Burkhart Elementary Newsletter
August 21, 2026
School Information
Principal: Darlene Hardesty
Assistant Principal: Brittany Palencer
Burkhart Elementary School
5701 Brill Road
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Phone: 317-789-3600
Attendance: 317-789-3602
World's Finest Chocolate
On Monday, our students will learn about and have the opportunity to participate in the World's Finest Chocolate fundraiser. This fundraiser is sponsored by our PTA and raises the majority of funds needed to provide for student programs, activities, and reduced cost (or no cost) field trips for our students for the school year. Watch for information and a permission slip to come home with your student on Monday afternoon.
School Spirit Day
Friday, August 28 is Burkhart School Spirit Day. Students and staff may wear jeans on this date along with their Burkhart shirt.
Students choosing not to participate should wear the regular dress code uniform.
Club Activities
Clubs meeting next week:
- Spell Bowl: Tuesday, 8:00 – 8:50 a.m.
- Religious Education: Tuesday, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
School Calendar
8/26 - Sign up for Girl Scouts, 6:00 p.m.
8/28 - Burkhart Spirit Day
9/1 - Vision Screening - Grades 1, 3, 5 + Students New to Marion County
9/2 - Hearing Screening - Grades 1, 4 + Students New to Marion County
9/7 - Labor Day - No School
9/17 - School Picture Day
9/17 - PTA Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
9/29 - Grade 4 Field Trip to Conner Prairie
9/30 - E-Learning Day + Parent-Teacher Conferences
Vision and Hearing Screenings
The Marion County Public Health Department provides state mandated vision screening services for all students in first, third, and fifth grades. They also provide state mandated hearing screenings for students in first and fourth grades. Students who have transferred into Marion County from other counties or from out of state and any student suspected of having vision or hearing problems will also participate in the screenings.
Vision screenings will be conducted on Tuesday, September 1 at Burkhart. If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, please be sure they are wearing these to school on Tuesday. Hearing screenings will be conducted on Wednesday, September 2 at Burkhart. If your child wears hearing aids, please be sure they are wearing these to school on Wednesday.
If you do not want the Marion County Public Health Department to conduct a vision or hearing screening with your child, please send a note to Nurse Carla in our school clinic on or before September 1.
ParentSquare
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.
Birthday Treats and Lunchtime Visits
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.
Lunchtime visitors will be permitted after Labor Day. This allows us time to help students, especially our youngest ones, learn procedures and routines.
Student Dress Code
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.
Bring Your ID, Please
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.
Become a Volunteer
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.
Girls Travel Basketball
There will be Girls Travel Basketball tryouts for any girl in Grades 4-8 on August 30 at 1:00 p.m. at Perry Meridian High School. The league will consist of two weeknight practices per week and tournaments on weekends starting in October. No registration is required for tryouts! Questions? Please email Keith Stafford at kdstafford@perryschools.org or Stephanie Harrell at Stephk85@aol.com.