The Sunray
Sunset Elementary Newsletter
10.21.22
Over the last thirty years I've been fortunate enough to lead a variety of different groups of students. As a coach, I worked extremely hard at empowering all players to take ownership in the team dynamic. Every player knew their role and played a part in the success of the team, leading by example and holding each other accountable. As a Leadership teacher, I worked to create an environment of "doers" and not "complainers". In those classes we talked about the difference between being a thermostat and being a thermometer. Thermometers gauge the surrounding culture. Thermostats impact the surrounding culture.
This week we introduced the statement, "See something, say something" as it relates to kindness. As an educators, I will continue to teach students that kindness matters, but the real impact will be felt when students participate in the process. When I've been part of something great, it was due to the students taking ownership. Telling others that rude and mean behavior "is not what we do here", is powerful. This message has to be delivered with compassion and not in a condescending way. No one wants to be told by a peer what to do. It has to be out of a desire to be part of something greater, to develop a sense of belonging.
Sunset is an amazing place to spend my day. I want your child to feel the same pride and belonging here that I feel. The only way we will rid negative, ugly and mean behavior is if we collectively make an effort to drown out the small percentage of unkind comments with an overwhelming amount of acceptance and love for each other.
Please empower your child to join forces with others in my "kindness club" and make an active effort to defend happiness. It is worth fighting for. Please encourage them to discourage unkind comments with positive encouraging words. It matters and while I know you already know this, it will transform their self confidence and they will feel good about being kind.
Thanks again,
Thomas Fletcher
Principal
Sunset Elementary School
Bright Sunrays (UVA)
Brand new"ish" news...
•AM Parking~ I wanted you to be aware that we may begin ticketing cars that park in the staff parking lot in the mornings. We always want you to feel welcomed, but we do not have many spaces and our teachers have been unable to find a spot in the morning. Please be cognizant of their needs.
•Fall Carnival~ Oct 23rd from 11-2. See attached flier.
•Sensory Storytime~ This fall, the Livermore Public Library is continuing to offer a free monthly Sensory Storytime designed for children with special needs. It is a welcoming, interactive, sensory-friendly environment that includes visuals, preschool-level stories, and hands-on fun. Take a look at the attached flyer for details.
•DLAC Representative~ (District English Learner Advisory Committee) If any one is interested in being Sunset's DLAC representative, send me an email and let me know. What is a DLAC representative? https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/cr/delac.asp
•Halloween Parade~ There will be a Halloween Day Parade at Sunset this year on 10/31. The parade will be in the morning. 8:45-9:15 Whoe putting together costumes, please keep the following in mind.
LVJUSD Guidelines for Halloween Costumes
The Sunset Halloween Parade will take place at 8:45 a.m. on the blacktop. Please make sure to follow the LVJUSD Halloween Costume Guidelines.
- Masks may be worn during the parade only
- Masks must be school friendly
- No weapons or replica weapons
- No blood or gore
- Outfits must meet dress code guidelines
Dimmer Sunrays (UVB)
Not brand new news...
•Panorman Survey~ Please research and complete the consent form if you are okay with your 4th or 5th grade student taking this survey. This is one of the most important surveys for me to review. It directly gives me a glimpse into the social emotional feelings of the students here on campus. I do not always hear if they feel unsafe or protected. I don't always know if they feel like they have any connections to the campus. In order for students to participate they have to have a parent permission slip signed by the parent or legal guardian by October 26, 2022.
A Panorama Consent Form should be collected in order for students to participate in the Panorama Survey. If we do not receive the signed permission slip, your student will not be able to participate.
Please read this brief description.
By measuring student perceptions, the Panorama Student Survey gathers feedback from students about their classroom experience. Decades of research have shown that student perceptions strongly correlate with learning outcomes and can be an important improvement tool for school systems.
We designed the Panorama Student Survey as a series of scales—groups of student survey questions that capture different aspects of the same underlying theme—to allow educators to customize the survey with the topics they value most.
The comprehensive survey covers nineteen key topics: from pedagogical effectiveness and school climate, to student engagement and growth mindset. Thousands of teachers have used the survey as a formative tool, educators have used it to assess the effectiveness of their interventions, and districts have used it as part of educator evaluation systems.
•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"
•Fun Runners~ Sunset Fun Runners is a program that began in 2006 with the goal to get kids more active. Sunset students, faculty and family members are encouraged to join us and run or walk prior to the morning bell from 8:00 - 8:25 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Every student that participates earns a foot charm for each mile that he or she runs or walks.
Donations: The program is funded entirely through donations. For a donation of $5 per student, the program will be funded for the entire year. All donations are tax-deductible and can be paid online or dropped off at the office (cash or check - include a note with student's name and reference to Fun Runners)
We need your help! The program is run entirely by volunteers who need help in the mornings with checking in students, tallying laps, and handing out feet. If you would like to volunteer to help, please let us know!
Fun Runners starts Monday, October 10th. All grades welcome. TK and Kinder students must be supervised by guardian and walked to class by guardian. Non-Sunset younger siblings are welcome, but must be supervised. All school rules apply.
Thank you,
Jennifer Preston and Drea Colella
surfersfunrunners@gmail.com
•Measure G~ For those who may be interested in the Measure G bond, here are some informational links to our district website.
www.livermoreschools.org/bond: This provides a link to the welcome page which has been dedicated to facts and information about the upcoming bond measure. It provides access to FAQs as well.
www.livermoreschools.org/FMP: This page includes the full Facilities Master Plan (FMP).
www.livermoreschools.org/bondprojectsphase2: This provides visuals and descriptions of projects that have been identified as Phase 2 priorities should additional funding become available. It also provides a link to the full FMP and it also can be viewed in person at our Civic Center Library or District Office.
•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.
•This Year's (2022/2023) School Calendar~ The District calendar is attached below.
•Joke Suggestion Box~ Sarah Borjon's class was kind enough to create a "joke suggestion box" for me last year. If you have a joke or have a student who has a joke, write it down and send them on up to the office. The box will be by the check in computers.
LVJUSD Menus~
•October Elementary Lunch Menu- REVISED 9.29.22
•Sunray Archive...See below
Fading Sunrays (UVC)
News that's been around a while...
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.
•Please note the attached SSC information page, campus map, bell schedule and LVJUSD calendar for the 2021-2022 school year.
Calendar these dates!
10/23/22~ Sunset PTO Fall Carnival 11-2
10/31/22~ Halloween Parade (Details coming soon)
11/1/22~ No School
2/12/23~ Sunset Superbowl Scramble
Golf Tournament
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