Union Elementary Weekly Update
December 22, 2017
Dear Union Families,
With Gratitude,
Jen Raycroft
Highlights of the Week
Thank you!
- To all of our party volunteers, who helped our students celebrate the season today. Thank you for your time and creativity!
- To Holly Horton, for coordinating our Staff Coffee Bar. It was a welcome treat!
- To Sara Brauer and Sarah Janicki, for organizing a successful Spirit Wear sale. We are all sporting some stylish ZCS and Union wear because of you!
Upcoming Union Events
December 23-January 7: Winter Break
January 8: School Resumes; Board of Trustees Meeting, 6 PM at ESC
January 8-26: NWEA Testing
January 9: Dads Club Meeting, 7 PM in Teachers' Lounge
January 10: PTO Soiree Planning Meeting, 9 AM at Union
January 12: Spelling Bee; Report Cards emailed home
January 15: No School
January 17: Second Grade Dads Club Breakfast, 7:00 AM in Cafeteria
January 18: PTO Meeting, 9:15 in Cafeteria
January 19: PTO Movie Night
January 24-26: First Grade OLSAT
January 25: Third Grade Field Trip to Clowes
January 30: Jump Rope for Heart Kick Off
February 1: Family Wellness Night, 6-7:30
February 5: PTO General Meeting at 7 PM
February 6: Dads Club Meeting, 7 PM in Teachers' Lounge; 4th Grade Trip to ZMS
February 7: 4th Grade Parent Meeting, 6:30 PM at ZMS Eagle Hall
PTO News
SCHEDULE CHANGE
Please note that the next PTO meeting will be Thursday January 18 (instead of the 12th) at 9:15 am in the Union Café.
UNION SOIREE
Planning for the annual soiree is has started!
The Soiree is one of the PTO's largest fundraisers, second only to Jog A Thon. This adult only event is a much anticipated evening in which parents can relax, meet other parents and socialize with teachers and staff members all while raising money for the school. It's a party, that's what it is, and with Kim Hollis and Heather Smith at the helm this year, the Soiree will be almost as fun to plan as it will be to attend.
The Soiree Committee is looking for silent/live auctions items: vacation home stays, sporting event tickets, autographed merchandise, gift certificates, etc. If you would like to contribute a tax-deductible item, please reach out to Heather Smith @ hsmith1007@yahoo.com to coordinate!
**The Soiree Sisters and Party Planning Posse will meet again Wednesday January 10th from 9-10AM at Union. EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN**
UNION EXPRESS MAIL
The Union Express Mail is looking for volunteers on Wednesdays from 10:15-11am. There will be a training session Wednesday, January 10 at 9:30am in the PTO room. We will also have detailed volunteer procedures to reference.
Please sign up below if you'd like to be a Union Express Mail Mom...or Dad...
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/60B0445A5AF22AA8-union
BOX TOPS
You should have received a winter Box Top collection sheet this week. Please keep in mind that the next contest due date will be February 1st. Keep collecting!
SAVE THE DATES
It goes without saying that the PTO is super fun and awesome. Luckily we are all members whether we choose to be or not. That means that everyone is welcome to attend the meetings, get involved and volunteer to help out with all of the exciting PTO events...
*January 10th Soiree Planning Meeting 9-10am at Union
*January 18th PTO Meeting 9:15am
*January 19th Movie Night
* February 23rd Union Soiree
Dads Club News
Calling all Dads! Join us the first Tuesday of every month for our monthly meeting. Check out our calendar on the Dad’s Club webpage and our Facebook page Union Elementary Dads Club. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 7 PM in the Teachers' Lounge at Union.
A Note About Facilities
In the past, our neighbors have utilized Union's dumpsters for their extra holiday trash. Unfortunately, we incurred an extra expense for additional pick ups last year as we needed to clear the trash that had accumulated around our school's service drive. We are not prepared to accommodate the extra trash or the extra cost for additional pick ups, so we do ask that you make other plans for your extra holiday trash.
Parenting in the Digital Age
Parenting is never easy. But today's parents have to grapple with a wired world in a way that no other generation has ever had to before. This ever-evolving digital landscape can be daunting to navigate.
Join ZCS in a 5-part series on Parenting in the Digital Age. This series will take place over the winter months and focus on keeping our students safe and healthy in the digital world while weighing the potential benefits and possible negative effects of social media. All presentations will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Service Center.
For more information, visit: https://spark.adobe.com/page/0PMrGrj9rl1Bc/
Transportation News
ZCS Food Service
ZCS Food Service positions now available at several of the ZCS cafeterias. Click here to apply directly and call 317-733-4804 with any questions!
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.
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