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 -- Kindergarten Field Trip to Carpenter Nature Center (Plonsky, Prigge)

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

8 -- Kindergarten Vision/Hearing Screening

9 -- 1st Grade Vision/Hearing Screening

13 -- The Magic of Kindness Assembly

14 -- Indigenous Peoples' Day Assembly

15 -- Picture Day!

16 - 17 -- NO SCHOOL (MEA)

21 -- 1st Grade Fire Safety Presentations

22 -- Kindergarten Fire Safety Presentations

27 -- NO SCHOOL

28 -- NO SCHOOL (Fall Conferences)

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

31 -- End of 1st Quarter

November:

7 -- Sunnyside Dental Clinic

12 -- Fall Picture Retakes

26 & 27 -- NO SCHOOL

Picture Day is coming up at Sunnyside School! Our picture day will take place on Wednesday, 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 5 - 11 is National Fire Prevention Week. Representatives from the Red Wing Fire Department will be visiting Sunnyside on October 21 & 22 to share fire safety information with our students.

For those of you who are participating in Sunnyside's fall Club's Choice fundraiser, September 30 was the last day of the fundraiser. If you have order forms and/or payments to return, please do so ASAP. If you have any materials that will need to be picked up instead of delivered, our pickup day will be Wednesday, October 29th 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/

Sunnyside will kick off Bus Stop and Walk beginning this Wednesday, October 1st and will continue every Wednesday until November 5th (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 1st 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.

This year, for the first time, students at Sunnyside will have the unique opportunity to learn a little about the Dakota language and culture. The district is partnering with Perry Fernands, a teacher of the Dakota language, to offer all classes an opportunity once a month to learn about the Dakota language. Additionally, Ms. Fernands will be be offering any Native American students who work with Miss Ana the opportunity for more immersive language instruction once a week. We're excited for this unique opportunity!

Please click the links below to view Sunnyside's breakfast and lunch menus for the month of October.

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 as there is a different form teachers submit for those. 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.