I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer filled with fun, relaxation, and special moments together!
Our team is eagerly counting down the days until we welcome our Sunset Tigers back for the 2026–2027 school year. We cannot wait to fill our halls with smiling faces and begin another year of learning, connection, and growth.
As the first day approaches, here are a few important dates, reminders, and expectations to help your family prepare for a smooth and successful start. There is a lot of important information included in the communication below. Please take a few moments to review it carefully so you are familiar with the details and prepared for the start of the school year.
Sunset Office Hours
The Sunset Primary office will reopen on Wednesday, August 19, and will be open from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Beginning Tuesday, September 1, regular office hours will be 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Teacher Assignments in Skyward
Teacher assignments will be available through Skyward Family Access beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26. Please know that our teachers and administrators worked closely together throughout the spring and summer to thoughtfully create balanced classrooms where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. Many factors were carefully considered throughout this process, and we are confident in the placements that have been made. For this reason, we are unable to accommodate requests for classroom placement changes. We truly appreciate your trust, understanding, and partnership as we begin the school year together.
Before that date, please take a moment to make sure you have updated yours student’s demographic and emergency contact information is current in Skyward. Please note that information cannot be updated through the Skyward Mobile App. To make changes or update your information, you will need to log in to Skyward using a computer. If you need access to a computer or assistance completing your updates, please feel free to visit the Sunset Primary office or the District Office. We are happy to help!
If you need assistance accessing your account or updating information, please contact our office at (253) 566-5640.
Welcome Back: Meet the Teacher
We hope your family will join us for one of our favorite traditions!
Thursday, August 27 | 3:00–4:00 p.m.
All Preschool through 4th grade students and their families are invited to visit Sunset, meet teachers, see classrooms, drop off school supplies, reconnect with friends, and get comfortable before the first day.
This is a wonderful opportunity to ease first-day jitters and begin building the relationships that will make Sunset feel like home.
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We can’t wait to welcome our Tigers on Tuesday, September 1!
School begins promptly at 8:15 a.m., and students should be in their classrooms and ready for instruction at that time.
Eating breakfast at school? Doors open at 7:45 a.m. so students have plenty of time to eat before heading to class.
Not eating breakfast? Students who arrive before 8:05 a.m. and are not eating breakfast will go directly to the gym, where staff will supervise them until they are dismissed to their classrooms at 8:05 a.m.
As a reminder, all primary students will receive free breakfast and lunch throughout the 2026–2027 school year. However, we do need families to complete the free-reduced price meal application every year. If you have received free or reduced-priced meals in the past, or feel that you would currently be eligible for free or reduced-priced meals due to family income, please complete the meal application.
To help keep student safety our highest priority, only students and staff are permitted inside the school building during the school day, including arrival and dismissal. Additional staff will be available during the first few days to welcome students, help them find their way, and learn our routines. If your child has a unique circumstance and may need additional support, please contact me or Assistant Principal Jessie Sinclair so we can work together to create a plan.
A strong start each morning sets the tone for a successful day. Instruction begins immediately at 8:15, and every minute of learning matters.
Thank you for establishing consistent morning routines that help your child arrive on time, settled, and ready to learn. Your partnership makes a meaningful difference in creating a smooth and successful start to each school day. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to a wonderful school year together!
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As we begin the school year, we encourage all families to review the UPSD Primary Student Handbook. The handbook includes important information about school expectations, procedures, safety, attendance, student behavior, and other topics that help our primary schools operate safely and consistently.
We appreciate your partnership in reviewing this information and discussing age-appropriate expectations with your child.
Two handbook topics that frequently generate questions from families are highlighted below.
🎂 Birthday Celebrations
We want every Sunset Tiger to feel known, valued, and celebrated. Students who would like to have their birthday recognized will hear their name during morning announcements and receive a special birthday pencil from the office.
To protect instructional time, promote equity, and reduce allergy exposure, please do not send treats, food, gifts, or other items to school for your child’s birthday. Individual birthday celebrations and the distribution of food or gifts will not take place during class.
Thank you for helping us celebrate students in ways that are meaningful, equitable, and consistent with our primary school expectations.
🧸 Please Leave Toys at Home
To help students stay focused on learning and prevent personal belongings from becoming lost, damaged, or a source of conflict, toys and trading cards should remain at home. This includes stuffed animals, action figures, collectible items, electronic toys, and other items brought from home for play.
Toy weapons and look-alike weapons are never allowed at school.
Students may bring an item when specifically requested by a teacher for a classroom activity or when it has been approved as part of an individual student support plan.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, focused, and welcoming learning environment for all students.
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August 26 at 3:30 p.m. – Teacher Assignments Available in Skyward
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August 27, 3:00–4:00 p.m. – Welcome Back: Meet the Teacher
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September 1 – First Day of School
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September 2 – No Late Start
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September 9 – Late Start Begins (School starts @ 9:15 am)
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September 16 – Back-to-School Night (5:30-7:30)
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Whew! That was a lot of information!
As we prepare for a strong start to the new school year, please know that we will do our very best to make sure you have the information you need for a smashing start to the year.
We also know that too much information all at once can be overwhelming, so we will work hard to pace our communication, highlight what matters most, and make sure important details don’t get lost along the way.
You can expect a weekly newsletter from me every Sunday, delivered directly to your inbox. This will be our consistent place to share important dates, upcoming events, reminders, celebrations, and other information you need to know.
More importantly, I hope it helps every family feel informed, connected, and an important part of our Sunset Tiger community.
At Sunset Primary, we believe every child deserves to feel known, valued, challenged, and excited to come to school each day. Together, we will create a year filled with joyful learning, meaningful relationships, high expectations, and memorable experiences for every student.
Thank you for being such an important part of our Sunset community. Your partnership makes a tremendous difference, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve your children each day.
Enjoy the remainder of your summer. We’ll see you very soon—and we can’t wait to welcome our Tigers home!
Warmly,
Mrs. Vaughan
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The University Place School District website is a helpful resource throughout the year. Families can find school calendars, transportation information and bus routes, school supply lists, lunch menus, district updates, and additional resources all in one place. |
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WELCOME BACK, SUNSET TIGERS!
Sunset PTA is excited to welcome Sunset families back for the 2026–2027 school year! We’re looking forward to another great year of supporting Sunset students and staff, bringing families together, and creating memorable experiences for the Sunset community.
WHO IS SUNSET PTA?
Sunset Primary PTA is made up of parents, caregivers, teachers, staff, and community members working together to support every Sunset Tiger.
Our vision is a thriving, inclusive school community where all children, families, and staff feel empowered, supported, and valued. We strive to celebrate diversity, promote equity, and create a strong sense of belonging for everyone at Sunset.
What does PTA do?
Throughout the year, your PTA helps fund, organize, and support programs and experiences that enrich Sunset students' school experience and strengthen the Sunset community. Whether you join PTA, volunteer for an event, attend a meeting, participate in a fundraiser, or simply come to a PTA event, you are helping us build the welcoming and connected school community we want for every Sunset Tiger. There are lots of ways to be involved — and every level of involvement matters!
JOIN SUNSET PTA FOR 2026–2027
New school year = new PTA membership!
PTA memberships are renewed each school year, so even if you joined last year, remember to sign up again for 2026–2027!
Membership helps support our PTA and is a great way to stay connected!
- Volunteer opportunities
- Ways to support Sunset students and staff
- PTA news and updates
JOIN PTA:
SAVE THE DATE! FIRST GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 6:00 PM
Sunset Primary Library
Come meet the PTA, hear what we have planned for the year, share ideas, and learn about ways to get involved. Everyone is welcome — you do not need to be a PTA member to attend!
STAY CONNECTED
Our website is the best place to find Sunset PTA information, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and important updates throughout the year.
VISIT SUNSET PTA:
SHOW YOUR TIGER SPIRIT!
Get ready for the school year with Sunset Primary spirit wear for students, families, and staff!
SHOP PTA SPIRIT GEAR:
HERE'S TO A GREAT YEAR, TIGERS!
We are grateful for the Sunset families, staff, volunteers, and community members who help make these programs and experiences possible. We can't wait for another amazing year together!
Sunset Primary PTA
Supporting students. Connecting families. Building community.
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