Zeeland Quest News
April 16, 2021
2020/2021 Calendar
The 2020-2021 calendar is published and available by clicking HERE, visiting www.zps.org or www.zquestparents.com. Due to COVID-19, we will be following the traditional ZPS calendar. We will return to our year round, balanced calendar for the 2021/2022 school year!
Book Fair (BOGO): April 19-23
PSAT 8th Grade: April 27 (dismissal at 11:20am)
Remote learning 6th & 7th grade due to PSAT 8: April 27 (schedule to come soon)
Half Days (Tulip Time): May 5, 6, 7
No School (Memorial Day): May 31
Last Day of School: June 10, 2021
State Assessment Update
Those of you who follow these decisions at the state level likely know that we are still required to give M-STEP to our 3rd-8th graders and PSAT 8 to our 8th graders.
Read By Grade 3 Law: We are still waiting to hear to what extent scores will be used and how the 3rd Grade Reading Law will affect us. Good new is, Zeeland has been following the typical plan so we are all in great shape, regardless of what is determined. I will be sure to keep you all informed on the logistics as we get closer.
PSAT 8
6th & 7th Grade Students will have a REMOTE ASYNCHRONOUS School Day on
Tuesday, April 27
(all assignments and lessons will be located on Google Classroom and Attendance will be taken that way).
8th Grade Schedule for PSAT on April 27 (this will include our 8th gr. ZQuest students who are online)
School Begins: 7:35am
School Dismisses: 11:20am
*Bussing will be provided in the morning and at dismissal for our in-person students
ZQuest M-STEP Schedule
Grade 8 (includes 8th gr. online ZQuest students)
April 20: Social Studies, 9:45-10:45am
April 21: Science, 9:35a-11:15a
Grade 7 (includes 7th gr. online ZQuest students)
April 28: ELA, 9a-11a (date changed due to PSAT)
April 29: Math, 9a-11a
Grade 6 (includes 6th gr. online ZQuest students)
April 26: Math, 7:45am-9:45am
April 29: ELA, 7:45am-9:45am
Grade 5
April 13: Science, 9:00-10:45am
April 22: Social Studies, 9:30a-10:30a
April 28: ELA, 9:15am-11:15am
May 4: Math, 9:45am-11:15am
Grade 4
May 11: Math, 9:45am-11:15am
May 13: ELA, 9:45a-11:45am
Grade 3
May 11: Math, 9:45am-11:15am
May 13: ELA, 9:45am-11:45am
2021/2022 ZQuest Calendar Updates
ZQuest First Day of School: Monday, August 9, 2021
No School Fridays: August 13, 20, 27
No School/Staff Professional Development: Monday, August 30, 2021
All of ZPS Returns (including ZQ): Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Labor Day Break: September 3 & 6, 2021
Break Week 1: September 27-October 1
Break Week 2: November 22-26, 2021
Break Week 3: December 20-31, 2021
Break Week 4: February 7-11, 2022
Break Week 5: April 1-8, 2022
Break Week 6: May 30-June 3, 2022
No School Fridays: June 3, 10, 17, 2022
ZQuest Last Day of School: Thursday, June 23, 2022
4th & 5th Grade TALENT SHOW Announcement
Spring 2021 - Virtual Talent Show
ZQuest Elementary
4th and 5th Grade
Dear Families,
This year was certainly full of changes, even in music class! We haven’t been able to play instruments like we have in the past, and even our weekly class periods have been structured much differently.
In order to bring some sort of performance back to what we do, we would love to have a Spring Virtual Talent Show! This talent show would consist of student-led performances, pre-recorded and put together into one video. We think this would be a fantastic and memorable end to the school year for such a crazy year!
We have compiled a list of “talent entries” that will be accepted, and are willing to add in others that are not listed, as long as it is performance art. If your child is interested in submitting an entry, please return the following registration form by April 1, just before we leave on Spring Break.
Our hope is to have a complete list of students and what their act will be, so that upon return from Spring Break, we can start to put together the main structure of the video, and help with any student performances that may need it.
All video entries will need to be submitted by April 12th to this website: https://flipgrid.com/garcia45511
This due date will allow us time to create and edit the video for release at the beginning of May.
On the next page, you will find a list of performance categories and types from which to choose. We can’t wait to put this together and show off our very talented ZQ Students!
Thank you for all you do to support our music program!
Mrs. Garcia and Mrs. Boyden
Music Teachers
616-748-3050 x2543
Performance Event List
Playing an Instrument
Choreographed Dance
Gymnastics Routine
Other choreographed-type of routine; such as Juggling, Baton Twirling
Singing
Beatboxing
Rap (appropriate language for elementary aged students, of course)
Song creation through digital sources (sound files will be accepted in wav/mp3/mp4 format)
***
Students can combine with others (safely, according to COVID guidelines) for their performances.
Please no more than one entry per student, with the only exception being if the student has an individual performance and a group performance.
ZPS Bond Information
Don't MISS OUT on....KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT at ZQuest!
- Go to ZPS Enrollment
- Scroll down just past the District Tour Video to the K-12 Enrollment green bar
- Click on the + to expand
- Click on Enroll Now link!
- Be sure to choose the ZQuest option on the enrollment form!
NOTE: If you have a current Young 5's student, there is NO need to fill out the online forms. All you need to make sure to have completed is the Kindergarten Intent form that was sent home by your Y5's teacher!
Zeeland Quest Informational Video
Elementary Pick Up Reminder
- Please arrive for dismissal at 3:30pm
- If you are a family who walks, please use the crosswalk with our crossing guard.
- Please ONLY enter the east lot for pick up FROM the EAST (we are needing to keep the center turn lane open for busses to pass and get into the main bus loop).
- Please exit the east lot, after you have your kiddos, to the west.
- Please DO NOT get out of your car at pick up. If you need to buckle kids, please pull all the way forward to the cars that are parked in parking spots so that the flow of traffic can keep moving.
- We have a pretty solid system with 4 adult stations for kids. Pull all the way up to the spot to pick kids up. Please remind your family to NOT run/walk to the car before you've stopped (we are also reminding them!).
Middle School 2nd Semester ODD/EVEN Day Cheat Sheet
2021/2022 ZKids
2021 Summer Camp registration begins Feb 22!
2021/2022 ZKids Registration Information
March 15 (for current ZKids families)
March 16 (for families who are new to ZKids/ZPS)
Link for Summer and 2021/2022 registration
https://www.zps.org/schools/programs/z-kids/
Please contact Cheryl Kraker with any questions at 748-4711 or email at ckraker@zps.org
COVID-19 QUARANTINE COMMUNICATION & GUIDELINES FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
Reporting Absences
After initial contact with our office staff letting them know the status of your child(ren) in quarantine, there is no need to call the attendance line daily to report absences during the quarantine period.
What should be your first step in continuing to make academic progress?
What does learning look like during quarantine? We wish we could replicate the classroom experience while your student is at home, but there are so many aspects of instruction that we cannot do remotely. Our staff is committed to providing your child(ren) with opportunities that are as consistent as possible with what is happening in the classroom.
We know that learning during quarantine will not be the same as it would be if your student were in the classroom. Our teachers will work with your family, and especially your student, to keep them on track, but also provide modifications to assignments when necessary.
PLEASE reach out to your child’s teacher regularly. They want to know what your student is struggling with or what additional information your student needs.
Student/Family Expectations
Families are expected to communicate with their teachers regarding any questions they may have when they are out of school.
Get your technology device(s) ready. Update your iPad IOS and any apps that you may use. Contact the tech office if you have issues that you can not resolve (cbussche@zps.org).
Organize time during the day: Students will need to stick to a regular school schedule. Being away from school is very unstructured. Also, find time to exercise, read a book, listen to music, or watch a favorite tv show in addition to doing school work.
Follow the set daily schedule provided by your teacher on Google Classroom, See-Saw or Email.
Check Google Classroom or See-Saw and email daily.
Keep on pace as much as possible.
Email the teacher for clarification if needed.
Keep in mind that teachers are teaching full time so that they will need time to post work and respond to questions.
This situation is not easy and there are lots of feelings to manage. Students should not try to handle it alone, they will need adult support.
Teacher Expectations
Teachers will communicate with students/families who are out, support them as much as possible, and let them know the best way to stay on track. If a student typically receives additional services/supports, those service providers (reading interventionists, special education/EL teachers) should communicate with the student/family as well.
Post assignments/lessons/expectations to Google Classroom or SeeSaw.
Respond to student/family emails as soon as possible.
Keep online resources up to date.
Consider exempting students from non-essential activities/assignments when appropriate
Contact the family if there is a concern.
Parent Expectations
Acknowledge with your student that this is hard for everyone.
Contact your child's teacher, principal or front office with concerns regarding your child's well being. We have a Wellness Team at school that can offer support to you and your child and also suggest additional resources.
Help your student navigate through the student expectations.
Encourage your student to follow the school day schedule, taking breaks from the screen to engage in physical activity too.
Communicate with teachers about specific questions related to their work if the student hasn’t been successful.
Contact other resources for support as needed:
Family
Peers
Counselors
Administrators
Free Tutoring from GVSU - K-12 Connect
What about food service for students who are quarantined?
We offer meal pick ups on Tuesday at The Bridge Youth Center from 2-5pm. Parents can connect with the ZPS Food Service office to sign up at 748-3128 or email foodservice@zps.org. If students are quarantined after a Tuesday and need food before the next pick up, they can contact the Food Service office about possibly picking up meals at Zeeland East HS.
Questions regarding COVID-19:
For questions regarding your COVID-19 monitoring call the Ottawa County Department of Public Health at 616-396-5266 or email covid19@miottawa.org.
Mental Health Resources
If you are struggling or need support, tell someone. You are not alone.
OK2SAY - Anyone can report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click HERE to submit a tip.
Crisis Counselor Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 & Michigan Mental Health Warmline - (888) 733-7753
ZPS Cares
ZPS families can call the ZPS Cares Helpline (616-748-4509) or email the ZPS Cares Email (zpscares@zps.org) for assistance related to health, food, and technology needs. ZPS staff and families may use this ZPS Help Request Form to identify student/family needs. A Spanish version is available as well.
Parent Portal
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Communication
We currently have 52 ZQuest parents/guardians connected to our REMIND app! If you are willing, this is a great way to get FAST updates and reminders. We'd love to have you join!
NEW this year, due to the uncertainty of how things will settle with COVID-19, we are going to try communication through REMIND. This will primarily be for reminders and should school be cancelled in-person due to COVID or should we have a fog delay or snow day (I can’t believe I’m talking about snow!). Your child’s teachers may set up a classroom REMIND as well. They will come to you in the same way and will tell you who the REMIND message is from.
Directions for signing up to receive REMIND texts
Go to https://www.remind.com/join/zquest2020 and follow the directions OR
Parent Website at http://www.zquestparents.com/. This site is our MAIN place of information and should become a habit to look at for reminders and answers. If we need to point out something specific, Leslie will send it in an email with attachments and teachers will do so as well in their classrooms!
You can also find information on our Parent’s Facebook page located at ZQuest Parents if you search for us on Facebook. This is ONLY a place for reminders and parent engagement and sharing. This is NOT where we store information or publish information that must get to parents.
Medical Forms
Diabetes Management Plan