August 23, 2026

Dear Sunset Families,

We are getting closer!

The excitement is building at Sunset as we prepare to welcome our Tigers back for the 2026–2027 school year! Our staff returns this week, classrooms are coming together, and we are busy preparing for a wonderful year ahead.

We are especially excited to welcome families to our Welcome Back Event on Thursday, August 27, from 3:00–4:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for students to meet their teacher, visit their classroom, explore the school, and begin feeling comfortable and excited about the year ahead. We hope to see you there!

As September 1 approaches, please take some time to review the important information in this week's newsletter. You will find details about arrival and dismissal procedures, school start times, important dates, and schoolwide expectations. Some of our procedures are new this year, so even returning families should review the information carefully. These expectations are in place for one important reason: to keep every Sunset Tiger safe and set them up for success.

One of the most important ways families can help us start the year strong is by establishing consistent school routines now. School begins promptly at 8:15 a.m., and students should be in their classrooms, settled, and ready to learn at that time. Being at school consistently and arriving on time helps students feel connected, confident, and ready for learning.

We know the beginning of a school year can bring a mix of excitement, anticipation, and sometimes a few nerves—for students and families alike!

Please know that our team will be ready to welcome your child, help them learn our routines, and make sure they feel supported along the way.

We are almost ready, Tigers! 🐯🧡 There is so much to look forward to, and I am incredibly excited about the year ahead. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and for helping us make Sunset a place where every student feels safe, known, valued, and ready to learn.

I can't wait to see you soon!

Warmly,

To help us create a safe, smooth, and efficient dismissal process at Sunset, every family will be asked to complete a Permanent Daily Dismissal Plan for each student for the 2026–2027 school year.

The Sunset office will send this form through ParentSquare on Monday, August 24, 2026. Please complete the form by indicating how your child will typically go home each day. If you have more than one student attending Sunset, please submit a separate form for each child.

Once your child’s permanent dismissal plan is established, all changes—whether for one day or permanently—must be communicated directly to the Sunset Main Office. This helps us ensure every student is in the correct location and gets home safely at the end of the day.

The safety of our students is our highest priority during arrival and dismissal. These are busy times with buses, cars, pedestrians, and hundreds of students moving at once. Please help us by following the procedures below, arriving at the appropriate time, and following staff directions.

Please do not drop off or send students to school before 7:45 a.m. The building is closed and there is no staff supervision before this time. For your child's safety, please make arrangements that ensure they arrive at or after 7:45 a.m.

Students eating breakfast may enter beginning at 7:45 a.m. Students arriving between 7:45–8:05 who are not eating breakfast will be supervised in the gym.

Students are dismissed from the gym and head to their classrooms.

Students should be in their classrooms, settled, and ready to learn at 8:15 a.m. Instruction begins immediately, and being on time is an important part of setting your child up for a successful day.

For safety and security, only students and staff are permitted inside the school building during arrival. Staff will be outside and throughout the building to welcome students and help them get where they need to go.

Students are dismissed at 2:35 p.m. Staff will escort students to their appropriate bus, car pick-up, or walk-up location and supervise them until they are safely released.

🚶🏿 NEW! Walk-Up Pick-Up Zones

Families walking to school to meet their child will use one of two designated areas:

Students will be escorted by staff to their assigned walk-up zone and will remain with staff until released to their parent/guardian.

⚠️ Parents and guardians may not enter or walk through the bus zone during dismissal. Please use the designated walk-up locations and pathways. Keeping pedestrians out of the active bus area is essential to keeping everyone safe.

Students will be escorted to their buses by staff. Please make sure your child's bus tag remains attached to their backpack each day.

🧡 Safety Takes All of Us

The first few days of school will take a little extra time as students, families, and staff learn these routines. Please be patient, follow staff directions, use your designated arrival and dismissal areas, and never prioritize speed over safety.

Most importantly, please help your child arrive at the appropriate time, be at school every day they are able, and be in class ready to learn by 8:15 a.m. Consistent, on-time attendance gives our Tigers the strongest possible start each day

My name is Jess Sinclair, and I am so excited to join the Sunset Primary community as the new Assistant Principal!

Outside of school, I'm a mom of two girls, so I understand the excitement that comes with the start of a new school year. As both a mom and an educator, I know how important it is to feel like your child is known, cared for, and challenged at school. I’m looking forward to getting to know our students and families and partnering with you to make Sunset a place where every child feels safe, connected, and excited to learn every day.

Please don’t hesitate to say hello when you see me at arrival, dismissal, or around campus. I can’t wait to meet you and your Tigers!

Here’s to a wonderful school year! 

Assistant Principal

As we get closer to the first day of school, I want to highlight a few important reminders. Thank you for taking a moment to double-check these dates and details as your family prepares for the year ahead.

Beginning Tuesday, September 1, regular office hours will be 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Our office team is happy to help as families prepare for the start of school!

Teacher assignments will be available in Skyward Family Access beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26. Our team has worked thoughtfully to create balanced classrooms where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. Because many factors are considered when creating classes, we are unable to accommodate requests for classroom placement changes. We appreciate your trust and partnership in this process.

Before August 26, please take a moment to review and update your student’s demographic and emergency contact information in Skyward. Updates cannot be completed through the Skyward Mobile App and must be made using a computer.

Need help? Stop by the Sunset Primary office or contact us at (253) 566-5640. We are happy to assist!

As we prepare for the start of the school year, we ask all families to review the UPSD Primary Student Handbook. It includes important information about school expectations, safety, attendance, student behavior, and the procedures that help our schools remain safe, consistent, and focused on learning.

Last week, we shared reminders about birthday celebrations and leaving personal items at home. Please remember that food, treats, gifts, toys, stuffed animals, trading cards, collectibles, and electronic toys should not be brought to school. These items can create distractions, become lost or damaged, and lead to unnecessary conflict. Exceptions will be made only when an item is specifically requested by a teacher or included in an approved student support plan. Toy weapons and look-alike weapons are never permitted at school.

⌚ New Reminder: Cell Phones and Smart Watches

All cell phones, smart watches, and other personal electronic devices must remain turned off and put away throughout the school day. Although cell phone use is not typically a concern at the primary level, smart watches can become a significant distraction when students receive calls, texts, or notifications during class.

Please help your child remain focused and fully engaged by waiting until after school to call or message them. If you need to communicate important information during the school day, contact the Sunset Main Office, and we will make sure your child receives the message.

We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing these expectations with your child. Together, we can keep Sunset safe, equitable, focused, and ready for learning.