SES Messenger

Dear Sunnyside Community,

This summer while traveling in New York City, I read Joy Harjo while waiting for the train and on the subway. Her book Catching the Light is all about her relationship to the earth, poetry, and humanity. As I think about the year ahead and the work we do here at Sunnyside, her words resonate with me and give me foundation for the year ahead. Joy writes, "Our relationship to the land defines how we understand our place in the world" and "Communal experience makes community . . . breathing together, speaking, and listening make a more solid ritual, a grounding."

Sunnyside believes in community and we believe that through place based education, we can understand our place in the world and make the world a better place. I'm so excited to be going into my 4th year with this community and I dearly miss all of your faces.

School starts for grade 1-6 on the 27th. Kinder will start officially on the 3rd with ramp up the week before (more information will come directly to the kinder families). 7th and 8th starts on the 28th.

This year school starts at 8:45 (please be on time) and ends at 3:15 for K-5 and 3:30 for middle school. Please visit the Sunnyside Web Page and the district calendar for updates on early release and days off.

Teachers return next week. You will receive your class placement next week when you get an email from your teacher. Please be patient as we are getting ready to welcome you all back!

At Sunnyside teachers will meet you outside at their assigned spaces in the morning to bring kids inside. While we really want to showcase all of our teaching and learning to our families, morning drop off and pick up is a time to transition and more opportunities will come to see our school and classrooms. Your teacher will let you know your meeting spot!

Community Care Day is this Saturday from 10-12. Please show up with your garden gloves and smiles. We are so excited to get the grounds ready. Nathan and his team of waterers have been busy this summer taking care of our amazing Sunnyside gardens.

Chris and I are looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Your Sunnyside Admin team

• Sat, Aug 17, 10am-12pm: SES Community Care Day
• Tue, Aug 20, 3:30-4pm: SES Kindergarten Social
• Tue, Aug 27: First day of school (grades 1-6)
• Wed, Aug 28: First day of school (grades 7-8)
• Aug 27-28: Teacher meet ups for new Kindergarten students
• Aug 29-30: Soft start days for Kindergarten
• Tue, Sep 3: First full day of Kindergarten

Stay tuned for all things back to school. Each grade level will receive information specific to them regarding back to school supplies and what is needed for the start of the year.

Coming soon!

We have before and after care on site at Sunnyside through Campfire Columbia and also partner with the Hangout PDX off site.

You can contact them at -

Campfire Columbia - www.campfirecolumbia.org. 503-224-7800

The Hangout PDX - www.thehangoutpdx.com. 503-957-4915

Registration for fall after school enrichment activities offered onsite at Sunnyside Environmental School will open in August. Classes will start right after school, extending after-care for enrolled students. Additional information and registration details will be updated in August on the PTSA website at https://www.sesptsa.org/after-school-activities/.

Attention, students in grades 5-8! We are thrilled to welcome PDC back to SES in the fall for another fantastic musical production. PDC's after-school program will run from September 10 to November 16. Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Sunnyside auditorium. Registration will open in August, so keep an eye out! More information about PDC HERE.

• Apano/Jade District Movie Night (Aug. 2)
  
• Rec Tennis Summer Tennis Camps
• Argay Park (Jun. 17 - Aug. 16)
• Glenhaven Park (Jun. 17 - Aug. 23)
• SW Portland, various locations (Jun. 17 - Aug. 23)
  
• Simple Gifts Montessori now enrolling
• Summer Stock - Franklin

• SES PTSA Back-to-School Ask

• 2024-2025 Attendance Form

• Sign up to support Christina at lunch
  

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

• Sunnyside School Page

• SES PTSA website | After school activities at SES

• SchoolPay | Remind

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

• MESD head lice resources and information