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

Hello Sunset Lake Families,

This week's Sunset Express has lots of information, so please be sure to scroll all the way through!😊

We continue to appreciate all the efforts that are being put in place to launch a successful 24-25 school year! The past couple of weeks we have been able to move from getting to knowing our routines to creating strong learning communities. Most of our students have completed their fall assessments with our STAR Reading and STAR Math testing. Our teachers and interventionists are working together to determine the academic and social-emotional interventions through our MTSS programming. More information about MTSS is shared below.

Morning Drop-Off Line:🚗

Our morning drop off line has become quite long. In order to avoid a back-up on Boulevard Ave. we ask that families use the Sunset priviate drive off Wellhouse, just like we do for the afternoon pick-up. Please avoid coming into our parking lot by taking a left off of Boulevard unless you are planning to park. Thank you!

For more specific directions, read through the procedures shared below and follow the protocol.

This is a matter of safety for all of us. Thank you!

FAMILY INFORMATION PLEASE READ:
Panorama Survey:

Please be sure to see the information about our student Social-emotional survey shared below.

High School Football Games Update:🏈

Please be sure to see the new information regarding our football gate information as well as the student expectations for attending football games at VHS.

Family Lighthouse Team:

Sunset Lake always want to partner with our families. Beyond the amazing PTSO, we also have the opportunity for families to participate with our school improvement efforts through our Family Lighthouse Team. We will hold monthly meetings beginning in October to review school improvement efforts and to gain a family perspective on our school goals.

If you are interested in joining our Family Lighthouse Team this year, please email me at amccaw@vicksburgschools.org or call me at 321-1561.

Thank you!

Yours in Learning,

Amie McCaw

Sunset Lake Elementary Principal

September 18, 2024 - Picture Day (see details below)

October 4, 2024 - Homecoming; Parade @ 5 Game @ 7

Picture Day comes up quick at the beginning of the year! Our ordering link is ALREADY OPEN so go ahead and get your picture orders in!! Here is the link to order https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001134378. Our school code is AA2003Fall24

You can also use the QR code below.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework that helps educators identify and address students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. The goal of MTSS is to ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed.

We love having our Bulldogs in the stands at football games, but want to remind students and their families of some rules.

First- All students must purchase tickets to sporting events. No one gets in without a ticket. You can buy passes in advance to save money or get individual tickets on our website: https://www.vicksburgschools.org/pub/news/posts/11395

There are no cash sales at the gate.

Second- Middle and Elementary students can not be dropped off at the gate. They must attend games with a parent or guardian.

Third- We ask that those attending games be respectful in the stands and near concessions. Please no playing, running or rough housing.

And most importantly- have fun and Go Bulldogs!

Hello, Sunset Lake Elementary Families!

My name is Amanda Swan and I am Sunset Lake’s School Counselor. I have 12 years of experience as a K-12 art teacher and early elementary classroom teacher. This year I am so excited to step into a new role in education! My primary role as a school counselor is to work alongside teachers and parents/guardians to help all of our students develop socially, emotionally and academically. This school year I will provide classroom lessons, small group counseling and short-term individual counseling. I also offer consultation with parents/guardians and teachers, community resource referrals and schoolwide programming. I will be visiting each classroom this September to introduce myself and my roles to all the students. At that time I will also send home more detailed information about our school counseling center and curriculum. In the meantime, if I can be of any assistance to your family or student, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am looking forward to a great year at Sunset Lake!

Warm Regards,

Amanda Swan

Sunset Lake School Counselor

aswan@vicksburgschools.org

Click on the link for the 2024-25 Drop Off and Pick Up Directions.

Sunset Lake believes in empowering our students with essential life skills by learning and practicing Franklin Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. These habits are designed to help children develop leadership skills, personal responsibility, and a positive mindset that will benefit them both inside and outside the classroom.

What Are the 7 Habits?

1. Be Proactive - Taking responsibility for your actions and behaviors.
2. Begin with the End in Mind - Setting goals and making a plan to achieve them.
3. Put First Things First - Prioritizing important tasks and managing time effectively.
4. Think Win-Win - Seeking mutually beneficial solutions in interactions with others.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood - Listening empathetically before expressing your own viewpoint.
6. Synergize - Collaborating with others to achieve better results than working alone.
7. Sharpen the Saw - Taking care of your body, mind, and spirit to stay balanced and refreshed.

Why Teach the 7 Habits?

These habits provide a foundation for personal and academic success. They teach children how to set goals, manage time, work well with others, and approach challenges with a positive and proactive mindset. As students internalize these habits, they become more effective leaders of their own lives, fostering a sense of independence and responsibility.

How Will We Be Teaching the 7 Habits?

Our teachers will be incorporating the 7 Habits into daily lessons, activities, and classroom discussions. Students will engage in projects, role-playing, and other interactive exercises to help them understand and apply each habit in real-life situations. We encourage you to talk to your children about what they’re learning and look for opportunities to reinforce these habits at home.

How Can You Support at Home?

You play a vital role in supporting your child’s development of these habits. Here are a few ways you can help:

• Discuss the habits: Ask your child to explain what they’ve learned about each habit.
• Model the habits: Demonstrate how you use these habits in your daily life.
• Encourage practice: Look for teachable moments at home where your child can apply the habits.

We believe that by embracing these habits, our students will not only achieve academic success but also grow into well-rounded, confident, and compassionate individuals. We look forward to partnering with you in this important initiative.

Is your 3rd-5th grader interested in joining our Strings Program? Make sure you attend this parent information meeting on September 30 at 7pm in the Tobey Elementary Cafeteria. Contact Mrs. Heintzelman at pheintzelman@vicksburgschools.org if you have any questions

Vicksburg Community Schools is excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students again this school year thanks to the Michigan Healthy School Meals Program!

Even though meals will be free, we still need ALL families to complete an Education Benefit Form so our school district has full access to federal and state funding for important educational programs.

You can find the form in the family portal: https://www.vicksburgschools.org/departments/food-service/

You can also add funds for extra meal items in the portal.

The Education Benefits forms 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 note: The dance season begins in September and no new students are accepted after Winter Break. Families must sign up and pay for each new session in order to participate.

Classes are held during the school year only. Students (age 3 through 18) are encouraged to explore the art of dance and tumbling. All classes take place at the Vicksburg Administration Building (VAB) located at 301 S. Kalamazoo Ave, Vicksburg MI.

We offer ballet, tap, jazz, Hawaiian, contemporary, tumbling, hip hop and more. Instruction emphasizes fun and fundamentals.

Classes begin in late September and the year is split into 4 sessions. New students are welcome to join until the third session (which begins in January). Families must sign up and pay for each session in order to participate. We finish the year with a recital in May, held at the Vicksburg High School Performing Arts Center. Please click on the Program Offerings link to view class details and registration information or on the links below to download additional information.

2024-2025 Dance and Tumbling Registration

Dance Class Offerings, Information and Calendar

The 14th Annual Harvest Festival Pumpkin Decorating Contest forms are available now! Details and the form can be found on the Vicksburg Historical Society website:

https://vicksburghistory.org/pumpkin-decorating-contest-2024/ (no printing necessary, just fill out online and bring your pumpkin to the Depot Museum on September 28).

Paper forms are also available for students and parents to pick up in the school office. And parents, this contest is open to ages 5-99+, so you get to submit your own pumpkins!!

Winners will receive an Apple Knockers gift certificate!

Here is our District Calendar. Feel free to visit https://www.vicksburgschools.org/parent-links/calendars/ to get a view of the calendar that you prefer. You can also find important dates for upcoming school years as well.

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.