The Sunray
Sunset Elementary Newsletter
12.16.22
As our last Friday of 2022, I'd like to reflect a bit and let you know how appreciative I am for the Sunset Community. Last year was a bit of an unknown with the pandemic impacting our daily routines and while it is still partially in the rear view mirror, we still have to navigate a new "normal". Having all of those challenges, I would not choose to face them anywhere else but at Sunset.
Have a great weekend!
Thomas Fletcher
Principal
Sunset Elementary School
Bright Sunrays (UVA)
Brand new"ish" news...
•Volunteers~ We have a volunteer sign up opportunity for next week.
•Mr. Fletcher is offering the teachers a 90 minute gift of time. He will be taking the students for 90 minutes and allowing the teachers to have some much needed time to refresh, prep, plan, etc. If you are able to come help him on 12/19, 12/20 or 12/21 please check out this link.
•Valet~ As you may have noticed, our 4th and 5th graders are back on the front drop off curb helping in the morning. I am so excited to see them take ownership and get involved in active leadership. I know it can be frustrating to be told what to do in the morning, but we are attempting to keep safety a priority. The more you can help move the traffic along, the less frustrated folks will be.
•Winter Break Mental Health Tips~ The 2-week holiday break can be stressful for students who rely on school to provide structure and caring connections to their days. Check out these tips for supporting structure and connection for students during the upcoming break Intentional Connection During the Holiday Break.
•Race to Flagpole~ I'm running the 5k this this year and I hope Sunset shows up with their surfer spirit and we take over this activity! Reduced-price registration through 12/24
When: Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Independence Park.
All proceeds support the annual Olympian Scholarships awarded to LHS and GHS student athletes who demonstrate athletic and academic excellence and citizenship.
What: There is a 1-mile fun run, 5K, and 10K.
See attached flier
Celebrations
•A new section to highlight our amazing community~ Please send any exciting accomplishments to Mr. Fletcher.
Last Saturday Ethan (3rd), Eli (5th) and Ean (2nd) Hernandez competed in the USATF National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships. The JOs (Junior Olympics) were hosted at College Station, Texas A&M Cross Country USATF Sanction course.
In the USATF all three had to go through two qualifiers (a regional and a sectional) to be able to race in the National Championship.
Ethan and Ean raced in the "8 and Under" group, a 2 kilometer race with 218 racers.
Ethan finished 12th, Getting an All American Medal
Ean finished 51st
Also they (with the addition of 3 other runners from the MDH) took the "8 and Under" team National Championship.
On the Race Timer @7:28 Ethan goes through the Finish & @8:00 Ean goes through the finish.
Eli raced in the "9&10" group, a 3 kilometer race with 308 racers.
Eli finished second, getting an All American Silver Medal
Eli is in the entire race video.
A summary of the results is here:
https://www.usatf.org/news/2022/twelve-champions-crowned-in-lone-star-state-at-usa
The Boys Currently Race in the Mount Diablo Heat Running Club (MDH). This is the first year they got exposed to this level of racing. FYI, they started running before covid in the "Fun Runners" program!
Dimmer Sunrays (UVB)
Not brand new news...
•New Picnic Tables~ Thanks to all the support from last year's Golf Tournament and the PTO, we were able to buy 10 brand new picnic tables for the outdoor seating area. It may be hard to tell from this picture, but they may a huge difference for lunch. Make sure to check them out the next time you are on campus.
•Phonics Instruction/Sonday~ Sunset has adopted a school wide reading curriculum entitled Sonday. (Pronounced Sunday) It was created by Orton-Gillingham expert Arlene Sonday who carefully crafted the lessons to teach the essential components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension) and it also includes a systematic spelling component.
As I have been observing Sonday lessons in classrooms, I am absolutely blown away by the level of growth and knowledge the students have of the English Language. In a 1st grade classroom this week students were correctly identifying digraphs and identifying consonant, vowel, consonant patterns. 3rd graders were explaining the difference between open and closed syllables and they also reminded me that the "g" and "c" sounds were soft when followed by an "i" an "e" or a "y".
There were example after example of high level phonological awareness that will absolutely translate to better spellers and higher reading fluency. It was exciting and if you know anyone who volunteers in the classroom, ask them what they have witnessed. It is encouraging. It actually can be a little discouraging as I realize how little I know about the English language. lol
If any of you are interested in looking into the Sonday program for some activities to do at home, I've attached some "Parent Empowerment Kits". Please know these are not required for you to use, but they are helpful for me. (A High School Civics teacher who did not teach reading)
PDFs are attached all the way at the bottom of this newsletter.
•Livermore Public Library Winter Reading Program Starts Today~ Now through January 15, 2023 all ages can participate in our library’s winter reading program. Information about it has been posted to our website.
•Resources~ Two Recent Livermore Learns Presentations on Supporting Elementary Math & Elementary Reading Skills: These are excellent presentations from Sharon Abri, Shari Johnston, and Elizabeth Forde!
They are also available at www.livermoreschools.org/livermorelearns.
•Math: https://vimeo.com/771316610
•Reading: https://vimeo.com/777146049
Science Odyssey Logo Contest is now open and accepting entries. See flier in attachments. Click on link to sign up https://bit.ly/lvjusdlogo2023.
See attached flier
•Lost and Found~ We gather A LOT of lost items as the year goes on. Please be mindful to check our lost and found periodically.
LVJUSD Menus~
•Sunray Archive...See below
Fading Sunrays (UVC)
News that's been around a while...
•Amazon~ Support Sunset with Amazon Smile. Did you know that Amazon Smile offers the same prices and selection as Amazon, BUT when you shop using Amazon Smile your purchases can benefit Sunset? How simple is that? You do your usual Amazon orders, but use the Amazon Smile program, and Amazon Smile will donate a percentage of your purchase to Sunset's PTO! Just follow the quick steps below:
From the Amazon Shopping app:
- Tap the Main Menu
- Tap Settings
- Tap AmazonSmile
- Follow the instructions on the screen to turn on AmazonSmile.
- Select "Sunset PTO"
From your browser, visit: "smile.amazon.com," login to using your amazon.com information, then select "Sunset PTO"
We use these three statements to reinforce our positive behavior with our students and would love for your help and support as we teach our students how to behave in all situations.
•PLEASE label your child's water bottle and/or lunch box with a first and last name. We have had several misplaced items with no name.
•The Sunset office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm. If you have questions please do not hesitate to call us or stop by and speak to Julie, Colleen or Tara.
Calendar these dates!
12/22/22~ Early Release
12/23/22 - 1/8/23~ No School
1/16/23~ No School
1/28/23~ Race to the Flag Pole
2/4/23~ Sunset Color Fun Run
2/12/23~ Sunset Superbowl Scramble Golf Tourney
Student LVJUSD Gmail Accounts
In accordance with security guidance, IT has updated student passwords to 9-digits. That means students with 8-digit student IDs will need to add a leading zero and students with 7-digit student IDs will need to add two leading zeros to be able to log in. Students with 9-digit student IDs or who had previously changed their password to a personal password were not affected.
If students need help, they can get help from their teachers when school starts.
PTO Website
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I volunteer in the classroom?
ASAP! Please register through the new Raptor System which is coming soon. Check our website for details. Please connect with your child's teacher if you are interested and let the teacher set up a plan. We ask that you do not show up unannounced.
Where shall I pick up my child? It would be wise to have a plan for pick up and drop off. Grades 1-5 get out at the same time this year.
Sunset Elementary School
Email: tfletcher@lvjusd.org
Website: https://www.livermoreschools.org/sunset
Location: 1671 Frankfurt Way, Livermore, CA, USA
Phone: 925.606.5230