The Sunnyside Scoop
School Newsletter -- January, 2024
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: https://www.redwing.k12.mn.us/sunnyside-elementary-school/
Location: 1669 Southwood Avenue, Red Wing, MN, United States
Phone: (651) 385-4570
Principal's Message...
Happy New Year! It's hard to believe 2023 is in the rear view mirror, and it's also hard to believe that we are almost halfway through the school year already. Our first semester of school will end on January 19th, and report cards will be sent home soon thereafter.
So far, the 2023-2024 school year has been a good one here at Sunnyside overall. After the past few years with everything COVID necessitated, it's been really nice to have a more "normal" school year. Having said that, we were seeing an uptick of illness here before the break, namely a mix of RSV, stomach bugs, and COVID, so please continue to encourage your child to practice good hand washing and be sure to keep sick kids at home if they are vomiting, running a fever of 100.4 or higher, and the like. Hopefully, the time off over winter break also helps curb the increase in illness as well.
Mike Pagel
Principal
Dates to Remember...
January:
5 -- Assembly w/ Missoula Children's' Theatre
10 & 11 -- 1st Grade Field Trips to Children's Museum
15 -- NO SCHOOL
19 -- End of 2nd Quarter / 1st Semester
19 -- NO SCHOOL
22 - 24 -- Kids' Heart Challenge (during PE classes)
31 -- Report Cards Sent Home
February:
5 - 15 -- Apex Fun Run Fundraiser
9 -- NO SCHOOL (Sunnyside & Burnside Students Only)
12 -- Kindergarten Registration Night (6:00 - 7:00 pm in Sunnyside Gym)
16 -- Author Visit - Rick Chrustowski
19 -- NO SCHOOL
2024 - 2025 Kindergarten Registration
Spread the word! Registration for the 2024 - 2025 school year will kick off on Monday, February 12th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm at Sunnyside. If you have an incoming kindergarten student, please join us for an informational session and a chance to complete district enrollment forms. This session is geared more for parents than students, so please don't feel as though your child needs to attend. We will hold multiple transition events for students later in the spring and summer.
Please note, if school is closed due to weather, the event will be moved to Monday, February 19th instead.
Last Call for Lost & Found
1st Semester Report Cards
4 - Exceeds proficiency expectations based on grade level standards: I know this
skill/concept so well I could explain it to others, or extend it to new situations. I am
significantly above my grade level for this concept.
3 - Meets proficiency expectations based on grade level standards: I know this
skill/concept well enough to have mastered the end-of-year standard.
2 - Partially meets proficiency expectations based on grade level standards: I am still
working toward the grade-level expectation, and getting closer. I have not yet
mastered end-of-year standards, but I’m making progress toward doing so.
1 - Does not meet proficiency expectations based on grade level standards: Even with
help, I do not understand this skill/concept. I still need support to perform in this
area.
Please carefully read what these grades mean. One of the tendencies for those of us who grew up within a traditional grading system is to naturally equate any grading scale with an “A/B/C/D/F” scale. Please don’t! A grade of "3" means a student has mastered the end-of-year standard, so it is to be expected that most students will have a number of grades of "2" and even "1" at this point of the year. A "2" at this point means a student is making progress and is likely on track to meet the grade level standard. If you have specific concerns about your child's report card, please contact his/her teacher, as she will be able to provide you with even more detailed information about your child's progress.
December Charity Project Results
FastBridge Assessments
During the week of January 8 - 12, students will complete some assessments known as FastBridge. FastBridge is a set of reading and math assessments that teachers use to measure student learning, and is completed three times a year. FastBridge scores help teachers to know what kind of teaching each student needs to help them grow, both individually and as part of the whole class.
December Winger Pride Winners
- Graysen Anderson (kindergarten)
- Genysys Dougherty (kindergarten)
- Jason Schneider (kindergarten)
- Ivy Williams (kindergarten)
- William Amberg (1st grade)
- Sedmareion Brown (1st grade)
- Maverick Cady (1st grade)
- Lainey Gebhart (1st grade)
American Heart Association Kids' Heart Challenge
During the month of January, Sunnyside is going to raise money for the American Heart Association and be completing the Kids Heart Challenge during PE! Fundraising is optional, and all students will participate in the event during PE class even if they choose not to fundraise. Mr. Johnson will be sending home paper copies of the fundraising forms in the next couple of days, but you can also check out the information from the American Heart Association below.
Kids Heart Challenge™ is Coming!
It's time to CELEBRATE heart health with the Heart Heroes! Our school is kicking off a service-learning program, Kids Heart Challenge, on January 3rd, 2024.
If you are interested, register your child HERE, or download the Kids Heart Challenge app.
Challenge your student to get ahead of the game and complete Finn's Mission before kickoff! You can complete Finn's Mission by registering online at the link above.
Every student who completes Finns Mission will be…
- Entered in a drawing to pie Mr. Johnson and (maybe) Mr. Pagel IN THE FACE!
- Entered to win 2025 Superbowl tickets
- Every 18 students who complete will get Sunnyside entered in to win a $10K gym makeover!
Thank you so much for supporting our school and the American Heart Association!
January Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Volunteer at Sunnyside!
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!
Make Sure You're Informed!!!
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.