Click here to donate now!   You can now pay online.

The annual Direct Donation Fundraising campaign is the largest and most 

important fundraiser of the school year.  

The PFA raises funds to support our superior educational programs here at Sumac L-STEM Elementary.   The recommended contribution is a small investment that supports the following:

• Paying the salaries of our Art/Science Teacher, PE Specialist, Music Specialist, Librarian
• Purchasing educational software and technology for our STEM program, Reading Counts, Library books
• Purchasing classroom, recess, janitorial and operating supplies
• Funding art/science suppliess, assemblies, Life Lab, and enrichment opportunities for all students.

The PFA requests a contribution of $350 per family.  Every student at Sumac benefits from your charitable donation.  Without parent contributions, we cannot continue to provide these amazing programs which makes Sumac 

unique. 

Click here to see the breakdown of funding for our 2014-2015 Budget.  Help us reach our goal of raising $125,000.

 Your Direct Donation is tax deductible, no matter the amount.  Every dollar counts. Thank you for your support!

Thank you to everyone for your patience while we get this year's class sites up & running.  We are hopeful that, once again, our participation will earn $2,000 for Sumac.  Please know that these sites are not meant to take the place of your teacher's class page... but rather to assist in communication 

regarding school and class events. 

PLEASE POST AS MANY PICTURES AS POSSIBLE on your class sites... not only is it wonderful for parents who may not be able to attend the parties and field trips to see what their kids are up to, but we pull pictures from these sites for the yearbook!!

If you have any questions or need any help, please contact Mary Kusnier at sumachistorian@gmail.com.

Tammy Poretz, dual immersion 3rd grade 

with Mr. Tally

Hi! I'm Tammy Poretz and I'm very excited to be the new third grade dual language teacher at Sumac Elementary.

I was born in Argentina, where I lived and 

went to school until I was 9 years old. My family then moved to the San Fernando Valley and it's been home ever since! I was lucky enough to travel back to Argentina every summer to spend some time with cousins and family, giving me an opportunity to continue

my Spanish education as well. 

I developed an early love for teaching at the age of 19, when I returned from my year of travel with a certificate to teach a second language, and started teaching private school. That led me to become a supplemental instructor for Biology at Pierce college and into the Credential program at CSUN, where I also did a focus on Spanish Literature during my undergraduate studies.  Sometime during these years I also got married and opened up a business with my husband.

I worked for LAUSD for a few years before taking time off to be a full time mom. My daughter is now 9 years old and it is a wonderful time for me to return to my original passion!  I look forward to a wonderful year!

Julie Ronk, 3rd grade

Hi Sumac families!  My name is Julie Ronk.  I feel so blessed to be the new third grade teacher for this fantastic school.  My experience in teaching began many years ago in Kindergarten.  After teaching Kindergarten for 7 years, I took some time off  to stay at home with my two boys.  I was then able to ease back into teaching as a Reading Specialist in Conejo Valley and then at Round Meadow Elementary.  

I am a life-long runner and believe in sharing my love and enthusiasm for the sport by coaching youth track and cross-country.  I believe in promoting kids to achieve success in all areas of their lives and I am thankful for the opportunity to continue this at Sumac. 

Judy Sandoval, dual immersion 2nd grade 

with Mrs. Stein

Hello!  My name is Judy Sandoval, and I am excited to be the new second grade dual language teacher at Sumac Elementary.  I was raised in Agoura Hills, and am very fortunate to have been a part of the renowned schooling Las Virgenes Unified School District offers.  Growing up, my parents taught me the importance and beauty of being gifted the opportunity to speak a different language.  It is for this reason that I am a firm believer in children's success towards attaining bilingualism.

I am a new first year teacher; however, I am not new to Sumac.  After three years of being Sumac's Kingergarten Bilingual Assistant, I decided to pursue a career in education.  This past May I graduated from Pepperdine University with a Master's Degree in Education and a California Teaching Credential.  Being granted the opportunity to work at Sumac is truly a blessing, and I am fortunate to be a part of a school culture that celebrates diversity.

Sunday, October 26  12:00 - 4:00 pm

Bring the family for an afternoon of fun!!!  In addition to our fabulous class activities & games, we will have a pumpkin patch, raffle, face painting, cake walk... and many more surprises!! 

Plus entertainment by Center Stage and food from Jersey Dogs, Taco Guy Tacos, Shave It, Yogurtland, Holmes Lemonade... and more!! 

For more information on the event, please contact Mary Kusnier at sumachistorian@gmail.com

Please also contact Mary if you:

• have a suggestion for the event and/or would like to be on the Fall Festival committee
• have a connection with a ride/bouncy company
• have a product (jewelry, clothing, candles, etc.) that you would like to sell at the Festival
• anything (item or service) that you would like to donate for the Festival... or the raffle

School Lunches* 

Buying lunch at school may be the first time kids get to call the shots on which foods they'll eat. Luckily, school lunches have improved over the years, both in taste and nutrition, with many serving healthier dishes, such as grilled chicken sandwiches and salads.  But some still exceed recommendations for fat. And many cafeteria items get thrown away unopened (lettuce, carrots, celery, fruit), because the children choose not to eat these healthier foods.

Lunchtime Opportunities

Use school lunches as a chance to steer your kids toward good choices. Especially with younger kids, explain how a nutritious lunch will give them energy to finish the rest of the school day and enjoy after-school activities.

Here are some other tips:

• Look over the cafeteria menu together. Ask which meals your kids particularly like. Choose those lunches that include items they will eat. 
• Encourage kids to take a packed lunch, at least occasionally. This can put you back in the driver's seat and help ensure that kids get a nutritious midday meal.

Healthier Alternatives

If you're helping pack a lunch, start by brainstorming foods and snacks that your kids would like to eat. In addition to old standbys, try pitas or wrap sandwiches stuffed with grilled chicken or veggies. Try soups and salads, and don't forget last night's leftovers as an easy lunchbox filler.

Lunch Makeovers!  These small changes do make a nutritional difference:

Nutritional Upgrades

Here's how two lunches stack up after a typical lunch received a nutritional upgrade:

Healthy Packed Lunches

Prepackaged lunches for kids are popular and convenient, but they're also expensive and often less than nutritious. Instead, create your own packable lunch using healthier ingredients. Consider these components and pack them in plastic containers or foil:

• cold-cut roll ups (lean, low-fat turkey, ham, or roast beef with low-fat cheese on whole wheat tortillas)
• cold pizza (shredded mozzarella cheese with pizza sauce on a flour tortilla, whole wheat pita, English muffin, or mini pizza shell)
• cracker sandwiches (whole-grain crackers filled with low-fat cream cheese or peanut butter and jelly)
• peanut butter and celery sticks
• veggie sticks with low-fat dip or dressing
• 100% fruit juice box or water in reusable bottle
• optional dessert (choose one): flavored gelatin, low-fat pudding, oatmeal raisin cookie, graham crackers, fresh fruit

Be sure to check with the school to make sure that there aren't any restrictions on what kids can pack in their lunches. And don't forget to involve your kids in the process so that healthier lunches can become a goal they strive for, too.

Safe Packing

A packed lunch carries the added responsibility of keeping the food safe to eat. That means keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold. One study found that fewer than a third of parents included a cold pack when packing yogurt, deli-meat sandwiches, and other foods that need refrigeration.

Here are some suggestions to keep lunch foods safe:

• Wash your hands first.
• Use a thermos for hot foods.
• Use cold packs or freeze some foods and drinks overnight. They'll thaw in the lunchbox.
• Wash out lunchboxes every day! 
• Toss in some moist towelettes to remind kids to wash their hands before eating and to clean up after.
• Remind students to recycle as many lunch items as possible.

BOX TOPS

Collect the pink "Box Tops" label on products like Duncan Hines, Pillsbury, General Mills, etc. Bring them to class or drop them off at the office. Each label is worth 10 cents!   

LABELS FOR EDUCATION

Collect "Labels for Education" found on products like Campbells, Post, Glad, Pepperidge Farm, Pop Secret, etc. Bring them to class or drop them off at the office.    

RALPHS 

Renew or sign up for the Ralphs Reward Card. Call (800) 660-9003 or on-line at www.ralphs.com. (Sumac NPO# 81784) or a scan bar will be given to your child at the beginning of October. YOU MUST SIGN UP EVERY SCHOOL YEAR!!

VONS / PAVILIONS

FRESH & EASY

  RECYCLING

Bring your used ink cartridges, toners and cell phones to the library or front office. We earn money while at the same time helping the environment.

CAR WASH