May 8th Newsletter

Important Update - Online registration for 2026-2027 school year is now available!

• Please follow the instructions you received in the personalized email from Zionsville Community Schools on Tuesday, May 5th.
• Registration information is vital for ensuring that you receive information about the 2026-2027 school year, for maintaining records to ensure student safety, and in compliance reporting required of us on behalf of all enrolled students (for various state and local agencies).
• Please remember that this notification may have been sent to multiple parent/guardian contacts. Only ONE registration record may be submitted for each student. A parent/guardian who starts a registration for a student becomes the only registrant possible for that student.
• Please complete this registration by Friday, May 29th, 2026.

If your student will not be returning to Zionsville Community Schools next year, please complete the online student change form found here so that you won’t continue to receive registration notices.

Important update - ILEARN

• Students have concluded Spring ILEARN testing.
• English/language arts, social studies, and mathematics results will be delayed until after the State Board of Education establishes cut scores for these updated assessments.
• We anticipate these scores will be available in the family portal in September.
• Preliminary results for 6th grade science are now available in the family portal.
• Directions for accessing the portal can be found here.
• In addition, Indiana Code 20-32-5.1-12(d) allows parents an opportunity to request a review for specific open-ended item(s). Click here for more details.

Boys’ Basketball Call-Out Meeting

• Any rising 7th and 8th grade boy that is interested in playing basketball next year should plan to attend this meeting.
• On Friday, May 15th at 8:00 am in Mr. Keadle's Room 509.
• Schedules for the summer and other info will be given out.

Boys' and Girls' Cross Country Call-Out Meeting

Any rising 6th, 7th, or 8th grader interested in running cross country next fall should plan on attending the callout meeting on Tuesday, May 19th at 8 am in Mr. Arnold's Room 601. 

Important Reminder - Outstanding Consumable Fees and Food Service Balance for 2025-2026

1. As we approach the end of the school year, please ensure that all consumable material fees and any outstanding food service balances are paid as soon as possible.
2. Accounts that are not paid in full by May 28, 2026, may be sent to collections.
3. To review any outstanding charges, please log in to your PowerSchool account https://ps.zcs.k12.in.us/public/.
4. If you have questions or need a copy of your fee statement, contact our school treasurer at ebarba@zcs.k12.in.us or the Business Office at zcsfinoff@zcs.k12.in.us.

Unleash Your Creativity in 3D! (Grades 5–8)

Step into the exciting world of 3D design and printing and turn your ideas into real, tangible creations! In this hands-on summer camp, students will take full control of the design process—from imagination to fabrication. Whether you're designing custom characters, fidgets, mechanical parts, or practical gadgets, you'll learn how to bring your ideas to life using professional-grade tools and technology. What You’ll Learn:

• Master the fundamentals of 3D modeling and design
• Create your own unique prints—toys, tools, and more 
• Learn to operate and troubleshoot 3D printers 
• Understand the full process from concept → design → print 

Bonus:  Take home all of your creations at the end of the week! No Experience Needed!  Whether you're a beginner or already love building and creating, this camp is designed to spark creativity, problem-solving, and just plain fun with 3D printing.  Camp Dates:  We are offering two sessions this summer…join us for creativity, problem-solving, and fun!

• June 15–18
• July 13–16

Sign up for one or both sessions! Spots are limited—don’t miss out! Secure your spot today! ZWEST PLTW contact information: Michael DeLand (mdeland@zcs.k12.in.us) and Michael Murphy (mmurphy@zcs.k12.in.us)  

Information on Spring High Ability Identification

  High Ability Spring Identification Deadlines

• The Indiana Department of Education requires school districts to identify high ability (gifted) students and provide them with appropriately differentiated curriculum and instruction.
• In ZCS, we consider ability and achievement data of all students each spring to identify any who may need advanced instruction and/or curriculum.
• While the official designation is a state-required label for students, our school district is committed to continuous progress for all students, regardless of designation.
• Accelerated content is common in our classrooms as are heightened expectations and instructional levels and high-achieving peers. Instructional methods regularly group and regroup students with differentiated materials and goals.
• Our teachers are committed to regular assessment of skills and knowledge and matching experiences to challenge each child and help them make maximum academic growth.
• We are proud to be a high-performing school district with high expectations for all students.

  For students currently in grades 4-7: 

• At this level students are more formally identified for high ability classes. All students are considered for high ability each year.
• Our identification team considers either achievement (NWEA) or ability (CoGAT) when making decisions.
• Parents will be notified by June 5th, if their child has been recommended for differentiation based on the need for accelerated instruction or curriculum.

   Note: If your child is currently in high ability class(es), you will not receive an email because this placement will continue for the next school year.   

Sports physicals information for 2026–2027

8th Grade End of Year Luau party

🌺Planning for our 8th Grade End of Year Luau party is underway and we would love your help! 🌺The PTO will be providing lunch to the students after their morning field day as well as a small fund for afternoon activities.  🌺We are hoping to do so many fun things for our 280 *almost* high schoolers that afternoon - bounce house obstacle course, DJ, limbo/hula hoop contest, basketball, volleyball, cornhole, possibly snow cones, Photo Booth, raffle prizes and concessions.  🌺Any donation would be appreciated to make this luau one to remember. 🌺You can drop off cash in the ZWest school office or if you prefer to Venmo (suggested donation is $20 per student) your donations, last four digits of phone number is 3522. 🌺Sign up here to volunteer.

Attention 7th and 8th grade families!

• The 21st Century Scholars program was established in 1990 to increase students’ aspirations for and access to higher education. The Scholars Program provides income-eligible students the opportunity to earn a scholarship that covers up to four years of tuition and regularly assessed fees at an Indiana college.
• After the passage of House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1449-2023, current 7th and 8th grade Hoosier students who are financially eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch will be automatically enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars Program. Parents and guardians of eligible students no longer need to complete an application for their students to participate.
• Students who are automatically enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars program must meet all requirements to obtain the scholarship upon graduation.
• Please do not submit an application to the program until you have confirmed that your student has not been automatically enrolled. Deadline: June 30 of the eligible student’s 8th-grade year.

If you have questions about this opportunity, please do not hesitate to reach out to the 21st Century Regional Outreach Coordinators!

Before school activity drop-off procedures - Reminder