Sunnyvale ISD E-News

Led by Mrs. Frederiksen and Mrs. Rutherford, the talented students demonstrated creativity, precision, and teamwork throughout the competition. Their dedication, innovative designs, and problem-solving skills earned them top honors among teams from across the state.

Sunnyvale ISD congratulates our Robotics students and coaches for this outstanding achievement.

Sunnyvale Elementary held its first ever Miss Texas event to recognize teachers and staff for their outstanding efforts this year. Students and staff assembled in the SES gym on Thursday, December 18, to celebrate this recognition.

The event culminated with a video message from the current Miss Texas, Sadie Schiermeyer, congratulating them on their recognition and reminding them to represent their titles with pride, humility and joy! See her video here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TTmSmVtHF3c

Miss Heart of Texas - Mrs. Villarreal

This staff member shows compassion and care for students on a daily basis.

Miss Bluebonnet - Ms. Belt

This staff member shines with positivity and encouragement.

Miss Trailblazer - Mrs. Dodson

This staff member is innovative, creative, and goes above and beyond.

Miss Howdy Hospitality - Mrs. Chavarria

This staff member always shows teamwork and helpfulness.

Miss Rodeo Resilience - Mrs. Burt

This staff member always shows calmness in the classroom.

🎉The Sunnyvale High School Cheerleading and the SHS Jazz band brought the energy at the Tom Thumb grand opening party on Tuesday, Dec. 16!

During the celebration, the Tom Thumb leadership team announced its three-year partnership with SISD and a sponsor contribution of $45,000. A check that also included a $5,000 each for SHS Cheer and Band was presented to Superintendent Matt Kimball and the SISD Board of Trustees.

Additionally, Tom Thumb presented a $10,000 contribution to the Sunnyvale Education Foundation in support of our students and teachers.

We’re grateful for this incredible partnership and look forward to all the opportunities it will create for our schools and community! 💙💛

Sunnyvale Sports Medicine would like to send out a HUGE Thank You to the Sunnyvale Education Foundation for their support and very generous grant that purchased a new EMS/US/Laser therapy unit for the program. We are delighted to have such caring members of the community give back to our school. This therapeutic modality will help in the education for future healthcare professionals across many fields.

We would like to also thank Valerie Ticklepaugh-Hairston for donating her time and energy to come speak to our SMS sports medicine students.

She gave great insight into the practical application of therapeutic modalities and perhaps inspired many future healthcare professionals.

Thank you to all who give to the SEF every year and know that your contribution does matter!!

Sincerely,

Coach Chris Wangler

Coach Stanfill shared that the SHS Swim team recently had great success at the North Dallas TISCA meet. Huge shoutout to our swimmers who all made it to Finals and contributed key points for the team:

• Harper Bryant — brought home gold and silver medals

• Kaeyln Gardner — brought home three silver medals

• Felipe Castelloon — strong Finals finish and key points

• Sam Frazer — earned a PR in Finals and scored big for the team

• Payton Johnson — stepped up and added important points

• Kendall Mitschke — solid Finals showing and key points

• Claire Powell — big contribution and key points

Proud of everyone - great racing, great effort, and a great meet!

Students from Sunnyvale Elementary and Intermediate Schools competed in the Academic UIL meet on Friday, December 12, in Caddo Mills. Teacher Jessica Hensley shared that participants from grades 2–5 competed in 12 different events. Students earned placements from 1st through 6th against students from three other schools, as well as their own teammates.

An impressive 89 students represented Sunnyvale at the competition, and our Raiders placed in every single event! Their hard work paid off with a sweeping victory, bringing home the championship title by a margin of more than 200 team points over the next closest school.

Our students have been practicing weekly since September with their dedicated coaches, and their commitment truly shined. Congratulations to our UIL Champions!

Superintendent Kimball flipped pancakes and served smiles on December 18 during the annual Pancake Breakfast honoring the dedicated team members who keep Sunnyvale ISD running smoothly every day — custodians, bus drivers, child nutrition staff, maintenance crew, and administrative staff.

The event was a special opportunity to show appreciation for these essential employees whose hard work and commitment support the success of every student and campus across the district.

Sunnyvale ISD staff enjoyed a fun and festive challenge last Friday when Superintendent Kimball invited employees to search for hidden candy canes around the district. The lucky winners took home $25 gift cards—congratulations! A big thank-you goes to WRA for sponsoring this holiday fun.

The Sunnyvale Middle School Raider Nation, led by teacher Melissa Walker, showed true holiday spirit this season by organizing a Toy Drive to support children in need. Funds raised from the school’s popular “Boo Grams” fundraiser in October helped kick-start the effort, and generous donations poured in from the Sunnyvale community.

Thanks to this teamwork and kindness, SMS students collected more than 300 toys, which were donated to Sharing Life Community Outreach Center. The Raider Nation’s efforts will make the holidays brighter for many local families.

The Sunnyvale ISD administrative team came together this week to celebrate the season with a festive potluck lunch and holiday sock swap. From delicious homemade dishes to fun and festive socks, the event was filled with laughter, team spirit, and plenty of holiday cheer. It was the perfect way to wrap up the semester and gear up for the winter break!

Sunnyvale Middle School 7th and 8th graders had the opportunity to learn about exciting career pathways in radiology during a special guest presentation by Shayla Watson on Thursday, December 11.

Students explored a variety of professions, from X-ray technician to nuclear medicine specialist, and gained insight into the education, training, and skills needed to succeed in the radiology field. Ms. Watson also shared valuable tips and next steps for students interested in pursuing healthcare-related careers.

Sunnyvale ISD invites you to share your feedback as we begin planning next year's academic calendar. Your input helps ensure that our calendar reflects the needs of families, staff, and students across the district.
Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts using the link below. The survey will remain open through Friday, December 19, 2025.
Survey Link: https://forms.gle/GhoQBaxejSNR2PsB9

Thank you for partnering with SISD!

Raider Fans, give a gift that lasts a lifetime! Buy a personalized brick for the Sunnyvale Legacy Walk, right outside Raider Stadium, and celebrate your favorite Raider graduate, teacher, friend, or group. Perfect for honoring achievements, creating memorials, or recognizing sponsors!

Every brick supports the Gwinn Blankenship Scholarship Fund—so your holiday gift makes a difference. Any Raider or Raider fan can order!

Leave your mark on Sunnyvale ISD. Order your brick today and be part of the tradition!
Order online at www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/SunnyvaleRaiders
Questions? Feel free to contact SunnyvaleRaidersAlumni@gmail.com

Raider Drive is now closed to thru traffic at the field house. Please seek an alternate route. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as this closure remains in place.

The Parent Pick Me Up Podcast

Try to say that three times fast. Or just listen three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), wherever you get your Podcasts. You'll get insightful tips and encouragement from Technology Director Buck Baskin on dealing with the many things our kids are facing that affect their social and emotional health, behavior, and achievement.

The link for the SHS is - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2I1D6C0KF6PKD/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2

The link for the SMS is - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3H9TFRDXHJW4Z/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

All High School Items should be sent to this address –

Sunnyvale High School
222 Collins Rd
Sunnyvale TX, 75182
Attn: Annette Coats

All Middle School Items should be sent to this address –

Sunnyvale Middle School
216 Collins Rd
Sunnyvale TX, 75182
Attn: Principal Perez

Stock the Lounge FAQ:

Q: Can I buy other things not on the list?
A: Absolutely! Just send to the correct school/attention this month, and your PTA team will make sure it gets distributed.

Q: Can I drop off things in person?

A: Yes! Just drop off items at the front office of the school, marked for PTA Stock the Lounge, and your PTA team will take it from there.

Q: What items do you need?

A: Check the list for the respective schools, but any individually packaged snack/drink items are the main things each school wants. Bonus points if it is gluten free for the High School, as we have many teachers/admin that can’t eat gluten on that campus.

Does your child ever struggle with staying organized, following through on tasks, or managing time? These challenges are often related to executive functioning — the brain’s “management system,” which helps us plan, focus, remember instructions, and regulate actions to reach goals.

Join us on Thursday, January 22, at 5:30 p.m. in the SISD Boardroom for a parent training led by Lindsey Nikaidoh. Designed for parents of students of all ages, this session will provide realistic, low-stress strategies to support executive functioning at home — strategies that fit naturally into busy family routines.

Come learn practical ways to help your child strengthen these essential life skills in a supportive, encouraging environment.

For questions, please contact Brittany Dlabaj, Director of Special Programs at brittany.dlabaj@sunnyvaleisd.com.

For parents with children of all ages, come learn more about the impact of technology on your child's mental health with Russell Baxter, LPC-S on February 2, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the SISD board room. This talk helps parents understand how constant screen time, social media, and digital distractions are shaping kids’ attention, moods, and daily habits. We’ll look at how phones and apps slowly shift what children see as “normal,” making it harder for them to focus, enjoy quiet moments, or feel satisfied without constant stimulation.

Using real examples and clear explanations, the presentation breaks down why today’s digital world can leave kids more stressed, more distracted, and less confident—and what parents can do about it. Families will leave with practical tools to set healthier tech boundaries, lower the “noise” in their home, and teach their children how to use technology in a balanced, intentional way.

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa James at melissa.james@sunnyvaleisd.com.

College Prep Consultations are available on certain days over the holidays.

This is a great time for your high schooler to meet with former SMS teacher, Angela Henderson Smith, as she guides freshmen to seniors through the college preparation process—

You can schedule your first session directly on her Google Calendar.