Parents Handbook

Sunrise Elementary School Parent Handbook

Philosophy

Teachers and students at Sunrise work together in applying both traditional and innovative approaches to learning that build a strong academic foundation and encourage the spirit of creativity, curiosity, and productivi­ty. Expectations are high for all students.  By utilizing the Colorado State Academic Standards, we engage students in:

• English and Language Arts: 
• Mathematics: Our foundational resource is Bridges. Math is a journey of problem solving, guided practice, and mastery. 
• Science and Social Studies:
• Social Emotional Learning: Second Step (K-5)
• Throughout the day, the needs and unique learning styles of each individual student are taken into account, as the curriculum is modified to challenge the highly motivated student, encourage the reluctant learner, and reach all students in between.  At Sunrise, every student's progress is important.

School Hours

School hours are 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday - Wednesday only we will dismiss at 1:45 p.m.

Students should not arrive before 7:30 a.m.  Students are asked not to play on the playground before school.  Any student arriving at school after 8:00 a.m. should report to the office for a tardy slip before going to class.

School Visitors

All visitors must sign in at the main office. Please make sure you have your ID. To volunteer, you must go through the volunteer process.

Raptor

Raptor is a visitor registration system that scans a driver's license and/or state ID and checks the information against the National Sex Offender data base.  If no match is found, the system will print a visitor's sticker with a picture identifying them as an approved visitor. 

Raptor only scans the visitor's name, date of birth and photo for comparison purposes. No other personal identifying information is saved.

If the system raises a question about a visitor's background, the school administrator(s) will take the necessary steps to ensure the appropriateness of each individual's visit.

Upon your initial visit, the process will take approximately 30 seconds. However, on return visits you will only be required to enter the first three letters of your last name and the system will recognize you.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have questions, please call your school's principal or our Director of Safety and Security, Ian Lopez at 720-554-4489

ilopez@cherrycreekschools.org

School clothing should be functional and reflect the attitude of students toward their job:  learning.  School personnel have confidence in the judgment of parents in the selection of clothing that is appropriate for school. No halter tops or inappropriate shirts should be worn.  Shorts may be worn if they are an appropriate length and in good condition.  Students should not wear sandals because they do not provide proper footing on the playground and P.E. equipment.  In P.E. classes, tennis shoes are required.

In cold weather, children should have warm clothing since they spend a part of every day outside playing.  STUDENTS WILL ARRIVE OUTSIDE IN THE MORNING AND ALSO HAVE RECESS, UNLESS THE TEMPERATURE IS LOWER THAN 20 DEGREES (WIND CHILL IS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION).

Cafeteria

All students in Cherry Creek School District will have access to free healthy, nutritious school meals beginning in the 2023-24 school year thanks to the Health School Meals for All program approved by Colorado voters. 

Sunrise Kid's Club — 720-886-2980

Before and After School Program

Call 720-886-2980 or e-mail Samantha Smith at: smith149@cherrycreekschools.org for more information on Covid protocols

Sunrise offers a Qualstar-rated Before & After School Program. The hours are 6:30 to 7:50 a.m. 2:45 to 6:00 p.m. Sunrise has a well-planned and well-staffed program that provides an environment where children can learn, take part in supervised recreation, build strong, positive relationships with responsible, caring adults and with their peers.  Our program strives to provide school age children with a safe and nurturing environment while promoting physical, emotional and intellectual development.

Electronic Devices

Personal electronic communication devices include but are not limited to:  personal digital assistants, cell phones, digital media players, i-pods, i-pads, MP3 players, portable CD or DVD players or any other personal technology device that may be stand-alone or may use wireless communication between users across some form of telecommunications network.

These devices are not to be used during school hours. Any electronic devices used during school hours without express permission from school administration are subject to confiscation and will be held in the main office to be picked up at the end of the day. Students are required to keep any of these devices turned off and safely stowed in their personal backpacks during the schoolday.

Reporting Student Progress

As a school, student progress is reported through three formal progress reports and two conferences (fall and spring).  Informal conferences and phone calls are encouraged. 

Dropping Off and Picking Up

To pick up or drop off your child, park on Genoa Way (not in the bus loading zone).  Your child should use the sidewalks on Genoa.  The gate into our parking lot is closed and locked from 2:35 to 3:15 p.m.  The Aurora Police Department, in conjunction with Cherry Creek Public Schools, uses a zero tolerance approach to traffic enforcement in school safety zones. Left turns out of the parking lot are not permitted from 7:45-8:15 am and 2:45-3:30 p.m. The use of crosswalks is mandatory.

Students are allowed to enter the school at 7:45 am. The final bell, signifying the start of class is at 8:00 am. (This is the “Tardy” bell.)

Traffic Rules for Sunrise Elementary 

1. No parking or standing in the fire lane RED curb area. (That is the area directly in front of the school in the parking lot) This area is for DROP OFF only and traffic must continue to move in this area. 
2. Drop off is not allowed in front of the handicapped parking spaces at any time. Those spots are reserved for those vehicles with a handicapped placard clearly displayed.
3. If you want to wait until 7:45 am, or want to walk your child to their door, you must park in a designated parking spot. Parking is available in the school parking lot and on S. Genoa Way. (Please do not use the handicapped parking spots unless you have a handicapped placard clearly displayed. Violators will be ticketed).
4. When leaving the parking lot, it is a RIGHT TURN ONLY onto S. Genoa Way. Drivers are asked to refrain from turning left. This helps keep traffic moving inside the parking lot, as well as for the safely of the traffic on S. Genoa Way.

Afternoon Pick Up Rules:

1. Kindergartners and first grade students are not released until the teacher sees the parent (or caregiver). This is for the safety of the student.
2. For PICK UP ONLY, cars are not allowed to “park” in the fire lane in front of the school. It is also unlawful to leave your car at any time in a fire lane. Any car left parked in the fire lane may be subject to ticketing. If you need to leave your car to get your child from a dismissal area you are required to park in a designated parking spot in the parking lot or along S. Genoa Way. 
3. When exiting the parking lot, it is a RIGHT TURN ONLY onto S. Genoa Way. This helps keep the traffic moving inside the parking lot as well as on S. Genoa Way. 
4. Please give right of way to crossing guards at all times. They are there for the safety of our students. Violators may be ticketed. 

Parent and Community Involvement

Sunrise Elementary School encourages strong parent and community involvement.  Parent/guardian volunteers help in the classroom by working with students, doing clerical jobs, and helping with parties.

The Sunrise PTCO is a volunteer organization.  Our PTCO sponsors family “fun” nights, provides many services, and organizes fundraising efforts.  All parents and community members are invited to attend the PTCO meetings and are greatly encouraged to volunteer in whatever way they can. 

The Sunrise PASS Team, made up of parents, teachers and administration, works collaboratively to engage the parents of African-American/Latino students and White/Asian students.  In addition, the team exists to help inform the school about the perspectives and perceptions of families of color. 

The Sunrise Advisory Accountability Committee (SAAC) meets on a quarterly basis in conjunction with PTCO.  This group is made up of parents, community members, teach­ers, and administrators. They provide feedback, and help formulate goals for the school's Strategic Improvement Plan. Speakers are invited to the meet­ings to provide the committee with information about the district and the school.

Requests to Leave School Early

If children need to leave school early, parents should send a note to the teacher informing him/her of the time they plan to pick up their child. Students must be signed out at the front office by the adult listed on the Emergency Contacts page from the parent forms. Please be prepared to provide a photo I.D.  Teachers are instructed to release a child from the teaching areas when notified by the office. This procedure is followed to protect children and to hold classroom interruption to a minimum.

Lost and Found

A lost and found bin is maintained on the north foyer entryway.  Items that accumulate will be displayed during the course of the year. Unclaimed items will be given to charitable organizations or recycled frequently throughout the year.

Partners in Excellence

Parents and schools share the same goal: helping children succeed in learning. To achieve that goal, it is important to work in partnership with the school.

• Make a point of visiting your child's class early in the year.
• Do not be reluctant to ask questions about school policy or about your child's progress.
• Read and respond to school news and announcements found on our website.
• Support the school's discipline plan at home.
• Volunteer to help with school programs and projects.
• Maintain emergency contact information at my.cherrycreekschools.org.
• Contact the school about any problem you think might affect your child's learning or behavior.
• Together, we can do what neither of us can do alone!

Absences/Tardiness

School attendance is of great importance.  We expect children to be on time every day.  However, when your child is ill, please follow these guidelines:

1. In case of illness, children should stay at home until:
   1. They are fever free (less than 100 degrees) for 24 hours without the aid of medication.
   2. Vomiting and/or diarrhea have subsided for 24 hours.
   3. Strep infections have been treated with medication for 24-48 hours.
   4. Parents have checked with the school or their doctor regarding minor contagious illnesses (i.e., pink eye, chicken pox, colds, etc.)
2. The parent/guardian of children who are absent should call the school attendance line before 8:00 a.m. at 720-886-2995 to inform the office of absences.
3. A staff member will call home to check the absence of any child whose parents have not called in to provide the information.
4. Children who arrive at school after 8:00 a.m. are asked to pick up a tardy slip in the office before going to class. Please call the school or send a note regarding the reason your student is tardy.
5. Attendance is extremely important for successful student performance. The Colorado School Attendance Law states that every elementary age child (who has attained the age of 7 years) shall attend public elementary school for 968 hours each school year.

Medication

Medicine:  Any medication that must be administered at school must be kept in the nurse's office for safety reasons. As required by state law and district policy, the medication must be in the original or pharmacy container accompanied by a Permission to Medicate Form signed by the doctor (for any prescription medication) or the parent (for non-prescription medication) stating the name of medication, dosage, time and length of administration.  Forms are available online and in the clinic.  Forms may be faxed to the school nurse at 720-886-2988.  Permission to administer long-term medications must be renewed yearly.

Telephone and Address Changes

Please notify the school immediately if there is a change in your address, telephone number, day care provider, or person to contact in an emergency.  This information is very important in case your child becomes ill or injured. This information must also be updated by the parent at my.cherrycreekschools.org.

Safety

NO ROLLERBLADES OR WHEELIES ALLOWED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

NO BASEBALL BATS/HOCKEY STICKS ALLOWED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

BIKES AND SCOOTERS ARE ALLOWED, BUT MUST BE WALKED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

Bicycles

Bikes and scooters must be walked on the school grounds.  Bikes must be placed in the bike racks and locked.  Students may not ride bikes or scooters during recess and/or playground activities. Scooters must be stored in the classroom coatrack area neatly and away from foot traffic areas. The school is not responsible for bikes or scooters being brought to school.

Weather Emergencies

Inclement Weather:  The Cherry Creek School District will make a decision by 6:00 a.m. about closing schools or implementing the storm schedule.  The decision will be announced by the radio and television stations.  Information is also available on the hotline number at 720-554-4701 and on the district website School Delays and Closures.  PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL!

Storm Schedule (Delayed Start):  Sunrise schedule, including bus pick-up times, is delayed one hour.  School will begin at 9:00 a.m. for morning kindergarten and students in first through fifth grades. On storm scheduled days, all field trips, before and after school activities, and special school events may be canceled.

Please take a few minutes with your children and develop an emergency plan of your own at home.

Fire/Tornado/Lockdown Safety:  Sunrise will have periodic fire, lockdown, and tornado drills.  In the event of a weather emergency during the school day, please remember that our concern is the safety of the children, and we need everyone's cooperation. In the event of severe weather, it is recommended that parents, for their own safety, do not come to pick up their children at school.  The school will take care of the children's needs.  During dangerous weather conditions, children may be held past dismissal time to insure their safety.

Withdrawals

Parents are asked to inform the school office as soon as they know their child is withdrawing from Sunrise.  The office will provide a form to notify the classroom teacher, specialist and kitchen staff.  We would also like an opportunity to return any balance of funds from the lunch account, acquire a forwarding address for outstanding book orders, and give you an opportunity to return any school property. 

Make-Up Work Policy

As a general rule, teachers do not provide work that will be missed during vacations.  Please speak to your child's teacher in regard to work missed due to illness or injury.