I hope everyone was able to enjoy the time with your families this weekend. As I walked and biked through the neighborhood on Saturday, I was encouraged by the sense of community and family activity that was present.

This week, you will note a few minor changes in program offerings. We understand that access, support, and resources vary among families. Therefore, please continue to keep in close contact with your classroom teacher, our school counselor, Mrs. Kersey, or me. We will be flexible and responsive to each unique situation. Communication is key and provides the avenue in which we can support you.

For the good of the order, and worth repeating:

• School week: We are transitioning to a 4-day school week for students. Students will engage in learning experiences and opportunities Monday through Thursday. Teachers will work on Fridays to refine instructional design for the upcoming school week.
• At the elementary level: Monday/Tuesday: Heavy focus on literacy and math development. Wednesdays: social-emotional learning w/ counselor designed lessons, and Thursdays: Differentiated day with focus on literacy and math development. Fridays: Teacher workday/planning
• Enrichment & Related Arts experiences will be available to students throughout the school week as opportunities to extend beyond high-priority content and standards. check out the video link (located above) to learn more about the opportunities that are available for your learners.
• As a reminder, one of the biggest transitions to e-learning for students is fully understanding that we are not attempting to replicate a 6-7 hour school day. You should see that lessons are compacted with a focus on prioritized skills. For the remainder of this school year, you will continue to see an emphasis placed on literacy, math, and social/emotional learning. Work time centered on these essential skills should require anywhere from a little less than an hour (younger grades) to an hour and a half, or two (upper grades). For families in need of additional opportunities for learning, our staff will provide enriched experiences through related arts and other curricular experiences.
  

Be well my Boone Meadow friends, and we'll talk soon,

Tom

Over the next 6 weeks, our elementary wellness team will be highlighting SIEW (Strong in Every Way) DAILY CHALLENGE on your child's Canvas course from Mr. Stephens.

Each weekday will focus on a dimension of wellness and give a quick explanation of an active challenge for you and your family. The goal is to get you thinking, moving, laughing, and inspired to come up with additional family challenges while at home together. If the specific challenge presented does not work for all members of your family, modify the challenge and be creative. Mr. Stephens is always available via email for additional support. Then, you can direct your kids to the optional enrichment activities posted each week to keep your kids moving at home.

On the home page of the wellness course, click the SIEW Daily Challenge button, and you and your family will be ready for the challenge of the day. Have fun, and you always have the option to share out your videos and pictures to Mr. Stephens!

Once the challenge is complete, you can also share via social media using the tags @MyZvilleSchools @ZCSBoone_Meadow #SIEWDAILYCHALLENGE #ZCSSTRONG

• If you already pre-registered for Kindergarten Round Up, you need to do nothing at this time.
• We are currently accepting kindergarten registrations for families/students that have not yet registered. Please click on the link below to begin the registration process.
• When we are able to return to school, our team will schedule a special time for you and your child to come to our school and learn about kindergarten. This Kindy experience will most likely occur this summer.
• If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at thundley@zcs.k12.in.us

If your family plans are moving you away from BME or ZCS for the 2020-2021 school year, please email our amazing Administrative Assistant/Registrar, Beth Kiel, at bkiel@zcs.k12.in.us.

Thank you for your assistance as we begin preparation for the upcoming school year!

April 12, 2020

Dear Eagle Nation—

Good evening. I hope this message finds you and yours safe and well.

• Four-day eLearning weeks begin tomorrow for the balance of our school year. Content will be posted by 9:00AM Mondays through Thursdays until May 21.

• If state and local orders regarding CoVID-19 permit, we will schedule some time in May when students’ personal materials can be retrieved from schools.

• You may be seeing school buses out and about early in the new week. Novels needed by students for a number of courses are being delivered by our transportation department. School staff members retrieved and sorted the novels (all with gloves on), and prepared them for sealed delivery by transportation crews. This approach keeps from flooding our streets with parent traffic to and from school pick-up areas and it helps us move our buses about a bit to ensure they remain in good working order.

• Teacher and counselor hopes and dreams for the 2019-2020 school year were captured on chalkboards during our first teacher day meetings last August. A lot has changed about our delivery system this spring because of CoVID-19, but those hopes and dreams remain in process for teachers and counselors who have connected with students they are still teaching—this week, and next, and all the way to May 21. CLICK HERE or on the picture below to see a brief video in this regard.

Thank you for your partnership as we work to make these days as meaningful as possible.

Sincerely,

Scott Robison, Superintendent

Zionsville Community Schools

Hussey Mayfield Memorial Public Library (the Zionsville Public Library) is still closed, but they have set up a way for people who don't have a library card to register online and get a "card" (an email with card number and pin) within 24 hours.

This is GREAT news for our staff/students/community, because the public library has an absolute treasure trove of digital resources that can be accessed during this time of e-learning.

Here are the instructions to get signed up for a card while the library is closed:

Get a Library Card within 24-Hours

Visit our Get a Card page , fill out the application, and all eligible applicants will receive an email within 24-hours with their new, personal Library Card information.

Please fill out an application for each person in your family who wants their own card. ALL ages are welcome to receive a card.

Cards issued while we are closed will expire within 6 months from the date of issue. When the Library reopens, please bring your valid ID to the Library to extend your expiration date.

Help your family to grow closer and increase your resilience. This link will take you to a parent resource about family resilience.

https://resilienceguide.org

Also, don’t forget about our counselor as a resource for your family. If you would like to contact Kristi Sloan, our School Counselor, please email her at ksloan@zcs.k12.in.us.

Sesame Street Little Children, Big Challenges

Young children face new challenges at every age and stage. That’s why it’s so important to help them build the skills they need to become resilient. With self-confidence and the ability to express themselves, little ones will be able to handle whatever may come their way and will just keep getting stronger.

https://www.cfchildren.org/resources/sesame-street-little-children-big-challenges/general-resilience/

How to Talk to your Kids About Coronavirus

This is an article written by PBS Kids about how to talk to children about coronavirus. You will find tips for handwashing, covering coughs, and practicing healthy habits.

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus

Support for Helpers during Coronavirus

Resources from the Fred Rogers Center in addition to partner organizations for those of you looking for ways to create learning opportunities and structure for children.

https://www.fredrogerscenter.org/what-we-do/child-wellness/coronavirus-response