SES Messenger
October 12, 2023
School News (NEW)
Dear Sunnyside Community,
I know, like many of you, our school and staff have been watching, listening, and processing the events that have been unfolding in the past week in the Middle East. We have been saddened and heartsick to hear about the lives lost and the reverberations felt abroad and at home and especially the grief and fear that has been experienced by our Jewish communities and families. The continued cycle of violence and death is abhorrent and all the communities impacted by this cycle and all the people experiencing the violence and trauma are grieving. Hundreds of innocent people have lost their lives. Please know that as a school and as humans that work in this school, we condemn violence and that we all strive to follow our guiding vision in each day's teachings and moves through this world. Our vision statement has been reworked by our staff over the last year and it bears repeating at these times. Sunnyside Environmental School is a K-8 community creating rich, place-based learning environments rooted in justice that empower students to become environmentally, socially, emotionally, racially, and academically literate, and who are collectively inspired to take action for a more just world. Our hope in the darkness of it all is that we are going to continue to strive to be a place that is safe for our families and students and a place that continually works with our students to inspire them to take action for a more just world. This is what we hope for.
Now is one of those times where it feels like the cracks that have existed for millenia have become fractures that we are asked to put back together. We can not fix the world, there are no magic wands. But we can shine the light into the darkness and wish for humanity for a way to let compassion lead us towards peace. If you or your family is feeling impacted by the events of the world, you are not alone. We are here for your kids and your communities at Sunnyside and if you need anybody to talk to please reach out.
Leaving you all with a few lines from a poem from Warsan Shire:
“later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered
where does it hurt?
it answered
everywhere
everywhere
everywhere.”
― Warsan Shire
Dr. Berg
Upcoming Dates
Fri, Oct 13th - Statewide in-service day. NO SCHOOL
Wed, Oct 18th, 8:45-10:00 am - SES PTSA meeting, room 102
Fri, Oct 20th - SES Fall pie fundraiser begins
Sat, Oct 21st - HARVEST FAIR
Fri, Oct 27th, 6-8pm: Middle School dance
Wed, Nov 1: Last day of SES pie fundraiser
Thu, Nov 2: Picture Make-Up Day
Thu, Nov 2: End of Quarter
Fri, Nov 3: Teacher Professional Development NO SCHOOL
Walk Run Move VICTORY LAP (NEW)
AMAZING!!! You crushed it, community. Together, you raised $25,000 for the SES Foundation to support staffing needs at our school, sprinting past our goal of $19,000! We are so grateful for your support. If you have feedback or ideas for improving future WRMs, please fill out this quick survey. Prize winner announcements HERE - kudos to EVERYONE!
News from the Library (UPDATED)
Charise Mericle Harper Book Order Extended!!
The deadline for preordering books for one of our fall author visits is approaching fast! To get Charise Mericle Harper's I Cannot Draw a Horse. order here by October 20th.
Beads/beading string? - Do you have leftover pony beads, Letter beads or stretching string for making friendship bracelets? We would love to bulk these items up for the library! We are also ALWAYS happy to take more perler/fuse bead supplies!
PTSA News (NEW)
Whether you want to get more plugged into the Sunnyside community, find unique and creative ways to get involved as a volunteer or just meet some super cool people, the place to be is the PTSA meeting! Bring your mug, and swing by Room 102 after morning drop-off on 10/18! We meet for an hour, but come for however long you can stay. Teacher Jeremy will be sharing the latest from the PAT/possible strike, and we’ll talk about all things Harvest Fair, Winter Craft Fair, Pie Sales, and more!
Can’t join us in person? We’ll also have a laptop open for just that reason! GoogleMeet: bit.ly/SESPTSA-Meeting-Link
We hope to see you there! 🙂
Heather & Steph
Co-Chairs, PTSA
Meet up for parents and caregivers of neurodivergent students
Are you a parent or guardian looking to connect with other Sunnyside families with neurodivergent students? So are we! Our next meetup of the 23-24 school year will be Friday, October 27 @ 9 a.m. at 3405 SE Stark Street. We will discuss how our students are doing so far, share resources, and advocacy plans. Please email kelleymhutch@gmail.com to RSVP, ask questions or, if you cannot attend but are interested in learning more, please email to connect for future meet ups.
It’s Pie Time!
Like pie? You can support SES by ordering Dutch Caramel Apple, Cherry Crunch, Marionberry, and/or Pumpkin pies. The PTSA is taking pie orders Oct 12 - Oct 31. All pies are handmade by Willamette Valley Pie Company and come frozen so they are perfect for stocking up for the holidays or anytime that feels right for pie. Buy now, share freshly baked, warm pie with your loved ones in the months to come. All pies must be picked up in front of SES on November 16th between 3pm and 6pm. To order, click here: SES PIE.
8th grade baby pictures!
8th grade families, please send in baby pictures of your student by the end of October. You can email pictures to Indigo @ ccorwin@pps.net.
Donations needed for craft projects
Do you have an old milk carton you are planning on throwing into the recycling? Donate them to our QSA instead! We are looking for cardboard milk cartons for some QSA craft projects. Please wash milk cartons thoroughly before donating. Any donated cartons can be dropped off in the main office for Rebecca, or just send it in with your kid and they can hand it to Rebecca directly in her office. Thank you!
Picture make up day, November 2nd (NEW)
Picture make up day will be Thursday, November 2nd. If your child was absent on picture day they will be able to have their photo taken. If your student chooses to have re-takes done there is a $10 fee.
PLEASE VOLUNTEER for Harvest Fair (Saturday, Oct. 21)
Harvest Fair is Saturday, October 21 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., with 2:30 p.m. dedicated to “Sensory Soft Start.” It’s free to attend but carnival tickets to partake in all the activities can be purchased Thursday 10/19 & Friday 10/20 before and after school, and Saturday during the event.
PLEASE VOLUNTEER! MANY positions are still open, with something fun for everyone. SES PTSA requests that each family please consider working at least ONE volunteer shift. It takes a lot of elbow grease to make Harvest Fair possible.
We need folks to sign up for the Cider Press, Sausage Grill, Community Meal, Baked Goodies Boogie, Face Painting Booth, and more. This event only happens when all of us chip in. Remember to keep bringing small toy donations to the office.
Middle School Dance Chaperones Needed (Friday, Oct. 27)
Want to witness an evening of pure joy and frivolity? Please sign up to chaperone our first dance of the year! We need parents for set up, snack station, safety patrol, and to help us fill out a gorgeous snack table for the night with goodies! All shifts are HERE!
More on the Halloween-themed middle school dance soon!
Winter Craft Fair Applications Live Monday! (NEW)
The 2nd Annual Winter Craft Fair will be held Friday, December 8th from 3:30-6pm at Sunnyside! We will be sending a vendor application for both student and adult crafters on Monday 10/16, so keep an eye out for that special email!
Bike Bus - Walk & Roll Wednesdays
The rain can’t slow us down! Join your classmates and walk, run, scooter, or bike to school every Wednesday! Walk or roll on your own, with your friends and neighbors, or by joining a Bike Bus.
Bike Buses meet at 8:20, roll out at 8:25, every Wednesday morning from these meeting spots (you can join in anywhere along the way to school).
SE 26th and Pine
SE 23rd and Salmon
SE 41st & Lincoln, continuing to 41st & Taylor (meet at either spot)
If you need a lock or helmet to participate, please be in touch! For more on biking and active transportation, join the Family Biking social group on Konstella or message 2nd grade parent Alida Cantor (alidacantor@gmail.com or on Konstella).
Fliers and Community Links (NEW)
Websites to Know
Apply for Free/Reduced Meals - NEW Oregon expanded income guidelines
Konstella - One stop shop for parent information (PTSA)
Communicable disease protocol - aka when should I keep my child home from school?