Wednesday Word
September 16th, 2020
From The Principal
Greetings, Sunflower Families:
On behalf of our entire staff, I wanted to thank you for your enthusiasm, encouragement, patience, and perseverance as we successfully began this very unique school year. For weeks, our entire staff had been eagerly anticipating the long-awaited return of our students, and we have truly enjoyed each of the opportunities we have had so far to get to know and work with your child(ren). In reflecting on the past few weeks and months as we prepared to reopen, we know we would not have been able to do this successfully without your support. In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we look forward to working with your child(ren) and we look forward to celebrating successes with you throughout the year!
As always it is an honor to serve as the Principal of Sunflower Elementary.
Melissa Blevins
From The Office
Apples for the Students Program:
We are still accepting Checkers receipts this year! The points that we earn give us the ability to receive free things our students enjoy such as kick balls at recess. You may come and drop off your receipts during school hours from 8am-4pm. The stand for receipts is placed inside the foyer for easy access! If you have any questions please contact Zee Whitley in the front office at 785-832-5870 or via email at zellesha.whitley@usd497.orgCheckers:
To earn these FREE awards we simply have to collect as many register receipts as possible from September 1st, 2020, through March 1st, 2021. Ask your friends and relatives to shop at the sponsoring supermarket identified below and save every receipts!
Our participating store is located on 2300 Louisiana St!
Webex Updates
Preparing for a Return to the Building
3rd-5th Grade District Common Assessments
Students will access the assessment on their iPads through an app called Performance Matters. Below is a video showing students how to access their assessments on the iPad. I encourage you to preview the video with your child if they are in grades 3-5. Teachers will also review this with students next week.
If your student needs help during the assessment, teachers will stay in their Webex classrooms. Please encourage your child to reach out to the teacher for assistance with the test taking. In order for us to get valid and accurate data from the assessment we ask parents to refrain from helping students with the test.
From the State Department Regarding Learning Logs
We wanted to reach out and THANK YOU for your partnership in launching our remote learning! We had a 95% rate of engagement the first week of school, reflecting the hard work of our students, parents, and staff!
Additionally, we wanted to provide you with an update from the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) regarding learning logs:
On Monday, September 14th, KSDE revised their requirement regarding the submission of learning logs for remote learners unable to participate in live sessions throughout the day. KSDE has replaced the learning log requirement with an assurance form that parents/guardians will sign and submit to the school. The form will acknowledge your commitment to support your student(s) throughout this time of remote learning. This will be a one-time submission, and hopefully, lessen the burden on our students and families. Additional information regarding the assurance form will be coming soon!
However, it is important to note that our initial requirement from KSDE regarding daily student contact remains. If a student is unable to participate in at least one live session each day, a staff member will continue to reach out via phone or conferencing platform to support students and families in accessing academic content and/or provide assistance.
Please don't hesitate to reach out should you have any questions/concerns.
From The Counselor
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program:
BB/BS is continuing to make matches. Scholars seem to need this program even more than ever since many of our scholars are socially isolated due to covid19. The current wait list for "Littles" is really low. If you and your scholar are interested in this program or would like to learn more, please contact Julie Heatwole, school counselor at 785-330-4860 or jheatwol@usd497.org.
Child Nutrition Benefits:
Online at https://www.myschoolapps.com/.
Please see the attached letter for more information about eligibility.
If you prefer a paper copy of the 2020-2021 application, please email Jennifer Flowers at jflowers@usd497.org or call her at 832-5000 extension 2412.
If you are still in need for CHILD CARE...CORONAVIRUS FAQs Child Care Assistance for Families:
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/COVID19/Documents/COVID-19_ChildCareAssistanceforFamiliesFAQ.pdf
Land Acknowledgement
Did you know that our elementary school sits on the land of the Sioux, Kansa, Osage, and Kickapoo people? This means that these groups were the first inhabitants of this land.
-What else would you like to learn about these indigenous groups?
-What else would you like to learn about our school's location?