Stonegate Weekly Newsletter

As we wrap up another wonderful week at Stonegate, we want to wish all of our families a relaxing, fun-filled fall break! We hope you enjoy time to rest, recharge, and make special memories together. There will be no school this upcoming week, and we look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday, October 19th!

We also have some exciting news to celebrate! We surpassed our Jog-a-thon fundraising goal; we raised $29,516! Thanks to your incredible generosity, our students earned a mini school play day on Friday, October 23rd! This celebration is a wonderful reminder of what we can accomplish when our Stonegate community comes together.

To our families, PTO, Jog-a-thon leaders, staff, and everyone who donated, volunteered, encouraged our students, or helped make this event so special, THANK YOU! Your support and generosity make a meaningful difference for our school, and we are so grateful to be part of such a caring and dedicated community.

Enjoy every minute of fall break, Stonegate families! We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on October 19th, refreshed and ready for another great week of learning.

Looking Ahead:

• Fall Break- Fall Break is here! There is no school October 10th through 16th.
• Jog-a-thon Reward: Mini School Play Day- Due to surpassing our fundraising goal, our students will get to play on Friday, October 23rd!
• College Go Week- Stonegate will celebrate College Go Week the last week in October!
• Veterans Day- Information about our annual Veterans Day program is included below. Please reference the information to honor a Veteran or attend our program!

Enjoy your fall break!

Mrs. Connie Largent, Principal

Mrs. Kathy Drake, Assistant Principal

Monday - Friday, 10/12-16

• Fall Break - No School

Tuesday, 10/20

• 2nd Grade (Mrs. Delp and Mrs. Petelik) field trip to Wolf Park

Thursday, 10/22

• PTO Trunk or Treat (6:00-7:30pm)

Friday, 10/23

• Jog-a-thon Reward: Mini Global Play Day

Tuesday, 10/27

• Picture Re-take Day

Friday, 10/30

• 2nd Grade (Ms. Benefiel and Mrs. Smith) field trip to Wolf Park

Wednesday, 11/4

• PTO Meeting at 8:15am
• Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:00pm-5:30pm

Thursday, 11/5

• EDay for Students!
• Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences 11:00am-7:00pm

Wednesday, 11/11

• Veterans Day Program 9:30am-10:15am

Monday - Friday, 11/16-11/20

• PTO Food Drive

Tuesday, 11/17

• PTO Dine for Dollars at HotBox

Wednesday - Friday, 11/25-11/27

• Thanksgiving Break - No School

🏆 Top Fundraiser Per Grade – Engraved Owala Bottle

Congratulations to the highest fundraising student in each grade!

• Preschool: Rudy N
• Kindergarten: Alexander H
• 1st Grade: Mia M
• 2nd Grade: Ryan N
• 3rd Grade: Samuel R
• 4th Grade: Alexia H

🎟️ $75+ Donation Raffle – School Experiences

Congratulations to our raffle winners! Each student earned a special school experience.

• Rose M: Announce 2:00 p.m. dismissal folder pickup

• Charles D: Select songs for morning arrival

• Helena A: Special Penelope Time

• Rosemary N: Participate in morning announcements

• Veer R: Be the first out to recess for their grade level

🎬 Fourth Grade – Movie at Lunch

Congratulations to the entire 4th grade for earning a special movie during lunch!

🎉 Highest Fundraising Class Per Grade – PJ Day

Congratulations to the top fundraising classroom in each grade! Each winning class has earned a special PJ Day.

We’d love to hear the story of your family! By creating a safe space to allow us to get to know more about your family, you’re helping us meet our core mission to “engage, create, and belong.”

Please sign up for a month. After you’ve signed up, what’s next? Mrs. Largent or Mrs. Drake will connect you with Mrs. Nadia Adams. She will connect with you to schedule a time to do a short video recording by asking you these questions below:

1. ENGAGE:

• Please tell us who you are by introducing yourselves.

• Please share something you'd like our Stonegate community to know about you/your family.

2. CREATE:

• What is something special from your family, culture, or heritage that you can teach or show us?

3. BELONG:

• What is something that makes your family special or unique?

Optional: 4. EVERYONE BELONGS: What is one way we can help everyone feel like they belong at Stonegate?

This past month, we worked on building our ENDURANCE for Jog-A-Thon. I could not have been prouder of them as they worked hard to achieve their goals and most importantly be PROUD OF THEIR EFFORT! Jog-a-Thon Day is truly one of my favorite days of the year. Witnessing them working towards a goal with a purpose, encouraging each other, and FINISHING STRONG makes this Wellness teacher's heart burst! 😀 I APOLOGIZE for not having any "Snapshots" this month! I will be honest, I have a hard time remembering to take pictures. Other skills we have been practicing have been using our hands for striking and developing our locomotor skills and moving with control. It is hard to capture all that is happening in Wellness as kiddos are ON THE MOVE! 😊

We also reviewed what it means to MAKE RIGHT CHOICES for the SAFETY, LEARNING, and ENJOYMENT for ALL. Students signed the pledge, and it is prominently hanging outside of the classroom to serve as a reminder of the important role they play in their "team success".

Goldie and Bennie (our Wellness Mascots) have been reminding students of the importance of moving our bodies to help us learn and become STRONG in EVERY WAY. This is the image I use to teach students what happens to our brain when we move our bodies. The scan image on the left is the "brainbow" that is created when we move. The scan image on the right is when our body is still for an extended period of time. I use this to teach the students about the importance of movement during the day as well as the importance of sleep at night.

After break, we will continue our foot skill lessons and move into rolling and bowling skills.

SGE RUNNING CLUB- Last weekend, our SGE Running Club concluded their season at the Hit the Bricks 5K. I was so proud of this group for their hard work each week training to go the distance!

Our annual Veterans Day Program will be held on Wednesday, November 11th at 9:30 am in our SGE gymnasium. This is one of our favorite programs where we recognize members of the armed services. We would like to invite you and your active or retired veteran to attend.

Honor a Veteran:

If you would like to honor any Veterans connected to your family, please complete this form to share their information. All Veterans submitted will be included in our slideshow. The last day to fill out the form is Wednesday, November 4th. The form is scheduled to close on Thursday, November 5th.

Attending the Program:

We are asking ALL guests to pre-register to attend our event. Please use the following guide to pre-register yourself or a family member to attend Stonegate Elementary’s Veterans Day Program. The direct link to register using the SafeVisitor site is linked below. (A full background check is not required to attend.)

SafeVisitor Solutions System: https://secure.safevisitor.io/safe/visitor/zionsvilleschools/veterans-day-2026

You will need to enter the following information after selecting “Next Step”:

• GUEST’S First Name
• GUEST’S Last Name
• GUEST’S Birth Date
• Select “Next Step”

On the next screen, you will need to enter the following:

• Person Visiting – Please note “Stonegate Elementary”.
• Select “Next Step”.
• Select “Submit”.

Fast Passes are Back!

· If you pre-register by Tuesday, November 3rd, our office team will provide you with a special registration sticker. This can be picked up during our Learner-Led Fall Conferences on Wednesday, November 4th or Thursday, November 5th. Please save this sticker and adhere it your top on the day of the program. This allows you to skip being “checked-in” at the door and gives you instant access into the gymnasium.

· If you pre-register between Wednesday, November 4th-Monday, November 9th, you can pick up your Fast Pass on Tuesday, November 10th, between 10 AM and 2 PM.

· Pre-Registration closes at noon on Tuesday, November 10th. All registrations on Tuesday, November 10th must be checked-in at the door the morning of Wednesday, November 11th.

Also, as a friendly reminder: although we hope this process captures all pre-registrations, sometimes there are glitches, so please bring your driver’s license (just in case). If you encounter any problems, please email us at stonegateoffice@zcs.k12.in.us

This year, College Go Week will be held October 26–30! We will have lots of fun opportunities throughout the school to highlight local colleges, universities, and careers, including a spirit wear week! Be on the lookout for a ParentSquare update when we return from fall break with more information.

Additionally, we are looking for Indiana-based college and university pennants, banners, or other items to display during this year’s College Go Week and at future events! If you have items you would like to donate, please drop them off at the front office by Thursday, October 22nd. We appreciate your support and college pride! 🎓

As donated items continue to come in, I just wanted to take an extra moment to say THANK YOU! Our Backpack Program supply was getting very low, and thanks to the generosity of our wonderful Stonegate families, we have restocked our shelves and are building up our backstock! We are so grateful for the incredible support of our school community.

THANK YOU, STONEGATE FAMILIES! 💚

If you would like to support our Backpack Program, please consider purchasing an item from our Amazon Wishlist. The Wishlist will be updated regularly as we use supplies and identify new needs. Monetary donations are also accepted in the form of a check made out to Stonegate Elementary. As always, donations are never expected but are always appreciated! Thank you for helping us support our SGE students and families!

Backpack Program Wishlist

Minute Meetings are done! I loved getting to connect with our amazing SGE students! Next, I’ll be using the feedback I gathered from students to help guide our school counseling program and provide supports that meet the needs of our students and school community.

· Learning Goal: I can think before I act. I can control my impulses and choose respectful responses.

· EFs2theRescue Visual: Stop-a-tron + Emotibot

o Stop-a-tron: self-control, inhibition

o Emotibot: Emotional control, self-regulation

· Try This At Home: Practice “Stop, Think, and Choose” at home. When your child feels like reacting quickly, pause and ask:

Stop: Red Light - What am I feeling?
Think: Yellow Light - What could I do or say?
Choose: Green Light - Which choice is respectful and helpful?

· Try practicing with scenarios such as waiting for a turn, losing a game, being interrupted, hearing “no,” or getting frustrated with a sibling. Celebrate with your child when they pause and make a respectful choice!

Kindergarten

· Lesson 8: Identifying Anger

· Learning Goal: Students will be able to name angry when presented with physical and situational clues, identify that anger is an uncomfortable feeling, and identify a variety of feelings displayed in response to scenarios.

· Try This At Home: Take turns acting out a situation that might make someone angry (e.g., a sibling takes your toy, you lose a game, or someone cuts in line). Have your child identify the physical clues they notice (tight fists, hot face, fast heartbeat), name the feeling (angry), and talk about a safe way the person could respond.

First Grade

· Lesson 8: Similarities and Differences

· Learning Goal: Students will be able to compare physical and emotional similarities and differences between two children and demonstrate that people can have different feelings about the same situation.

· Try This At Home: Name things that are the same and different about each person. Include both physical characteristics (hair, height, eye color) and things you cannot see (favorite food, things they enjoy, feelings). Then describe a situation, such as, “It starts raining when we're at the park,” and have each person share how they might feel about it. Talk about how people can experience the same situation but have different feelings.

Second Grade

· Lesson 8: Respecting Different Preferences

· Learning Goal: Students will be able to determine what others are feeling using physical, verbal, and situational clues and label their own preferences as the same as or different from others’ preferences.

· Try This At Home: Pick a few topics: favorite foods, games, books, music, activities, or places to visit. Each family member chooses a preference, and your child identifies whether their preference is the same as or different from someone else's. Then discuss: “How might you feel if someone didn't like your favorite thing?” Practice responding respectfully with phrases such as, “That's okay. We don't have to like the same things,” or “You like that, and I like this. That’s okay.”

Third Grade

· Lesson 8: Accepting Differences

· Learning Goal: Students will be able to name similarities and differences between people and predict how others will feel when teased for being different.

· Try This At Home: Have each family member draw or write about three things that make them who they are, such as a favorite activity, something they are good at, something they are interested in learning about, or a hobby they enjoy. Then share your answers and notice the ways you are similar and unique. Talk about how we can appreciate things about ourselves and others, even when we don't have the same interests, experiences, or perspectives. Ask, “What is one difference you appreciate in each family member?”

Fourth Grade

· Lesson 8: Joining In

· Learning Goal: Students will be able to identify skills for joining a group and demonstrate skills to join a group.

· Try This At Home: During a family activity, have your child practice joining a group that is already playing or talking. Before they join, practice three steps:

o 1. Watch and listen to see what the group is doing.

o 2. Approach the group and ask to join.

o 3. Join in appropriately and follow the group's activity.

· Role-play different situations and let your child practice phrases such as, “Can I play too?” “What are you guys playing?” or “Is there room for one more?” Talk about how it feels to successfully join a group and what they can do if the group says no.

We know that every family experiences times when a little extra support can make a big difference. If your family is in need of assistance with food, clothing, school supplies, community resources, or other basic needs, please know that you are not alone. We are here to help connect families with resources and support whenever we can.

If your family could use assistance, please complete the Family Support Request Form below. All requests will be handled with care, compassion, and confidentiality.

Family Support Request Form

Lunch guests are welcome! Students and their guests will have lunch at designated locations in the front lobby area. Please no more than 2 guests per student due to limited space. So that others may have the opportunity, we ask that you not sign up more than 1 time per month. Thank you!

Here's how it works:

• Sign up for a reservation in advance using the link below. https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/Stonegate@zcsk12in.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled
• When you sign up, please be certain to complete all fields requested.
• Your child will meet you in the front office area when they are ready.

ILEARN Checkpoints

IDOE requires all schools to administer ILEARN Checkpoints three times a year for students in grade 3-8. Each checkpoint assesses standards in English Language Arts and Math. These checkpoints are only formative. This means that they are giving teachers information to help inform their instruction to best meet the needs of each student. ZCS is giving the checkpoints after fall break (checkpoint #1: October 19 – 30), after winter break (checkpoint #2: January 5 – 15), and before spring break (checkpoint #3: March 15-25). The final summative ILEARN assessment is given in April.

ZCS uses state-approved, research-based literacy and math curriculum that has a set scope and sequence in which standards are taught. This means that each ILEARN checkpoint may assess some standards that have not directly/explicitly been taught yet. If this is the case, teachers will use the checkpoint as a pre-assessment to find out what students may already know before direct instruction occurs. To find out more information about ILEARN checkpoints, please click here for our ZCS FAQ.

ZEF Bash tickets are now on sale!

ZEF Bash 2026 tickets are now on sale on our website! Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 7th, 2026 and make plans to attend our biggest community event of the year!

Join us at the Golf Club of Indiana for an unforgettable evening filled with great food, drinks, exciting auction packages, and live entertainment from Living Proof. Gather your friends, raise a glass, bid on something amazing, and celebrate the incredible impact ZEF makes for Zionsville Community Schools. And, of course, stick around for our famous Cap Off the Night, because no ZEF Bash is complete without it!

You can buy ZEF Bash tickets at zionsvilleeducationfoundation.org or at the QR code below (in the graphic.)

Celebrating your child's birthday is always an exciting time. Here at Stonegate, students can come get a pencil, bookmark, and book from the front office on their birthday! We enjoy celebrating their special day with them. However, it is important that families adhere to our Zionsville Community Schools policy regarding student birthdays.

Birthdays: In order to comply with the current wellness policies and to minimize interruption to instruction, birthday treats (food or otherwise) are not allowed. Balloons or flowers should not be sent to school because of possible allergies and the distraction they may cause. Birthday invitations can be distributed at school only if there is an invitation for every member of the class. (page 24 of the ZCS student and family handbook)

Thank you for adhering to our birthday policy.

The ZCS Board of School Trustees approved revisions to Board Policy 5136 to comply with Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 78, enacted during the 2026 legislative session. The new law requires school districts to adopt either a complete prohibition on student electronic devices or a secured storage policy. ZCS adopted the secured storage approach, requiring student cell phones and other personal electronic devices to be powered off and not readily accessible during the school day.

The policy includes state-required exceptions for students with IEPs, Section 504 plans, medical needs, multilingual learner plans and emergency situations. During discussion, board members also reviewed implementation procedures, including expectations for smartwatches and classroom storage, before approving the policy with a minor language amendment for clarity.

During the school day, all visitors and volunteers are expected to check in at the front office. Prior to the volunteer's first volunteer experience, the individual 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 before 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.

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. Visitors other than parents/guardians must be prearranged and organized through the main office.