News, 2024 - 2025
April 24, 2025
Your Honor Roll students went on their field trip today, destination: Interstate Batteries. Gary Y. welcomed us at 9:00 sharp, and ushered us into the main offices, where he described the process of receiving and shipping orders. They inventory around 4,000 batteries and serve the gulf coast from the Bradenton area south, delivering batteries to Hyundai, Subaru, Toyota, BMW, and many more, including mechanic garages.
Out in the warehouse, Gary showed us how batteries are cycled in and out, charges are topped off, and batteries are labeled for dealers. He also showed us what is probably the world's largest battery-label ball of stickers. It weighs around 50 pounds, and their home office says they've never seen one this big! He let us each add stickers to the ball, which was cool.
Leaving Interstate Batteries, we went to see Tim M at Choice Books, but he wasn't there. Next, we went to Albrecht Cabinets to visit Perry M, who showed us a special carving project he's working on. After that, we went to Plycrete Pumping, where we got to see Lexie's dad Phil H, and Jerusha's dad Tim Y. From there we headed over to Jerusha's house, hoping to see the escaped emu in their yard, but Jerusha's mom said it was gone. Instead, she showed us six adorable little bitty baby kittens. Leaving there, we spent a few minutes at the pet store and at Target, then Chick-fil-A was next, and after lunch we went to see Palm Grove school for a few minutes, where Mr. Miller graciously welcomed us. After circling through Pinecraft Park, our next stop was Postal 98, where we got to see Lexie's sister Brooklyn at work. Leaving Pinecraft, we went to Mission Thrift, where several students found cool stuff.
Of course, we ended the day with Slurpees from 7-Eleven.
March 21, 2025
Your students are very creative! Crazy Hair Day was a success! Well done, students! You win all the awards!
February 25, 2025
Today was the Honor Roll Field Trip to Fort DeSoto. It was a beautiful day with lots of clouds and chilly temperatures. We arrived early, while very few people were there; we almost had the place to ourselves. We wandered in and out of the underground bunkers, testing the echoes, watching for ghosts, and attempting to operate the huge guns aimed at the Gulf of America. After a few minutes browsing the gift shop, we climbed four dozen steps to get to the lookout area above the bunkers. This gave us an amazing view, and was also very windy.
After a little more exploring, we went to Tyrone Square Mall, where we window-shopped and ate lunch at Chick-fil-A. We also met a Greek Orthodox man who was pleased to chat with us for a minute. From the mall, we headed south to shop at Target for awhile, then we went on to Pinecraft, checking in at Mama Mandy's Pretzels to see Josiah and Sarah. Sadly, 7-Eleven did not have Slurpees available, so we ended the day without our usual treat.
January 28, 2025
Your Honor Roll students went on a field trip to the TECO Manatee Viewing Center today. After a couple of weeks of very cold weather, it was prime viewing time for manatees! These gentle sea cows gather at the TECO generating plant, where warm water is discharged into Tampa Bay. The manatees congregate in large numbers to enjoy the warm water.
On our way north, we stopped at Gamble Plantation for a few minutes, because the manatee viewing center wasn't open yet. The Plantation visitor center was closed, but we were able to wander around and see the sugarcane processing facilities. The sundial was working properly, which was neat.
We arrived at the Manatee Viewing Center just before the opening time of 10:00am, and headed out onto the long pier. We estimated that there were easily more than 400 manatees just in our viewing area. We also saw enormous tarpon, and even a few sharks. After a stop at the gift shop, we headed out to get lunch at Chick-fil-A.
After lunch, we went a little farther north to Bass Pro Shops, with just over an hour of time for shopping. The students had a great time wandering around the store. Of course, on the way home we had to stop at 7-Eleven for Slurpees. It was an interesting day!
December 20, 2024
The Christmas program was beautifully presented by the students this evening! Each student played their role well, and the whole effect was to bring an authenticity to the story of the Advent, from the ancient world to our modern time. Real people, real fears and desires and plans - all weave a richly textured tapestry around the birth of our Lord Jesus.
Sheep and shepherds, King and Baby, the Couple and the cousins, the angels and the soldiers: you all did an amazing job. Well done, students!
Enjoy your vacation. Merry Christmas!
Thanks to Miss Kayla C. for the photography this evening.
December 20, 2024
Your students had a party today!
They brought in loads of food, and after working through several tests and getting some academic goals accomplished, the party got started!
Miss Shanell's classroom had a feast, then enjoyed story time, and game time, and coloring time, and it was all SO! MUCH! FUN!
Grades 4 - high school also had a table spread with plenty: here is a list of their menu items:
Fried Pies
Tostitos & queso
Rice Krispie Treats
Popcorn
Trail Bologna
Chester Hot Fries
Vanilla Ice Cream
Chocolate Ice Cream
Mt. Dew
Root Beer
Puff Pastry
Li'l Smokies
A Big Bowl of Candy
Brownies
Taquitos
Sweet Baby Gherkins
...and it was all amazing!
After a quick Friday cleaning, we dismissed at noon. We will see you at the Christmas Program this evening!
November 5, 2024
Agape Flights was the destination for your Honor Roll students' field trip today. We arrived at their hangar in Venice just before 9:30 this morning, and, after a group photo, Shelly welcomed us into the facility. After a brief introduction in the reception area, we followed her into the main hangar, where all the excitement happens. Agape flights was founded in 1980, by Mr. and Mrs. Starkey, and Agape has been serving missionaries for 44 years running.
Agape Flights serves missionaries in the Caribbean, primarily Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and also Cuba less frequently. They receive mail and parcels for missionaries in these countries, sort and weigh them, then schedule and fly them to the various locations. With creative fuel solutions, they can fly a payload of about 3,000 pounds of packages to these missionaries.
One of our own former students, Kenneth G., visited Agape flights as a student on an Honor Roll field trip years ago, and later became an accomplished pilot, working briefly at Agape Flights, and flying some of their routes.
From Agape Flights, we headed back to Sarasota, where we walked the celery fields looking for gators. For lunch, the vote carried to eat at Chick-fil-A. After lunch, we went to Bee Ridge Park for volleyball, then Target for shopping. Some students got treats at the Target Starbucks, and some at 7-Eleven. We arrived back at school safely, PTL. It was a good day.
October 4, 2024
Science & Art was a big success! Students brought amazing projects that clearly showed both creativity and diligence. They had great fun, running in and out of the school house, playing games, eating pizza!
Thanks to the school board for putting on a delicious meal of pizza, crudités, chips, soda, and ice cream! With tummies satisfied, the school house was filled with happy chatter as the adults caught up with each other's lives.
Congratulations to the prize winners for your excellent guesses, and thanks to everyone who showed up to support the ministry of the school. We appreciate you!
August 20, 2024
Today was Kindergarten's first day of school, and it was great! Liam R. arrived with a big smile and all his school supplies, ready to begin the big adventure. His teacher, Miss Shanell, welcomed him into the classroom, and helped him put away his lunchbox, nap-time bed roll, and pencil box. After standing patiently for several photos, he went outside to play for a few minutes.
His day included learning the letter I, looking at books, coloring, counting to ten, napping, building with Lego bricks, and playing games outside. It was a full and busy day, and he handled it like a champ! You can see pictures of his day here.
Welcome to Sunnyside School, Liam!
August 12, 2024
Orientation was a happy time this evening, with lots of remembering God's goodness in the tough times that come our way through life. From a smashed and repaired schoolhouse to flooded homes, we are grateful for God's presence and care for us.
The students raced from room to room and occupied themselves with games and snacks, while the adults enjoyed the air conditioning and the school board's Ranch pretzels and orange cream soda.
We are looking forward to a good year, with God's help!
July 20, 2024
School house cleaning day was a clear success, thanks to all the brave people who showed up ready to work. It seemed as though the whole building was affected by the car wreck (read all about it here.) Outside, shrubs were pulled, flower beds lowered, and mulch layered. It all looks so good! Inside, the walls were wiped, fans and vents and lights were cleaned, bathrooms got a thorough going-over and repairs as needed, and the kitchen was refreshed.
We sincerely appreciate everyone who came to help; your interest in and support of the ministry of our school is invaluable, and we are very grateful.
