Wednesday Word
August 24th, 2022
From the Principal:
Dear Sunflower Families,
I am super proud of our students and staff for a successful start to the school year! And let's hear it for that car line already down to about 15 minutes. It will continue to get better thanks to all of you and your patience and adherence to the system. Always expect longer lines during inclement weather.
Today is "Watch out Wednesday" so be on the lookout for a Wednesday folder coming home as it may have items from the school and/or teacher. Please have students return the folders tomorrow.
One thing I would like to ask is that if your child is NOT eating breakfast that they do not get dropped off before 8:30. Only breakfast eaters should be at school prior to 8:30. Our school day starts at 8:45 so you do not need to be at school right at 8:30. Here are some reasons why dropping off prior to 8:30 is an issue:
1. It causes a massive line that does not have any adult supervision. This could result in unsafe behaviors and we want to prevent that.
2. It is hard to decipher who needs to come in for breakfast and who is just waiting for regular arrival at 8:30.
If you are in the circle drive prior to 8:30 and are not sending your child in for breakfast, please keep them in the car until all staff comes out for duty at 8:30. If you have walkers or bike riders try and time it so they are not arriving before 8:30. Thank you in advance for your help with this.
As always it is an honor to serve as the Principal of Sunflower Elementary.
Melissa Blevins
Homework Policy
Our leadership team has been researching and discussing a common homework policy for the Sunflower. We have decided to institute a no homework policy this school year.
Here is the basis for our decision:
1. Most research around homework states that it has little to no impact on academic achievement in the elementary years.
2. Our school days are long and rigorous and we feel our students' SEL needs would be better served with family time, purposeful play and other enriching or extracurricular activities.
3. We feel having a regular nightly reading routine and/or math fact practice routine would be a more impactful activity that reinforces academics more than a worksheet.
Here is what you can expect:
1. Homework will not be assigned to be turned in or taken for a grade.
2. Teachers may give optional extra practice that will not be required to be turned in nor will any kind of grade or points be assigned to it.
3. Make-up work could be assigned if a student has missed an extended period of school due to illness or other reasons.
Parent Powerschool Accounts
If you do not have a parent Powerschool account, a letter with the Student Access ID and Student Access Password for your student(s) will be going home in their backpack today.
From Sunflower PTO:
PTO meeting
Save the Date for the first PTO meeting of the year!
Tuesday, September 13 @ 7pm
Sunflower library and Webex
Volunteering/Committees
Interested in volunteering with the PTO? We have lots of activities and committees available! Please fill out this Google Form to let us know what you are interested in and we'll be in touch!
Parent Liaison Sign up
Sunflower PTO is looking for one parent per classroom to serve as parent liaisons. Parent liaisons from each grade level will work together to support classrooms, the students, and plan equitable parties and classroom celebrations. Parent liaisons will serve as the point person for teachers to organize sign-ups for classroom donations such as snacks and supplies for each classroom. They will also connect with parents at the entire grade level to collect supplies for classroom parties. The PTO VP, Colleen Bloom, will coordinate with the liaisons.
If you are interested please sign up here. This is a first come, first serve opportunity and each classroom will only have one liaison. Thanks!
Teacher Lounge Supplies
We still have a few things left on the sign up to help stock the teacher's lounge. Items can be dropped in the front office. Teacher's Lounge Sign up Genius
Code Ninjas
A fun opportunity for scholars to learn about coding! Code Ninjas opened recently in Lawrence and is located at the Innovation Center on the KU Campus. You can learn about the programs here. Info on free Learn 2 Code events is here
Box Tops-
Sunflower Food Pantry
Sunflower families are encouraged to take advantage of our Food Pantry if you are in need. Please reach out to Allene Schworm at aschworm@usd497.org to arrange a time. You can also reach out to the front office, Ms. Heatwole, or your teacher, if you would like to take advantage of this service we offer our families.
Just Food, our main source for donations, is currently struggling with supply. If any of our Sunflower families are able to donate to our pantry it would be very appreciated. We accept non perishable items any time during the hours of 7am -6pm. Please drop donations off in the blue barrel in the foyer.
Some items needed are: Canned Chicken or Tuna, peanut butter, jelly, canned soups, pastas, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, rice, juice and cereal.
Individual serving items are also very appreciated (mac n cheese cups, oatmeal cups, etc) . Personal hygiene items are also welcomed, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, deodorant, toilet paper and feminine products.
Kansas Food Source
A new website - kansasfoodsource.org - is designed to help people in need of food assistance find pantry locations in their areas. The website also features a link for help applying for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or food stamps, along with a link for current summer food sites for children.
By breaking everything down to the county level, the new website features a mapping tool which allows a resident to see exactly where each pantry is located, along with a contact phone number and any other information available, such as hours of operation or what is needed to access food.
For questions regarding kansasfoodsource.org please contact the Kansas Food Bank at (316) 265-3663.
Free Shoe Drive
August 20th from 9:00am-12:00pm at Lawrence High School (south parking lot). Come by during this time if your child/ren needs any shoes!
If you are interested in donating gently used shoes, please contact 785-979-7755 to inquire where to drop off your donations. See link below for more information:
https://lawrencekstimes.com/2022/08/14/third-annual-kicks-4-kids/
Important Dates:
September 2- National College Colors Day
September 5- No School Labor Day
September 13- PTO Meeting @ 6:00
September 15- Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
September 26- Picture Day!