SES Messenger

Hello Sunnyside Community,

I'd say this last week was unprecedented, but I fear that word has lost all meaning after our last few years. I hope you all are safe and warm. I tried to go out and walk the dog and it was like a skating rink that had just gotten groomed by the Zamboni. Please stay inside if you can until this stuff melts.

Teachers will be rescheduling their conferences and as you saw, we are rescheduling Riparian Festival and the school musical. Big shout out to Mo and the cast and crew who have prepared so long for this play and who keep getting their opening night cancelled. As soon as we can reschedule, I am sure we will all be out to support this wonderful group of students, parents, and staff members.

The middle school dance is still scheduled for Feb 2nd and we are really hoping that there are no more cancellations that happen and we can do school as normal from here on out. I have not heard from the district about any make up days so please stay tuned for district messages about that.

Sending out ice melting vibes,

Eryn

• Thu, Jan 25: Two hour delay. School starts at 10:45a

• Fri, Jan 26. End of 2nd quarter.
  

• Mon, Jan 29. Professional development day. NO SCHOOL.

• Tues, Jan 30. Read-a-thon begins!

• Wed, Jan 31. Por Que' No? Restaurant Fundraiser.

• Fri, Feb 2. Middle School Dance. 6p-8p

• Thur, Feb 8. RESCHEDULED. Riparian Festival. 5:30 - 7:30p

Woah! Another wild week for our intrepid students, eh?! The ice storm had us pushing back the musical and our PTSA meeting, but not to worry! We are, by now, practically professional pivoters over here and all things have been rescheduled - details below.

Join us Wednesday (Jan 24) at either our 8:45 AM meeting (in person or virtual) or our special 7:00 PM virtual meeting! We’ll be digging into Read-A-Thon and Spring Auction & Gala, and will also hear from the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association. And if you have something you want to see on our agenda, please reach out.

Join the PTSA Meeting on GoogleMeet: bit.ly/SESPTSA-Meeting-Link
View the Agenda HERE.

Review December Meeting Minutes HERE.

Steph & Heather

Co-Chairs, SES PTSA

Where is my cat? The ill-fated-but-ready-to-be-amazing SES Musical!

Well, Where’s My Cat? had to be rescheduled AGAIN due to this terrible weather! We are committed to finding that cat and making sure the kids (and grown-ups) who have worked so hard, get to perform for an audience!

Tickets purchased will be honored for the corresponding performances below. Please note that the new performances will be on Saturday and Sunday instead of Friday and Saturday. So, the day of the week of your ticket/s HAS CHANGED.

SHOW #1: Fri, Jan 19th at 7pm = Sat, Feb 3rd at 6pm

SHOW #2: Sat, Jan 20th at 3pm = Sun, Feb 4th at 3pm

SHOW #3: Sat, Jan 20th at 6pm = Sun, Feb 4th at 6pm

We understand that this reschedule may not work for everyone. We kindly ask that everyone who is NOT able to attend the corresponding show time please fill out this NEW NEW poll so we know whether you want a refund, to exchange your tickets for another day or if we should release the tickets for others. We encourage people to donate the tickets purchased if you are unable to attend as this is a fundraiser for our school. We also understand if this is a hardship for anyone to do so.

The cast, crew and volunteers appreciate everyone hanging in there. You will not be disappointed by this amazing production filled with love, magic and a little wackiness.

Questions or concerns? Please email Leslie at leslielothamer@gmail.com (Where’s My Cat, Production Manager and Ticket Concierge 🙂)

Join us Thursday, February 8 from 5:30-7:30pm for the SES Riparian Festival, celebrating our students' work studying forests, rivers, oceans and mountains. The Riparian Festival will have activities for all ages. All of the third grade through middle school classrooms will be open for touring, so you can see what the students have been learning. Even if you don't have a student in grades 3-8, it is worth checking out what is to come.

In addition, there will be a wonderful homemade lasagna dinner in the cafeteria, treats and sweets, as well as a hot chocolate station near the portables. We will finish up the evening with a full school sing along in the auditorium at 7:15pm.

We are asking families to donate lasagna and baked goods (cookies, brownies, etc.) for the dinner that night, as well as people to help serve it up and then clean up afterwards. In addition, please bring your own plates and eating utensils, to cut down on time volunteers will need to spend washing up.

Suggested donation for each dinner is $5. If you can help out either by donating a lasagna or your time, please sign up here.

It is almost time for our beloved, Read-a-thon to return. This year it is back and better than ever with 3 dress up days, 7 author visits (with opportunities to buy signed books coming soon), locker library, the house cup and more! See dates below!

This is our biggest fundraising event of the year! Online donation pages opening up soon at https://mybooster.com/v3 just like in years past , so get your socials and emails ready to ask friends and family!

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association has launched a new column in the Sunnyside Newsletter called Critics' Corner, where a Sunnyside student writes a book or film review or a review of a Sunnyside restaurant, shop, or bubble tea spot. We're even open to book or movie reviews. We are eager for young voices and young writers, so please encourage your kids to submit ideas for reviews! Send ideas to Hannah Wallace at hannahmwallace@gmail.com. We are looking for something for the Feb. issue if any kid who is stuck at home because of the ice storm wants to write something today or tomorrow!

One of SES's field study partners, Sandy River Delta Park, invites families to volunteer for their restoration project on either January 27 or February 11 from 9am-12 noon. Click on the appropriate link below to register:

• Saturday, January 27, 9am - noon
• Sunday, February 11, 9am - noon

In Partnership with the Confluence Project, volunteers will plant trees to enhance habitat and improve the water quality of the Sandy River. Pre-registration is required.

• All ages and abilities are welcome. Let us know if you need accommodations to participate.

• Youth age 15 + may volunteer without an adult present.

• Accessibility: Project site is 20-25 minute walk on a packed dirt trail that can be muddy.
• Provided: Planting gloves, shovels, snacks and warm beverages.
• What to wear: Long sleeves, pants, sturdy sneakers or boots. Dress for the weather: extra layers are helpful.
• What to bring: Water bottle, sun/raingear.
• Directions: A reminder email with directions and parking info will be sent 3 days before the event.
• Questions? Please contact Samantha Dumont at 503-939-7381 or sdumont@estuarypartnership.org

Schedule:

9:00 AM - Check in and hike into site

9:20 AM - Introductions, project orientation, safety

9:30 AM - Planting native trees and shrubs (taking personal breaks when needed)

11:40 PM - Wrap up and hike back to parking area

12:00 PM - End of event

Join us to explore and experience Social Studies and Science Instructional Resources that PPS is considering for adoption. These Instructional Resources are, currently being field tested in classrooms. Engagement with families and students ensures that adopted instructional resources meet the needs of all students by garnering input from multiple shareholders that interact with instructional resources and learners on a regular basis. Learn more here.

Several serious contagious illnesses – including flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), norovirus, and COVID-19 – are currently spreading at heightened rates in the broader Portland metro area. These viruses have the potential to make everyone – particularly young children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised – very sick.

If your student develops symptoms of a communicable disease, please notify your school immediately. This allows the district to assess how widespread a given illness is, to notify the school community accordingly, and to take any additional steps that may be required.

Students can obtain COVID-19, flu, and school-required vaccinations at:

• Any MCHD Student Health Center (by appointment)
• The Benson Wellness Center (by appointment)
• Community COVID-19 vaccination clinics (no appointment is necessary)

Read the full announcement here.

The SES Foundation Auction & Gala will be here before you know it. (Save the date for our Gala on Friday, April 12.) We need a Class Projects Coordinator for each classroom. Finished projects are due by Friday, March 22, and we’d like to have all class coordinators in place by January 31.

You will guide your class community in making something extra special for auction at the Gala. Classroom projects will be previewed in the Online Auction but LIVE auctioned during the event on April 12. These tend to be some of the most special and sought-after items, but they can be absolutely anything - from the ultra-crafty to the zero-crafty, from the hand-made to the ready-made.

Please reach out with questions. It’s a fun one. Find Steph Barnhart on Konstella or email stephbarnhart1@gmail.com. (P.S. We already have people for Eric, Frances, Michelle T. and Aaron)

The SES Foundation needs you! Our online Auction launches April 2, 2024. WE ARE LOOKING FOR PRIZE DONATIONS. Do you have a business, talent, or connection to someone with something amazing to donate? Would you like to host a Party Board? (A beloved SES tradition you can read more about at the link.) Please tell us about your Item Donation or Party Board Ideas HERE. Please contact Justine Reimnitz (justinereimnitz@gmail.com) and Jessica Maeder (jessicamaeder@gmail.com) with questions.

This week Middle School students painted with acrylics six sides of an identity block. We used Posca paint markers to add details. In the elementary grades, students were practicing observation skills drawing still lifes. Our subject matter was Hot Wheels cars! It was challenging but stepping out of our comfort zones is a great opportunity for growth.

Our Art Room wish list has been consolidated on an Amazon wish list- link. Any donations are greatly appreciated.

Next week we will start creating hall decorations for ReadAThon in grades K-5. Yippee!

Sending positivity, Indigo

Please stop by the cafeteria and check the Lost & Found! It is full to the brim of items you probably would like back. Also click HERE to see the Digital Lost & Found.

As required by the Oregon Department of Education, we are providing you with the 30 Day Notice and Opt Out Form for Statewide Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Information provided by student assessments is critical in helping PPS determine district and school priorities for improving student learning. For more information visit the PPS Research, Assessment, and Accountability website.

Have extra forks or spoons (we don't need knives)? Donate them to the cafeteria! Bring them in and give them to Christina (in the cafeteria). Thank you.

Eat tacos and support SES! January 31 is Sunnyside day at ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria (Hawthorne location) and 10% of all sales will directly support SES. Mark your calendars and check out their menu HERE!

Want to hit the mountain with friends this winter? Ski or snowboard curious but need some lessons? Catch the ski bus that leaves directly from Sunnyside and takes you to Mt. Hood (Wy’east)! Four-week sessions are available on Saturdays or Sundays in January or February can include lessons, lift pass, rentals, and more. Check out all the details HERE. NOTE: SES Bus is currently scheduled to run Sundays in January, but with enough family interest, the day may swap. Please contact Jessa DiGiovanna (jessa.digiovanna@gmail.com) with questions.

Show your pride for LGBTQIA2S+ kids, staff, & families! The main goal of these items is to represent a community of affirmation, togetherness, and celebration while supporting the QSA (Queer Student Alliance) Group at Sunnyside! ORDER RAINBOW HERE!

We also have new kiddo and adult merch to support Sunnyside’s amazing programs! Check out these wonderful new student-made designs! SES earns 30% on every order - ORDER RIVERS HERE!

A team of dedicated parents is working to build a modern playground for our SES students and the surrounding neighborhood. After working closely with PPS and Parks stakeholders since April, the green light has been given for the project. However, we now have to evaluate fundraising options and potential designs. Consider joining the “Playground Party” social group on Konstella to learn more, share ideas, and get involved, or contact Sarah Rubin (rubin.sarah.e@gmail.com).

• VIBE of Portland Music & Digital Art Classes for Kids (NEW)
• Multnomah County Free Community Vaccination Clinic (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays)
  English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Chinese | Russian | Somali (NEW)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Ending the Silence (youth mental health presentation)
  
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Parent Support Group
• Cognizart: 360 Arts Camp (July 8-12, 15-19, & 22-26)
  

• Sign up to chaperone Middle School field study

• Apply for Free/Reduced Meals - NEW Oregon expanded income guidelines

• Sign up to support Christina at lunch

• SES current volunteer needs

• Konstella - One stop shop for parent information (PTSA)

• 2023-2024 Back to School Ask

• SES attendance form: English | Español

• Sunnyside School Page

• SES PTSA website | After school activities at SES

• SchoolPay | SchoolCafé

• Communicable disease protocol - aka when should I keep my child home from school?

• MESD head lice resources and information