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A Note From Principal Sarah
School Bus Zone Reminder:
Parents who are dropping their students off in front of the school are reminded not to pull into the school bus zone in the front of the building. Our buses are forced to drop off students in the street when they cannot pull up to the curb, and this is dangerous for our students. Thank you for respecting that school bus zones are for school buses.
Cookie dough fundraiser
We appreciate the thoughts and concerns of all of our parents and students regarding the Cookie Dough Fundraiser that went home with some students this week. The office decided it needed to conduct a fundraiser in addition to the Grateful Request to support much needed capital improvements to the building. And the Cookie Dough sale has a history of success in raising funds.
Meanwhile, our school has some pressing needs that we hope to deal with by raising money through this current fundraiser: Several of our classrooms get too hot on sunny days for student and teacher health and we'd like to purchase protective sun-shades for those south-facing windows. In addition, the district has told us that the two fifth grade classrooms are not up to code and that they plan to remove the wall between the rooms some time in December. Are there any parents willing to help us coordinate the re-design of the fifth grade room, if this is indeed necessary? We may need help with the plan, permits, city codes and coordinating volunteers.
I estimate that we need to raise about $20,000 to fund these projects. So, if you and your children are willing to participate in selling cookie dough, know that the funds you raise will go towards a good cause.
If anyone is willing to work on the plan for the fifth grade rooms and can use volunteer carpenters. Please see me in the office.
Sarah
Tuesday, November 10th
6:00 PM
Dinner and child care provided
RSVP to the office
Telling the Sunnyside Story in Pictures
Photographers and graphic design experts are invited for dinner and an
evening to share photos and art that we can incorporate into the
curriculum framework. We are asking people to bring 20 of their best
SES related photos or scanned kids art work to share. ( I need help
getting art work scanned )
Topics include - outdoor learning, cooking, parents, service, community events, gardening, classroom learning, music, etc
How can we bring the work of the staff, parents and students to life
with art and photographs? How can we tell this story to preserve it
for our own and others children? How can we use visual images to
explain the importance of play and the outdoors in the cognitive and
social development of children.
Please come if you have any interest. Grandparents and family friends, alumni, students are all invited.
A story on why this is important:
Last night I met with a group of north Portland parents. A parent
shared that last year in her child;s third grade he watched 65 movies.
She was told that this was okay because that had good test scores.
Many of us believe that those 65 to 100 hours could have been used for
outdoor play, art and service and that all children need these things.
If you believe this, please join me in bringing our framework to life
with art and photographs.
I am also interested in putting together a book of Harvest writing, photos based on fall learning if anyone wants to help me.
Middle schoolers can volunteer for this event as babysitters or participants and of course share their own photos.
Sarah
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
Important visitors
Fulbright scholars and Representative Earl Blumenauer are visiting the school in the coming week.
Conference Days Film to benefit the homeless
On Tuesday, November 24, during conferences, SES will screen a film from 1 to 2:30. The admission will be a pair of socks, a hat or gloves. Any parent who wants to help with this, please contact the office. This is a middle school service project. We're also taking suggestions for a great k-5 film that might be more original.
Theater update
Sarah is working with a variety of groups to create a template for theater productions. Parents can give final input on Monday, November 9, at 9:00 am. The template will set clear expectations for students, parents, staff, directors and volunteers. Theater is an essential part of a holistic education and this work clarifies the nuts and bolts of it at Sunnyside.
Speaking of theater...Sarah is looking for an adult volunteer to help 8th grade students with the talent show. They need a mentor to help them with the process and production. It is our hope to have a well planned Talent Show as a fundraiser for the arts at the school.
Donate hygiene items for the homeless
Starting Monday we will start collecting hygiene items to give to the homeless. Items can include soaps, shampoo, small first aide and sewing items, toothpaste and toothbrushes, a foldable cup. Please bring items to your child's classroom. We will put these together into packets on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and distribute them. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is also the day we have families make the sack lunches for the church dinner program. This is a great way for families and younger students to participate in what is normally a middle school activity.
Graphic designer help needed
We're looking for a graphic designer to mentor our graphic design service cohort. You would help them design posters, t-shirts and other things the school needs. If you can help, please contact Sarah in the office.
The Neighborhood Tree Project Goes on -
Technology teacher John Richter has mapped the trees around SES using new GPS units funded by a METRO Grant. Now, he is working with students to create a neighborhood tree walk. It will allow neighbors to follow a map that will help them identify trees in the area. We will be looking for business card sponsors in time. If you're interested in sponsoring or helping with this project, please contact John at jrichter@pps.k12.or.us.
Organic turkey sale
Two alumni are raising and selling organic turkeys for Thanksgiving. Order forms will be available at the school and can be left in Jan's box. The turkeys will be delivered to the school. Look for brochures in the main hallway or in Jan's room.
STUDENT EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
Sewing / Handcrafts Class
When: Tuesdays, 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
Where: In the upstairs teacher's lounge in the MS wing.
What: This is a class funded by Multnomah County for students in grades 5 through 8. Students are welcome to come sew, knit and crochet. Parents and grandparents are invited to join us. Students can register at the first class and throughout the year.
Community Band (not lessons)
With some help and encouragement of a kindergarten parent, SES is restarting its community band. There will be two groups. One is for intermediate students on Tuesday mornings and one is for middle school students on Thursday mornings. It will be what we once called a garage band or a jamming session: getting together, making a band and having fun. Although there will be some instruction, it is not lessons. Parents with skill and enthusiasm are encouraged to join in to make this most successful and teachers have been known to join in. Students who do not play an instrument can sing or add some rhythm. It is a community band and should not be confused with other types of bands. For more information, contact Sarah in the office.
Tuesdays ( grades 3-4-5 )
Thursdays ( middle )
Both bands will be from 8 to 8:45 am with sign up next week at the first meeting. Mo Phillips is directing. He can be reached at 503-729-5583 if you want to join or ask questions.
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Site Council:
Site council and parent involvement and nature walks and talks...
Site
Council minutes are being posted on the sesptsa.com website. Site
council has committed to a monthly family walk and nature night
activity so we will be looking for parents who might be able to lead a
walk or nature night. Its a great way for our parents with expertise
to share. Walks can easily be announced in the messenger and please
talk to Sarah if you a have an idea for a nature night activity.
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LIBRARY UPDATE: MARK YOUR CALENDARS! On Monday, December 7th we have a great opportunity to do some extended hours holiday shopping at A Children's Place Bookstore (4807 NE Fremont St) and raise money for the SES library at the same time! If you shop at this wonderful locally owned bookstore on December 7th (and say you are shopping for Sunnyside) 10% of the money you spend will be given to the SES library so we can enhance our library collection. They'll be open extra hours that day (10am - 8pm) and in addition to children's books, toys, stuffed animals, and cds they have an excellent collection of books for grown-ups too (hand-selected by the marvelous staff). Watch for signs and other reminders about this chance to support the library by going shopping! Thank you. - Kathryn (the librarian)
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From our Americorps Volunteer:
Hygiene Kit Donations Needed!
The Hunger and Homeless Service Learning Group will be putting together hygiene kits to donate to Sunnyside Church the day before Thanksgiving. We will be taking donations of toilettrie items over the next month in order to prepare the hygiene kits. Suggested items are:
--toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, disposable razors, shaving cream, shampoo, deodorant, feminine products, comb/brush, hand sanitizer, etc...
Unopened products are preferred. We are also in need of large plastic baggies that will be used to package the hygiene kits.
A donation box will be in the hallway at SES from 11/2 through 11/25.The hygiene kit creation will coincide with our weekly sandwich making for Sunnyside Church, and we would love to have extra volunteers that day to help.
Thank you all for your help! Please contact me with any questions.
Katie Spear
Americorps Volunteer
Hunger & Homeless Service Learning
email kspear@pdx.edu
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