The Sunnyside Scoop
School Newsletter -- August, 2018
About Us
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
Principal's Message...
Welcome to Sunnyside Elementary School! We’re excited you are part of our Sunnyside family and can’t wait for the 2018-2019 school year to begin! At Sunnyside, we believe strongly in the importance of relationships and in the value of rigor. Your child will be challenged here at Sunnyside, but supported every step of the way by caring adults. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or to me with questions, suggestions, or concerns.
The 2018-2019 school year is an exciting one at Sunnyside. This summer, our building underwent some significant upgrades, which included an expanded parking lot with a dedicated drop-off and pick-up loop, more secure building access, new flooring and restroom finishes throughout, and a new heating system. I’m excited for students and families to check it out!
Several new staff members will be joining our team at Sunnyside this year as well. It’s always exciting to infuse a building with fresh energy and new ideas to complement the wealth of experience and wisdom of an experienced staff. I truly think we have a great balance here at Sunnyside!
Also new this year is the addition of a STEM special throughout the year for all elementary students in Red Wing. STEM is an interdisciplinary approach to learning rigorous science, technology, engineering, and math skills and concepts. We are implementing Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum, which is also utilized at Twin Bluff Middle School and Red Wing High School. In addition, we are developing a Makerspace at Sunnyside this year, which will complement our new STEM special. A Makerspace, in simplest terms, is a space where students gather to create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and materials. The focus is on hands-on, open-ended, experiential learning. Makerspaces encourage collaboration, as well as creative thinking and experimentation - all the sorts of lifelong learning qualities we hope to develop in our students.We are very excited for this opportunity for our students to develop high-demand 21st century skills.
Sunnyside should be an exciting place to be this year, and we’re glad you are part of our family. There is a lot of Winger Pride here at Sunnyside, and we’re excited to get the new school year started. On behalf of all of us here at Sunnyside, welcome to the 2018-2019 school year!
Mike Pagel
Principal
Dates to Remember...
September:
4 -- Sunnyside Open House (3:30 - 5:30 pm)
5 -- First Day of School for 1st -12th grades
5 -- Mini-Conferences for kindergarten families (see placement letter for scheduled time)
6 & 7 -- Transition days for kindergarten students (see placement letter for which day your child should attend)
18 -- Fall Picture Day
24 -- Fall Clubs Choice Fundraiser Kicks Off
Make Sure You're Informed!!!
Be sure to click the links above 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.
Sunnyside Open House
NEW Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures at Sunnyside
With the restructuring of Sunnyside’s main parking lot over the summer, there are some significant changes to our student drop-off and pick-up procedures this year. We do encourage students to ride the bus to school if possible. However, if you do choose to drive your child to school, there are designated areas and procedures that families must follow for the safety of all students. Please read the following procedures very carefully, and do not hesitate to contact Sunnyside at (651) 385-4570 if you have any questions.
MORNING DROP-OFF PROCEDURES:
Option 1: Use the Drop-Off Lane
Parents may drop off students in the right lane of the drop-off loop from 7:35 – 8:15 am. Parents must stay in the car, and students should exit on the curb (passenger) side only. Students should never be dropped off in the pull-through lane, nor should they exit on the traffic (driver’s) side of a vehicle. In addition, please avoid dropping students in other areas of the parking lot, for both safety and traffic-flow reasons.
Option 2: Park & Enter
If parents prefer to walk their child to their backpack line or need to enter the building for any reason, they will need to park in one of the designated spaces in the main lot off Southwood Avenue. If the lot is full, parents may park along Southwood Avenue. Please do not park anywhere along designated fire lanes within the parking lot. Any parent who needs to enter the building will need to enter through the front door and check in at the main office (don’t forget your ID!)
AFTERNOON PICK-UP PROCEDURES:
Option 1: Use the Pick-Up Lane
This year, students being picked up will be lined up by class outside near the pick-up lane at 2:50 pm (see inclement weather exception below). To pick up in this lane, simply pull forward to the farthest available spot in the pick-up lane. Your child may then walk to the vehicle and enter on the curb (passenger) side only. Students will be taught to wait until their parent’s vehicle has fully stopped and to notify an adult supervisor before walking to their car. Once your child is buckled, use the pull-through lane to exit to the main lot. Some other considerations:
- If your child does not see you or recognize the vehicle you are driving, please roll your passenger window down and talk to one of the staff members stationed along the sidewalk.
- If your child is not in the pick-up lines for some reason, you may be asked to park in a designated space and report to the office.
Option 2: Park and Walk to the Pick-Up Zone
Parents may park in one of the designated spaces in the main lot off Southwood Avenue and walk up to the pick-up lines to meet their child(ren). If the lot is full, parents may park along Southwood Avenue. Please note the following:
- Please wait until students have reached the pick-up zone before notifying the adult monitoring your child’s line and taking your child. Picking up students on the way to the pick-up zone can cause confusion and inadvertently create an unsafe situation. Please be patient – the safety of all students is our first priority. Students will not be dismissed before they reach the pick-up zone.
- If your child is not in the pick-up lines for some reason, you may be asked to report to the office to resolve the situation.
Inclement Weather Procedure
In the case of inclement weather (rain, temps below zero, etc.), student pick-up lines will be moved to the main gym. In that case, all parents will need to park in a designated space or along Southwood Avenue and enter the building to pick up their child(ren). Please do not park in designated fire lanes (including the drop-off/pick-up loop).
Other Points of Emphasis
- Please be patient! With a building full of young students, it always takes a few weeks at the beginning of the year for pick-up and drop-off to run smoothly and efficiently.
- Student safety is #1! We know some of this can be inconvenient at times, but student safety needs to trump parent convenience.
- Avoid the Maple Street (back) entrance! Our buses enter off Maple Street and this is not a safe area for students to be dropped off.
- If your child’s end-of-day plans change, it is really important that you notify Sunnyside early. Late changes tend to lead to confusion.
Project Lead the Way Comes to Sunnyside!
All Red Wing elementary students will now experience STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) learning in a specialist class! Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum will be utilized throughout the school year in all grades K through 4. This creates consistency as middle and high school students also participate in PLTW courses. Our STEM Specialist, Mrs Rumpca, is excited and ready to go! Check out the PLTW introductory video below!
Have you checked out WingerSOAR.org?
K-4 Community Connections (K4CC) Leadership Team
Sunnyside and Burnside Schools are looking for volunteers to serve on a K-4 Community Connections (K4CC) Leadership Team for the 18-19 school year. We plan to meet monthly..
You would be a part of a team that plans regular K4CC events throughout the school year. Families are crucial in planning events that are meaningful to our community. Whether it be for the purpose of gathering input, learning about important topics, or simply community building, the school cannot plan them alone!
Please consider joining this team! Click HERE to share your interest.
Home Athletic Event Reminders
In an effort to encourage a positive climate at all Winger events, the RWHS Activities Department wants to remind all families that it is expected that all students behave in a respectful manner whenever attending high school sponsored activities. Inappropriate behavior, disorderly conduct or behavior which is not characteristic of good sportsmanship may result in suspension from attending future activities or from school. All school rules apply to school sponsored events. Please note that School Board policy states that no elementary or middle school students will be admitted to Red Wing School District #256 High School varsity football games unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Follow Sunnyside On Social Media!
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!