March Family Newsletter
Dear Emma Donnan Families,
As we welcome March and the start of spring, we’re also entering an important season of preparation! With state testing right around the corner in April, this month is all about getting our scholars ready to shine. Our focus will be on building their confidence, strengthening key skills, and ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.
We know that success doesn’t happen overnight—it takes teamwork, dedication, and a strong community. That’s why we’re asking for your partnership in helping our scholars stay focused, attend school daily, and give their best effort as we head into this critical time.
This month’s newsletter includes important dates, strategies for supporting your child at home, and ways we’re making learning engaging as we prepare for testing season. Together, we can set our scholars up for success and help them finish the year strong! 🌟
Thank you for your continued support and for being an essential part of our Emma Donnan family. Let’s make this month one of growth, preparation, and pride!
With gratitude,
Randle
February in Pictures
Upcoming Events
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ILEARN: Math Day 1 <Assessment>
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ILEARN: Math Day 2 <Assessment>
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National Asian Pacific Heritage Month Begins <>
ILEARN: Science/Social Studies Day 1 <Assessment>
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School Lunch Hero Day <FYI>
ILEARN: Science/Social Studies Day 2 <Assessment>
6pm Boys FF Game: ED vs. Arlington at Arsenal Tech HS
6:30pm Boys FF Game: ED vs. Arlington at Arsenal Tech HS
7pm Girls FF Game: ED vs. KIPP at Howe
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Staff Appreciation Week Begins <FYI>
Winter/Spring Club Showcase <Special Day/Event>
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K-3 Soccer Clinic Ends <FYI>
10am Indians Game Ilearn Incentive
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6pm Girls FF Game: ED vs. Howe at Howe
6:30pm Girls FF Game: ED vs. Harshman at Howe
7pm Boys FF Game: ED vs. Arlington at Arsenal Tech HS
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Field Trip: Fun Factory (6th/7th Grade)
K-3 Foundational Skills/Reading Growth Window Opens <Assessment>
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NWEA MAP Growth EOY <Assessment>
Digital Healthy Habits Parent Workshop #3 <Event>
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K-3 Foundational Skills/Reading Growth Window Closes <Assessment>
Field Trip IMPD Community Day (3rd Grade)
NWEA MAP Growth EOY <Assessment>
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EOY Athletics Ceremony <Special Day/Event>
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May/June Scholar Birthday Celebration
Field Trip: Back 9 (8th Grade)
6pm Boys FF Game: Tournament (TBD)
6pm Girls FF Game: Tournament (TBD)
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K-5 Field Day <Special Day/Event>
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Promotions <Event>
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Last Day of School <Special Day/Event>
Q4 Report Cards <Grades>
Last Day of Q4 <Grades>
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Staff Work Day <Staff Work Day - No Scholars>
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Campus Closed - 12 Month Vacation <No School - Scholars & Staff>
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Campus Closed - 12 Month Vacation <No School - Scholars & Staff>
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Campus Closed - 12 Month Vacation <No School - Scholars & Staff>
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Campus Closed - 12 Month Vacation <No School - Scholars & Staff>
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Campus Closed - 12 Month Vacation <No School - Scholars & Staff>
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Happening this Month
Order Here
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Field ExperiencesList Item 1
With the weather warming up, our scholars will be attending several field experiences this month. Be sure to log in to your Powerschool Parent app to sign their permission slip.
- 7th Grade - IVY Tech College Visit - March 18th
- 4th Grade - Franklin College Visit - March 21st
- 1st Grade - IU Indianapolis College Visit - April 3rd
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Art to Remember Fundraiser - Extended Ordering with FREE ShippingList Item 2
If you missed the ordering window, you are in luck! We have extended the window to order and are still offering FREE shipping to the school. All orders placed by March 16th will get FREE shipping to the school.
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Spring BreakList Item 3
Our school will be closed for Spring Break March 24th - March 31st. We hope everyone has a wonderful break, and we look forward to seeing you back on Tuesday, April 1st!
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Report CardsList Item 4
Report cards for Quarter 3 will be sent home on March 19th and you will also be able to access them in PowerSchool Parent. March 14th is the start to the last quarter of the school year.
Attendance Updates
We have endured some harsh cold weather and an unyielding cold/flu season that led to a slight decline in attendance. However, with everyone’s dedication and the hope of warmer days ahead, we aim to rebound and approach a 95% daily attendance rate.
As mentioned in Ms. Randle's message, testing season has arrived, making it even more crucial for scholars to be present and punctual every day. Our instructional day commences at 7:30 AM; if a student is not in the building by that time, they miss vital information essential for their success. Additionally, it is important to be mindful when scheduling appointments to ensure your child can attend the entire school day.
Here are some tips that may help with daily attendance. Establishing a consistent bedtime and morning routine is essential to helping students feel rested, focused and ready for the day!
Bedtime Routine Tips:
- Set a consistent bedtime each night, ensuring students get 8-10 hours of sleep.
- Promote calming activities: warm bath/shower, reading, listening to soft music before bed.
- Avoid screen time at least 30 mins before bed to improve quality sleep.
Morning Routine Tips:
- Wake up at the same time each day, to promote consistency.
- Pick out clothes and materials needed for school, the night before to reduce morning stress.
- Manage time for prompt arrival to school to reduce morning stress.
- Encourage student to eat a healthy breakfast, at home or at school.
Digital Health Habits Workshops
Get ready to mingle with fellow parents and discover the secrets to navigating your kid's tech adventures! Join our sessions featuring Clever, Zearn, IXL, Cyberbullying, Screentime, and a whole lot more! Let's tackle this digital jungle together!
This is a 3 session series workshop. You will recieve free resources, a meal and be entered into a gift card raffle for attending all three. Sign up for the first session today!
Session 1: March 18 - 8 AM - 9 AM
Session 2: April 22 - 5:30 PM - 6:30PM
Session 3: May 13 - 8 AM - 9 AM
After-School Activities Open
There is still time to register for after-school activities!

- K-3 Soccer Clinic - Starts April 4th
- After-School Clubs - Spots available in: Flag Football Club, Painting Club, Hounds Club, Travel Club, Game Club, Pokemon Club, Latin Dance Club and Woodworking.
Project: Improving School Lunches
We are committed to enhancing our school lunches for our students. Emma Donnan Elementary and Middle School is collaborating with The Patachou Foundation, Inc. to continue providing nutritious meals for students.
Our goal is to understand how school meals influence the daily experiences of our students. To achieve this, we are partnering with researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine to assess both student and parent satisfaction with our food program. We will gather feedback from students regarding their thoughts on school meals and their enjoyment of the food provided. Additionally, we will share data about meal participation, attendance, behavioral referrals, and test scores from Emma Donnan with the researchers. Rest assured, WE WILL NOT disclose any information that could identify individual students.
Please read the attached study information sheet for more details.
Emma Donnan Yearbook - Order Now!
Get Your 2024-2025 Yearbook Now – Only $13!
Don’t miss out on capturing this unforgettable year! The 2024-2025 yearbook is your chance to relive the memories, celebrations, and milestones of the school year.
Just $13 for a lifetime of memories!
Order today and secure your copy before it’s too late!
What's Happening?
Our objective is to keep you informed about the topics that teachers are focusing on in the classroom and how you can support their learning journey at home. Be sure to check our What's Happening section each month for the latest updates!
Visit our website for academic resources to support your scholar at home!
What's Happening in K-2?
How I can help my K-2nd scholar in reading/writing this month?
REMINDER! Students will be bringing home new trick words and passages each week.
- Ask your student to read their trick words top to bottom and bottom to top each night.
- Ask your student to read their passages 4 times each night:
- First time- Read for accuracy and tap out any unfamiliar words.
- Second time and Third Time- touch each word or scoop your words for fluency.
- Fourth Time- read with expression and emotion.
How I can help my K-2nd scholar in math this month?
REMINDER! K-2 scholars are learning the basics of numbers and adding and subtracting.
So, to help your scholar...
Kindergarten - Scholars need to master drawing and identifying digits 0-10. Practice drawing numbers 0-10 with your scholar. When you see numbers at home or outside, point and ask your scholar to name that number.
1st Grade - Scholars need to master identifying digits 0-100 and adding those numbers. When you see numbers at home or outside, point and ask your scholar to name that number.
2nd Grade - Scholars need to master adding and subtracting numbers up to 100. Give your scholar practice addition and subtraction problems to complete. Ex) 58 + 14, 78 - 65, etc.
What's Happening in 3-5?
How can I help my 3rd-5th grade scholar in reading/writing this month?
REMINDER! As the ILEARN summative assessment approaches, students have practiced writing short responses using the RACE format. When students write paragraph responses in their homework, be sure they are:
- R: Restate the question using the title of the text
- A: Answer the question
- C: Cite two pieces of evidence to support your answer
- E: Explain your evidence and how it connect to a big idea about the world
How can I help my 3rd-5h grade scholar in math this month?
REMINDER! 3rd-5th scholars are preparing for the ILEARN test in April.
So, to help your scholar...
3rd, 4th, 5th - Scholars need to master identifying and adding/ subtracting fractions. One way to help is to have scholars cook with you with recipes so they are using fractions like 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 in a real-world way.
What's Happening in 6-8?
How can I help my 6th-8th grade scholar in reading/writing this month?
REMINDER! As the ILEARN summative assessment approaches, students have been practicing how to write short responses using the RACE format. When students write paragraph responses in their homework, be sure they are:
- R: Restate the question using the title of the text
- A: Answer the question
- C: Cite two pieces of evidence to support your answer
- E: Explain your evidence and how it connect to a big idea about the world
How can I help my 6th-8th grade scholar in math this month?
REMINDER! 6th-8th scholars are preparing for the ILEARN test in April.
So, to help your scholar...
6th, 7th, 8th - Scholars need to master how to solve basic equations. For example, 5x = 10. One way to help them is to go onto Schoology and check their scores for the latest math assessment. Then, have them show you IXL and sit next to them for 10 minutes while they practice more problems.
REMINDER! Please make sure your scholar is bringing their chromebook fully charged to school with them every day. This is especially important as we get closer to ILEARN testing and continue practicing skills in IXL and Zearn.
Community Resources
Our vibrant community offers an abundance of resources and a diverse array of events designed to engage and enrich the lives of our members. From educational workshops and networking opportunities to recreational activities and cultural celebrations, there is something for everyone to enjoy and benefit from.
Energy Assistance Program
EAPIndyEAP Program is now taking applications!
The Energy Assistance Program, called IndyEAP, provides financial assistance to income-eligible households in Marion County to maintain utility services during the winter. The program assists with electricity and heating but does not assist with water bills.
Free Medical and Dental Clinic by Gennesaret
Learn MoreGennesart offers free healthcare in Indy with their medical clinics, dental clinic, women's health services, and health recovery homes.
Shepherd Community Center - Food Access
Feeding the hungry is about more than simply handing out food. It is about meeting our neighbors’ daily physical, emotional, spiritual, and academic hunger needs. That all starts with physical hunger. We can only meet these needs through relationships.
No sign-up is needed. Serves anyone in the community
Food Pantry – Saturdays 8:30 – 10:30 am
Mobile Pantry – 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month from 3 – 5 pm, a drive-through pantry for Shepherd to load food into our neighbors’ vehicles.
Deliveries – Partnering with Gleaners Food Bank, we make 300+ deliveries Monday – Thursday to our neighbors without access to reliable transportation or access to the grocery store.
Beyond the Bell - Community Conversation
More InformationJoin Beyond the Bell to stay in the know about:
- IREAD Literacy Student Retention legislation
- Chronic Absenteeism and its impact on students
- High school graduation requirements
- Tips for choosing a school
All events are from 6-8 PM. Free dinner is served from 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM. Free childcare. Translation in Spanish and Haitian Creole.
Tuesday - March 18 - Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center
Tuesday - April 22 - Global Village Welcome Center
Tax Assistance Program - FREE
More InformationIf you make 59,000 or less annually, you're eligible to have your taxes filed for FREE!
Southeast is operating on an appointment-only basis. Time slots for the Saturday morning appointments will become available on January 13th by calling (317)236-7400. We ask that you do not call to schedule these appointments before January 13, 2024.
FREE English Classes
Want to learn English? Study with a professional teacher!
Monday and Wednesday at Southeast Community Services. 1-3 PM and 6-8 PM
Call for more information at 317-510 -0210
Summer Camp: Peace Learning Center
Learn MoreOur camp offers an array of exciting programs each week desigend for youth school ages K- middle school. From engaging empathy workshops and calming mindful moments to story time adventures, there's something for everyone!
Youth Opportunities Fair - FREE Event
Learn MoreYouth Opportunities Fair will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at the Ivy Tech Community College Culinary and Conference Center from 12-7pm. The event presents students and parents with a variety of year-round and summer employment, internship, volunteer and service opportunities for youth of all ages. It is free to attend, and pre-registration is not required.
Non-working Youth: Participants under the working age of 14 can connect with local service providers offering summer and year-round programs, as well as volunteer opportunities designed for young people of all ages.
Working Youth: Teens and young adults can connect with job, internship, and volunteer opportunities.
