The Sunray
Sunset Elementary Newsletter
2.3.23
I was talking to a parent this week about a situation we have been dealing with before school. A group of students were being mean to a few other students at the park and they were using some inappropriate language and being a little rude. While this is unacceptable behavior, it was also intimidating to a few of the other students who were nearby. An adult stepped in to ask if the group was trying to be mean. If they were trying to make other kids feel uncomfortable and if they would consider being kind and making others feel welcomed. Immediately the students felt embarrassed by their actions and agreed to act "better". As a result of that simple conversation, a few students feel a lot more comfortable coming to school.
I only bring this up to share the impact we can have on our community at large. Oddly enough, students sometimes act differently when I am around and I don't always see the "less desirable" attitudes. I love the family feeling that exists here at Sunset and I often do refer to the students as Sunset Ohana. You are part of this Ohana as well. In no way do I want you to parent other children, nor do I expect you to want others to "overstep" and chastise or discipline your child. However, speaking up and approaching others with kindness, asking them if they can do something, rather than telling them to do something, has a huge impact on the way we relate to each other. This kind of community exists when people are looking out for each other and making an effort to provide a safe environment for our kids.
I welcome you to speak up if you see something that does not look becoming or appropriate. If you feel comfortable doing this, I ask that you speak up with a tone of love and concern, rather than with disdain or contempt. I appreciate the passion you have for your kids and will do all that I can to create an environment that is supportive and encouraging. I'm glad you are part of the Sunset Ohana.
Thomas Fletcher
Principal
Sunset Elementary School
Bright Sunrays (UVA)
Brand new"ish" news...
•Spelling Bee~ I want to congratulate all of our Sunet Spellers for their participation in this year's Spelling Bee. An extra shout out to Eva Sundstrom, Kushan Ekanayake and Sean Bumanlag for their participation. Eva won first place just edging out the other two contestants. We are proud of all of our Sunset Spellers!
•Livermore Learns~ Positive Behavior Strategies at Home - Thursday, February 9 from 7-8 pm. Parents will learn what PBIS is and how they can apply these strategies at home to help their child/ren develop skills they can use at school and throughout their lives.
See attached flier
•City of Livermore Crosswalk Improvement Project~ The city is attempting to keep the public informed of all projects within the city and particularly those that might affect schools. One of these projects are near Sunset on Concannon Blvd. This project is slated to start during the summer and be completed by Oct 2023. (See attached flier for information)
•Yearbook anyone?~ Yearbooks on sale now! Yearbooks are now for sale through our new vendor!
Use this link to order: https://buytheyearbook.pictavo.com/
School Code: 712150
https://buytheyearbook.pictavo.com/PictavoSchool/FindSchool
•From William Mendenhall Middle School for 5th grade parents~ Mendenhall is looking for PTSA Board Members. If you are interested in getting involved in middle school for 23-24, please email the principal at trankin@lvjusd.org
•Race to Flagpole~ We have a few Sunset Surfers join us for the Race last Saturday! It was a lot of fun and we hope to see everyone out on Feb 4th for the color run!
•Science Odyssey~ LAST CHANCE! Sign up by Feb 5th. We are excited to announce that our annual Science Odyssey will take place in person this year at Junction TK-8 School! Mark your calendars for March 8 & 9, 2023! This will be an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their love of science and engineering to our community. Sign up here
•Sunset Superbowl Scramble Golf Tournament (February 12th) ~ Sign up here
See attached flier
•Upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Trainings~ YMHFA certification training includes 2 hours of online self-paced pre-work and completion of a virtual class held on the following days (select one):
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 2-6:30pm (virtual)
Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 8:15 am - 1:15 pm (virtual)
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 2-6:30pm (virtual)
Email Liisa Hanninen-Danner to sign up!
YMHFA teaches adults how to recognize and respond to signs of a mental health challenge in children and youth. More information on our YMHFA webpage!
Dimmer Sunrays (UVB)
Not brand new news...
•Phonics Instruction/Sonday~ Sunset has adopted a school wide reading curriculum entitled Sonday. (Pronounced Sunday) It was created by Orton-Gillingham expert Arlene Sonday who carefully crafted the lessons to teach the essential components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension) and it also includes a systematic spelling component.
As I have been observing Sonday lessons in classrooms, I am absolutely blown away by the level of growth and knowledge the students have of the English Language. In a 1st grade classroom this week students were correctly identifying digraphs and identifying consonant, vowel, consonant patterns. 3rd graders were explaining the difference between open and closed syllables and they also reminded me that the "g" and "c" sounds were soft when followed by an "i" an "e" or a "y".
There were example after example of high level phonological awareness that will absolutely translate to better spellers and higher reading fluency. It was exciting and if you know anyone who volunteers in the classroom, ask them what they have witnessed. It is encouraging. It actually can be a little discouraging as I realize how little I know about the English language. lol
If any of you are interested in looking into the Sonday program for some activities to do at home, I've attached some "Parent Empowerment Kits". Please know these are not required for you to use, but they are helpful for me. (A High School Civics teacher who did not teach reading)
LVJUSD Menus~
•January & February Menus
•Sunray Archive...See below
Fading Sunrays (UVC)
News that's been around a while...
•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"
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.
Calendar these dates!
1/28/23~ Race to the Flag Pole
2/4/23~ Sunset Color Fun Run
2/8/23~ PTO Bingo Night
2/10/23~ Kindness Day
2/12/23~ Sunset Superbowl Scramble Golf Tourney
3/24/23~ Sunset Gala
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 is the Sunset Gala?
March 24th
Where is the Sunset Gala?
@ The Palm Event Center
What is this year's theme?
Rodeo!
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