Weekly Wildcat

Hello Sundance Families!

We had another amazing week at Sundance! Our Back to School Night was a tremendous success, and we're grateful for your partnership in fostering a remarkable educational experience for your children. Our Back to School Night slides are linked here.

This week our Wildcats had a blast creating apple pickers during their first STEM lesson. They engaged in thoughtful discussions and planning before collaborating together to create a design. We're excited for continued growth and exploration! I'm also excited to share that Prop 28 Music and Arts funds have been released to schools!! This year we are funding an art program and partially funding our music program with the support of Foundation. We are expecting to begin classroom art lessons mid-September. Our Assistant Principal, Mr. Panganiban, will begin with us on 8/31.

Please join us for our first Friday Flag followed by coffee with me in the library on September 1st!

Helpful Information (NEW):

• DOT Day Celebration: We are celebrating Dot Day the week of September 15th. If you are interested in helping with art and STEM lessons, please email horlando@powayusd.com.
• School Site Council: We have 2 openings this year! If you are interested in serving on our SSC that meets 6x per year, please email rkatz@powayusd.com. All meetings are held on zoom.
• Music Schedule: Click Here (Also found in "Helpful Links")
• CELDT Testing: Gaby, English Learner IA, is out through December. During her absence, Maggie Watson will be assisting with testing and services.
• RSP Services: Services begin on Monday, August 28th
• Meal Services: Although school breakfast and lunch are now free for all students, the California Universal Meals Program still requires districts to process applications for free and reduced-price meals. This ensures the State maximizes the portion of meal reimbursement that comes from the Federal government (USDA), and minimizes the amount paid by the State of California. Free and reduced-price meal eligibility also continues to be a key factor in Unduplicated Pupil Count, which helps determine District funding. Please apply for free and reduced-price meal eligibility at MySchoolApps.com, or by completing a paper application (available in all school offices).
  

• Healthy Food Choices:

  • School Breakfast and Lunch are great ways to help students eat healthy.

  • Our school policy asks that families do not send in food treats for birthdays. If you want to celebrate a birthday, please consider ways other than food - like donating a book or ball - for the classroom.

  • Classroom parties will follow nutritional guidelines from the District.

• STEM Lessons: Students in preschool-5th will participate in a Back to School/Apple themed STEM lessons with Mrs. Orlando, district-funded year-long site sub!
• Xploration: Our first Xploration lesson is on 8/25 - students will engage in theater and PE games.
• Library Newsletter: Click here
• New Math Curriculum: Click here to learn about our new math curriculum

Thank you for following our safety procedures and rules below when dropping off and picking up your child(ren) from school. A few friendly reminders are below:

Drop off:

• All adults must remain in the car when using the drop-off lane
• The lane along the curb is for drop off only; if your child needs assistance getting out of the car, please park in a spot and walk your child to the gate.
• When using the drop-off lane, pull all the way forward to the end of the red zone/crosswalk in front of our school; the lane to the left is a passing lane
• Use the crosswalks when crossing the street
• Do not park in the drop-off lanes (this is happening near ESS)

Go Wildcats!

Raquel Katz

Principal

Sundance Elementary

Next Week:

• 8/28: PE begins!
  
• 8/29: Foundation/PAC Parent Coffee (Save the date!)
• 9/1: Friday Flag & Principals Coffee at 7:50am, blacktop (Families welcome to join!)

• 9/6: School Picture Day
• 9/8: Chuck E. Cheese Back to School Event (3-9pm)
  
• 9/11: September Foundation Monthly Meeting at 7 pm in the Sundance Library & Zoom
  
• 9/15: International Dot Day Celebration
• 9/18: Non Student Day
• 10/9-10/13: Book Fair!

Dear Families,

I'm excited to be starting my 3rd year at Sundance! Each month starting in September, I will send out my counseling newsletter with information about groups, parenting workshops, class lesson topics, and some brief tips. This trimester, I will be offering the following small groups:

• Friendship (perfect for new students and those looking to build friendship skills) (1st-5th grade)
• Anxiety: Worry Warriors (3rd-5th grade)
• Emotional Regulation (learning how to manage strong emotions) (1st-5th grade)
• Growth Mindset (for students who give up easily on schoolwork or when faced with challenges) (1st-5th)

Small groups are a wonderful opportunity for students to build crucial social-emotional skills in a more focused setting. Groups for TK and Kindergarten will begin after the kinders transition to a full school day (9/25).

If you are interested in having your child participate in one of these small groups, please fill out this Google Referral Form. And if you have any questions or concerns about counseling, please don't hesitate to contact me at empark@powayusd.com or 858-484-2950 ext. 3101.

• Music Schedule
• Library Schedule
• PE Schedule
• 2023/2024 Bell Schedule
• Counseling Referral Form linked here. Our counselor will hold group sessions on the following topics: Coping With Anxiety, Friendships, Social Skills, and Self-Control.
  
• Twitter: Sundance is now on Twitter - handle @SundancePUSD
• Instagram: Find us at SundanceElementary