Home of the Bulldogs!

Parents:
Access Sunnyside's May newsletter
Principal's Newsletter

Read Sunnyside's P.I.E. (Partners In Education) May newsletter
P.I.E. Newsletter

Summer Events:

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:

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 Kid Kamp for child care, and an active student council. Sunnyside employs a Partners In Education (P.I.E. 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 an administrative assistant, P.I.E. (Partners In Education) coordinator, two instructional aides, 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:
Colorado Title I Distinguished School Award for Academic Excellence
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 3 100% Grade 4 75% Grade 5 88%
• WRITING Grade 3 95% Grade 4 67% Grade 5 88%
• MATH Grade 3 95% Grade 4 83% Grade 5 75%