It's been another wonderful week at Boone Meadow! We wrapped up the week celebrating friendship and kindness on Valentine's Day, and our amazing PTO added a special treat by serving over 550 hot chocolates and ciders to students this morning—a fun and cozy way to start the day!
A few important reminders:
- Kindergarten Pre-Registration is expected to go live within the next week. Please help us spread the word to family, neighbors, and friends with incoming Kindergarteners. Pre-registration is required to attend our Kindergarten Round-Up on March 25th. More details are below.
- IREAD Reminder – This important state-required assessment is just around the corner. See the information below for details.
- 4th Grade Transition Strong Events – In less than two weeks, our 4th-grade students will visit ZWEST to learn about middle school life. Parents should have received an electronic permission form via Parent Square. Additionally, a parent/caregiver meeting will be held on February 27th—more details below.
- International Night – March 18th – We can’t wait to celebrate the diverse cultures that make up our Boone Meadow community! If you're interested in hosting a table, please reach out to Mr. Gatlin. More details are below.
- BME Yearbooks – Pre-orders close on March 14th. Don’t miss out—order yours today! (Link below.)
Enjoy the long weekend, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, February 18th.
Grateful for you,
Tom Hundley, Principal
Jarrod Gatlin, Assistant Principal
IREAD Reminder
Indiana Public Law 109 requires that all second and third grade students be assessed in foundational reading skills through the IREAD assessment.
- Second Grade: The test serves as practice. If a student passes in second grade, they meet the requirement and do not need to take the test again in third grade.
- Third Grade: Students who do not pass in second grade will take the IREAD again in third grade. Those who pass in third grade fulfill the requirement and do not need to take it again.
State law mandates that students who do not pass IREAD will receive reading support throughout the school year and summer. They will retake the assessment in late June. If a third-grade student does not pass the summer retake, a meeting will be scheduled with families to determine whether the student qualifies for a Good Cause Exemption (GCE) or if retention in third grade is necessary.
The IREAD assessment is an online exam and takes approximately two hours. We are committed to ensuring all ZCS students reach the required proficiency levels. If a student needs additional support, a remediation plan will be developed and shared with families, and a retest opportunity will be provided.
Good Cause Exemptions (GCE)
Students eligible for a GCE include:
✔ A student who has previously been retained in third grade.
✔ A student whose IEP (Individualized Education Program) or case conference committee determines promotion is appropriate.
✔ A Multilingual Learner (ML) who has received services for fewer than two years and whose ILP (Individual Learning Plan) committee determines promotion is appropriate.
✔ A student who scored Proficient or Above Proficient on the third-grade ILEARN mathematics assessment.
✔ A student who has received two or more years of intensive reading intervention aligned to the science of reading and was retained more than once in K-2.
If you have any questions about IREAD or your child’s readiness, please reach out to your child's teacher.
February 27- During the school day, BME students will visit ZWEST for their Step-Up trip. Fourth grade families are invited to ZWEST for informational meetings. See the message below from Katie Gordon, ZWMS Assistant Principal.
Hello Future (and possibly current) ZWest Families,
It's incredible to think that we're already gearing up for the 25-26 school year and making preparations to ensure seamless transitions for our students. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, February 27th, and save that date! We're thrilled to extend a warm welcome to current 4th-grade students from our feeder elementary schools for a special visit experience during the school day.
During this visit, students will have the exciting opportunity to engage with our current ZWest Eagles, explore the world of our music programming, and take a guided tour of our school building. The day is designed to give them a taste of the vibrant and supportive community they'll be joining.
For our parents and guardians of students receiving special education services, we have a tailored session planned just for you at 6 pm. Join us for an informative session on the specialized programming at Zionsville West and the chance to meet members of our dedicated team. We believe in providing a nurturing environment for every student, and this session is aimed at addressing your specific needs and concerns.
Following that, at 7 pm, we invite all incoming 5th-grade families to join us. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Zionsville West and gain insights into how we'll collaborate to ensure a smooth transition for your child into our ZW family. We're excited to share our vision, values, and the various ways we support our students' growth and development. We look forward to meeting our future ZWest families on this special day and starting this exciting journey together!
Katie Gordon and the ZWEST Team
We are excited to announce that International Night is returning to Boone Meadow!
This exciting event will take place on Tuesday, March 18 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. On this special evening, BME families will come together and learn about the amazing and various cultures at Boone Meadow. Last year was a tremendous success, and we are excited to do this once again. If you had a booth last year, we hope that you will consider having a booth again. (See details below.) If you did not host a booth last year but thought about it, now is your chance! You can also bring your family and enjoy the evening as a participant. Whatever you do, don’t miss out!
**If you are interested in having a booth, please email our assistant principal, Mr. Jarrod Gatlin, at jgatlin@zcs.k12.in.us. Please specify your name, your BME student’s name, and the country you will represent.
The Best Buddies Club encourages friendships between general education and special education students. Feeling excluded and lonely from others is a common feeling among those with disabilities. ZCHS recognizes the importance of INCLUSION. Buddy Up FUN night (March 22, 2025) is an event that is here to help all students feel welcome and accepted. It is open to all K-4th grade elementary students with or without disabilities and 5th-8th grade students WITH an intellectual disability. The fee covers pizza, beverages, snack, magician, balloon animals and bounce houses.
ALL PROCEEDS from Buddy Up FUN night go to the ZCHS Best Buddies Club to help pay for activities and their PROM. Each additional sibling is $31.00. Check in (3:45-4:15) takes place in the high school wedge. The wedge parking lot is off of Hal Sharpe Blvd (enter door #3). Dinner and various activities (4:30-8:30) including games, magician, bounce houses, and snack time.
Sign up here.
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, speech, language, 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.
If you have questions regarding the Child Find process in ZCS, please contact your child’s school counselor.
It's time to order your child's 2024-25 Yearbook! Follow the link below to place your order online.
(Please note: All yearbook orders are to be completed via the Cripe online ordering portal.)
Returning this year! Cripe Photography GIFT A YEARBOOK was a great success! Your school was able to donate 8 gifted books. You have the opportunity to donate a yearbook to your child's peers. Your school decides who will receive this awesome gift, thanks to your generosity!
Boone Meadow Yearbooks - ORDER HERE
ORDER DEADLINE: March 14 (late orders cannot be guaranteed a yearbook).
Questions? Please contact Cripe Photography HERE.
Upcoming Events
Life Goals and Care Statements
Do the Right Thing/Treat People Right
I care for myself, for others, and for our space
February Lifeline: Bravery
February 14 - Valentine's Day & Valentines/Kindness & Friendship Day Parties
February 17 - Presidents Day (no school)
February 27 - 4th grade visit to ZWEST; ZWEST Parent Step-Up mtg (4th grade) (6 & 7P)
March Lifeline: Perseverance
March 3-14 - IREAD-3 Window (Both 2nd & 3rd grades)
March 10-27 - NWEA Window
March 11 - PTO Meeting @ 6 PM (Media Center)
March 14 - End of Quarter 3; Yearbook Pre-Orders Due
March 18 - International Night
March 17-21 - Spring Book Fair
March 22 - Buddy Up Fun Night
March 25 - Kindergarten Round Up
March 28 - April 4 - Spring Break (no school)
April Lifeline: Zest/Enthusiasm
April 7 - Return to School following Spring Break
April 8 - PTO Meeting @ 6 PM (Media Center)
April 14 - May 9 - ILEARN Window
April 25 - BME Bash & Silent Auction
May Lifeline: Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
May 13 - PTO Meeting @ 6 PM (Media Center)
May 26 - Memorial Day (no school)
May 30 - End of Quarter 4/Last Day of School
(1) Winter Weather Recess - Please remember that we go outside for recess daily unless the ambient temperature or wind chill drops below 10 degrees. Indiana weather can be unpredictable, so as temperatures continue to drop, ensure your child is prepared with a warm coat, hat, and gloves. For snowy days, snow pants, boots, and gloves or mittens are required for snow play. If your family needs help obtaining winter gear, please reach out to our school counselor, Mrs. Sloan, who is happy to assist.
We value outdoor play and will only hold recess indoors on rainy, icy, or exceptionally cold days. Thank you for helping your child stay warm and ready to enjoy their time outdoors! (Please note that if we have a 2 hour delay, students do not have recess.)
(2) Two Hour Delay Days & Closures-
On days when Zionsville Community Schools operates on a two-hour delay, all arrival procedures (bus, car, walkers, and Universal Preschool) will also follow a two-hour delay. The car line and bus routes will begin exactly two hours later than their usual times.
Please note:
- Morning Before and After Care (BAC) for preschool students will not be available on two-hour delay days.
- BAC for other students will open at 7:30 a.m. on these days.
For additional information about programming, delays, or closures, please visit the ZCS Delay and Closure Information website.
Our Student directory is now complete! Many thanks to the PTO for organizing this helpful resource! To access the directory follow these steps:
· Go to www.directoryspot.net or download the “Directory Spot” app on a smart phone. Click “Login”.
· Enter your email address as your Username, and click on “Reset Password”. An email will be sent to you with a link to set your password.
· Click on the link in the email to set your password and to log in.
If you have trouble logging in, please contact PTO Secretary, Brecken VanHoy at brecken.vanhoy@gmail.com
Lunch Guests
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 2 times per month.
Here's how it works:
- Sign up for a reservation in advance using this link: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/BMELunchSchedule@zcsk12in.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/ When you sign up, please be certain to complete all fields requested.
- Bring a photo ID and arrive 5 minutes early (lunch times are listed on the signup form link above).
- Your child will meet you in the front office area when they are ready.
- HAVE FUN!
During the school day, all 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.
We successfully launched our breakfast service last semester and it continues through the remainder of the school year.! As a reminder, breakfast is available daily in the cafeteria from 7:45 to 8:00 AM, with the serving line closing promptly at 7:54 AM. (Note: Breakfast is not served on 2-hour delay days.)
🔹 Cost: $1.40 (Reduced: $0.30). Apply for meal assistance: click HERE
🔹 Bus Riders: Go directly to the cafeteria upon arrival; breakfast students are released first.
🔹 Car Riders: Arrive early (7:45) to ensure time for breakfast.
🔹 BAC & Bridge Students: Breakfast is available if families choose.
🔹 Timing: All food must be finished by 8:00 AM—no food may be taken to classrooms.
Thank you for helping us ensure a smooth breakfast experience!
