Stonegate Weekly Newsletter

We have an exciting week ahead as we celebrate College Go Week at Stonegate! We’re building excitement for the future with a fun spirit week, and we invite everyone to join in! Here’s the lineup: Monday – Neon Day, Tuesday – Stonegate Spirit Wear, Wednesday – College Spirit, Thursday – Pajamas, and Friday – Hat Day. We can’t wait to see our Eagles show their spirit as we celebrate learning, future possibilities, and dreaming big!

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing PTO for hosting another wildly successful Trunk or Treat! It was wonderful to see so many families come together for an evening filled with creativity, costumes, treats, and fun. Thank you to everyone who decorated a trunk, volunteered their time, or joined us to celebrate. Events like these make Stonegate such a special community, and we are so grateful for the time and energy our families pour into creating memorable experiences for our students!

We are also looking ahead to our annual Veterans Day Program! Families and guests planning to attend are encouraged to register in advance. Guests who pre-register will be able to pick up their badge(s) during Learner-Led Conference days, allowing them to bypass the check-in lines on the day of the program. Thank you for helping us make this special celebration run smoothly as we honor the veterans in our Stonegate community!

Finally, a reminder that Thursday, November 4, is an E-Learning Day for students. Teachers will be meeting with families during Learner-Led Conferences to share student progress, celebrate growth, and partner together to support each child’s learning. We appreciate your time and partnership as we work together to help every Eagle soar!

Looking Ahead:

• College Go Week- Stonegate will celebrate College Go Week the last week in October!
• Dine to Donate- Eat at Desi Chowrastha on Monday and support Stonegate!
• ILEARN Checkpoint #1 Testing- All 3rd and 4th graders will take the first round of ILEARN Checkpoints on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
• Conferences/E-Day- Learning Led Conferences will be held on November 3rd and 4th. Thursday, November 4th will be an E-Learning Day for students.
• Veterans Day- If you plan to attend our Veterans Day Program, please register in advance using the link below and pick up your badge during conferences to bypass the lines!

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Connie Largent, Principal

Mrs. Kathy Drake, Assistant Principal

Monday, 10/26

• PTO Dine for Dollars at Desi Chowrastha
• Spirit Wear for College Go Week! (see details below)

Tuesday, 10/27

• Picture Re-take Day

Wednesday, 10/28

• ILEARN Checkpoint #1: English Language Arts (3rd and 4th Grade)

Thursday, 10/29

• ILEARN Checkpoint #1: Math (3rd and 4th Grade)

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

Wednesday, 12/2

• PTO Meeting at 8:15am

Friday, 12/4

• PTO Student Movie Night 6:30-8:30pm

Tuesday, 12/8

• PTO Dine for Dollars at Papa Johns

Thursday, 12/17

• PTO Dine for Dollars at Schkolad

Friday, 12/18

• PTO Spirit Wear - Pajama Day
• Classroom winter parties
• End of Quarter Two

December 19 - January 4

• Winter Break

Tuesday, 1/5

• Students return from Winter Break

Stonegate Elementary retake/makeup picture day is Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Please read through this retake information if your child needs a retake or a makeup photo.

RETAKES: If you need a retake of your original image and placed an order, you MUST turn in your packet with all contents to the photographer in order to get a full replacement package. If you did not place an order or ordered a digital download only, please turn your packet and proof insert in to the photographer.

MAKEUP PICTURES: If you missed the original photo day, you do not need to turn anything in to the photographer. Ordering for makeup day will be available via the link below 24 hours before Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

https://www.cripephoto.com/zionsville

If you have any questions or concerns, please fill out our Customer Service Contact Form

The music room is buzzing with anticipation as we get ready to share our Veterans Day program in just a few short weeks! Students in grades K–4 are preparing songs, speaking parts, and stories to express gratitude for the men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedoms. Along the way, we have had meaningful conversations about military service responsibilities, the meaning of freedom, and the selfless acts of those who serve our country. It has been wonderful to hear students share personal connections to family members and friends who have served or are currently serving in the military!

If you are interested in attending our program on November 11th, please see the Veterans Day Program section of the newsletter for registration information and details.

Along with preparing this heartfelt performance, we have also been embracing spooky season in the music room! Read below to see what each grade level has been working on.

• Kindergarten has been practicing steady beat and finding their singing voices through the song “Pass the Pumpkin."
• 1st Grade is exploring unpitched percussion instruments and developing listening skills through the story There Was an Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything.
• 2nd Grade is getting into the spooky spirit with “See the Spooky Skeleton!” Each class is adding its own creative movement and transferring the melody to barred instruments, inspired by the story Skeleton for Dinner.
• 3rd Grade is embracing the process of singing, dancing, and creating through the folk song “Ghost of John.” Students have explored mirrored vs shadow movements, created their own movement to go with the song, practiced singing a melody in canon, and will be creating their own musical form to transform a simple melody into a collaborative performance!
• 4th Grade is turning a simple question—“Are you afraid of the dark?”—into a rhythmic canon! Students are transferring word syllables to unpitched percussion instruments, exploring movement through negative space, and strengthening part independence while performing multiple parts together.

It is truly my favorite time of year in the music room! Between Veterans Day, seasons changing, multiple holidays, and the sense of magic toward the end of the calendar year, I love seeing classes build their musical skills, use their imaginations, and bring their own ideas to life through music with such excitement! 😊

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:

If registering on or before Tuesday, 11/3, please use this link: https://secure.safevisitor.io/safe/visitor/zionsvilleschools/veterans-day-2026

If registering Wednesday, 11/4 to Tuesday, 11/10 at 9:00AM, please use this link: https://secure.safevisitor.io/safe/visitor/zionsvilleschools/veterans-day-2026-nov-4-10

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!

• What is a Fast Pass? If you pre-register between dates/times listed above, you’ll be able to pick up your Safe Visitor Pass as late as the day before the program. Please keep this pass in a safe spot and do not lose it. On Veterans Day, please adhere it to a visible spot of your shirt/jacket. This allows you to SKIP to be “checked-in” at the door and gives you instant access to the gymnasium.

• Once again:

• If registering on or before Tuesday, 11/3, please use this link: https://secure.safevisitor.io/safe/visitor/zionsvilleschools/veterans-day-2026-registration

• During the dates/times of Fall Conferences (Wed. 11/4 from 3:00-5:30 & Thurs. 11/5 from 11-7 PM), our office staff will print your Safe Visitor tag for you to pick up and use as the FAST PASS.

• If registering between Wednesday, 11/4 - Tuesday, 11/10 by 9:00 AM, please use this link: https://secure.safevisitor.io/safe/visitor/zionsvilleschools/veterans-day-2026-nov-4-10

• You can pick up your FAST PASS on Tuesday, November 10th, between 10 AM and 2 PM.

• Pre-Registration closes at 9:01 AM, on Tuesday, November 10th. All registrations after this time 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

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?

The holiday season can bring added expenses and challenges for many families, and we want you to know that support is available. If your family could use assistance with holiday needs, clothing, gifts, or other essentials, please know that you are not alone. We are happy to help connect families with available community resources and support to help make the season a little brighter.

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

Family Support Request Form

Next week is College Go Week! We'll be transforming SGE into Stonegate University with fun activities planned throughout the week, including a school spirit week! Students will have opportunities to explore a variety of colleges, universities, and career paths as they begin thinking about their own futures.

Please encourage your child to dress-up and join in the fun! We look forward to an exciting future-focused week with our Stonegate students!

· 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 9: Same or Different?
• Learning Goal: Students will be able to compare physical and emotional similarities and differences between two students depicted in a story and identify same and different feelings in response to scenarios.
• Try This At Home: Take turns sharing things family members have in common and things that make each person unique. Then, talk about how family members might feel differently in the same situation. For example, one person might feel excited about trying something new while another feels nervous. Remind children that all feelings are okay!

First Grade

• Lesson 9: Feelings Change
• Learning Goal: Students will be able to demonstrate welcoming and inviting behaviors.
• Try This At Home: Talk about ways to help someone feel included, such as inviting them to play, offering to share, or asking someone to join a family activity. Choose one welcoming behavior to practice together this week. Discuss how these small actions can help others feel happy, comfortable, and included.

·

Second Grade

• Lesson 9: Showing Compassion
• Learning Goal: Students will be able to determine what others are feeling using physical, verbal, and situational clues and identify ways to show compassion for others in response to scenarios.
• Try This At Home: Describe an everyday situation, such as a friend losing a favorite toy or a family member having a difficult day. Ask your child to identify clues that might help them understand how the person feels. Then brainstorm ways to show compassion, such as listening, offering help, or sharing kind words.

Third Grade

• Lesson 9: Showing Compassion
• Learning Goal: Students will be able to demonstrate focused attention and listening skills in response to scenarios, identify ways to show compassion for others in response to scenarios, and express appreciation for another person’s concern in response to scenarios.
• Try This At Home: Take turns sharing something about your day while the other person gives their full attention without interrupting. Afterward, summarize what you heard and ask how the person felt. Practice responding with a caring statement, such as “That sounds difficult,” or “Thank you for telling me.” Switch roles so everyone has a turn to share and listen.

Fourth Grade

• Lesson 9: Showing Compassion
• Learning Goal: Students will be able to demonstrate expressing concern or showing compassion for someone.
• Try This At Home: As a family, brainstorm ways to show concern when someone is having a hard time. Examples might include checking in with someone who seems upset, offering help without being asked, writing an encouraging note, or inviting someone who feels left out to join an activity. Choose one compassionate action to practice this week and discuss how it might help the other person feel supported.

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.

PTO Stonegate Spirit Wear is now available! The online store is open until November 8th. All items will be delivered to the school before winter break and sent home with your student. Thank you!

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.