Stonegate Elementary Newsletter
September 16, 2022
Dear SGE Families,
What a fantastic week it's been! First, we'd like to extend our sincere gratitude to our PTO, SGE families and staff, and community members for participating or attending our International Fair. This was our first all-school event post-Covid and it was spectacular! We also honored Constitution Day and Third Grade had a wonderful field trip to the Indianapolis Zoo.
A few special announcements & reminders to highlight in this newsletter:
Jog-A-Thon Volunteers Needed - We need your help cheering on the kids, helping them stay on the course, marking their shirts for each lap completed, and handing out water. If you're interested in volunteering and experiencing Jog-A-Thon but the spots in your child's classroom are full, you're welcome to choose a different class. ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST HAVE A FULL BACKGROUND CHECK. To volunteer, please click here. If you have any questions, please email mailto:SGEJAT@gmail.com
- Constitution Day is tomorrow, September 17, 2022 - If you would like to learn more about Constitution Day, please check out the National Endowment for the Humanities who provides content on the Constitution through the EDSITEMENT web site: http://edsitement.neh.gov/constitution-day Additionally, Saturday, 17, 2022 is Smithsonian Day and many of our local museums will have free admission on September 17, 2022. Please check out Indy’s Child website for more information regarding free admission to Connor Prairie, Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana Historical Society and other locations. Indy’s Child Website
- Highlights from Third Grade - details below sharing out what our third graders have been learning.
- Dine for Dollars at Fundaes - Join us this Tuesday 9/20 from 4:00-7:30 PM. SGE Celebrity Scoopers will be ready to give you a scoop of your favorite flavor!
With much respect,
Mrs. Connie Largent, Principal
Mrs. Kathy Drake, Asst. Principal
Important Dates & Events
SEPTEMBER
20th - Dining for Dollars at Fundaes, 4:00-8:00 PM
23rd - PTO's Jog-a-Thon
26th - Rain Date for Jog-a-Thon
29th-30th - 4th Grade field trip to Camp Tecumseh
30th - PTO Spirit Day - Wear Your Favorite Team Jersey
OCTOBER
4th - 2:45 - PTO Meeting in SGE Media Center
4th - Dining for Dollars at Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh
7th - End of Quarter 1
10th - 14th - Fall Break (no school)
19th - Picture Day Retakes
21st - 1st grade field trip to Conner Prairie
24th - 3:00-5:30 - Family/Student Fall Conferences
25th - eDay + 11:00-7:00 Family/Student Fall Conferences
NOVEMBER
1st - 2:45 - PTO Meeting in SGE Media Center
11th - Veterans Day Program
23rd-25th - Thanksgiving Break (no school)
DECEMBER
6th - 2:45 - PTO Meeting in SGE Media Center
7th - End of Quarter 1
20th - End of Quarter 2 + Winter Parties
21st - Jan. 2nd - Winter Break (no school)
What's Been Happening in Third Grade
The students are eager to now pick their specialty animal that they will become a specialist in for our specialty fair in March.
Highlights from Our International Fair
Punctuality to School
Safety and student achievement are top priorities at Stonegate. Late arrivals to school negatively impact student learning and our ability to account for the safety of our students. Now that we are in the routine of school, it is important for your child(ren) to arrive on time. School starts promptly at 8:00 for 1st to 4th grades, 8:15 for preschool, and 9:00 for kindergarten. If you are driving your child(ren) to school, please plan your morning to ensure your child(ren) arrive on time.
Schools are required to monitor and report student attendance. Any student not in class at the start of the school is considered late/tardy to school. If this happens and school adults are still outside, you can sign your child in with them on the clipboard. If there are no school adults out front when you arrive, please park and escort your child into the building. You will need to sign them in with the front office.
We understand there may be rare occasions when you are unavoidably late due to unforeseen circumstances. On these occasions, please communicate with the school. In the event that the car line is not running in a timely fashion due to inclement weather or occasional events that increase the amount of cars, your child(ren) will be admitted into school without the need for you to sign them in. Punctuality is a life skill that is developed and practiced at a young age. Thank you for instilling this in your child(ren).
If you have any questions, please reach out to us or reference the attendance portion of the student handbook. We appreciate your partnership in the educational process.
Miss Wetzel's Counselor Corner
The annual bully prevention lessons will begin next week. This important topic is discussed with all students every year so they know how to be an ally and how to identify situations that are mean moments, conflicts, or bullying. “Bullying” as defined by State law means overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications or images transmitted, physical acts committed, aggression or any other behaviors committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate or harm another student and create for that student an objectively hostile school environment. (IC 20-33-8-.2) If a situation does not meet the criteria for bullying, we still take the situation seriously and discuss and follow up with students involved. We encourage you to discuss with your child about bullying prevention, how to be assertive and how navigate through natural peer conflict. Our number one job is to keep students safe, physically and emotionally. We appreciate your partnership throughout your child’s year. For more detailed information about bullying, please refer to page 35 of Zionsville Community Schools Student and Family Handbook.
Family Assistance form
When basic needs are met, students are better able to focus on education and learning. Therefore, there is assistance available for our students and their families to help with various needs that may arise throughout the school year. If you are currently in need of assistance, please fill out this Family Assistance form. This information will be kept in strictest confidence.
Warmly,
Jessica Wetzel
School Counselor
Mrs. Torrance's Monthly Wellness Challenge
This year, our monthly Wellness Challenges will help students and families build HEALTHY HABITS. Each week will have activities that focus on 4 themes: Fitness, Family, Food, and FUN! Get the whole family involved and build those healthy habits together! Students can not only earn getting STRONG IN EVERY WAY but can also earn a "Toe Token" when they turn in the signed challenge to Mrs. Torrance at the end of each month.
PTO Information
Save The Date!
Jog-A-Thon is Friday, September 23rd! Rain date is Monday, September 26th. Students will walk or jog around a 1/4 loop in front of the school (we block off the streets around The Commons). T-shirts will go home next week. Please be sure to wear comfortable clothing, athletic shoes, your Jog-a-thon t-shirt, and bring your water bottle. The Jog-A-Thon schedule is divided into 5 sessions. The preschoolers and kindergarteners will walk for 30 minutes while the older kids will walk for 40 minutes. The schedule is as follows:
- 2nd grade 8:15 - 9:20am
- Preschool and Kindergarten 9:20-10:15am
- 4th grade 10:10pm -11:15am
- 3rd grade 11:40am-12:45pm
- 1st grade: 12:40-1:45pm
Our goal is to raise $20,000 to support math and literacy materials, technology, enrichment grants, field trips, and special projects for each grade. To do that, we are challenging each student to raise $50 in donations ($25 for preschool). 100% of the donations collected by Stonegate students will directly impact our school. Money and pledge forms should be returned by Friday, October 7th. To donate online https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FDQ6EXRFD2M72
Jog-A-Thon is a success because of our volunteers! We need your help cheering on the kids, helping them stay on the course, marking their shirts for each lap completed, and handing out water. ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST HAVE A FULL BACKGROUND CHECK. To volunteer, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4DACAE2DA1FF2-jogathon
If you have any questions, please email mailto:SGEJAT@gmail.com
PTO Dine for Dollars: Fundae's
Dine for Dollars - October
Visitor and Volunteer Procedures
During the school day, all volunteers are expected to check 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.
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. Visitors other than parents/guardians must be prearranged and organized through the main office.