Zachary Taylor Elementary

ZT Family Newsletter

September 21, 2025
Attendance

September is FOCUS ON ATTENDANCE MONTH!I

Attendance matters.

Chronic absenteeism, missing 10% or more of the school year, will hurt your child's ability to learn how to read, write and understand foundational math skills. Ten percent is just 2 days/month! Chronic absenteeism includes both excused and unexcused absences.

Kentucky has a new law this year regarding the academic progress of students in kindergarten and first grade. This law will impact the likelihood that your child can be retained if they are not meeting grade level reading expectations. More information about this law is below.

Being in school, so your child's teacher can teach them how to read in so important for them, this includes being on time and staying all day. At Zachary Taylor we our kids in school every day all day.

For more information about school attendance and it's importance, please read the article on the link below.

https://www.attendanceworks.org/chronic-absence/the-problem/10-facts-about-school-attendance/

Also, in this week's newsletter there is a reminder about our Family Movie Night & PTA Elections on Tuesday, Family Teacher Conferences on Wednesday and the new law regarding retention of students in Kindergarten and First Grade.

Remember, no school Wednesday due to Family Conference Day.

As always, if you need anything, please reach out.

Mrs. Cravens, EdS.

502-485-8336

analese.cravens@jefferson.kyschools.us

Family Conference

Family Conferences

Conferences are THIS WEDNESDAY.

Your child's teacher has sent home a way for you to sign up for family conferences. Please make sure to take advantage of this opportunity to check in with your child's teacher and get an update on their progress. If you need help setting up a conference please email your child's teacher directly or call the school.

Family Movie Night This Tuesday.

*If it rains we will have this in the gym.

Movie
PTA

PTA...Let's Do This!

This is your last chance to fill out the Google Form below to let us know your involvement with our PTA.

In person elections will be THIS TUESDAY at 7:15pm.

Please note: Only paid members can vote. We will be collecting membership dues Tuesday as well.

https://forms.gle/JS3h5Shz7W7fjKoAA

New Law

New Law for K/1 Families

HB 240 is a Kentucky law focused on early reading intervention and proficiency. It outlines required supports for students in kindergarten through third grade who need additional help in reading and provides guidance for kindergarten and first-grade retention. 
Click Here for information about HB 240

ZT Star Students

Star Student

Ms. Pontrich - Jaxon Yager

Ms. Lamon - Isha Kalmbacher

Mr. Campbell - Lucas Santos Balderas

Mrs. Pierce - Shukrani Musendeka

Ms. Greenfield - Mason Hines

Mrs. Schneider - Amaiah Gonzalez

Ms. Streich - Abigael Arindo

Mrs. Schneider - Alexander Berkley

Mrs. Proulx - DeKari Humbert

Mrs. T. Campbell - Benoit Shema

Mrs. Thompson - Melany Maria Lopez Ralios

Ms. Radeker - Xavier Cortese

Mr. Epperson - Kylie Shields

Mr. Berry - Manuel Ramos-Zetino

Mrs. Green - Brithany Lopez Martinez

Mrs. Hagan - Margo Spade

Mrs. Radeker - Jasmine Apamato

Mrs. Ginder - Ada Amsler

Star Student Interviews

K-2 Star Students:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vko4b0JxWMvLaEsJ4GBB0pbOsnh-B6KV/view?usp=sharing

3-5 Star Students:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IGEZo2CyOPa0rvulyLiOtRHBJItDknRH/view?usp=sharing

Choices

Middle Choices!

CHECK IT OUT | Not sure what options are available within your network? Digital versions of the Choices Books are now available online for all school levels. Printed copies are expected to arrive at schools the week of Oct. 6. Want to plan a school tour? The Prospective Student Tours and Open House Schedules are also now available: https://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/choices-guide

ZT Lighthouse Leaders

lighthouse

"The lighthouse has but one mission: to protect the journey of the traveler." -Steve Pemberton

Every week in the staff newsletter, we celebrate teachers and staff who are doing amazing work. We call them Lighthouse Leaders because they protect our students by ensuring their educational journey is filled with rigorous work in a caring environment that will allow them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

This week I want to recognize 3 outstanding staff, Ms. Streich, Mrs. Rosa and Mrs. Trina!

While visiting Ms. Streich's room, the students started to call the Base Ten Wizard to help them decide how to complete their math correctly when working on place value. Of course, even if the Base Ten Wizard (Mrs. Striech) was with another child, she was still able to quickly answer her phone (pretend) and help the other child. This was such an engaging way to keep all of the students focused on the skill they were practicing while still allowing her to give one on one support when needed!

Not only do Mrs. Rosa and Mrs. Trina share a birthday, they are the reason this school, and my work life, don't fall apart! They are always willing to not only helps students and parents, but staff as well. They both show up and continue to be their best selves, even when life's challenges are difficult. Thank you Rosa and Trina for all that you do for the ZT Family!

5th Grade Fundraiser

Attention 5th Grade Parents! Don’t forget to purchase your 5th Grade Yearbook Page! 🎉

Money will be used for the 5th grade end of year activities.

This is a special way to celebrate your child’s final year at Zachary Taylor Elementary.
All details are included in the flyer below, along with the purchase links.

Don’t miss out—reserve your child’s page today!

Yearbook

Opportunities In The Community

Math
Digital Safety
Fall Fest
Family Event
Money Event

In Every Issue

support

Student Support Services

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYIE80tpexTo81pDUECZZ_8BIp7MXJ8ephMEZyNJX0we1ZlA/viewform

As we are settling into this new school year, students are getting back into routines and what it means to be back at school everyday!

With that being said, sometimes our students can be going through some challenging times and we aren't always aware of that. This year we are implementing a Student Support Services request form. It is a google form you can fill out if you would like your child to be seen by the Mental Health Practitioner or School Counselor for a check-in or if you would like for your child to receive more counseling services.

Please fill out the google form linked above, and Mrs. Harris the MHP or Mr. Talley the school counselor, will make sure to get to your child in a timely manner to make sure there are not any next steps that may need to happen.

Bus

How To Track Your Child's Bus

To get started, download the Edulog Parent Portal Lite app from the Apple or Android store.

After downloading the app, you’ll be asked to enter a registration code. Use district registration code: 98295545. This code is specific to JCPS buses.

Go to the DISTRICT tab, tap the plus sign (+) in the top right to add the district code. When the code is accepted, you will see the district name and the number of buses you are following (initially zero).

Next, tap on the slide button to activate one or more buses. Tap on My Buses in the Main Menu below. You can scroll to each bus by swiping the vehicle box. Tap on the plus sign (+) to add an Alert Zone. Enter an address or move the map, name the alert zone, add a time frame, adjust the radius with the slide button, then hit Save. Once your vehicles have been added and alert zones created, they will be listed on the Home screen.

To access your Inbox, tap the envelope icon on the Home screen, where you can view Messages and Notifications.

You can view the location of a bus by tapping that particular bus in the MY BUSES tab.

Notifications are sent immediately when a GPS ping from your bus occurs within the notification zone. The school bus sends regular GPS pings to the app database in the cloud every 15-20 seconds. As with all technology, disruptions can occur. A lag can be produced if there is a disruption in cellular service or the GPS unit on the bus is disconnected. Make sure to monitor the app for bus movement before the expected bus time.

You can view the instructions in Spanish and learn more about the app at our website.

Bus Behavior and Progressive Discipline

Below are our behavior expectations for all bus riders, this includes when riding on field trips. This information is also in the ZT Student Handbook and the JCPS Behavior Handbook that went home at the start of the year.

Expectations for Students Riding The Bus

B - Be Responsible For Your Behavior. Obey the driver’s instructions. The driver of a school bus is in complete charge of their passengers. • Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted on the school bus. • Keep the bus clean. Do not throw trash on the floor. Do not mark or deface the bus. Seat covers must not be damaged in any manner. Anyone caught damaging the equipment will be subject to consequences and/or to making restitution. • Pets and animals are not allowed on the bus at any time.

U - Use Respect. The driver has the authority to assign seats. • Use your inside voice. • Do not wave or shout to pedestrians or occupants or other vehicles. Do not throw objects out of the bus windows. • Know that using profanity and making obscene gestures on the school bus are prohibited. • Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. • Do not fight or scuffle on the bus or create any loud disturbances. • Refrain from talking to the driver, except in an emergency.

S - Stay Safe. Be seated immediately, and remain seated while the bus is in motion. If a seat is not available, hold onto the back of a seat. • Keep your head, hands, and feet inside the bus. • Students may not stand in the stairwell while the bus is in motion. • Books and backpacks should remain in your lap and not be placed in the aisle way. Instruments and large objects will be allowed on the bus only if they can be held on the lap. • Do not tamper with the emergency door, fire extinguisher, or other equipment on the bus.

Progressive Discipline

As bus referrals accumulate for students', the consequences will be more severe. Please remember, if your child is suspended from riding the bus, they are still required to be at school.

*If a child misses school due to a bus suspension, the absence is considered unexcused for most students. Guardians of students with exceptions are conferenced with on an individual basis.

o 3rd referral gets a 1 day bus suspension.

o 4th gets a 2 day bus suspension.

o 5th gets a 3 day bus suspension and parents/guardians must have a conference with school administrators.

o 6th gets a 4 day bus suspension.

o 7th gets a 5 day bus suspension.

o 8th and up gets 6 days or more of a bus suspension and parents/guardians must have a conference with school administrators. *Please see note below.

*These are on a case by case basis, and according to behavior guidance from JCPS, suspensions can go up to 20 days in length. This is also noted in the JCPS student behavior handbook that went home with every child at the start of the year.

Car Rider Information

In the morning, car rider line closes at 7:20. This is to allow our building to be secured in a timely manner. If your child arrives after 7:20, they need to enter, WITH AN ADULT, at the front door. Any child arriving after 7:30 must be signed in by the adult and is considered tardy. These are recorded into the state data base. Kentucky has a state law regarding absences and tardies. excessive tardies will add up to an absence. More information on the attendance law is below.

Car Rider Line Protocol

Keeping your child safe is our number 1 priority. Therefore we have the following rules in place in the car rider line.

  1. Do not pass a car in the car rider line unless a school staff member signals you to do so.

  2. Do not have your child exit the car until they are next to the sidewalk.

  3. Do not get out of the car to assist your child in getting in or out of the car, wait for assistance. We have adults and a student safety patrol that will do this. When adults get out of the car, it slows the line down and creates an unsafe situation.

  4. AM Car Rider Line closes at 7:20 and PL Car Rider Line closes at 2:25. If you are arriving outside of those times, please come to the front door with your child. Remember, students must come in with an adult.

School Forms

form

Please don't forget the back to school paperwork for parents. All students received a folder with paper copies of the forms and a QR code to fill them out electronically. Either way is fine. To fill them out online, please go to the PARENT PLACE link below. Forms need to be completed for EVERY child in the household that attends a JCPS school. It will require you to create an account.

Remember, if you are having a hard time filling these out online, please reach out to the school an paper copies can be sent home. https://apps.jefferson.kyschools.us/ParentAccount

Snacks At Lunch

snack

While school meals are provided at no cost, parents may still want to set up on online account.

JCPS Nutrition Services partners with MySchoolBucks so parents can pay for Ă  la carte items or extra entrees by using a credit or debit card. Parents may also monitor transactions and set up convenient email reminders when funds are running low.

New Kentucky Laws That Impact Your Child

HB 611 | This one started in August of 2024. It is very important so I included it for this year too. The Kentucky General Assembly passed HB 611, aimed at addressing student attendance. This legislation mandates that students throughout Kentucky who accumulate 15 or more unexcused absences be referred to their local County Attorney's office. The goal of HB 611 is to reduce unexcused absences, promote consistent attendance, and ensure students receive the support they need to stay engaged in school. To comply with the new law, JCPS began the mandatory referral process to the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office (JCAO) in October.

Below are things specific to Zachary Taylor that you can do to ensure you are doing everything you can to mitigate unexcused absences. Please call the office if you have questions or need support.

If your child is absent, please have them bring in a note explaining why when they return. Students can have up to 10 notes from parents excusing absences.

  1. If they are absent or late due to a doctor's appointment, get a note from the office. Students can have unlimited doctor's notes.

  2. If there is an extenuating circumstance, please reach out to the school and explain what is happening. The principal is able to excuse some absences based on the information we receive. Communication is key!

  3. Avoid tardies! These can accumulate and turn into an absence.

House Bill 208 l This law bans student cell phone use in schools for the 2025-2026 school year, with districts determining the specific enforcement of the rule. This statewide ban aims to address distractions and improve the learning environment, as mandated by the legislation passed during the 2025 session.

What it means for students at ZT: No student is permitted to have their phone at any point during the school day. It must be in their backpack or in the office safe. It is not to be on their body or coat pocket. If you have questions, please ask.

Birthday Treat Reminder

cake

We love celebrating student birthdays and the students love the treats.

Please remember that these treats are shared with students at their lunch time. The purpose for this is to protect instructional time.

It may seem like a 20 minute break from instruction at the end of the day to sing Happy Birthday and eat treats would not be much to miss. However, in a class with 24 students, that 20 minute period can multiply to 480 minutes...8 hours! That is more than one day of school.

If you want to know your child's lunch time, please call the office and we will tell you.

Thank you very much for your understanding with this matter.

JCPS Is An Equal Opportunity Provider

equal opportunity

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4298/JCPS/4115244/Equal_Opportunity_Policy_Ad.pdf