The Sunnyside Outdoor Learning Project is
 proceeding and will be completed before school
 begins in August, 2006.  We would like to take
 this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all that
 have contributed to this project, it is greatly
 appreciated.  We can't wait to have our students
 share in the many learning possibilities this area
 will offer year after year.

            Sunnyside  Elementary

Summer Events Include:

 Principal Newsletter

Parent Partner Newsletter

Durango Branch Library

Third Grade Bulldogs  

Mission Statement:
Sunnyside students will meet the challenges of the 21st century with the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to succeed in an ethnically diverse, global environment.

Vision Statement:
Sunnyside will be a model, two section school with a reputation for caring and accepting all individual differences and where students academically excel.

    Competent, resourceful independent learners
    Students excelling at their highest potential in reading, writing, and math goals
    Programs for students that meet their interests and needs including programs for the educationally challenged and advanced
    Students who love to come to school and who enjoy learning
    Students who are technologically advanced
    Students who use, enjoy, and care for the environmental natural resources around their community 

Sunnyside will be staffed with highly qualified and motivated staff members who engage in progressive best practices and who are aware of the changing societal goals while continuing to be life-long learners. 

    Collaborate daily during school hours
    Expanded staff of certified and classified personnel
    State of the art technology hardware in every class with programs operating to meet individual needs
    There is an abundance of learning materials available due to an adequate budget 

Sunnyside will foster the development of a large, positive, and involved parent/community that is supportive of their children and the academic environment.

Educational Program:
Sunnyside offers a developmentally appropriate curriculum, based on the Colorado State Standards, to all students in preschool through fifth grade. Sunnyside is a small rural school with all of the services offered in the larger schools while providing a "family" environment. There are seven classrooms, one section per grade Preschool-5. Preschool is a full-day program Monday - Thursday. Kindergarten is a full-day program, Monday - Friday.
The reading program consists of a balanced approach to literacy. The components are: Core Reading (small flexible achievement groups, which teach skills and strategies), Guided Reading (small instructional groups which apply reading skills and strategies to the content areas), Shared Reading (small group or whole classroom group with the teacher interacting and reading aloud with students while teaching skills or strategies), Teacher Read Aloud, SSR (daily independent student practice), Open Court (K-3 small and whole group phonics instruction), and other resources. (Read Naturally, Buddy Reading, and Orten Gillingham techniques are used when appropriate)
Writing instruction uses the strategies and skill of Step Up To Writing and 6-Traits Writing. Sunnyside uses small Core Writing groups in grades 4 and 5. The Rebecca Sitton spelling philosophy is used.
Math concepts and standards are taught and reinforced using Math Trailblazers. Students also practice "facts" on a daily basis using flash cards, mad minutes, and a variety of other activities.
Science is a hands-on curriculum (FOSS) and is tied to the nonfiction reading program.

Special Services:
Sunnyside has many special programs; T.R.A.C.K., Destination ImagiNation, choir, orchestra, after-school art classes taught by the Durango Arts Force, Study Connection, an after-school enrichment program: Kid's Kamp, and an active student council. Sunnyside employs a Partner In Education (PIE) Coordinator to welcome parents and to encourage parent participation. There is an active Parent/Teacher Association. The Sunnyside library is a County Public Library and has reading materials for all ages as well as evening computer classes open to the whole community. This year the library has been selected to be a "practicing" power library.

Sunnyside Staff:
There are seven classroom teachers and eight special teachers. Sunnyside employs a secretary, Parent Partner coordinator, health aide, cafeteria manager, media aide and two custodians.

Special Programs or Activities:
In addition to the regular classroom curricula, Sunnyside has the following class possibilities: physical education, music, orchestra, choir, GT, resource for students with special needs, counseling, art, and a Title I Reading program.

 Accomplishments/Highlights:
Sunnyside students have performed well on the CSAP tests. Sunnyside continues to exceed the state and district results.
Percent of students performing in the proficient to the advanced range:

• READING Grade 3 95% Grade 4 85% Grade 5 89%
• WRITING Grade 3 95% Grade 4 75% Grade 5 72%
• MATH Grade 3 89% Grade 4 85% Grade 5 89%