Sunrise Elementary students and staff describe mentorship, MTSS gains and service projects

Sunrise Elementary staff and students presented to the Enumclaw School District board on May 18, highlighting student leadership, mentorship and schoolwide supports that staff say improved students' sense of belonging and reduced referral pressure on special education.

Principal (first-year) described the school's theme of "growing together" and said staff intentionally created shared values to improve wellbeing. Staff presented HOPE survey results showing roughly 68% of students reported hope in the fall and about 72% reported a high sense of belonging in winter survey results; teachers described targeted interventions and grade-level data reviews to support students who need extra help.

Student leaders spoke about their work. Morgan Tran, advisor for the Sunrise Leadership Group, said 48 fourth- and fifth-graders joined the club and gave up lunch and free time to lead projects. Student Happy Hellman described helping the community through a toy drive and working with friends to support school events. Resource teacher Melissa Petrowski described a mentorship program that paired older students with younger peers for reading and recess support and said teachers provided training and structure to make the program effective.

Staff noted the school lowered the number of students referred to special education this year by expanding tiered interventions and improving follow-up and progress monitoring. The presentation also highlighted extracurricular opportunities (art club, garden club, Battle of the Books) and cultural recognition events in which students received regalia designed by Native artists.

The board offered applause and thanks; no formal action was required on the presentation.