Last week was filled with much great conversation as Lauren and I were able to complete nearly all of our beginning of year conferences. We loved the dialogue and were encouraged by the smart selection of learning goals for the coming year. Thank you for being life-long learners.
A few important nuggets of information:
- Today is Allison Albright's first day of her maternity leave. In addition, Shelley Savini joins us for the week as our Artist in Residence. Remember that all students will help create the mural in the hallway located between the cafe and office. Please plan accordingly to navigate around that space for the entire week.
- We do have an art teacher that has accepted the position. We are awaiting the background check before we announce to the staff.
- We have our first PTO meeting on Monday evening (7:00PM), and Kim Gray will be on the agenda to sharing strategies and core principles to support children as growing readers.
- Our second "Pop-In" is scheduled after school on Monday. Kim and Kara will facilitate our learning time as we focus on "documentation panels" and making learning visible. I hope everyone is able to attend.
- Candice Culligan, known and loved by many of you, will join our resource team beginning on Tuesday. This results in us having a full IA team since the start of school. Be sure to welcome Candice when you see her on Tuesday.
Here's to a great week ahead!
Tom
Documentation Panels & Making Learning Visible- MONDAY
Our "Pop-in" gathering is tomorrow, September 16th, from 2:35-3:30 in the Family Room. Kara and Kim will lead us through exploration of "Documentation Panels" and making learning visible. This PD is appropriate for all building teachers, and we hope you can make it to this opportunity of learn together.
Mark your calendars for our upcoming Pop-ins:
Septemeber 16 - "Documentation Panels & Making Learning Visible"
October 28
November 18
December 16
February 3
March 16
April 20
May 18
Remember, pop-in for one, pop-in for all, pop-in for as much as you can on any given topic.
TEXTBOOK ADOPTION REMINDER
Thank you to Amanda Rennard and Sarah Schermerhorn for volunteering to serve on our adoption committee. Amanda will represent K-2nd grades and Sarah will represent 3rd-4th grades. They will meet monthly with the textbook adoption committee to serve as liaisons who will support decision making by gathering input at the building level.
Action Item reminder: For those who provide language arts instruction, as a grade level, please complete the linked needs assessment. Please complete the form by September 16, 2019.
ZEF Grants - Due Monday
Note: The due date for the current classroom grant cycle is approaching. (September 16th)
Classroom Grants support academic excellence and innovation; community and school partnerships; and matching funds for external grants. These grants are awarded in the fall and spring of each year. Completed grant applications for Fall 2019 must be delivered to the ZEF office (Education Services Center, 900 N. Mulberry Street, Zionsville) by 4 PM on Monday, September 16, 2019. Spring 2020 applications are due Thursday, February 20, 2020.
Classroom Grants: https://zionsvilleeducationfoundation.org/how-we-do-it/classroom-grants/
Barn Bash & Other ZEF News can be found here @ https://zionsvilleeducationfoundation.org
Important Jog-A-Thon Information
PTO is hopeful to get packets out to students/teachers on Tuesday of this week. We will keep you posted if this changes.
Preschool - Jog-a-thon and obstacle course in gymnasium
9:30-10:10
Kindergarten
· Proceed outside and arrive to back lot at 12:40 for warm-up/stretches
· Receive instructions from PTO/JAT Committee regarding the walk/jog
· Jog-a-Thon laps begin at 12:50 and concludes at 1:25
· Teachers remain with students for the walk/jog
1st & 2nd grade
· Proceed outside and arrive to back lot at 9:05 for warm-up/stretches
· Receive instructions from PTO/JAT Committee regarding the walk/jog
· Jog-a-Thon laps begin at 9:15 and concludes at 10:00
· Teachers remain with students for the walk/jog
3rd & 4th grade
· Proceed outside to back lot at 10:45 for warm-up/stretches
· Receive instructions from PTO/JAT Committee regarding the walk/jog
· Jog-a-Thon laps begin at 10:55 and concludes at 11:55
· Teachers remain with students for the walk/jog
Lunch
· Follow our regular lunch schedules.
Related Arts
· Hamlow, Sorrells, Coats, Graham, Bender, & Adams – The Run/Walk will take the place of your regularly scheduled “Wellness” for the week. Please take students to the warm-up area and other staff will take responsibility for your class if you choose to “take a break” (In lieu of your regular special’s time). We will provide coverage for your kids at the following times:
Sorrells & Coats – 12:30-1:05;
Bender & Graham– 9:05-9:50;
Hamlow & Adams – 10:45-11:30
Special Education/USS
· Please continue to serve IEP students throughout the day as usual and as much as possible.
· If students are at JAT during your regular service times, you are to join the JAT group and assist students/staff.
· Join JAT when possible/appropriate to see if any need assistance.
Other
· HA common math block will not occur on JAT day.
· Remind students to dress accordingly with appropriate shoes and their JAT shirt.
· Don’t forget sunscreen reminders for families.
· All volunteers must have background checks on file and need to check in at front office before assisting classes.
· Your team may need to reschedule recess time as it may conflict with playground times/back lot
· In your newsletters, please promote JAT whenever possible. We rely heavily on community support for our programming needs.
PTO Update
Thank you to PTO for the luncheon on Friday. If you have an opportunity to jot them a quick thank you for their generosity, I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated.
Also note, PTO meeting dates have been set for the year. It's not required for you to attend, but any opportunity to support this group that supports us so well is greatly appreciated. In addition, if any of you have suggestions/ideas for talking points, please share. I'd love to see some students and/or staff share out some of their notable experiences with our PTO and families in attendance.
PTO Meetings: (Now at a later time this year - 7:00-8:00)
- September 16th - Kim Gray is on the docket to share a variety of strategies and important understandings regarding literacy development and practices
- October 28
- November 18
- February 6
- March 4
- April 13
- May 6
- May 22
E-DAY REMINDER
With a forecast that includes temperatures near 90 degrees this week, a snow day might be the furthest thing from your mind. However, 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.
As a reminder, the conference (digital leadership/citizenship) e-day has already been prepared at the district level. This will only be used for conferences. Please make sure you are communicating in your newsletters to families about the November 14th e-day. We have been including it in the Weekly School Smore, but the more places it can be seen, the better!
Teachers Ask Jen Serravallo
As we continue to engage in various assessments and consider how this information informs our literacy instruction, I encourage you to listen to this episode. Serravallo does a wonderful job unpacking when Guided Reading and use of leveled reading materials are most powerfully employed.
Please, take a listen!
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Saving power and money is a team effort! This is a great opportunity for a student job. By assigning a student to check that the lights and projector are off classroom is empty (even if it is just for a few minutes while you walk them to related arts) we are empowering them to "take care of this place" and building positive habits for them to bring home as well. Thanks for your efforts in this area.
Important Dates & Information
September 16 - Pop-In: Documentation Panels/Making Thinking Visible
September 16-20 - Artist in Residency project w/ Shelley Savini (mural in cafe/office hallway)
September 18 - 1st & 3rd grades vision screenings
September 19- Amber Hardwick (Fox 59 meteorology presentation for 3rd grade) @ 9:00 in Cafe
September 23 - Literacy Coaches Mtg @ BME (12-2:00); Staff Meeting
September 24- Admin Mtg @ ESC (Tom/Lauren out in AM)
September 25 - Jog-a-Thon
September 26 - (FYI - Middle School E-day)
September 30-October 1 - Tom @ Advanced School Safety Specialist training
October 2 - Bender, Megli, Noel, Casselman, Gray & Hundley out for training (Seravallo)
October 3 - So Big/Mountain House Gala
October 9 - Yom Kippur; NVCI Training @ BME for select staff
October 14-18 - Fall Break
October 28th - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
November 9 - ZEF Barn Bash @ Golf Club of Indiana
November 11 - Veterans Day Program
November 13 & 14 - Student Conferences
- November 13th - 3:00-5:40
- November 14th - 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (also an E-Day)
- Teachers will be allowed to leave at 2:45 on a few days surrounding conferences (more info/details at a later date)
November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break
December 12th - Boone Meadow Voices Concert
December 23-January 3 - Winter Break
January 20 - MLK Jr. Day (no school)
February 5 - Global School Play Day
February 6 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
February 17 - Presidents Day (no school)
February 18 - Staff Professional Development Day (no school for students)
March 4th - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
March 20 - Boone Meadow Mixer (evening social for adults @ Golf Club of Indiana)
March 25 - Kindergarten Round-Up
March 27-April 3 - Spring Break
April 13 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
May 6 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
May 22 - Last Day of School
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).
- 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