SRMS PTO News
November 2025
Hello, Sunrise Middle School Families -
Please read on for a recap of October and see what's in store for November!
OCTOBER RECAP
- 💬You can find the minutes and slides from the 10/15 SRMS PTO meeting here.
- 💵Fundraising results
- 🍿Through the Poppin' Popcorn/Catalogue Fundraiser and Direct Give Drive, we raised $735.90 for SRMS Dance and $1,661.60 for SRMS Theatre! Way to go, everyone, and a special shout-out to the top three sellers: #1-Marli W., #2-Shea V., #3-Elizabeth W. Your support of SRMS Dance and Theatre will help provide: Costumes, photography, guest artists, choreographers, workshops, professional master classes, lighting designers, sets, props, wigs, and makeup.
- 🐉♟️We earned $77.95 for the SRMS D&D and Chess Clubs from the dine-out fundraiser at Panera Bread on 10/1.
- 📙National History Day Arizona (NHDAZ) raised over $300 from the statewide Raising Cane's fundraiser on 10/16. Thank you to SRMS Quest students, Carter W. and Elizabeth W., for working with NHDAZ leadership to make their fundraising vision a reality!
- 💰Your donations at work - Thanks to the ongoing support of Sunrise families and community members through fundraisers, dine-outs, donations, and volunteering, here are some of the things that the SRMS PTO has been able to fund so far this school year:
- 🤖Robotics Club: Team registration, game field elements
- 🐉Dungeons & Dragons Club: Mini-figures, walls, manuals, guides, maps
- 🔬Quest Science: Supplies for labs and projects
- 📐Math: Sponsorship and registration for the American Mathematics Competition
- 🩰🎭Dance & Theatre Programs: Photography session/headshots for students
- ❤️Staff Appreciation & Classroom Support: Monthly appreciation meals/treats, bottled water, coffee, and tea in the staff lounge, classroom supplies, snacks and water bottles for students
NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS - You can find more details further into the newsletter; here is an overview:
- 🛒Shop for the holidays and support Sunrise Middle School - Nov. 1st - 12th: Bruster's Thanksgiving Ice Cream Pie Fundraiser, Nov. 1st - Dec. 15th: PeachSkinSheets Fundraiser (Use Partner Code SMS1)
- 🍔Nov. 19th - Dine-out Fundraiser & Trivia Night at Lookout Tavern (Quest parents - If you have not received the e-invitation and would like to, please email azsunrisepto@gmail.com.)
- 🥧🧀Sign up if you'd like to donate items for the Nov. 25th Staff Appreciation | Sweet & Savory Treats
- 🍪Sign up if you'd like to donate snacks for StuGo's Winter Dance
Happy reading, and we wish you a blessed November and Thanksgiving!
In Partnership,
Your 2025-2026 SRMS PTO Board
Important School & PTO Dates
11/1 - 11/12: Bruster's Thanksgiving Ice Cream Pie Fundraiser (Order pies here.)
11/1 - 12/15: PeachSkinSheets Fundraiser (Get award-winning sheets here; use Partner Code SMS1.)
11/3 - 11/7: School Psychologist Week (Learn about Sunrise's Psychologist, Holly Rosenblum.)
11/5: Chorus Concert at 6:00 PM in SRMS Gym
11/6: PVUSD Governing Board Meeting at 6:30 PM
11/10 - 11/11: Veterans Day Recess (No School)
11/12: @ SMHS - 5:45 PM: 8th Grade Honors Night, 7:00 PM: Shadow Showcase
11/13: 5:30-7:30 PM @ PVHS - CTE Program & Awareness Night
11/18: Early Release at 12:00 PM
11/19:
- 9:00 AM: UPC Meeting
- 6:00 - 9:00 PM: Dine-out Fundraiser & Trivia Night at Lookout Tavern (Quest parents - If you have not received the e-invitation and would like to, please email azsunrisepto@gmail.com.)
- 6:30 PM: SRMS Orchestra Concert @ PVHS Auditorium
11/26 - 11/28: Thanksgiving Recess (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: 11/19 at 9:00 - 11:00 AM (PVUSD office and Zoom)
- General UPC Meeting at 9:00 - 10:00 AM
- Program at 10:00 - 11:00 AM: Inside Our Digital Neighborhoods + The Rise of AI Shortcuts
- Please check out the available committees within the PVUSD and complete the linked forms if you are interested in participating. Thank you!
Library Title Review Committee
The Curriculum & Instruction Department will be facilitating a committee which will review a list of book titles to purchase for Paradise Valley school libraries. This process has been created to fulfill Arizona’s HB 2439. The Outcome/Goal of the committee is to create an agreed-upon list of book titles that schools can purchase for their library collections.
The District is requesting 4-6 Parent Representatives to serve on the committee.
Meeting Dates/Time/Location:
All meetings will be Virtual from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Proposed Meeting Dates (Tentative):
- Meeting #1 Monday, November 17, 2025
- Meeting #2 Thursday, January 22, 2026
- Meeting #3 Thursday, April 30, 2026
To be considered for participation in the Library Title Review Committee, please complete THIS GOOGLE FORM.
Calendar Committee
PVSchools is requesting members for the 2027-2031 Calendar Committee. The Calendar Committee is charged with the task of developing calendars that adhere to the state law requirements and legal holidays, and consider religious observances and past experiences with calendar design. The calendar committee will make recommendations to the Superintendent. Calendar option(s) for the Governing Board to consider for the 2027-28, 2028-29, 2029-30 and the 2030-31 school years. Please review Governing Board Regulation (IC-R) School Calendar Design Parameters.
The District is requesting 3 Parent Representatives to serve on the committee.
Meeting Dates/Time/Location:
All meetings will be from 3:45 - 5:00 PM in DAC East/West:
Tuesday, January 13th
Thursday, February 5th
Tuesday, February 17th
Monday, March 2nd
To be considered for participation in the Calendar Committee, please complete THIS GOOGLE FORM.
- Committee Updates
K-12 Science Curriculum Adoption
The district has officially begun the 60 Day Review for the K–12 Science Curriculum Adoption; the 60 Day Review runs from September 23, 2025 - December 18, 2025.
During this time, families, staff, and community members are invited to review the proposed curriculum options and provide feedback to guide the final selection.
Physical copies of the proposed materials are available in the District Office lobby for anyone who prefers to review them in person. Flyers with QR codes in English and Spanish have also been placed in school lobbies to give families easy access to the review materials and feedback forms.
You can view the curriculum resources and also access the feedback form HERE.
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.
October SRMS Staff Appreciation | Conference Dinner & Supplies Replenishment:
Jennifer Rock
Stephanie Howard
Darla Schrock
Holly Grover
Danielle Poveromo
Minh Nguyen
Emily Weston
Anonymous donors
October Dine-out Fundraisers:
Thank you to everyone who was able to come out to Panera Bread and Raising Cane's to raise funds for Sunrise's D&D and Chess Clubs and National History Day AZ!
Dance and Theatre Fundraiser:
Awesome job, students, parents, and all supporters, on the Poppin' Popcorn/catalogue fundraiser! Thank you for your support!
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria:
Thank you for the $300 sponsorship for SRMS Dance!
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
- 2026 - 2027 UPC Representative
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!
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!