The Buzz
August 21, 2022
First Day of School is Monday, August 29th!
Meet the Teacher Night! Thursday, 9/8/22
Mark your calendars! Zephyr will be hosting Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, September 8th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the Zephyr staff, visit the child's classroom, and shop the PTO Plus Book Fair.
What to Bring for Day 1
If you and your child are a bit anxious for day 1 and aren't sure what to bring, don't worry. Our staff is so excited for students to return and will help your child feel right at home. All that is needed for day 1 is a backpack, your child's district-issued Chromebook and charger, and a smile. Anything further will be communicated by your child's teacher during the first week. If you are new to the district and do not have a Chromebook yet, we will have one waiting for you child.
Chromebook Insurance
Chromebooks will play an integral role in your child's education this year and will be used periodically throughout each day. Knowing that accidents happen, we encourage you to purchase the $15 Chromebook Protection Fee. The window to purchase the fee is open now through 9/16/22 and will cover accidental damages through 6/30/23. The fee may be paid online using MySchoolBucks.com or by making a cash payment in the Main Office. Families who opt-out of the fee will be responsible for repair or replacement costs for any damage incurred. If the technology fee is paid the first accident requiring a repair will be covered. The second accident during the same year will result in a charge of the cost of the repair to a maximum of $50. The third accident requiring repair will result in the entire cost of the repair to be charged to the student. If the technology fee is not paid, the non-warranty repair cost will be assumed by the student. For any damage determined to be misuse, neglect, intentional damage, or lost/stolen device, the cost is the actual cost of repair or replacement of the device, currently $300. If a power adapter, case, or other accessories are damaged or lost, the parent/student is responsible for the full cost of replacement, currently $40-$60 (depending on the model) for the adapter and $10 for the carry case.
Free Breakfast and Lunch
We are pleased to announce that Breakfast and Lunch will be free for all students this year. Menus can be found on the Food Services tab of the District Website.
Setting Expectations (Weeks 1 and 2)
At Zephyr, we feel it is important to build character and reinforce positive behavior. During the first two weeks of school, we will focus on teaching behavioral expectations. Our BEEZ acronym (Be Safe, Excel in All You Do, Encourage Others, and have Zephyr PRIDE) represents character traits we look to reinforce in our students. Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to earn rewards and incentives for demonstrating positive behavior. More information on this can be found on Zephyr's School Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) page.
School Safety
Keeping your child safe is an absolute priority at Zephyr. Our staff routinely reviews emergency procedures to ensure we're keeping everyone safe. On Wednesday, 8/31/22, we will be reviewing those procedures with students so they are aware of how they can help keep everyone safe. During the discussion, we will review procedures for emergency exits, keeping doors locked, and using our senses during emergencies.
PARENT PORTAL
Be sure to check Parent Portal and review your child's schedule with him/her prior to the first day. This will help your child find his/her Homeroom Teacher when they arrive for the first day.
GIRLS ON THE RUN (SIGN UP NOW)
Zephyr Elementary School will be offering Girls on The Run every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 - 5:00 PM, starting on Sept. 12th and culminating with a 5K event at DeSales University on December 3rd. Registration is open now and spots are limited to the first 15 registrants. Click here to sign your child up for an amazing opportunity.
BUSING INFORMATION
Information on how to access your child's bus information was sent last week via email. Be sure to review bus numbers and stop locations with your child prior to school. More information on district transportation can be located at the District Transportation Site.
PARENT PICK-UP (Last week to pick up tags!)
If you plan to drop-off and pick up your child from school, don't forget to bring hang your gold Parent Pick–up Tag (Click to view sample).from the rear view mirror. If you haven't picked your tag up yet, please be prepared to present identification when picking up your tags.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Being prepared and having the right supplies available will help to optimize your child’s school experience. We have compiled a list of several items we recommend you have on hand to best support your child.
● Mechanical Pencils (or multiple pre-sharpened pencils)
● Eraser (or extra pencil top erasers)
● Dry Erase Markers
● Jumbo Book Socks
● Contact Paper to protect soft cover workbooks
● Folders for ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Specials
● Crayons/colored pencils
● Tissues for your child to keep at their desk
● Earbuds/headset to plug into Chromebook
● Sharpie