Sunnyside Mennonite School

News

Following is a list of supplies for you to provide for your student. Try, as much as possible, to keep these items well stocked throughout the year.

 

   Kindergarten

  • Crayola Crayons (24 count)
  • Construction Paper
  • Drawing Paper (Doodling Paper)
  • Pencil Box
  • Scissors
  • Tissues
  • Glue
  • Kindergarten Mat
  • Small Blanket
  • Small Pillow
  • Markers (washable)
  • No Pens, Pencils or Erasers

 

   Grades 1st – 3rd

     

 

  • KJV Bible (Old & New Testament)
  • Good supply of Pencils & Erasers
  • Wide Ruled Notepaper
  • Drawing Pad
  • Construction Paper (1st Grade only)
  • Crayons  (24 count)
  • Markers (washable)
  • Scissors
  • 12” Ruler (with Inches & Centimeters)
  • Glue
  • Tissues
  • Pens (optional)
  • Colored Pencils (24 count)
  • Pencil Box
  • Refuse Receptacle (Desk top)
  • Desktop trinkets to be kept at a minimum
  • Red and Green Ink Pens are Not allowed

 

   Grades 4th – 12th

 

  • KJV Bible (Old & New Testament)
  • Good supply of Pencils (or Eversharp with 6 +/- refill packs)
  • Erasers
  • Blue or Black Ink Pens
  • Colored Pencils (24 count)
  • 12” Ruler (with Inches & Centimeters)
  • Note Paper
  • Optional Items: Pencil Box, Crayons
  • Desktop trinkets to be kept at a minimum
  • Red and Green Ink Pens are Not allowed

 

>>>>NEWS FLASH<<<<

November 12

 

The Honor Roll Students visited Agape Flights in Venice Tuesday morning. They were given a grand tour of the entire place, starting with the front office, upstairs to the administrative offices, then down to the hangar floor where they got up close and personal with several small aircraft. 

 

Tuesday was loading day: they had pallets of boxes filled with goods, waiting to be carefully packed for flying to missionaries in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. Agape Flights serves over 300 missionaries in those countries. Their cargo includes everything from engine parts to goats to Thanksgiving turkey dinners.

 

Their airplane is a mid-1960's model, which they completely reconditioned from the landing gear to the communications gear and the exterior paint. The aircraft's FAA identification number is N316AF, which they chose to represent John 3:16 Agape Flights. It was a very interesting visit; they told us stories about how God has provided for them, even when their former aircraft lost engine power and was ditched in the open ocean. Private pilots volunteered their services, and the flights to supply missionaries continued.

 

Perhaps someday some of your students will fly for Agape Flights. Think about it.

 

Afterward, we had a little time left, so we hopped over to the world-famous Venice Pier at Sharky's Restaurant. There we got to chat with people fishing, and enjoy the splendid view of the Gulf of Mexico. For lunch the students voted to eat at McDonald's; then it was on to the Colonial Oaks gym for Extreme Kickball, Team Two-Square, and general fun. We finished the day with Slurpees.

>>>>NEWS FLASH<<<<

October 5

 

Picture Day is coming up rather quickly: are you ready? Picture Day is planned for October 22, beginning in the morning after chapel.

 

The background is hanging on the wall in Mr. Jason's class room, if you would like to see it. It is a rich, majestic, milk-chocolate brown, with racing streamers curving gracefully through it.

 

You will like it.

 

>>>>NEWS FLASH<<<<

September 30

 

The Honor Students went to Chris Craft's boat manufacturing world headquarters today for the Field Trip.

 

After we arrived there, Lori at the front desk introduced us to Jim, who took us on a full tour of their facilities. Inside the main lobby, we got to see a 1929 model solid-wood cruiser. She was beautiful. Then we went out the door to watch a couple of workers pull a hull off a mold. As we watched, they drilled holes in the hull and pumped compressed air into the void, to break the vacuum so they could separate the hull from the mold.

 

From there, we were able to watch them apply layers of resin and fiberglass in a process they use to strategically strengthen the hull. The next stop was to the paint room, where another worker was diligently stirring a barrel of brown paint to apply to a boat cabin. We also visited the sewing room, where they hand-stitch the upholstery for their water craft.

 

After we inspected the painting process, we went to another building and followed a catwalk above the main assembly floor. There we saw workers installing engines, piecing together instrument panels, applying teak decks, and putting on the finishing touches. Before the boats are shrink-wrapped for transport world-wide (recent orders came from Hong Kong and Finland), they are taken out to their private pond beside the driveway, where each boat is tested for quality control purposes. Our hosts were very kind, and each of us was given a Chris Craft hat - yay!

 

With some time left before lunch, we went to Island Park, visiting the Dolphin Fountain, swinging, skipping stones, climbing trees, and generally being glad we were not working on a math test.

 

After a complicated voting process, the students decided on Taco Bell for lunch, where Kathleen had a sign-language conversation with a gentleman at the next table. She explained to him that no, we are not one family; we are a school group. After that we played at the Colonial Oaks Park until it was Slurpee Time.

 

>>>>NEWS FLASH<<<<

September 25

 

Sgt Laster and Liberty of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Dept. Mounted Patrol Unit visited our school yesterday afternoon. They gave us a presentation on methods of crowd control, traffic regulation, and farrier work.

 

Sgt Laster showed us several pieces of equipment used in mounted patrol police work, such as the riding helmet, special bit and bridle, gas mask, and radar gun. He also showed us the tools he uses in his work as the Patrol Unit's farrier, then he introduced everyone to his partner, Liberty. She stands about 16 hands tall (almost six feet) and is a beautiful bay.

 

Shortly after 3:00, Sgt Laster received a call on his radio that help was needed at a shooting just a half-mile away. He quickly loaded Liberty into the trailer, while several students loaded the equipment and display posters. Within minutes, he was at the scene of the crime, helping to make our community safer.

 

Thank you, Sgt Laster and Liberty, for the time you spent with us, and for the work you do for all of us.

 

>>>>NEWS FLASH<<<<

September 24

 

Accelerated Christian Education has awarded Sunnyside Mennonite School their official Quality Status recognition for the 2008-2009 term. In the letter they sent us, they said, "It is an honor to recognize and commend your dedication and commitment to spiritual and academic excellence in Christian education."

 

The A.C.E. representative for our region, Timothy Smith, was here yesterday and did a thorough review and inspection of our classroom procedures. During the hour and a half he was here, he answered flags, gave a spelling test, and observed our classroom procedures. He was pleased with what he saw, and even told Mr. Jason that Sunnyside School is "definitely in the top 10%" of A.C.E. schools in the nation. Mr. Smith himself sees well over 400 schools each year, so he has quite a lot of exposure to christian schools. He says we are doing a great job.

 

To the students in grades four through high school, this is a feather in your hat. The A.C.E. Quality Status Award is a credit to your diligence and the rigorous academic standards to which you hold yourselves. You are doing fantastic work!

 

Congratulations!

 

>>>>NEWS FLASH<<<<

September 8

 

Kindergarten students arrived this morning for their very first day of school! A little nervous, a lot excited, they marched in carrying new lunchboxes and backpacks, ready to take on the world! And they did, too. Moms and Dads escorted them through the doors, where they were welcomed by their teacher and friends. Today was one small step for their feet, but one huge step for their lives. We wish them the best!

 

Here they are, in all their winsome innocence:

Mr. Darwin H., Kindergartner

 

Mr. Brandon S., Kindergartner

 

Miss Emily D., Kindergartner

>>>>NEWS FLASH<<<<

August 31

 

The first week of school is behind us successfully. Both students and teachers are beginning to settle in to the routine, and the initial nervousness that some of the students faced is fading fast. This year's students are showing themselves to be diligent and persistent. We are looking forward to a great year together!

 

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Department Mounted Patrol Unit will be coming to our school on September 24, God willing. They will discuss safety with the students, and show off their horses and the equipment they use. This will begin at 2:00 and end at 3:00. Parents are invited to join us for this special event.

>>>>NEWS FLASH<<<<

August 13

 

The new school year is near!  Hooray!

 

School opens on Monday, August 24. The first day of school will dismiss at 2:00, so pack a lunch.

 

You are invited to come to the school for Orientation on the evening of August 21. Parents and students, here is your opportunity to meet the teachers and other students before the big First Day of School.

 

Also, on the evening of Orientation we hope to have the SMS Memories school yearbook available. These can be taken home with you for only $10.00 per copy. Of course, each child will need their own copy (think of the memories with their children twenty years from now!), and grandpa and grandma would like to browse the pictures of their wonderful grandchildren, so they will need a copy, too. Right?

Orientation begins at 7:00, and is open until 8:30. Come and bring your students to see their classrooms and meet their friends and teachers.

 

See you there!

 

>>>>NEWS FLASH<<<<

June 30

 

We hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Different schedules, a change of pace, maybe even some time away... make this a summer of good memories.

 

The work of the school goes on. Files are being updated and preparations are being made for the rush of your energetic students, who can hardly wait to enter these hallowed doors again.

 

Your school yearbook has been sent to the printer, and they promise they will have the finished copies back to us promptly. You're going to need a copy for each student in your family, so make plans now to be ready when it arrives. We hope to remind you in plenty of time when the yearbooks will be available.

 

Please pray for the work of the school, as the Board continues the summer planning process. We need God's blessing and control for all the decisions that are being made.