Sunflower Patch April 2025

April

4 - School Store

7 - National Schwa Day

10 - 3rd Grade Field Trip

10 - Boys Bash

11 - Girls Gala

11 - DARE Graduation (5th Grade)

17 - 4th Grade Zoo Field Trip

17 - 5th Grade Music Program

18 - Inservice/No School

21-25 - Book Fair

24 - Disability Awareness Day (4th Grade)

May (More details to come in May newsletter)

2 - School Store

15 - PHS Graduate Walk

15 - 2nd Grade Move Up Day

15 - Glow Party Celebration

19 - Field Day

20 - Bike to School Day

21 - Last Day of School (8:30 Talent Show, 10:30 Sunflower Celebrations, 12:00 All School Picnic)

******1:00 Dismissal for All Students on Last Day******

Dear Families,

We are excited to share news about an upcoming celebration of reading!

On April 7, we will be celebrating National Schwa Day in our classrooms.

National Schwa Day is a special initiative designed to spotlight the significance of the schwa in the English language. To make this day truly special for our classes, we will be participating in activities from the book, "The Not-So-Lazy Schwa," which reinforces strategies that we have learned in our classes this year.

For more context, the schwa is a relaxed, unstressed vowel sound that we hear in words that have more than one syllable. In conjunction with the festivities, we invite your child to wear their pajamas to school on National Schwa Day, to be relaxed like the schwa sound. Additionally, we will be incorporating schwa-themed activities, including reading activities, coloring activities, and sipping on lemonade, to make the day both educational and fun.

We welcome you to learn more about National Schwa Day at www.NationalSchwaDay.org and encourage you to talk with your child to keep the conversation about the schwa going. Our goal for participating in National Schwa Day is to help students build a love of reading and reinforce the skills they’ve learned in our reading instruction.

Thank you for your continued support in making our classroom an exciting and enriching environment for learning.

Sincerely,

Sunflower Teachers

These dances are only possible with parent volunteers and donations!

Help us make a fun and memorable event for our students!!

Please click the link below to sign up!!

Boys Bash

These dances are only possible with parent volunteers and donations!

Help us make a fun and memorable event for our students!!

Please click the link below to sign up!

Girls Gala

Body Venture is a traveling, interactive health education exhibit sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education's Child Nutrition and Wellness department. This immersive, walk-through experience takes students on a journey through the human body, teaching them about nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness. As they move through 11 engaging stations, students become "foods" and follow the digestive process, exploring the brain, stomach, heart, lungs, and more. At each station, volunteers lead interactive activities reinforcing the "Eat Smart. Play Hard." motto. The exhibit concludes with the Pathway to Life, summarizing key health concepts and encouraging lifelong healthy choices.

Body Venture relies on the support of many volunteers to ensure a successful and engaging experience for students. Parents and community members can help in various ways, including setting up and taking down the exhibit, serving as presenters at each station, or escorting classes through the exhibit. Presenters play a crucial role in delivering interactive lessons at each station, while class escorts help guide students through the experience. With so many moving parts, every volunteer makes a difference in bringing this exciting health education event to life!

Without volunteers, we will not be able to bring this experience to our students! Please consider volunteering.

The Buy One Get One Free Book fair will be held in the Sunflower Gym from April 21 -25. This is a great opportunity to purchase books for summer reading. Without volunteers, we will not be able to be open before school or during lunch. Please consider volunteering so we can offer this opportunity to our students.

Book Fair Hours

Monday-Friday 7:30-8:00 AM (Students with all forms of payment)

Monday-Friday Lunchtime (EWallet only)

Monday-Thursday 3:05-5:00 (Families-all forms of payment)

FAQ

Q. How much money should I send or put on the EWallet?

A. This is a BOGO book fair. Since students receive two books for the price of one, you don't need to send as much as you would in the fall.

Q. What happens to the money left on the EWallet?

A. We try to help students spend all of the money on their EWallets. However, if any is left, they can use it for future book fairs or the online Scholastic store.

Q. Is the BOGO for all items?

A. Yes, it is for books, trinkets and posters. Any item that is for sale.

Q. Do we have to pay tax on our items?

A. Yes, this year we have to charge tax. You can plan on approximately a dime for each dollar spent.

Q. Can I volunteer to help at the book fair?

A. Yes, just click on this link: Volunteers

Q. Is there a website for the Book Fair?

A. Yes! BOGO Book Fair

We are excited to continue our Little Star, Big Talent Show this year!

Like last year, auditions will only be open to 4th and 5th grade students. We will have one show, which will be on the last day of school. Parents of the performers will still be able to come and watch.

If your child is interested, please click the link above and read the document carefully.

You will need to fill out all the forms for your child to be eligible to participate.

If your child is performing in a group, please only sign up for one time for the group.

Questions can be directed to michelle_haley@usd368.org.

Thank you for your interest!

"Hang Ten with Good Books!" will end on May 8th, and the final brag tags will be handed out on May 12th during Monday Mindset. So far this year over 200 brag tags have been earned. Great job!

The first week of May, students will be able to check-out only one book. All library books will be due by Friday, May 9. Students with all of their library books returned or paid for will earn a popsicle and extra recess.

The nurse's office keeps a few clothing supplies for student bathroom accidents that happen at times. We are currently in need of some NEW underwear, boys and girls, sizes 8-14.

Any donation is greatly appreciated!

Hello Sunflower Families!

I am Mrs. Drinkert, the school counselor! Each month we will focus on one of the 7 Mindsets! April's Mindset is Passion First! In class, your students are learning the four critical components of Passion First. Each week we will focus on a different component. We are learning to focus on strengths, explore our interests, take a stand, and be authentic!

My challenge for you is to help your student(s) complete their Mindset of the Month Choice Board! This will give you the chance to help your student(s) grasp the concepts taught within Passion First while spending quality time together! When you and your student(s) complete items on the choice board, scan the QR code and post a picture to our Mindset of the Month Padlet so we can share how others are living the Passion First Mindset!

Email: staci_wokutch@usd368.org
Website: usd368.org
Location: 1401 E 303rd St, Paola, KS, USA
Phone: 913-294-8040
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sunflower-Elementary-School-146247655404324/?ref=bookmarks