Stonegate Weekly Newsletter

We are heading into the final week of Quarter 1—and the last week before fall break! As we wrap up this first quarter, we are so grateful for the energy, learning, and community our students and families have brought to Stonegate. There is still plenty happening before we hit pause for a well-deserved break!

We are making one final push for Jog-a-thon donations! If you have not yet had a chance to make a donation, please help us reach our fundraising goal by submitting donations by Wednesday, October 7th. Jog-a-thon is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and every contribution makes a difference for our students and school. Thank you for helping us finish strong!

This week also gives us several opportunities to connect as a school community. We will have our PTO Meeting, and on Wednesday evening, we hope you’ll stop by Fundaes Ice Cream to visit with some of our SGE staff members. We’d love to see you there!

When we return from fall break, we’ll jump right back into the fun with our PTO-sponsored Trunk or Treat! If your family plans to join us for this fun fall tradition, be sure to RSVP by THIS Friday!

As we close out Quarter 1, thank you for continuing to partner with us, celebrate our students, and help make Stonegate such a special place to learn and belong. We hope everyone enjoys a wonderful fall break!

Looking Ahead:

• Jog-a-thon Donation Deadline- Please have all Jog-a-thon donations in by Wednesday, October 7th!
• PTO Meeting- Join us at 8:15a on October 7th for the next PTO Meeting!
• Celebrity Scoopers- Join us at Fundaes on October 7th for a Dine to Donate and to be served by the Stonegate Staff!
• Trunk-or-Treat Deadline- Please RSVP to our Trunk or Treat event by Friday, October 9th!
• Fall Break- Fall Break is right around the corner. There is no school October 10th through 16th.
• 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 the fall weekend!

Mrs. Connie Largent, Principal

Mrs. Kathy Drake, Assistant Principal

Monday, 10/5

• Kindergarten field trip to Stuckey Farm

Wednesday, 10/7

• PTO Meeting at 8:15am
• Celebrity Scoopers at Fundae's (5:00-7:30pm)
  

Friday, 10/9

• 1st grade field trip to The Indianapolis Zoo
• End of Quarter One

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)

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

Fourth grade had been feverishly getting ready for our overnight camping trip to Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana! Students met to go over all camp protocols, procedures, and packing last week! They were ready and excited! The fourth-grade teachers also met with the 58 parents who facilitated this year's stations; we are so appreciative of their time and commitment! We were so excited to get this rite of passage underway!

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

Our related arts team and special services team could use some classroom donations. If you are able, they could use some of the following:

• facial tissues
• clorox wipes
• hand sanitizer
• post-it notes

Thank you for helping all of our classroom teachers!

Wow! I am continuously blown away by the generosity and support of our SGE parents and families! In just 3 hours after sharing our Backpack Program Wishlist on ParentSquare, nearly the entire Wishlist was funded!

Thank you SO much for supporting our students and our Backpack Program! It’s because of your generosity that we are able to provide this service to our students and families. We are incredibly grateful for each and every donation! Thank you!!!

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

Additionally, I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Girl Scout Troop 1988 for holding a donation drive for our Backpack Program! Because of their generosity, we are now able to provide hygiene products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner, to students participating in the program.

Minute Meetings have been a HUGE success! 🥳 Half of the school has already completed their MM rounds. That’s roughly 200 students in just one week! Students are already showing excitement for their meetings, and meaningful connections are being made!

One of my goals as the school counselor is to connect with every student at Stonegate Elementary and learn more about their experiences at school. Through Minute Meetings, I have the opportunity to have a brief, one-on-one conversation with each student and hear their perspectives on school connections, skills, and academics.

This student voice is incredibly valuable! Their input will help shape our school counseling program and ensure that the services and supports we provide reflect the social-emotional, academic, and skill-based needs of our students. I’m excited to continue these conversations and learn from our students!

Kindergarten

· Lesson 7: More Feelings

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

· Try This At Home: Have your child be a “Feeling Detective” while reading a book or watching a show. Pause and ask, “How do you think this character is feeling? What clues do you see?” Talk about whether the feeling is comfortable or uncomfortable.

First Grade

· Lesson 7: Looking for More Clues

· Learning Goal: Students will be able to name feelings when presented with physical, environmental, and situational clues.

· Try This At Home: Choose a character in a book or show and ask, “How do you think they are feeling? What clues helped you figure it out?” Encourage your child to look for clues from the person’s face, body, voice, surroundings, and what happened.

Second Grade

· Lesson 7: Feeling Confident

· Learning Goal: Students will be able to identify physical and situational clues that indicate the feeling of confidence and detect when their own and others’ feelings change.

· Try This At Home: Think of a time your child tried something new or challenging. Ask, “How did you feel when you first started? How did you feel after you practiced or finished?” Talk about how feelings can change as we gain experience and confidence.

Third Grade

· Lesson 7: Conflicting Feelings

· Learning Goal: Students will be able to identify two conflicting feelings a person could have in response to scenarios and explain possible reasons for someone’s conflicting feelings in response to scenarios.

· Try This At Home: During a book, show, or everyday situation, ask, “Could this person be feeling two different feelings at the same time? What are the two feelings, and why might they feel that way?” Remind your child that it is normal to have conflicting feelings.

Fourth Grade

· Lesson 7: Conversation and Compliments

· Learning Goal: Students will be able to identify components of a successful conversation and demonstrate giving and receiving a compliment.

· Try This At Home: Take turns giving each other a genuine compliment. Practice responding with “Thank you” and then continue the conversation by asking a question or sharing a related thought.

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

  · EFs2theRescue Visual: Stopaton + Emotibot

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

  Stop: What am I feeling?
  Think: What could I do or say?
  Choose: 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!

  
  

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

We are ready to welcome lunch guests! 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.

Lunch times:

• 10:30-11:00 3rd Grade
• 11:05-11:35 4th Grade
• 11:40-12:10 1st Grade and Preschool
• 12:15-12:45 2nd Grade
• 12:50-1:20 Kindergarten

We look forward to having you visit!

Join Us for Trunk or Treat!

Thursday, October 22, 2026
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Bring the whole family to Stonegate Elementary's favorite Halloween tradition, hosted by the SGE PTO! Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy an evening of candy, prizes, creative trunk displays, and festive fun with friends and neighbors.

How It Works

Whether you're decorating a trunk or simply coming to enjoy the festivities, everyone should register via the Sign-Up Genius link below. Children will travel from trunk to trunk collecting treats, prizes, and enjoying creative games and Halloween-themed displays. Many families go all out with decorations, costumes, and interactive activities, making every trunk a unique experience!

Will You Host a Trunk?

We need at least 20 families to volunteer to host a trunk to make our Trunk or Treat event a success!

Decorate your vehicle, dress up, and help create a fun Halloween experience for our Stonegate students. Get creative with your theme—spooky, silly, festive, or anything in between!

When hosting a trunk, please plan to provide either:

• Individually wrapped, nut-free candy, or
• Small toys, stickers, glow items, or other fun Halloween prizes

Approximately one week before the event, we’ll email all trunk hosts a parking map of the Stonegate Elementary parking lot, along with the expected number of children attending, so you’ll know where to park and can bring plenty of treats or prizes.

RSVP

Please register with the number of adults and children attending, even if you are not hosting a trunk via the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4DACAE2DA1FF2-65115008-trunk

RSVP Deadline: Friday, October 9, 2026

We can't wait to celebrate with you for a safe, spooky, and memorable evening of Halloween fun for the entire Stonegate community!

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.