Friday Five 11September2026

THE FRIDAY FIVE
September 11, 2026

ZCS Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Coffman

ZCS Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Coffman

As we head into the weekend, there will be many opportunities to see our schools and community come together at the Zionsville Lions Club Fall Festival. We are excited to have ZCS students participating in the parade and performing throughout the weekend, and I hope you will come out to support them and enjoy this longtime community tradition.

Today also marks September 11, a day that invites us to remember the lives lost 25 years ago and to honor the courage, service, and sacrifice shown by so many. It is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of caring for one another and the strength found in community.

As we remember, and as we gather together this weekend, I am grateful for the many ways our students, families, staff, and neighbors continue to show up for one another. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the Fall Festival.

1.
Celebrating Academic Excellence

Back Row, L-R: Ishan Pande, Ansh Bansal, Isaac Kiell, Andrew Knudsen, Benjamin Bruggers, Jacob Laboe Front Row, L-R: Broderick Cornell, Simar Mutti, Madelyn Richmond, Allison Bruggers, Kieran Rosenfeld, Jude Moosbrugger, Connor Jones

Back Row, L-R: Ishan Pande, Ansh Bansal, Isaac Kiell, Andrew Knudsen, Benjamin Bruggers, Jacob Laboe Front Row, L-R: Broderick Cornell, Simar Mutti, Madelyn Richmond, Allison Bruggers, Kieran Rosenfeld, Jude Moosbrugger, Connor Jones

ZCHS seniors named National Merit Semifinalists

Congratulations to our Zionsville Community High School seniors who have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.

These outstanding students are among more than 16,000 high school seniors nationwide to earn Semifinalist recognition, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors.

This recognition celebrates the individual achievement of each student and reflects years of hard work, academic dedication, and commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud to celebrate each of our ZCHS National Merit Semifinalists and this well-earned accomplishment.

2.
Around the World at Stonegate

A look inside the Stonegate International Fair

The Stonegate Elementary School International Fair celebrates cultures, traditions, and connections across the school community

Stonegate Elementary School was filled with connection during its International Fair, bringing students and families together to celebrate the many cultures represented throughout the school community.

Families shared traditions, food, clothing, music and more, giving students the opportunity to learn about places and cultures from around the world.

It was a wonderful evening of learning and celebrating at Stonegate Elementary School.

3.
Thinking Like Scientists

Zionsville Middle School seventh-graders put essential science skills into action during their first lab

Seventh-grade Zionsville Middle School students jumped into science with their first lab of the semester. Moving through a series of stations, students practiced the skills scientists use to observe, question, test, and understand the world around them.

From making qualitative and quantitative observations to predicting, estimating, measuring, classifying, creating models, and developing hypotheses, students were doing much more than learning science vocabulary. They were putting those skills into practice.

It was a hands-on start to the semester and a great opportunity for students to begin thinking and working like scientists.

4.
A Little Glimpse of Union

Everyday moments tell the story of a school

Sometimes the best way to see a school is through the experiences that happen in between the bigger moments.

Across Union Elementary School, students are learning, creating, connecting, playing, and simply doing school together. These candid moments offer a glimpse into the people and experiences that fill an ordinary day at Union.

No big event needed. Just a collection of moments that, together, tell a pretty great story about life at Union Elementary.

5.
Meet Ranger

Trailside Elementary School students meet the school's special four-legged friend

There were plenty of smiles at Trailside Elementary School as students spent time with Ranger, the school's ICAN therapy dog.

Therapy dogs bring a special kind of comfort and connection to a school. Their calm presence helps students feel at ease, providing a positive break during the school day while creating opportunities for connection and conversation.

For students, sometimes a few quiet minutes with a furry friend can make a big difference. Ranger brought plenty of tail wags, smiles, and joy to Trailside, and students were happy to make a new friend.

Let's talk
ZCS

Coffee, a walk, and a conversation with Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Coffman

Do you have questions about ZCS finances? Do you want to better understand how school funding works or what’s ahead for our district?

Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Coffman and Chief Financial Officer Regina May would love to connect.

Join an upcoming Coffee Talk, Walk and Talk, or bring the conversation to your group. HOAs, neighborhood groups, book clubs, community organizations, and others are also invited to reach out and schedule a time for Dr. Coffman to visit, share information, and answer questions.

Coffee. A walk. Your next meeting. Let’s talk ZCS.

Understanding School Finance

ZCS expertise helps bring a complex topic to life for communities across Indiana

There’s a new resource available to help make the sometimes-complex world of school finance a little easier to understand.

ZCS Chief Financial Officer Regina May, SFO, contributed her expertise to a statewide school finance video created in partnership with the Central Indiana Education Services Center (CIESC), Indiana School Public Relations Association (INDSPRA) and Indiana Association of School Business Officials (IASBO).

Mrs. May joined school finance and communications professionals from across Indiana in helping develop a resource designed to explain how public schools are funded and why understanding school finance matters.

We are proud to see our CFO's knowledge and expertise contributing not only to ZCS, but to a resource that can help families and communities across the state better understand public education funding.

School finance can be complicated. Take a few minutes to watch the video and learn more.

Celebrating ZCS:
State of the Schools

Register for State of the Schools

Campaign Reminders

Please review this important reminder regarding campaign-related activities, materials, and expectations on ZCS school campuses. This information and guidance can be found at the link below.

Campaign Reminders