The Sun Drop

Welcome Back, Sunset Nation!

This week, Sunset came alive again.

The campus that was quiet just a few weeks ago was suddenly filled last night with smiling faces, excited conversations and the unmistakable energy that comes with the beginning of a new school year. There truly is something special about this time of year.

It's one of the few moments in life when everyone gets a fresh start together.

For our students, it's a chance to make new friends, meet inspiring teachers, discover new interests, and grow in ways they never imagined. For our staff, it's an opportunity to continue doing what they do best: creating classrooms where every child feels safe, challenged and valued.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the families who joined us for Wave Day. It was wonderful seeing so many smiling faces as students found their classrooms, found out who their teacher was (or maybe through typing.com the night before..it's all good), and began to picture what this new year will bring. The excitement on campus was contagious and we are grateful you took the time to be part of such an important tradition.

I'd also like to recognize our incredible PTO. Their hard work and preparation behind the scenes helped make Wave Day such a welcoming experience for our families. Whether greeting families, organizing materials, answering questions, or simply offering a warm smile, they reminded us once again what makes Sunset such a special community. We are incredibly fortunate to have parents who give so generously of their time and talents.

As we begin another school year, I encourage all of us to remember that our greatest strength isn't found in our buildings or our programs. It's found in the relationships we build together.

When schools and families work as partners, amazing things happen.

This year, let's celebrate growth over perfection, kindness over comparison, and progress over pressure. There will be challenges along the way, as there always are, but there will also be countless moments of joy, discovery, laughter and pride. Those moments become the memories our children carry with them long after the school year ends.

Thank you for trusting us with your children each day. It is a responsibility we never take lightly, and we are honored to be part of their journey.

Together, let's make this a year filled with curiosity, perseverance, friendship and unforgettable experiences.

Here's to an incredible year ahead.

It's a great day to be a Surfer!

With gratitude,

Thomas Fletcher
Principal
Sunset Elementary School

Brand new"ish" news...

•The Sunset office is open. We are open from 8:00 am to 4:00 PM.

•Short Days~ We will have a few early release days the first week of school. Please plan accordingly.

-Wednesday 8/12 Release @1:10 (TK/Kinder) @1:30 (1st-5th)

-Thursday 8/13 Release @1:10 (TK/Kinder) @1:30 (1st-5th)

-Friday 8/14 Release @1:10 (TK/Kinder) @1:30 (1st-5th)

•Want to Volunteer in a classroom? ~ If you are planning to volunteer, you will need to complete the Keenan mandated reporter training. (CA Senate Bill SB 848 went into effect in July.) Please apply (or re-apply if you volunteered last year) through Raptor. You have to reapply every year. If you were fingerprinted last year, you DO NOT need to get fingerprinted again. Brooke, our Office Specialist, will be clearing volunteers ASAP. Please check out the website for updates on getting cleared to volunteer.

•Sunset Bell Schedule and Calendar are both attached below.

•Join Your Sunset PTO! ... What is the Sunset PTO?

The Sunset School PTO is a partnership between parents, guardians, and staff to promote cooperation and goodwill within our school community and to improve and enrich the Sunset Elementary experience for every student. The Sunset PTO funds and hosts many critical programs, events, and materials including: Science and Library Grants, Classroom Grants, Sunset Garden, PE Equipment, Assemblies, Halloween Carnival, Family Fun Nights and more!

Staying Connected / Important links

Sunset PTO Website: https://sunsetpto.membershiptoolkit.com/

Sunset Spirit Store: www.sunsetptostore.com

Sunset PTO Newsletter: Stay up-to-date on the latest Sunset news with the FREE weekly PTO newsletter. Sign-up instructions: Log on to www.sunsetpto.org, Navigate to My Account, Select Newsletter/Calendar Subscriptions from dropdown, Enter Preferences

Sunset PTO Facebook: @SunsetElementaryPTO, @WeAreSunset!

Sunset PTO Instagram: @sunsetsurfers_pto

•Entry Gates~ We will open the gates at 8:15.

We will have four entry gates open before and after school.

One in the back of the school by the garden/Karl Wente Park.

One next to the MPR between the lower Kindergarten building and the MPR.

One in the front of the school between the office and room 4/5.

One at the end of the Kindergarten building next to room 1.

•Traffic Safety Reminder~ Please go slow, plan ahead, be patient and responsible when picking up and dropping off. Our students' safety is priority #1 and the first few weeks it's imperative that we start off on the right foot. We appreciate your attention to safety.

•Breakfast~ Will be served again this year for those in need. Doors will be open at 8:00 and close at 8:25 "ish". Please be prompt if you plan to take advantage of this amazing service.

•Please help me welcome our new staff members~

Emily Manwell - 5th Grade Teacher

Mikaela Bettencourt - Science Teacher

Michelle Wentworth - Library Media Specialist

Hope Dafoe~ RSP Aide/Paraeducator

TBD - TK Aide

Grade Level Changes~

Erin Samonek will be teaching Kindergarten.

Melissa Martella will be teaching TK

Picture Day~ Mark your calendars for picture day. It is Sept 18th!

We use these three statements to reinforce our positive behavior with our students and would love for your help and support as we teach our students how to behave in all situations.

•PLEASE label your child's water bottle and/or lunch box with a first and last name. We have had several misplaced items with no name.

•The Sunset office will open on Wednesday Aug 5th and then will be open Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm. If you have questions please do not hesitate to call us or stop by and speak to Brooke, Julie or Colleen.

•Please note the attached bell schedule and LVJUSD calendar for the 2026-2027 school year.

8/12/26~ First Day of School

School dismissal is 1:30 1st-5th (1:10 for TK/Kinder)

8/13/26~ Early Dismissal

School dismissal is 1:30 1st-5th (1:10 for TK/Kinder)

8/14/26~Early Dismissal

School dismissal is 1:30 1st-5th (1:10 for TK/Kinder)

8/20/26~ Back to School Night

9/7/26~ Labor Day (No School)

9/17/26~ Picture Day

Sunset PTO Website

Gate Entry and Exit for Sunset Elementary

Gates Open at 8:15 am

School Starts at 8:30 am

While you are allowed and welcome on campus, we ask that you be cognizant of teachers time and student behavior while we work to instill a culture of kindness and integrity. While we value you and want you to know you are a vital part of our community and are welcome here, we are still asking that you help your child take steps to becoming independent as they find their own way to class as they enter campus.

It is exciting to see Kindergartners walk to class, hang up their backpacks, grab what they need and head into class...all on their own. Trust me, it will happen in time.

In accordance with security guidance, IT has updated student passwords to 9-digits. That means students with 8-digit student IDs will need to add a leading zero and students with 7-digit student IDs will need to add two leading zeros to be able to log in. Students with 9-digit student IDs or who had previously changed their password to a personal password were not affected.

If students need help, they can get help from their teachers when school starts.

Email: tfletcher@lvjusd.org
Website: https://www.livermoreschools.org/sunset
Location: 1671 Frankfurt Way, Livermore, CA, USA
Phone: 925.606.5230