FRIDAY
FIVE

January 23, 2026

1. Ready for
Whatever Falls

Reminder about How ZCS Monitors Weather, Prepares Campuses, and Makes Early Morning Decisions to Keep Our Community Safe

As winter weather approaches this weekend, Zionsville Community Schools is closely monitoring conditions. While snow days and delayed starts as a result of these storms often feel simple on the surface, each weather decision reflects hours of preparation and coordination behind the scenes.

Long before most of the community is awake, ZCS “morning eyes” are already on the move. District leaders and transportation staff canvas road conditions across our attendance area, checking main routes, neighborhood streets, bridges, and known trouble spots. This real-time information helps guide early morning decisions about delays or closures.

In addition to road conditions, teams closely monitor forecasts, precipitation timing, temperatures, and wind chill values. As a general guide, when extreme cold and dangerous wind chills drop below -18, you can anticipate an adjustment in the regular school plan. Building systems and impacts to the bus fleet can also alter school day plans.

At the same time, our maintenance teams are working to prepare school campuses. Crews begin treating sidewalks, parking lots, entrances, and high-traffic areas to help ensure safe arrival for buses, families, and staff. These teams often start well before sunrise to make sure buildings are ready when doors open.

Families and staff are encouraged to monitor official ZCS communication channels during winter weather events. You will be notified of any school schedule change via a ParentSquare phone, text, and email. The district website and social media will be updated as decisions are made. Delays and closures are also listed on local television stations.

Thank you in advance to our transportation, maintenance, administrative, and school teams who work early mornings and long hours during winter weather.

2. From Forecasts to
Experiments

Eagle Elementary Students Put Curiosity on Display at the Annual Science Fair

While winter weather reminds us how closely we watch things happening around us, students at Eagle Elementary School are doing the same through observation, experimentation, and discovery. This week, the library at Eagle was made into a showcase of student thinking at the annual Science Fair.

Students explored questions, tested hypotheses, collected data, and presented findings to parents and teachers with confidence. From engineering challenges to environmental studies, each project reflected creativity, perseverance, and a growing understanding of how science connects to everyday life.

Families, staff, and peers had the opportunity to walk through displays, ask questions, and celebrate the process of learning.

In Zionsville Community Schools, experiences like the Science Fair reinforce the importance of hands-on learning. Whether students are studying the weather outside or testing ideas inside the classroom, curiosity continues to drive discovery across our schools.

3.
Curiosity
Continues

Pleasant View Elementary Students Showcase Innovation and Discovery at Their Science Fair

The excitement of scientific discovery continued at Pleasant View Elementary School as students proudly presented projects that reflected creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning.

Students shared their research, demonstrated experiments, and explained their findings. Each project represented hours of preparation and thoughtful problem-solving.

The Pleasant View Elementary School Science Fair highlighted more than academic skills. It showcased student confidence, communication, and perseverance. Students stepped into the role of young scientists, using evidence to support ideas and learning how to clearly share their work with an audience.

Events like this bring learning to life across Zionsville Community Schools.

Learning on the move! Eagle Ambassador Academy participants heard firsthand from Assistant Superintendent of Operations Matt Doublestein while touring the district and gaining insight into how ZCS operates.

4. Eagle Ambassadors Learn how
the District Works

Attendees Gain Behind-the-Scenes Insight During Eagle Ambassador Academy Day

ZCS hosted the Eagle Ambassador Academy, welcoming family members and community participants for a full day of learning focused on the inner workings of Zionsville Community Schools.

Participants heard from speakers representing multiple areas of the district, gaining insight into how departments work together to support students, staff, and schools. From daily operations to long-term planning, the sessions provided a behind-the-scenes look at the systems and teamwork that keep the district running smoothly.

Thank you to everyone who participated this year.

5. Understanding
School Finance

New Webpage Helps Families and Community Members Learn How School Funding Works

Zionsville Community Schools recently launched a new finance webpage, highlighted during the January Board Meeting, to help families and community members better understand how public school funding works and how district dollars support students.

The page breaks down complex funding topics into clear, accessible information, including how state funding is structured and how local referendum dollars are used.

Families and community members are encouraged to explore the page to learn more about how funding supports student learning and the continued growth of our schools.

Understanding School Finance

Mark your calendar!

A few tickets remain!

Organize a clever team of eight for the third annual ZEF Trivia Night at The Zionsville Underground on Friday, February 27, 2026. Team registration for Hambone's Trivia is $400. Don't miss this enjoyable night of friendly competition with ZEF.

Make it fun with a team theme and/or bring some snacks to fuel your crew to victory. Awards will be given to the winning trivia team and to the table with the best theme.

Doors open at 6:45pm with trivia starting at 7:30pm. The event ends at 9:30pm. Hope to see you there!

Purhcase Tickets