Wednesday Word
April 14,2021
From The Principal
Our busy spring season is upon us. Our 5th graders started their state assessments this week and have done a great job working hard on their tests. Next week 3rd and 4th grade will start their tests as well. We have decided to not send iPads home the night before the tests so they are fully charged for the next day. We have also asked students to make sure they have a good night's sleep before a test day and make sure they are at school on time since our tests start first thing in the morning.
April 12-16: 5th Grade Science
April 19-23: 3rd-5th ELA
April 26-30: 3rd-5th Math
The Sunflower Site Council met for our final meeting last night. I have attached our agenda and meeting minutes below for you to review.
We are having some issues with people being on our playground after hours causing damage to our playground equipment and school gardens. If you have older students who may use our playground after school hours, please talk with them and make sure they are not damaging things while they are here, and if possible provide some supervision. We would appreciate it.
Lastly, Ramadan started this week and we would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all our Sunflower families celebrating this month.
As always it is an honor to serve as the Principal of Sunflower Elementary.
Melissa Blevins
From The Office
The school district has opened the 2021/2022 Annual Enrollment. Please click the link below and follow the directions in PowerSchool to enroll your student for the next school year.
https://www.usd497.org/Domain/7638
Lost and Found
Lost and Found will be donated this Friday the 16th. Please stop by and check if anything belongs to you!
Kindergarten Enrollment!
Kindergarten Orientation begins next week! We will hold two in person sessions on Wednesday April 21st and Wednesday April 28th. In addition, we will hold a virtual option on May 5th.
If you have not received a call about a date and time for your orientation please call the office.
If you have not registered in PowerSchool for Kindergarten this MUST be done prior to your orientation time.
2021-2022 NEW Student Registration!
Once you have completed the on-line registration, please bring the following to the school at the time of orientation or email the required documents listed below to nlett@usd497.org
- Certified Birth Certificate (Kindergarten students entering public school for the first time will need to provide the original certified birth certificate at Kindergarten Orientation )
- Proof of Residency (current utility bill - water/gas/or electric, current car registration, or a new lease agreement/buyers agreement)
- Current Immunizations
- Physical
Follow the link below for important info about Kindergarten.
From the Counselor
Parent/Guardian Resource: childmind.org
With vaccinations ramping up and warmer weather on the way, It feels like the end of the pandemic may finally be in sight. But for kids who’ve spent the past year weathering so much uncertainty and disappointment, there are still challenges. Some are so impatient for “normal” they’re ready to throw caution (and their masks) to the wind before it’s time. For others, this final phase can feel confusing and upsetting.
Anxiety and depression rates among children have risen sharply during the pandemic. Kids may have trouble getting excited for partial reopening, with many activities still off-limits, and the possibility of being let down again. The link childmind.org takes a look at how parents can help kids manage their feelings and expectations during this complicated time. And this resource offers tips for supporting children who are struggling, both now and after the pandemic ends.
HARVESTERS BACKSNACK PROGRAM!
If you would like your scholar/s to receive a FREE bag of food for the weekends, please let me know! The bags of food include non-perishable foods such as various snacks, cereals, canned soups, canned vegetables, and canned fruits. If you are interested in this free program, all you need to do is let me (Julie Heatwole, school counselor) know! I just need to know the first and last name of your scholar/s. There are no eligibility requirements or paperwork to complete. Each scholar will receive a bag of food each week of school, on the last day of each week! You may reach me on my direct school line #785-330-4860 or email me at jheatwol@usd497.org
Greetings Lawrence Area Elementary School Educators!
Rainbow Kids & Families is extremely excited to share details regarding our latest RKF Pride & Inclusion Project!
Families and educators should check out the RKF Website, www.rainbowkidsandfamilies.org , where they will find our RKF Inclusive Elementary School Video/Checklist and be able to sign up for RKF Pride Pack Resources
- Educational Film & Checklist
SSPartnering with local educators, advocates, advocates, families, and students, RKF developed a video and checklist outlining healthy, inclusive, and safe school features. While our focus is on Elementary Schools and students/families, identifying as LGBTQIA+, the inclusive features are intersectional and can be applied across grade levels. COVID disrupted plans for a professional video production, but while the film lacks polish, it is long on authenticity. The video and checklist are on our website home page!
- Student & Family Pride Packs
We have purchased informative and inclusive story books for both RKF elementary students and their families. Additionally, RKF children will receive a free RKF T-shirt and fun inclusive activities Families can sign up for Pride Packs and to talk to other RKF parents/caregivers using the sign-up sheet on our website!
- Elementary Educator Champions
We have purchased enough Reading Rainbow books on building inclusive curriculum for all the Lawrence area elementary schools and are looking for “RKF Elementary Educator Champions” at each school to share the curriculum with other teachers. Each school champion will receive an adult RKF shirt (in pink, blue, or gray) and static stickers to identify safe spaces throughout school. Additionally, RKF Champions will have access to the RKF library, where they can obtain inclusive storybooks, informative texts, and resources for school staff and students. Educators can sign up for resources and request info about becoming a “RKF Elementary Educator Champion” using the Educator sign-up sheet on our website!
- Funding for inclusive books, resources, and materials
We are extremely grateful for the large Transformations donation, granted because of our victorious talented Board Member, Derrick Hurst, and for our partnerships with Raven Books and River Rat Printing. However, we know we need to continue to raise funds as the need will continue. Because of this, we designed a super fantastic, high quality RKF ST-shirt for adults. Thanks to our “Friends of RKF” business partners, Raven Bookstore & River Rat Printing, we will be able to purchase a new book for a student, family, or classroom, for each adult shirt purchased. You can help us continue our mission by purchasing one of these amazing shirts, stickers, or just by donating at our website!
Sincerely,
RKF Board of Directors
From Mr. Gipson/ Music
Hello Sunflower Families!
I am happy to announce an exciting opportunity for our talented Sunflower students, the second ever Sunflower Virtual Talent Show! Students in grades K-5 may submit a video of themselves performing a talent to Mr. Gipson, and I will compile all accepted submissions into a video for our entire Sunflower community to enjoy. I have put together an introductory video going over ALL expectations (PLEASE view if your student would like to submit a video) for interested students. It can be found at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3x57D_A9sw
In general, here are the expectations:
Any student enrolled in K-5th grade at our school may submit a recording. Only one “solo” recording per student can be in the talent show (information on “group acts" can be found in the YouTube video. Students must be enrolled at Sunflower Elementary School.
Students practice a song, dance, skit, or other demonstration at home.
Recorded submissions MUST be school appropriate in both words and actions.
Acts are not limited to music/dance performances! Sports demonstrations, stand up comedy, science demonstrations-if you can do it, we'd love to see it!
Students then record and submit a video of their act to Mr. Gipson’s email address (pgipson@usd497.org) , or to their MUSIC SEESAW JOURNAL no later than Saturday, May 8th.
The final talent show video will likely be accessible via social media and YouTube. If your student is on the “Do Not Photograph” list maintained at Sunflower and would like to participate, please e-mail Mr. Gipson directly to discuss your situation.
Videos can be from anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. If your song is a little bit over 3 minutes, that it ok but it cannot go to 4 minutes long.
Mr. Gipson will view each of the videos. If a video isn’t performance ready, Mr. Gipson will return an email with information on how to fix and resubmit the entry. If a video performance is ready, Mr. Gipson will return an email with a quick message like “thank you for your video!”
Students get ONE chance to redo their video if it is not accepted for submission.
Once all videos have been collected and reviewed, Mr. Gipson will make a video compilation and send it out for the school to enjoy!
From Sunflower PTO
5th Grade Recognition
Memory Book
We still need pictures to create the 5th grade memory book. Please send a baby/toddler picture AND a current picture of your 5th grader to Kristel Lewis at ktel30@hotmail.com It is best if the pictures are more waist up but anything can work. Please label the picture with last name, first name and then either big (for current) or baby. Example: LewisKatebaby.jpg, LewisKatebig.jpg. Please submit by April 20th.
Guess who pictures are DUE April 20th.
This is for the traditional Guess who baby wall. These pictures will be put on display at the front foyer by the cafeteria. We will need again a baby picture / toddler and a current picture of your 5th grader. Our preferred photo size is 3X5 up to 8X10. Write your students name and teacher's name on the back of both pictures. The pictures are to be turned in to your students teacher. If you are long distance only you can turn them into the office.
Slideshow pictures are DUE May 4th.
We will need any pictures that you would like to share of your students’ memories at Sunflower or with any other students at other locations like birthday parties, clubs, sports. Etc. If you could send them to ang3lzkidz@gmail.com and put your student name on the subject line that would be amazing.
Please contact Ana Cedillo with any questions at truelover247@yahoo.com
The next PTO meeting is Tuesday May 4th at 7pm. If you would like to attend please send an email to sunflowerelementarypto@gmail.com for the WebEx link.
**Follow our Sunflower PTO Facebook page. We post a lot of information and events on our page.
https://www.facebook.com/Sunflower-Elementary-PTO-532741010145883/
Upcoming Events
April Calendar
- 16- School IS in session (Inclement weather day)
- 21-Kindergarten Orientation (in person) - Current Kindergartners WILL have school this day.
- 28-Kindergarten Orientation (in person) - Current Kindergartners WILL have school this day
May Calendar
- 4- PTO meeting at 7pm
- 5 - Kindergarten Orientation (Virtual)
- 14- Field Day
- 24-5th grade fun day
- 27- 5th grade recognition, Yearbook signing
- 27- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Sunflower Elementary
Email: melissa.blevins@usd497.org
Website: https://www.usd497.org/sunflower
Location: 2521 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS, USA
Phone: 785-832-5870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunflowerElementaryLawrenceKS/?rf=143171452380768