Union Elementary Weekly Update
Friday, September 17, 2021
We love our special people!
Star Students for 9/17
Fact of the Day!
What's happening in STEM?
Microscopes
This week during STEM class, 1st-4th graders used microscopes while observing materials ranging from paper and fabric to butterfly wings and snake skin. Students utilized different magnifications while recording their observations in STEM notebooks. We discussed how microscopes are used in science careers today.
Sunshine Cart is on the MOVE!
Salt Dough Maps in 4th Grade
Dot Day in PK
Dear Union Families,
- The Union Camp Out, sponsored by Dads Club is on Saturday, September 18th. We still need your help! Sign up to bring needed items or volunteer here: Union Camp Out Sign Up
- Picture Day is September 21. Please see information below.
- Jog A Thon is September 22. Please see information below.
- ALICE lessons will begin Monday, September 20. Please see information below.
Enjoy your weekend,
Jen and Erin
Mark Your Calendar!
September 18 - Union Camp Out sponsored by Dads Club
September 20 - ALICE lessons will begin
September 21 - Picture Day
September 22 - Jog-a-thon (see details below)
September 27-October 8- ALICE Lessons PK-4
October 1 - 4th grade to Camp Tecumseh (extended day trip)
October 5 - End of Quarter 1
October 5 - Dads Club Meeting, 7 PM at Union (enter Door 11)
October 11-15 - Fall Break
October 18-20 Fire Safety Lessons K-2
October 20-21 Body Safety Lessons K-4
October 21 - PTO Meeting, 10 AM
October 26 - Regular school day w/ evening family/student conferences (PM)
October 27 - E-Day & Family/Student Conferences
November 11 - Veterans Day
November 15-19- Book Fair
November 24-26 - Thanksgiving Break (no school)
December 17 - End of Quarter 2/Semester 1
December 20-31 - Winter Break (no school)
January 17 - MLK Jr. Day (no school)
January 18 - Teacher professional development day (no school for students)
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)
ALICE Safety Lessons
Dear Parent/Guardian,
In the coming weeks, our school safety team will speak to students on the topic of school safety. As you can imagine, school safety encompasses a wide variety of topics. After a general review with students on how we can remain safe on a daily basis, your child’s class will receive instruction on the A.L.I.C.E. protocol.
What is ALICE?
Very briefly stated, A.L.I.C.E. is a safety philosophy and action plan that seeks to give all school employees information during an intruder situation so that we, as first responders in crisis, can save lives. A.L.I.C.E. is a program used by schools, businesses, and law enforcement across the country. The philosophy of A.L.I.C.E. is to use information in a way so that staff and students can make informed decisions in a crisis, remove as many people as possible from the danger zone, and provide realistic training so that those involved in a crisis have a better chance of surviving.
A.L.I.C.E. is an acronym for, Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. A.L.I.C.E. is not designed to be sequential, but rather to be utilized dynamically in each situation. Teachers will provide direction to the students on what action needs to be taken, so it is very important that students listen and follow the directions given, as this drill is not predictable like a fire drill or tornado drill. This protocol helps us teach students safe decision making skills during a crisis. The A.L.I.C.E. program was introduced to the Zionsville community in the spring of 2014. District parent meetings were held to help inform the public while training took place throughout the 2014-2015 school year with our faculty and staff.
WHY ALICE?
Our local law enforcement and ZCS school safety leaders have been trained in the A.L.I.C.E. protocol. In addition, our ZCS Board of Trustees has met with Boone County and Town of Zionsville police professionals in this regard. Our governing board is in unanimous agreement with law enforcement professionals’ recommendation that we train, communicate, and fully implement the A.L.I.C.E. protocol.
The A.L.I.C.E. program is leveled to be age appropriate and is not meant to scare or frighten children but to empower them with knowledge to make good decisions in a crisis. We will encourage your child to discuss A.L.I.C.E. with you at home. We will continue to highlight the key steps of this protocol with students through daily announcements, safety drills, and classroom conversations. For more information on A.L.I.C.E., please feel free to visit the following website: http://www.alicetraining.com/. If you or your child have continued questions, please contact your school leader.
It is our school and district goal to make our students strong, safe, and empowered.
Thank you for your assistance and support in keeping our students safe.
Sincerely,
Stacy Smith, Principal Pleasant View Elementary
Andrew Foreman, Principal Eagle Elementary
Connie Largent, Principal Stonegate Elementary
Jennifer Raycroft, Principal Union Elementary
Tom Hundley, Principal Boone Meadow Elementary
We ALL Love Picture Day!
https://cp-school-portraits.hhimagehost.com/V2/Home/LoginConsumer?EK=170732
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.
If you have any questions or concerns please fill out our Customer Service Contact Form
(Yes, that's our very own Mrs. Edwards looking great for her elementary picture day back in the day!)
Jog A Thon
Jog A Thon is Sept 22nd (24th raindate)
Students will run with their entire grade this year and celebrate after with Kona Ice. Our tentative schedule is as follows:
2nd Grade- 8:45-9:45
Preschool- 9:25-10:05 (basketball courts)
1st Grade- 9:50-10:45
4th Grade- 10:55-11:50
Kindy- 12:10-12:55
3rd Grade- 1:05-2:05
Spectators are welcome and will have a designated spectator area along the fence on the west side of campus. There will be a spirit wear pop up sale in this area. We are looking for volunteers for our Jog A Thon event on September 22nd. These individuals will support safety by monitoring the course and students as they run. Sign up using the link below. Please note that all volunteers will need to have an active background check on file and will complete the COVID-19 wavier on the day of the event.
Our goal this year is to raise $35,000 to support our teacher and student grants, pay for field trip transportation, enrichment experiences, recess equipment and classroom libraries just to name a few.
Union Elementary School Directory
We invite you to visit https://unionelementarypto.membershiptoolkit.com to see your 2021-22 online Directory. This link can also be found on the Union Elementary website under the Parents tab, PTO tab, then Directory. Once you create a Membership Toolkit Account, you will have access to the Directory.
Here's what you need to do:
- Go to https://unionelementarypto.membershiptoolkit.com.
- Click on the Register/Login button.
- If you already have an account with another organization that uses Membership Toolkit you can use the same email and password to login. You can then proceed to the numbered steps below.
- Select "Create Account" and fill in the name, email, and password information.
- Click "verify my email" and then check your email for a link to complete the process. The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk folders.
- Once you have verified your email address, log back in and finish the registration process.
1.Complete the Parent/Family and Student Information.
2.Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences.
Once the Primary Account is set up, the Primary User can "invite" other email addresses to access his/her account. This allows the Secondary User to have their own login information, but still have access to the family account.
Union PTO Updates
Click here for instructions for linking AmazonSmile to support Union's PTO
Box Tops for Education
Attention Parents! You can help the PTO fundraise for Union just by doing your normal grocery shopping! Credits for our school can be earned when you shop for hundreds of your normal grocery items! Those credits translate to cold, hard $$$ for Union!
It’s very simple to get started! Visit https://www.boxtops4education.com to learn how to download the app and start earning!
Shopping via Shipt or Instacart? No problem! Visit the website to learn how to forward your digital receipts for credits!
Please consider this FAST and EASY way to support our Union Stars!
Dads Club Updates
The Union Camp Out, sponsored by Dads Club is on September 18th for those who have signed up to attend. Our apologizes that we are unable to accommodate walk up guests this year.
Are you planning on attending? We need your help! Sign up to bring needed items or volunteer here: https://signup.com/go/uQWLWGj
Transportation Notes
- Please make sure students exit and enter their cars from the passenger side.
- Please do not pull around a stopped vehicle when in the car rider line (unless motioned to do so).
- Please refrain from using your cell phone when you are in the car rider line.
- Please make sure you have a sign in the front window of your car at pick up that clearly displays students' first and last name and their grade level! Please write in bold!
Additionally, if you are waiting and parked to drop off or pick up your child, please turn your engine off and do not idle. Please see policy here: DIESEL EXHAUST AND VEHICLE IDLING
School Lunch Information
Elementary school lunch continue to be provided free of charge for the 2021-2022 school year.
Click here for more information regarding ZCS Food Services Department.
Now Hiring
ZCS is now hiring Instructional Assistant at multiple locations (including Union!). 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.
COVID Quarantine Guidelines 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). Please make sure your child(ren) has extra masks in their backpack!
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 Settings:
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.
Volunteer Procedures
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL GUEST TO THE BUILDING
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.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR VOLUNTEERS
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.
COVID WAVIER
The linked document is the Covid Volunteer Waiver, which is new this year. This form must be filled out by every guest who enters our building. This is NOT a one-time form as it must be filled out every time a guest visits our school. You may print and bring this to the office with you or complete a copy when you arrive.
Above and Beyond
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