Dear Matchbook Learning Families,

Due to the closures earlier this semester, we’ve made some changes to our school calendar.

Please note that the virtual learning day originally planned for February 18th will now be an in-person school day for all K-8 students and staff.

Additionally, our last day of school has been changed from Thursday, May 22, 2025, to Friday, May 23, 2025, and it will be an in-person instructional day.

Thank you for your understanding!

To ensure we can reach you in case of an emergency or important updates, please remember to keep your contact information up to date with the school. This includes:

• Your current phone number
• Emergency contact names and phone numbers
• Your home address

Having this information accurate and on file is crucial for your child’s safety and helps us communicate effectively with you.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter!

Report cards for Quarter 2 have been released and are now available for viewing via the PowerSchool Parent Portal. You can access them online, or if you prefer, a paper copy has been sent home with your student—please check their backpack.

If you have any questions about grades or would like to discuss your child’s progress, please contact their teacher directly through ParentSquare.

Thank you for your continued support, and let’s keep encouraging our students to do their best!

Dear Families,

WIDA testing will begin next Tuesday. Please ensure that all students are in attendance and arrive on time so they can participate fully in this important assessment.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Second Step is a research-based curriculum that helps children develop skills such as empathy, emotion management, problem-solving, and self-regulation. Each week there will be a lesson on an important topic and your student will be discussing and participating in activities that focus on this topic throughout the week.

This week is Week #10 (January 21). 🔽

Attention Matchbook Learning Families,

We want to share important updates regarding Indiana's attendance code. It’s essential for you to be aware of these policies to help your student meet state requirements.

K-6 Attendance Policy: According to Indiana Code 20-33-2.5 (Senate Enrolled Act 282), if a student has three (3) unexcused absences within a ten-week period, the school will notify parents/guardians in writing. Upon reaching six (6) accumulated unexcused absences, a mandatory conference will be scheduled between parents/guardians and the assistant principal to develop an attendance plan.

K-8 Attendance Policy: If a student misses 10 unexcused days in one year, school staff is required to report this to the Marion County prosecuting attorney, who will then contact parents about potential consequences.

Unexcused Absences Include:

• Absences without prior communication from a parent/caregiver
• Extended absences due to travel without Principal / Assistant Principal's approval
• Absences for sports or non-school-related activities

We understand that students may be absent due to illness. It’s important to communicate all absences to your child’s school. You can report absences by:

• Calling the school
• Responding to notifications from ParentSquare
  
• Sending a note or documentation (e.g., a doctor’s note)

We recognize that personal and health-related issues can affect attendance. Please keep open lines of communication with us. Our attendance secretary, counselors, administrators, and teachers are here to support you. If you need assistance, please reach out at 317-226-4263

Clear Backpacks Implementation: This is a friendly reminder that as of right now only clear backpacks are permitted.

At Matchbook Learning, we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.

Key Points:

1. Walk-In Appointments: Parents may walk in only for urgent situations posing an imminent threat.
2. Scheduled Appointments: All other inquiries require an appointment to ensure effective communication.
3. Contact: To schedule an appointment, please call the main office at 317-226-4263.
4. Visitor Check-In: All visitors must check in at the office with a valid state-issued ID.

Disclaimer: Please review the full policy on ParentSquare for all the details.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Your student's classroom teacher will honor your child on his/her special day in the classroom. Birthdays are also recognized during school announcements every day. Please do not send in balloons, flower bouquets, birthday cakes, sweets, foods or goody bags.

Please note the following important details:

• Doors Open: 7:30 AM
• Classroom Arrival: By 7:50 AM
• Dismissal: 2:20 PM (Wednesdays at 12:00 PM)

If your child arrives after 7:50 AM, they will need to get a tardy pass, and all tardies will be recorded in our system.

We encourage you to have your child arrive early so they have time to grab breakfast and start their academic day on time.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Purpose

To maintain a focused and distraction-free learning environment, this policy outlines the rules and consequences regarding cell phone use in compliance with the new State law.

State Law

A new state law emphasizes the importance of limiting non-educational screen time in schools to improve student engagement, reduce distractions, and promote a healthier learning environment. This policy aligns with those recommendations by setting clear expectations for cell phone use during the school day.

Policy Details

Students are required to keep their cell phones in their book bags, which should remain in their cubbies or lockers during school hours.

• If a cell phone is seen in a student’s possession, the student must turn it in to a staff member immediately. The phone will be secured in a locked area, and the student may retrieve it at the end of the school day.
• If a student’s cell phone is taken twice in one week, the parent will be notified and will have to come to the school to retrieve the phone.
• If a student refuses to turn in the phone when requested, they will be placed in In-School Suspension (ISS) for the remainder of the day, and a parent or guardian will be required to come to the school to retrieve the phone.

We understand that parents may occasionally need to reach their students for urgent or emergency matters. In such cases, parents are encouraged to contact the front office directly. Our staff will ensure the student is notified immediately so they can respond as needed. This process ensures communication while maintaining a distraction-free environment for all students.

It is important to note that the school is not responsible for any damages to or theft of cell phones brought onto school property. Students who choose to bring a cell phone to school do so at their own risk.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

To ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process, we ask for your cooperation with our early dismissal policy. Please note the following times for submitting transportation changes:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: Changes must be submitted by 1:00 PM
• Wednesday: Changes must be submitted by 11:00 AM

We understand that things come up, but please remember that transportation changes cannot be made based on student requests alone. All changes must be communicated directly to the school office during the specified times.

Frequent last-minute changes can be disruptive and cause confusion for both students and staff. We encourage you to set a consistent dismissal plan for your child to help us provide the best experience possible.

Thank you for your support and understanding in keeping our dismissal process safe and efficient!

FirstView is available for students and families to view the real-time location of a student’s school bus.

Download the app now!

PowerSchool is the school's student information system, or database, where we collect and store student information. The Portal is a "doorway" into our database, giving families access to information about their children.

WHY VISIT THE PARENT PORTAL?

The PowerSchool Parent Portal gives parents and students access to real-time information including attendance, grades, detailed assignment descriptions, school bulletins, and teacher comments. Everyone stays connected: Students stay on top of assignments, parents are able to participate more fully in their student's progress, and teachers can use their grade book to communicate information with parents and students.

1. When creating an account for the first time, go to matchbook.powerschool.com.

2. Click on Create Account.

3. Fill in the Parent Account Details using an email that is listed on the PowerSchool account. (The guardian email below is one of the emails that is listed on the PowerSchool account.)

4. To link students to the account, you must provide the Student Name, Access ID, and Access Password. This information is listed below.

5. You will receive an email from PowerSchool requesting that you verify the account. Follow the steps in the email. 6. Sign in with the username and password that you created.

7. After signing in, you can then download the mobile app from the App Store and use the District Code of ZDKT.

We’re excited to announce that families can now track their student’s behavior and progress in real time through the LiveSchool app. This tool allows you to stay informed about your child's positive behaviors, goals, and any areas that may need improvement.

To get started, simply reach out to your child's teacher through ParentSquare to receive your unique login information.

Key Features of LiveSchool:

• Real-Time Updates on behavior and classroom participation
• Personalized Reports to help you stay informed about your child's development
• Engagement: Reward system where students can earn points for positive behavior
• Communication: Direct line to your child’s teacher for any questions or concerns

We encourage all families to sign up and stay connected to support their child’s growth and success at school.

If you have any questions or need help with setting up your account, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher!

Girls Basketball will practice from 3pm to 5:30pm

We are excited to announce our Black History Month celebration on Thursday, February 27, 2025! Stay tuned for more details about the event as we prepare to honor and celebrate the rich history and contributions of Black Americans.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Calling all Matchbook Learning students, parents, teachers, and school staff members!
The Indiana Pacers are excited to help raise money for our school! As part of the Indiana Pacers School Fundraising Program, we are offering discounted tickets for our School Night with the Pacers. You can share these tickets with family, neighbors, coworkers, and anyone else you can think of! The best part is that a portion of every ticket purchased goes directly back to our school.

Here’s the fun part:

• 1 ticket – Indiana Pacers Sticker Sheet
• 4 tickets – Boomer Toy Figurine
• 10 tickets – 2 FREE tickets to the School Night
• 20 tickets – Pacers Mini Hoop

Ticket prices start at just $12. Our School Night is on Wednesday, February 26th when the Pacers take on the Toronto Raptors at 7:00 PM.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit:
Pacers School Night Tickets

Let’s make this a fun and successful event for our school!

The forms will be sent home next week. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Woods via ParentSquare.

Aspire Indiana Health is a nonprofit fully integrated healthcare provider serving children and adults in Marion, Boone, Hamilton and Madison counties, where we are certified by the state of Indiana as a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). School-Based Services are counseling services provided through a partnership with a local school system.

Please contact Mrs. Bellamy or Mrs. Flores to inquire about this services.

lbellamy@matchbooklearning.com - iflores@matchbooklearning.com

We are pleased to share with you the Parent and Student Handbook for the current school year. This handbook contains vital information about our school’s policies, procedures, and programs.

Please take a moment to review the handbook thoroughly to familiarize yourself with the important details. It includes information on:

• School rules and expectations
• Attendance and academic policies
• Safety and emergency procedures
• Contact information and resources

We ask that you review the handbook carefully and ensure you are aware of all relevant information. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Please connect with us through ParentSquare by downloading the app on your devices!

• Download for iOS
• Download for Android

Thank you!

We’re thrilled to announce that Round 2 applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open through Enroll Indy!

If you have an incoming Kindergarten student or a child in grades K-10 who would like to join our school community, now is the perfect time to claim their seat!

Key Round 2 Dates:

• Round 2 Opens: January 25, 2025
• Round 2 Closes: April 18, 2025
• Round 2 Results Released: May 15, 2025

To apply, families will need to create an account on the Enroll Indy portal and select either Matchbook Learning (K-8th) or The Match High School (grades 9th & 10th) as their preferred school. If you need any assistance with the application process or have any questions, we’re here to help!

Feel free to reach out to us at 317-226-4263.

For high school enrollment assistance, please connect with Mrs. Sherry Jones at 317-717-9910.

Secure your spot today and join our school community!

At The Match High School and Career Resource Center, we’re more than just a school—we’re a launchpad for your dreams to become reality. Built with YOU in mind, we offer:

• Personalized Learning Pathways to match your interests and goals.

• Hands-On Career Training for real-world success.

• Advanced Classes and Certifications to prepare you for college or the workforce.

• Mentorship and Guidance from expert teachers and career coaches.

• Paid internships and apprenticeship programs

Here, you can explore your passions, discover new opportunities, and build the future you want. Whether you’re dreaming of college, a career, or both, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

It’s your time to shine. We can't wait to see you at The Match High School and Career Resource Center. We are creating a pathway to success—for YOU.

If you have any questions please call us at The Match 317-333-8012

Want to attend a FREE dental event at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis for ages 3-10? 🦷 ✨What you can expect: ✅ Dental screenings & cleanings ✅ Preventative services ✅ Dental kits, oral health education, activities and more! To pre-register for this event, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XBQWGK6