Here we are! We've made it to Winter Break!

As I reflect over the first half of the school year, there was skepticism that our doors would be remain open all semester. Although we have had to be creative and diligent in our mitigation endeavors, the struggle has been productive and our children are learning and growing. Thank you for your cooperation, encouragement, and support. In addition, hats off to Team Meadow! I am incredibly proud of them as they've navigated this adventure together.

A few items to note in this edition of our Friday Flyer:

Operation: Adopt Team Meadow - I cannot adequately express the gratitude we have with your outpouring of generosity! You have loved on us well and more deeply that we expected. Thank you to every one of you that donated or coordinated this extravagant display of gifting. Each of us are humbled and grateful.

Thank you, PTO for coordinating and pulling it off so successfully!!

Crosswalk guidance and safety - We are continuing to support at the crosswalk during arrival and dismissal. Note the information in the section below regarding the need for support for safety.

Materials - A few core instructional items are coming home... just in case. Read below for more details and information.

Have a fantastic Winter Break!

Tom

Dear Boone Meadow Families,

We hope your family has a wonderful Winter Break! We look forward to school resuming on January 4th, and at this time, the plan is to return in-person. However, in the event that BCHD determines that we will need to begin second semester remotely, we want to be prepared.

As we leave for Winter Break, and in order to be as proactive as possible, we are sending home some instructional items in your child’s backpack. We are not foreshadowing a move to all-remote; however, we do want your child to have these academic materials handy just in case. Please keep these materials in your child’s backpack, and hopefully they can just turn around and come right back with them on January 4th…but if not, we will be ready!

As always, Dr. Robison would send out communication about any potential change to our elementary school day.

I truly hope you all have a healthy, fun, and meaningful Winter Break and holiday season with your family!

All the very best,

Tom Hundley

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 call or contact the school should you have any questions.

Enjoy your winter holiday break!

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.

As we approach the holiday season, we are aware that members of our school community may be seeking assistance to provide for their families. We have been actively working with the Boone County United Way, The Caring Center, and other agencies to assist in connecting families with ongoing and/or holiday support for food, clothing, and financial assistance.

Please contact our school counselor, Kristi Sloan, if we can offer any assistance in connecting your family with a support agency. Some of our partners have rapidly approaching deadlines for applications, so please don’t delay in contacting us or one of the agencies directly.

Please note the following agencies provide a variety of assistance for families. Please contact the agencies directly for a full list of services:

Boone County United Way – United Christmas Services

If you would like to apply for assistance, contact one of our school counselors Tammy Mazelin at tmazelin@zcs.k12.in.us 873-2376 ext. 17992 or Natalie Rieke at nrieke@zcs.k12.in.us 873-2376 ext. 17991 at your earliest convenience for a referral. Please note: Social Security Number or Tax ID is required.

Love, Inc. Hours 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Mon/Wed/Fri (765) 482-6144 www.loveincbc.org

Love, Inc. provides short term assistance and education services supported by numerous Boone County Churches

Zionsville Food Pantry – Serving all of Boone County

Located at Zionsville Presbyterian Church, (317) 873-6503, Hours 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Fridays and on Thursday evenings 5 p.m.-6 p.m. An official piece of mail with current address is not required but suggested. Turkeys will be distributed the Thursday and Friday prior to Thanksgiving. Other assistance is available through the church based on need and availability. For everyone’s safety, this is currently a drive through service.

The Caring Center 1230 Ransdell Ct., Lebanon, IN 46052 (765) 482-2020. Visit www.thecaringcenter.net for additional information. Assistance with holiday food baskets, Christmas gifts, Thanksgiving meals. ID required for assistance.

Boone County Toy Drive:

(765) 482-4641. Provides assistance with toys and gifts for children and teens.

Community Partners:

(866) 431-4451, childrensbureau.org

Offers families support in connecting with various community resources

Below, you will find some updates regarding arrival and dismissal:

Car Riders:

• Thank you for keeping our fire lane clear until signaled by staff to pull up. The fire lane must remain clear as much as possible for potential emergency needs and school deliveries.
• Displaying car/family numbers in an easy to see manner is greatly beneficial. Ball point pen writing on a post it placed on your dash is hard for my old eyes to see, so bold numbers hanging from the rear view mirror or attached to the passenger sun visor assists in moving vehicles efficiently through the line.
• Please reduce idling when possible. The build up of vehicle emissions is not only harmful for the environment, but also creates unhealthy air quality for staff and students.

Walker/Bikers:

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…) within your neighborhood.

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

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 7:50 for arrival, and families should wait at the front doors with their students until the doors open.

• Dismissal on inclement weather days: Walkers and bikers will be dismissed after car riders (approximately 2:35). This allows families to use the car line for pick up. 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.

December 18 - End of Qtr 2

December 21 - January 1 - Winter Break

January 18 - MLK Jr. Day (no school)

January 19 - No School

February 12 - Chinese New Year

February 14 - Valentine's Day

February 15 - Presidents Day - No School

February 17 - Ash Wednesday

March 12 - End of Quarter 3

March 14 - Daylight Savings Time

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day

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