The Sunnyside Scoop

Sunnyside Office: (651) 385 - 4570

Kids Junction: (651) 385 - 4587

First Student (General busing questions): (651) 388 - 8244

Transportation (Bus routing): (651) 385 - 4795

Email: mjpagel@rwps.org
Website: http://redwing.k12.mn.us/sunnyside/
Location: 1669 Southwood Avenue, Red Wing, MN, United States
Phone: (651) 385-4570

Happy October! It's hard to believe we're through our first month of school already. It's been exciting watching students and staff settle into routines, make new friends, and learn new things. Sunnyside’s success is all of us – teachers, parents, staff, and the community – working together to help our students grow and succeed. This year at Sunnyside, we will continue to focus on our three school-wide expectations -- BE SAFE, BE KIND, & BE RESPONSIBLE. We’ll be working hard throughout the school year to encourage each and every one of our children to be the best student, friend, and citizen they can be. I'm proud of all our students and staff for the hard work they are doing to make Sunnyside a great place to be. Thank YOU, families, for all you do to support Sunnyside and your children. We appreciate it!

Mike Pagel

Principal

October:

1 -- Clubs Choice Fundraiser Ends

8 -- Kindergarten Field Trip to Carpenter Nature Center (Kelly, Plonsky, Marklevits)

9 -- Kindergarten Field Trip to Carpenter Nature Center (Prigge, Richardson, Alton)

10 -- Kindergarten Field Trip to Carpenter Nature Center (Johnson, McDonnell)

14 -- Indigenous Peoples' Day

15 -- Picture Day!

17 - 18 -- NO SCHOOL

21 & 23 -- Fire Safety Presentations by RWFD

22 -- Hearing & Vision Screening

30 -- Club's Choice Fundraiser Pick Up (after school)

November:

1 -- NO SCHOOL (End of 1st Quarter)

4 -- NO SCHOOL (Fall Conferences)

15 -- Dental Clinic @ Sunnyside

19 -- Picture Retake Day

25 - 26 -- Kindergarten Grandparents' Days (Classes TBD)

27 - 20 -- NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)

Picture Day is coming up at Sunnyside School. Our picture day will take place on Tuesday, October 15th, and we will be using Kemmetmueller Photography for our school photos. Kemmetmueller Photography is a locally owned family business that has operated in the Greater Minnesota area for over 50 years. See the flier linked below for information about ordering pictures. You will receive a paper copy of the flier later this week as well.

If you have specific questions about your student's picture day, need help with ordering photos, or have other concerns, please contact info@k-photography.com or call (952)473-2142.

October 6 - 12 is National Fire Prevention Week. Representatives from the Red Wing Fire Department will be visiting Sunnyside the week of October 21st to share fire safety information with our students.

For those of you who are participating in Sunnyside's fall Club's Choice fundraiser, don't forget that packets and payments are due back to Sunnyside by Tuesday, October 1st. If you have any materials that will need to be picked up instead of delivered, our pickup day will be Wednesday, October 30th from 2:15 - 5:00 pm in the Sunnyside gym.

I know I discussed some of this last month, but there are a number of things we're seeing in the drop off lane in the morning that are causing some back ups and even some safety concerns, so I thought I'd try to reiterate a few things:

1. Please pull forward as far as you can! I know it's more convenient to drop off close to the doors where the lane curves, but if we fill the lane, it moves faster for everyone.
   
2. Please only load/unload your child on the curb (passenger) side of your vehicle. If your child has to get out on the driver's side, please park and walk them across to the sidewalk. I've watched students walk out into the left lane multiple times this year after getting out on the driver's side without any awareness of traffic coming their way.
   
3. Please take it slow in the drop off lane. The last thing any of us wants is for a child to be hit by a car.
4. Stay in your vehicle unless briefly helping your child out of the vehicle. Please do not leave your vehicle and walk away from it, and please don't say long goodbyes in the drop off lane. If you need to do either of those, please park in the lot.
5. Finally, drop off times are from 7:25 am - 7:45 am. Children should not arrive before 7:25, as there is no adult supervision provided. If you need to drop off before the 7:25 - 7:45 window, you can enroll your child in Kids Junction.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Here at Sunnyside, we will be doing some activities throughout the month to promote kindness within our school community. There are additional resources on PACER'S website if you're interested: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/

Recently, laws changed around car seat requirements. Megan Bettich, our district's school resource officer, provided the updated information below:

Hello Sunnyside Elementary Parents and Guardians! My name is Megan Bettich and I am the School Resource Officer for Red Wing Public Schools. I’m teaming with the Sunnyside Elementary School staff to provide some information on the new car seat laws that were implemented in August this year. Here are the new guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety:

Birth to at least 2 years old:

Rear-facing in an infant or convertible child safety seat.

At least 2 years old AND has outgrown the rear-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight:

Forward-facing with an internal harness.

4 years old AND has outgrown the forward-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight:

Ride restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat using the lap belt and shoulder belt.

9 years old or has outgrown the booster seat AND the child can pass the five-step test that demonstrates how the seat belt fits correctly:

Ride restrained with a lap belt and shoulder belt secured correctly on the vehicle seat.

Additionally, children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat if possible.

If a child falls into more than one category, then the child must be placed in the safer restraint for them. For example, a child who is 2.5 years old and weighs 35 pounds but has a car seat with a rear-facing limit of 40 pounds must stay rear-facing even though they are over 2 years old. It's very important for parents and caregivers to always read their car seat and vehicle owners' manuals for proper installation.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety provides a ton of information on the topic. Another great resource is our police department! The Red Wing Police Department Community Service Officers are certified in car seat safety. CSO Schoeder and CSO Eggenberger are available to car seat checks to ensure yours are installed properly in your vehicle. In addition, I know car seats can get expensive, so if you or someone you know needs financial assistance to obtain a car seat, please contact one of the individuals listed below.

Stay safe!

Just a quick reminder that we will kick off Bus Stop and Walk beginning this Wednesday, October 2nd and will continue every Wednesday until November 6th (weather permitting). The Bus Stop and Walk (BSW) program gives every student the opportunity to walk to school, even if they ride the bus. Buses drop students a safe and walkable distance from school, allowing them to walk with the goal of improving physical and mental health, increasing academic performance and building community by dropping students within a walkable distance to school.

Sunnyside bus riders will be dropped off on Roosevelt Avenue next to Roosevelt Park on Wednesdays beginning October 2nd and walk to Sunnyside from there. Staff will be stationed at intersections along the way to help students cross and to encourage them. Parents who drop off are welcome to do so at Roosevelt Avenue as well on those Fridays. We just asked that you drop off on the side of the road opposite the buses (and opposite the park). Drop offs at the park will take place from 7:25 - 7:40 for both bussers and parent drop offs. After 7:40, drop off will need to take place at Sunnyside. Please see the map below for more detail.

Sunnyside needs volunteers for various school-level events throughout the year. CLICK HERE to complete our volunteer interest form if you are interested in volunteering at Sunnyside this year. Families and community members are welcome! If you are interested in helping out specifically in your child's classroom, please contact your child's teacher directly first and then complete the form after connecting. Please note that all volunteers will need to complete a district-paid background check before working with students.

Sunnyside has it’s own Facebook and Instagram pages! You can link directly to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sunnysideredwing/, and our Instagram handle is @sunnysideredwing. Check out some of the fun things going on at Sunnyside!

Be sure to click the links below for important information about Sunnyside Elementary and Red Wing Public Schools. Please pay special attention to the District Handbook and the Sunnyside Expectations & Procedures. Both documents contain important information and are a great reference for many frequently asked questions.