Bobcat Pride
Sunset Valley Elementary
August 9, 2016
text @9bc72 to 81010
Our Facebook Page
SunsetValleyES
https://www.facebook.com/SunsetValleyES/@sunsetvalleyes
Our Campus Webpage
Contact Information for Sunset Valley Elementary
At this time, our offices are still located at Basswood Elementary School. Just give us a call if you have any questions. Our temporary number is 817-744-6550.
The Principal's Den
Clayton YES - Looking for information on before and after-school child care? The registration process for the SVES should be ready soon. They must complete several inspections prior to opening up registration opportunities. Once received, I will share all registration information via email and if possible on Facebook, Twitter and right here in the Bobcat Pride newsletter.
Construction Update - The big question is of course...is the school going to be finished in time? I am sure we've all asked this question a time or two this summer. I feel confident that our campus will be ready! You will start to see more and more clean up going on around the outside of the school. They are finishing up the striping in our parking lots this week and getting all of the dumpsters taken away. We hope to see our custodial crew come in late this week to finish waxing floors and clearing away the dust. Teachers and staff may start moving in as early as this coming weekend. We will all be moving on campus during the week of August 15th and will be working to get our rooms and offices set up. We will organizing all the materials & resources being delivered and finalize all processes, procedures, and lesson designs/plans.
Staffing - We have hired all of our teachers & staff!! The biggest change that could happen is that we have to add staff members based on the number of students that have yet to enroll or complete registration. If you have not yet completed your online registration, please complete it as soon as possible. Members of the office staff will call the families who have not yet completed their registration beginning today, Aug. 9th to help answer any questions.
Meet the Teacher is scheduled for Thursday, August 18th from 5:30 - 7:00. Teachers are planning to call all the students on their class lists on Thursday during a designated time period. More information will come soon regarding the time frame.
It's hard to believe that our moment has almost arrived. We are very excited to finally be able to meet you all!
Bobcat Proud,
Kristen Eriksen, Principal
Important Dates to Remember
Thursday, August 18 - Meet the Teacher 5:30 - 7:00
Tuesday, August 23 - 1st Day of School
Thursday, September 8 - Parent Orientations
- Names ending in A-M 5:00 - 6:00
- Names ending in N-Z 6:30 - 7:30
Wednesday, September 21st - Sunset Valley Dedication Ceremony @ 6:00 pm (more info. to come)
Our Bell Schedule
1st Bell – 7:25 am Students are allowed in the building at designated areas
2nd Bell – 7:45 am – Students are allowed to walk to classrooms. Teachers are present at their door to welcome students.
3rd Bell – 7:55 am – Tardy Bell – Students not in the building at this time will receive a tardy slip.
4th Bell – 3:10 pm – Kindergarten – 6th grade dismissal
Arrival & Dismissal Information
If you ever have a change of plans and would like your child to go home a different way, just call the front office by 2:30 so that we can let your child know where to go. Please understand that if your child tells us that there is a change of plan, we will NOT make the change unless we have heard from you.
Arrival & Dismissal Maps
Traffic Flow
Arrival Map
Dismissal Map
What do I need to know about my child coming to school in the morning?
The duty personnel will direct the traffic movement and unloading of students. During arrival, you may use either lane to drop off your student.
- During arrival, you may park your car, walk with your child and cross at the designated crosswalk. For the safety of you and your child, students may never be dropped off in the parking lot at any time.
- Between 7:25 - 7:45 all students will go directly to the gym. They may also go to the library if space is available. If they need to eat breakfast they will go directly to the cafeteria.
- Beginning at 7:45, you are welcome to escort your child(ren) to their classroom, give them a hug, and wish them a great day. After two weeks, we ask that all students walk to their classrooms on their own. Parents are welcome to walk their student into the front foyer. All parents who have a scheduled appointment or would like to see if their teacher is available will need to check in with the office to receive a visitor's badge.
- If your student rides his/her bike in the morning, we will have two bike racks. They will be located on the east and west sides of our building. Students may enter through the front or back of the building dependent on which bike rack they are using. The bike rack near the 1st grade wing will enter through the front entrance. The bike rack near the Kindergarten wing will enter through the back entrance.
- Don’t forget to discuss with your child how they will get home each day. We strongly recommend that students go home the first day the same way they will go home the rest of the school year.
It's 3:10 pm and I can't wait to see my child! What do I need to know about dismissal if I am picking my child up in the car line?
- Please remember to follow our traffic pattern that been set by the Ft. Worth Police Department and ALWAYS have your pick up sign clearly showing through your windshield.
- K-1 families who are picking up their child in the car line must be in the lane closest to the building. This is the RIGHT LANE. Older siblings will be seated with their K-1 siblings. You will be turning right into our drive from Canchim Street. You may be tempted to turn left into our drive if you are coming from Horseman Road however this is is not permitted due to potential back up on Horseman.
- 2-6 families who are picking their child up in the car line must be in the outside lane. This is the LEFT LANE. You will also be turning right into our drive from Canchim Street. You may be tempted to turn left into our drive if you are coming from Horseman Road however this is is not permitted due to potential back up on Horseman.
Remember, older siblings will go to the designated area of their younger sibling(s). If you ever have a change of plans and want to pick up your child a different way, just call the front office by 2:30 so that we can let your child know where to go.
What if my child is riding the bus or on a day care van?
If your child rides a day care bus/van, they will be escorted to our cafe and will be taken to the bus/van when it arrives. Many times the day care bus/van has multiple pick ups and may arrive late. When that happens, students will be escorted to the front office. The day care bus/van knows to come to the front circle drive.
If you ever have a change of plans and want to pick up your child a different way, just call the front office by 2:30 so that we can let your child know where to go.
My child walks or rides his/her bike? What should I expect?
- One group of students will walk or ride to homes from Canchim Street. Our teachers will leave the building with these students and will walk with them all the way to the crosswalk at Canchim & Horseman. Students who have their bikes must walk their bike to this point.
- The other group of students are students who walk or ride to homes from Aubrac Way. These students will be escorted from the exit at the back of our school where they will be able to safely cross the street. Students who have their bikes must walk their bike to this point.
If you ever have a change of plans and want to pick up your child a different way, just call the front office by 2:30 so that we can let your child know where to go.
I plan to park my car and walk up to the building to pick up my child. What do I do?
If you ever have a change of plans and want to pick up your child a different way, just call the front office by 2:30 so that we can let your child know where to go.
Don't forget to bring your pick up sign!
The car line is really long and my child is waiting for me in the car pick up line. Can I just park and walk up to the building and get him/her?
If you ever have a change of plans and/or you prefer to walk up to the building to pick up your child, just call the front office by 2:30 so that we can let your child know where to go. The gym pick up line is quick!
Oh no! I forgot my "pick up sign"! What do I do?
School Lunch Meal Prices
Federal regulations require that districts participating in the National School Lunch Program distribute revenues and costs equitably for all meals---free, reduced-price and paid. What this means is that KISD is not allowed to have local lunch prices that are lower than the reimbursable prices from the Federal Government. To remain compliant, Keller ISD is being required to increase the 2016-2017 school lunch meal prices for paid-eligible students:
- K thru 6th grade lunches will increase from $2.65 to $2.70 or 5 cents.
- 7th thru 12th grade lunches will increase from $2.75 to $2.85 or 10 cents.
A Message from Nurse Anna
Interested in becoming a member of the Campus Educational Improvement Committee?
If you are interested in being a Parent, Business or Community member. Please be on the look out for our application that will be sent out soon.
Our Classrooms
The Sunset Valley PTA is going to be amazing! But I'm sure you already knew that! :)
- "Sam"antha Meaney - President
- Martha Rees - 1st VP
- Wendy Cavett - Secretary
- Leon Minor - Treasurer
- Mary Arnold - Membership
Members of OUR Bobcat Pride
Office Staff
Kristen Eriksen, Principal
Anna Michaels, Assistant Principal
Debbie Rush, Campus Secretary
Jennifer Cowan, Counselor
Sonya Sanford, Receptionist
Ruthann Kiefer, Attendance/Office Aid
Tracie Bennett - Librarian
Liz Nelson, BSN/RN
OUR TEACHERS & STAFF
Kindergarten
Lisa Adame-Self
Angela Patlan
Jessica Jimenez
1st grade
Dinah Stringer, 1st grade
Rebekah Jackson, 1st grade
Kelly Kaczmarski, 1st grade
Kim Van Kalker, 2nd grade
Amanda Self, 2nd grade
Megan Pavelka, 2nd grade
3rd grade
Gina Smith, 3rd grade
Katie Huff, 3rd grade
Amber Wynn, 3rd grade
4th grade
Laurie Perkins
Sandy Gremmels
Marcy Tate
5th grade
McKenzi Celiz, 5th grade ELA
Carolyn Dannis, 5th grade Math
Charley Stringer, 5th grade Science/Social Studies
6th grade & Resource
Candace Ruiz, 6th grade ELA/SS
LeVonia Nelson, 6th grade Math/ Science
Kim Taylor - Resource Teacher
Resource & Fine Arts
Suzanne Sauls, Special Education Resource Aide
Jennifer Alcocer, Band Director
Josh Smith, Assistant Band Director
Fine Arts
Cheri Baxter, Art
Becky Puckett, Music
Haley Wilborn, Theater
Athletics & Specialists
Joe Dunson, PE Teacher
An Amazing P.E. Aide - coming soon
Elaine Bowersock & Heidi Serrano, Dyslexia
Specialists
Tara Yancy, Gifted & Talented
Kim Webb, ESL
Tammy Mack, Intervention Support Teacher (IST)
Custodial Team
Margarita Rosales, Head Custodian
Eylis Mendez Rios, Custodian
Ma Martinez De Chavez, Custodian
What's New ?
Our hallways and offices will be named as follows:
- "A" rooms - office & administration area
- "B" rooms - Library & Special's rooms
- "C" rooms - co-curr & cafe
- "K" rooms - Kindergarten
- "1", "2", "3", "4" rooms - 1st - 6th grade rooms (for example room 102 is a 1st grade classroom or room 303 is a 3rd grade classroom.)
Photos
HERE'S AN IDEA OF WHAT YOUR CLASSROOM FURNITURE & TEACHER WORKSTATION WILL LOOK LIKE
My Family
My Message to YOU
I have been so fortunate to work in such an exceptional district as a teacher, an assistant principal and for the past five years as principal of Keller-Harvel Elementary School. I have loved each and every student, their families and all of the amazing staff members with whom I have worked. I am now excited to fall in love with all of the students, families, and future teachers and staff of Sunset Valley Elementary. When asked, if I am excited about opening up a new school, I think of a favorite song of mine, Brand New by Ben Rector. The chorus of the song best describes how I feel right now!
Like when I close my eyes and don’t even care if anyone sees me dancing
Like I can fly, and don’t even think of touching the ground
Like a heartbeat skip, like an open page
Like a one way trip on an aeroplane
It’s the way that I feel when I’m with you, brand new
Brand New
My passion for education came at a young age. As the youngest of three kids and the only girl, I looked up to my two brothers for two very different reasons. My oldest brother was born with a handicap and overcame many physical challenges. My other brother could not get enough of the academic challenges. He was the sponge. We all loved our time in school, but it was their experiences that made me want to be an educator and to help make a difference in the lives of all children. My brothers paved the way for me and helped me to find what I felt was important--to meet the needs of those students with the greatest challenges and to continue to motivate all students and help them reach their fullest potential.
It is an exhilarating time for the future students, families, and teachers/staff of Sunset Valley. We truly are a “brand new” community, and I know we are all ready to DANCE! Together, we can build a school community like no other. We will work together to give our students the best education possible and help to prepare them for a bright future. My ultimate goal … To create an optimal learning experience where all children can learn by providing an engaging, positive school environment that promotes ongoing collaboration with teachers, parents and community members for the success of all students. I want each student to be healthy, happy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.
Please feel free to send me an email if you have any questions or comments. I can be reached at kristen.eriksen@kellerisd.net I look forward to getting to know you!
Go Bobcats!
Kristen Eriksen
Sunset Valley Elementary School Principal