The Sunray

Dear Sunset Families,

We're excited to begin another school year and we can't wait to welcome your children back to campus. Our staff has been working hard to prepare for a smooth, meaningful start and we're looking forward to the laughter, learning and connections.

As another school year begins, I've been thinking about how quickly time moves. We all look forward to the big milestones like the first day of school, student performances, field trips, promotions and graduations. While those moments do matter, when we look back years from now, it's often the ordinary days that become our favorite memories.

Maybe it's the smile at morning drop-off or the excitement of sharing something new learned in class. It could be the artwork that is proudly brought home. The conversations around the dinner table about a friend, a challenge or a small success.

This year, we all can give ourselves permission to slow down just enough to notice those moments. Childhood isn't made up of only the big events. It's built one ordinary day at a time and those ordinary days have a way of becoming extraordinary when we are fully present.

Thank you for trusting us with your children. It is a privilege to partner with your family and we look forward to another year of learning, growth and belonging together.

Here's to a wonderful school year.

Goooo Sunset!

Thomas Fletcher
Principal
Sunset Elementary School

Brand new"ish" news...

•The Sunset office will open on Wednesday Aug 5th. We are open from 8:00 am to 4:00 PM.

•Sunset Bell Schedule and Calendar are both attached below.

•Wave Day~ Thursday August 6th, 5-7 PM in the Sunset MPR: Ride the wave into a new school year. During Wave Day students and families can pick up teacher assignments, purchase spiritwear, pre-order yearbooks, go on a scavenger hunt, learn about the fun PTO events for the upcoming school year and of course WAVE hello to friends.

•PTO TK/Kinder Meet and Greet~ August 7th 5:30 -7:00 pm at Karl Wente Park - Kinder and TK families are invited to come meet their classmates and make new friends before the first day of school. (see flier below)

•Join Your Sunset PTO! ... What is the Sunset PTO?

The Sunset School PTO is a partnership between parents, guardians, and staff to promote cooperation and goodwill within our school community and to improve and enrich the Sunset Elementary experience for every student. The Sunset PTO funds and hosts many critical programs, events, and materials including: Science and Library Grants, Classroom Grants, Sunset Garden, PE Equipment, Assemblies, Halloween Carnival, Family Fun Nights and more!

Staying Connected / Important links

Sunset PTO Website: https://sunsetpto.membershiptoolkit.com/

Sunset Spirit Store: www.sunsetptostore.com

Sunset PTO Newsletter: Stay up-to-date on the latest Sunset news with the FREE weekly PTO newsletter. Sign-up instructions: Log on to www.sunsetpto.org, Navigate to My Account, Select Newsletter/Calendar Subscriptions from dropdown, Enter Preferences

Sunset PTO Facebook: @SunsetElementaryPTO, @WeAreSunset!

Sunset PTO Instagram: @sunsetsurfers_pto

•Short Days~ We will have a few early release days the first week of school. Please plan accordingly.

-Wednesday 8/12 Release @1:10 (TK/Kinder) @1:30 (1st-5th)

-Thursday 8/13 Release @1:10 (TK/Kinder) @1:30 (1st-5th)

-Friday 8/14 Release @1:10 (TK/Kinder) @1:30 (1st-5th)

•Entry Gates~ We will open the gates at 8:15.

We will have four entry gates open before and after school.

One in the back of the school by the garden/Karl Wente Park.

One next to the MPR between the lower Kindergarten building and the MPR.

One in the front of the school between the office and room 4/5.

One at the end of the Kindergarten building next to room 1.

•Traffic Safety Reminder~ Please go slow, plan ahead, be patient and responsible when picking up and dropping off. Our students' safety is priority #1 and the first few weeks it's imperative that we start off on the right foot. We appreciate your attention to safety.

•Want to Volunteer in a classroom? ~ Please apply (or re-apply if you volunteered last year) through Raptor. You have to reapply every year. If you were fingerprinted last year, you DO NOT need to get fingerprinted again. Brooke, our Office Specialist, will be clearing volunteers ASAP. Please check out the website for updates on getting cleared to volunteer.

•Breakfast~ Will be served again this year for those in need. Doors will be open at 8:00 and close at 8:25 "ish". Please be prompt if you plan to take advantage of this amazing service.

•Please help me welcome our new staff members~

Emily Manwell - 5th Grade Teacher

Mikaela Bettencourt - Science Teacher

Michelle Wentworth - Library Media Specialist

Hope Dafoe~ RSP Aide/Paraeducator

TBD - TK Aide

Grade Level Changes~

Erin Samonek will be teaching Kindergarten.

Melissa Martella will be teaching TK

Picture Day~ Mark your calendars for picture day. It is Sept 18th!

News that's been around a while...

We use these three statements to reinforce our positive behavior with our students and would love for your help and support as we teach our students how to behave in all situations.

•PLEASE label your child's water bottle and/or lunch box with a first and last name. We have had several misplaced items with no name.

•The Sunset office will open on Wednesday Aug 5th and then will be open Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm. If you have questions please do not hesitate to call us or stop by and speak to Brooke, Julie or Colleen.

•Please note the attached bell schedule and LVJUSD calendar for the 2026-2027 school year.

8/12/26~ First Day of School

School dismissal is 1:30 1st-5th (1:10 for TK/Kinder)

8/13/26~ Early Dismissal

School dismissal is 1:30 1st-5th (1:10 for TK/Kinder)

8/14/26~Early Dismissal

School dismissal is 1:30 1st-5th (1:10 for TK/Kinder)

8/20/26~ Back to School Night

9/7/26~ Labor Day (No School)

9/17/26~ Picture Day

Sunset PTO Website

Gate Entry and Exit for Sunset Elementary

Gates Open at 8:15 am

School Starts at 8:30 am

While you are allowed and welcome on campus, we ask that you be cognizant of teachers time and student behavior while we work to instill a culture of kindness and integrity. While we value you and want you to know you are a vital part of our community and are welcome here, we are still asking that you help your child take steps to becoming independent as they find their own way to class as they enter campus.

It is exciting to see Kindergartners walk to class, hang up their backpacks, grab what they need and head into class...all on their own. Trust me, it will happen in time.

In accordance with security guidance, IT has updated student passwords to 9-digits. That means students with 8-digit student IDs will need to add a leading zero and students with 7-digit student IDs will need to add two leading zeros to be able to log in. Students with 9-digit student IDs or who had previously changed their password to a personal password were not affected.

If students need help, they can get help from their teachers when school starts.

Email: tfletcher@lvjusd.org
Website: https://www.livermoreschools.org/sunset
Location: 1671 Frankfurt Way, Livermore, CA, USA
Phone: 925.606.5230