Sunset Express
May 3, 2024
Sunset Lake Elementary, PreK-5th Grade Building
At Sunset Lake, We are Lifelong Learners and Lifelong Leaders.
Principal Amie McCaw
Email: amccaw@vicksburgschools.org
Website: Vicksburgcommunityschools.org
Location: 201 N Boulevard St, Vicksburg, MI, United States
Phone: (269)321-1500
Twitter: @TLIMPrincipal
APPRECIATION
Hello Sunset Lake Families,
We have LOTS to share with you, please be sure to scroll through and spend time with this newsletter to learn all about our end of year events. We have also shared some information regarding summer activities!
❤️Teacher and Staff Appreciation:
Tuesday, May 7th is Teacher Appreciation Day. At Vicksburg Community Schools, we are proud to share that we make the entire week a celebration of ALL staff. We thought we could have some fun with this and join together for daily activities.
Please see the graphic below and plan to participate in sharing our appreciation to our dedicated educators.😍
FUN RUN 24: CONGRATULATIONS TO SUNSET LAKE!! Not only did we make our fundraising goal of $30,000-- we raised over $36,000!🎉
This is in large part to the hard work and commitment of our PTSO Board:
Amanda Dusenberry, President
Sarah Pfiel, Vice President
Jen Goldbach, Treasurer
Chelsea Hambright, Secretary.
The team has been working hard for our school and has been doing an outstanding job!
THANK YOU, Sunset PTSO!!!💕
Attendance Challenge: We continue our Attendance Challenge and have been having lots of fun with the friendly competition. Our teachers are working hard to motivate strong attendance and we apprecaite partnering with all of you to help us reach our goal of a 97% daily attendance rate.
MSTEP: DONE✅
One District One Book:
We are really excited to share a summer initiative that will include all of our BK-5th grade students in our VCS district. Each child will receive a chapter book for the summer and we will have a district wide "book club". Families will receive a family packet filled with ideas and a calendar to use all summer long to enjoy the story together as a family. This book club will be a fun way for all of our schools and families to connect around the magic of literacy. More information will be coming soon!
Have a wonderful weekend, Sunset Lake!
Thank you, Sunset Lake!
Yours in Learning,
Amie McCaw
Sunset Lake Elementary Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
May 3, 2024 - 1/2 Day for Students; 12:15 Dismissal
May 6-10 -Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
May 13, 2024 - 5th Grade visit to the MS at 12:45pm
May 15, 2024 - 5th Grade Parent Night at VMS - 7pm
May 17, 2024 - Leader Day
May 22, 2024 - 2nd Grade Musical at 2:15pm - at the PAC
May 23, 2024 - PTSO Fun Run
May 24, 2024 - 4th Grade field trip to Village Businesses
May 27, 2024 - No School - Memorial Day
May 29, 2024 - 3rd Grade field trip to Kalamazoo Growlers game
May 30, 2024 - Kindergarten Program at 2:15pm
May 31, 2024 - Track and Field Day for Grades 3-5
June 3, 2024 - 2nd Grade field trip to Binder Park Zoo
June 6, 2024 - 5th Grade Graduation at 1:30pm - at the PAC
June 7,2024 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Half Day for Students; 12:15 Dismissal
2nd Grade Economic Sale
The 2nd Graders put on a very successful Economic Sale today. Lots fun home made and store bought items were up for grabs. Their customers, and fellow Sunset Lake Students, were excited to plunk down their money for the treats and trinkets the 2nd graders had for sale. Lots of smiles at Sunset today! Thank you 2nd graders and 2nd grade team!
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
Sunset Families,
Let's show our appreciation all next week to our amazing Sunset Lake educators. Here are some fun ways we can spread the LOVE & APPRECIATION to our dedicated educators.
Important Information for 5th Grade Families
Incoming 6th Grade Parents Night at VMS - May 15
Sports Physicals for incoming 6th Graders
VHS/VMS Sports Physicals
Vicksburg Middle School and High School sports physicals for the 2024-25 school year will be held on May 29 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Vicksburg High School. Please enter through the east side gym entrance.
The cost per physical will be $20 per athlete. Sports physical forms may be found at this link or picked up in the school's main office. All athletes for the 2024-25 school year will need an updated sports physical dated 4/15/24 or more current to play sports. Please mark your calendar for this important event.
Kids Heart Challenge
Attendance is Important
As we approach the end of the 2023-2024 school year, we want to express our gratitude to families for continuing to partner with us in prioritizing regular school attendance, as we work together to achieve this months attendance goal of 96%. Thank you for recognizing the profound impact regular student attendance has on academic progress, social connections, and the overall success of the Sunset Lake community.
May/June Lunch Menu
Summer Camps
These warm days have us dreaming of summer!
Our summer camps have opened for registration on our website!
Register here today: https://www.vicksburgschools.org/pub/news/posts/11385
More could be added soon, so keep checking back.
VEA Scholarship Opportunity
Summer camps often provide valuable educational and enrichment opportunities for students to develop social skills, build confidence, and foster independence. Scholarships are offered by the VEA at this link to enable student participation in curricular and related activities (classes, camps, art experiences, etc.) throughout the summer.
Hearty Hustle
We are less than 2 weeks away!
Are you signed up for the 37th annual Hearty Hustle?! It's happening Saturday, May 11th. Tomorrow is the deadline to be guaranteed a t-shirt!
The 5K race through the streets of Vicksburg benefits our amazing Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation that helps support our students and teachers.
Register for the walk or run today: https://runsignup.com/.../MI/Vicksburg/VicksburgHeartyHustle
Vicksburg High School Dog Wash
Our Vicksburg High School AIM Higher students are busy preparing for their annual dog wash fundraiser!
Bring your pups to VHS Saturday, May 11th from noon until 4pm.
This year they'll be supporting the SPCA of Southwest Michigan by donating the proceeds there.
$10 per bath. Plus CTE vet science students will be doing nail trims for $10.
Placement Forms
It's hard to believe that we are in the last quarter of the 23/24 school year. That means it's time to start thinking about placement for next year. We have Placement Forms in the office if you want to fill one out.
If your child turns 5 years old by September 1, 2024 they are eligible for Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.
Registration is now open!
To begin the registration process, please fill out the form found here: https://www.vicksburgschools.org/pub/news/posts/11409
What you need to have BEFORE the first day of school.
Click the PDF link below for detailed information about what you need for entering Kindergarten.
Save the Date - Bus Carnival August 15
First Day Shoe Fund
Mobile Food Distribution
Updated Covid Policy
The updated Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends people with respiratory virus symptoms that are not better explained by another cause stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both resolution of fever AND overall symptoms are getting better. This recommendation addresses the period of greatest infectiousness and highest viral load for most people, which is typically in the first few days of illness and when symptoms, including fever, are worst. This is similar to longstanding recommendations for other respiratory illnesses, including influenza.
MET - Michigan Education Trust
Michigan Education Trust (MET) is Michigan's 529 prepaid tuition savings program, allows parents, grandparents, businesses, and others to pre-purchase a child's future college tuition.
Find out more by clicking on the link below.
Social Media Safety Tips for Kids
Free & Reduced Meal Application
Free Lunch Information for Families:
Vicksburg Community Schools is excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students for the 2023-2024 school year!
No action is needed for the free breakfast and lunch this year. However, if students would like to purchase à la carte items they will be able to do so as long as they have money in their food service account. Log into your Family Portal to check and add to your balance. https://vicksburg.familyportal.cloud/
Even though meals will be provided for free, it's important for families to continue sharing household income information in order for our schools to receive full access to federal and state funding for educational programs that our students are entitled to. Free and reduced meal applications are used to determine funding for several VCS programs. Every application that is not submitted means lost educational programs and resources for our students.
Please log into your Family Portal and click on the “apply for benefits” button to start an application. The simple application can help make sure VCS gets the support we need.
7 Habits of Happy Kids
Drop Off and Pick-Up Directions
Click on the link for the 2023-24 Drop Off and Pick Up Directions.