OCT Sunrise Elementary
Monthly Newsletter
October Newsletter 2023
Principal Reflections
Buckle up! I’ve been doing some thinking lately and I want to share some thoughts in this month’s reflection. For various reasons, I have been thinking of the challenges of parenting, and the emotional strain that can come from it. Some of these thoughts are the result of conversations with my wife, my kids (grown), friends, and Sunrise parents. Ours is a community of great families, but I don’t believe any of us are immune to these stresses.
Sometimes stress can be caused by our own expectations for “compliance”, but here I am referring to the pain that comes when we perceive struggles for our children that are being imposed or ignored by others, or when we observe behaviors in our children that we cannot change.
The first example; the feeling that one’s child is being mistreated, can be heart wrenching. These situations can be tricky to navigate because each of us wants to defend our children, which we should. The challenge is to do so in a manner that doesn’t prevent them from learning through some problem solving of their own. These are tough situations, but I strongly believe that we need to start with our child, to help him/her acknowledge how much understanding and control they can execute, and then determine how we can assist without taking control. I do believe that nurturing is the greatest, most important trait that we bring to the role of parenting, but nurturing also refers to nurturing agency in our children.
The second pain - seemingly unchangeable behaviors in one’s child, can be equally frustrating and sometimes painful, as we can feel a sense of failure in our role. To this problem, my experience and reading has suggested that patience and diligence is key. If you trust that your expectations are appropriate for your child, then by holding strong to that message, know that you are doing the right thing. It can be extremely difficult to accept our limitations in terms of shaping our children’s behavior. I will tell you that your adherence to the same messaging that you started with will eventually take root. Keep in mind, as psychologist Mark Steinberg wrote, “your job is not actualized without letting go of your child”. This is not to say that we should be kicking kids out of the nest. Trust yourself and your work will pay off when that time comes.
A word that I sometimes use to describe the feelings above is, “helplessness”. Although there are so many words used to describe parenting: joy, sacrifice, frustration, pride, etc., helplessness is rarely used. I’m not really sure why that is, but I see it almost every day in our community, and I can assure you that it was a palpable reality in my home when my children were growing up. One reason we don’t hear people referring to helplessness, is that it can be extremely difficult to accept the limitations that each of us has in our roles. Of course each parent can (and should) be the number one advocate for their child. The balance here is to understand and believe in the influence that you ultimately have on your child, and accept that parenting is a long game and many of our lessons take root over time.
I realize that this was a bit of a full plate for the newsletter, but I hope it can spur more thinking or conversation. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, about the content of this newsletter or anything else, please feel free to reach out to me by phone (920-954-1822) or by email (sfitzgerald@kimberly.k12.wi.us).
Sean
Important Upcoming Dates
October 19th: Book Swap
October 20th: PTO Popcorn Friday
October 25th: PTO Trunk or Treat Event 5:00-7:00 pm
October 26th-27th: NO SCHOOL
November 9th: 2:00 PM Elementary Dismissal- Conferences
November 9th: Conferences 5:00-8:00pm
November 10th: Sunrise Veterans Day Concert 10:00-11:00 am
November 13th: 2:00 PM Elementary Dismissal- Conferences
November 13th: Conferences 5:00-8:00pm
November 17th: 2nd Grade (Heppe & Leverson) Field Trip to Weis Museum
November 17th: Noon Elementary Dismissal
November 22nd: 2nd Grade (Hintz & Meulemans) Field Trip to Weis Museum
November 23rd & 24th: NO SCHOOL
Conferences
Please click the image for more information (dates, how to sign-up for a time slot, and deadlines) regarding the upcoming Sunrise Elementary Conferences on Thursday, November 9th and Monday, November 13th 5:00-8:00 PM. Please call the office if you have any questions.
Please note, students will be released at 2:00 on conference days. There is NO 2:00 childcare available on these two days unless your child is enrolled in the YMCA after school program.
Book Swap
We will have our first book swap of the year on Thursday, October 19th. Students can bring in a book they are finished with and trade it for a 'new to me' book. Please bring in a book that other students may be interested in. Please do not send in baby books or board books.
If you have any questions please contact Ms. Leverson
Music News
Veterans Day
Sunrise Elementary will be celebrating Veterans Day on November 10th at 10:00 AM in the gymnasium, with an all school assembly. Please check your students folder for a flier with more details and information on how to submit photos for the special slide show.
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
Counselor News
Click the Career Planning flier for more information about listening effectively from Ms. Brickl, the Sunrise School Counselor.
PTO
- If you need to contact the Sunrise PTO, you may email them at kimberlysunrisepto@gmail.com.😀
- Fun Run- We did it! We reached our goal and raised over $20,000 for the 2023 Fun Run! Thanks for all of your support and hard work! Final prizes will go home Friday! Winners will be announced later this week!
Trunk or Treat
Please watch for information in your Wednesday folder this week about our Trunk or Treat event! If you are donating candy, please drop it off by Friday, October 20th! Click the Trunk or Treat flier to see more information.
Popcorn Fridays
PTO popcorn Fridays are:
- October 20th
- January 5th
- March 15th
- May 3rd
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
October Elementary Lunch Menu
October 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:
October 30--November 16
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
Student Opportunity Fliers
Tri-County Dental
Please click the flier to find out more about a Free Dental Care program for your child.
KHS Key Club
Please click the flier to find out more information on the KHS Key Club Halloween Party.
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.
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.