Blooming into April!
Hello, Sunrise Middle School Community -
Happy April; we have a busy and exciting month ahead! First, here's a recap of what the SRMS PTO has been up to over the last month:
- We are gearing up for our second annual Silent Auction Fundraiser, which will run from April 21 - 28. You can bookmark this auction website to be ready to bid when the auction goes live! The auction is an opportunity to score deals on many fantastic items and school experiences. Our goal is to raise $5,000. The proceeds from the auction will support the PTO, staff, students, clubs, and programs at Sunrise. Thanks for your continued patronage!
- In March, we organized a Sweet & Savory Dips-themed Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Thank you to the following SRMS families for the donations and help with setting up and cleaning up the lunch: Natalie Gerity, Kendra Raine, Minh Nguyen, Samantha Pearson, Shelley Blanco, Jen Brooks, and Jessica Chaplick. Check out photos from the luncheon on the PTO's Facebook or Instagram. Interested in helping out with the April Staff Appreciation Lunch | Appetizers? Please click this link to sign up.
- We have been continuing to recruit for 2025 - 2026 PTO board members and volunteers. We are thankful for parents who have expressed interest in joining the SRMS PTO team. Are you interested in getting more involved at Sunrise? There's still time! Please email azsunrisepto@gmail.com by April 11th to express your interest in a position(s). Check out the "PTO Board Openings" section of this newsletter for more information about the available opportunities. Elections will be held at the April 16th SRMS PTO meeting.
- On behalf of the Testing Coordinators, we created an Amazon wish list and purchased snacks for students during AASA testing. Thank you to the parents who were able to fulfill items on the wish list, and thank you to the students who helped to sort all of the snacks! We hope that the snacks will help students stay fueled during testing.
- In collaboration with the United Parent Council (UPC), the SRMS PTO was one of the presenters for the UPC's March educational programming: "How Parent Groups Celebrate Teachers & Staff in PVSchools." We also joined forces with UPC's Outreach and Special Education committees to deliver appreciation bags in recognition of Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day. Stay tuned for the Love Our Schools Day event that the UPC and SRMS PTO are organizing for our school!
- During our most recent dine-out fundraisers, we raised $41.87 for SRMS Orchestra at Peter Piper Pizza and $77.75 for SRMS D&D/Chess Club at Panera Bread. This month, we will have dine-out fundraisers at Cold Stone Creamery for SRMS Orchestra and at Dave & Buster's for SRMS PTO (Quest Family Spirit Night). We will also have in-person and virtual shopping opportunities at the Kendra Scott Gives Back event. Please see the dates and flyers below; the flyers are also linked on the PTO's website. We appreciate your support of SRMS’ amazing programs and clubs!
Please read on to learn about the latest happenings and opportunities. Have a wonderful April!
In Partnership,
Your 2024-2025 SRMS PTO Board
Important School & PTO Dates
4/1: Sunrise @ Mountain Trail - Girls' Basketball at 4:30 PM
4/2: Paraprofessional/Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day
4/3: AASA Writing Testing
4/3: Sunrise @ Pinnacle Peak - Girls' Basketball at 4:30 PM
4/3: PVUSD Governing Board Meeting at 6:30 PM
4/4: School Librarian Appreciation Day
4/8: Explorer @ Sunrise - Girls' Basketball at 4:30 PM
4/9: Dine-Out Fundraiser Benefiting Orchestra at Cold Stone Creamery from 6:00 - 9:00 PM (See flyer below.)
4/10 & 4/11: “Royal” Dance Performance at 6:00 PM in Cafeteria - A Tribute to the Music of Queen
4/15: AASA ELA & Math Testing
4/16: Staff Appreciation Luncheon (Please see the Signup Genius if you are able to contribute items or help clean up/set up.)
4/16: Virtual PTO meeting at 3:15 PM - Email us at azsunrisepto@gmail.com if you would like the link to join.
4/17: AASA ELA & Math Testing
4/17: PVUSD Governing Board Meeting at 6:30 PM
4/18: K - 12 Recess
4/21 - 4/25: Public School Volunteer Week
4/21 - 4/28: 2nd Annual SRMS PTO Auction Fundraiser (Bookmark this webpage to be ready to bid when the auction goes live!)
4/22: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
4/23: Administrative Professionals Day
4/23: UPC General Meeting at 9:00 AM
4/23: Quest Family Spirit Night at Dave & Buster’s (See flyer below and be on the lookout for an e-invitation; please email azsunrisepto@gmail.com if you do not receive it.)
4/24: NJHS Induction Ceremony in Cafeteria from 6:00 to 7:00 PM
4/26 & 4/27: Kendra Scott Gives Back Virtual Shopping Event (See flyer below.)
4/27: Kendra Scott Gives Back In-Person Event at Scottsdale Quarter from 2:00 to 4:00 PM - Shop for a good cause and enjoy sips & sweets! (See flyer below.)
4/29 and 4/30: Auction Winnings Pick-Up from 1:30 to 2:30 PM in the Media Center
4/29: Shea & Mountain Trail @ Sunrise - Boys' Wrestling at 4:30 PM
4/30: Love Our Schools Day - More information to come!
Would you like to get more involved at Sunrise? Join the SRMS PTO team and help make a difference! We are looking to fill the below positions. No experience needed - just a heart for our school community! Please email azsunrisepto@gmail.com by April 11th to express your interest in a position(s). Elections will be held at the next SRMS PTO meeting on April 16.
- 2025 - 2026 SRMS PTO Treasurer
- Develop and maintain annual budget (in conjunction with other officers and PTO members)
- Track income and spending
- Provide budget/financial reports at monthly PTO meetings
- Fundraise (in conjunction with PTO President)
- Collect/deposit fundraising money
- Issue checks/electronic payments for purchases and reimbursements (e.g., staff mini-grants)
- Pay invoices
- File annual reports
- 2025 - 2026 United Parent Council (UPC) Representative
- Attend monthly meetings or arrange for an alternate to attend in your place
- Relay information from UPC to your school on a regular basis
- Bring UPC information about your school or school community
- Connect your parent community to UPC resources
- Invite parents to monthly meetings! Remember our monthly meetings are open to the public!
- Display UPC information in an area of your school regularly
- Become informed on issues so you can vote on behalf of your school when necessary
- 2025 - 2026 Events Committee Chair
- Plan and coordinate PTO-sponsored events, such as dine-out fundraisers, spirit nights, etc.
- Work with volunteers, vendors, donors, and school staff to organize successful events
- Help with marketing and promotion of events to maximize participation
- Manage event logistics, including scheduling, set-up, and clean-up
- 2025 - 2026 Hospitality Committee (Can include multiple people - the more the merrier!)
- Plan themes for staff appreciation events/meals
- Create and distribute/post sign-ups for families to contribute donations for staff appreciation meals
- Assist with purchases (e.g., from grocery stores and restaurants), set-up, and clean-up related to staff appreciation events
- Manage coffee and water bottle inventory in the staff lounge
- 2025 - 2026 Communications Chair
- Manage PTO communications, including emails, newsletters, and social media updates
- Maintain PTO website
- Help coordinate and distribute information to parents and school staff
What is the United Parent Council? The UPC consists of volunteers from across PVSchools working together to enhance the educational experience for all students. UPC:
- Supports PV Schools’ parent group organizations and school communities.
- Facilitates communication and information between families and the District.
- Celebrates the accomplishments of the schools, teachers, principals, staff, and students in PV.
- Collaborates with various organizations to provide valuable information and resources on relevant topics.
Updates from the UPC:
- United Parent Council's Geri L. Morgan Volunteer Award honors volunteers who display dedication and service to community as exemplified by late UPC member, Geri Morgan. In her memory, UPC annually recognizes a consummate volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution of service. Often it is that passionate, devoted, yet humble volunteer who is doing amazing things that benefit the entire school community. This annual award truly recognizes the crème de la crème among volunteers. Please click here to learn more or submit a nomination. The nominating period will begin March 26th and close April 12th.
- Call for Committee
- K-12 Science Curriculum and Supplemental Resources: The Curriculum & Instruction Department will be facilitating a committee which will determine a new Tier 1 comprehensive K-12 Science curriculum and possible supplemental curriculum. The District is requesting 6-9 Parent Representatives to serve on the committee. Science educational or work experience is preferred, but not required. The Committee will include:
- 2-3 Elementary School Parents
- 2-3 Middle School Parents
- 2-3 High School Parents
- Proposed Meeting Dates: (Tentative)
- Meeting #1: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
- Meeting #2: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
- Meeting #3: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
- Meeting #4: Thursday, May 15, 2025
- Times will be approximately 4:00 - 6:00 pm
- *Additional dates will be continued in the Fall 2025 semester and will be determined at a later date.
- If you would like to volunteer for this committee, please complete this Google Form.
- Committee Update - Band/Strings and Fine Arts Supplemental Resources Committee: This committee has met several times since the fall and created a list of supplemental materials that teachers can use for instruction. You can find more information, the list of supplemental resources and the feedback form HERE. The opportunity to provide feedback ends on April 22nd.
- Introducing UPC's New Digital Learning & Emerging Technologies Committee! Providing resources for parents regarding PVUSD technology and digital learning services like artificial intelligence, digital citizenship, data governance and technology equipment. You can view the slideshow that was presented at the January UPC meeting HERE. Reach out to technology@pvusd.org for more information and to join this committee!
- PVEA Prom Boutique: With the PVEA Prom Boutique just around the corner, we're reaching out for a few remaining wishlist donations. We're looking for items under $10, gift cards, and especially suits in sizes 28-32. You can conveniently support our PV students by purchasing items through our Amazon Wish List. Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and we encourage you to share the link with others. Donations can also be dropped off at the district office!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrisemspto
Email: azsunrisepto@gmail.com
Web: https://www.azsunrisemspto.org/
You can also fill out this Google Form if you would like to volunteer your time or connect on upcoming committees with the SRMS PTO. Donations of time are welcomed!