Sunnycrest Press
April 2026
In April, our POWERFUL trait for the month is Unity. In October we celebrated Unity Day, and we want to revisit what it means to show unity. We can do this by thinking of ways we can strengthen our community. As our enrollment is growing and we are becoming more diverse, there are so many great opportunities to get to know a new friend and learn about their culture. Sunnycrest has a reputation for being welcoming and including others. As we practice the skill of unity during the month of April, please talk with your student about ways they can demonstrate unity both at school and within their neighborhood.
Lately, we have had an increase in the number of students who have access to a cell phone or smart watch. Over the past month, there have been several issues with group texting that happens outside of school but the effects are spilling into school. Students in elementary school don't yet understand the concept of a digital footprint or the power of the messages they are sending. They often get swept up in a group chat with members they don't necessarily know. When students are sitting behind a keyboard, they sometimes feel emboldened to say something that they would not be brave enough to say if they were talking to someone in person. This then leads to hurt feelings and anxiousness amongst others. If your student has access to messaging in any way (could be a smart watch, cell phone, or via video game chats), please talk with them about how to navigate those platforms. It's important for families to monitor all chats, as things can go sideways very quickly. We have definitely seen shifts in how students relate to one another and the level of anxiety many often report feeling. Here is a resource created by executives who work in Silicon Valley to consider when deciding the appropriate time to introduce new technology to a child.
With spring weather, comes an increase in sports injuries requiring the use of DME. Durable Medical Equipment (DME) includes mobility equipment such as splints, crutches, wheelchairs, medical scooters, canes, and walkers. The use of DME on school property by a student untrained in their use poses a safety risk for both students and staff.
For any accommodations at school, like the use of a DME or indoor recess, a letter is required from a physician, or appropriate medical personnel. Documentation should include the following:
That the use of the DME has been authorized by a physician or other appropriate medical personnel.
The diagnosis and the duration of the DME.
Anticipated length of time the student will be excused from PE class or recess.
A provider’s note is also needed stating when student is able to return to activities when cleared by their provider. Please bring provider’s note to school or have the provider fax the note to Sunnycrest at (425) 377-0453.
Please contact the school nurse, Jessica Dyer at (425) 335-1517 or jessica_dyer@lkstevens.wednet.edu to discuss any questions about use of DME or accommodations needed for your student’s injury.
Hello Sunnycrest Families,
The Sunnycrest Run Club held a food drive in March and it was a huge success. As a school, we donated 405 pounds of food! Thank you so much to the students who donated and helped stock the shelves at Hungry Hearts Lake Stevens. We are honored to be among such a generous community.
CONGRATULATIONS Sunnycrest Students! We've run over 1,263 miles and have reached our goal destination, LEGOLAND in Carlsbad, CA! All your running will be celebrated with a school wide LEGO themed dress up day on Friday, April 3rd. Remember that for safety, no weapons or masks are allowed at school.
There will be no Run Club on Thursday, April 2 because of the school wide Apex Fun Run. We'll pick up Run Club on Thursday, April 16 when we are back from Spring Break.
The next Run Club Destination will be the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. The Space Center is approximately 1,496 from Carlsbad, CA and we'll celebrate reaching this destination with a space themed dress up day. As of the end of March, we only have 1,276 miles to go! Keep running Sunnycrest!
Friendships can be wonderful but also tricky—especially for pre-teens! As children grow, they may face challenges like peer drama, social pressures, and figuring out how to be a positive leader. Books are a great way to help kids build confidence, learn social skills, and develop strong, healthy friendships.
Here are some great reads to support your child’s social growth:
The Weird Series (Weird, Dare, Tough) – Erin Frankel (Teaches kindness and empathy from different perspectives)
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Friendship Troubles – American Girl (Practical tips for handling friendship ups and downs)
The Confidence Code for Girls – Katty Kay & Claire Shipman (Encourages girls to be bold and take charge)
Wonder – R.J. Palacio (A beautiful story about kindness, courage, and standing up for others)
Bully Bait (The Odd Squad series) – Michael Fry (A humorous yet meaningful take on standing up for yourself)
Encouraging kids to read about friendships and leadership can help them navigate social situations with confidence and kindness. Try reading together or discussing these books with your child to open up important conversations!
Let’s Talk! What books have helped your child with friendships and leadership? Share your favorites with us!
We are excited to announce Board Member Elections will be held during our upcoming General Meeting on Tuesday, May 19th at 6pm. The elections for the 2026-2027 school year PTA Board positions are for one school year and anyone who has paid for a PTA membership is welcome to run for a position.
If you have any questions about the positions please reach out to lssunnycrestpta@gmail.com. This is your chance to help shape the future of our school community and ensure every student has a voice.
