The Friday Flyer

These days are filled with so many thoughts, experiences, and emotions.

I'm sharing a post that a colleague shared with me. I thought it was appropriate for these days and times in which we live. It reflects what we hope to instill throughout our Boone Meadow community.

Have a great weekend,

Tom

Dear Kids of the World,

It's not supposed to be like this.
Hate is an ugly thing. Do not believe it.
There is beauty within you and all around you.

You'll forget sometimes or you'll see people forget that.

Love helps us remember. We need each other.
We grown ups are quick to tell you how things should be (to share, be kind, love everybody), but not always great at modeling it.

May you stay childlike in a world that can be so childish.

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love. ALWAYS.

When things seem crazy and you don't know what to do? Love like crazy. Always.

There's more to say, but even more to actually do.

Fight for love. Rebel joyfully.

August 21 - Solar Eclipse (info below)

August 24 - Picture Day and Curriculum Night

August 30th - Up With People visits Boone Meadow

August 31st and September 1st - 4th grade to Camp Tecumseh

September 4th - No school in observance of Labor Day

Boone Meadow Curriculum Night, 5:30 – 8 pm

Thursday Evening, August 24th.

During this event, each classroom teacher will present a half hour session to parents/guardians highlighting the curriculum, events, and expectations for the year ahead. Each grade level has a designated time, indicated in the calendar below. You will also be able to visit informational booths from various district and community organizations, as well as, our related arts team.

Please note: Childcare is not provided.

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

We are excited to welcome the Up with People organization to Zionsville later this month. Cast members will be present at Boone Meadow on Wednesday, August 30th. Up with People is an educational organization whose mission is to inspire young people to make a difference in their world. UWP works to break down cultural barriers and create global understanding through volunteer service and a musical show. This directly ties into the cultural understandings pillar of our Strong in Every Way initiative, as it allows students to learn about and interact with young adults from all over the world.

There will also be performances for the community at the PAC on September 1st and 2nd. Order tickets here.

As you may know, we are expected to experience a solar eclipse on Monday, August 21st beginning around 1PM, peaking at approximately 2:30PM, and concluding around 4PM.

Please note that the eclipse will be taking place during dismissal times. Schools will dismiss at normal time and buses will run on their normal schedule.

Because all students will be outside for dismissal during the eclipse, it is important that you discuss eclipse eye safety with your child.

During the eclipse, students may be drawn to look directly at the sun and it may be easier than normal to do so because the sun will appear less bright. However, it is never safe to look directly at the sun without appropriate protective eyewear, including during an eclipse. Normal sunglasses do not provide adequate protection.

The eclipse is an exciting educational experience and all of our 1st - 4th grade teachers are planning to view it safely with students. Reminder: You need to submit a signed waiver/consent form indicating your approval for participation. Through the generous support of the Zionsville Education Foundation, all students will be provided safety glasses. Again, it is important for parents to discuss eclipse eye safety with their child(ren).

A couple items to note:

• If your child rides the bus, we recommend you meet your child(ren) at the bus stop. We have strategies in place to escort students safely to the buses.
• All walkers need a trusted adult to escort them home.

Level One Guidelines – FOR EVERYONE: The details of “level one” include every student and certified/classified staff member. It does not require the classroom teacher to receive a waiver for student participation.

· Every student and staff member will receive the proper eyewear on the day of the solar eclipse, preschool included.

· Classroom teachers will educate all students on the solar eclipse safety and how to wear the glasses appropriately. This is because students will take the glasses home and may choose to look at the eclipse using the glasses outside of school with their family. Note: viewing the eclipse at 2:00 will be very similar to viewing at 3:00 due to the amount of solar coverage at those specific times.

· Teachers will livestream of this event and have the option of streaming this in his/her classroom. Other classroom activities may include art activities, instructional videos, readings, etc…

· Per ZCS District– Recess/Athletics—We will all have indoor recess on Monday, August 21st. From 12PM-4PM there will be no outdoor PE classes, no outside marching band, no outside cross country practice, or any other planned outdoor activity without specific use of the Solar Eclipse Viewing Waiver form.

· All staff and students will use extra caution at dismissal time.

· LAST BUT NOT LEAST . . . to celebrate this event, Solar Eclipse Spirit Day! Encourage students to wear hats and dress in black.

Level Two Guidelines – This applies to ALL 1st-4th grade classrooms only.

· Apply Level One guidelines listed above.

· Parent/Guardian waiver is required in order to view the eclipse in a brief window of time, which is to be during strict observation of the teacher and other Boone Meadow staff.

· Approved lesson plans with safety review required.

· Viewing of the eclipse through proper eyewear is to be practiced prior to activity and is not to exceed more than two minutes.

Buses provide an excellent transportation option which results in efficiency for arrival and dismissal on our school campus. However, families always have the option to bring their children in cars, or they may walk or bike with their child to the building during fair weather days. We will have crossing guards available unless weather is inclement.

However, if you are planning to bring your child to school by car, please adhere to the following procedures. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Car Riders:

• All car arrivals should enter the Boone Meadow campus via Eagle Church entrance/access road.
  
• When approaching BME lot at end of access road, Kindergarten-4th grade vehicles should form line in right lane. Signage will designate lanes.
• Preschool lane forms on the left.
  
• Wait for staff to motion you forward to begin drop off process.
• 1st-4th grade drop off begins at 7:50; Preschool drop off begins at 8:05; Kindergarten drop off begins at 8:50.
• All drop offs should occur at curb, unless a situation necessitates otherwise. Additional foot traffic at crosswalk delays arrival.
• Students must exit on curb side of vehicle.

Dismissal

Car Riders:

• Please enter campus via Eagle Church access road as noted in arrival procedures above.
• Form lines (K-4th in right lane, and Preschool on left lane)
• Display name of student in front window (rear view mirror area) to assist with flow of students.
• Wait for staff to motion you forward.

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 in their proper location.

State law stipulates that the medical records of children on file at school show the required immunizations have been completed by the 20th day of the school year. That day is September 5, 2017. Information regarding immunizations requirements for 2017-2018 can be found here.

Parents of children whose immunizations are not up-to-date should contact their health care provider or the Boone County Health Department to schedule an appointment for the necessary immunizations. Some pharmacies also carry the necessary vaccines.

If parents object to immunizations, a written objection must be on file in the school office by September 5, 2017. This must be updated yearly. Children who do not have up to date vaccination records by that date will not be allowed to return to school until the proper immunization information is on file. Students who have appointments with their health care provider after Sept. 5th 2017, must present proof of the scheduled appointment in order to remain in school.

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 offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities.

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. 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. The link to apply for the full background check can be accessed on the Volunteers/BRAVO link on the ZCS main webpage. For more information, contact the Volunteer/BRAVO Coordinator.

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

We ask that all visitors schedule an appointment to meet with teachers, counselors, administrators and all other staff members so that we may best serve everyone. Visitors other than parents/guardians must be prearranged and organized through the main office.

*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.

Email: mcunningham@zcs.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.zcs.k12.in.us/bme/
Location: 5555 S Main St, Whitestown, IN, United States
Phone: 3178732226
Twitter: @ZCSBoone_Meadow