Stonegate Elementary Weekly News

• May 4 - Continue with E-Learning. (See detailed information below.)
• May 4-8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 6 - Nurses Day
• May 13 - PTO Dine for Dollars at Noble Roman's Craft Pizza and Pub (11:00am-9:00pm carry-out or curbside pick-up)
• May 21 - Last student day

Even though restaurants are still carry-out/curbside only, PTO has set up a dining for dollars event to help our school. Please visit Noble Roman's Craft Pizza and Pub on Wednesday, May 13th from 11:00am-9:00pm for carry-out or curbside pick-up. Please be sure to tell them you are supporting Stonegate Elementary PTO when you order. Thank you!

Dear Stonegate Families,

Thank you for taking time to provide feedback regarding your child's learning experience. Your input provides us the opportunity to reflect on our strengths and areas to strengthen. We readily admit that we, as a staff, must always strive to grow in our work and practices.

Should you desire to share input and feedback, please complete the survey Friday, May 29th.

To access, click here: SGE Family Input Survey

Families that are new to ZCS may begin registering online by visiting our district website at zcs.k12.in.us and clicking on the link that is on the main page.

Families that are returning to ZCS will begin registering later this month. Parents/Guardians will receive instructions via email from Zionsville Community Schools on how to go through the registration process. You MUST have set up a Parent Portal account in PowerSchool in order to register your child(ren). We will not be completing the registration process using snap codes like we have done in previous years.

If your child wasn’t tied to a Parent Portal account, you should have received an email from zcstech@zcs.k12.in.us with the subject line of “ZCS PowerSchool Parent Portal Account - Action Required” with instructions on how to set up a PowerSchool Parent Portal account. If you haven’t done so already, please be sure your child is tied to your PowerSchool Parent Portal account to facilitate this process. You will NOT be able to register your student for 2020-2021 school year until that has been completed. If you have any problems with this process, please email zcstech@zcs.k12.in.us.

If your family will not be returning to Zionsville Community Schools for the 2020-2021 school year, please email Mrs. Angie Duncan at aduncan@zcs.k12.in.us. This information will assist us in planning for the upcoming school year. Thank you for your assistance.

If you would like to order your child's 20-21 school supplies, click here. In order to avoid a $12-15 shipping fee, all of our 1stDay School Supply boxes will be delivered directly to SGE.

The 4-day school week for students for the remainder of the school year:

• Monday and Tuesday - eLearning from your child's teacher
• Wednesday - eLearning focused on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) from Elementary Counselors
• Thursday - eLearning focused on student support and differentiation from your child's teacher, Literacy Coach, and additional staff
• Friday - No school for students - Teacher work day

Related Arts

• Our amazing Related Arts team will continue to provide engaging and high-quality lessons. Our primary focus will be your child's social-emotional well-being during this abnormal time. The secondary focus is literacy and math. However, our goal is also to provide some sense of normalcy and routine. Therefore, our Related Arts team will continue to provide consistent and routine eLearning on the four-day rotation.
• The Related Arts team will also continue to provide enrichment so that your child will be able to explore and possibly discover a new passion project.

Over the next three weeks our Elementary Wellness teachers will be bringing you daily Strong In Every Way (SIEW) challenges. Each day they will highlight one of the five components of wellness (social, physical, intellectual, nutrition, emotional). This will include an active challenge for you and your family to complete. If you accept the challenge and complete it, we would love to see it. Take a photo/video and tag @MyZVilleSchools and @ZCSSTONEGATE. Be sure to also use the hashtags #SIEWDailyChallenge and #ZCSStrong to show off how you are staying strong in every way. Please check out the Wellness 360 homepage every day for another daily challenge.

The Indiana Department of Education requires school districts to identify gifted students and provide them with appropriately differentiated curriculum and instruction. In ZCS, we reconsider ability and achievement data of all students each spring to identify any who may need further consideration for advanced differentiation in curriculum and instruction the following school year. This spring we will do the same with the data we have collected over the course of the school year. Our team of teachers, licensed in gifted education (representing each elementary building and central office), will look at all data remotely to make sure that we understand the needs of each student.

Our school district is committed to continuous progress for all students, regardless of designation. Accelerated content is common in our classrooms as are heightened expectations, instructional levels and high-achieving peers. Instructional methods regularly group and regroup students with differentiated materials and goals. Whether or not a child is identified as needing advanced curriculum, our teachers are committed to regular assessment of skills and knowledge and matching experiences to challenge each child and help him or her make maximum academic growth. We are proud to be a high-performing school district with high expectations for all students.

For students currently in grades K-3: Programming at the elementary level is based on student need for acceleration and enrichment within a cluster group in a general education classroom and not on labels. All student data is reviewed each year to look for several indicators that a child needs advanced instruction in order to grow academically. Our identification team looks at achievement, ability and teacher observational data. Since these vary from year to year with young students, we re-look at every student each spring. Parents will be notified by June 10 if their child has been recommended for differentiation. If your child was not identified through our extensive process, parents/guardians may appeal the decision. Parents/guardians can complete the appeal process by June 15. Forms are located on the Academics tab of our website under “Advanced Curriculum”: https://4.files.edl.io/039c/01/28/20/182123-3d4a9f45-de63-4549-95a9-0341f67290eb.pdf

For students currently in grade 4: All students are considered and more formally identified for high ability each year throughout middle school where they are placed in a class with high ability curriculum. Our identification team considers either achievement (NWEA) or ability (OLSAT) when making decisions. Parents will be notified by June 10 if their child has been recommended for differentiation based on the need for accelerated instruction or curriculum. If your child was not identified through our extensive process, parents may appeal the decision. Parents can complete the appeal process by June 15. Forms are located on the Academics tab of our website under “Advanced Curriculum”: https://4.files.edl.io/9ed3/07/24/19/163425-9b8daab0-04e6-4efb-acd8-f68c3aec4318.pdf

The first virtual parent cafe was a success. There were some important resources mentioned during the virtual cafe. These resources are attached below and can also be found on the ZCS E-Learning website. Please continue to check our newsletters as well as the ZCS website for upcoming dates/times for more virtual parent cafes.

LOOK Up Indiana

“Mental and behavioral health issues can be a silent struggle.

But there’s always hope on the horizon.

Whether you want to raise awareness, reduce stigma, find help or help others – it’s time to Look Up.

Then look here for resources, information and providers.”

https://lookupindiana.org/

2 1 1

Get Connected-Get Help

Call 211 or click below to get connected to get expert, caring help!

http://211.org/

The last day to sign up for the Stonegate Pen Pal club will be Monday, May 4th.

If you would like your child to participate in the SGE Pen Pal club , you may fill out this form
When you fill out this form, you are giving permission for a Stonegate Staff member to share your child's name and address with another Stonegate family. Your child will be paired with another child or staff member at Stonegate Elementary. Once you receive your child’s Pen Pal, they may begin to write or type letters, draw pictures, or send words of encouragement to their Pen Pal! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jessica Wetzel jwetzel@zcs.k12.in.us

Things to write to your Pen Pal

• Create a story together: Take turns adding to a story by sending it back and forth
• Make a scavenger hunt for them to complete around the house (Find 5 things that are blue, 5 things that are square, 5 things that smell good, etc)
• Share a recipe that you like to make with your family
• List 5 of your favorite movies/tv shows you have watched and where they can watch them (Netflix, Disney+, Cable TV, etc)

Things you can make your Pen Pal

• Bookmarks
• Bracelets or necklaces using yarn, string, rubber bands
• Magnets for their fridge
• Pressed leaves or flowers you find on a nature walk
• A puzzle: Draw a picture and cut it in large pieces for them to put together
• Share an amusing comic strip from the newspaper or make your own!

Next week your children will be learning about Growth Mindset, and how to turn challenging situations into opportunities of growth. They will learn language of a Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset. This visual is a great example of the way students can turn their fixed mindset into a growth mindset

If you are in need of technology support not related to a specific assignment, please use this form to contact our tech department.

One of the features in Canvas allows notifications to students when anything is added or updated. Some students may find this beneficial as it keeps them updated as changes occur. Other students may find this stressful because they are receiving several Canvas notifications due to content being added/changed for instruction. We want to give students choice in whether or not they receive these notifications, so please watch this short video which explains how to turn on/off these notifications. Students can choose what works best for them! http://www.zcs.k12.in.us/apps/video/watch.jsp?v=251459

Hussey Mayfield Memorial Public Library (the Zionsville Public Library) is still closed, but they have set up a way for people who don't have a library card to register online and get a "card" (an email with card number and pin) within 24 hours.

This is GREAT news for our staff/students/community, because the public library has an absolute treasure trove of digital resources that can be accessed during this time of e-learning.

Here are the instructions to get signed up for a card while the library is closed:

Get a Library Card within 24-Hours

Visit our Get a Card page , fill out the application, and all eligible applicants will receive an email within 24-hours with their new, personal Library Card information.

Please fill out an application for each person in your family who wants their own card. ALL ages are welcome to receive a card.

Cards issued while we are closed will expire within 6 months from the date of issue. When the Library reopens, please bring your valid ID to the Library to extend your expiration date.

NEW! Helping Families Build Resiliency during COVID-19

https://resilienceguide.org/

Common Sense Media

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

What’s Up with this Coronavirus? Comic for Kids

http://elisegravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CoronavirusE-FINAL2.jpg

Mind Yeti Videos

Mind Yeti provides a great way for everyone to practice mindfulness. At the following link are over 15 videos of mindfulness sessions that help kids and families calm their minds, check in with their bodies, and notice their surroundings.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiaUKiwbiHMQDQLCXoPaMMYotldKlUQCw

Sesame Street Little Children, Big Challenges

Young children face new challenges at every age and stage. That’s why it’s so important to help them build the skills they need to become resilient. With self-confidence and the ability to express themselves, little ones will be able to handle whatever may come their way and will just keep getting stronger.

https://www.cfchildren.org/resources/sesame-street-little-children-big-challenges/general-resilience/

How to Talk to your Kids About Coronavirus

This is an article written by PBS Kids about how to talk to children about coronavirus. You will find tips for handwashing, covering coughs, and practicing healthy habits.

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus

Support for Helpers during Coronavirus

Resources from the Fred Rogers Center in addition to partner organizations for those of you looking for ways to create learning opportunities and structure for children.

https://www.fredrogerscenter.org/what-we-do/child-wellness/coronavirus-response

Resources for Families Practicing Self-Care:

CNET Everything you need to know…

Resources for working, cooking, and coping while practicing social distancing.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/covid-19-everything-you-need-to-know-to-stay-healthy-and-entertained-while-stuck-at-home/

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Parent Guide

Support in understanding and coping during this time. The guide provide information on children’s developmental/age reactions and how to help.

https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf

Confidential Food Assistance from ZCS

Please use this link to set up a pick-up time for a food package from ZCS Food Service.

Zionsville Food Pantry

4775 W. 116th St, Zionsville

Phone 317-873-8137, ext. 1087

Hours of Operation on Thursdays from 5-6 pm and Fridays from 12-2 pm

The Caring Center

1230 Ransdell Ct.

Lebanon

Phone: 765-482-2020

Hours of Operation on Mondays & Wednesdays from 8 am - 2 pm

Hours of Operation on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays from 11 am - 5 pm

(Closed on 3rd Tuesday and 4th Thursday of each month.)

Assistance from the Boys and Girls Club

403 W. Main Street
Lebanon, IN 46052
765-482-5110

• AskRose Homework Help - A free math and science tutoring service for Indiana students and other students in grades 6-12. Students can call 877-ASK-ROSE, email, or chat live with a friendly tutor to work through and better understand homework assignments.

• ASU for You Free Online Tutoring - Tutoring sessions for Math, ELA, Science and Social Studies via ZOOM.

• Fred Rogers Center - Talking to Young Children about the Coronavirus

• CDC - Talking to young children about coronavirus

• PBS - How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus (with PBS Kids videos and shows that discuss handwashing)

• NASP - Talking to children about COVID-19

We would love for you to connect with us! Follow us on Twitter. Like us on Facebook. Visit our website.

Website: http://sge.zcs.k12.in.us/
Location: 7312 W Stonegate Dr, Zionsville, IN, United States
Phone: 317-873-8050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stonegate-Elementary-667262290025971/
Twitter: @ZCSStonegate