Burkhart Elementary Newsletter

Principal: Darlene Hardesty

Assistant Principal: Brittany Palencer

Burkhart Elementary School

5701 Brill Road

Indianapolis, IN 46227

Phone: 317-789-3600

Attendance: 317-789-3602

The sale of World's Finest Chocolate bars is wrapping up. Students should turn in money collected by Tuesday, September 8. Thank you to all students and families who are helping us reach the fundraising goals set out by our PTA to support our school!

Students are bringing home a copy of report card progress reports today. These reports reflect work graded up to this point in the grading period. This is a great opportunity to reflect with your student prior to the end of the grading period.

School picture day is scheduled for Thursday, September 17. Picture packages may be ordered online at https://inter-state.com/flyerentry/0469JH or you may send in the completed picture package with exact payment (photographers are not able to make change on picture day). We know pictures provide special memories and as such allow our students to be out of dress code on this date. All Burkhart students will be photographed regardless of ordering a picture package.

Dear Families of 2nd and 5th Grade Students,

In September, your student will take the Cognitive Abilities Test™ (CogAT®). The purpose of this letter is to inform you about the test so that—with your support and encouragement—your student will do his or her best on the test.

About CogAT

CogAT measures students’ learned reasoning abilities in the three areas most closely related to success in school:

• The Verbal Battery measures students’ abilities to reason with words and concepts. These reasoning abilities play an important role in reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, and virtually all verbal learning tasks.
• The Quantitative Battery measures students’ abilities to reason with quantitative symbols and concepts. These reasoning skills are significantly related to problem solving in mathematics and other disciplines.
• The Nonverbal Battery measures students’ abilities to reason with geometric shapes and figures. To perform successfully, students must accurately implement strategies for solving novel problems.

The three separate batteries provide a broad perspective on each student’s learned reasoning abilities, identifying cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The students take the test on the computer. This test is given as part of our high ability screening. The different parts of the screening take place throughout the school year. Identification for the program occurs in April, and identification emails will go out through ParentSquare in May. Test scores from the CogAT will be available in Skyward under Test Results after testing. Please visit our website for more information on the assessments that we give in our district: https://www.perryschools.org/for-parents/assessments/. Please send any questions to Kim Jovic at kjovic@perryschools.org.

Clubs meeting next week:

• Spell Bowl: Tuesday, 8:00 – 8:50 a.m.
• Religious Education: Tuesday, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.

Teachers shared information regarding parent-teacher conferences this week. Parents, please check your Parent Square communications for an invitation to schedule a conference to discuss your child's current progress at school. Conferences will be held on Wednesday, September 30 throughout the day. Students will be having an e-learning day (learning from home) on this date to allow time for conferences to be held.

9/7 - Labor Day - No School

9/17 - School Picture Day

9/17 - PTA Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

9/25 - School Spirit Day

9/29 - Grade 4 Field Trip to Conner Prairie

9/30 - E-Learning Day + Parent-Teacher Conferences

10/5 - 10/16 - Fall Break, No School

10/21 - School Smiles Dental Visits

10/23 - School Spirit Day

10/27 - Grade 3 Field Trip to Kelsay Farms

10/27 - Family Night, 6:00 p.m.

10/30 - Costume Day

ParentSquare is an important communication tool designed to keep families informed. By providing your email and phone number, you can receive important information and communication via smart phone app, text, email and/or phone. For more information about signing up, visit perryschools.org. Please be sure to update the school office if your phone number or email address changes so you don’t miss important school communications.

Burkhart celebrates the birthday of our students during our morning announcements each day. We ask you not to send in treats and save additional celebrations for at home.

We are now welcoming lunchtime visitors. Parents who wish to eat lunch with their child should arrive a few minutes prior to the start of their child's lunch time so they can get registered as a visitor. Remember that you will need to bring your government-issued ID card (for example: driver's license, green card, passport) with you. School lunch may be purchased for the cost of $5.25 (adult guest) -- $5.35 (adult guest after September 21) or $3.00 (child guest) using exact cash or with a check made payable to Perry Township Schools. Alternately, parents may bring in a lunch packed from home or from a restaurant as a special treat. While dining in the cafeteria, the parent and student will be seated at a separate table so they can enjoy the visit together. We do not allow other students to join in and also ask that cell phones not be used during the visit.

The Perry Township Elementary Dress Code Policy includes the following guidance regarding student clothing:

• Solid color collared shirt (with sleeves) or turtleneck, encouraged to be tucked in.
• Black, khaki, navy, or earthtone bottoms, no denim. No overt or distracting holes, rips, cuts, or frays are permitted.
• Knee-length pants. Shorts may be worn up until Fall Break and after Spring Break.
• Dresses, skirts, shorts, and jumpers must be near knee length.
• Winter Wear—mostly solid color sweater or sweatshirt allowed; must be over collared shirt or turtleneck; should be an appropriate size.
• Student IDs should be worn and made visible at all times.
• No flip-flops or “wheelie” shoes. No hooded sweatshirts.
• School spirit wear is determined by each building.

Please see the student handbook for additional guidance regarding dress code.

As part of our security measures, we will ask for a government-issued photo ID card (for example: driver’s license, green card, passport) for adults needing to pick a student up from school. Please be prepared to provide this each time you visit school.

Are you interested in helping your child’s teacher and working with students? Or do you enjoy working behind the scenes by making copies and sharpening pencils? Are you wanting to be a chaperone for school trips? Or would you like to help out at your child’s classroom parties? If so, we’d love to have your help!

Backgrounds checks need to be completed just one time every three years and will allow you to volunteer at our school and at any other Perry Township School in which you have a child. Visit the following website and complete the application today:

https://www.perryschools.org/community-resources/volunteers-visitors/

Be sure to reach out to your child’s teacher to arrange for volunteer opportunities once you have completed the background check.

There will be BOYS TRAVEL BASKETBALL tryouts for any boy in grade 2-6 on September 13th. Please see this DOCUMENT for specific details. The league will consist of 2 weeknight practices a week and tournaments on weekends. No registration required for tryouts! Questions? Please email Mike Burris at mpburris@perryschools.org.

Attention to all boys and girls grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade who are interested in WRESTLING! Perry Meridian Wrestling Club registration is NOW OPEN! Click HERE to get further information and access to registration on the website. Join us for a Family Fun Night at PMHS on October 19 at 6pm. Questions? Please email FalconWrestling317@gmail.com.