The Friday Flyer

Look at the image below and let it sink in for a minute.

Herein lies an example of what community could, and should, be.

Children teach us wonderful lessons when we take time to notice. The image below is evidence of one first grade student extending care and thoughtfulness to a classmate that recently moved here from Japan. She made her best attempt to record "Happy Valentine's Day" in the student's home language since the student is in his first weeks of learning English. Simplistic beauty permeates this exchange between two delightful children.

Throughout the school year, we welcome families from all over the globe. At Boone Meadow, we have families from 6 of the 7 continents with 21 different home languages spoken from nearly 80 students. It's like our own little Olympic Village. There is great beauty to be cherished in those opportunities to learn a global perspective from our neighbors. As a staff, we strive to create an environment that says, "you are welcome here." We do our best, even when we don't speak the same oral language.

In spite of this week's events in Florida, I am reminded that there is more good in this world if we take time to let children show us. Sometimes the call to champion for good is penned on a blank piece of paper in the form of a valentine. This is our battle cry: "Let us love one another." When we do, we've secured the gold medal.

Cherish your weekend with family and friends,

Tom

Boone Meadow Mixer! Ticket sales end today, Friday February 16th at 5pm. Tickets will NOT be available at the door this year.

Auction Items: We will have "Buy It Now" this year during the silent auction time for a few select Teacher Experiences. All bidding on everything, including Buy It Now, will be online and will take place on February 23rd from 6:30-8:30.

Check out the website for details on all items in the auction. http://www.biddingOwl.com/BooneMeadowMixer2018

Auction item donations were due this past Wednesday. If you have any questions, please contact us at boonemeadowpto@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for a flyer to be sent home with a list of auction items and details on how to login to our online bidding software.

We hope to see all of you on the 23rd at the Golf Club of Indiana.

Thank You,

BME PTO

2018-19 Kindergarten Round Up Dates:

Boone Meadow Elementary - Wednesday, March 28

Stonegate Elementary - Tuesday, April 10

Eagle Elementary - Wednesday, April 11

Union Elementary - Thursday, April 12

Pleasant View Elementary - Monday, April 16

If your child is enrolled in ZCS Universal Preschool at the school they will attend Kindergarten, you can expect Round-Up information from your Preschool lead. You do NOT need to sign up for one of the above dates. If your child attends Preschool at Zionsville West Middle School, or a Preschool at a different Zionsville school than their boundary school, you will need to register and sign up for a Round-Up time.

Coffee Talk with Principal Matt Doublestein

Date: Friday, February 23rd, 2018

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Location: Boone Meadow Elementary, Family Room (upstairs across from Library)

Calling all 4th-grade parents of rising 5th graders! Please join us in the Boone Meadow Elementary “Family Room” (located across from Library) on Friday, February 23rd for a casual "coffee talk" with the principal of Zionsville West Middle School, Mr. Matt Doublestein. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Doublestein in a more casual and intimate setting to discover what middle school will be like for your child. This optional meeting will begin at 8:00 am with a brief introduction. The remainder of the agenda will then be guided by your queries and will last for approximately one hour. Coffee, tea, and light snacks will be provided. Regretfully we cannot provide childcare, however, please do feel to bring your little ones with you if needed. Thank you!

OPTIONAL: Please RSVP for this event by clicking here. This will ensure we have enough seats in our “family room” to accommodate everyone.

Click HERE to sign up for the coffee talk: Coffee Talk

February 19th - Presidents Day - No School

February 20th - No School for Students (Professional Development Day for Staff)

February 21 - Dr. Lori Desautels at Performing Arts Center (Free Event) - see below

February 23rd - Spirit Day: Neon Day

February 23rd - (1) 4th gr parent "Coffee Talk" with Principal Doublestein (ZWEST) @ Boone Meadow. (2) BME Mixer at Golf Club of Indiana 6:30pm - Sponsored by PTO - See below

February 26th - March 3rd - ISTEP+ Testing window (Part 1) - 3rd/4th grades

March 28th - Kindergarten Round-Up @ BME (More information will be shared in coming weeks)

March 30th - April 6th - Spring Break (No school)

April 16th - May 4th - ISTEP+ Testing window (Part 2) - 3rd/4th grades

PLEASE mark your calendars for May 25th as our make-up day due to the 1/12/18 inclement weather cancellation.

4th Grade Families:

Please mark your calendars with the upcoming information.

Thursday, March 15th - 4th to 5th Transition Day. Students will visit ZWEST and tour the school. That evening, ZWEST opens the doors to welcome future students and families. More information to come.

• 9:30a-11:00a: Tour/Music Performance @ ZWMS
  
• 6:00p-6:50p: Parent Meeting for select families with Special Education staff
  
• 6:30p-8:00p: 4th/5th Grade Social
  
• 7:00p-8:00p: 4th Grade Parent Meeting
  

Thursday, April 12th -

ZWEST music teachers (choir, band, and orchestra) visit Boone Meadow to engage with students. More information to come.

Zionsville Coder DOJO

After a very successful first term that saw more than 100 students participate across 4 programming courses, the Zionsville CoderDojo would like to continue that momentum on 2/25 at Zionsville High School at 2 pm with a recap of the first term and a kickoff of the second term. We will recognize graduates from the first term, provide some snacks, and outline the next set of courses that will be offered in the second term. Parents and students will have an opportunity to register for these courses that will begin in March 2018.

As a refresher, CoderDojo is a global organization devoted to preparing children aged 7 to 17 for all concepts in technology by putting them through FREE coding courses. These courses are taught by volunteers who are technology industry veterans. Though the program is targeted towards ages 7-17, all are welcome. For more information see the main homepage at coderdojo.com.

Questions? Contact us at zionsville.us@coderdojo.com.

Hopefully Old Man Winter is preparing to roll out, but meanwhile, please be sure to send your student to school appropriately dressed for the weather. As stated in the handbook:

As the weather turns colder, each child needs a winter coat, hat, and gloves. Snow pants and boots are required when there is snow on the ground.

Students without snow pants and boots (when there is snow on the ground) will only be permitted to play on the cleared blacktop.

All children play outside except on rainy, icy, or very cold days (wind chill below the 10-20 degree range). Inside recess will be held on those exceptional days.

For more information regarding our procedures for school delays and closings please visit our website.

From time to time Boone Meadow uses SchoolMessenger to send a text to all of the families. If you haven't been receiving texts from us, you may need to opt-in by sending YES to the SchoolMessenger short code of 68453. Contact Beth Kiel in the front office if you have any questions!

bkiel@zcs.k12.in.us

Parenting is never easy. But today's parents have to grapple with a wired world in a way that no other generation has ever had to before. This ever-evolving digital landscape can be daunting to navigate.

Join ZCS in a 5-part series on Parenting in the Digital Age. This series will take place over the winter months and focus on keeping our students safe and healthy in the digital world while weighing the potential benefits and possible negative effects of social media. All presentations will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Service Center.

For dates and information on the sessions, click here!

ZCS is in need of expanding the substitue teacher pool. In addition, ZCS Food Service positions are now available at several of the ZCS cafeterias. Click here to apply directly and call 317-733-4804 with any questions!

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: bkiel@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