Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a great Valentine's Day at Sunshine School, and we hope you had a great Valentine's Day, too!

Valentine's Fun Day!

Valentine's Fun Day

Tuesday, February 14th, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

The Preschool classes will be celebrating Valentine's Day with games, art, and cookie decorating. If you would like to come help with this event, please sign up in the front hallway at Sunshine School. If you cannot come to the event, but would still like to help, you can also sign up to bring Valentine stickers or cookie sprinkles.

If your child does not normally attend on Tuesdays, he or she is welcome to come to this event if accompanied by a parent. Please let your child's teacher know if you are planning to do so. 

Pink Day!

Monday, February 6th is Pink Day! Have your child wear something Pink to school!

February Newsletter

Kindergarten Round-up for

Atkinson & Bridger Elementary Schools

If your child will be attending Kindergarten at Atkinson or Bridger this fall, you are invited to visit their classes and learn more about Kindergarten.

Atkinson Elementary

February 22nd, 6:30 pm

5800 SE Division St.

503-916-6333

Bridger Elementary

February 16th, 8:45 am & 6:30 pm

February 23rd, 6:30 pm (childcare is provided at this time)

7910 SE Market St.

503-916-6336

Looking for an After School Program for Fall 2012?

Sunshine School offers an affordable After School Program for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Students attending Bridger Elementary can ride the bus to Sunshine School at the end of their school day, and students at Atkinson are driven to Sunshine School daily by a Sunshine School staff member. Students attending other schools are welcome to attend, but parents are responsible to arrange transportation. We also offer fun activities on Portland Public School closure days, such as art projects, field trips, and games! Contact the office if you have any questions.

Winnie the Pooh Family Movie Night

Friday, February 24th, 6:30 pm

All families are invited to join us for a movie night on the big screens in the church sanctuary! We will be watching the new Winnie the Pooh released in 2011. In this hour-long movie, Winnie the Pooh and his friends go on an adventure to find Eyeore a new tail.

Kids are encouraged to wear their PJ's and bring a blanket. Dinner is not provided, so please be sure to take your child home for something to eat before the movie begins.

February Newsletter: Lamb's Fold

Staff Changes in the Lamb's Fold

In January, we said good bye to Miss Erika as she began school and started part-time work elsewhere. In her place, Miss Amanda has joined the Infant Room full-time. In January, we also said good-bye to Miss Julie, our Lamb's Fold Afternoon Assistant, and Miss Lydia has joined our staff to fill that position. 

Infant Room

In January, we welcomed Ella into the Lamb's Fold, and in February, we are expecting Indy to join the Infant Room. Welcome! The kids in the Infant Room are quickly becoming more mobile. Eli is crawling, and Henry has started walking!

Just a reminder to parents, please be sure to sign your child in and out every day.

Wobbler Room

The Wobblers have been keeping busy, even in this cold, rainy season. They enjoy stretching and doing exercises in the gym, especially jumping jacks and starburst jumps. This month, we are planning some fun Valentine themed art! Also, as the weather allows, the Wobblers will go outside when they can. So please be sure to bring weather appropriate shoes and coats.

In February, Penny is moving up to Preschool to join Mrs. Sarah's class. Porter will be joining the Wobblers a few days a week as he begins to transition from the Infant Room to the Wobbler Room.

Happy Birthday!

Liam is turning two on February 4th, and Tate is turning one on February 22nd.

Happy Birthday, Liam and Tate!

February Newsletter: Preschool

Upward Flag Football & Cheerleading

Trinity Fellowship Church will offer a Flag Football and Cheerleading league this spring. Football is open to children ages 5 through 5th grade, and cheerleading is open to children ages 4 through 5th grade. This league focuses on a positive and friendly sports experience for kids and great team spirit. For more information, pick up a brochure in the front hallway at Sunshine School.

Early Regsitration: February 18th

Registration Deadline: February 25th

Practices Begin: March 24th

Upcoming Events

February 6:
Pink Day

February 14:
Valentine's Fun Day

February 24:
Family Movie Night at 6:30

February 29:
Brown Day

Themes

January 30 - February 3

Theme: Travel the World
Bible: Review; I Corinthians 13:4-8

February 6 - 10

Theme: Friends & Neighbors

Bible: Elijah & Elisha, I Corinthians 13:4-8

February 13 - 17

Theme: Valentine's Day

Bible: Jonah, I Corinthians 13:4-8

February 20 - 24

Theme: Classic Stories & Nursery Rhymes

Bible: Isaiah, I Corinthians 13:4-8

February 27 - March 2

Theme: Queens, Kings, & Castles

Bible: Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego

February Newsletter: Staff Corner

Miss Ruth, Preschool Afternoon Assistant

Ruth is a native Portland resident, and she has been at Sunshine School for about three years as an Afternoon Assistant in Preschool and as a full-time Preschool Teacher in the summer. She is currently working on her Elementary Education degree at Warner Pacific College with plans to graduate in winter 2013. Outside of Sunshine School, Ruth has spent many years working with kids at her church and doing summer Backyard Bible Clubs. For her, the best part about working with children is "the cute things preschoolers say and do. I always can count on getting a hug, picture, or smile."

Outside of work and school, Ruth enjoys spending time with family and friends, pursuing photography, and even has spent time playing flute in a Bossa Nova band.

Mrs. Tracy Gibbs, Pre-K Teacher

Tracy has taught at Sunshine School for five years, but has 15 years of teaching experience. She has taught 5th and 6th grade for three years, Kindergarten for 10 years, and Preschool for two years. She has her Liberal Arts degree from San Diego State University and a Masters in Education from National University in San Diego. She lives in Portland with her husband and two sons, James and Zechariah, but she still thinks of San Diego as her home. Tracy is a huge sci-fi fan, and she also enjoys camping, hiking, and watching and playing basketball. For Tracy, the best part about working in Preschool is that "no two days are ever the same when you teach, and kids really do say the funniest things."

Miss Jen, Director

Before coming to Sunshine School 2 1/2 years ago, Jen taught middle school Health and PE for two years and worked at Hume Lake Christian Camps in California for three years. She has her Bachelor's Degree in Public Health from Oregon State University and her Master's in Teaching from Concordia Univeristy. At Sunshine School, Jen most enjoys getting to know kids and their families and developing new programs, like Camp Sprout, as well as just hearing the funny conversations kids have outside of her office. In her free tim, Jen loves "cooking, spending time with family, and spending time outside, especially summers in Portland. I love trying newe restaurants and a Stumptown latte." Although Jen spent many years teaching and working in California, she still considers Portland her home.