Stonegate Elementary Newsletter

Our daily student screener is changing! Beginning on Monday, September 21st, you will complete the screener through POWERSCHOOL. To prepare, please be sure you know your parent PowerSchool log-in information.

If you DO NOT, please use the "forgot username or password" link to reset your log-in.

• October 7 - PTO Dining for Dollars at City BBQ
• October 12-16 - Fall Break - No School
• October 26-30 - Scholastic Virtual Book Fair
• October 27 - PTO Dining for Dollars at Hotbox
• November 2- Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences; E-Day
• November 11 - PTO Dining for Dollars at Panda Express
• November 24 - PTO Dining for Dollars at Hotbox
• November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Break
• December 15 - PTO Dining for Dollars at Hotbox
• December 19-January 3 - Winter Break

• January 18 - MLK Jr. Day (No School)

• January 19 - No School
  

• February 15 - Presidents Day - No School

• April 2-9 - Spring Break

• May 26 - Last Student Day of School

• May 27 - Teacher work day

• May 31 - Memorial Day

Please see the links below for the updated guidance. You can also click here to access the ZCS website.

ISDH Guidance for Families

Hello SGE Families!

Last week, each student received a letter regarding the Spirit of Giving Campaign. Based on current volunteer and social distancing guidelines related to COVID, we cannot hold our traditional fall fundraiser, Jog-A-Thon. For the 20-21 school year, the funds raised through the Spirit of Giving Campaign will help fund classroom grants, technology and enrichment at our school. Please have all donations submitted by September 30th. We are off to a great start and appreciate the generosity of our Stonegate families!

Would you like to bring a teacher or staff member lunch or a special treat during their birthday month? This is a fund way to stay connected with SGE staff during these complicated times. Simply sign up at the link below, then email the teacher or staff member to schedule a date/time to bring them lunch or a special treat(we are catching up on missed birthdays for August/September). As per our current COVID guidelines, all items will need to be left at the front and someone will deliver them for you. Thank you for showing your appreciation to our teachers and staff!

August & September Birthday Sign-Up

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4DACAE2DA1FF2-august

October Birthday Sign-Up

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4DACAE2DA1FF2-october

PTO is looking for someone to keep our website updated. Time commitment is approximately 1-2 hours/month. If you are interested or know someone who is, please email lacyh@hotmail.com.

Due COVID-19, MANY MORE families are opting to arrive/leave school by walking, biking, or by car rider. to many more students opting be a walker/biker or riding in cars.

We ask that all walkers/bikers please use the sidewalks to increase your safety!

We also ask that all car riders please drive with extra caution and yield to our walkers/bikers.

THANK YOU!

Next week will begin the annual bully prevention lessons. This important topic is discussed with all students in order for them to prevent bullying as well as knowing if they are being bullied. The lesson is taught using the book One by Katherine Otoshi. In this book, children learn the importance of being the “one” to stand up to a bully. Bullying is defined as overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications or images transmitted in any manner including electronically or digitally, physical acts committed, aggression, or any other similar behaviors that are committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the targeted student and create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment. Bullying accusations are taken seriously therefore, the word “bullying” should not be used lightly. If the report is not considered bullying, we still take the conflict seriously, discuss, and follow up with students involved. Our number one job is to keep students safe, physically and emotionally! We encourage you to discuss with your child about bullying prevention, how to be an Ally, and how to navigate through natural peer conflict.

Dear SGE Families, Safety of our students is our highest priority. We routinely practice safety drills and engage in ongoing safety education of our students throughout the year. We teach guidelines and principles in a way to develop student agency, allowing them to regularly make decisions that prioritize their safety across settings and situations. One topic within the larger umbrella of Safety Education is that of Body Safety. A few examples of Body Safety topics include wearing seat belts and helmets, eating healthy foods, and following school procedures such as walking in the hallways. Body Safety education also encompasses the prevention of childhood abuse.

ZCS has partnered with the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide (ICPYAS) to assist us in providing the instruction of strategies for abuse prevention. This instruction will be provided virtually to all students at Stonegate Elementary during the week of September 28th. ICPYAS is a non-profit organization that employs certified instructors who deliver research-based lessons to students in developmentally appropriate ways as a means to give children strategies to keep their bodies safe. All students in grades K-12 receive the instruction on an annual basis, in accordance with state legislation SEA 355.

***A special note for families of remote learners: Your child will participate in the scheduled Body Safety lessons based on your teacher's home school. So, if your child is in a class with Mrs. Strawmyer (1st ), Miss Nahrstadt (2nd ), or Mrs. Hartsock (4th ), your child will receive this instruction the week of September 28th. If your child's teacher is from another ZCS elementary school, then your child will receive this instruction at a different date, and you will receive additional information regarding those details from your child's teacher. Please let us know if you have questions.***

To learn more about these presentations, be sure to visit https://www.indianaprevention.org/parentresources and click on “Child Lures Video”, which provides information regarding the content of this program. The website also contains links to additional resources. In addition, all Kindergarten families, as well as families new to SGE will receive a supplemental guide during the week of September 28th . Parents have the opportunity to opt out of this program, if desired. Click here for the opt-out form. (We will have additional copies available for you should you need a hard copy - simply call the front office or notify your child's classroom teacher with a request for the paper version.) Please note, this opt-out form should only be completed and returned if you desire for your student NOT to receive this body safety education. Questions regarding this program should be directed to Jessica Wetzel: jwetzel@zcs.k12.in.us Phone: 317-873-8050 ext. 19130

ZCS and the Zionsville Diversity Coalition partnered to create a list of mentor texts that support our elementary adopted literacy curriculum. Books donated will be placed in our elementary classrooms for teachers to use and to offer our students mirrors (seeing themselves), windows (seeing others), and doors (opportunities to learn about differences) because in ZCS, EVERYONE BELONGS!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2YZARP00V2AZF?ref_=wl_share

Just a friendly reminder of our school start and end times:

• 7:30 AM - Office opens
• 7:50 AM - 1st - 4th Grade - arrival time
• 8:00 AM - School begins
• 8:50 AM - Kindergarten - arrival time
• 9:00 AM - Kindergarten - school begins
• 2:20 PM - Student dismissal time
• 2:30 - School ends
• 3:30 - Office closes

If you are unable to volunteer in the classroom at the present time - come work in the cafe. ZCS Food Service Associate SUB positions available at our cafeterias at a pay of $11.40 per hour! Work when it suits your schedule! After you try us out, perhaps you’ll want to join us on a regular basis! Click here to apply directly and call 317-873-1232, ext. 11630 with any questions!