Wednesday Word
November 30th, 2022
From the Principal:
Dear Sunflower Families,
Welcome back! I hope everyone enjoyed the fall break. Right before break our PLC teams (K-1, 2-3 and 4-5 teams) used our progress monitoring data to determine if we needed to make any changes to our WIN groups. We made some changes based on data, some students will remain in their current groups and others will change groups. Our 2nd and 3rd grade groups we were able to create on level and above level groups. 4th and 5th grade created math groups that will help prepare students for our state assessments. These new groups will start tomorrow and will meet until we take our winter screener in January. After each screener we revise all groups based on the data.
We want to congratulate Nancy Lett and Valisha Buselt, our classified and certified staff members of the month for the month of November. Nancy Lett has served as a paraeducator, lunchroom supervisor, parent, secretary, and now, our administrative assistant. She is incredibly responsive and efficient, and definitely goes above and beyond her job description helping students and families. She makes sure our school operations run smoothly, and we appreciate all she does for staff, students, and families! Valisha Buselt serves as an ELL teacher and is also a Sunflower parent. Valisha runs many student groups and goes above and beyond to serve students, even outside of her ELL caseload. She also works with her ELL teammate to provide learning and social opportunities for our ELL families by running an ELL Women's Group monthly. We appreciate all the effort and hard work she puts into her role at Sunflower Elementary!
If you want to shout out a staff member, please use the link below. We share these with staff and then randomly select a certified and classified staff member from those nominated each month to represent the building as our staff member of the month. Staff members of the month get a coveted pin for their lanyard.
Lastly, one safety reminder about drop off...please make sure students are not walking in between cars in the drop off line. We have noticed students getting out of their car way up the line and then crossing in between cars to get to the front doors. Safety is our priority. I know sometimes that means we have to wait a couple extra minutes but we know it is what is safest for our scholars. Thank you!
As always it is an honor to serve as the Principal of Sunflower Elementary.
Melissa Blevins
Parent Shout Outs for Sunflower Staff
Know a Sunflower staff member that deserves a shout out?! Fill out the google form below!
Join Our Team!
Sunflower is currently hiring for a full-time paraprofessional and interventionist. Please call the school if you are interested. Feel free to spread the word if you know someone who might be a good candidate.
Dress for the Weather
Please dress your students appropriately for the weather every day. We will continue to go outside for recess until the wind chill falls below 15 degrees. Please remember to write your students' names on their hats and coats so they can be returned if they are misplaced or lost.
Interested in Garden Club?
Are your students interested in garden club? Fill out the link below:
4th Grade Field Trip - Friday, Dec. 2nd
Thank you!
Thank you to Joe Stiles, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church, for the generous donation! Sunflower received 150 coats and 1,300 pairs of socks! We appreciate you!
From Sunflower PTO:
Save the Date (note date change!)
December PTO meeting will be 12/13 @ 6pm
Webex only (https://usd497.webex.com/meet/pr11683)
Winter Giving
We are excited to bring you our annual Sunflower Elementary Winter Giving Campaign! Every year our school partners with the Ballard Center of Lawrence to assist families in need within our Sunflower community. It is our goal this year to also provide each family with Dillons gift cards for grocery shopping. We will be collecting items until Wednesday 12/15.
Please sign up for items here
Holiday treats for teachers & staff!
On December 16 let's fill the teacher's lounge with treats to show them how appreciated they are! Sign up here
Watch Dogs
Calling all male figures to volunteer for Watch Dogs! Sign up here
For more info on the program, email tcraig460@gmail.com
Papa Johns Eat and Earn
Tuesday, Dec. 6th - see flyer below
Sunflower Marathon Club
The last day of Marathon Club for the fall semester will be Wednesday, December 14th. We will take a club picture, run and walk, celebrate our finish line finishers, and have a club celebration with a special treat. Marathon Club will start back up in February or early March.
BGC Crunch for a Cause
Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence would like to invite you to their Crunch for a Cause on December 7th.
Important Dates:
December 2nd- 4th Grade Trip to Spencer Art Museum
December 6th- Rock Band Concert @ 6:15pm
December 6th- Site Council Meeting
December 13th- PTO Mtg. 6pm (Webex only)
December 15th- 2nd Grade Music Program @ 6:00pm
December 15th- Choir Program @ 7:00pm
December 20th- End of 2nd Quarter
December 21-January 4 - Winter Break -No School
Thursday, January 5th- School Resumes