Boone Meadow Friday Flyer

It has been a busy and interesting week here at The Meadow. Snow, swinging temps, Global School Play Day, and PowerSchool/screener outage kept us on our toes and provided more opportunities for flexibility. Thank you for being the caring community that you are as you support our endeavors to provide the best learning experiences we can. Our partnership contributes to success for our children during these ongoing trying times.

Next week ushers in some strikingly cold temperatures, so remain alert for communications as needed for indoor recesses or any other possible changes. Please ensure students are well-prepared and clothed appropriately for outdoor experiences when possible.

Thank you to PTO for the Chick-fil-A sandwiches, chips, and drinks for lunch today, and thank you to Deb Pickett for Jill's Cookies to top it off. A great way to finish the week.

A few other items to note:

Yearbook Ordering: Yearbooks are available for order. Link and more detailed information is located below. Orders are due on February 26th.

Remote Learners - Our next materials pick up day is scheduled for this coming Tuesday, February 9th. More information is located below.

Valentine's Day Celebrations:

As a reminder...this coming Friday, we will hold celebrations for Valentine’s Day. With mitigation requirements, we will shift our focus on the important life skills of friendship and kindness. Even COVID cannot take that away! As a gentle reminder, we are asking families not to send items from home to distribute to classmates. Our teachers are working on other creative ideas to celebrate friendship and kindness! We will no doubt still find ways to include plenty of red and pink hearts and some fun and safe games during our classroom celebrations on Friday, February 12.

PTO Dine for Dollars- Our "Why Cook Wednesday" opportunities have assisted PTO in raising funds for the school this year, and we couldn't be more grateful. Fundae's Ice Cream is providing the next opportunity by ordering Family Fun Packs before Feb. 17th. More information located below.

Kindergarten "Strong Start" & Incoming Kindy Registration - As you can see by the advertisement below, we are taking a different approach to what we've historically referred to as Kindergarten Round Up. Kindergarten STRONG START will begin soon. Read more below and share with neighbors and community friends.

Thankful for you and the community we serve,

Tom

• Something that I learned about myself today was that I can make new friends if I try.
• Something new that I learned about others today was that everyone was trying to make others happy.
• After experiencing Global School Play Day, technology is really not important. You just need friends.
• At the end of Play Day, I was soooo NOT ready to go home.
• Something that I learned about myself today was that I get along with people, and I like being nice.
• Something that I learned about others today was that people always have a kind heart.

And this one from a teacher...I love teaching, but I think this day just might be my favorite day of every school year! 🙂 I'm so thankful we were able to experience it this year. TAKE THAT, COVID-19!!

Dear Families of Remote Learners,

I hope this email finds you and your family healthy and safe! I am reaching out in regards to two important pieces of information for our families of remote learners:

Materials Pick Up

Our next materials pick up is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2021. Please park and walk to the front door (Door 1/main entrance). Materials can be picked up between the hours of 11:30-12:30 & 2:45-3:30

Yearbooks

All families have the opportunity to purchase the 2020-2021 yearbook. Remote learners will be included in their home school’s yearbook. Follow the link below to place your order online. Orders are due by February 26, 2021.

Yearbook: $15

https://cp-school-portraits.hhimagehost.com/V2/Home/LoginConsumer?EK=159431

ORDER DEADLINE: February 26 (late orders cannot be guaranteed a yearbook).

If you have pictures of your child learning from home that you would like to submit for potential inclusion in the newsletter, please email them to our Art Coach, Jen Trinosky, by February 16, 2021. Thank you for considering.

Get your Valentine's Ice-cream and help support BME PTO!

For every family pack that is ordered,

Fundae's will donate 15% back to BME, so grab your favorite flavors!

Orders must be placed by Feb 17th and picked up Feb 19-20th. Place your orders here: https://bme-dine-to-donate.square.site/

Future Dine for Dollars/Why Cook Wednesday opportunities:

• Applebee's in Brownsburg on February 24th.
• Marco's Pizza - early March (TBD)

It's time to order your child's 2020-21 Yearbook and your child should have brought home a paper form this week. The cost this year is $15.00. Please follow the link below to place your order online.

Click Here To Order:

https://cp-school-portraits.hhimagehost.com/V2/Home/LoginConsumer?EK=159431

ORDER DEADLINE: February 26 (late orders cannot be guaranteed a yearbook).

February - Black History Month

February 9 - Remote Learners Material Pick Up

February 12 - Chinese New Year; Valentines Day parties in classrooms (students will not distribute valentines- see information above)

February 14 - Valentine's Day

February 15 - Presidents Day - No School

February 17 - Ash Wednesday

February 25 - 4th grade to 5th grade transition (virtual - check email for SchoolMessenger from Matt Doublestein/ZWEST)

March 12 - End of Quarter 3

March 14 - Daylight Savings Time

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day

March 28 - Palm Sunday/Passover

April 2 - April 9 - Spring Break

April 2 - Good Friday

April 4 - Easter

April 13 - Ramadan Starts

April 15 - ZWest Music visit to BME

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

May 13 - Eid

May 26 - Last day of school

May 27 - Teacher work day

May 31 - Memorial Day

The CogAT is a multiple-choice assessment administered to students in kindergarten and second grade. This is a computer based assessment that measures reasoning skills with different types of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions. The CogAT uses two types of norms when tests are scored: age norms, and grade norms. Age norms compare how a student performed relative to other children of the same age, and grade norms compare how a student performed relative to the other children in the same grade. Scores will be posted on each child’s Power School account after scoring has been completed and each parent will receive a parent report. For more information, please contact Mrs. Sloan.

• Second grade students will be testing the first week of February, namely Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Kindergarten students will test during the week of February 8th-12th.
• Remote students will have the option to come to the Educational Services Center to take the test the week of February 16th-19th

Child Find is the process for locating, identifying, and evaluating individuals with suspected disabilities who may need special education services, regardless of the severity of their disabilities. This is the responsibility of ZCS regardless of whether a parent affirmatively requests an evaluation. ZCS provides a Free Appropriate Public Education to any child who qualifies as having a disability, in accordance with federal and state laws. ZCS is responsible for locating all children ages 3 through 22 years of age with a suspected disability who reside within the boundaries of its district. With early identification and intervention, frustration and academic failure can be prevented, which in turn creates a positive learning experience for students. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), which encompasses academics and/or social and emotional learning, is an essential component of the child find process. Utilizing screening assessments, the ZCS team members identify students in

need of intervention, implement action plans, and monitor the response to the targeted interventions. In addition, the evaluation referral procedures in ZCS provide the framework to refer students with suspected disabilities for evaluation.

Speech Assistance Program

The Speech Assistance Program is designed to provide support to students with single sound articulation errors that are not age appropriate within the general education setting. Following the MTSS approach, this program allows for early identification and treatment of mild articulation disorders so students receive assistance without having to be identified under special education. The Speech Assistance Program is a three-tiered system in which progress is monitored to determine if additional supports are needed. If adequate progress is not demonstrated, a referral for evaluation will be prompted to determine eligibility under special education.

Dear Families of BME Walkers & Bike Riders –

Safety is one of our highest concerns for students and staff at BME. Please read carefully in effort to partner for your child’s safety as they utilize the crosswalk, especially during dismissal at the end of the day.

• In effort to provide families the opportunity to utilize the car rider line on tricky weather days (or dodge construction on fire hydrants), all walkers/bikers will be dismissed last each day. You will note that our car line will have approximately 10-20 cars remaining in line when we call walkers/bikers from their classrooms for dismissal. This results in your child leaving the building and being escorted to the crosswalk 5-10 minutes later than you are currently accustomed.
• Secondly and whenever possible, please meet your child(ren) at the crosswalk. BME staff can assist students to the edge of school property, and they will serve to assist students as they cross South Main Street. As we consider the safety of students and staff, we are unable to assist students to the pool/playground parking lot at Clark Meadows as BME staff cannot be liable for safety (crossing streets, traffic, etc…) once off school property.

As always, we thank you for your partnership as we strive to keep students and staff safe.

ZCS wants to keep you informed as we continue to navigate through these times. Our district website houses much important COVID information in one location for your access.

Please click HERE (or the "mask up" image) for information regarding:

• Quarantine guidance
• Screening information
• Close contact information
• Secondary Hybrid schedules
• Parent Resources
• and other important information.

Within a 10-15 minutes window each morning and each afternoon, we strive to ensure that all 550+ students are transported safely to where they need to be. At dismissal each day, all students remain in their classrooms until called for buses, cars, BAC, walkers, etc.. Behind the scenes is a network of staff and communication that works cohesively to get children where they need to go. Thank you to all families that follow our daily routines and procedures. We would not be able to keep children safe without your cooperation.

Below, you will find some updates regarding arrival and dismissal:

Car Riders:

• Thank you for keeping our fire lane clear until signaled by staff to pull up. The fire lane must remain clear as much as possible for potential emergency needs and school deliveries.
• Displaying car/family numbers in an easy to see manner is greatly beneficial. Ball point pen writing on a post it placed on your dash is hard for my old eyes to see, so bold numbers hanging from the rear view mirror or attached to the passenger sun visor assists in moving vehicles efficiently through the line.
• Please reduce idling when possible. The build up of vehicle emissions is not only harmful for the environment, but also creates unhealthy air quality for staff and students.

Walker/Bikers:

Safety is one of our highest concerns for students and staff at BME. Please read carefully in effort to partner for your child’s safety as they utilize the crosswalk, especially during dismissal at the end of the day.

• In effort to provide families the opportunity to utilize the car rider line on tricky weather days (or dodge construction on fire hydrants), all walkers/bikers will be dismissed last each day. You will note that our car line will have approximately 10-20 cars remaining in line when we call walkers/bikers from their classrooms for dismissal. This results in your child leaving the building and being escorted to the crosswalk 5-10 minutes later than you are currently accustomed.
• Secondly and whenever possible, please meet your child(ren) at the crosswalk. BME staff can assist students to the edge of school property, and they will serve to assist students as they cross South Main Street. As we consider the safety of students and staff, we are unable to assist students to the pool/playground parking lot at Clark Meadows as BME staff cannot be liable for safety (crossing streets, traffic, etc…) within your neighborhood.

As always, we thank you for your partnership as we strive to keep students and staff safe.

Significant weather (walkers/bikers) - When weather is inclement with heavy rain, heavy snow, sleet, etc...walking to school is highly discouraged. The office team will make the decision if staff will be present at the crosswalk.

• If families decide to walk to school and no crosswalk staff is present, an adult or family member must safely escort students to the front doors. The doors will open at 7:50 for arrival, and families should wait at the front doors with their students until the doors open.

• Dismissal on inclement weather days: Walkers and bikers will be dismissed after car riders (approximately 2:35). This allows families to use the car line for pick up. Simply display your family number while you are in line and pick up your child(ren) at the front door with staff assistance.

• In the event of questionable or severe weather, families must utilize the car rider procedures instead of walking/biking. (stormy weather, lightning, sleet, you need to get Toto before going to the Land of Oz...)

• Please do not bypass the car rider line and request to pick up students from the parking lot, other school sidewalks, etc... Again, we must adhere to all procedures for the safety of students and staff.

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!

Click on the "Community Flyer" image to get information regarding local events and opportunities throughout the Zionsvile and neighboring communities. You can also click on the link below.

You can utilize School Pay to pay for textbook rentals and to fund lunch accounts. Information about School Pay as well as additional lunch details, such as the monthly menu, can be found on the Food Services website.

Email: thundley@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