Gratitude is a Community Story
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ZCS Digest October 2026
ZCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rebecca Coffman
ZCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rebecca Coffman
A Message from the Superintendent
Gratitude Is a Community Story
An October Message from Superintendent
Dr. Rebecca Coffman
There is something about this time of year that invites us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of our community. The changing leaves, cool mornings, and familiar rhythms of fall remind us that a new season is upon us. With it comes an opportunity to reflect on something at the very heart of our Zionsville Community Schools family: gratitude.
In public education, there is so much to be grateful for every day. Thousands of students enter our schools carrying their own hopes, talents, challenges, and dreams. They are welcomed by dedicated teachers, instructional assistants, bus drivers, cafeteria teams, custodians, administrators, and countless others whose work extends far beyond their daily responsibilities. Together, they help young people grow, build confidence, and discover a sense of belonging.
Of course, the story of our schools is never written by those inside our buildings alone. It is shaped by families who entrust us with their children, volunteers who generously share their time, community partners who create opportunities, and generations of residents who have invested in our schools. That is one of the most beautiful things about public education. It belongs to all of us.
As we approach Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, I encourage every eligible community member to exercise the important responsibility of voting. Being informed, engaged, and involved in decisions that shape our collective future is both a privilege and an opportunity. Your participation matters, and I encourage you to make a plan to vote.
November also provides opportunities to express appreciation. Across ZCS, our schools will hold Veterans Day observances to honor the men and women who have served our country. These special moments help students understand sacrifice, reflect on the freedoms we enjoy, and recognize those who have helped protect them.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope we will each find moments to recognize the people who make a difference in our lives. Perhaps it is a teacher, a neighbor, a school employee, or simply the many individuals who make our community such a special place to live and learn.
Gratitude reminds us that none of us accomplishes anything entirely on our own. We are shaped by those who walk alongside us and the community that supports us.
Thank you for the many ways you contribute to the story of Zionsville Community Schools. It is a story we are privileged to write together, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.
Dr. Rebecca Coffman
Superintendent
Zionsville Community Schools
One Singular Sensation!
ZCHS Presents A Chorus Line: Teen Edition November 12–15
Get ready for a spectacular show! Zionsville Community High School students are preparing to take the stage for A Chorus Line: Teen Edition, November 12–15, and you won't want to miss it!
Join us for an incredible celebration of student talent as our ZCHS performers bring this iconic Broadway musical to life. From the music and choreography to the excitement of live theater, this production promises to be a wonderful showcase of the dedication and creativity of our student artists.
Make plans to join us and support the talent in our schools.
Secure your tickets today!
Three Peat! ZCHS Girls Golf Makes History
Eagles Capture Third Consecutive State Championship with Record-Breaking Performance
The Zionsville Community High School girls golf team did it again! For the third consecutive year, the Eagles were IHSAA State Champions, delivering a historic performance that included record-breaking team scores, an individual state championship, and an IHSAA Mental Attitude Award.
The Eagles set new IHSAA state championship records, and leading the way was junior Taylor Snively, who captured her third consecutive individual state championship.
The Eagles' success was a true team effort, with four golfers earning All-State honors. Adding to the celebration, Paige Henney was named the recipient of the prestigious IHSAA Mental Attitude Award, recognizing excellence in character, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Three consecutive team state championships, three consecutive individual titles for Snively, record-breaking scores, and outstanding individual honors make this a remarkable chapter in ZCHS athletics history.
Congratulations to our Eagles on another extraordinary season and an unforgettable championship performance!
Music Speaks a Universal Language
ZMS Orchestra Students Learn About Dedication and Perseverance from International Violinist
Zionsville Middle School orchestra students had a special opportunity to spend a class period with Jingzhi Zhang, a violinist competing in the 12th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis.
Jingzhi performed solo violin selections by Bach, Mozart, Ysaÿe and Wagner, giving students an opportunity to experience the artistry of an accomplished international musician. Throughout the visit, students asked questions and learned about the motivation, practice, and dedication required to master an instrument.
She also shared a beautiful reminder that music speaks a universal language, creating connections that cross cultures and communities. Through her violin and her music, Jingzhi demonstrated how a shared appreciation for the arts can bring people together.
Perhaps the most important lesson extended beyond music. Her message to students was a simple but powerful one: Keep trying, even when things are challenging!
Student Leadership Inspires the Next Generation of STEM Learners
ZCHS Freshman Organizes She's Rylentless STEM Experience for More Than 140 Students
Zionsville Community High School freshman Alyssa Ye brought her vision for She's Rylentless to life at Zionsville West Middle School, organizing an energy-filled event that welcomed more than 140 kindergarten through eighth grade students for a morning of hands-on STEM exploration.
With the help of a student leadership team and volunteers, Alyssa created opportunities for younger learners to explore robotics, coding, drone flying, and engineering. Throughout the morning, students worked together and tackled challenges while discovering the exciting possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The event also featured keynote speaker Katelyn Fair, an NXT Racing engineer for Chip Ganassi Racing, who shared insights into her career and the many opportunities available in STEM fields.
A special thank-you to Alyssa, her student team, the many volunteers and the Zionsville Education Foundation for helping make this experience possible.
She's Rylentless is a wonderful example of student leadership in action, demonstrating how one student's initiative can create meaningful opportunities and inspire the next generation of learners.
Inspiring Future Engineers at ZWMS
Purdue Women in Engineering Students Bring Hands-On STEM Learning to Sixth Grade Classrooms
Sixth grade science students at Zionsville West Middle School welcomed special guests from Purdue University's Women in Engineering program for an exciting opportunity to explore the world of engineering.
The Purdue students shared their experiences and introduced students to different engineering disciplines while answering questions about the many opportunities available in STEM fields. ZWMS sixth graders then put their own problem-solving skills to work through a hands-on engineering design challenge.
The visit provided an opportunity for students to connect with college students pursuing engineering careers and imagine the possibilities for their own futures.
A Grand Day for Grandfriends
ZCS Elementary Schools Celebrate Special Connections Across Generations
There is something special about welcoming grandfriends into our schools! Students across the district have recently enjoyed opportunities to share their classrooms and create memories with some very important people in their lives.
These days are wonderful reminders that learning and connection extend far beyond the classroom. We are grateful for the grandfriends who share their time and love with our students!
Exploring What Comes Next at ZCHS
College and Career Fair Connects Students with More Than 70 Employers and Professionals
Zionsville Community High School students had an opportunity to look beyond the classroom and explore what their futures might hold during the ZCHS College and Career Fair.
More than 70 employers and professionals filled the ZCHS Fieldhouse, connecting with students and sharing insights into a wide range of career fields and postgraduation pathways. Presented in partnership with Junior Achievement, the event gave juniors and seniors opportunities to ask questions, explore interests and learn more about the possibilities awaiting them after high school.
From discovering new career paths to making connections with professionals, the experience encouraged students to think about their next steps and the directions their futures might take.
The morning was a wonderful reminder that the learning happening today helps open doors to opportunities tomorrow.
A Season Filled with Music
ZCHS Fall Choir Concert Highlights the Musical Talents of Students Across ZCS
The sounds of music are filling our schools this fall as student musicians across Zionsville Community Schools take the stage to share their talents with family, friends, and the community.
At Zionsville Community High School, choir students recently presented their Fall Choir Concert, showcasing the dedication and hard work that have gone into their performances since the beginning of the school year.
The concert was one of many musical celebrations taking place throughout the district this season. From elementary classrooms to middle school and high school stages, our students continue to grow as musicians, developing their skills and discovering the joy of performing together.
These performances are wonderful opportunities to celebrate our student artists and the music educators who inspire and guide them. We are grateful for the many ways music enriches the educational experience across ZCS!
Building Literacy Together at Trailside
Parent Literacy Night Connects Families with Resources to Support Learning at Home
Families gathered at Trailside Elementary School for Parent Literacy Night, an evening dedicated to strengthening the connection between literacy learning in the classroom and support at home.
Families participated in sessions focused on literacy instruction in kindergarten through second grade and third through fourth grade. Families also had opportunities to connect directly with educators at “Ask the Experts” booths, where they could ask questions, explore resources, and learn practical strategies to support their children's reading and literacy development.
The evening was a wonderful example of the partnership between home and school. By sharing knowledge, resources and encouragement, families and educators are working together to build strong foundations for student learning and success.
Rockin' and Rollin' at PVE!
Kindergarten Students Celebrate 50 Days of School with a Sock Hop
It was a rockin' good time at Pleasant View Elementary School as kindergarten students stepped back in time to celebrate the 50th day of school with a good old-fashioned sock hop!
With dancing feet and plenty of energy, these little Eagles brought 1950s fun to the school day. What a fabulous way to celebrate 50 days of learning and kindergarten fun!
Making a Splash with Science at ZMS
Sixth-Grade Students Explore Freshwater Ecosystems at Starkey Park
Sixth-grade science students at Zionsville Middle School traded their classrooms for the creek during a recent trip to Starkey Park, taking their study of freshwater ecosystems into the great outdoors.
With science skills put to work, students collected data and observed the ecosystem firsthand. They measured dissolved oxygen levels, total dissolved solids and turbidity while examining how biotic and abiotic factors work together to create a functioning ecosystem.
The experience brought classroom learning to life as students explored the natural world around them, gathered real-world data and discovered how the concepts they study in school connect to the environment in their community.
Generations of Eagles Leave Their Mark
ZCHS Students and Alumni Work Together to Preserve a Special Zionsville Tradition
The Zionsville Alumni Association created and continues to maintain Eagle Plaza, located along the Mulberry Street path at ZCHS. The plaza features engraved bricks honoring retired teachers, community members, and alumni, creating a lasting tribute to those who have been part of the ZCS story.
Recently, four ZCHS seniors from the Customized Learning Program volunteered to help alumni Ralph Stacy (Class of 1961) and Tim Ottinger (Class of 1972) install 26 newly engraved bricks.
The students, who are also studying trades at the J. Everett Light Career Center, put their skills to work while contributing to a piece of ZCHS history.
This is a wonderful example of generations of Eagles working together to celebrate the past while investing in the future!
Community members interested in purchasing a commemorative paver for Eagle Plaza can contact the Zionsville Alumni Association: zionsvillealumni@gmail.com.
Robotics Teams Rise to the Challenge
ZCS Students Showcase Creativity and Teamwork at Trailside Competition
Students from across Zionsville Community Schools recently put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test during a robotics competition hosted at Trailside Elementary School.
The competition brought young innovators together to showcase their engineering and robotics skills while collaborating and putting their ideas into action.
Congratulations to all our ZCS teams for their hard work and dedication, and a special shoutout to Trailside Elementary School's Cosmic Cookers, who became the first ZCS team to advance to the 2027 State Robotics Competition!
What an exciting opportunity for our students to explore the possibilities of robotics while building skills that extend far beyond the competition!
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.
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.
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled."
Plutarch
Finance Information
ZCS: About School Finance
In response to evolving legislation and funding complexities, the district recently launched a refreshed finance section on the ZCS website. The updated resource explains Indiana school funding sources, enrollment-based revenue, the role of local referenda, and long-term financial planning in a more accessible and interactive format. The site includes visual tools and will continue to be updated as legislative changes occur.
ZCS: 2026 Operating Referendum
The district has an informational referendum webpage designed to provide clear and transparent information about the proposed operating referendum. The site serves as a central resource for families, staff, and community members, outlining why the referendum is being considered, how school funding works in Indiana, and the potential impact on students, programs, and district operations.
Tyrese Haliburton Spotlights Organ Donation with Peyton Manning Children's Hospital
Tyrese Haliburton has partnered with Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana to highlight the need for lifesaving organs. He and his wife, Jade, recently visited organ transplant recipients at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.
“Meeting the kids today has shown me the very real side of this: that organ donation saves lives,” Tyrese said. More than 1,200 people are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant here in Indiana, and just one organ donor can save up to eight lives.
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