Weekly Announcements
Monday, November 10 – BOE Meeting @ 6 PM
Wednesday, November 12 – Early Release - any changes please let the office or your child's teacher know
Thursday, November 13 – World Kindness Day!
Celebrate like Mr. Rogers and show off your favorite cardigan!
Bingo Night (6–8 PM in the Cafeteria)
A fun-filled evening of Bingo, prizes, and family time!
🕕 Doors open at 6:00 | 🎲 Bingo starts at 6:30
🎟️ Bingo Cards: $1 each
🍕 Pizza Dinner: $5 (includes a slice of pizza, cookie & bottled water)
👉 PLEASE RSVP by November 12th at 9 PM: https://forms.gle/soiBfd3wPeKR5XmD9
Hello 4th graders and families!
Sunflower 4th graders have an exciting performance opportunity at Christmas in the Park on December 1st.
If your child is interested in participating in this extracurricular performance, please fill out the form here.
Everyone is welcome! See the attached program for details. In short, we'll start right at 10:00 a.m. in the south parking lot at Pioneer Ridge Middle School!
Dear Sunflower Families,
In early October, I shared information with you regarding the much improved academic achievement scores that we accomplished at Sunflower during the 2024-25 school year. If you recall, I reported that the percentage of students at Sunflower scoring in the top two categories, as measured by the Kansas Assessment Program (KAP), increased significantly in both ELA and Math. That e-mail message can be reviewed below (italicized).
Recently, we were able to see how the performance of Sunflower students compared to all other public elementary schools in Kansas. Sunflower's ranking for the 2024-25 school year improved greatly compared to the 2023-24 and 2022-23 school years. I am pleased to report that we improved our ranking by 130 spots in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. I have summarized the information below...
2024-25 - Cumulative KAP Score Rankings
* The cumulative KAP scores for Sunflower Elementary School ranked 217 out of 656 elementary schools in Kansas.
2023-24 - Cumulative KAP Score Rankings
* The cumulative KAP scores for Sunflower Elementary School ranked 347 out of 653 elementary schools in Kansas.
2022-23 - Cumulative KAP Score Rankings
* The cumulative KAP scores for Sunflower Elementary School ranked 375 out of 660 elementary schools in Kansas.
Sunflower is fortunate to have such great support and partnership from our families. We look forward to continued partnership as we strive to provide our students with an outstanding educational experience.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andy Wright
Principal of Sunflower Elementary School
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Dear Sunflower Families,
As you know, all public schools in the state of Kansas participate in state testing each year. This is often referred to as KAP testing (Kansas Assessment Program). At the elementary school level, all 3rd and 4th grade students complete an assessment in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. These assessments are completed each spring (April or May).
Recently, our school district received the results of these assessments from the 2024-25 school year. I am pleased to report that KAP scores for Sunflower from the 2024-25 school year showed significant improvements over the previous school years in both grade levels.
For the 2024-25 ELA KAP test, the number of 3rd grade Sunflower students scoring in the top two ranges (proficient and advanced ranges) increased by 23 percentage points over the previous year. In addition, the number of 4th grade Sunflower students scoring in the top two ranges of the 2024-25 ELA KAP test increased by 14 percentage points.
For the 2024-25 Math KAP test, the number of 3rd grade Sunflower students scoring in the top two ranges (proficient and advanced ranges) increased by 5 percentage points over the previous school year. The number of 4th grade Sunflower students scoring in the top two ranges of the 2024-25 Math KAP test increased by 10 percentage points.
All members of the school community contribute to the success and academic growth of our students. We should all take pride in the impressive and significant academic gains that our school has made. Strong test scores are a product of enthusiastic students, supportive families and dedicated educators partnering together each day. We look forward to continued academic growth of our students and productive partnership with our families at Sunflower.
In the upcoming weeks, we will have access to information that allows us to see how our KAP test results compare with other schools in the State of Kansas. I will be happy to share that information with you at that time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andy Wright
Principal of Sunflower Elementary School
The Eagle Soars - November Monthly Newsletter
Upcoming Dates
3rd Grade - Grateful for Grands & Musical
Spelling Bee
…. and much more
Happy Spelling!
Weekly Announcement
Monday, November 3rd
Culver’s Dine Out Fundraiser - 5 to 8 PM
Tuesday, November 4th
4th Grade Field Trip - Mahaffie Stagecoach (Please watch the USD 231 app (Rooms) for further information.)
PTO Meeting @ 7 PM - Sunflower Library
Wednesday, November 5th
Early Release @ 1:55 PM - If any dismissal changes, please let the office or teachers know
Friday, November 7th
Kindergarten Field Trip - Club Run and Jump (Please watch the USD 231 app (Rooms) for further information.)
USD 231 cordially invites all Sunflower Elementary students, family members, and employees to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the new elementary school. We encourage you to wear Sunflower Elementary gear so you can be included when this moment in history is captured on film!
Please plan to arrive at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 8. You'll want to park along the streets just south of Pioneer Ridge Middle School.
The hope is that every elementary school in our district shows up in significant numbers so we can take a picture together!
Thanks!
Dr. Andrew Wright
Principal
Weekly Announcement
Red Ribbon Spirit Week - Join Ms. G and show your school spirit by dressing up each day. Let’s celebrate making positive choices and having fun together!
October 29th – Early Release at 1:55 PM.
If you have dismissal changes, please let the office or your child's teacher know.
October 30th - PTO Movie Night at 6:30 PM
October 31st – Fall Parties!
Party times are attached
Please review our costume guidelines, and if your child chooses not to wear a costume, they are welcome to participate in Pajama Day instead!
Red Ribbon Week is quickly approaching—a week full of fun dress-up days centered around making healthy and safe choices. Students are encouraged to participate if they would like.
On Friday, October 31st, students who choose not to wear a costume may wear pajamas instead. Please ensure that all costumes adhere to the established costume guidelines.
Fall party times will be:
Howell - PreK
AM Party Time:10:30-11:15
PM Party Time: 1:30-2:15
Furlong & Wells PreK
AM Party Time: 10:30 - 11:15
PM Party Time: 2:30 - 3:15
Kindergarten - 2:15-3:00
1st Grade - 12:00 - 12:50
2nd Grade - 12:15 - 1:00
3rd Grade - 1:00 PM - 1:40 PM
4th Grade - 2:00-2:45
Our school district will go through a process for adjusting school boundaries in the future. As you know, Sunflower students and families will be affected by the future boundary changes. Our central office administrators will be at Sunflower on the evening of December 2nd to present and discuss the process for adjusting school boundaries. All Sunflower families are invited to attend this informational meeting about the process that will be utilized to make decisions about boundary adjustments.
Location: Sunflower Library
Start Time: 6:00 p.m.
Thanks,
Dr. Andy Wright
Principal of Sunflower Elementary School
Picture Retakes are Tomorrow!
October 14, 2025
If you would like a retake, please bring your original picture packet with you.
If you were absent on the original picture day, be ready to smile for your photo tomorrow!
Weekly Agenda
Monday, October 13 - Board of Education Meeting at 6:00 PM
Tuesday, October 14 – Picture Retakes
Students who have not had their picture taken will do so.
Wednesday, October 15 – No School – Parent/Teacher Conferences
If you have forgotten what time your conference is or still need to sign up, please reach out to your student’s teacher or the office.
Thursday, October 16 – No School – Parent/Teacher Conferences
If you have forgotten what time your conference is or still need to sign up, please reach out to your student’s teacher or the office.
Friday, October 17 – No Classes
4th Grade - Reminders
Giggles and Games – 9:15–9:45 a.m.
Doors will open between 9:05–9:10 a.m. Please come spend this special time with your child enjoying games, laughter and snacks together.
Music Concert – 6:30 p.m. at Sunflower Elementary
Doors will open between 6:05–6:15 p.m.
4th graders should report to the gym at 6:15 p.m. to get ready for the performance. We ask that you keep siblings close during the performance, as space will be limited.
Thank you for your support — we look forward to seeing you at both events!
As you know, all public schools in the state of Kansas participate in state testing each year. This is often referred to as KAP testing (Kansas Assessment Program). At the elementary school level, all 3rd and 4th grade students complete an assessment in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. These assessments are completed each spring (April or May).
Recently, our school district received the results of these assessments from the 2024-25 school year. I am pleased to report that KAP scores for Sunflower from the 2024-25 school year showed significant improvements over the previous school years in both grade levels.
For the 2024-25 ELA KAP test, the number of 3rd grade Sunflower students scoring in the top two ranges (proficient and advanced ranges) increased by 23 percentage points over the previous year. In addition, the number of 4th grade Sunflower students scoring in the top two ranges of the 2024-25 ELA KAP test increased by 14 percentage points.
For the 2024-25 Math KAP test, the number of 3rd grade Sunflower students scoring in the top two ranges (proficient and advanced ranges) increased by 5 percentage points over the previous school year. The number of 4th grade Sunflower students scoring in the top two ranges of the 2024-25 Math KAP test increased by 10 percentage points.
All members of the school community contribute to the success and academic growth of our students. We should all take pride in the impressive and significant academic gains that our school has made. Strong test scores are a product of enthusiastic students, supportive families and dedicated educators partnering together each day. We look forward to continued academic growth of our students and productive partnership with our families at Sunflower.
In the upcoming weeks, we will have access to information that allows us to see how our KAP test results compared with other schools in the State of Kansas. I will be happy to share that information with you at that time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andy Wright
Principal of Sunflower Elementary School
Weekly Announcements
Monday
• Red Monday – Wear your Chiefs gear!
Tuesday
• Dental Clinic ( See email regarding clinic)
• PTO Meeting – 7:00 PM
Wednesday
• Full Day – No Early Release
Thursday
• 1st Grade Field Trip - KC Pumpkin Patch
• 4th Grade Giggles & Games 9:15 am - 9:45 am
• 4th Grade Musical - 6:30 pm @ Sunflower
Friday
• No Classes
Our students engaged in a really fun learning experience at Sunflower today. The Mobile Dairy made a visit to our campus this morning and provided three separate 30-minute assemblies for us to enjoy. In total, all students (grades Pre-K through 4th grade) were able to attend one of the assemblies today. As you might expect, the level of engagement was very high. Our students attentively listened to the presentation, asked really good questions, and learned a lot.
A special thanks to Kari Hamilton for presenting and educating our students today. She provided a great deal of interesting information about working on a dairy farm, ensuring the health of her cows, the processes of getting milk from farm to store as well as the nutritional value of drinking milk regularly.
I'll also take this opportunity to offer a word of thanks to Hazel-Grace for her very important part of the learning experience today.
Weekly Announcements
Tuesday, Sept. 30
• 2nd Grade Field Trip – Rabbit Hole
Wednesday, Oct. 1
• Early Release
Thursday, Oct. 2
• Custodian Appreciation Day
• Mobile Dairy Visit
Friday, Oct. 3
• Art Day
Dear Sunflower Families,
It's hard to believe that we have already completed 30 days of school. Soon, the first quarter will come to an end. Parent-teacher conferences will be held on October 15 and 16. Our goal is to have 100% of our families participate in a parent-teacher conference.
Please click on the link to secure a time that you can visit with your child's teacher. The conversation with your child's teacher is a valuable experience and that can provide insight for, both, the parent and educator. Ultimately, the parent-teacher conference ensures that we are developing the best path of support for each child.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Sincerely,
Dr. Andy Wright
Principal of Sunflower Elementary School
