Overall, we experienced a strong start with our first full week of school. The building is filled with anticipation of a positive and promising school year as new families are acclimating and old friendships are rekindled. Teachers are casting vision on the upcoming learning experiences and opportunities while simultaneously gaining deeper understanding of the strengths of the learners in their space.

As we wrap up our first full week of school, please note the following important bits of information:

• This next Thursday evening, August 18th, is our Curriculum Night. This evening is an opportunity for parents/guardians to attend a 30 minute session with their child's teacher to learn some of the nuts and bolts of the classroom. You will learn about the instructional and logistical components of your child's upcoming year. See detailed information below.
  
• Mark your calendar for School Picture Day - Wednesday, August 24th. More information located below.
• NWEA testing will begin soon. Our testing window for NWEA is August 15th - September 2nd. Please watch for information from your child's teacher in the upcoming weeks.
• Eagle Fest is scheduled for Friday, August 26th at Jennings Field (near the ZCHS Football Stadium). Yours truly (Mr. H) will be in the dunk tank for about 15 minutes beginning at 5:20. See the information below to learn more about this family friendly tradition to support ZCS high school and middle school athletic programs.
  
• Jog A Thon & Movie Night are coming! - Thank you, PTO! Keep your eyes open for more information! Jog A Thon is September 23rd, and Free Family Movie Night is September 30th. A few teasers are located below.

Enjoy your weekend,

Tom Hundley, Principal

A few highlights from the evening:

• Our amazing Related Arts Team will be available from 6:00-7:30 to share more about their program opportunities and learning experiences created for your students.
• Classroom teachers will share the inner workings of your child's learning environment and how it is carefully crafted for your learner.
• Learn more about how your PTO generously supports our school community throughout the school year.
• Other staff and program providers will be available in the cafe to answer questions about Eagle Rec offerings, Zionsville Education Foundation, and other district and community organizations.

It's going to be a great evening.

A few more details:

During this event, each classroom teacher will present a half hour session to parents/guardians highlighting the curriculum, events, and sundry events for the year ahead. Each grade level has a designated time, indicated in the information below.

Please note: Childcare is not provided.

5:00-5:30 - Preschool Informational Meeting

5:30-6:00 Kindergarten

6:00-6:30 1st Grade

6:30-7:00 2nd Grade

7:00-7:30 3rd Grade

7:30-8:00 4th Grade

This is a well-attended event, so please feel free to park in the back lot.

Cripe Photography will be on BME campus to take student photos on Wednesday, August 24th.

Click HERE (or link below) to order your photo packages or contact Cripe Photography with questions.

BME Photo Day: CRIPE Photography

Child Find is the process for locating, identifying, and evaluating individuals with suspected disabilities who may need special education services, regardless of the severity of their disabilities. This is the responsibility of ZCS regardless of whether a parent affirmatively requests an evaluation. ZCS provides a Free Appropriate Public Education to any child who qualifies as having a disability, in accordance with federal and state laws. ZCS is responsible for locating all children ages 3 through 22 years of age with a suspected disability who reside within the boundaries of its district. With early identification and intervention, frustration and academic failure can be prevented, which in turn creates a positive learning experience for students. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), which encompasses academics and/or social and emotional learning, is an essential component of the child find process. Utilizing screening assessments, the ZCS team members identify students in

need of intervention, implement action plans, and monitor the response to the targeted interventions. In addition, the evaluation referral procedures in ZCS provide the framework to refer students with suspected disabilities for evaluation.

Speech Assistance Program

The Speech Assistance Program is designed to provide support to students with single sound articulation errors that are not age appropriate within the general education setting. Following the MTSS approach, this program allows for early identification and treatment of mild articulation disorders so students receive assistance without having to be identified under special education. The Speech Assistance Program is a three-tiered system in which progress is monitored to determine if additional supports are needed. If adequate progress is not demonstrated, a referral for evaluation will be prompted to determine eligibility under special education.

When volunteers are needed and approved, appropriate staff members will reach out to you in effort to welcome your support and assistance.

If you plan to volunteer or visit in the future, please note the following information.

Click here for information regarding required Background Checks for volunteers: ZCS Volunteer Background Check

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 typically offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. If you plan to assist as chaperones or engage with children in a volunteer capacity, we strongly recommend getting a criminal background check completed well in advance to have on file.

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. Volunteers must also view the state mandated confidentiality/bullying video, provided on the Volunteer/BRAVO website.

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

*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.

August 18- Curriculum Night, 5:30-8:00 PM

• 5:30-6:00 Kindergarten
• 6:00-6:30 1st Grade
• 6:30-7:00 2nd Grade
• 7:00-7:30 3rd Grade
• 7:30-8:00 4th Grade

August 26 - Eagle Fest @ ZCHS

September 1 & 2 - 4th grade to Camp Tecumseh

September 5 - Labor Day (no school)

September 14 - Vision Screening (1st & 3rd grades); PTO Meeting (6:30 BME cafe) Papa John's Dine for Dollars

September 23 - Jog-A-Thon (PTO Fundraising event - rain date is Sept. 30)

September 30 - Free event: Movie Night (Sponsored by PTO) Bring lawn chairs/blankets and your own soft drinks/water. Popcorn provided. Movie starts at 7:30

October 3- 5 - ZFD Fire Safety Presentations

October 5 - Jimmy John's Dine for Dollars

October 7 - End of Quarter 1

October 10-14 - Fall Break (no school)

October 17 - Poinsettia Sale Begins (PTO)

October 18 - Picture retakes

October 24 & 25 - Family & Teacher conferences (evening of 10/24 and all day 10/25; ZCS Elementary School EDay on 10/25)

November 9 - PTO Meeting (6:30 BME Cafe)

November 11 - Veterans Day; Panera Dine for Dollars

November 14-18 - Scholastic Book Fair

November 23 - 25 - Thanksgiving Break

December 14 - PTO Meeting

December 15 - Boone Meadow Voices concert (@ ZWest)

December 19 - January 2 - Winter Break

January 3 - Students and Staff return to school

January 11 - PTO Meeting (6:30 cafe)

January 16 - MLK Jr. Day - no school

January 17 - Teacher professional development day (no school for students)

February 8 - PTO Meeting

February 14 - Valentine's Day

February 20 - 24 - February break

March 20-24 - Scholastic Book Fair

March 31 - April 7 - Spring Break

April 12 - PTO Meeting

April 28 - Boone Meadow Bash!

May 1-5 - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 10 - PTO meeting

May 12 - Field Day

May 22 - Kindy Sing

May 24 - Fourth Grade Celebration

May 25 - Last Day of School

Walker/Bike: We will continue to assist with crossing Main Street by having staff present whenever possible. Please note the following items:

Significant weather (walkers/bikers) - When weather is inclement with heavy rain, heavy snow, sleet, etc...walking to school is highly discouraged. The office team will make the decision if staff will be present at the crosswalk.

• If families decide to walk to school and no crosswalk staff is present, an adult or family member must safely escort students to the front doors. The doors will open at approximately 7:50 for arrival, and families should wait at the front doors with their students until the doors open.

• Walkers and bikers will be dismissed after car riders each day (approximately 2:40-2:45). This allows families to use the car line for pick up when needed. Should you decide to pick up your child by car (vs walking) simply display your family number while you are in line and pick up your child(ren) at the front door with staff assistance.

• In the event of questionable or severe weather, families must utilize the car rider procedures instead of walking/biking. (stormy weather, lightning, sleet, you need to get Toto before going to the Land of Oz...)

• Please do not bypass the car rider line and request to pick up students from the parking lot, other school sidewalks, etc... Again, we must adhere to all procedures for the safety of students and staff

Bus RIders:

• Families should refer to the teacher assignment email you will receive in the coming days in order to locate your bus transportation information. The email provides bus stop times and location for pick up and drop off.
• Staff readily awaits students at arrival with supervision fully provided from bus to classroom where teachers await their arrival. Kindergarten students are released first off of the buses where staff escorts them into the building for Bridge or Early Start Spanish programming. Following Bridge/Early Start Spanish, they are escorted to their classroom.

Please note: We anticipate a large volume of personal vehicles during arrival and dismissal. Your patience is greatly appreciated as we fine-tune logistics during the first couple of weeks to ensure children are safe and in their proper location.

Clinic Procedures

• All medication (prescription and OTC) must be brought in to the clinic (main office) by a parent/guardian. Students are not allowed to have any medication in their backpack, unless authorized in writing by a physician.
• Set a time to meet with our nursing team if your child has severe allergies or a medical condition that may warrant a Health Care Plan. Our nurse will be available at BOTH Meet the Teacher Night Events on August 1st and August 2nd for your convenience.
• As a reminder, when your child is ill, please call the main office and press 2 to leave a message on the attendance line. As always, we ask that children are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medication prior to returning to school.

Immunizations

• Indiana code (IC 20-34-4-5) states that all children attending public schools in our state shall be immunized according to requirements set forth by the Indiana State Department of Health. Please ensure that the health clinic professional in your child’s school has been supplied with the most up-to-date copy of your child’s immunization records!
• A link to the required immunizations for the 2022-2023 school year can be found here.

Boon Meadow Nurse: Amy Deinlein adeinlein@zcs.k12.in.us