FEB Sunrise Elementary
Family Newsletter
February Newsletter 2024
Principal Reflections
During this long stretch of learning (January - April), it can be a nice idea to look ahead and consider some of the great things that we will be recognizing in the coming months. Volunteer Appreciation Week, Secretaries Day, and Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week have always been extremely important to me. Below I will comment on each of these events, but first I would like to begin by pointing out WHY we should celebrate these fabulous members of our community.
In August of 2023, our teachers had several meetings in preparation for the upcoming school year. As a school, we have experienced relatively strong student achievement over the past several years. Our discussions revolved around the notion of “growth.” Our collective commitment was to develop a plan to examine our practices in order to help all of our students to continue to grow academically throughout the school year. I am extremely happy to report to you that our winter MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) indicates overall growth scores that are worthy of celebrating.
Now, two important things ought to be pointed out here. One, there is still work to be done and our teams are up to the charge. This is something that I continue to admire as I sit with different teams collaborating about teaching and learning. The second point is that, although MAP is a formal way of proving growth in our students, it is the work that our teachers do on a daily basis, (examining the needs of their students and being responsive to ensure the best outcomes) that has truly made the biggest difference.
It is for these reasons that I am so motivated to honor the different groups of people who make such an impact on our students. First off, Volunteer Appreciation Week is scheduled for April 15-19. The Sunrise office will be sending out invitations to our volunteers, to join us for a luncheon the week of April 21-27. After all, it is the culture of giving that helps make Sunrise such a special place for our students to thrive and our volunteers give so much.
On April 24 we will be celebrating Secretary’s Day. Our secretaries, Mrs. DuVal and Mrs. Schultz have made it their mission to provide service to our school community in such a way that is kind, compassionate, and nurturing. We are all fortunate to have such a strong pair on our team.
The week of May 6-10 is Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. It should be of little surprise to anyone that I am extremely proud of the staff that we have assembled and developed at Sunrise over the past several years. Our teachers and staff are driven to be responsive to the needs of our students and our community and I hope that you will all join me in celebrating their work during the first week of May.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about anything at Sunrise, please feel free to reach out to me by phone (920-954-1822) or by email (sfitzgerald@kimberly.k12.wi.us). Enjoy this unseasonably warm weather. I’m not sure when, but I’m fairly confident that we are going to pay for it.
Sean
Important Upcoming Dates
February 23rd: 2:00 PM Elementary Dismissal
February 29th: 5K & 1st Grade Field Trip to PAC
March 5th: 1st Grade Music Concert @ 6PM
March 5th: 2nd Grade Music Concert @ 7PM
March 6th: 5K Music Concert @ 2:30 PM
March 7th: 3rd Grade Music Concert @ 6PM
March 7th: 4th Grade Music Concert @ 7PM
March 8th: Elementary Noon Dismissal
March 11th: Kids Heart Challenge Kick Off
March 14th: Book Swap
March 15th: PTO Popcorn Friday
Reporting Absences
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.
Wisconsin Forward Exam
This spring all public school students in grades 3-8 and 10 will once again take the Wisconsin state assessment, the Forward Exam. State assessments are required by both State (Wis. Stat. § 118.30) and Federal ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law. The state assessment testing window runs between March 18 and April 26, 2024. Each 3rd and 4th grade classroom has a specific testing schedule within that testing window. Teachers will communicate more specific dates and times as they become available. As in the past, we ask that families try to avoid testing times for appointments, vacations, etc. as the missed test will then need to be made up during one of our make-up times. Thank you in advance and please contact your child's teacher with any questions.
Kids Heart Challenge
The 2024 American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge is coming up. We will be kicking off on March 11, 2024, be sure to mark your calendars. Click the flier for more great information about this amazing event.
LMC Information
March is Youth Art Month!
March is Youth Art Month! Click on the image to print out and make a bookmark for your school library. A panel of judges will decide which bookmarks from each school are their favorites and those will be reprinted for all of our school's students to enjoy. Please click the image for more information about this great opportunity.
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 .
Counselor News
Click on the flier for more information on Career Day!
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
Music Concert 1st-4th Grade
The Sunrise Music Concerts are just around the corner. Click the flier for more important information.
Music Concert- 5K
The 5K Music Concert is coming up soon. Click the flier for more important information.
Art Show
The Art Show is back for another year! Please click the flier for more information on when and where it is happening!
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.
Sunrise Timber Rattler Reading
Third base is due Friday February 23rd.
If you have any questions 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.
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.
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:
April 22--May 3
Grade 1:
April 22--May 3
MAP Testing
Grades 2-4:
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.