The Sunny Times

Monday, August 24 (C)

Tuesday, August 25 (D)

• WatchDog Kick off (5:30-6:30)

Wednesday, August 26 (A)

• Hives (3:15)

Thursday, August 27 (B)

• Color Spirit Day: Blue
• Kindergarten Parent Night (6:00)
• No SunRunners

Friday, August 28 (C)

Monday, August 31 (D)

• SS Restaurant Night at Panda express

Tuesday, September 1 (A)

• Math Wings
• No SunRunners (error on written calendar)
• 5th Grade Parent End of Year Planning Meeting (6:15-6:45)

Wednesday, September 2 (B)

Thursday, September 3 (C)

• SunRunners
• Color Spirit Day: Yellow
• Pajamas, Pages, and Pals (8:35-8:55)

Friday, September 4 (D)

• Walking on Sunshine Kick off Assembly (3:15)

As we prepare for another school year, we want to share an important change that will affect every school in Kansas. Beginning the first day of school, a new state law requires personal electronic communication devices to be turned off and securely stored during the school day from 8:55am to 3:55pm.

Although the state law is new, the goal is one we all share. We want every classroom to be a place where students are engaged in learning, connected with their teachers and classmates, and free from the distractions that often come with personal technology. Research and experience continue to remind us that students learn best when they are fully present.

We know this will be an adjustment for many students and families. Our approach is rooted in teaching expectations, partnering with families and applying those expectations consistently across all Olathe elementary schools.

Students who bring personal electronic communication devices – including cell phones, smart watches, wireless headphones or earbuds, smart glasses, tablets not issued by the school, and similar devices – must keep them turned off and stored in their backpack and locker, a school-designated storage area, or another location approved by school administration. Any violations of the law and associate policy will incur the following consequences.

On Tuesday, August 25, 2025 from 5:30PM–6:30PM, we will be having our annual “Dads and Kids Night Out” to kick off our Watch D.O.G.S program for the year.

We will have some fun, a brief presentation about the WATCH D.O.G.S. Program, and PIZZA!

The WATCH D.O.G.S. Program is an excellent tool being used by schools across America which helps them to be positively impacted by the committed involvement of fathers and father figures in their children’s life. The goal is to have these men spend at least one-half day a year at the school to be an extra set of eyes and ears as a positive male role model.

In order to come, you need to do two things:
1. RSVP on the form below by Monday, August 24th at 9AM.

https://forms.gle/4kfgLtzmdwPcFEdr9

2. Mark your calendars, and we’ll see you Tuesday, August 25th from 5:30PM-6:30PM. Dads and kids T-shirts will be available to order at the event.

If you are unable to attend the sign-up event but would like to participate in WATCH D.O.G.S., please email sswatchdog@gmail.com.

Does your 4th or 5th grader love to sing? Come be a part of our school choir, the Sunnyside Singers! Choir is a fun way to make new friends, share your voice, and create amazing music together. No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm! Learn more and sign up at https://sites.google.com/site/braunemusic/choir

Review

This spring the Facility Alignment Task Force, made up of one staff member and one parent from each school, met three times to review district finances, enrollment projections and building capacity to inform Olathe Public Schools' school consolidation planning.

At the June Board of Education Meeting, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jim McMullen presented an overview of the Task Force’s work and recommendations. View the full presentation on the district’s YouTube Channel.

Survey results showed unanimous support for reducing the district's elementary footprint. Most participants recommended closing at least three or four elementary schools and at least one middle school. High schools are not expected to be affected.

Current Work

So far this summer, the Facility Alignment Steering Committee (a smaller subgroup of the Task Force) has met three of four times to evaluate the task force's recommendations and review data for each school. The committee will recommend specific schools for consolidation after its final meeting before the start of the school year.

Next Steps

A recommendation on specific school consolidations will be presented to the Board of Education at its September meeting, with boundary recommendations to follow. Please note that your school may be affected even if it is not recommended for consolidation, as attendance boundaries may be adjusted to accommodate students from consolidated schools.

Information will be shared in school and district communications throughout the next several months. Community members interested in following the process can learn more, including answers to frequently asked questions and view all districtwide and school-based communication so far on the district website. Our commitment to transparency throughout this process is intentional, so our community feels informed every step of the way.

The Sunnyside health room is looking for gently used donations of boys and girls shorts and pants size small and medium (elastic waist only, no jeans please). Thank you!!

Nurse Amy

What Is PBIS?

PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. It is a schoolwide approach that focuses on teaching students the behaviors we expect, recognizing students when they demonstrate those behaviors, and providing additional support when students need it.

What does PBIS look like at Sunnyside?

Rather than assuming students automatically know how to behave in every situation, we teach and practice our expectations. Students learn what it means to be respectful, safe, and owning their behavior in different settings such as classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, playground, and bus.

We then recognize students for making positive choices. This might include verbal praise, positive notes or calls home, Spark Starter recognitions, BUZZ Store opportunities, class celebrations, or other schoolwide incentives.

Why do we recognize positive behavior?

Recognition is not about bribing students to behave. It is about noticing and reinforcing the behaviors we want to see more often. Just as we celebrate students for academic accomplishments, we want to celebrate students for demonstrating kindness, responsibility, perseverance, and good decision-making.

What happens when students make mistakes?

PBIS does not mean that students never experience consequences. Students are still held accountable when expectations are not met. The difference is that we view behavior as something that can be taught, practiced, and improved.

When a student struggles with a behavior, we work to understand what happened, reteach the expected behavior, provide appropriate support, and help the student make a better choice next time. For students who need additional support, we may develop individualized strategies and interventions.

How can families help?

Families are an important part of PBIS! You can help by:

• Asking your child what the school expectations are.
• Using the same language and expectations at home when possible.
• Celebrating your child's positive choices.
• Talking with your child about how their choices affect others.
• Encouraging your child to reflect, learn from mistakes, and try again.

At Sunnyside, PBIS is about building a positive school community where students know what is expected, feel valued when they make good choices, and receive the support they need to be successful.

Dear Olathe Elementary School Families,

As we continue to prioritize student safety and maintain an orderly school environment, we want to remind families of the following expectations regarding student transportation to and from school:

• Students must be in at least the 3rd grade to ride a bike to school without an adult.
• Students riding bikes, scooters, motorized scooters, or e-bikes must walk their equipment once they are on school property to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
• All bikes, e-bikes, and scooters must be secured in designated outdoor storage areas (e.g., bike racks) and taken home at the end of each school day.
• The school is not responsible for the storage, security, or maintenance of any student transportation equipment.
• For their safety, students are expected to wear appropriate protective gear, such as helmets, when riding bikes, scooters, or e-bikes.

We appreciate your partnership and support in helping us maintain a safe and organized campus. If you have any questions, please contact the school’s main office.

Thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility during arrival and dismissal times. The first few weeks of school are a learning period for all of us, and we appreciate your cooperation as families become familiar with our routines.

Arrival

• School begins at 8:55 AM.

• Students may arrive between 8:35–8:50 AM. Only students eating breakfast at Sunnyside need to arrive at 8:35, all other students should arrive 8:45-8:55.

• Please do not drop students off before 8:35 AM, as supervision is not available.

• All students will enter through the Main Front Entrance.

Dismissal – 3:55 PM

Sunnyside uses a controlled dismissal process to ensure student safety and an organized end to the day. Please review the dismissal procedures below based on how your child goes home:

• Car Riders:
  Students will wait in a grade level classroom and will be dismissed when their family number is called.
  

• Bus and Daycare Pick Up:
  Students will be escorted as a group to the bus and daycare vans when they arrive.

• Bikers:
  Students will exit through the front door nearest the racks or the East door nearest to the 2nd set of racks. and must walk their bikes on sidewalks and through crosswalks until off campus.

• Walkers:
  Students will be escorted out one of three exits.

Front door walkers: Did not ride a bike and walk Northbound when leaving school. If you are walking to meet your child, please wait in the concrete plaza to meet. All students being picked up by a parent parking or walking from North of the school will exit out with Front Door Walkers. Palisade Walkers: Students that did ride a bike and walk home either going North, Southwest, or West when leaving the school. Siblings will meet and walk on the side walk to the crosswalk. The Crossing Guard will assist in getting across Lindenwood.

Arbor Landing Bike Riders and Walkers: These students will walk out the Northeast doors and will walk home using the Sunnyside Trail to Arbor Landing.

Changing Dismissal Plans

• If your child’s normal way of getting home changes (due to weather, appointments, etc.), please discuss this plan with your child before school.

• If a change needs to be made during the school day, call the office by 3:15 PM so we have time to inform your child and their teacher.

Your support in following these procedures helps us ensure a safe and smooth experience for all students. Thank you!

Email: aehercules@olatheschools.org
Website: https://www.olatheschools.org/sunnyside
Location: 16025 South Lindenwood Drive, Olathe, KS, USA
Phone: 913-780-7680
Facebook: facebook.com/SunnysideelementaryPTO
Twitter: @ssyellowjackets