Our year-long learning intention, Be Curious, Make Connections, Grow! was lived within our school each and every day this year. As a school community, our enrolment steadily grew together as an additional fifty students joined our school within the 2023-2024 school year. During this time students and staff experienced many memorable learning opportunities with field trips, community walks, and residencies such as in-line skating. Throughout the year all students strengthened their understanding of indigenous ways of knowing by intentionally observing and learning from the land, which included a significant celebration on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day. Students were offered extra events such as djembe drumming, choir, chess, intramurals, patrols, math club, Minecraft tech time, leadership club, and Science Fair, just to name a few. Two exceptional musical performances were celebrated in December and May to share the love and importance of music in schools. Our school council enhanced the ‘sun and fun’ side of Sunalta by hosting a Welcome Back morning, healthy hunger lunches, movie night, bake sales, Stampede breakfast and being partners with strong participation at our council meetings. Their generosity to fund each and every one of our Sunalta experiences, as well as coordinating volunteers, has been remarkable. I want to also mention how much our volunteers make a difference in the opportunities we are able to provide with their hundreds of hours of support this year.
As the days grow longer, students and staff are reminded that a well-needed summer vacation is quickly approaching. I would like to give thanks and gratitude to all of our students for their leadership, citizenship, and eagerness to create a place where everyone feels welcomed and accepted. Thank you to parents for their pride and partnership, and to all of our staff for their dedication, care and commitment to our very special ‘Mural School’.
As we transition into the summer months, our staff want to encourage families to explore the outdoors, make memories with family and friends, and of course read for fun and to learn! For students moving to another school, I wish to thank you for being part of Sunalta School, be it one year or seven years. For students returning, I look forward to greeting you with our staff and council on August 29th.
Have an amazing, rejuvenating, and memorable summer!
With gratitude,
Christine McCrory
Kindergarten farewell:
Our youngest learners shared their accomplishments with a special celebration on Monday. Songs, skits, talents, and joy were all shared with their families. There was a loving tribute to Ms. Beeksma and her 40 years of teaching with families organizing a pizza party (her favourite), with balloons, freezies, and photo opportunities with our incredible caring kindergarten-whisperer, Ms. Beeksma. Gratitude to Rizza, Lindsay, and the kindergarten team for putting together this thoughtful, touching farewell.
Grade 6 farewell:
It’s time to bid our 60 grade 6 students farewell. The assembly will be on Wednesday, June 26 at 2:00pm. Families are welcome to join. Grade 5 students have prepared a beautiful song to sing and teachers alongside administration will be sharing some words of wisdom as we say goodbye to these exceptionally caring students. They will be missed in so many ways.
New Mascot:
Sundrop! Designed by one of our students, Stirling in grade 3, Ms. Franklin created our first Sunalta School mascot for our school. What a delight it will be to have a bit of sunshine during our special events!
Sports Day:
Our annual Sports Day will be outside on Tuesday from 1-3pm. Thank you to the teachers for taking the time to organizing this well-loved event! Gratitude to the parents for donating freezies (and preparing them) and volunteering to assist the staff.
Be sure to check for Back to School information. CBE Schools will be posting their back to school notice on websites.
Library Books:
We need our library books back! If you have any school library books please return them as soon as possible.
Google Classroom:
At the end of the year Google Classrooms are inactivated.
Report Card Viewing:
Report cards will be available to view on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 through Power School. They are available until the July 26, 2024, then will close to prepare for the new year.
Staffing for next year:
Sunalta is fortunate to have some new staff joining our incredible team as we open two additional classrooms for the fall. This year we have had Ms. Sarah MacDonald teaching French, Grade 6, English as an Additional Language, and supporting our Grade 3 classes. We are pleased to inform our school community that she will be returning in the fall as a Grade 4 teacher. Ms. Katherine Clarke has also accepted a position at our wonderful school as a Grade 6 teacher in the Fall. We will be maintaining all of the current classrooms for the 2024-2025 school year, with Kindergarten moving to the classroom downstairs next to the preschool room. Staffing is ongoing and our full staffing compliment will be announced at the end of August. We want to say thank you and farewell to several staff that will be leaving for new adventures. Mr. Masuch, Ms. Gulewicz, Ms. Beeksma, Ms. Greenhough, Mrs. Hart, and Ms. Okedara have played significant roles in the lives of our Sunalta students and we wish them joy and- happiness in their next steps!
