Team Meadow Update
Staff Update - December 15, 2019
Team Meadow,
Team Meadow,
Here we go! Our final week of school before winter break!
Snow is falling as I write this, and I’m thinking I need to make sure I have the shovel ready to go in the morning. We have no indication whether we’ll be on a regular schedule, delay (schedule below), or if it will be an e-day (additional information below). Flexibility…it’s the name of a teacher’s game.
- Please be sure to turn in any money you are contributing for "Denim in December". Collected funds will be delivered to So Big on Wednesday.
- Last week’s events were filled with many successes! Hats off to Jen Welch and the Boone Meadow Voices for a delightful evening with the 92 performers that squeezed on the stage. This is by far the largest choral group thus far, and it was even more apparent as guests wouldn’t fit in the 400+ seats a family/guests spilled into the hallways in attempt to catch a glimpse of their young vocalists. Plans are already in the works to move the concerts to another venue to help provide a program with access to all wanting to attend.
- A tremendous thank you to Amanda and Joel Rennard for hosting our staff party on Friday afternoon/evening! Again, many were saying, “we should do this more often!” It’s heartwarming to hear a team laugh and enjoy each other’s company over a smorgasbord of treats and drinks. I saw Amanda at the school late this afternoon, and she was grabbing a box to gather the items left behind at her house. Check with her if you are missing a crockpot, ladle, or any other party serving nick-knack.
- Energy reminder: Please remember to unplug appliances and clean items out of refrigerators on Friday before you leave for Winter Break. Unplugging electronics coupled with ensureing all blinds are closed helps our district save critical dollars. Also, make sure all food is cleaned out of drawers and cabinets. We don't want to invite any cold, hungry critters back into our classrooms.
- Last week, Lauren and I met with Becky Coffman, Mike Schaffer, as well as, an architect and general contractor to begin dialogue regarding the conversion of the BAC/Preschool wing into classrooms. The tentative goal is to have enough planning underway so that the project can begin as soon as spring break in hopes to have new learning spaces available by the start of school in August. We are planning to build four classrooms and some other much needed student/staff spaces in that wing. More details to come.
Have a fantastic week!
Tom
Class Winter Parties and Holidays 101
As you begin planning and preparation, please select either December 19th or 20th for your winter classroom parties. A few important reminders for all:
· Holiday 101 - Please remember that we refrain from a "Christmas Party" as many of our families don't celebrate Christmas. ZCS respectfully expects you keep the parties pretty generic and centered around winter themes. As I’ve communicated repeatedly over the years in varied, nuanced ways, “please be mindful of our classroom holiday décor, activities, and instructional plans. As professional educators in a public school, we must recognize that all of our diverse learners experience life in different ways. Many of our Boone Meadow families celebrate Christmas, but it is important to remember that many of our families do not. ‘We’ may enjoy things that come with the season and this time of year, but we need to be respectful of both our diverse student population and school board policy.”
· Early Dismissals: As a gentle reminder, whichever date you choose to hold your party (or take field trips, etc…), please do not encourage early dismissals as it creates layers of confusions and busyness at the same time the front office team is navigating other dismissal changes. If you’ve ever had the responsibility of navigating the front desk when phone calls and questions from staff, families and others come rolling, you understand the many moving parts. In addition, sending the message that “we really aren’t doing anything” for the rest of the day never makes us look good.
· Service: Some teachers opt to include a “service opportunity” during their class party/celebrations. This might be a great alternative as students could create/make in order to share with others. In addition, this idea goes well with our SEL/Second Step “Empathy & Compassion” themes.
· Food: Food at some of the most recent parties has been a bit, shall we say, excessive. As you communicate with families, be sure to encourage/support healthy snacks as we need to respect and comply to our Board’s wellness policy. Keep it simple, please. If you have students with allergies in your room, please be sure to invite the parent(s) of that student to be involved with the planning, especially if food is involved. By inviting them to participate in preparation, it helps reduce concerns and conflicts with these matters that can be sensitive.
· Regarding Volunteers: Family members attending parties are considered volunteers. All volunteers must have a full background check, and pre-registering for the event is extremely helpful. In addition, volunteering requires undivided attention in order to assist in creating a smooth, well-run event. Please remember that siblings of students are discouraged to attend classroom parties with volunteers.
· Please make certain that Beth & Barb know of your date/time and names of volunteers.
Pre-registration information is located below.
First, go to https://secure.safevisitorsolutions.com/Safe/Visitor/zionsvilleschools
Page 1: Select the green “Next Step” button.
Page 2: Simply enter your name and birthday when prompted. When it asks for "Building" select Boone Meadow Elementary. Select the green “Next Step” button.
Page 3: When prompted for “Person Visiting” use the student’s name, then type “Winter Parties” when it asks for your reason for visit.
It will then ask for the date of the visit. Please use the date of the actual event.
Disregard the “If you’d like to notify anyone portion…” on this page and hit Next Step.
Page 4: Hit the green “Complete Request” button and you are done!
Important Dates & Information
December
16 - Literacy Coaches Mtg @ BME
17- Elementary Admin/LT meeting in AM (Tom and Lauren out in the AM); Interviews for Tuttila's and Foley's leave positions (before and after school)
18 - BME STEM team mtg (after school)
19 & 20 - Winter Parties
23-Jan 3 - Winter Break
January
20 - MLK Jr. Day (no school)
30 - STEM NIght
February
5 - Global School Play Day
6 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
17 - Presidents Day (no school)
18 - Staff Professional Development Day (no school for students)
March
4 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
18 - Wellness Night
20 - Boone Meadow Mixer (evening social for adults @ Golf Club of Indiana)
25 - Kindergarten Round-Up
27-April 3 - Spring Break
April
13 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
May
6 - PTO Meeting @ 7:00 (Cafe)
22 - Last Day of School
2-Hour Delay Details
A handful of a few important bits of info should we have a 2-hour delay...
- Bus arrival is at 9:50 AM; Kindergarten students arrive at 10:50 AM
- Preschool will open @ 10:15 AM, the car line will begin at 10:05 AM
- Kindergarten teachers will not meet with regular RtI groups on delay days
- Scheduled PLCs will occur after school on delay days
- Early Start Spanish and Bridge will be from 10:00-10:50
- All BAC sites are open at normal times at all sites, except for Preschool BAC, which will open at 10:15 am (car line will begin at 10:05)
- Certified Staff Members: Your expected arrival time is 9:40 when we have a 2-hour delay. If it is safe for you to come earlier, you are welcome to do so, but not expected.
- Administrative Assistants are welcome to adjust their times to the accommodate the 2 hour delay if needed.
- Instructional assistants should plan to arrive on the 2-hour delay time
- Additional information is located on the ZCS website: http://www.zcs.k12.in.us/apps/pages/school_delay_closing_information
E-DAY REMINDER
With a forecast that includes a few inches of snow with mixed participation, e-day possibilities increase. However, keep in mind that 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.
First Five Elementary E-day RA Rotation Schedule
*NO KDG RELATED ARTS ON E-DAYS
E-Day #1 – First Grade – Wellness; Second Grade – Music; Third Grade – Art; Fourth Grade – STEM
E-Day #2 – First Grade – Music; Second Grade – Art; Third Grade – STEM; Fourth Grade – Wellness
E-Day #3 – First Grade – Art; Second Grade – STEM; Third Grade – Wellness; Fourth Grade – Music
E-Day #4 – First Grade – STEM; Second Grade – Wellness; Third Grade – Music; Fourth Grade – Art
E-Day #5 – First Grade – Wellness; Second Grade – Music; Third Grade – Art; Fourth Grade – STEM
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). Remember, this should be completed at least 48 hours prior to the personal day.
- 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