Sunset Express
December 2017
Sunset Lake Elementary, PreK-5th Grade Building
LifeLong Learners, LifeLong Leaders
Email: amccaw@vicksburgschools.org
Website: Vicksburgcommunityschools.org
Location: 201 N Boulevard St, Vicksburg, MI, United States
Phone: (269)321-1500
Twitter: @TLIMPrincipal
Principal's Message
Hello Sunset Lake Families,
As a building we are continuing on practicing Habit #2 Begin with the End in Mind. This habit is all about creating goals and making an action plan to help reach that goal. To help embrace this habit at home we encourage you to think of some December goals your family may want to make and as a family plan out some steps to help reach your goal.
Some examples may be:
*Sit-down family dinners at least a few times a week
*Family service project
*Outdoor play 30-60 minutes a day
*Volunteer hours at a local organization
Whatever your family cherishes we hope you take the time in December to Begin with the End in Mind, make that plan and spend some quality family time together during this magical month.
THANK YOU, families, for participating in our fall family survey. Our Family Lighthouse and School Improvement Team are reviewing the results and we will share out the data in the near future.
December can be a busy month, please help us keep our students in "school mode" by keeping consistent bedtimes and healthy eating habits. We know December brings many extra festivities, but regular sleep and a healthy diet are important for our young students to maximize their learning.
Yours in Learning,
Amie McCaw
Sunset Lake Elementary Principal
IMPORTANT December DATES
- December 8th- Village of Vicksburg Holiday Parade
- December 10th-Late Start-School starts at 10:50am
- December 17th-20th- Santa Shoppe
- December 24th thru January 4th- No school Winter Break
Music Notes.....
Here are the dates for the music programs for this year.
4th & 5th Grades: Tuesday, December 11 HS PAC 7pm
A Pirates Christmas
3rd Grade : Tuesday, March 5 HS PAC 7pm
Welcome to the Jungle
2nd Grade: Tuesday, May 7 in the afternoon at Sunset Lake.
TBA
WANTED: Family Lighthouse Members!!
Family Lighthouse Update: Our Family Lighthouse is excited to announce they will be leading a Family Synergy Night on March 7th from 6-8pm. More details coming soon!
If you are interested in becoming part of our Family Lighthouse Team-- please contact Mrs. McCaw at amccaw@vicksburgschools.org
Our Family Lighthouse Team is a group of parents that come together to be a "Light" to help us with our Leader in Me process. Our meeting times are flexible and we work to find times that work with our Lighthouse Members. Even if you are not sure you can commit to meeting face to face we may be able to find ways you can help support our work through participating, organizing or leading various Lighthouse projects for our school. We are looking for family members to help us with our Family Synergy Night- so please let your child's teacher know or contact the Sunset Lake Office if you can help!
Student Lighthouse Team
Reduced Cost Winter Sports Helmets
Safe Kids Kalamazoo County, led by Bronson Children's Hospital, is again, offering Winter Sports Helmets at a Reduced Cost
($25 cash only) minimum donation: See attached flyer and/or link (https://calendarwiz.s3.amazonaws.com/68192/12-15-2018_-Ski_Helmet_Blitz_at_Bronson.pdf)
BLITZ:
- CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT: Bronson HealthAnswers at (269) 341-7723
- DATE: Saturday December 15, 2018
- TIME: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- LOCATION: Bronson Methodist Hospital - Gilmore Center for Health Education – Forum Room A
Children & Adult Sizes Available: (based, in part, on head circumference)
XS - 18.89” to 20.47”
Small – 20.47” to 21.65”
Medium - 21.65” to 22.83”
Large - 22.83” to 24.01”
X-Large - 23.28” to 25.19”
***Individuals receiving a helmet must be present***
Colors: Matte Black, Matte Silver, Matte Dusty Blue & Matte Maroon
Pedestrian Safety for Children
Pedestrian Safety for Children
Crossing the street is an easy task for most—but for children, this can be a difficult or scary thing. These days, technology and distracted driving go hand in hand, which means more dangers for all pedestrians. “It can be hard for kids to judge how fast a car is going on the road or how far away it is,” explains Deb Carpenter, childhood injury prevention coordinator at Bronson Children’s Hospital.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, every day in the U.S., more than 40 kids are hit by a vehicle while walking. That’s more than 15,000 children injured each year. Safe Kids research shows 75% of teen pedestrian deaths occur between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. when it is dark out. “As a parent, the most important thing you can do to help your children stay safe near the roads is talking to them about it,” says Carpenter.
Be sure to share these safety tips with them:
Phones down and heads up while walking. Phones are distracting to both drivers and pedestrians. Whether you’re driving or walking, put your phones down and pay attention.
Always cross at a corner or crosswalk. More than 70% of child pedestrian deaths occur when a child crosses through the middle of the road instead of at the corner or crosswalk.
Be alert, especially when it is dark out. If you go for a walk when it is dark out, wear bright, reflective clothing so drivers are more likely to see you.
Always look left and right. Make sure the road is clear before you cross. Even when you start to cross and know it is clear, continue watching to make sure the coast is clear.
Walk on a sidewalk or path. These are designated for pedestrians and help to remove you from harm’s way. If you don’t have a sidewalk or path to walk on, walk facing traffic as far away from the road as possible. This way, you can distance yourself from oncoming traffic, particularly if you notice a driver isn’t paying attention. Plus on the drivers’ end, cars are more likely to see you.
As drivers, there are also ways to help make the roads safer for children, such as not using your cell phone while driving or becoming distracted in other ways behind the wheel. Drivers should also not speed and should always pay attention to changes in speed limits.
Remember, pedestrian safety is a two-way street, and there is something we can all do to make the roads safer for everyone!
This article is brought to you by Bronson Children’s Hospital, southwest Michigan’s only children’s hospital. For more information about children’s health, visit bronsonhealth.com/services/children.
Sources:
Safe Kids Worldwide: https://www.safekids.org/search?search_api_views_fulltext=facts+about+pedestrian+safetySafe Kids Worldwide: https://www.safekids.org/infographic/dont-get-hit-car
Safe Kids Worldwide: https://www.safekids.org/sites/default/files/documents/mvc_fact_sheet_2018_0.pdf
Food Drive Collection
Sunset Lake Student Lighthouse
Christmas Gift Idea
Message from our Food Service
Good Morning
It’s time for…
BREAKFAST!
$1.25
If you are currently receiving free or reduced price lunches, you qualify for a free breakfast.
Breakfast is NOT offered on days where there is a delayed start to the school day!
Food Allergy
ALLERGY ALERT!
Free and Reduced
You can save up to
$445 per child a year
if you qualify for
free or reduced
priced meals (lunch).
All grade levels are
included.
Applications may be turned in
any time during the year and
are available from your child’s
school or from the Food
Service office.
Call Maureen Ouvry at 321-1031
with questions.
Upcoming Spirit Days
The Student Lighthouse Team has decided on the Spirit Days for December 17th-21st.
Monday-Santa Hat Day Tuesday- Christmas Costume Day (Elf, Reindeer, Santa) Wednesday- Holiday shirt/Sweatshirt/Sweater Thursday- Green/Red Clothes & Christmas Socks Friday- PJ & Slippers Day
Message from PTSO.....
MERRY DECEMBER!
Blessings to all as we reflect on the past year and look forward to the incoming 2019 school year!
Popcorn Friday: December 7th
Christmas Parade: December 8th
Santa Shoppe: Come get yo shopping on!
Monday, Dec 17th
9am-6pm
Tuesday, Dec 18th
9am-3:30pm
Wednesday, Dec 19th
9am-12:30pm
Winter Break: December 24th-January 7th
Wishing you joy and safety this holiday season. We’ll see you next year!
Shannon, Ashley, Denise, and Krystle