SRMS PTO News
December 2025
Hello, Sunrise Middle School Families -
December is a short month for school, but full of fun and festive events!
📆DECEMBER HAPPENINGS - Here are some ways you can support our school. Please check out the calendar in the newsletter for more events.
- 🎭Theatre/The Sunrise Players | Help needed: Donation & Volunteering opportunities are still available - Sign up here.
- 🩰Rise Dance Company | Help needed: Donation & Volunteering opportunities are still available - Sign up here.
- 🎁Would you like to get a personalized gift for a Sunrise staff member? The SRMS PTO has updated our list of favorites and wishlists. (Only staff members who have submitted their information are listed.)
- 🍪Sign up if you'd like to donate snacks for StuGo's Dec. 12th Winter Dance
- 💕Sign up if you'd like to donate items for the Dec. 17th Staff Appreciation | Holiday Luncheon & Cheer (Tip: If you would like to donate a $10 Target gift card to spread holiday cheer to our wonderful SRMS staff, Target should be offering a 10% discount on Target gift cards from 12/6/25 - 12/7/25. This offer will be available through the free Target Circle loyalty program.)
- 🏫Sign up if you'd like to donate paper towels, Clorox wipes, or Kleenex for Quest classrooms.
- 🛒Shop for the holidays and support Sunrise Middle School - Through Dec. 15th: PeachSkinSheets Fundraiser (40% off these award-winning sheet sets; make great gifts!)
- 🤲Dec. 2nd - Giving Tuesday: Donate here to help the SRMS PTO continue our mission to bridge the gap between parents and teachers and ensure students and staff are supported by bringing in the necessary funding to support programs not funded by the school district.
- 🍽️Dec. 4th - Theatre Dine-out Fundraiser at Yogurtini Scottsdale from 3:00 to 9:00 PM
- 🍽️Dec. 11th - Dance Dine-out Fundraiser at 3Natives Phoenix from 4:00 to 8:00 PM
- ❄️Dec. 8th - 12th: StuGo's Spirit Week and Winter Wonderland Dance (Dec. 12th)
- 🍽️Dec. 17th - StuGo Dine-out Fundraiser at Chipotle from 4:00 to 8:00 PM
⏪NOVEMBER RECAP
- 🙏We are filled with gratitude for the amazing generosity from our SRMS families and community! You have helped out in many ways, including donating items and time for the November Staff Appreciation, the StuGo Winter Dance, the Sunrise Players'/Theatre's production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Rise Dance Company's Connections concert, joining us at dine-outs, and more. Many hands make light work, and we appreciate your support.
- 💵Fundraising results
- 🌟Walmart awarded the SRMS PTO a $1,000.00 Spark Good grant. Funds will be utilized to continue supporting the students, staff, and programs/clubs/classes at Sunrise.
- 🍔Lookout Tavern donated back $200.00 from our 11/19 Dinner and Trivia Night. 100% of the funds will go to the SRMS Quest Science and STEM programs to help purchase project/lab supplies, 3-D printers, and a mini-PC.
- 🍦Bruster's Real Ice Cream donated back $18.00 from our November Ice Cream Pie Fundraiser.
- 💰Your donations at work - Thanks to the ongoing support of Sunrise families and community members through fundraisers, dine-outs, donations, and volunteering, here are additional things that the SRMS PTO has been able to fund and provide this school year:
- 🎨Art Classes: Prismacolor colored pencils
- 🩰Dance Program: Costume accessories, clothing racks, hangers, photo prints
- 🎭Theatre Program: Design and build of set elements, stage manager/lighting, sound designer, photo prints
- 🏛️Student Government (StuGo): DJ and decorations for school dance
- ❤️Staff Appreciation & Grants: Monthly appreciation meals/treats, filtered water, coffee, and tea in the staff lounge, classroom supplies
Happy reading, and we wish you a joyous holiday season!
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
Through 12/15: PeachSkinSheets Fundraiser (40% off these award-winning sheet sets; make great gifts!)
12/2:
- SRMS Spelling Bee
- Giving Tuesday - Donate here if you'd like to help the SRMS PTO continue our mission to bridge the gap between parents and teachers and ensure students and staff are supported by bringing in the necessary funding to support programs not funded by the school district.
- 3:00 - 9:00 PM: Theatre Dine-out Fundraiser at Yogurtini Scottsdale (Flyer is in the Fundraisers section of the newsletter.)
- 6:00 PM: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Theatre Performance in SRMS Cafeteria
12/8 - 12/12: StuGo's School Spirit Week (See the calendar for daily themes.)
12/9: 5:00 PM - Quest NHD Showcase in Media Center
12/10: 6:30 PM - Orchestra Winter Concert in SRMS Gym
12/11:
- 4:00 - 8:00 PM: Dance Dine-out Fundraiser at 3Natives Phoenix (Flyer is in the Fundraisers section of the newsletter.)
- 6:00 PM: Connections Dance Performance in SRMS Cafeteria
- 6:30 PM: PVUSD Governing Board Meeting
12/12: StuGo's 7th & 8th Grade Winter Wonderland Dance at 2:45 - 4:45 PM (Tickets $5 before the dance and $6 at the door. Tickets will go on sale starting 12/8 and can be purchased in the courtyard before school starts and during the lunches in the cafeteria.)
12/17:
- Staff Appreciation | Holiday Luncheon & Cheer (Please visit the Signup Genius to donate items.)
- 4:00 - 8:00 PM: StuGo Dine-out Fundraiser at Chipotle (Flyer is in the Fundraisers section of the newsletter.)
- 6:00 PM: Band Concert in SRMS Cafeteria
12/22 - 1/2: Winter Break (No School)
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: 1/21 at 8:45 - 11:00 AM (PVUSD office and Zoom)
- 8:45 - 9:00 AM: Meet & Greet
- 9:00 - 10:00 AM: Business Portion
- 10:00 - 11:00 AM: Educational Program
- Please arrive a few minutes early for a Meet and Greet with fellow UPC Reps from 8:45-9:00 a.m. and to meet members of the Superintendent's Cabinet. It's a great way to connect. The meeting will be followed by the Parent Program, where the PVSchools Counseling Department will present important information on required courses and credits, enrollment, summer school, graduation requirements, and more. You don't want to miss this chance to ask your course, credit, and enrollment questions directly to the head of the department - just before enrollment is due, especially if your child is moving up to middle or high school next year. An online option will also be available for those who would like to join the meeting remotely. The registration link will be posted on UPC's Facebook page the week of the meeting.
- Join UPC at the 2026 PV Parent Expo!
Mark your calendar! Join us for UPC’s PV Parent Expo at Desert Shadows Middle School on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m.! It’s a great chance to stop by, meet local vendors, pick up some door prizes, and learn more about the many programs PVSchools offers. Find more information HERE.
- Parents:
- Come discover local businesses and vendors who want your business
- Learn about PVSchools Programs and Schools
- See Performances by PV Students
- Meet and Mingle with other parents
- Win Prizes
- Bring a friend with you! (This is not limited to just PV Parents)
- Light Snacks / Treats
- Businesses:
- Meet local parents who want to learn about your business and might become your customers
- See Performances by PV Students
- Bring a door prize and get people excited about your business
- Share this event with your customers! (This is not limited to just PV Parents)
From the UPC Gifted Education Committee:
Our next Parent Program will take place on January 13, 2026, from 6–7 p.m. at the PVSchools District Administration Center. The topic is “Arts Integration: Origami and Math,” an interactive, hands-on session that will be in-person only.
We also invite you to a POGS (Parents of Gifted Students) meetup on January 15, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). This casual gathering is an opportunity to connect with other families and discuss the gifted pathways and school options available in PVSchools. RSVP for the meetup HERE.
From the UPC Special Education Committee:
We hope you were able to attend the Project SEARCH Information Night! The session provided an overview of the nine-month unpaid internship program at Mayo Clinic designed for PVSchools students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, ages 18–22. Attendees learned about eligibility, timelines, and the unique transition-to-work experience offered on the Mayo Clinic North Phoenix campus. For more information, please contact Evelyn Satnan. For more ways to get involved HERE is a link to their Amazon Wish List for anyone who would like to support their important work.
From the UPC Technology Committee:
Here are some updates from the District's Information Technology Committee (ITC):
- ClassLink: An upcoming transition from Clever to ClassLink was announced, which will serve as the new launchpad for curriculum access. ClassLink offers enhanced security features and is anticipated to be more user-friendly. The initial account generation is targeted for winter break, with the full transition planned for the beginning of the next school year.
- Fine Arts/Macs: A temporary exception was made for fine arts teachers to receive one last Mac device to allow them time for training and migration to Windows-compatible software. The long-term plan remains to transition all fine arts teachers to Windows devices with dedicated resources and training.
- iBoss Screen Monitoring: The district is exploring iBoss as a promising solution for screen monitoring and classroom management. A small pilot was conducted, and further information on rollout plans, training, and communication will be provided as decisions are finalized.
Get Involved! Please share this UPC survey and opportunities with your organization and families.
We want to her from all of our schools and families! We have dozens of opportunities for families to learn more about what we do, find ways to advocate for your child's best education opportunities, and make a huge impact throughout our communities! View some opportunities and focus areas HERE. Please share this link with your organization, parent volunteers, and interested families.
UPC Sponsorship Committee Report:
UPC Sponsorship Opportunity
Cost of Sponsorship: $450
Dates Covered: Present – August 31, 2026
What Sponsors Receive:
- Recognition on the UPC website’s Sponsor Page
- Quarterly promotion of the Sponsor Page on UPC’s Facebook and Instagram
- Two individual features on UPC’s social media accounts
- A link to the Sponsor Page included in the UPC monthly newsletter
- Exclusive opportunity — only 10 sponsors will be accepted this year
- One feature in the UPC monthly newsletter (circulation 1,700+) as “Sponsor of the Month”
Bonus for 2026:
All sponsors will receive a FREE space at the UPC PV Parent Expo (Winter 2026)! This event is a unique chance to connect directly with PV families. More details will be released soon. For more information, please contact Communications.
Updates from District Committees:
DERT: District Emergency Response Team
- Each school also has a Site Emergency Response Team (SERT).
- DERT has completed 2 of 4 meetings for the year.
- Topics discussed in the most recent meeting, Friday, Nov. 14:
- Discussion of training to respond to Assailants and Active Shooters.
- Discussion of training on Off-Site Reunification.
- Consideration of revising the District language for “emergency lockdown” and “lockdown” - i.e. standardizing it to be streamlined / aligned with neighboring districts and first responders.
- JUUL settlement spending - additional cameras in HS / MS followed by additional cameras in ES (remaining funds to cover some expiring licenses and/or replacement cameras).
Library Title Review:
- Arizona law requires a review process for all new books to be purchased for public school libraries.
- District must provide a 60 day review period for parents to review books under consideration for purchase.
- Governing Board must approve all new library books before they are purchased.
- Review Process:
- Step 1: Library Technicians/Schools prepare a list for the principal.
- Step 2: Principal reviews the list.
- Step 3: Committee reviews the list. (CURRENT STEP)
- Step 4: 60-Day public review and comment period.
- Step 5: Committee reviews list to be presented to the Governing Board.
Upcoming Governing Board Meeting:
The next PVUSD Governing Board Meeting is December 11, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend in person or view the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/@PVSchools. Parents can e-mail the Board or submit a Public Comment in advance of the next meeting through the link on the District's website HERE. A Special Governing Board Meeting was held on November 22, 2025 for the Governing Board to receive legal advice in a closed Executive Session. The public portion of that meeting can also be found at https://www.youtube.com/@PVSchools.
Takeaways from the November Program:
PART ONE: Inside Our Digital Neighborhoods
A Scottsdale Detective from the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce shared practical tips for navigating the digital world.
He encouraged parents to:
- Routinely supervise kids’ online activity by checking devices, reviewing apps and message threads. *He shared that many online crimes begin on gaming platforms like Fortnite and Roblox and then move to messaging apps such as Discord.
- Learn how apps work by downloading and exploring them firsthand.
- Know your kid's password and login information.
- Create an open dialogue with your child about online risks.
If you feel your child is being exploited, threatened or in danger, report it immediately through your local authorities, Cybertipline, or the FBI. What to do:
- Notify authorities
- Do not delete anything and do not contact or confront the offender.
- Do not send payments.
- Stay calm and listen to your child without judgment.
- Gather details such as usernames, phone numbers, emails, or other identifying information, and note when the incident occurred.
Resources:
- CyberTipline
- Common Sense Media Parents' Ultimate Guide
- Online Child Exploitation Prevention Initiative
- Thorn Parenting Guides
- NetSmartz (age-appropriate online safety lessons)
PART TWO: The Rise of AI Shortcuts in K-12
In the current tug of war between students eager to use AI and adults unsure how to best guide them, leading with curiosity creates a bridge and can turn tension into teamwork. Ask your kids how they see AI being used in their lives.
- AI is already here shaping how kids learn, think, and communicate, and leading research shows over 70% of teens are using AI.
- AI can amplify risks when unsupervised including misinformation, over-reliance, privacy issues, and impacts on attention, effort, critical thinking, and self-esteem.
- Used responsibly, AI can strengthen learning and deepen understanding when guided by adults.
Kids need guardrails, consistent expectations, and adults who model healthy tech habits and keep open conversations about AI.
Stay Connected:
Follow us on social media for reminders, updates, and announcements.
Thank you so much to Sunrise's amazing families for your support throughout the year! Each month, we'll give special shout-outs to everyone who has helped the PTO in our mission to support the staff, students, and programs at SRMS.
November SRMS Staff Appreciation | Sweet & Savory Treats:
Lauren Colombo
Katie Cordello
Jen Brooks
Stephanie Markman
Jennifer Rock
Holly Grover
StuGo Snack Donations for Winter Dance:
Jamie Trovato
Christy Welborn
Tara O’Neale
The Sunrise Players Donors and Volunteers | SRMS Theatre:
Kat Simmons
Danelle Collier
Sara Haley
Robyn Kunze
Nhan Than
Jennifer Weitz
Shelley Weitz
Christine Wells
North Valley Arts Academy (NVAA) Theatre students
Rise Dance Company Donors and Volunteers | SRMS Dance:
Ami Dennis Wineinger
Andi Laney
Ayuna Tckachenko
Karina Tinsley
Sandy Lê-Giguère
November Fundraisers:
Thank you to everyone who was able to participate in the Bruster's Thanksgiving Ice Cream Pie fundraiser and dine-out at Lookout Tavern!
Spark Good Grant:
We’re excited to share that the SRMS PTO received a $1,000 Spark Good local grant from our local Walmart Store #4232. Funds will be utilized to continue supporting the students, staff, and programs/clubs/classes at Sunrise. We are proud to spark good in our 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!
If you'll be a continuing parent at SRMS or know of anyone else interested in serving the SRMS community for the 2026 - 2027 school year, please let us know at azsunrisepto@gmail.com! No experience needed - just a heart for our school community! We are happy to answer any questions about the PTO board positions.
- 2026 - 2027 President
- 2026 - 2027 Vice President
- 2026 - 2027 Treasurer
- 2026 - 2027 Secretary
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!