Creating Class Lists:

In May and June, teachers and administration spend a lot of time working together to create class lists for the next school year.  Our objective is to place each child in a learning environment that with help them to grow academically and social-emotionally.  Each class will be balanced in terms ability levels, English Language Learners, special needs, gender, learning styles and work habits.  This work is complex and important and continues until the first day of school.  Student numbers and staff changes will occur until the first day of school so we will wait until the last week of August to let families know about their children’s class placements.

Combined Grade Classes:

Sunnyside is a small, intimate school and we make every effort to make classes as small as possible with the funding we receive.  Some grades have too many students for one class or not enough for two classes.  We expect to have combined grade 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6 classes for the 2024 - 2025 school year.  Combined classes are not “split classes”.  They are a combination of 2 grades with a balance of student needs and areas of strength.  Throughout the school year, teachers assess students to determine what their learning needs are and then plan learning activities to target what each child needs.  Students in combined classes are taught the curriculum of their grade level.  In addition to meeting students’ needs, combined classes also allow for teachers to collaborate closely with their teaching team to design rich tasks that will benefit all of the students. 

If a parent/guardian has a specific request about student placement for the upcoming school year, a specific process must be followed.   

1.    Parent requests must be sent in the form of a letter to the principal, Mrs. Schmitt, by email kaschmitt@cbe.ab.ca before May 31, 2024. 

2.    Please indicate in your letter a specific learning need for your child.

3.    Friendship requests will not be considered.   Students will be placed with peers that they can work well with. Students are given many opportunities to engage with their peers from their cohorts at recess, lunch recess, and gym/music. 

Moving?

***If your plans have changed and your child is NOT attending Sunnyside next year, please email kaschmitt@cbe.ab.ca .  If you have already let us know on the survey that we sent home in April, you do not need to email.

Thank you for your support!

Krista Schmitt

Principal