I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break. We look forward to welcoming students back tomorrow. As we return, our focus will be on re-establishing routines that support kindness, respect, and positive interactions within our learning community, while ensuring a smooth transition back into learning. We will be working closely with students to reconnect with peers, continue building strong learning habits alongside social-emotional practices as we begin the final term of the school year. 

Ongoing Assessment and Growth 

This time of year is an important period for ongoing assessment and growth. Students continue to develop their skills and demonstrate their understanding across subject areas. Our teachers are working closely with students to set goals, provide meaningful feedback, and ensure that each child feels confident and supported as they progress toward the end of the year. During recent parent-teacher conferences, teachers shared strategies and ideas for supporting learning at home. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher(s) if you would like more information.  

Weather and Clothing 

Weather conditions continue to change quickly and significantly, and we often experience a mix of sun, rain, snow, and muddy ground throughout the week at school. We kindly ask that students come prepared for these changing conditions so they can remain comfortable and ready to learn, both indoors and outdoors, and so that we can minimize the need to contact families for additional clothing during the school day. 

As students enjoy outdoor recess and learning activities, having appropriate clothing makes a meaningful difference in their day. We encourage families to pack a change of clothes in their child’s backpack, including socks and pants, in case they become wet or muddy. While many students already have extra clothing at school, we are noticing that some items may now be too small as children have grown since they were first packed. A quick check and update of these items will help ensure students stay comfortable and are able to fully participate in all parts of their day. 

Gratitude and Upcoming Events 

We would also like to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to our families and community members. Your ongoing support, whether through volunteering, attending events, supporting learning at home, or events at school plays a vital role in creating a strong and caring school community. We are grateful for the partnership we share. 

Monday 

This week, students will be participating in our “Read My Shirt” day on Monday. This is a fun and simple school-wide activity where students are invited to wear a shirt with words on it—such as a favourite sports team, a positive message, a character, or any written text—and then take time during the day to read and notice the different messages they see on classmates’ shirts. It encourages literacy in a lighthearted way, sparks conversation, and helps students connect with one another through shared interests and curiosity. Read-A-Thon forms will also be collected on Monday and Tuesday this week. Prizes will start to be announced Thursday.  

Monday and Tuesday Lacrosse Residency (Free!)  

I’m excited to share that Sunnyside School was the fortunate recipient of a free two-day lacrosse residency after I entered our school into a draw. As a result, we will be welcoming the Elev8 Lacrosse residency for two days (Monday and Tuesday) of engaging physical activity and skill development. 

Students will have the opportunity to participate in skill-based lacrosse sessions led by experienced instructors who focus on developing fundamental movement skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. These sessions are designed to be inclusive and fun, helping students build confidence, coordination, and a positive introduction to a new sport. We are grateful for this exciting opportunity, which supports our commitment to providing rich and varied physical activity experiences for all learners. This will be in addition to regular Physical Education and Health lessons. 

Thursday 

At school, we will be hosting a Bottle Drive led by our Kindergarten students, along with a Camp Chief Hector Outdoor School Parent Information Night from 6:00–7:00 p.m. We appreciate the enthusiasm and support from our community as students take part in these meaningful experiences and families learn more about upcoming opportunities. 

As always, please continue to watch for upcoming communications for important dates, events, and reminders. Our weekly updates are intended to help keep families informed, connected, and engaged in school life. 

Sunnyside’s School Council webpage: https://www.sunnysideschoolcouncil.com