News from the Ridge
April 14, 2024
The Sunset Ridge Community will provide a safe and caring place for all children to grow and believe in themselves as learners and individuals.
Office Main Line: (913) 239-7400
Attendance: (913) 239-7405
Nurse: (913) 239-7413
Important Links
April Character Focus:
POWER OF YET
There's a difference between not knowing and not knowing YET!
Look for someone that uses the Power of YET!
Happening This Week
National Occupational Therapy Month
School Library Month
Public School Volunteer Week
Monday, April 15: Green Day
Tuesday, April 16: Red Day
- Strings 8:00 am
- Sunset Service Team (Group Prairie Dogs) 3:50 - 4:30 pm
- Fifth Grade Music Program 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, April 17: Orange Day
Thursday, April 18: Yellow Day
- Strings 8:00 am
- Lift Field Trip
Friday, April 19: Green Day
- NO SCHOOL (Professional Learning Day)
Collective Commitment- Hallway Behavior
As we move into the new school year, we will be making collective commitments as a school, the adults and the students. Since we are in the mode of having a voice level zero in the hallway, we are going to continue this through the rest of the school year. Please continue to hold your students accountable for having a voice level zero in the hallway. Please stop your lines and review expectations. Please plan to stand in the middle of the line as needed and have them stop at specific places where you can ensure this is happening and review expectations if necessary.
Solar Eclipse Glasses- Used or Unused
I know that many of our students want to keep their solar eclipse glasses. With that being said, If you find yourself about to throw them away, the district has found a place to send them so they can be used by others. Warby Parker, in Town Center Crossing, is a local collection site for Astronomers Without Borders, an organization that is collecting glasses to send around the world for others to use during their next opportunity in the path of an eclipse. I will be delivering them next weekend. So if they are going to find themselves in the trash, send them to school with your kiddo. There will be a box in the front hallway through this week. I recognize many of you may have already thrown them away but we will take those you no longer want to keep in your house.
News from the Reading Specialist
Registration for 2024-25 is Now Open
Elementary school registration for the 2024-25 school year is open and online now for current students. Registration is required annually and is the time to update your child’s information and pay fees. Completing registration confirms that your child will attend school in August. Thank you for providing important information as part of this annual process. For more registration information, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/registration.
📱⌚ Reminder: Student Personal Electronics Policy
While families may wish students to have cell phones available before and after school, SRE policy asks students to leave cell phones and other electronic devices (smart watches included) in their backpack while on school property unless a teacher gives permission to have them out. Every attempt should be made to address personal affairs at home, such as arranging visits with other students or activities. If students need to use a phone, they may ask a staff member to use one of our many building phones. If students choose to use their cell phone, or other electronic device, while at school without permission, they will be asked to visit the principal and families will be contacted.
Elementary Plan/Collaboration Time Update
Thank you to all the families who took the time to provide feedback on elementary plan and collaboration time. Your input is invaluable as the district strives to support student learning outcomes through enhanced teacher plan and collaboration time.
As the district plans for the upcoming 2024-25 school year, we remain steadfast in this commitment. Our focus is on fostering professional collaboration among our dedicated teaching staff and ensuring they have the time and resources needed to excel in their roles. Any modifications to the 2024-25 school calendar that are approved by the Board of Education will be shared with families before the start of the school year.
Seven Days of Kindness- Four Days Left
The SRE community will participate in the SevenDays: Make a Ripple, Change the World campaign next week. The KC campaign is being held over a two-week period: Wednesday, April 10th – Thursday, April 18th. This campaign provides opportunities for all people to increase kindness through knowledge, mindset, and behavior. It marks the anniversary of the hate crime that occurred in April 2014 at the Jewish Community Campus and Village Shalom Retirement Center in Overland Park, Kansas.
The themes help us focus on kindness in seven different ways on seven different days. We will make announcements daily on broadcast stating the daily theme and give ideas how random acts of kindness can be promoted throughout the week.
Please discuss the daily theme in your morning meetings. The SevenDays campaign has created a different sticker design for each of the seven days. The Seven Days of Kindness stickers will in your mailboxes for you to give your students. In the past, some teachers do this each day and highlight the specific sticker with the daily theme and other teachers give all stickers at once. Please do what works best for you and YOUR students.
Thank you for your assistance and helping Make a Ripple: Change the World!
Monday, April 15, 2024 – CONNECT
Today’s kindness theme is CONNECT! This day is about connecting with others. Take some time today to re-connect with family and friends. Find someone that you want to get to know better and spend some time with them. Ask them questions, do something fun, or just let them know you want to be friends!
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 – YOU
Today, take time to care for YOU. Spend a few minutes thinking about how to best take care of YOU. Find activities that engages your body, mind and spirit.
Take time for yourself and be proud.
Wed, April 17, 2024 – GO
The SevenDays® Theme today is GO. Do something active outdoors and play if you can! Engage in an activity with family and friends in a way that makes you GO.
Thursday, April 18, 2024 – ONWARD
Today’s SevenDays® theme is ONWARD.
What are you going to do that Makes a Ripple to Change the World?
Act beyond today and make kindness a habit.
SRE Culture Fair (May 3)
Sunset Ridge’s Culture Fair is returning during the school day on May 3rd from 12:00 - 3:00 pm. We hope to have many countries and cultures represented. Please consider sharing your heritage and culture (from anywhere in the world) with all grade levels by bringing artifacts, clothing, spices, games, information boards, instruments, pictures, or anything else that has meaning to you and your family (no food please). Each adult/family that volunteers will have their own small table to use for their display. The more, the merrier even if we have repeated cultures! This is an event for students viewing ONLY unless you are a volunteer with a table set up. The last day to sign up as a volunteer is Friday April 19th.
Please email Chelsea Smith, ESOL teacher at Sunset Ridge, with any questions at cksmith@bluevalleyk12.org. Here is the Sign Up form if you wish to participate.
Thank you,
Chelsea Smith
BVEF Champion for Students Award
Do you know an educator who cultivates a learning environment where relationships are the cornerstone, where kindness and compassion are guiding principles, and making a profound difference in the lives of young people is not just a goal but a lived reality? Now is your chance to recognize those educators whose impact extends far beyond their role, shaping the trajectory of our students’ journeys and leaving an enduring legacy of excellence.
Nominations are officially open for BVEF’s new Champion for Students Award. Anyone in the Blue Valley Schools’ community is welcome to nominate an educator (any staff member, e.g., teacher, paraprofessional, administrator, kitchen manager, etc.) for this prestigious honor. Nominate a Champion for Students today! https://bit.ly/BVEFCFS2024.
Winners will receive one of the following:
$2500 cash prize (subject to tax)
$2500 grant for their learning environment
$2500 tuition reimbursement for credit hours
Future Voter Sticker Contest
The Johnson County Election Office is running a contest for K-8 students to design a sticker to be distributed to youth at advance voting and Election Day polling sites.
The submission deadline is May 3. Contest rules and required forms are included in this Sticker Contest Packet as well as at this link.
Claim Your Lost and Found Items
Our lost and found is overflowing with jackets and more. Please have your student check the lost and found for any missing items. You are welcome to check the lost and found during office hours 8:00 am - 4:00 pm on school days.
SRE Art on Display at Blue Valley Library
All BV Elementary Schools, including SRE, have artwork on display at the Blue Valley Library (across the parking lot from SRE) until April 25, 2024.
I hope you can go check it out.
Sincerely,
Mrs. O’Shaughnessy
5th Grade Program: Camp Sunset Ridge
5th grade families,
You are all invited to the 5th Grade Program called Camp Sunset Ridge! This will be on April 16th at 6pm. Please check your email for important details. Contact ggiuliani@bluevalleyk12.org with any questions.
Thank you,
Ella Giuliani
Music Teacher
Kindergarten 2024-2025
Do you have an incoming Kindergarten student for the 2024-25 school year? Click the link below to be put on our email distribution list for upcoming Kindergarten information.
News from Sunset Ridge PTO
PTO UPDATES (Parent Teacher Organization)
Every parent is a member of our PTO! Are you interested in learning more about the PTO or want to get involved? Questions? Reach out to Amy at sreptoboardpresident@gmail.com
24-25 SRE PTO Fees Explanation
Hi Falcon Community!
It is exciting to see registration open for the 2024-2025 school year! This year we changed up how the optional fees are listed to try and provide more clarity on what you are paying for. The two options specific to PTO for next year are the following:
PYRBK - PTO Yearbook/FieldTrip/Planner SRE for $60
- This is the fee to cover ONLY your child’s 2024-2025 yearbook ($15), their 2024-2025 planner ($4) and their 3 field trips and transportation costs ($41).
PDON – PTO Club Dues for SRE minimum of $30
- This is what has traditionally been called Falcon Fund. This is the fund we use to do all of the fun activities throughout the year: Meet the Teacher, Chat & Chew, Veteran’s Day, Fall Family Fun Night, VIP and Me, Field Day, Carnival and much more!
If you have any other questions about the fees, please feel free to reach out to Tiffany McCalla at sreptoboardcopresident@gmail.com.
Thank you for your continued support!
PTO Board
24-25 PTO Open Board Positions
Hello Falcon Community!
We are already starting to prepare for next school year—I know it is crazy. We have open PTO board positions as well as chair/committee positions open for next year. In order to make events happen, we rely on parent volunteers. Grab some of your friends and do it together! It is a lot of fun and a great way to meet others in our falcon community while providing an awesome experience for the kids!
Please see the sign-up link below for any of our open positions.
SRE: 24-25 PTO Chairs (signupgenius.com)
Board Positions to Fill:
- Co-Treasurer
Chair/Committee Positions to Fill:
- Yearbook Co-Chairs
- Family Fun Night Committee
- Staff Appreciation Committee
- Meet the Teacher Co-Chair
- VIP & Me Co-Chair
- Spring/Fall Picture Coordinator
- Marquee Update Chair
- Facebook/Website Coordinator
- Carnival Committee
- Online Auction Chair
- Staff Birthday Coordinator
- New Parent Connection/Family Ambassador
- Kindercamp/Kinder Welcome Coordinator
- Lost and Found Coordinator
- Chat & Chew Coordinators
- Veteran’s Day Committee – 6 positions
- Girl Scout Liaison
- Community Service Project Chairs
- Book Fair Committee
- Fifth Grade Farewell Committee
- PTO Directory Chair
- BVEF Liaison
Please contact Tiffany McCalla, Co-President at sreptoboardcopresident.com or 913-634-5012 or Amy Bednarz, President at sreptoboardpresident@gmail.com for more details if you would like more details. We will also be scheduling a transition day in May for outgoing chairs with new incoming chairs.
Order School Supplies for 24-25 School Year (Closes April 26th)
Hi parents:
As this school year is winding down, it is now time to order school supplies for the 24-25 school year. You can order a kit online OR buy all items individually.
TO ORDER A KIT:
Visit: www.shopttkits.com
Enter Account #: 85711
Order Deadline: April 26th
Kit home delivery: Summer
If you are not familiar with ordering school supply kits, this is a way to simplify your school shopping and raise money for the PTO. The kits are customized for your child's grade by the teachers and it is more cost effective than buying all the items individually.
There will be a few items not included in the kit that you will still need to purchase. You can find them on the complete supply list here: SRE School Supply List
Please email any questions to jennifercdavenport@gmail.com
Thanks!
Jenny Davenport
BOGO Book Fair May 13 - May 16
Dear Families:
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way. Even better news? At our school’s upcoming Fair, for every book they purchase, your eager readers can choose another book for FREE! I love this buy-one-get-one promotion because it means students can take home extra reading. Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers.
Here’s what you need to know about the big event, which will take place:
- May 13th – 16th, during school hours in the SRE Library
- We will also host a Book Fair Breakfast, May 15th, in the cafeteria from 7:30 am – 8:30 am. Enjoy a quick bit and then shop the book fair!
Before the Fair, after Monday, Apr 22, make sure to set up eWallet, your child’s digital payment account. Say goodbye to cash and hello to worry-free, cash-free purchases—and anyone can contribute! Share your child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give them more books to enjoy. (If you have more than one child, you’ll need to create an eWallet for each one.)
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping.
Here are a few reminders about the upcoming fair:
- Every dollar you spend will benefit our school directly
- Grandparents, friends, and others can contribute to the eWallet to help build your home library.
- You can shop during the book fair breakfast!
**Sales Tax will be collected with every purchase so make sure your child has enough to cover the Sales Tax.
We will need volunteers to work the book fair and to help with the breakfast. We can’t do it without you!! Sign Up Here
The countdown to more book joy is on. Catch you at the Fair!
Happy reading,
Shaina Billington & Nicole Scott
Field Day Friday, May 17th
Mark your calendars! We are gearing up for another fun Field Day on Friday May 17th! We are in need of parent volunteers to run stations and make this a successful event for the kids! Please see the link below for the sign-up genius to volunteer for a station. RAIN OR SHINE!!
SRE: Field Day 2024 (signupgenius.com)
Morning Session: 9:00 - 10:30 am
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade:
- Volunteers arrive at 8:45 am and meet in the Gym to get supplies and directions. One parent volunteer will be partnered with 5th graders to run the stations.
Afternoon Session: 1:45 - 3:15 pm
3rd grade – 5th grade:
- Volunteers arrive at 1:30 pm and meet in the Gym for supplies and directions.
For any questions, please contact Tiffany McCalla (Field Day Chair) at 913-634-5012 or tacook07@gmail.com OR Joanne McLay jmclay@bluevalleyk12.org
Family Picnic Friday, May 17th
Family Picnic is Friday, May 17th 12:00 - 1:00 pm
You will need a virtual ticket and enter through the front of the school. When you check-in, your student(s) will be called down to meet you in the foyer and then you can head to the field for your picnic lunch.
Kindercamp August 1 - 2
Looking Ahead
National Occupational Therapy Month
School Library Month
Monday, April 22: Green Day
Tuesday, April 23: Red Day
- School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
- Strings 8:00 am
- Sunset Service Team (Group Bluebirds) 3:50 - 4:30 pm
Wednesday, April 24: Orange Day
Thursday, April 25: Yellow Day
- Strings 8:00 am
- Field Trip to Union Station (3rd Grade) 9:15 am - 2:00 pm
Friday, April 26: Green Day
- PTO General Meeting 8:45 am
- Field Trip to Sate Capitol Building (4th Grade) 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
From Past Updates
BV West Jaguars Youth 2024 Summer Soccer Camp
Message from Nurse Bri
Peach Jar Community Flyers
Blue Valley—Education Beyond Expectations
Mary Riley, Principal
Email: mcriley@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/SRE
Location: 14901 England Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-239-7400
Twitter: @principalRiley