It's been another productive week here at The Meadow. Sunshine and warmer weather provide glimpses of spring and renewal. As we reach the one year anniversary of COVID impact on all of us, we look back over the year and see all that's been accomplished "in spite of" the challenge. Let's hold tight to keeping students and staff in school by adhering consistently to mitigation practices. We are on track to finishing the 20-21 school year well as long as we have everyone's cooperation with continued practices to keep students, families, and staff safe.

A few important items for the upcoming days:

New and Returning Students: On Monday, we welcome 14 smiling young faces into our classrooms with new students and students returning to in-person learning. We are excited to have them in our spaces. Additionally, our remote learners continue to shine with display of their smarts and talents. It is amazing to watch our students learning throughout the community.

March is Disability Awareness Month: Throughout next week, we will share announcements and activities that help our students better understand what it means to be unified. On Friday, March 19th, students can participate in Bubblegum/Hat Day at BME by making a $1 donation that will go directly to Special Olympics and honor our ZCS student athletes and partners who participate in Unified Champions. Please reference the flyer that will be coming home with your student next week for more information. (more information located below)

Kindergarten "Strong Start" & Incoming Kindy Registration: Our numbers continue to climb north with Kindergarten registration. Please continue to spread the word to your friends and family that live within ZCS boundaries that they can register their new students for August. Early registration assists us in planning and preparation for the upcoming school year. Read more below and share with neighbors and community friends.

NWEA testing window begins on Monday, March 15th, and runs through April 1st. Your child's teacher will communicate dates of testing for their classes.

End of 3rd Quarter is today, March 12th. Student progress reports will be released in PowerSchool on March 23rd.

Remote Learner Families - Your next materials pick up is this coming Tuesday, March 16th. Watch for news from your child's teacher.

Lastly, Daylight Savings Time - Don't forget to "Spring Forward" early Sunday morning.

Have a great weekend!

In this together,

Tom

Please note: We have a designated "PAPER RECYCLING" bin located in the front lot for community use to recycle paper only. However, this paper recycling bin is often abused by the community as well and requires additional time and attention by school staff/personnel for clean up.

Interesting tidbit: A few items I found and removed from the paper recycling dumpster in the front lot...

• a mannequin (probably one of the most interesting items I've removed over the years)
• discarded computer and monitor
• foam peanuts, piles of styrofoam and plastic packing materials
• collection of plastic grocery bags
• an ottoman and other furniture items
• mail
• clothing

In addition, if the paper recycling bin is full of paper, please consider another way to recycle or dispose of your paper items. Most recently, our facilities team had to come a remove a volume of materials (non-paper) left at the dumpster. On windy days, our farming neighbors to the north of the school property are often left with much of this debris floating to their property. In addition, the school is charged additional fees if the trash disposal provider is needed to make additional runs for emptying the dumpsters outside of their routine schedule.

Thank you, neighbors, for your support and consideration as we steward our campus well for you and your children.

March 14 - Daylight Savings Time

March 15 - NWEA testing window opens (details of testing dates to come from classroom teachers)

March 15-19 - Disabilities Awareness Week

March 16 - Remote Learner materials pick up

March17 - St. Patrick's Day

March 17-20 - ZCS "Do Days"

March 19 - Gum and Hat Day

March 23 - Student Progress Reports made available through PowerSchool

March 28 - Palm Sunday/Passover

April 2 - April 9 - Spring Break

April 2 - Good Friday

April 4 - Easter

April 13 - Ramadan Starts

April 15 - ZWest Music visit to BME

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

May 13 - Eid

May 26 - Last day of school

May 27 - Teacher work day

May 31 - Memorial Day

Dear Families of BME Walkers & Bike Riders –

Safety is one of our highest concerns for students and staff at BME. Please read carefully in effort to partner for your child’s safety as they utilize the crosswalk, especially during dismissal at the end of the day.

• In effort to provide families the opportunity to utilize the car rider line on tricky weather days (or dodge construction on fire hydrants), all walkers/bikers will be dismissed last each day. You will note that our car line will have approximately 10-20 cars remaining in line when we call walkers/bikers from their classrooms for dismissal. This results in your child leaving the building and being escorted to the crosswalk 5-10 minutes later than you are currently accustomed.
• Secondly and whenever possible, please meet your child(ren) at the crosswalk. BME staff can assist students to the edge of school property, and they will serve to assist students as they cross South Main Street. As we consider the safety of students and staff, we are unable to assist students to the pool/playground parking lot at Clark Meadows as BME staff cannot be liable for safety (crossing streets, traffic, etc…) once off school property.

As always, we thank you for your partnership as we strive to keep students and staff safe.

Please click HERE (or the "mask up" image) for information regarding:

• Quarantine guidance
• Screening information
• Close contact information
• Secondary Hybrid schedules
• Parent Resources
• and other important information.