Sunrise Scoop

As we enter the final month of the school year, it’s hard to believe how quickly the time has passed. May is a special and meaningful time to celebrate the incredible growth, accomplishments, and memories we have created together as a school community. From the excitement of the first day of school to all that we have experienced along the way, this year has been filled with learning, laughter, perseverance, and pride.

Our students have made tremendous strides academically, socially, and emotionally. It has been inspiring to see their confidence grow, their curiosity expand, and their commitment to doing their best each day. Whether in the classroom, at school events, or through everyday interactions, our Sunrise Lions have truly demonstrated what it means to practice PAWS (Practicing Respect, Accepting Responsibility, Working Together, and Safety Matters.) These values have been at the heart of our school culture and have helped shape a positive and supportive environment for all.

This year, we have truly lived out our vision and theme, Together We Rise. We have seen firsthand the power of collaboration and growth with students supporting one another, teachers working as teams to refine instruction and meet the needs of every learner, and families partnering with us every step of the way. When we come together with a shared purpose, we create something far greater than we ever could alone, and this year has been a shining example of that.

This year has also been a testament to the dedication and passion of our staff. Our teachers and support staff consistently go above and beyond to meet the needs of every student, creating engaging learning experiences and building meaningful relationships. Their commitment to excellence and to each child’s success is what makes Sunrise such a special place. We are also so grateful for our families and community members who partner with us, support our events, and reinforce learning at home. Your involvement makes a tremendous difference, and we truly could not do this work without you.

As we reflect on the year, we also celebrate the many moments that brought us together such as family nights, assemblies, classroom celebrations, and everyday wins both big and small. These shared experiences strengthen our community and remind us of the joy that comes from learning and growing together.

On a personal note, I am incredibly grateful to have joined the Sunrise family as your Principal this year. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and supported, and it has been an absolute honor to serve this amazing community. Sunrise has always felt like home to me and I have no doubt I am exactly where I am suppose to be. I am so proud of all that we have accomplished together, and I feel fortunate to be part of a school filled with such dedicated educators, supportive families, and outstanding students. I am excited about the strong foundation we have built and look forward to many more years ahead at Sunrise.

As we close out the school year, there is still so much to look forward to with end-of-year celebrations, special events, and meaningful opportunities to recognize our students’ hard work. At the same time, this season often brings a mix of emotions as we prepare to say goodbye to some of our students and families while also looking ahead with excitement to the future.

Thank you for being such an important part of what makes Sunrise so special. Your partnership, support, and belief in our school mean so much. Together, we have created something truly special this year, and together, we will continue to rise. 🦁✨

🦁With lion pride,

Michelle Martelli
Principal, Sunrise Elementary

Friday 5/1 Early Release

• School Lunch Hero Day

Week of May 4th-8th Teacher Appreciation Week- Bring your teachers flowers!

• School Nurse Day
• 6pm-8:30 Spring Concert for Band and Orchestra

• End of the Year Family BBQ

Monday 5/11

• 6pm-8:30 Spring Choir Musical- The American Dream

• 7pm DVUSD Board Meeting

• 4pm-5:15 6th Grade Dance at DSMS

Monday 5/18

• Speech/Language Pathologist Day
• 1:30 Kinder Celebration
• 5pm Headstart Celebration

Tuesday 5/19

• Kona Ice at Recess for Grades 1-6
• 4-8 pm Panda Express Fundraiser

• Last Day of School for 25/26 School Year
• 9am 6th Grade Celebration

Thursday 5/28

• Last Day for Office to be opened this school year

May 1st

May 8th

May 15th

Early release days in the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) are designed to provide teachers with dedicated time for professional development, collaborative planning, and administrative tasks, while also allowing students to be dismissed 60 minutes earlier than a full day of instruction. This dedicated time helps teachers enhance their skills and ensure high-quality education for students.

Half Day (11:35) Release on Thursday May 21st for the Last Day

As we wrap up an incredible school year, we invite you to join us for our End-of-Year Family BBQ on Friday, May 8th during your child’s lunch time! This special event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the end of the year together while also honoring our amazing teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Families are welcome to come enjoy lunch with their child, connect with our school community, and celebrate all the growth and accomplishments from this year. It’s a simple but meaningful way to spend time together and be part of the Sunrise experience.

We are so proud of how our students, staff, and families have truly lived out our theme, Together We Rise, through collaboration, support, and growth all year long.

We’re excited to welcome Kona Ice back to Sunrise on Monday, May 19th during lunch recess for our 1st–6th grade students!

This month’s character focus is Perseverance—continuing to try, even when things are challenging. We’ll be looking for students who show determination, keep a positive attitude, and don’t give up when learning gets tough.

One student from each grade level who demonstrates outstanding perseverance will be recognized with a free small Kona Ice! 🎉

Families are welcome to send money with students if they would like to purchase a Kona Ice treat.

💡 Supporting Perseverance at Home:

• Encourage your child to keep trying, even when something feels difficult
• Praise effort over results (“I’m proud of how hard you worked!”)
• Share stories about times you had to keep going and not give up
• Help your child break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps
• Remind them that mistakes are part of learning and growing

Let’s celebrate the strength and determination of our Sunrise Lions as we continue to show that Together We Rise! 🦁✨

Thank you to Kona Ice for partnering with Sunrise to support our PAWS program and celebrate our amazing students!

See the pricing chart below for options.

• A valid photo ID is always required for anyone checking out a student, no matter the reason. The person must also be listed on the student’s approved contact list in order for us to release the student.
• Students may arrive no earlier than 7:58 a.m.
• On Full School Days, students cannot be signed out after 2:30 p.m.
• On Early Release Fridays, students cannot be signed out after 1:00 p.m.
• Reminder- All drop off needs to be on the blue line (not in front of the school entrance). Please make sure to pull all the way up by the gym. Also, please do not park in drop off lines.

At Sunrise Elementary, we believe that by reinforcing these core values, we create a positive and supportive school environment where every student can thrive. Through our PAWS program, students earn Dojo points for demonstrating these behaviors, helping them to build strong character and succeed both academically and socially. Students can then spend their Dojo points in our classrooms and at the PAWS shop. (If you would like to donate to our PAWS shop, check out our Amazon wishlist.) We’re proud to celebrate our students’ achievements and encourage them to keep showing their PAWSitive behavior every day!

• Friday May 1st is School Lunch Hero Day! Join us in recognition of the hard work our Cafeteria staff puts in to ensuring nutritious, safe, and Fun meals are served daily to our students and staff!!!! Stop by with a friendly smile and a thank you to our wonderful Cafeteria Crew!!
• Friday May 8th we will have a menu change... instead of Teriyaki Chicken we will be enjoying a BBQ outside. We will be grilling up some Cheeseburgers 🍔 Parents are welcome to join us for lunch as well, $4.75! We can't wait to see you all there.

https://sunrise.dvusd.org/our-school/cafeteria

Sunrise is pleased to announce that through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program, we will be providing breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge.

All students enrolled at Sunrise may receive one breakfast meal and one lunch meal at no charge every school day. Additional meals and a la carte items will continue to be available at regular pricing.

You are receiving this benefits form because your student attends a Community Eligibility Program (CEP) school but does not qualify for meal assistance at home through programs like SNAP, TANF, FDPIR or, as a Migrant.

Completing and submitting this form is necessary for your school to secure funding through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) which may be used for after school activities, tutoring, technology, staff development, and parent classes.

Thank you for helping us continue to provide valuable support to our students and schools!

At Sunrise, we are committed to strengthening positive, respectful interactions across our campus—between students and staff, and student to student. As part of our ongoing focus, we are working toward increasing meaningful, kind conversations and encouraging empathetic responses in all settings.

To support this goal, students are participating in weekly lessons during our EABS (Essential Academic Behavior Skills) time. These lessons focus on skills such as how to respectfully disagree, actively listen, and respond with kindness. Teachers model these behaviors and guide students through real-life scenarios to build confidence and understanding.

In classrooms, you will see increased structure through intentional conversations and lessons centered on respect and communication. Students are recognized and celebrated for demonstrating these behaviors through:

• ClassDojo points
• Green PAWS tickets
• Positive praise (both privately and publicly)
• Positive notes sent home

Our administrators regularly visit classrooms to celebrate students who are demonstrating these positive behaviors and to reinforce our schoolwide expectations.

This work is supported by all staff members across campus, who consistently encourage and recognize students for making positive choices. Updates and encouragement are shared with staff through The Lion’s Roar and daily announcements to ensure consistency and success.

Together, we are proud to continue building a school culture where respect, kindness, and empathy help us all grow—because at Sunrise, Together We Rise! 🦁✨

As we finish the school year strong, our May EABS focus is Responsibility—doing what you’re supposed to do, taking care of your belongings, and making choices you can be proud of. Responsibility also means being trustworthy and understanding how your actions affect others at home, at school, and in the community.

Families play a huge role in helping students build responsibility. Below are simple ways you can support this month’s focus at home:

Week 1: Showing Sensitivity to Others

Students are learning how to recognize others’ feelings and respond with kindness and empathy.

At Home:

• Ask your child: “How do you think that person felt?” during conversations or after situations
• Encourage kind actions (helping a sibling, including others, using respectful words)
• Model empathy by talking through your own feelings and reactions

Try This Together:
Read or discuss Wonder and talk about how kindness and understanding differences can make a big impact.

Week 2: Accepting Decisions of Authority

Students are practicing how to respond appropriately when given directions or when the answer is “no.”

At Home:

• Set clear expectations and follow through consistently
• When your child disagrees, coach them to respond respectfully (e.g., “Okay” or “Can I ask why?”)
• Praise positive responses when they accept decisions calmly

Conversation Starter:

• “What’s a respectful way to respond when you don’t agree with a rule?”

Week 3: Managing Stress

Students are learning ways to recognize and manage stress, especially as routines change near the end of the year.

At Home:

• Help your child identify what makes them feel stressed
• Practice calming strategies together (deep breathing, taking a break, talking it out)
• Keep routines as consistent as possible (bedtime, meals, downtime)

Try This Together:
Watch and discuss age-appropriate videos like How Stress Affects Your Body (upper grades) or Stress Management, then ask:

• “What is one thing you can do when you start to feel overwhelmed?”

By working together—home and school—we can help our students build responsibility and finish the year feeling confident and ready for what’s next.

Together We Rise! 🦁✨

We’re excited to announce School Spirit Fridays at Sunrise! Every Friday, wear your Sunrise spirit wear or school colors to show your love and pride for our amazing school. Whether it's your Sunrise swag or red and gold, let’s fill the halls with school spirit and show off our Sunrise pride!

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with our Sunrise community! Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Sunrise Elementary will officially offer a Before & After School Care program right here on campus.

We know how important it is for families to have access to safe, engaging, and convenient childcare. Whether you need a little extra time in the morning or a reliable, structured environment after school, this program is designed with your family’s needs in mind. Students will have opportunities to learn, play, and connect in a supportive setting beyond the school day.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Registration Opens: Friday, April 3, 2026
• Register Here: https://dvusd.arux.app/
• Program Details: https://www.dvusd.org/departments/community-education/before-after-school-care
• Questions? Contact Traci Piccoli at Traci.Piccoli@dvusd.org or (623) 376-3979

⚠️ Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly, so we encourage families to mark their calendars and register as soon as enrollment opens!

We are incredibly excited to bring this highly requested program to Sunrise and to continue supporting our families with meaningful opportunities for our students—before and after the school day. Together We Rise! 🦁✨

We had an incredible year in Student Council! From our shirt fundraiser and Boo Grams to Valentine Grams, the Student Leadership Summit, and volunteering at school events, these Lions truly went above and beyond.

Student Council still has spirit shirts available for purchase! Get yours in Ms. Shade’s room for $15 — cash only, please.

Summer gifted testing is available for families who are interested in having their student evaluated for the program. Registration will be open from March 23 through May 28, 2026, with testing scheduled between June 5 and June 11, 2026. The CogAT paper-and-pencil assessment will be used for students in kindergarten through grade 9 and above.

Please note that students who are already participating in the gifted program do not need to test again. If you would like your student to be considered, be sure to complete the registration during the window provided by selecting the “Registration Link”.

SUMMER GIFTED TESTING -

REGISTRATION: March 23, 2026 - May 28, 2026

SUMMER GIFTED TESTING: June 5, 2026 - June 11, 2026

KINDERGARTEN: CogAT Paper/ Pencil

GRADE 1: CogAT Paper/ Pencil

GRADE 2: CogAT Paper/ Pencil

GRADES 3-8: CogAT Paper/ Pencil

GRADES 9+ CogAT Paper/ Pencil

Registration Link: https://dvusd.arux.app/course/1575/2025-2026%E2%80%941/summer-gifted-testing

To promote a safe and distraction-free learning environment for all students (and in alignment with Arizona House Bill 2484 (2024)), the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs), including cell phones, is strictly regulated for students during the school day. This policy applies to all DVUSD students and is enforced during instructional hours across all areas of the school campus, including classrooms, hallways, restrooms, lunch areas, recess, assemblies, and any school-sponsored activities taking place on campus during the regular school day.

Students are required to keep their personal electronic devices (such as phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and similar items) turned off and stored away throughout the school day unless they have received explicit permission from a DVUSD staff member for instructional or health-related and nurse approved purposes. Use of electronic devices is not allowed in classrooms, hallways, restrooms, lunch areas, or other common spaces during school hours. In addition, messaging, phone calls, and social media use are strictly prohibited during instructional time.

Bluetooth headphones and earbuds are not permitted on campus. Only wired headphones may be used, and only when connected to school-issued Chromebooks for approved instructional activities. This ensures appropriate use and limits classroom distractions.

Students are strongly discouraged from bringing personal electronic devices (including cell phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and gaming systems) to school or school-sponsored events. The Deer Valley Unified School District is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal items.

Misuse of electronic devices may result in disciplinary consequences and may also result in confiscation of the device. Devices that are repeatedly confiscated will be held in the front office until they are retrieved by a parent or guardian.

May Behavior Tip: Keep PAWS Going Strong All Summer

As we head into summer, routines change, schedules loosen, and kids get a well-earned break. While the pace may shift, it’s a great opportunity to keep practicing PAWS at home and in the community.

PAWS stands for Practicing Respect, Accepting Responsibility, Working Together, and Safety Matters, and these skills can be reinforced in simple, natural ways:

• Practicing Respect during playdates, at parks, or even by writing a quick note or drawing for a friend or family member.
• Accepting Responsibility by having kids help with small daily tasks like feeding pets, packing for outings, or cleaning up after activities.
• Working Together by encouraging teamwork during games, chores, or family activities.
• Safety Matters by reviewing expectations before outings like swimming, biking, or visiting busy places.

Summer doesn’t have to feel like school to reinforce these skills. Board games, family outings, library visits, and even everyday errands are great chances to practice PAWS in real-life situations.

A little consistency goes a long way. Keeping expectations clear and celebrating those positive moments helps students return in the fall ready to succeed.

We are so proud of our students for doing their best and consistently showing up to school all year long! Here we are, discussing summer already! Summer can be a fun time to read up on some relaxing entertaining books, even as much as those Dr. Seuss books. These children's picture books never get old and still continue to encourage our students to keep up with their reading habits. If your child wants to challenge themselves through the summer months and read some novels, that's even better! We sure hope that they will enjoy a good summer reading and will be ready for August. We will be excited and waiting for them!

Medications stored at school- If you have stored medications in the nurse office, a parent or guardian will need to pick up the medication during the last week of school May 18- 21 during school hours- Last day for medication pick up is May 21st by 1pm. We can NOT send home medications with the student. A parent or guardian needs to pick up medications. If medications are not picked up before the last day of school- medications will be destroyed- they do not get stored over summer. Please make time to pick up medications, Thank you.

Immunizations- 4th & 5th grade students- As you are preparing your child for the next year- students that are turning 11 years old will need immunizations updated- the Tdap and Meningitis vaccines. Please make arrangements to update your child’s vaccinations.

6th graders moving to Desert Sky for Middle School- Congratulations! I will miss you! If your student does have any medications or medical needs for next year, Nurse Penny can give the medical forms to help you get ready for next year. Contact Nurse Penny for medical forms.

Preparing for the Summer- Parents/Guardians- please help keep our students safe around water, especially pools. Remind your child to follow pool rules and that they need to have adult supervision at all times during swimming. Here are some extra water safety tips from American Red Cross- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html Hope everyone has a Safe and Happy Summer!

Respect helps children build positive relationships and make good choices. At school, we practice respect by using kind words, listening to others, and caring for our environment—skills that can be reinforced at home.

How You Can Support at Home:

You can support your child by modeling respectful behavior, encouraging calm communication, and setting clear expectations. Asking questions like, “How would you feel?” helps build empathy—an important part of respect.

Noticing and praising respectful actions, such as sharing or helping others, encourages those behaviors to grow. Together, we can help our children become kind and respectful individuals. Thank you for partnering with us to support a respectful and caring school community.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG3arGjg0Hk

Did you know that good attendance sets the foundation for lifelong learning habits? When students are in school consistently, they don't just keep up with lessons-they build confidence, strong routines, and social connections. We do realize that things happen. In the event that your student cannot be at school please call our 24 hour attendance line 602-467-5990, to let us us know your student will be absent. Every day counts! Let's work together to ensure our students are present, prepared, and ready to succeed.

At Sunrise, we are proud to recognize educators who truly go above and beyond for our students—and this month’s honoree, Mrs. Sheets, is a shining example of what it means to serve with heart, purpose, and excellence.

Mrs. Sheets creates a calm, safe, and supportive classroom where students feel valued, respected, and ready to learn. She is known for her steady and composed presence, especially when supporting students through challenging moments. No matter the situation, Mrs. Sheets remains patient, positive, and focused on meeting each child’s academic and behavioral needs.

Her commitment to student growth is evident in everything she does. Mrs. Sheets thoughtfully tracks student progress, reflects on her practice, and continuously adjusts instruction to ensure all learners are successful. She was also an early leader in implementing campus-wide expectations, including clearly communicating learning targets and success criteria so students understand their goals and how to achieve them.

One of Mrs. Sheets’ most special gifts is her ability to connect with families. She prioritizes building strong, trusting relationships and maintaining clear, positive communication that supports student success both at school and at home.

Mrs. Sheets’ dedication, professionalism, and unwavering focus on students make her an incredible asset to our Sunrise community.

Please join us in celebrating Mrs. Sheets, our Teacher of the Month! 🦁💛

Our school is collecting Box Tops—and the best part is, it’s all digital now! We’ve already raised some money this year, and every little bit helps.

Sign up easily using this QR code or click the link: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=X37Z0KB0&school_id=72514

Reach out the Kelsey Shade if you have any questions or need assistance, kelsey.shade@dvusd.org.

Please check to make sure you are enrolled. It is easy.

1. Log on to your Fry's account.
2. Click on My Account.
3. Click on Community Rewards.

There is nothing else to do! Once your Fry's VIP reward card is linked, just shop as normal and Fry's will track a percentage of your purchases and we will get a donation!

Website: Sunrise.DVUSD.org

Instagram: sunriselions_dvusd

Also, be sure to connect with us on Class Dojo!

We are currently in need of a monitor and a part time night custodian.

If you are interested in any of our open positions, please apply at https://jobs.dvusd.org/ and email Hedy at Hedy.Rastedt@DVUSD.org.

At Sunrise Elementary, we are excited to announce our theme for the 2025-2026 school year: "Together We Rise!" This year, we are focusing on the power of unity—working hand in hand with our students, families, and community to elevate every learner. By fostering collaboration, celebrating each other’s successes, and supporting one another through challenges, we will rise to new heights of achievement and growth. We invite you to join us on this journey as we build a stronger, more connected school community. Together, we can make this a year to remember!