Please take the time to read this letter from Dr. Ladd about the Common Core State Standards.  A paper copy will be sent home with students tomorrow.

Common Core State Standards Letter from Dr. Ladd

Active parent involvement continues to be an important part of the success of Sunrise Elementary School.  One of the ways that parents can be involved is to become a member of the School Site Council.  We are currently in need of five parent members to serve on our council.

The School Site Council is a committee composed of ten members whose purpose is to advise the principal on issues relating to the improvement of school programs and services.  The committee composition consists of an equal number of school staff (5) and parents (5).  Each group elects their own representatives. Elected parent members serve a two year term on the council.  The council meets once monthly.  Meetings generally last about an hour.

The School Site Council plays an important role in the operation of a school.  Members of the council need to be able to consider complex issues, understand the resources and structures under which a school must operate, work collaboratively with others, and be able to make recommendations for the overall good based on data.

The primary duty of the School Site Council is to assist in the development of the Single Plan for Student Achievement or Plan to Achieve Bold Goals. This plan is a requirement for all schools participating in programs funded through the consolidated application process to receive categorical state funding.  The plan contains an analysis of the school’s strengths and weaknesses and outlines plans to improve areas of weakness.  The development of the plan is a collaborative process that involves the entire teaching faculty and School Site Council under the direction of the principal.

If you are interested in serving as a member of the Sunrise School Site Council, please contact Mrs. Hunt-Brown at 985-4350. Once a slate of interested parents has been collected, an election by ballot will be held.

Council members Joshua Golka, Ann Grottveit, Craig Osborn, Mark Oliver, and Esther Romero; who have each completed a two year term of office, deserve a hearty thank-you and acknowledgement for their leadership, wisdom, and interest in furthering the growth and progress of our school. They have supported our school’s progress through some very tough economic times.

Mrs. Hunt-Brown
Principal

Today students began the testing period for the California Standards Test (CST).  We will be testing daily through Thursday, April 25th.  Some grades have fewer tests than others.  Classroom  newsletters and teacher blogs will keep you current on classroom testing schedules. Tests will be administered across grades 2-6 immediately following morning announcements.

Each year since Sunrise has opened, our students have improved their API (Academic Performance Index) score, reaching an all-time high last year of 907.  We are hoping to continue this amazing and positive trend!

The following tips help students give their best performance when testing:  getting a good night’s sleep, having a nutritious breakfast, arriving at school on time, sticking to familiar family routines, avoiding conflicts at the start of the day, and hearing words of encouragement from teachers and parents.

Join us in working toward having this year be our most impressive CST year yet!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Hunt-Brown

 Intent to Return Forms for the 2013-14 school year are due Friday, April 19th.  The form is attached in case another copy is needed for your use. Heartfelt thanks to all who have returned their form already!

Intent to Return Form

The calendar page has been updated.  Please check it out for important dates for year end events and activities.

Picture Day is tomorrow, March 21st. Pictures must be paid for on or before picture day; only students purchasing portraits will be photographed. You may pay by check (make checks payable to EXCEL) or go online to pay by credit card www.excelphotographers.com. Be sure to return the envelope to school on or before picture day.

All of our 6th graders will also be photographed for their promotion certificates.

MINIMUM DAY SCHEDULE
Monday, March 4 – Friday, March 8

Grades 1-6 8:20-12:30

ALL Kinder schedules remain the same except for Tuesday, March 5th (8:20-11:40)