JAN Sunrise Elementary
Family Newsletter
January Newsletter 2024
Principal Reflections
Sometimes motivation can be difficult to come by. In these chilly winter days, I sometimes find it more difficult to get out the door to workout. Unfortunately, this is the beginning of a long stretch of winter, and working out isn’t the only challenge that will be faced. I know that these long winter months can make it difficult to find motivation to get homework done, or to do other daily chores at home. Again, even as adults, we can sometimes find it difficult to find motivation to do the things we know that we should.
As I think about the concept of motivation, it’s not difficult to look up the definition. If you do look it up on Google, you’ll first come to an Oxford dictionary definition.: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. Beyond this simple definition, there is a great deal of literature about motivation and much of it suggests that motivation can be rooted in a “trust” that acting in a certain way will bring about a desired outcome. I share this with you to suggest that we can have conversations about homework and chores, that engage our children in a manner that helps them appreciate the outcome they are working toward.
To be direct, Sunrise is a great place for children, and I have always believed that. We have great families and phenomenal staff. Our achievement has generally been high, and we have a great deal to be proud of. Having said that, our teachers and I have been discussing our achievement a bit differently this year. Instead of looking at achievement as a score, we have been focused on “growth” as a measure of success for each of our students. In order to make this new priority a reality, our teachers needed to trust in a system that would help them move in that direction. As such, each grade level team has been meeting regularly to discuss the progress and growth of their students as it relates to our grade level expectations. As we are nearing the end of the first semester, many measures of progress are beginning to prove that their trust is paying off. Our midyear MAP testing is proving this in many areas. Of course, there are still some gaps, (there always will be) but students and teachers are much more specifically aware of them and how they may address them for improvement. As our students engage with these learning intentions, and observe growth in themselves, motivation takes root and helps growth continue.
I share this with you because one of the factors of this success is the engagement of each student in their own growth and helping them connect what they are doing with the outcome they are trying to achieve. As a parent, I always found this to be an invaluable function of getting my kids to perform their best in any endeavor.
I appreciate the support that our school community gives to the effort of our students and teachers. While I can’t do much to help you get outside for a workout these days, I am confident that we are making great gains at school. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me by phone (920-740-4265) or by email (sfitzgerald@kimberly.k12.wi.us).
Stay warm!
Sean
Important Upcoming Dates
January 18th: Book Swap
January 19th: Noon Elementary Dismissal
February 8th: PTO Sunrise Family Night @ Skate City 6-8pm
February 9th: NO SCHOOL
February 15th: 2nd Grade Field Trip to PAC
February 23rd: 2:00 PM Elementary Dismissal
February 29th: 5K & 1st Grade Field Trip to PAC
Notice of Educational Options & School Report Cards
Please visit the KASD website to access the Notice of Educational Options for children who reside in the Kimberly Area School District. This page also includes a link to view the district’s 22-23 school report cards.
End of Quarter Report Cards
As we approach the end of the second quarter, please be aware that the “Grades” tab in Infinite Campus will be closed to parents starting on Friday, January 12th and opening again on January 26th after 4:00 PM. Closing the “Grades” tab allows teachers the opportunity to enter student grades and create the progress reports. On January 26th after 4:00 PM, you can access your child’s report card via Infinite Campus. Please note that when reviewing your student’s report card, teacher comments do not show up in the portal when looking at the main Grades screen. They do, however, if you access the DOCUMENTS screen. From there, you can generate a report card in pdf format that will have all the comments. Please feel free to contact the office with any questions. Thank you
Sunrise 23/24 Yearbook Orders
On February 1st, your child will be bringing home the Sunrise 2023/24 Yearbook order flier and envelope. Please look it over and take note of the due date and the option to order it via Infinite Campus.
When ordering through Infinite Campus, you are now able to pay using the e-check method and avoid paying a surcharge. You will still be charged a surcharge if you choose to use a credit card. 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.
We will be accepting orders for the 2023/24 Sunrise Yearbook starting February 1st through February 28th .
Public Nature of School Events
Please click the flier for more information from the district on the Public Nature of School Events.
Counselor News
Click the Career Planning Flier for more information on Instilling Perseverance in Children.
Personal Safety
Please click the letter for more information on personal safety for Ms. Brickl.
4K & New 5K Registration is Now Open!
Please click the flier for more information on registering a 4Ker or a new 5Ker. Please note that if your child currently attends the 4K Center for Literacy, there is no need to register them for 5K.
Open Enrollment 24/25 School Year
The timeline for submitting open enrollment applications is February 5—April 30, 2024. A link to the open enrollment application is available on the Kimberly Area School District website Enrollment Page. For more information about open enrollment, please contact Heather Peterson at the Administration Building at 423-4167 or hpeterson@kimberly.k12.wi.us.
Art Show
The Art Show is back for another year! Please click the flier for more information on when and where it is happening!
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.
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 Timber Rattler Reading
The Timber Rattler Reading Program started on Monday, January 15th and ends on Friday, March 8th. The program is divided into four bases, each lasting 2 weeks. The first base is due on Friday, January 26th, second base is due Friday, February 9th, Third base Friday, February 23th, and the last one due Friday, March 8th. If a student completes all four bases, they will get a voucher to order a free ticket and a coupon for a hotdog and soda.
New this year, 20% of all ticket sales for the June 2nd game, will come back to Sunrise Elementary.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Ms. Leverson
SAVE THE DATE: Sunrise Family Day at the Timber Rattlers is Sunday, June 2nd at 1:05 PM.
PTO
- If you need to contact the Sunrise PTO, you may email them at kimberlysunrisepto@gmail.com.
Roller Skating
Sunrise Elementary Skate City Family Night is Thursday, February 8th, 2024! Click the flier for more information.
Sunrise Family Book Club: The One and Only Ivan
If you participated in the PTO Sunrise Family Book Club, click the flier for more information. Supplies went home last week.
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.
Reporting Your Child Absent or Tardy
If your student is going to be absent or tardy, please call the Sunrise office by 8:45 am. You may call the office at 920-954-1822 and press option #1 to leave a voicemail on the Sunrise attendance line. The office receives all of these voicemails.
Food Service
January Elementary Lunch Menu
January 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.
Vision Screening
Sunrise vision screening takes place on Thursday, December 14th. Please click on the flier to access more information about the districts vision 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.
Testing
Reading Readiness
Grade KG:
January 22--February 2
April 22--May 3
Grade 1:
January 22-February 2
April 22--May 3
MAP Testing
Grades 2-4:
January 2--19
May 15--24
FORWARD Testing
Grades 3 & 4
March 18 - April 26, 2024 (specific dates of testing will come from the classroom teacher)
School Fliers
Tri-County Dental
Please click the flier to find out more about a Free Dental Care program for your child.
Weather Cancellations & Delays
Substitute Teachers & 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.
If you are unable to access specific content within this newsletter, please call us at (920) 954-1822.
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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.