Dear Sunnyside School Families 

We’ve completed our first week of school, and students are settling into routines, reconnecting with old friends, and building new friendships. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in our recent council meeting. We greatly appreciate the turnout and the interest shown in supporting our school community. Your ideas, questions, and engagement help us work together to make Sunnyside School an even stronger, more connected place for our students and families. 

ATA Strike Update 

Last week, you should have received an email from CBE sharing that Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) announced that if a negotiated settlement cannot be reached, strike action would begin on Monday, Oct. 6. For now, it is business as usual in CBE schools. Families should continue to send their child(ren) to school. While we’re hopeful that a settlement will be reached before Oct. 6, families should be prepared to make childcare arrangements should a strike occur. You can expect more communication as the situation evolves, and if strike action is expected to begin. You can also find the most up-to-date information on the CBE’s labour action webpage. 

Office Sign In/Out  

Students learn how to recognize safe adults at school by looking for CBE staff badges and volunteer/visitor tags that are available at the office. When visiting the school, please stop by the office to check in. For student pick-up, families are asked to come to the office to sign students in or out. If you email sunnyside@cbe.ab.ca ahead of time, we’ll do our best to have your child ready for you at your planned pick-up time. 

Supervision Before and After School 

Please note that the school does not provide outdoor supervision before the official start time or after the dismissal bell. We ask that families make arrangements to ensure students are supervised during these times. Together, we share the responsibility of supporting students’ safe arrival to and from school. If you notice any concerns or situations where additional support may be needed, please inform your child’s classroom teacher and/or reach out to me directly at smmuir@cbe.ab.ca. 

Trickster Theatre Residency and Grant 

At Sunnyside School, students regularly explore artistic creativity and expression within their classrooms, and we are eager to expand these opportunities through a school-wide residency. Sunnyside School has been awarded a project grant by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) through the Artists & Education funding opportunity which will be applied towards a Trickster Theatre residency that will be held in December. This will enhance student learning experience by blending creative expression, literacy development, and collaborative learning in meaningful and accessible ways. This project directly supports our focus on enhancing literacy outcomes through oral storytelling, creative writing, and performance. It will also strengthen our community connections by bringing students, teachers, and families together in the creation and celebration of an original school-wide production on Thursday, December 18. Through this residency, students will see themselves as contributors and “seeds of change” within their school and beyond. More information to come.  

Bottle Drive Dates  

To support the residency, Sunnyside School will be organizing a series of bottle drives to help cover the portion of the costs not funded through the grant. These bottle drives are a wonderful way for our community to come together in support of this exciting opportunity for students. We encourage all families to participate by bringing refundable bottles and cans to the school on the dates listed below. Every contribution, big or small, will make a difference in helping us bring this unique learning experience to life for our students. Please see the schedule below: 

Walking Field Trip 

Sunnyside School values opportunities for learning on the land. Throughout the year, teachers will engage students in learning outside in all seasons. Attached to this message, you will find a letter that provides information about Walking Trips. Teachers will provide 48 hours' notice for walking field trips. Please ensure your child is prepared for outdoor learning during these exciting experiences. Walking Field Trips 

Busing 

School busing for the year is now underway! If your child requires transportation, families must register through your MyCBE account or contact Caterina for support at sunnyside@cbe.ab.ca. 

Warmly, 

Shannon Muir 

Principal, Sunnyside School   

Sunnyside’s School Council Website

https://www.sunnysideschoolcouncil.com 

Upcoming Dates 

Friday, September 26 – Terry Fox Run 

Monday, September 29 – No School for Students, System Indigenous Learning Day for Staff 

Tuesday, September 30 – No School, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation 

Monday, October 27 Picture Day 

Friday, November 14 Yellow Steps place-based learning residency launches for one week 

The week of December 15-19 with evening performance on Thursday and potential an in-school version on Friday (help with costumes and props maybe be needed)  

January 19 – 22, 26 – 29 and February 2,3 Swimming (volunteers will be needed)