Wednesday Word
November 4th, 2020
From The Principal
We are looking forward to "seeing" you all at parent/teacher conferences today and tomorrow. I will have my Webex Personal Meeting Room open from 5:00-6:00pm tonight if you want to pop in and ask questions. I will also have it open from 1:00-2:00 tomorrow. Teachers will be discussing your child's progress as well as providing you with information regarding hybrid operations that begin on Monday, November 9th.
Here are a few items I would like to remind you about as we start back in the building:
- No live sessions on Monday or Tuesday so we can focus on the students in the building those days-asynchronous work will be provided
- Students should be dropped off starting at 8:30 each morning, school officially starts at 8:45
- If your child comes after 8:45, send them to the main entrance regardless of grade level
- The first two days of school (9th and 10th) kindergarten students will start at 9am and will enter at their entry door off of the playground
- Students will stand on the dots outside the door 6 feet apart as they wait to enter the building
- Students will need to remove hats and gloves as they enter in order to get an accurate temperature scan and sanitizer
- Make sure your children have everything in their backpacks (Except water bottles) so their hands are free to get sanitizer
- Students should bring TWO masks, their two-pocket folders or AVID binders, iPad, charger and a filled water bottle each day
- Students will get one mask from the school on their first day, we are encouraging you to send an extra mask each day with your child in the event the lose or soil one or just need a new one for comfort
- Consider sending school supplies over the course of the week so students do not have so much to carry the first day
- If you need to pick up your child early from school, park in the circle drive and call the front office. They will send your child out to you, you do not need to enter the building
- Masks must be worn by all stakeholders on any and all parts of our campus, including outside (students will be allowed to take mask breaks while outside at recess while maintaining 6 feet distance)
- Walkers will exit onto the playground this year, there is no parking in the Southwest parking lot
- We anticipate our car line will take a little longer this year as we must dismiss car riders from the classroom, make sure you have your car tag in order to expedite the process. You will also be getting a car line number to add to your car tag at parent-teacher conferences.
- All dismissal changes must go through the office, we will NOT take dismissal changes after 3:15 to insure teachers get the messages in time for dismissal.
Lastly, please take a few minutes to fill out our climate and culture survey linked below in order to provide us with your feedback. Our Ci3T team will use this information to set goals and improve our processes for every scholar.
As always it is an honor to serve as the principal of Sunflower Elementary.
Melissa Blevins
Arrival and Dismissal
- Car riders and bus riders will begin dismissal at 3:45
- Walkers will begin dismissal at 3:50
- Walkers will leave from the playground and walk or ride their bikes home
- If you are picking up a student you will need to use the car line, there is no parking at Southwest Middle School
- Carline-you need a car tag and a dismissal code- you will get this at P/T conferences and write it on your car tag (see picture below)
- Carline-If you don't have a car tag you will be asked to pull up so we can verify your ID
- Carline-Students will dismiss from classrooms
- Carline-Only 5 cars will load at a time
- I anticipate it taking a little longer, especially at first. Please be patient with us as we are working to insure the safe dismissal of all our students
From The Office
4 Days a Week
In order to meet the needs of students and staff, some students will attend in-person four days a week in the hybrid model.
No School
School will not be in session tomorrow or Friday. Have a happy four day weekend!
Building Closed Wednesdays
With the hybrid schedule starting our building will be closed to walk ins on Wednesday's. If your needing assistance over the phone or email you can reach Miss Zee in the front office at zellesha.whitley@usd497.org or 785-832-5870.
From The Counselor
The City of Lawrence Utilities Assistance Program begins on November 3. The city encourages individuals/families to apply early at
https://lawrenceks.org/utility-billing/coronavirus-relief-fund.
CHILD CARE SCHOLARSHIPS
Douglas County CARES Act funding is working in many ways to help families and businesses that are financially struggling right now. Parents that are employed at any business that meets the broad definition of “essential workers” and meet income guidelines may qualify for a scholarship to pay for their child’s tuition at a licensed program (home or center.) Details about scholarships and how to apply may be found here: https://www.positivebrightstart.org/covid19childcarefinancialaid
COAT COLLECTION & DISTRIBUTION
IF YOU HAVE GENTLY USED COATS: please drop them at any SCOTCH Cleaners. They will clean them. If you purchase new coats drop them off at 946 New Hampshire. You can also order online and have them directly shipped to 946 New Hampshire Lawrence, KS 66044. IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS A COAT: call our office and give us the size needed and your phone number. We will call you when we have that size available. Call 785-843-4188.
From PTO
Thank You!
We would like to thank everyone who signed up and brought food and snacks for our hard working Sunflower teachers and staff during the parent/teacher conferences. We appreciate your support!
Scholastic Book Fair
THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER!
The Scholastic ONLINE Book Fair is OPEN!
Click on the link below to explore and shop hundreds of wonderful book choices for your favorite Sunflower Scholars!!
The ONLINE Book Fair will be LIVE from Wednesday, November 4th THROUGH Tuesday, November 17th!
Please be sure to share the link below with friends and family!
Happy shopping Sunflower Families!
PTO Meeting
The Next Virtual PTO meeting will be Tuesday November 10th @ 7pm. Please email sunflowerelementarypto@gmail.com if you would like to join and we will send you a link.
Sunflower Spirit Wear
Please visit the following website to order your
Sunflower Elementary School Gear!
https://www.sidelineinkstore.com/sunflower-elem
Check out the website for color and style options - ORDERS DUE BY NOVEMBER 13TH
Questions - Contact Hilary Nauholz (hilaryandtrent@sunflower.com)
Upcoming Events
November Calendar
- 4-17- Scholastic Virtual Book Fair
- 4-5- (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
- 5- No School
- 6- No School
- 9-Hybrid Model Begins
- 10-Site Council @ 6pm
- 10- PTO Meeting @ 7pm
- 25-27-No School (Fall Break)
- 30- School Resumes
December Calendar
- 21- Jan 4 (Winter Break)
Sunflower Elementary
Email: melissa.blevins@usd497.org
Website: https://www.usd497.org/sunflower
Location: 2521 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS, USA
Phone: 785-832-5870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunflowerElementaryLawrenceKS/?rf=143171452380768