Union Elementary Weekly Update
September 7, 2018
This week at Union!
Upcoming Union Events
September 18- PTO Meeting in Cafeteria, 7PM
September 21 - Dads Club Camp Out
September 24-28 - College Go Week!
September 25- Picture Day
September 26 - Jog A Thon
Schedule JAT of Events on September 26
1st/2nd Grade: 8:20-9:20
Preschool: 9:25-10:05
3rd/4th Grade: 9:55-10:55
Kindergarten: 1:10-1:55
October 2- Dads Club Meeting in Teacher's Lounge, 7PM
October 3-4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 5- PTO Staff Luncheon
October 8 - Parent Discussion - How to instill confidence with our children - 9:30 AM or 6:30 PM in the Union Cafeteria
October 9 - End of First Quarter
October 10 - Family Book Club 6-7 PM
October 12- Fall Parties
October 15-19- Fall Break
Family Book Club
Dear Union Families,
We all know literacy is important and that it is the foundation on which so many aspects of learning are based. What is often overlooked is that it can also be a shared experience and the impetus for positive social interaction at all ages. Discussion about what we read – whether it is news, novels, non-fiction books, or industry specific information – helps us develop relationships, understand varying points of view, and build a community.
On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 we will host Family Book Club Night from 6-7 PM at Union Elementary.
Each elementary student and his/her family will choose a book by author Eve Bunting. Families will have two weeks to read the book together and begin discussion on the rich topics Ms. Bunting’s books provide. At the end of the two weeks, we will gather at Union Elementary for Family Book Club night including a short presentation about the author and breakout discussion groups in a book club-type setting.
The Eve Bunting titles we will explore are: Dandelions, The Wall, The Wednesday Surprise, and The Memory String. Books will be distributed in your child’s class. As all ZCS elementary schools will use the same books, we ask that you return them either at the Family Book Club night or in the book return boxes located around the school.
Please click or type the link below to select your top two book choices for each student.. We understand that schedules are ever changing for the busy families in our school. However, your RSVP will help us to ensure adequate staffing for rich book club discussions during the evening.
2018 Family Book Club Reservation Form
Counselor's Corner
Here are the Second Step grade level Home Links for this week!
STEM Teacher Mrs. Brimmer and School Counselor Mrs. Karnuta team up to teach students about Stress and the Brain
This week, Mrs. Brimmer and Mrs. Karnuta co-taught lessons for 3rd and 4th grade students about how stress affects the brain. Students learned about different parts of the brain (ask your student about their amygdala!) and how stress can impact our ability to focus and learn. We practiced some strategies for handling and reducing stress. Important skills for both now and as our students grow!
PTO News
Follow us on Facebook: Union Elementary PTO
MOVIE NIGHT
Don't forget...Tonight is the first Union Movie Night of the year! 'The Greatest Showman' will be playing in the Union Café. Drop off starts at 6:15 with pick up at 8pm.
UPCOMING MEETING
It's almost time! I can't wait! The first PTO meeting is just around the corner on Tuesday, September 18 at 7pm in the Union Café. Whether you like it or not, you are a part of the PTO. Everyone with a child registered at Union Elementary is automatically party of the PTO. Yep, dads too! (We should offer some sort of a prize for the first dad to attend a PTO meeting.) Child care will be available so you could really just bring the whole family.
Room Moms...and Dads...your meeting is just before the PTO meeting so you might as well stick around.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Want to see all of the Union STARS cleaned up and looking their best? Be a Picture Day volunteer! On September 25, we are in need of 2 volunteers beginning 10 minutes before the start of the school day. All pictures will be done before lunches begin. Volunteers will receive a $20 gift certificate to go towards the purchase of school portraits, compliments of Cripe Photography. If you are interested, please email Erin Kay at ekay@zcs.k12.in.us.
JOG-A-THON
Only a week and a half till Jog-A-Thon! Have your student continue to ask for pledges from family, friends, and neighbors! Also, Early Bird Drawing is just one week from Monday! Be sure to send in the collected amount of $50 or more for K-4, or $25 for Pre-K, in order to be eligible for the prize drawings and special Mini Hi-Top Keychain!
Volunteers are needed in various roles throughout the school day. Even if your student may not be in a particular running session, feel free to volunteer! Not only do we need Lap Markers, we need volunteers to pass out Kona Ice, write lap counts on the students’ handmade medals, and sell t-shirts!
Thank you for your support of our only student fundraiser for the year!
In order for Jog-A-Thon to be a success, we need lots of parent volunteers to participate!
Please click the link below to sign up for the big day on Wednesday, September 26th!
Jog-A-Thon Parent Volunteer Sign Up
Schedule of Events
1st/2nd Grade: 8:20-9:20
Preschool: 9:25-10:05
3rd/4th Grade: 9:55-10:55
Kindergarten: 1:10-1:55
Would you or your company like to show your support of Union Elementary, and help directly fund our school needs? If so, we have tent sponsorships available for $75! For more information, emailunionjogathon@gmail.com.
UNION EXPRESS MAIL
2nd Grade parents, look for a Union Express Mail stamp contest form in your student's folder this week for an opportunity for your child's design to by this year's Union Express Mail stamp!
SPIRIT WEAR
Thank you to everyone who ordered spirit wear! I remembered at the very last minute to get my order in, but if you didn't there will still be a few opportunities to buy limited sizes and styles at upcoming events like during Book Fair. If you did order with in the deadline you can expect to receive your purchases via your child some time during the last week of September.
UNION DIRECTORY
The Union Directory, for when you don't know what time your child eats lunch and you want to ask someone specific instead of looking it up or asking the entire school on the Union Parents Facebook page.
Below is a link that will allow you to access the directory from your computer and mobile device. After following the link, scroll down to see instructions on how to install the app on your mobile device. Check your email for a temporary password for login and use your desk top to change that password or edit your information.
If you have directory questions or need assistance, please contact Karin Romano.
Log via the web https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/login.a5w
SAVE THE DATES
Sept 14: Movie Night
Sept 14: Polo for JDRF
Sept 18: Room Mom Meeting
Sept 18: PTO Meeting
Sept 25: Picture Day
Sept 26: Jog-A-Thon
Sept 27: Jog-A-Thon Rain Date
Dads Club
Picture Day
School Pictures are Tuesday, September 25th. Your child should be bringing an order form later this week. You also have the option to go online and place an order. Follow the link below to pay by credit card or to alleviate the need for your child to turn in an order form. Place your order by September 25th to save money on packages and have your order shipped to the school for free. Please direct any questions to Cripe Photography -info@cripephoto.com.
ORDER LINK
Kroger Gives Back!
Now that Kroger is rocking our worlds with their new stores and low prices, they are also going to help our school!
If you have not gotten a Kroger Plus card yet, sign up for one and then add Union Elementary to your Community Rewards organization name.
If you already have a Kroger card simply hop on your computer and follow these easy steps…
1.) Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
2.) Click on “Kroger Community Rewards”
3.) Click on “I’m a Customer”
4.) View Details
5.) Type in AM021 and hit “search”
6.) Click on Union Elementary, 11750 E 300 S, Zionsville, IN and hit “Enroll”
Let Grandma and Grandpa know how easy that was, and get them signed up too. Now Kroger will give Union a percentage of what you spend which helps in many ways. This small action helps buy school supplies, instruments for music class, and much more. Thanks for your support. If you have any questions or need help please contact Brittany Henney at Brittanykay1@gmail.com
Background Check Information
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR VOLUNTEERS
We value partnerships with our families and welcome parents and guardians to serve as volunteers in our schools. Each ZCS building offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities.
Examples include:
- Field Trip Chaperones
- Out of Town/Overnight Chaperones
- Tutors
- Volunteer Coaches
- Classroom Helpers (PTO parties/room parents)
- Library Helpers
- After Prom Workers
- Field Day/Jog-A-Thon Volunteers
- Book Fair Sales/Athletic Ticket Sales
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.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR VISITORS
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.
Examples Include:
- Lunch Guests
- Classroom Guest Speakers
- Classroom Special Events (Grandparent Day/Famous Hoosiers/etc.)
- Parent/Teacher Conferences
We ask that all visitors schedule an appointment to meet with teachers, counselors, administrators and all other staff members so that we may best serve everyone. Visitors other than parents/guardians must be prearranged and organized through the main office.
*ZCS thanks all volunteers for generous support of our youth and schools. Thank you, too, for supporting assurance of student and staff safety by completing and paying for a volunteer background check
Kids FunZone
Science Fest
Gravy Chase 2018
Get ready to run! Gravy Case registration is discounted ($30 per person or $100 for a family of four) until 10/31.
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