Sunnyside PTSA Weekly Update April 13, 2023 🌻

~ Find the latest Messenger newsletter from the SES office here. ~

Hello Sunnyside!
It is almost impossible to believe that our IN BLOOM Sunnyside auction and gala is only three short weeks away! 🌸 🌹 🌺 🌷 🌼 🌻 If you’re like many busy parents who are overwhelmed by emails and fundraisers and all the things, we totally get it! That’s why we’re sending this reminder and callout to let you know that this is THE event you really don’t want to miss!!

Sunnyside’s annual auction and gala has a rich history and is our most treasured 💎 and important fundraiser of the year! It’s at Revolution Hall , folks! And there is a live band, many great amazing auction items, 🏆 a best-dressed contest, special cocktails and mocktails 🍹 and a really great opportunity to connect with other SES parents and staff! 😎

You can still bid in our online auction starting April 21, make a donation, or consider volunteering!” We need all kinds of helping hands to make this event happen, and you get a FREE ticket if you sign up to help out.

Get tickets now for Saturday, May 6!

💐 "In Bloom" PTSA Spring Gala + Auction

🌹Saturday, May 6, 2023

🌼 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

🌺 Revolution Hall’s Show Bar & Patio

EMCEE: Mo Phillips
FEATURING: Live Music by Kris DeeLane & The Hurt
TICKETS: On Sale HERE!
➡️ We are still accepting more auction items and party board hosts until April 14! Submit your ideas by filling in this donation form.
SES GALA PARTY BOARDS?
What the heck are these anyway? Party Boards are small group parties that you sign up for in person at the Gala. You pay a small price to join the party and100% of your donation goes toward our SES school activities as part of our fundraising revenue. They are a lot of fun, easy to put together and make for great community building. Previous party examples have been D&D Gaming, Steal the Chicken, Movie Night with Gillian, Margaritas, and Music, and more. So if you’ve got an idea, a talent, or a fun idea to share, reach out to Leslie and I for more information. Need a little convincing or to be connected with another to make a board happen, we’ll help you figure it out. Interested but don’t really have an idea? Pick one from this Party Board Ideas list. We’re excited to hear from you!

Leslie leslielothamer
Becky mkoleary.mk

Gratefully,
Auburn + Heather, PTSA Co-Presidents

School Happenings 📅
PTSA MEETING THIS FRIDAY! 💃
Join us this Friday, April 14 at 8:45 am in room 102 for our general monthly PTSA meeting. 4th-grade teacherJeremy Thomas will be there to talk about contract negotiations for teachers, and we’ll hear an update on the In Bloom gala! Bring your coffee mugs, friends! ☕ Huge shoutout to Oblique coffee roasters for keeping us caffeinated. ❤ ❤ Can’t join? Here is a virtual link so you can pop in from home!

BIKE BUS IS BACK!! 🚲 🎉

Grab your helmet, let’s ride together! With the spring weather and longer daylight, we are happy to welcome the Bike Bus back to Sunnyside after Spring Break. Kids are welcome to join each Wednesday morning on their bikes, with or without their grownups – there will be adults leading each route.
Starting Wednesday April 5th.
Meet at 8:20, ride at 8:25.
Meet at:
Taylor & 41st (East)
Pine & 32nd (North)
Salmon & 23rd (West)
Or join in along the way!

Coffee with the Principal
Coming next month, our very first official launch with Principal Eryn! We will get to hear all about the amazing things happening at SES!
April 21 and May 19:, 8:45-9:45am at SES SAVE THE DATES!

School Programming 🏫 🎒
SES PTSA and Portland Drama Club Present: WILLY WONKA! WHEN: April 28th at 7pm AND April 29th at 2 and 5pm
WHERE: SES Auditorium
WHO: Grades 5-8

In the coming weeks, you will hear more about this delightfully fun musical starring 3 dozen performers from grades 5-8! We hope that everyone will come out to support the cast and enjoy a very special show in our very own theatre!
We have oodles of fun VOLUNTEER opportunities ahead! 👱 👋
We need ticket sellers! We will be selling candy, 🍬 🍭 baked goods, 🍪 and flowers 🌻at each show so we need sellers and goodie-makers! Please know that if you sign up to sell tickets 🎟 or goodies ❤ at a show you will also be able to WATCH!

Please sign up for ONE or MANY open slots – https://www.signupgenius. com/go/30E094DACAE2CAAF85- willy1

Sustainability Programming 🌎
Farmer Nathan’s Weekly Update: 👢 🐮 🐣 🐛 🕷 🌿 We are in the gardens full time again! With the last frost date around the corner we are planting all of the seeds we have. The kiddos are so excited to get the potatoes and strawberries into the ground next! Last week, we got all of our fruit trees planted and they were labeled with wooden stakes! Take a walk around and see if you can find all eight trees! – Nathan

Plant Seedling Sale coming May 31!
While it feels like this rain will never end, 🌧 🌈 it will be time to plant our summer gardens soon! 🍅 🍆 Save the date for Wednesday, May 31! Our wonderful SES Sustainability Coordinator, Farmer Nathan Broden, 🐔 🐓 🌱 will be collaborating with the PTSA to hold an after-school seedling sale to help raise funds for the SES school gardening program! Details coming soon!

As always, consider donating to Fred Meyer Rewards and change your beneficiary to Sunnyside Environmental School!
Questions, ideas or submissions for future newsletters? Email Heather at tanky34 or Auburn at auburnmarie3

Sunnyside PTSA Weekly Update Wednesday, April 06, 2023

~ Find the latest Messenger newsletter from the SES office here. ~

Sunnyside families!
We are certainly IN BLOOM right now! Please read below for the incredible Read-a-Thon results, tickets for our Spring Gala (May 6), Party Boards , the return of Bike Bus and so much more!

Our next PTSA meeting will be Friday, April 14th at 8:45am in Room 102. Teacher Jeremy will be joining to discuss what teachers are bargaining for and how you can help support their efforts! Join us for Oblique Coffee (bring your mug!), community, and great conversation about making the school experience better than ever for our kiddos.

See you there!
Heather & Auburn

IN BLOOM! Spring Gala is COMING!!! And we need YOU!!
1. Get Tickets to the Gala on May 6th!
2. Online Auction goes live April 21st. Last day to submit party board (more below) or donation items is April 9th. Email fundraising.
3. Volunteer!!!!

SES GALA PARTY BOARDS
Hey all, with the Gala fast approaching Leslie and I are reaching out about Party Boards. What’s that you say? Party Boards are small group parties that you sign up for in person at the Gala. They are a lot of fun, easy to put together and make for great community building. Previous party examples have been D&D Gaming, Steal the Chicken, Movie Night with Gillian, Margaritas, and Music, and more.

So if you’ve got an idea, a talent, or a fun idea to share, reach out to Leslie and I for more information. Need a little convincing or to be connected with another to make a board happen, we’ll help you figure it out. Interested but don’t really have an idea? Pick one from this Party Board Ideas list.

We’re excited to hear from you! Leslie leslielothamer
Becky mkoleary.mk

SUNNYSIDE FAMILY IN NEED
We have a family who has come forward and asked for support from the Sunnyside community. This family is seriously struggling and could really use any donation – large or small – or a gift card to Fred Meyer’s. If you are able to donate to this anonymous fund, please do so by April14th. You can drop a gift card off with Michelle in the office, or donate via this Venmo. Thank you!

BIKE BUS IS BACK!!

Grab your helmet, let’s ride together! With the spring weather and longer daylight, we are happy to welcome the Bike Bus back to Sunnyside after Spring Break. Kids are welcome to join each Wednesday morning on their bikes, with or without their grownups – there will be adults leading each route.
Starting Wednesday April 5th.
Meet at 8:20, ride at 8:25.
Meet at:
Taylor & 41st (East)
Pine & 32nd (North)
Salmon & 23rd (West)
Or join in along the way!

THE RESULTS ARE IN FOR READ-A-THON 2023!

Holy moly!!! You all rocked this thing! Thank YOU, Sunnyside Community! We made almost $43,000. for our school programs! This is all you! You’re amazing!!

This year was so much fun thanks to all the volunteers that helped me make it happen, Gillian & Becky, you all for sharing with friends and family and OF COURSE our amazing students and teachers for participating in the events, reading and their LOVE for books!!!

The results for top fundraisers, top readers, top classrooms, top grade groups are in as well. We will be delivering prize certificates (and physical prizes) to students very soon. If your student is the recipient of a prize that contains a choice of prizes or gift cards I have emailed you so please check your email and respond ASAP.

Top Fundraising Classrooms:

• K-2 Michelle
• 3-5 Monica
• 6-8 Michael

Top Reading/participation Classrooms:

• K-2 Eric
• 3-5 Asa
• 6-8 Carrie/Mary Gage (tied)

Classroom with the MOST TOTAL reading units: Allye’s K classroom!

Top Fundraisers K-2:

1. Mara Kelly Patterson ($100 @ Kids at Heart and a stuffie)
2. Sam Hutchison ($75 worth of your choice gift cards)
3. Billie Castro ($30 Books with Pictures gift card)
4. Hazel Palochak ($30 Books with Pictures gift card)

Top Fundraisers 3-5:

1. Ramona Ewald (your choice: Nintendo Switch, Great Wolf Lodge (with pass for 2), or custom shoes backpack)
2. Rowan Black ONeal ($75 worth of your choice gift cards)
3. Bennett Lembo ($30 Books with Pictures gift card)
4. Aviva Myint ($30 Books with Pictures gift card)

Top Fundraisers 6-8:

1. Ronan Hill (your choice: Nintendo Switch, Great Wolf Lodge (with pass for 2), or custom shoes backpack)
2. Ames Black ONeal ($75 worth of your choice gift cards)
3. Emma Auger ($30 Books with Pictures gift card)
4. Opal Woodbury ($30 Books with Pictures gift card)

WINNER OF THE SUNNYSIDE HOUSE CUP FOR 2023 IS K-2!

Top 3 readers per grade for the whole school! All will get a $5 Powell’s Gift Card and the top for each grade (bolded names) will also receive a book bundle!

Lily Pritchard, Ben Renfro, Issac Kahn, Isaac Bennett. Paxton Alexander, Billie Castro, Ellis Beebe, Quill Harrison, Theo Hedstrom, Nina Mordarski Stultz, Malachi Voelker, Calder Amderson, Ouray Speelman, Leo Cohen, Rowan Moon Bell, Jackson Habalar, Ada Gwozdziewycz, Ellie Nine, Lenny Henderson, SIta Niemann, Opal Woodbury, Kaya Lancaster, Mara Kelly Patterson, Conlee Hansen & Ruth Hatfield

And, finally, ALL 241 kids who turned in the read-a-thon brochures and/or got donations online will get a free ice cream card from Dairy Hill!!!

I am in awe of y’all and so happy to be part of this community!
Cheers,
Leslie
leslielothamer

Coffee with the Principal is back!
So excited to announce these: Coming next month, dedicated time with Principal Eryn, to hear all about the amazing things happening at SES? SAVE THE DATES!
April 21 and May 19, 8:45-9:45am at SES

As always, consider donating to Fred Meyer Rewards and change your beneficiary to Sunnyside Environmental School!
Questions, ideas or submissions for future newsletters? Email Heather at tanky34 or Auburn at auburnmarie3

Sunnyside PTSA Weekly Update Wednesday, March 22, 2023

~ Find the latest Messenger newsletter from the SES office here. ~

Hello Sunnyside!

Did you know that right before Spring Break is the toughest time of the school year for many teachers? Let’s show our amazing SES teachers our support!

In their contract negotiations, PPS teachers are demanding smaller class sizes and other important changes that will only improve your child’s education! One BIG way you can help is by filling out this PETITION to support educators during the bargaining. And don’t forget, TUESDAYS are for wearing blue!

Questions? Feel free to reach out to 4th-grade teacher Jeremy Thomas – jtinpdx1975. Jeremy will also be joining us at our April 14th General PTSA meeting to talk more about these crucial negotiations. Please SAVE THE DATE and join us!

Gratefully,
Auburn + Heather, PTSA Co-Presidents

Fundraisers

Save the Date!

“In Bloom” PTSA Spring Gala + Auction

Saturday, May 6, 2023

5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Revolution Hall’s Show Bar & Patio

EMCEE : Mo Phillips
FEATURING : Live Music by Kris DeeLane & The Hurt
TICKETS: On Sale April 3

We are still accepting more auction items and party board hosts until April 9! Submit your ideas by filling in this donation form.

Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up!
Y’all are amazing. Thanks for sending your kids to school with so much joy for reading. It really shows!

Please turn in your reading map (with total reading units and adult signature) and any physical pledges (cash or checks made out to the SES PTSA) before Spring Break! Extra forms are in the office, library, or here. EVERYONE who turns in their reading map and form office will get a free ice cream from Dairy Hill!!

We still have a few AMAZING signed books from our guest authors. Help us out by purchasing Emily Whitman’s The Turning, a coming of age story about a selkie boy & his mother OR Amber Keyer’s, The Way Back from Broken, a wilderness survival story about overcoming grief. Thanks! Prize winners will be announced after Spring Break.

Sustainability Programming
Farmer Nathan’s Corner: *NEW Weekly Column!
HAPPY SPRING!!!! We have been busy waking up the gardens from their winter slumber! The cover crop has been tilled in and beds have been worked. We are busy seeding our long season flowers, brassicas, onions, shallots, leeks and chives in the Garden Classroom. We have started transplanting and direct-seeded sugar snap peas. We also made fun forts for the students to climb up out of branches we pruned from the fruit trees. It has been a blast being back in the gardens with the students and we are all loving these sunny days! Also, stay tuned for information coming next week about a Seedling Sale and a Garden Club, both launching later in Spring! Thanks always for letting me do what I love, learning and growing with your kiddos!

– Nathan

School Happenings
Bike Bus is BACK for Spring 2023!

Grab your helmet, let’s ride together! With the spring weather and longer daylight, we are happy to welcome the Bike Bus back to Sunnyside after Spring Break. Kids are welcome to join each Wednesday morning on their bikes, with or without their grownups – there will be adults leading each route.
Starting Wednesday April 5th: Meet at 8:20, ride at 8:25!
Meeting Points:
Taylor & 41st (East)
Pine & 32nd (North)
Salmon & 23rd (West)
Or join in along the way!

PTSA is excited to present: Family Art Night!
As part of our work as a staff, equity team, parent involvement, and site council, there has been an ask for more community events to connect our community with the work we do here in our classrooms around identity, race, justice, and inclusiveness. We are excited to present the first speaker. Please see the linked poster (also embedded below).

Coffee with the Principal is back!
So excited to announce these: Coming next month, dedicated time with Principal Eryn, to hear all about the amazing things happening at SES? SAVE THE DATES!
April 21 and May 19, 8:45-9:45am at SES

As always, consider donating to Fred Meyer Rewards and change your beneficiary to Sunnyside Environmental School!
Questions, ideas or submissions for future newsletters? Email Heather at tanky34 or Auburn at auburnmarie3

Sunnyside PTSA Weekly Update
April 19, 2023 🌻

~ Find the latest Messenger newsletter from the SES office here. ~

Hello Sunnyside! 🌈 🌿 🌟 🌧 🐛

If you missed last week’s PTSA meeting, we heard from Jeremy Thomas, fourth grade teacher at SES, 🍏 🍎 about the ongoing teacher contract negotiations and how you can get involved. This is the first bargaining contract opportunity teachers have had since the pandemic, allowing educators to take an important pause to think about the following questions:

– What is valuable about school? 🌍
– What do kids need? 👦 👧 👸 👶 🕵 👼 💆
– What is working at school and what isn’t working? 🆗 😉 👍 👌

Teachers are focused on building solidarity and unity with parents so they can fill educational gaps and rebuild trust in schools after several challenging years. ❤ So, how can you help?

– Wear Blue on Tuesdays! 💙 👕 👗
– Sign the petition and stay up to date! 🤘 📝

Gratefully,
Auburn + Heather, PTSA Co-Presidents

Fundraising 🏫 🎒
Get tickets NOW for Saturday, May 6! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
ATTENTION PARENTS: YOUR "IN BLOOM" GALA TO-DO LIST:

1. Tickets! May 6 Gala tickets (tiered pricing) are on sale now!
2. Volunteer! We need all kinds of helping hands to make this event happen, and you get a FREE ticket if you sign up to help out. (Just one little shift is all it takes!)
3. Bid in the Auction! The online auction goes live on Friday, April 21 – look out for a detailed email blast when it drops!

All the DEETS:

💐 "In Bloom" PTSA Spring Gala + Auction

🌹 Saturday, May 6, 2023

🌼 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

🌺 Revolution Hall’s Show Bar & Patio

EMCEE : Mo Phillips
FEATURING : Live Music by Kris DeeLane & The Hurt
TICKETS: On Sale HERE!

Help Bring BIPOC Dance and Mural Artist to Sunnyside! 🎭 🎨 💃
Teachers Robin and Iris are hoping to bring in talented local dancer and artist Empwo to Sunnyside Environmental to help lead a group of students in painting a permanent mural to remain at Sunnyside for years to come. Empwo also incorporates break dancing into student activities, and would bring in performances for kindergarten through eight graders to enjoy. If you’d like to donate to Robin and Iris’ Go Fund me Campaign, you can do so here! 💲

School Programming 🏫 🎒

Coffee with the Principal
Join us for our our very first official launch with Principal Eryn this Friday, April 21 from 8:45 to 9:45 am in Room 102. 🏫 😃 Please join us for an intimate chat with Eryn and a chance to hear all about the amazing things happening at SES! We’ll have free coffee for all, thanks to the amazing Oblique coffee roasters, so BYOM! (Bring your own mug, friends.) ☕ ☕ ☕

BIKE BUS IS BACK!! 🚲 🎉

Grab your helmet, let’s ride together! With the spring weather and longer daylight, we are happy to welcome the Bike Bus back to Sunnyside after Spring Break. Kids are welcome to join each Wednesday morning on their bikes, with or without their grownups – there will be adults leading each route.
Starting Wednesday April 5th.
Meet at 8:20, ride at 8:25.
Meet at:
Taylor & 41st (East)
Pine & 32nd (North)
Salmon & 23rd (West)
Or join in along the way!

WILLY WONKA is coming and we need PARENT HELP! 🍭 🍬
In order to make these exciting and enriching opportunities available to our students, we need to do some fundraising to offset the many costs! 💲For Willy Wonka (grades 5-8 production!) that means selling tickets to each of the shows (April 28 and 29), selling concessions, 🍿 baking for our baked goods table, 🍰 and more! Please know that if you sign up to sell tickets or baked goods at one of the three shows, you will also get to watch the performance! 🎭And, yes, your kiddos can certainly help you with your jobs – in fact, we would love the extra hands! Please check out the many shifts still available – starting with before and after school ticket sales next week – and SIGN UP! Thank you! 💟

Sustainability Programming 🌎
Farmer Nathan’s Weekly Update: 👢 🐮 🐣 🐛 🕷 🌿 We are busy planting planting and counting up our votes for the Garden Sticker competition this week! The kiddos worked very hard on the drawings they entered, and counting the votes is way fun! Winner announced next week! – Nathan

Plant Seedling Sale coming May 31!
While it feels like this rain will never end, 🌧 🌈 it will be time to plant our summer gardens soon! 🍅 🍆 Save the date for Wednesday, May 31! Our wonderful SES Sustainability Coordinator, Farmer Nathan Broden, 🐔 🐓 🌱 will be collaborating with the PTSA to hold an after-school seedling sale to help raise funds for the SES school gardening program! Details coming soon!

As always, consider donating to Fred Meyer Rewards and change your beneficiary to Sunnyside Environmental School!

Questions, ideas or submissions for future newsletters? Email Heather at tanky34 or Auburn at auburnmarie3