We welcome volunteers into our school community. Volunteers provide additional educational opportunites for scholars and support to teachers and staff. There are a variety of ways that you can volunteer in our school community. If you are interested in being a volunteer, please complete the form below.
September Family Newsletter
Leah Kuruzar • September 4, 2024
A Message From...Ms. Randle
Dear Emma Donnan Families,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at Emma Donnan Elementary & Middle School! I am excited to begin this new academic journey with each of you. Whether you are a returning family or new to our school, we are thrilled to have you as part of our vibrant community.
At Emma Donnan, we believe in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to providing a high-quality education that fosters academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and a love for learning.

As we embark on this new year, we have many exciting plans in place, from innovative classroom activities to engaging extracurricular programs. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Communication and collaboration between home and school are essential to student success. I encourage you to stay involved, ask questions, and share your ideas with us. Together, we can create a positive and enriching experience for all of our students.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. I look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences.
Warm regards,
Principal Randle
HUGE NEWS!
This week we announced a new partnership with The Indianapolis Colts! They are giving us a significant amount of support to support our amazing scratch kitchen. We are very thankful for their support of our school. Read more about it below.
Upcoming Events
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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ILEARN: Math Day 1 <Assessment>
30
ILEARN: Math Day 2 <Assessment>
1
National Asian Pacific Heritage Month Begins <>
ILEARN: Science/Social Studies Day 1 <Assessment>
2
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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5
Staff Appreciation Week Begins <FYI>
Winter/Spring Club Showcase <Special Day/Event>
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7
8
K-3 Soccer Clinic Ends <FYI>
10am Indians Game Ilearn Incentive
9
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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10
11
12
Field Trip: Fun Factory (6th/7th Grade)
K-3 Foundational Skills/Reading Growth Window Opens <Assessment>
13
NWEA MAP Growth EOY <Assessment>
Digital Healthy Habits Parent Workshop #3 <Event>
14
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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Picture Day
September 17, 2024
Picture Day is fast approaching on Tuesday, September 17th! On this day, your scholar is encouraged to come dressed to impress or in school uniform! We will be sending home forms with a unique code for you to use when purchasing your scholar's pictures. Pictures can be purchased beforehand or after the day. Following picture day, you will be able to access the proofs before purchasing. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call the front office.
Attendance Matters
In August, our attendance reached 94.7%, marking a remarkable improvement compared to last year! A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and scholars for their dedication in making it to school.
We are launching an exciting new initiative called "Full House Fridays!" Every Friday, our goal is to get to 100% attendance. Scholars will receive a punch card and earn a hole punch each Friday they attend. Accumulate punches for attendance to win a prize—more punches mean more rewards!
We aren't forgetting about our parents and guardians either! We know that you play a large part in ensuring your scholar is here and on-time. We will have random drawings each month to recognize you for your scholar's attendance!
Scholar Uniform
As we enter the second month of the school year, we will begin to strictly enforce our school uniform policy among all scholars. Full uniform is required by September 5th. Scholars who fail to comply will face disciplinary actions from our Culture Team.
The school uniform comprises an Emma Donnan/Adelante shirt, suitable pants (no holes, sweats/athletic pants, leggings, or yoga pants), and closed-toe/closed-heel shoes (no slides, slippers, or Crocs).
If you have any questions about school uniform, please reach out to Mr. Pendelton.
Birthday Celebrations
Each month, we have a designated day that we will celebrate scholar birthdays at Emma Donnan. On this day, any scholar that has a birthday during the month will receive a special ice cream treat! This is also the opportunity for families to celebrate their scholar's birthday at school. If you wish to bring in a treat or item to celebrate your scholar's birthday, please do so on the designated day only. All items must be store bought. We highly encourage bringing in a non-food item such small trinkets, pencils, stickers, etc.
September Birthdays - 9/2
October Birthdays - 10/23
November Birthdays - 11/22
December Birthdays -12/19
Scholastic Book Fair & Literacy Night
The Scholastic Book Fair will be at Emma Donnan during the week of September 9th. All scholars will have the opportunity to preview the book fair on 9/9 or 9/10. Scholars will bring home a wishlist of the books they are interested in. Each classroom will have a designated day to shop the fair. Your child's teacher will share their shopping day.
Our book fair will also be open during our
Literacy Night on September 12th from 5:30 - 7:00PM.
Shop our book fair, engage in literacy activities, learn about your scholar's beginning of the year literacy data, free giveaways and raffle, and more!
Mental Health Services at Emma Donnan
At Emma Donnan, we partner with two Mental Health Organizations, Adult&Child Health and Pathways Counseling. These partners are able to provide School-based services for our scholars during the school day. With these services, scholars participate in 1:1 sessions. The sessions address barriers they may face daily with their mental health that may hinder their success in and out of the classroom. They build skills to cope with and address these mental barriers. Insurance is needed to participate in these services. If you feel your scholar could benefit from these services please reach out to Mrs. Harris, our school Social Worker, to discuss the referral process.
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?
At the beginning of each school year, we take time to assess our students using the DIBELS foundational literacy skills assessment. Our teachers are in the process of analyzing this assessment data to identify their students' strengths and areas for growth to then address in our daily lessons. At home, you can support your child's foundational literacy growth by completing their daily ELA IXLs and practicing their letter name/sound identification using these helpful resources per grade.
What's Happening in 3-5?
Contact Mr. KeysThis year Emma Donnan has opted to participate in the new Indiana Department of Education ILEARN Checkpoints pilot. The ILEARN Checkpoints are mini-assessments that will take place three times throughout the school year in preparation for the summative ILEARN assessment that takes place at the end of the school year. Our first ILEARN ELA Checkpoint will take place on Tuesday, October 8th. Our teachers and students have already been deep in preparation for the first checkpoint which involves reading and understanding fiction texts. At home you can support your student by having your student read fiction texts using the Sora app on Clever and answer questions about the text to show their understanding using this resource and citing the text.
What's Happening in 6-8?
This year, Emma Donnan opted to participate in the new Indiana Department of Education ILEARN Checkpoints pilot. The ILEARN Checkpoints are mini-assessments that will take place three times throughout the school year in preparation for the summative ILEARN assessment that takes place at the end of the school year. Our first ILEARN ELA Checkpoint will take place on Tuesday, October 8th. Our teachers and students have already been deep in preparation for the first checkpoint which involves reading and understanding fiction texts. At home you can support your student by having your student read fiction texts using the Sora app on Clever and answer questions about the text to show their understanding using this resource and citing the text.
Community Events & Resources
Catch Up on What's Happening at Adelante! From scholar highlights to upcoming events, here's a quick look at what’s making our school community shine this month.
March is bringing fresh opportunities! From upcoming events to important updates and ways to get involved, don’t miss what’s ahead.
Celebrate Black History Month with us, check out upcoming events, and share your feedback on key initiatives. Don’t miss out—read more here!
