Sunrise Scoop

February has arrived, and it’s hard to believe how quickly the year is moving! As we turn the page to a month centered on love, kindness, connection, and courage, we also want to take a moment to celebrate all that we accomplished together in January at Sunrise Elementary. 🦁💛

January was filled with meaningful moments across our campus. We proudly welcomed families to our Honor Assemblies, where we celebrated students for their academic achievements and character, and it was truly special to see our community come together to recognize our students’ hard work and growth. Our classrooms were buzzing with learning as teachers and students jumped back into routines, focused on academic goals, and continued to build strong relationships that support success. We also continued reinforcing our PAWS expectations (Practicing Respect, Accepting Responsibility, Working Together, and Safety Matters) helping our students start the year strong both academically and behaviorally.

As we move into February, a month often associated with love and friendship, we are excited to continue spreading positivity throughout our school. This month’s focus on courage will encourage students to try new things, stand up for themselves and others, and take healthy risks in their learning. With fun activities, celebrations, and opportunities to connect February is sure to be full of smiles and memorable moments.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Sunrise is truly a special place because of our students, staff, and families. Together, we rise!

🦁With love,

Michelle Martelli
Principal, Sunrise Elementary

2/2-2/6 National School Counselor Week

Monday 2/2

• Groundhog Day

2/9-2/11 Jump Rope for Hearts

Monday 2/9

• School Crossing Guard Day

Saturday 2/14

• Valentine's Day
• Arizona Statehood Day

Monday 2/16

• No School for Presidents Day

Tuesday 2/17

• Lunar New Year Starts- Year of the Horse

• 3rd Grade Field Trip to Az Science Center

Tuesday 2/24

• Kona Ice for grades 1-6

• DSMS Choral Feeder Festival with our Advanced Choir

February 6

February 20

February 27

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.

Early Release Reminder: Students will be dismissed at 11:35 a.m. on Thursday, February 12 and Friday, February 13 for Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences. We look forward to meeting with families!

Parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity for students, families, and teachers to come together as a team. When students attend conferences with their families, it allows them to share their learning, reflect on their progress, and take pride in their growth. Many of our classrooms encourage student-led conferences, where students can walk their families through data folders and learning goals. This shared conversation helps ensure everyone is on the same page and working together to support each child’s success. We look forward to partnering with you—because when we work together, Together We Rise! 🦁

On Tuesday, February 24th, Kona Ice will be on campus for students in grades 1–6 to purchase a cool treat!

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.

In February, we are focusing on the character trait Courage—standing up for what is right, trying new things, and doing your best even when something feels challenging. To celebrate, one student from each grade level will be recognized for demonstrating courage and will receive a free Kona Ice.

We love seeing our Lions show courage in the classroom, on the playground, and throughout our campus as we continue to live out our PAWS expectations and Together We Rise!

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!

We will have a menu change February 2nd-6th.

Monday: Breakfast for lunch

Tuesday: Macaroni and Cheese

Wednesday: Dominos pizza

Thursday: Chicken and Beef Tacos

Friday: Dominos Pizza

Strawberry Milk will be served on Thursday 2/12 and Friday 2/13

Celebrate Chinese New Year with us on Tuesday 2/17!

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!

During the month of February, students at Sunrise are learning how to respond to conflict in a calm, respectful, and peaceful way. This means using kind words, listening to others, expressing feelings appropriately, and working toward solutions instead of reacting with anger or frustration. Conflict is a normal part of growing and learning, and we are helping students build the skills they need to handle challenges in a positive way.

Week 1-Responding to Conflict

Week 2- Responding to Complaints

Week 3- Responding to Teasing or Bullying

Week 4-Apologizing

How Families Can Help at Home:
Encourage your child to pause, take a breath, and use phrases like “I feel…,” “I didn’t like that because…,” or “Can we find a solution together?” Practicing these responses at home helps students feel more confident using them at school.

Together, we can support our students in developing strong communication skills, empathy, and problem-solving strategies that will benefit them both in and out of the classroom.

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!

Are you interested in Before & After School Care at Sunrise? 🌅🌇

As we plan ahead for the 2026–2027 school year, DVUSD Community Education is gathering input from families to see if there is a need and interest in bringing this program back to our campus.

👉 Your response truly matters. If the survey shows enough interest, it could help us bring Before & After Care back to Sunrise!

📝 Please take a moment to complete the survey:
🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSaHyN-jXX7jrVyitM9TVftGIrU1e8dlZBcJ3q4XoFclENZw/viewform?usp=dialog

ℹ️ More details can be found on the Community Education website:
🌐 http://dvusd.org/communityed

Thank you for partnering with us and helping us plan programs that support our Sunrise families.
Together We Rise! 🦁❤️

Treat someone sweet! Student Council is selling Sonic Grams for $1.00. Each Valentine Gram is redeemable for one free Sonic Slush. Available in Room 213 starting Monday, February 2. Cash only, please!🍬💌

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

Spring Gifted Testing is now underway. Families whose students participate will receive results directly from the district office toward the end of the month. Thank you for your continued support as we work to identify and support students’ unique strengths.

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.

February is a great time to spread love and encouragement! As we move through the middle of the school year, our teachers are supporting and challenging students to help them grow and succeed in their current grade level.

Your support at home makes a big difference, too. A hug, kind words, and reassurance go a long way in helping students stay motivated.

Thank you for being such an important part of our Sunrise community—we truly appreciate you!

This month- Nurse Penny and Coach Bummer would like to promote Healthy Heart activities! Coach Bummer will be introducing the JumpRope for Heart program the week of Feb 9th. It's a great program that teaches children about heart health, healthy eating and the importance of regular exercise.

Exercise has many health benefits to the whole body, especially the heart. Exercise makes your heart super strong, improves blood flow to all areas of your body and brain, boosts energy, improves sleep and reduces heart diseases. I encourage families and students to get out and get moving! Going for a walk together, yoga, dancing, biking and of course jump roping are great ways to get moving. Please consider joining the JumpRope for Heart program or doing some exercises with your students this month! Healthy Heart, Healthy YOU!

February is a great time to focus on kindness, empathy, and healthy friendships. At school, students are learning how their words and actions affect others and how to manage big feelings in positive ways. Families can help by talking about kindness at home ,practicing calming strategies, and encouraging children to ask a trusted adult for help when needed. Together, we can support our children in becoming caring, respectful and confident learners.

Here are some video shorts that I recommend:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cguIWhNl4M -Teaching kids about healthy friendships. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMJQn-CN2q0 -Coping skills

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 Ms. Ashlee Barron as our Teacher of the Month. Ms. Barron is a strong advocate for students, staff, and our entire school community. She is proactive in identifying needs and creative in finding solutions that support student success.

Ms. Barron is highly data driven and works closely with her team to make instructional decisions that lead to student growth. Her students have shown tremendous progress, reflecting her high expectations and intentional teaching.

She builds strong relationships with students and families while also holding students accountable and helping them develop responsibility and confidence. Ms. Barron is a respected leader on our campus, and we are grateful for her dedication to our Sunrise Lions.

Congratulations, Ms. Barron, and thank you for helping us rise together.

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!

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 a 4th grade teacher, recess monitor, and 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!