Team Meadow Update
Staff Update - December 8, 2019
Team Meadow,
As usual, the week ahead is full of opportunities and events. A few of the highlights...
- STAFF Meeting - Monday - Format will look a little different as our staff will be meeting in multiple locations. (Individuals will be tasked to complete a task then join together as a team for reflection.) In addition, new culturally responsive book collections will be distributed to teams to review and add to your classroom libraries. More information will be delivered to you tomorrow morning.
- Boone Meadow Voices this Thursday evening in the cafe (7:00). "Hats off" to Jen Welch for being the lead on this great experience for approximately 80 students. Also, a big thank you goes to other team members that make this happen (Will with accommodating the space for rehearsals each week, Rick for chairs and set up each week, Kerri Hodges serving as accompanist, etc...) It takes a village to pull off these special events/experiences. Next week, the Boone Meadow Voices will be singing for the new Anson Senior Living. Thanks again, Jen, and break a leg!
- Body Safety lessons begin this week. Please be sure to note the schedule and email sent from Lauren last week.
- Indiana State Representative Schaibley will be visiting Cindi Hamlow's classroom on Wednesday. Donna Schaibley is visiting after Cindi extended an invitation after meeting with her in November.
- NWEA testing continues. Please try to make sure all is completed by mid-week (11th) if possible. If you are unable to do so, please be in contact with Lauren or me.
- Family Gathering - We have some fine tuning to do for us to hold our Family Gathering tomorrow. More info in the morning about the format and location(s)
Grateful for you,
Tom
Certified Staff/Teacher Contracts
With the ratification of the new CBA on November 15, contract salary amounts for the 2019-2020 school year have been updated. On Monday, December 9, all certified staff will receive an updated teaching contract via email similar to the delivery of your bi-weekly paychecks. Please print, sign and return it to your school administrative assistant by Friday, December 13.
If you have any questions, please contact Robyn Nelson in Human Resources.
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
9 - Body Safety lessons begin; Staff Meeting (info above); School Board Meeting @ 6:00
10 - Tom and Lauren at Elementary principals' meeting @ Union 7:00-9:30ish AM;
11 - BST Mtg @ 2:45 (SpEd); All NWEA to be completed by end of day, please; Dine for Dollars @ Flamme Burger
12 - Boone Meadow Voices Concert
13 - Staff Social/Gathering @ Amanda Rennard's (after school)
16 - Literacy Coaches Mtg @ BME
17- Elementary Admin/LT meeting in AM
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 i located on our ZCS website: http://www.zcs.k12.in.us/apps/pages/school_delay_closing_information
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!
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