Sunset Hills PTA
everychild.onevoice

Around the World Day

Students will visit different 'countries' during this multi-cultural event and learn about different cultures through games, crafts, and food.

Students receive passports that are stamped as they visit each country.  The activities and food are provided by parent volunteers.  Parents can volunteer for real or "imaginary" countries, cultures they are familiar with, or ones they would like to know better.

This event is sponsored by the Human Relations Committee and organized by our Sunset Hills Librarian, who wold love to have you participate.

Art Odyssey program

The PTA-sponsored Art Odyssey program introduces the students to various artists and their styles of art. Each grade level has a different focus or theme. A new work of art is displayed in the classrooms each month.

Parent volunteers are needed to share the artist's biography and lead a discussion of the artist's technique and style. This is a highlight in the classroom.

As a volunteer, the attention of the students and their retention of the information will amaze you. The presentation materials will be provided. Volunteers don't need to have an art background, but an interest in art is helpful. You will be amazed at what you learn by being an Art Odyssey volunteer.

If you are interested in being the volunteer for your child's class, please call me as soon as possible. This is a great opportunity to volunteer. It requires only about an hour a month. Some classes already have volunteers who are returning from last year.

Happy Times and Birthday Club

The Happy Times & Birthday Club is designed to add new books to the school library. Children who are celebrating a special event may donate books to the library. How? Donating a book is easy. You may purchase a book from a store or through the display case set up in our school library (LRC)-prices are on the covers and the purchase can be made through our librarian.

Give the book you have chosen from the case and a check to our librarian. She'll have your child sign a bookplate to place in the cover of the book. The book will then be added to the library and may be checked out by any interested student.

It's never too late to donate a book. If your child celebrated a special event during the summer, they can still donate a book any time during the school year.

Book Fair- Two for the Price of One!

The annual Sunset Hills Book Fair will be held in March. Sunset Hills PTA sponsors this event—it is not a fundraiser.

Families of Sunset Hills students receive two books for the price of one. We can do this because we have Hassle-Free Fundraising. Be sure to support the Hassle-Free Fundraising Campaign this year!

Classics in the Classroom

is a PTA-sponsored program that exposes the students to various types of classical music, such as symphonies, operas, musicals, and instrumentals. The composer's biography, historical time period, and musical style are discussed, as well as musical terms and instrumentation. Each class will have 3-4 presentations throughout the year. These are chosen by the teachers to coincide with their current lesson plans. The presentations involve listening to the music several times, and may include an accompanying video or literature.

Book Fair- Two for the Price of One!

The annual Sunset Hills Book Fair will be held in March. Sunset Hills PTA sponsors this event—it is not a fundraiser.

Families of Sunset Hills students receive two books for the price of one. We can do this because we have Hassle-Free Fundraising. Be sure to support the Hassle-Free Fundraising Campaign this year!

Character Education

Parents, you can make a difference! Character Counts!, a national character education program was adopted by PUSD in 2003. Based on the principles of the "Six Pillars," a different positive character trait is focused on each month. By reinforcing these traits at home, children will more likely use them to make good decisions for themselves and those around them.

Family Nights

Join us for some fun family evenings! These evenings are a terrific way to get to know other Sunset Hills families.

This year the Family Sock Hop will be held on Fri., Feb 6 in the MPR. Tickets are limited and go fast, so be sure to get yours early! In addition to dancing, there will be photo booths and other activities for all members of the family to enjoy. We hope everyone is ready to "Twist and Shake" and "Bop" the night away.

Family Portrait Night

Due to the overwhelming success of last year's Family Portrait Nights, the PTA has scheduled Family Portrait Nights again. This means that your portraits will be received in time for the holidays!

The cost will be $10.00. For this you will receive a free 10" x 13" portrait. Additional portrait packages will also be offered at the sittings.

Watch for the flyers to come home in October so you can book your sitting. If there are openings available, families outside of Sunset Hills may be able to participate as well.

Fifth Grade Physical Fitness

Fifth Grade Students participate in the national Presidential Fitness Program. The students are tested in a variety of ways to determine their personal fitness level and awards and recognitions are given out based on their results. Parents are need to help perform and record these tests.

PE Equipment

Students and teachers have access to a variety of recreational and educational equipment for use during recess periods and class P.E. Volunteers will maintain and replace equipment as necessary as well as ensure that equipment is used and returned properly.

Fifth Grade Promotion

Fifth Grade  Promotion:

Each year our fifth grade students have the opportunity to spend the day at a local waterpark as part of their celebration.  This takes place during the last week of school and is sponsored by the PTA.

The school and PTA also host the Fifth Grade Promotion on the final day of school during which time students are recognized for numerous achievements,  including school, local, state and national awards that have been earned.

Halloween Carnival

The annual Sunset Hills Halloween Carnival is an exciting and enjoyable family event. There is a Poster Contest, Costume Parade, Cake Walk, Bake Shop and Foods, Games, Prizes, and much more!

The Carnival does require the time and energy of a large number of volunteers. The committee still needs a few good men or women for key positions - Costume Parade, Food Brigade, Alien Ship of Terror, and Game Booths. Husband and wife teams often work well in running these events.

Whether you wish to commit at this level, or can help for an hour or two setting up booths and decorations, running games, or tearing down afterwards, volunteering your time will help make our Carnival a success!

Health & Safety

Walk to School Day

All students who walk to school on this day earn a treat in the morning.

Look for Red Ribbon Week - 3rd week in October

This October marks the 16th anniversary of Red Ribbon Week. In 1985, Federal drug enforcement agent, Enrique Camarena, was killed by drug traffickers in Mexico. In response to his death, angered parents across the country began wearing Red Ribbons to symbolize their commitment toward the creation of a drug-free America. In 1988, October 23-31 was proclaimed National Red Ribbon Week. Over 100,000 schools and organizations nationwide celebrate Red Ribbon Week.

During Red Ribbon Week at Sunset Hills, activities will be happening throughout the week to promote "Healthy Living" and a drug-free environment.

This committee is also responsible for Bike Safety Education and and supporting No TV week, usually held in April

Hospitality

This is the Sunset Hills Welcoming Committee. They organize tours for new families on the day before school, support Teacher Appreciation Week and help with other PTA related functions.

Legislation

PTAs across the country work diligently to ensure that legislation concerning children and education is supported. This support takes many forms: financial, grass roots efforts and lobbying.

The goal of this position is to inform Sunset HillsPTA of ongoing and new issues at the local, state and national levels

Olympic Field Day program

A highlight of Spring at Sunset Hills.

Each classroom will represent a different 'country' during the Sunset Hills Olympic Field Day on May 23. The students will participate in a variety of different sporting events and have their passports stamped along the way.

This event requires many volunteers, so if you are interested in spending a morning in the sun, watching kids have a great time, this is the activity for you!

Parents Working for Sunset Hills

Not every parent can volunteer to help out with activities during the school day. This is especially true for working parents. Yet many of these parents would like to be involved in some way. Many of the "jobs" that need doing can be done in the evening or weekends. The goal of this committee is to help working parents find volunteer activities that can be done outside of their work hours.

Parent Education

The district and Sunset Hills offer numerous parenting classes and seminars on a variety of topics throughout the year. Topics include "Social and Emotion Issues Among GATE Students", Positive Discipline, Adolescent Issues as well as CPR and First Aid classes.

Sunset Hills maintains a library of parent education books which are available for checkout. These books can be found in the Parent Resource Center (PRC) next to the library.

Publicity

There are so many wonderful things happening at Sunset Hills and we want everyone to know about them!

The Publicity Chair is responsible for communicating upcoming events and the accomplishments of our students and staff to the community.

Reflections

PTA believes all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual arts Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition.

The 2009-2010 PTA Reflections Program theme is “Beauty Is…” Students are encouraged to explore the beauty in their worlds and reflect it in their own personal art. This is an excellent way for students to explore a variety of creative mediums to unlock their inner artist.

Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to create and submit works of art in six areas: 

§         dance choreography,

§         film production,

§         literature,

§         musical composition,

§         photography, and

§         visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage).

For a complete list of rules in English or Spanish and entry forms, visit the national PTA Web site at http://www.pta.org/2033.htm.

If you have specific questions, contact co-Chair, Julie Peterson-Dorr at j_dorr@earthlink.net or 858.484.3936.

School Pictures

Everyone knows that school would not be school without the annual pictures. Scheduled for October, individual and class pictures will be taken. A variety of packages will be available for order and pictures will arrive before Christmas, so that you can send out the latest to your family and friends!

Staff Appreciation

Sunset Hills has an awesome staff and we like to let them know it from time to time. This includes staff luncheons, Teacher Appreciation Week, and holiday tokens, among other events.

STAR Assemblies

STAR assemblies serve two purposes: to recognize student achievements and to introduce our children to different cultural opportunities. Past assemblies have included: jazz and blues music, the San Diego Opera, Magic Shows, DARE presentations, Chinese legends and puppetry, Dancing through the Decades, etc.

The assemblies are held on the last Thursday of the month, usually 5-6 per year. There are two assemblies, the first for grades 3-5, beginning at 9:15 and the second for grades K-2, beginning at 10:30. The parents of students who will be recognized for individual achievements will be notified by their teacher several weeks in advance.

Talent Show

Enjoy this night of entertainment for the entire family as our students share an exciting variety of talents. The many extremely talented students at Sunset Hills will impress you.

Sign-ups and act and costume checks will begin in February, but practice can start NOW.

Chair: Adrianna Wilcox, Show Producer

Yearbook

Each year, the Sunset Hills Yearbook committee publishes an outstanding volume of memories for our students.

Orders are placed in the fall and there are only limited copies available at the end of the year, so be sure to order early.