SRMS PTO News
April 2026
Big Events. Big Impact. The Final Stretch of the School Year
Hello, Sunrise Families!
April is full of fun, fundraising, and community connection at Sunrise! Join us on April 17 for our Meet the 2026–27 SRMS PTO Board virtual meeting, then kick things off by supporting our Kendra Gives Back event on April 19. Get ready for our biggest fundraiser of the season — the 3rd Annual SRMS PTO Silent Auction (April 20–27). Be sure to purchase Dave & Buster’s Power Cards by April 21 and join us for Family Spirit Night at Dave & Buster’s on April 22. We also invite families to support The Sunrise Players' production of Aesop Refabled and help us prepare for our Week of Thanks (Staff Appreciation Week) through volunteer and donation opportunities.
Keep reading for quick links, important deadlines, and ways your support helps make these events successful for our students and staff.
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
4/1: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
4/3: K-12 Recess (No School)
4/4: School Librarian Appreciation Day
4/6-4/10: National Assistant Principals Week
4/9 at 9:00 AM: PTO Meeting (Minutes and slides will be posted here.)
4/9 at 6:30 PM: Governing Board Meeting
4/13-4/16: AASA Testing
4/15: Staff Appreciation Treat | Chips & Dips
4/17 at 2:00-2:30 PM: Meet the 2026–27 PTO Board Meeting (Google Meet link)
4/19 at 2:00-4:00 PM: Kendra Gives Back Event (Show the flyer on 4/19 in-store for 20% of your purchase to be donated back to the SRMS PTO. Can't make it in-store? Shop online 4/18 & 4/19 using code GIVEBACK-LIQAS at checkout.)
4/20 at 2:40-3:40 PM: NJHS Practice Induction Ceremony - Cafeteria
4/20-4/24: National Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week
4/22: Administrative Professionals Day
4/20-4/27: 3rd Annual Silent Auction
4/21: Last Day to Purchase Power Cards
4/22 at 5:00-8:00 PM: Dave & Buster’s Family Spirit Night (IMPORTANT: Please RSVP here by 4/21 so we can provide a headcount to the venue. At the event, show the flyer for 20% of your food and non-alcoholic beverages to be donated to the SRMS PTO.)
4/23 at 6:00-7:30 PM: NJHS Induction Ceremony - Cafeteria
4/28 & 4/29 at 6:00 PM: The Sunrise Players' Student-Directed Scenes from Aesop Refabled (Help Our Student Performers Shine — Sign Up to Support the Show.)
5/4-5/8: Week of Thanks | Staff Appreciation Week (Help Us Show Our Appreciation — Sign Up to Support Staff Appreciation Week.)
💛 Thank You to Our Generous Silent Auction Donors
The SRMS PTO would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many businesses and community partners who generously donated items to support our 3rd Annual SRMS PTO Silent Auction.
Because of their support, we are able to offer an exciting variety of experiences, services, dining, entertainment, and family activities — all while raising funds that directly benefit our students and staff.
Funds raised through the silent auction help support:
- Teacher grants
- Student programs and extracurricular activities
- Staff appreciation initiatives
- School community events throughout the year
We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and generosity of these organizations, whose contributions help make this important fundraiser possible.
Please consider supporting these businesses when you have the opportunity — their generosity helps strengthen our Sunrise community.
We gratefully recognize the following businesses for their generous support:
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation | Phoenix Zoo
Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Goat Yoga
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Arizona Sunrays
Arizona Theatre Company
As You Wish Pottery Painting Place at Desert Ridge
Bach to Rock — North Scottsdale
Barro's Pizza
Bearizona
Berry Divine Acai Bowls
Black Bear Diner — Scottsdale
Birdcall
Black Rock Coffee Bar
Boondocks Patio & Grill
Bruster's Real Ice Cream — North Phoenix
Chicken N Pickle
Chipotle
Cluville Kids Escape Room
Chompie's
D-BAT Scottsdale
Dave & Buster's
Desert Botanical Garden
Forma Plastic Surgery
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Gorjana
Great Arizona Puppet Theater
HappyMe Journal
Heard Museum
House Rules (formerly Lane Park)
Idea Museum
In-N-Out Burger
Joy Bus Diner
Kendra Scott
Lake Pleasant Cruises
Let's Roam
Lookout Tavern
Lou Malnati's
Lure Fish House
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
New York Bagels N Bialys
OdySea Aquarium
OHSO Brewery & Distillery
Organ Stop Pizza
OuiSi Visual Games
Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix Symphony
Phoenix Theatre Company
Portillo's
Primal Kitchen
PRP Wine International
Rachel's Young at Art Studio
Reid Park Zoo
Rosati's Chicago Pizza
SanTan Gardens Brewery & Distillery
Scheels
Shake Shack
Sky Zone
Sonic of Phoenix
Tabasco — Red Cares
The Pencil Grip (TPG) Creations
Thrive Market
Total Wine
USS Midway Museum
Venezia's New York Style Pizzeria
Village Tavern
Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park
💛 A Heartfelt Thank You to WinCo Foods
The SRMS PTO would like to extend our sincere thanks to WinCo Foods for their generous $500 donation to support our school community.
This contribution will be used to help provide meals and treats for our teachers and staff during upcoming appreciation events, including Staff Appreciation Week. These moments of recognition help us show gratitude to the dedicated educators and staff members who support our students every day.
We are grateful for the continued partnership of local businesses like WinCo that invest in our school and help strengthen the Sunrise community.
Thank you, WinCo, for supporting our students, staff, and school.
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!
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:
April Monthly Meeting
Join UPC for our April meeting beginning at 9:00 a.m. where we'll highlight some very helpful student and family resources from around our community and share important new updates from District leadership! During our meeting, we will be joined by Kay Norris, Executive Director of the PV Food Bank, with information about how the Food Bank supports the PV community, and how our schools can support the Food Bank. Following the UPC meeting, a representative from the Phoenix Public Library will talk about many educational and other programs for students and families - from new readers to college applicants to adults. All are invited to attend so bring a friend!
Let’s do a swap!
Bring a gently used book, puzzle, or summer activity you’re ready to pass along and trade with fellow UPC members—one person’s old favorite could be your new one! Any extras will be donated.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
9:00 a.m. UPC General Meeting
10:15 a.m. "Phoenix Library Programs for Students and Families"
This meeting will be held both in person and online.
To attend in person, please join us in DAC East/West at the District Office: 15002 N 32nd St Or, please register in advance HERE to receive the Zoom link.
View the UPC Facebook Event HERE and click "Going"
View the UPC Budget Report
View the March 25, 2026 Meeting Minutes
We are excited to announce the nominees for next year's UPC Executive Board:
President: Rebecca Guglielmo
VP of Programming: Dorothy Jokerst
VP of Membership: Kristin Trautman
Treasurer: Holly Grover (2nd Year)
Secretary: Amy Smith
Nominations can also be made from the floor for any of these five positions (subject to the qualifications listed in the Bylaws) at the time of the election. The voting members will then vote to elect the 2026-2027 Executive Board officers from all of the nominated candidates.
Thank you to those who submitted nominations, those who contemplated taking on a role in UPC, and those who showed an interest in learning more about the positions and the process. And a big thank you to those on the slate for accepting the nomination! We are looking forward to the election this month!
If you have any questions, please contact the Nominating Committee at info@pvupc.org.
From the UPC Bylaws:
IV. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
A. Executive Board is comprised of the elected officers which includes a President, two (2) Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
- The PRESIDENT will schedule at least eight (8) General Meetings during the school year, preside at all meetings, commission Standing and Select Committees, appoint Chairpersons to lead such committees, and will represent UPC when necessary before the Governing Board and media. In the event of the temporary absence of the President, he/she shall designate an Executive Board member to act on his/her behalf.
- The VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP will act as liaison between UPC and the schools, maintain an up-to-date list of all UPC members and those in good standing, act as an aide to the President, circulate and record attendance at each General Meeting, coordinate the review of the UPC By-Laws at least every two years and perform other such duties as requested by the President.
- The VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMMING will plan and coordinate programs, events and schedule meetings. He/she will work with the President and the Executive Committee to establish goals and will perform other such duties as requested by the President.
- The SECRETARY will record and maintain the minutes of all General and Executive Committee Meetings, and perform other duties as requested by the President.
- The TREASURER will deposit all funds in UPC’s bank account, maintain a current and accurate account of receipts and expenditures, present a financial report at each meeting and prepare a written annual budget for voting membership approval at the first General Meeting.
XI. NOMINATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS
A. Only UPC Representatives shall be nominated for office.
B. Only those Representatives who have signified their consent to serve if elected shall be nominated for or elected to any office.
C. Any candidate for President or Vice President must be an eligible Representative for the current full operating year; or a member of the Executive Committee for six (6) months prior to his/her election.
D. If no eligible candidate agrees to serve in an officer position, two eligible candidates may be considered to share an officer position (except President) provided both candidates consent to the shared position. If a position is shared, there is only one (1) vote for that position during Executive Board voting.
E. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor provided the candidate is present or has agreed in writing that he/she is willing to serve in that capacity, and meets the qualifications for that office.
There are so many ways to get involved with UPC- we have something for everyone and there are definitely roles that involve a flexible time commitment. Questions? Please email info@pvupc.org.
Click HERE to receive the Zoom link.
We celebrated Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day on Wednesday, April 1, 2026! Thank you to all the UPC Reps who delivered the appreciation bags to the schools. We appreciate all that the Instructional Assistants do for our schools!
A huge "Thank You" to Portillo's for once again donating gift cards for free sandwiches to our more than 350 Instructional Assistants in PVSchools! We are so thankful for such strong community partnerships!
HERE is the recording of the 2026 Elementary Gifted Expert Panel.
A panel of PV Gifted Specialists share insights and strategies to support gifted learners. This session offers practical ideas and perspectives to help families better understand and nurture the unique needs of gifted children.
District Parent/Guardian Survey
Your voice matters! As partners in your child's education, PVSchools wants to hear about your experience. Each year, PVSchools sends out a parent and guardian satisfaction survey to better understand how parents and guardians perceive their child's school experience.
Don't forget to check your inbox or ParentSquare feed for this opportunity to provide your feedback today! The survey closes on April 30, 2026.
Your honest feedback on academic support, communication, and school climate is important in helping PVSchools provide a top-tier experience and empower every learner for a lifetime of success.
Thank you for helping PVSchools maintain a strong school community!
Stay Connected:
Follow us on social media for reminders, updates, and announcements.
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!