Wednesday Word
November 3rd, 2021
From the Principal
I want to shout out our certified and classified staff members of the month, Miss Bessey and Mrs. Grimes. Congrats to you both! We will be sending our November nomination forms out soon.
I also want to send a big thank you to our PTO and parent liaisons for coordinating and executing our fall parties. Our scholars had a great time!
We have a Site Council meeting next Tuesday at 6:00PM via Webex. If you are interested in joining us, please email me at melissa.blevins@usd497.org for the link and the agenda.
As always it is an honor to serve as the Principal of Sunflower Elementary.
Melissa Blevins
October Staff Members of the Month
The Staff Recognition Committee is happy to announce Sunflower Elementary School's Classified and Certified Members of the Month for October!
The Classified Staff Member of the Month is Christine Bessey, our wonderful office secretary. As one responder stated, "To say that our school would be lost without her is truly the understatement of the year. Christine goes above and beyond to make sure our school runs smoothly, and is truly the 'safe keeper' of our entire system that allows me and all classroom teachers and other support staff to show up everyday and give our best. Christine takes any phone call, radio call or email and responds with love, authority and knowledge. Most of all I appreciate Christine for her constant sense of belonging. She says hello to anyone as they pass her in the hallway, or as they enter the office. Alongside her warm hello she always treats every adult, and student in our school community with respect and makes you feel as if you are the most important person at that moment. This respect is not just a tool to her and our advantages, but is more importantly the concrete value that Christine exudes."
Congratulations to Ms. Bessey! We appreciate everything you do for Sunflower!
The Certified Staff Member of the Month is Ashley Grimes, one of our amazing kindergarten teachers. As one responder stated, "Ashley is loving, innovative, accommodating and helpful. She is always volunteering to help out the school by serving on committees like AVID, scheduling and leadership while at the same time serving on the districts' curriculum team. Anytime there is a problem, she will try her best to come up with a solution that is in the best interest of her students. In the classroom she is never afraid to try new activities or strategies with her students. She works very hard to accommodate each students' individual needs both academically and socially. Ashley is a wonderfully dedicated teacher whose selflessness is admirable. "
Congratulations to Mrs. Grimes! You and your work at Sunflower are appreciated!
HELP OUR STUDENTS BE ON TIME:
As the weather has been changing, so has the arrival of some of our students. It takes a little longer to get on those warm coats, gloves, and hats, so please keep this in mind when getting your children to school on time. Tardies are accruing rapidly and our students are being late to class. On average, Sunflower has about 30-40 students tardy on a daily basis. This is around 9% of our total student body. Please remember that ALL students K-5 MUST be IN the building BEFORE the 8:45 AM BELL RINGS, otherwise they are considered tardy. Being on time is a life-long skill that, together, we are teaching them to be successful!
Picture Retakes
Morning Drop Off Help
The Southwest Middle School parking lot is specifically reserved for our bus drop off and for our families who have students that require extra assistance with arrival. We would ask that all other families please use the circle drive for drop off.
We appreciate your attention to this matter.
From Sunflower PTO:
Fall Party Thank You!
We would like to thank all of the parents who donated snacks and party supplies and volunteered their time to make the Fall Party a success!
Recruiting for Spring Fun Run!!
Would you like to support our Sunflower community in an active and meaningful way? Well, lace up your sneakers because Sunflower is excited to host its very own 5k fun run/walk this spring…and we’d love to have you and your child’s involvement.
Currently, we are looking for individuals, families, and/or businesses who would like to help out with advertising, sponsorship, food/item donations, and/or volunteering their time.
Contact Becky Armstrong at rarmstro@usd497.org if you’d like to be part of what we’re creating.
**Follow our Sunflower PTO Facebook page. We post a lot of information and events on our page.
https://www.facebook.com/Sunflower-Elementary-PTO-532741010145883/
HARVESTER'S BACKSNACKS AND BRAINFOOD PROGRAMS!
Just Food Thanksgiving Sign Up
And Holiday Assistance through Salvation Army for gifts! See below...
Important Dates
11/4 - Diwali
11/7 - Daylight Savings Time
11/9 - Picture Retakes and Site Council at 6:00PM
11/11 - Veteran's Day
11/24 - 11/26 - Fall Break