SEP Sunrise Elementary
Monthly Newsletter
September Newsletter 2023
Principal Reflections
Principal Reflections
September 2023
This is the third week of the new school year and we’re already making progress. By now most of our students are settling into their routines and back into good learning habits. Teachers have been reviewing expectations and procedures and walking students through the many safety plans that we have in place here at Sunrise. From fire drills, tornado drills and intruder drills, teachers and students have reviewed their specific roles. Safety is a high priority in the Kimberly Area School District and Sunrise Elementary School. To that point I would like to mention my appreciation for those of you who have been parking in the East lot (the bigger lot) when picking up or dropping-off your children. This has made the front parking lot much less congested and thus safer. I appreciate you using our Drop Off/ Pick Up Procedure.
One additional safety item that I would like to point out is that ALL visitors to Sunrise must stop in the main office and sign in if they are going into the building. In the first week or two of school, some parents felt a need to walk their children to the classroom. I have been sympathetic to this as students settle in and we have been able to have additional staff monitoring the hallways. Now that we are into a busier routine, many additional staff are needed elsewhere so I must ask that all parents who wish to walk to the classroom, sign-in in the Office. Having been the principal of the 4K Center for several years, I know that we can expect a lot of independence from our children by saying goodbye outside of the building. That independence can be expected here as well.
On a separate note, I would like to share with you, our Sunrise community members, how proud I am of the work of our staff. This year, each and every staff member has leaned into new learning and created a sense of urgency around their own growth as educators. Each grade level team is approaching their weekly collaboration time with a new process and paying close attention to the granular needs of the individual students in their classroom. Our goal is to help each of our students develop as problem solvers with a keen sense of their own learning goals and needs. I am excited to hear the conversations that take place in these meetings and confident that they will result in even higher student achievement and identity than we have previously experienced.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me by phone (920-954-1822) or by email (sfitzgerald@kimberly.k12.wi.us). Enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures this week!
Sean
Important Upcoming Dates
September 22nd: Hearing Screening
September 22nd: Noon Dismissal- Elementary
September 26th: Picture Retake Day
September 26th: 5K (Dudek & Vircks) Field Trip to Heritage Orchard
September 29th: 5K (Prucha & Smits) Field Trip to Heritage Orchard
September 29th: 4th Grade Field Trip to Heritage Hill
October 4th: 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Grand Oshkosh
October 6th: PTO Fun Run
KASD Plan for Excellence
Bus Transportation
IMPORTANT- Message Regarding Bus Riding with Friends
Parents,
As the safety of our students is of the utmost priority, transportation policies have been revisited and we will NO-LONGER approve students to switch buses on their way to or from school. (Please note that this will not change regular 4K transitions to and from school. 4K students will still be transferred as they have been.) This is in line with the Transportation Guidelines and Procedures outlined in the Pupil Transportation Handbook that each family should have signed by now. If you have any questions related to this change, please feel free to contact your school's principal.
Sean Fitzgerald,
Principal
Sunrise Elementary School
N9363 Exploration Drive
Appleton, WI 54915
Phone 920-954-1822
If your child(ren) will be riding the bus at any time during the school year, please review the Pupil Transportation Handbook with them. The last page of the handbook is a form that must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian for each pupil that will ride the bus. The completed form should be returned to the child's school secretary by September 22, 2023.
Picture Retake Day
If your student was unable to get their picture taken, retake day is Tuesday, September 26th. Please click the image for more information and a link to pre-order your photos.
Welcome New Sunrise Staff
We welcome several new staff members to our Sunrise community.
- Mrs. Ashley Appleton- 2nd Grade Literacy Teacher
- Ms. Lorianne Brickl- School Counselor
- Deputy Jeremy Hawkins- Police School Liason Officer
- Mrs. Hannah Hietpas- 3rd Grade Literacy Teacher
- Mr. Cole Tremble- 5K Physical Education Teacher
- Mrs. Liz Weborg- 5K Paraprofessional
Music News
Upcoming Concerts
Welcome back! Your children have been busy with music already this year. Here are the upcoming music concerts for the year.
VETERANS DAY CONCERT - Friday, November 10th in the gym time 10:00am
1st Grade Spring Concert - Tuesday, March 5th @ 6:00pm in the gym
2nd Grade Spring Concert - Tuesday, March 5th @ 7:00pm in the gym
5K Spring Concert - Wednesday, March 6th @ 2:30pm in the gym
3rd Grade Spring Concert - Thursday March 7th @ 6:00pm in the gym
4th Grade Spring Concert - Thursday, March 7th @ 7:00pm in the gym
Please reach out if you have any questions 🙂
-Mr. Meehl
Sunrise Staff Video 23/24
Mr. Meehl, Mrs. Schultz & the Sunrise Staff has put together another fabulous video for you. Click the image to enjoy it!
Counselor News
Click the Career Planning flier for more information about listening effectively from Ms. Brickl, the Sunrise School Counselor.
Sunrise Needs You... Lunch Room Supervisors
We need you, our Sunrise community, to help us out. We are looking for Noon Hour Supervisors to join us. Being a Noon Hour Supervisor is extremely flexible. You can work 1 day, 2 days, or however many may work for you. Or, we can work week by week to schedule your days. We are very flexible! Hours are approximately
10:45am – 12:45pm and pay is $10.00/hour.
What being a Noon Hour Supervisor entails:
- Assisting students with opening lunch packaging.
- Having the opportunity to get to know your student’s Sunrise friends.
- Supervising students during recess.
- Getting to know other Sunrise community members.
- Being a steward to our Sunrise community.
By becoming a Noon Hour Supervisor, you join the Sunrise Team and become even more entwined in the Sunrise community. We are extremely grateful to our past, present and future supervisors for enabling us in providing a safe and fun lunch and recess. It takes numerous people to run a school community.
Please reach out to me if you would like to join us on a new adventure, or if you just simply have questions.
Thank you!
Melissa DuVal
920-954-1822
PTO
- The Sunrise 2023 Fun Run Fundraiser has officially begun! Please watch for important information coming home in your child's Wednesday folder! Click the image to register today!
- Congratulations to Nico Salazar on winning the $25 Target Gift Card for signing up before the first day of school!
Save the Date for our annual Trunk or Treat Event happening on Wednesday, October 25th! More details to come!
Sunrise Procedures
Drive Up & Drop Off/ Pick Up Procedure
Drive Up & Drop Off/ Pick Up Procedures can be accessed by clicking on the van.
Early Dismissal Explained
Please click the image for more information regarding both noon dismissal procedures and 2:00 dismissal procedures.
School Fees
You may pay fees online by accessing your Infinite Campus account. When paying through Infinite Campus, you are able to pay using the e-check method or by using your credit card. Credit card fees for registration will be waived August 1st-September 31st. Please remember when you use an e-check it is similar to using a paper check and if this check would be rejected by your bank due to non-sufficient funds, you will be charged a $25 NSF fee. Families are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Applications and Fee Waivers as needed.
Food Service
Chartwells Newsletter
Click the image to access the September 2023 Food Service Newsletter.
September Elementary Lunch Menu
September lunch menus are available by clicking on the menu.
Health Room Information
Medication Consent From
Medication consent forms are required for all over-the-counter and prescription medications. This includes cough drops, ointments, creams, etc. Prescription medications do require a physician's signature. You may find these forms on the KASD website by clicking HERE.
When to Keep Your Child Home Sick
Is your child feeling ill? Click the image to find out when you should keep your child home.
Hearing Screening
Sunrise hearing screening takes place on Thursday, September 21st. Please click on the flier to access more information about the districts hearing screening.
Other Communication Resources
Sunrise Elementary Website
You can find more great information on our website by clicking on the Sunrise bee.
Sunrise Elementary Facebook
Another great way is by following the Sunrise Elementary Facebook page by clicking the Facebook link.
Community Events
There are always some great events happening in the community. Be sure to click the Community Events image to find out more about them.
Important Optional Forms, Fliers & Handbooks
Optional Forms
All of our optional forms and informational fliers are available online via the District Website. You may click the link to access the District Forms page and, if you scroll further down and click the + by Sunrise Elementary, you will see the Sunrise forms and informational fliers.
Volunteer Background Check
The district requires background checks be completed by all volunteers working with students and attending field trips. Background checks are good for 5 years following approval. If you are looking to complete one, please click the link to access the background check form, print it, fill it out and drop it off at the Sunrise office to be processed.
KASD Elementary Student & Parent Handbook 23/24
The Elementary Student & Parent Handbook for 23/24 is available to all parents. You may click the link to access it. If you would prefer a paper copy of the handbook, please contact the school office at 920-954-1822.
Testing
MAP Testing 23/24
Grade KG:
October 30--November 16
January 22--February 2
April 22--May 3
Grade 1:
September 25--October 12
January 22-February 2
April 22--May 3
Grades 2-4:
September 11--20
January 2--19
May 15--24
Herb Kohl Educational Foundation
Sending on behalf of the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation:
The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation announced today that teacher and principal nominations for the 2024 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership awards are now available. Awards are $6,000, with an additional $6,000 grant being awarded to the school of each selected teacher and principal. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation awards 100 Fellowships and 16 Leadership awards annually from among all applicants throughout the state. The deadline to submit nominations is Oct. 3, 2023.
For more information on the award program and how to nominate a teacher or principal, visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s news release website.
The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation also announced today that online applications for the 2024 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Excellence Scholarship are open and can be submitted through the organization’s website. A total of 100 Wisconsin students will be selected to receive $10,000 scholarships from a pool of candidates. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is Nov. 7, 2023.
For more information on the scholarship program and for a full news release, visit the DPI’s news release website.
Sincerely,
John W. Johnson, PhD
Deputy State Superintendent
Student Opportunity Fliers
Kimberly Baseball Organization
Click the baseball flier to access more information about Kimberly Baseball opportunities.
Try Hockey...For Free
Click the hockey flier to find out more information on how your student can try hockey...for free.
Girl's Volleyball Youth Night
Click the volleyball flier to find out more information on the girl's volleyball youth night- PreK-8th grade.
Substitute Teachers and Paraprofessionals
The Kimberly Area School District is always looking for great substitutes. Click on the flier to find out more information on how to join our team.
District Notices
Public Notices 2023/24
Annual Public Notices 2023-24: Each year the Kimberly Area School District must inform all families and staff of certain information.
The updated Public Notices document can be found on our website at https://www.kimberly.k12.wi.us/departments/pupil-services/notices
If you need a printed copy, you can request one from any school office or the District Administration Office.
If you are unable to access specific content within this newsletter, please call us at (920) 954-1822.
This newsletter may contain links to third party sites, which are not within our control. The District is not responsible for the content or accessibility of third party sites.
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Student Nondiscrimination Statement
The Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex, (including gender status, change of sex or gender identity), or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability ("Protected Classes") in any of its student programs and activities.