Sunrise Scoop

As we wrap up December, we’re reflecting with full hearts on a month filled with learning, celebrations, and special moments across our Sunrise community. From classroom activities to schoolwide events, December reminded us how much joy, growth, and connection happen when students, staff, and families come together.

As we look ahead to January, it’s hard to believe we are already halfway through the school year and beginning second semester (3rd quarter). A new semester is the perfect opportunity to pause, reset, and start fresh. Students return with renewed energy, teachers refocus goals, and together we recommit to learning, growth, and doing our very best each day.

We’re excited for the months ahead and grateful for our incredible Sunrise families who continue to support our students every step of the way. Here’s to a strong start to the new year and a great second half of the school year—together we rise! 🦁✨

🦁Looking ahead with excitement,

Michelle Martelli
Principal, Sunrise Elementary

Winter Break 12/22-1/6

Thursday 1/8

• DVUSD Honor Choir

Wednesday 1/14

• Volunteer Training

Monday 1/19

• No School for Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday 1/20

• Kona Ice Grades 1-6

Thursday 1/22

• 4-8 pm Eegee's Fundraiser

• 2nd Quarter Honor Assemblies

Wednesday 1/28

• 5-8:30 pm Great Skate Fundraiser

• DVUSD PreSchool Registration begins

January 16

January 23

January 30

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.

On Tuesday, January 20th, Kona Ice will be on campus for students in grades 1–6 to purchase a cool treat! (In January, we are adding 1st grade!)

A portion of the proceeds will come back to benefit Sunrise Elementary. Thank you for supporting our school while enjoying a sweet treat!

See the pricing chart below for options.

This month, our Kona Ice character trait is Responsibility, which connects perfectly to our PAWS expectations—Accepting Responsibility in everything we do. At Sunrise, being responsible means students take ownership of their choices, come prepared to learn, follow school expectations, and do their part to help our campus run smoothly.

When students show responsibility (whether it’s completing their work, being where they’re supposed to be, or making safe and respectful choices) they are practicing strong PAWS and building habits that help everyone succeed. We love recognizing students who rise to this expectation and show us what it means to be responsible Sunrise Lions! 🦁✨

🌟 Kona Ice Reward:
One student from each grade level (1st–6th) who consistently demonstrates leadership will earn a free Kona Ice during our next visit on Tuesday, January 20th! 🦁

A huge thank-you to Kona Ice for supporting our PAWS program and helping us celebrate students who live our values every day.

• 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.

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!

Happy New Year! January is Fun and Fitness month! Students can submit a short essay or a completed activity sheet to win a fitness pack in the month of January. Turn these into the cafeteria for a chance to win a prize!

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!

In January, we will be focusing on Productivity. Productivity means doing your best and getting things done. For our students, this can look like finishing a puzzle, completing an assignment, drawing a picture with care, or helping out with responsibilities at school and at home.

Throughout the month, students will learn what productivity looks like and how to build strong habits that help them stay focused, manage their time, and complete tasks with pride.

Our weekly focus will include:

• Week 1: Understanding expectations

• Week 2: Staying on task

• Week 3: Managing distractions

• Week 4: Completing assigned tasks

At school, teachers support productivity by breaking tasks into manageable steps, setting clear expectations, encouraging students to start right away, and celebrating effort and completion. Students also learn strategies for getting “unstuck,” monitoring their own progress, and reflecting on how they can improve.

Tips for Families 🏡

Families play an important role in building productive habits. Here are a few ways you can support your child at home:

• Establish a consistent routine for homework, chores, and bedtime

• Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps

• Encourage your child to start tasks right away instead of waiting

• Minimize distractions during work time (TV, devices, noise)

• Praise effort, focus, and task completion—not just perfection

• Help your child reflect: What went well? What could I do differently next time?

• Celebrate progress and remind your child that productivity improves with practice

Together, we can help our students develop strong habits that support success in school and in life. 🌟

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!

Student Council will be selling Candy Grams in February—be on the lookout for more information coming soon! 🍬💌

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

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.

Happy New Year, Lions! The new year is a great time for a fresh start and a renewed focus on positive behavior. Our school wide PAWS expectations guide us each day as we practice respect, accept responsibility, work together, and remember that safety matters. In the classroom, on the playground, and in the cafeteria, students will have opportunities to review routines, reflect on choices, and strengthen these skills through daily practice. We remind students that growth takes time and that each day offers a chance to make positive choices.

Happy New Year!! January is so exciting for all of us to have a fresh starting point! Now our students are going to be closer to the next academic school year. They feel excited to know that they are getting older, so let's use this opportunity to congratulate them on their efforts and progress of all their hard work. A great way to encourage growth is to say statements such as, "I am so proud of you for practicing skills that will help in finishing out strong for this school year." Now is the time for us to continue helping them with everything that they have learned so far this school year.

We always want to start the year off well and, of course, be healthy! Here are some tips to help keep your students healthy to maintain their success for this school year.

5 Tips to Stay Healthy

1. Eat Well- Eating healthy foods such as fruits and veggies, Staying Hydrated, and avoiding sugary foods can help you feel and stay well.

2. Stay Active- Walking, Running, Biking or a Daily Exercise can help make a difference in your body’s health to fight germs and keep you feeling good.

3. Sleep- Get consistent, quality sleep (around 8-10 hours for children) to help with mood, focus, healing, and immune function.

4. Mindfulness- taking time to do things that you enjoy, like listening to music, meditation, connecting with others, or hobbies, can help alleviate stress and keep your mind sharp.

5. Handwashing & Hygiene- Always wash your hands to keep germs away and good hygiene- such as daily teeth brushing, keeping up on vaccines, and regular body care can help remove germs from your body and keep you well.

Reminder- IF your child is showing signs of illness- please follow our DVUSD guidelines for illness and keep your student home till feeling better. You can check Nurse Penny’s Link for more information on illness guidelines- https://sunrise.dvusd.org/our-school/health-services/signs-of-illness

Hope everyone has a safe and healthy 2026 year!

New Year, New Goals! January is a fresh start. Try choosing one small goal to work on—like using kind words, trying your best, or calming your body when you feel upset. Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. What matters most is trying again!

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.

We are proud to recognize our MTSS-B teacher, Jane Jennewine, as our Teacher of the Month for her outstanding dedication to our students, staff, and families.

Jane consistently goes above and beyond in her work at Sunrise. She is always quick to respond to radio calls and provides calm, thoughtful support to students, helping de-escalate situations and ensure a safe, supportive learning environment. Jane builds strong, meaningful relationships with students and families and maintains open communication with parents to support student success.

Jane is also a strong advocate for both students and teachers. She initiates and monitors 504 plans with care and attention, while providing students with practical tools and strategies to help them be successful academically, socially, and emotionally. Her commitment to equity is evident in her work with the PAWS Store, where she created holiday-themed items and ensures that all students have the opportunity to participate.

Jane truly exemplifies our PAWS expectations (Practicing Respect, Accepting Responsibility, Working Together, and Safety Matters). We are grateful for her leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our Sunrise Lions.

Congratulations, Mrs. Jennewine, 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!

Dear Parents,

Time is quickly running out to register your child for gifted testing for the 2025–26 school year. Sunrise offers students enrichment opportunities and acceleration through our Walk-Up Math and SAGE ELA programs. Gifted testing is free and provides valuable insights into how we can best serve and support students’ learning needs. Student already in the gifted program do not need to test again.

Registration Window: October 1, 2025 through January 9, 2026

Testing Dates: January 20, 2026 through February 20, 2026

If you would like your child to be considered, please complete the registration form using the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/113I4RCCVylczxWcN0vAV_t1MJtCJ3XiyUz5exBWwVXY/viewform?edit_requested=true

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s academic growth.

We would love for you to join us as a volunteer at Sunrise Elementary—whether it's for a school event, field trip, or helping around the campus! There is a simple process through Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) to get started.

Please visit DVUSD Volunteering Information for full details. A few important points to note:

• In-Person Volunteer Training: All volunteers must complete an in-person training, which we will offer four times throughout the year. However, you are welcome to attend training at any DVUSD school. You only need to attend this training once!

• Returning Volunteers: Thank you for your continued support! To register as a returning volunteer, please reach out to either Holly Kuhn (holly.kuhn@dvusd.org) or Hedy Rastedt (hedy.rastedt@dvusd.org).

• Volunteer Eligibility: Volunteers must be family members of a current student unless you hold a valid fingerprint clearance card.

• Important Reminder: Please ensure you complete the training at least 30 days before you plan to volunteer to allow time for processing.

We can’t wait to have you on board as we work together to support our Sunrise Lions!

Volunteer training can be attended at ANY DVUSD campus.

Website: Sunrise.DVUSD.org

Instagram: sunriselions_dvusd

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

We are currently in need of 1 crossing guard.

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!