SRMS PTO News
May 2026
May at Sunrise — Celebrating Our Staff and Finishing the Year Strong
May is here, and we’re finishing the school year strong with gratitude, celebration, and community support at Sunrise! Join us in recognizing our incredible teachers and staff during Staff Appreciation Week (May 4–8) by signing up to donate or volunteer, nominating an outstanding educator for the Lou Malnati’s CeLouBrate Teachers program, and supporting our Staff End-of-Year Appreciation Luncheon.
We’re also excited to share the results of our recent fundraisers and celebrate the impact these funds have made for our students and staff throughout the year. Don’t miss important opportunities like the Cluville student reward certificates (request by May 14), special community events, and end-of-year celebrations as we close out a successful 2025–26 school year together.
Keep reading for important signups, key deadlines, and opportunities to celebrate our staff, support our students, and finish the school year strong together.
In Partnership,
Your 2025-2026 SRMS PTO Board ❤️💛
Sandy Lê-Giguère - President
Amanda Watsky - Vice President
Matt Wells - Treasurer
Savita Swaroop - Secretary
Holly Grover - UPC Representative
Important School & PTO Dates
Key:
🍎 — Staff Appreciation & Recognition
📌 — Action Required / Forms / Deadlines
🎉 — Student / Community Events
🗓️ — Meetings / Trainings / Official Events
5/1:
- 🍎 School Principal’s Day
- 🍎 School Lunch Hero Day
🍎 5/4-5/8: Staff Appreciation Week (Help Us Show Our Appreciation — Sign Up to Support Staff Appreciation Week.)
- 🍎 5/4 — Sweet Treat Kickoff (Candy Apple Bar)
- 🍎 5/5 — Fiesta of Flavors (Catered Lunch)
- 🍎 5/6 — Picnic in the Park (Catered Lunch)
- 🍎 5/7 — Breakfast Boost
- 🍎 5/8 — Snack-cuterie Spread
5/4 at 6:30 PM: PV Youth Symphony Orchestra Concert in SRMS Gym
🍎 5/5 at 5:45 PM: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Celebration Event at North Canyon HS | A celebration for those who received recognition letters
5/6:
- 🍎 School Nurse Day
- 🎉 2:30-9:00 PM: Buck's Benefit | Bahama Buck's - Phoenix | 3121 E. Greenway Rd., Ste. 201, Phoenix | 20% of all sales donated to SRMS PTO
- 🍎 2:50-3:30 PM in SRMS Dance Room 300: Free Yoga Class for SRMS Staff | RSVP here | Led by Kassi McGivern, Alloy Personal Training — Paradise Valley
- 🎉 6:00 PM: Band Concert in SRMS Cafeteria
🍎 5/7 from 5:00-8:00 PM: Dave & Buster's - Phoenix (21001 N. Tatum Blvd.) | Teacher Appreciation Night | For Teachers & School Staff | This is a great opportunity for educators to relax, have fun, and enjoy some well-deserved recognition. We’re offering exclusive Teacher Appreciation perks for those who attend, including free bowling for up to 90 minutes and 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages. RSVP here.
🎉 5/7-5/9: Chorus & Orchestra to Disneyland
📌 By 5/8: Submit 2026–2027 PTO Planning & Support Survey (Staff) | Helps inform next year’s PTO budget and program planning.
📌 Through 5/10: CeLouBrate Teachers Nomination Form - For 55 years, Lou Malnati’s has been proud to serve and support the communities we call home. Help us continue our tradition of giving back by ce-lou-brating the educators who make a difference every day. Nominate a teacher who made a lasting impact on you or someone you love for them to have a chance to win Free Pizza for a Year! Nominations are open through May 10, 2026, and winners will be selected May 11–15, 2026.
🎉 5/11-5/15: StuGo Spirit Week (Tune into the SRMS PTO's Facebook or Instagram for daily themes.)
5/13:
- 🗓️ 9:00-10:30 AM: United Parent Council (UPC) Meeting
- 🗓️ 10:30 AM-12:00 PM: UPC Parent Group Leadership Training (RSVP here by 5/8/26.)
- 🎉 6:00 PM: Chorus Concert in SRMS Gym
🗓️ 5/14 at 6:30 PM: Governing Board Meeting
📌 By 5/14:
- 📌 Complete the Cluville Certificate Request Form - Available for students who earned straight A’s in Quarters 1–3
- 📌 Submit Staff End-of-Year Lunch Preferences (sandwich selection)
🎉 5/15 from 6:00-8:00 PM: 8th-Grade Dance in SRMS Cafeteria | Starry Night
🎉 5/17 (TBC): Fundraiser - Sport Clips Haircuts of Scottsdale - Kierland Village Center | 6501 E. Greenway Rd., Unit 121, Scottsdale (Tune into the SRMS PTO's website, Facebook, or Instagram for updates.)
5/18:
- 🍎 Speech Pathologist Day
- 🎉 1:20 PM: Special Education Graduation in SRMS Cafeteria
5/21:
- 🎉 Last Day of School & Early Dismissal at 12:00 PM
- 🍎 PTO-sponsored Staff Appreciation | End-of-Year Catered Luncheon (You can donate here and indicate 'SRMS EoY Luncheon'. The PTO will handle the shopping (desserts, drinks, staff gift cards, etc.)!
💛 Thank You to Our Generous Silent Auction Donors and Supporters
The SRMS PTO extends our sincere gratitude to the many businesses, families, and community partners who helped make our 3rd Annual SRMS PTO Silent Auction a success.
Because of your generosity and participation, the auction raised $3,547 to support programs and initiatives that directly benefit our students and staff. Your contributions help strengthen our school community and make meaningful opportunities possible throughout the year.
Funds raised through the silent auction help support:
- Teacher grants and classroom resources
- Student programs and extracurricular activities
- Staff appreciation initiatives
- School community events and enrichment opportunities
We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and generosity of these organizations and families whose support made this important fundraiser possible.
Missed the auction or want to see the amazing items and experiences that were donated?
You can still view the auction here:
👉 https://givebutter.com/c/2026_srmspto_silentauction
Please consider supporting these businesses when you have the opportunity — their generosity helps strengthen our Sunrise community.
We gratefully recognize the following businesses for their generous support:
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation | Phoenix Zoo
Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Goat Yoga
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Arizona Sunrays
Arizona Theatre Company
As You Wish Pottery Painting Place at Desert Ridge
Bach to Rock — North Scottsdale
Barro's Pizza
Bearizona
Berry Divine Acai Bowls
Black Bear Diner — Scottsdale
Birdcall
Black Rock Coffee Bar
Boondocks Patio & Grill
Bruster's Real Ice Cream — North Phoenix
Chicken N Pickle
Chipotle
Cluville Kids Escape Room
Chompie's
D-BAT Scottsdale
Dave & Buster's
Desert Botanical Garden
Forma Plastic Surgery
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Gorjana
Great Arizona Puppet Theater
HappyMe Journal
Heard Museum
House Rules (formerly Lane Park)
Idea Museum
In-N-Out Burger
Joy Bus Diner
Kendra Scott
Lake Pleasant Cruises
Let's Roam
Lookout Tavern
Lou Malnati's
Lure Fish House
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
New York Bagels N Bialys
OdySea Aquarium
OHSO Brewery & Distillery
Organ Stop Pizza
OuiSi Visual Games
Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix Symphony
Phoenix Theatre Company
Portillo's
Primal Kitchen
PRP Wine International
Rachel's Young at Art Studio
Reid Park Zoo
Rosati's Chicago Pizza
SanTan Gardens Brewery & Distillery
Scheels
Shake Shack
Sky Zone
Sonic of Phoenix
Tabasco — Red Cares
The Pencil Grip (TPG) Creations
Thrive Market
Total Wine
USS Midway Museum
Venezia's New York Style Pizzeria
Village Tavern
Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park
🎭 Thank You to Our Aesop Refabled Volunteers
The SRMS PTO extends our heartfelt thanks to the many families and volunteers who supported The Sunrise Players’ production of Aesop Refabled. Your willingness to donate items, volunteer your time, and help behind the scenes made this student performance a wonderful experience for our cast, crew, and audience.
From concessions and refreshments to setup and cleanup support, every contribution helped ensure the event ran smoothly and allowed our students to shine on stage. Your generosity and teamwork are a true reflection of the strong Sunrise community.
We are grateful for each of you and appreciate the time and care you invested in supporting our students and their creativity.
With sincere appreciation, we recognize the following volunteers for their support:
Jessica Chaplick
Danelle Collier
Katie Cordello
Sharon Graham
Nete Keeley
Robyn Kunze
Darla Schrock
Kat Simmons
Jennifer Weitz
Jordyn Weitz
Shelley Weitz
Colton Weston
Emily Weston
🌟 Thank You to Our Staff Appreciation Week Supporters
The SRMS PTO extends our sincere thanks to the many families who have already signed up to support Staff Appreciation Week (May 4–8). Your generosity and willingness to donate items and volunteer your time help us create a meaningful week of recognition for the teachers and staff who support our students every day.
Because of your support, we are able to provide special meals, treats, and moments of appreciation that remind our staff how valued they are by the Sunrise community. We are truly grateful for your partnership in helping make this week memorable.
With appreciation, we recognize the following supporters:
Jen Brooks
Teresa Cipriano
Lauren Colombo
Jeff Fencl
Michelle Fencl
Nete Keeley
Nubia Moreno
Ester Mutambay
Minh Nguyễn
Jennifer Rock
Kay Rowan
Sarah Simons
Sasha Thomas
Michael Valdez
There is still time to get involved!
We welcome additional donations and volunteers as we continue preparing for Staff Appreciation Week.
👉 Click here to sign up and support Staff Appreciation Week.
Every contribution — big or small — helps us show our gratitude.
💛 Thank You to Our Supporters and Community Partners
The SRMS PTO extends our sincere gratitude to the many families, volunteers, and community partners who supported our recent events and staff appreciation efforts. Your participation, generosity, and community spirit help make meaningful experiences possible for our students and staff.
Thank You to Our Sunrise Families
We appreciate the families who joined us for Family Spirit Night at Dave & Buster’s, purchased food and beverages, and supported the fundraiser through Power Card purchases. Your participation helped create a fun evening of connection while raising funds that directly support our school community.
We also extend our thanks to everyone who shopped during the Kendra Gives Back event. Your support of this fundraiser helps strengthen our programs and initiatives throughout the year.
Special Recognition
A special thank you to Amanda Watsky, SRMS PTO Vice President, for hosting the Kendra Gives Back event and for her leadership in preparing and managing the silent auction website. Her dedication, time, and behind-the-scenes work played an important role in the success of these efforts.
Thank You to Our Wellness Partner
We are grateful to Kassi at Alloy Personal Training – Paradise Valley for generously providing a Free Yoga Class for SRMS staff. This thoughtful opportunity gives our staff a chance to relax, recharge, and feel appreciated during a busy time of year.
Thank You to Our Staff Appreciation Sponsors
We sincerely thank the following local businesses for donating coupons and special offers to support our staff appreciation efforts:
- Bahama Buck’s - Phoenix
- Lookout Tavern
- Sonic of Phoenix
- Sport Clips
- The Pencil Grip, Inc.
- Yogurtini-Rmcf-Scottsdale
Your generosity helps us recognize the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff, and we are grateful for your partnership in supporting our Sunrise community.
Are you interested in learning more about some of Sunrise's stellar staff members, their favorites, and wish lists? If so, please check out the Staff Spotlights. We will be sharing additional spotlights throughout the school year!
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:
Next UPC Meeting:
The next UPC Meeting is Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 9 a.m. Please note: we will have a shortened business meeting and an earlier program to conclude by 10:30 a.m. before a very important training session for all Parent Group Leaders. (More on this below.) The monthly program will feature “The Closing Bell” with Superintendent Dr. Courson where we will hear highlights and accomplishments of the current year and get an advance look at plans for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Come be the first to know!
CALLING ALL PARENT GROUP BOARD MEMBERS!
Congratulations to all new, continuing, and concluding officers! We appreciate you! We also urge all 2026-2027 board members or experienced board members to attend the critical Annual Parent Leadership Training on May 13, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This district-wide event includes your attendance at the UPC business meeting, introductions to important contacts at the District, the Superintendent's annual "Closing Bell" presentation, and essential training for all Parent Group officers, especially presidents, treasurers, social media chairs, and those involved in fundraising. All officers and chairpersons are invited. Experienced & outgoing officers are encouraged to attend, as well, to share wisdom and tips across the District. Start your year and your term with the tools, resources, and guidelines you need to know! More details and registration coming soon.
UPC Election Update:
Congratulations to the incoming UPC Executive Board, and thank you to all outgoing officers for their time, dedication, and service. We are excited to welcome Rebecca Guglielmo as President, Dorothy Jokerst as Vice President of Programming, Kristin Trautman as Vice President of Membership, Holly Grover as Treasurer, and Amy Smith as Secretary. We look forward to the leadership and collaboration this team will bring in the year ahead.
Teacher and Staff Appreciation:
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week will be celebrated May 4–8, 2026. Best of luck with the exciting plans at each of your schools. Thank you for helping to deliver the UPC recognition letters at your school. Please work with your Principal and Parent Group to make sure all letters are presented to the recipients and remind your Principal and honorees from your school to attend the recognition ceremony on Tuesday, May 5th at North Canyon High School at 6:00 p.m. (arrival by 5:45 to be seated with your school). It's a fabulous night they won't want to miss. If you’d like to help with the event, or have any questions, please contact Kerry Baker. We are also looking for a few Parent Groups to donate cookies and bottled water to support the event. Please contact Kerry if your Parent Group can donate to our celebration.
Geri L. Morgan Award:
Congratulations to Nisha Shah, Emily Nelson, Robbie Moseley, Becky Laverty, Kristi Moore, Denise Amato, and Jill Achacoso, this year’s finalists for the United Parent Council Geri L. Morgan Volunteer of the Year Award. This award honors volunteers who demonstrate exceptional dedication and service to the community, reflecting the spirit of longtime UPC member Geri Morgan. Each nominee represents the kind of passionate, committed, and often humble volunteer whose efforts make a meaningful impact across our District. All finalists will be celebrated through a slide presentation shared at the April 23, 2026 Governing Board meeting and on UPC’s social media, with Jill formally honored in person at the Governing Board meeting.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Update:
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Ms. Jean Koeppen. Ms. Koeppen was honored at a beautiful ceremony this past Saturday attended by family, friends, and many, many current and past members of the PVSchools community. She will be greatly missed. Her passing leaves a vacancy for a vital member of the administration to be filled prior to the start of the next school year. The District is seeking 4 parents to serve on the interview committee on May 7, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. If a parent at your school is interested in serving on the interview committee, please have them submit this form by Thursday, April 23, 2026.
District Parent and Guardian Satisfaction Survey closes April 30:
Please remind the families at your school to complete the annual Parent and Guardian Satisfaction Survey by April 30, 2026. Each year, PVSchools sends out a parent and guardian satisfaction survey to better understand how parents and guardians perceive their child's school experience. Please check your inbox or ParentSquare feed for this opportunity to provide feedback that the District relies on to provide a top-tier experience and empower every learner for a lifetime of success. Parents and guardians are asked to look for the link e-mailed to them. The following link should not be shared publicly, but can be given to parents or guardians at your school if requested.
Participate in the Parent and Guardian Satisfaction Survey!
Gifted Committee:
Stay up to date on everything Gifted in PVSchools by joining the PVSchools Gifted Parent Group on ParentSquare. This is your go-to place for important updates, upcoming events, resources, and opportunities to connect with other families in the Paradise Valley Gifted community. Sign up HERE for Parent Square and make sure to follow the PVSchools Gifted Parents Group.
Upcoming Governing Board Meeting:
The next PVUSD Governing Board Meeting is April 23, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Parents can view the agenda 24 hours before the meeting, posted outside the District office or on the District's website. Members of the public are invited to attend in person or view the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/@PVSchools. Parents may e-mail the Board or submit a Public Comment in advance of the next meeting through the link on the District's website HERE.
PLEASE HELP our local Food Bank prepare for the great summer need!
Kay Norris from the PV Community Food Bank shared that the PV Community Food Bank provides free food assistance to families in the PVSchools area, including weekend meals for students through the Food4Kids program. If you or someone you know needs support, or if you’d like to give back, this is a meaningful way to help our community. The Food Bank is especially in need of donations to help students and their families over the summer. Please consider organizing a food drive at your school before the end of the school year. For more information, contact the Food Bank at Food Bank Director.
Takeaways from the April Program:
We had a great visit with Bonnie Carr Bickford and Allen Brown from the Phoenix Public Library's Mesquite Branch located in the center of our District. These dedicated librarians gave an overview of some of the diverse programs and services offered by our Phoenix and Scottsdale libraries, including: Story Times; the famed Summer Reading Program for prizes!; STEAM Saturdays; the College Depo with free college prep resources and services; ESL assistance for adults; trivia nights for kids and teens; Book Clubs; Summer Teen Volunteer Opportunities for teens 13-17; "Sit, Stay, Read" with a therapy dog; adult art and dance classes; Culture Passes to museums and zoos; an annual Bike Rodeo in partnership with Phoenix Children's Hospital; online resources through their website (driver's test, automotive help, digital books, educational tools, etc.); and more! This year's Summer Reading Program "Unearth a Story" for babies to adults opens for registration on May 1 (SIGN UP) and kicks off on June 1. Schools and Parent Groups can contact the Phoenix Public Library for a "Summer Reading 101" presentation at their school or to host a table or booth at a school event. Check them out today! Phoenix Public Library.
Stay Connected:
Follow us on social media for reminders, updates, and announcements.
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 welcome!