Sunridge Middle School Drama Presents Charlotte’s Web in February

February 17, 2025/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg

The Sunridge Middle School (SMS) drama program is presenting the play “Charlotte’s Web” on February 26th and 27th at 7:00 PM in the school Commons. It’s free and open to the public.

Including both cast and crew, there are 20 students putting on the production.

Carly Elder, Choir/Drama Teacher at SMS, said the play is about an hour long with no intermission; families with children are welcome, but she would recommend ages five and older for the audience.

The play is based on the book by E.B. White and adapted by Joseph Robinette.
The poster for the production was designed by Autumn Kolacz, an eighth grader at Sunridge Middle School.

New TAPP Family Coordinator, Ray Fox

January 28, 2025/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg

This school year, Sunridge Middle School has a new member on its team to help improve attendance. Ray Fox is the new Family Advocate for the TAPP (Tribal Attendance Promising Practices) program. He started working at SMS in November and explained that his job has two components.

The first part focuses on attendance of Native American students, including tracking data, identifying potential barriers to attendance and creating connections with Native students and their families. The second part of Fox’s job is to be a resource every day for all students at the middle school. Fox’s office, which is located in the Counseling Office, offers a space to talk with students and a place where a student can take a quick break.

“A big part of my job is helping to build the school’s sense of community and being a connection point for students. Every day when I listen to students and work with them, they are teaching me about their needs and how to better support them,” Fox said.

Many Native students have extreme diversity in their lives, Fox said, as their home life may be much different than their school life. Although school attendance may be important for a student and their family, sometimes cultural activities like hunting with their family my cause them to miss school. Fox said the Pendleton School District now offers cultural leave for students, which is a positive step.

Sunridge Middle School had a regular attendance rate last school year of 59%, so building administrators are committed to improving it to 69% this year. Through their Attendance Matters campaign, the school established a chart where teachers can track days of 100% attendance in classes, and the school has “No Tardy Parties” where students can earn treats at lunchtime.

Piper Kelm, Principal at Sunridge, said the school is emphasizing positive behaviors they want students to exhibit and having Fox onboard is a helpful addition to the effort.

What does attendance/school success look like for Kelm and Fox? SMS students having a positive experience at school, a sense of belonging and the feeling that they are being heard, all of which contribute to students wanting to be at school.

Welcome to PSD – Sami Spriet

November 25, 2024/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg

Sami Spriet
7^th & 8^th Grade Science Teacher
Sunridge Middle School

Sami grew up in Pendleton and graduated with the Pendleton High School Class of 2020.

She went to college at Eastern Oregon University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Ecological Biology as well as her Master of Arts degree in teaching.

“I am super excited to get to know all of the students as well as get to work with some amazing people!” Sami said about her new job.

When she has free time, Sami likes to attend concerts, read, be outdoors and spend time with friends and family.

Welcome to PSD – Erin Zacharias

October 24, 2024/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg

Erin Zacharias
Special Education Teacher
Sunridge Middle School

Erin grew up in Pendleton and Pilot Rock. She attended Lincoln Elementary and graduated from Pilot Rock High School.

For college, she went to Grand Canyon University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education.

About working in the Pendleton School District, Erin said, “I am excited I get to work with all the same coworkers I have had for the last two years and collaborate with them in a different role.”

In her free time, Erin likes to cook, bake, go on walks, and watch movies.

Sunridge Middle School Receives Grant for Weight Room Equipment

October 22, 2024/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg

Students at Sunridge Middle School have some new equipment to help them get physically stronger this school year. The school received a grant of $7,850 from the Pendleton Foundation Trust to purchase new items for the weight room.

They purchased 20 40-pound dumbbells, 10 weight benches and three floor mats.

Tim Cary, P.E. Teacher, said the new equipment has allowed them to expand the variety of lifts, allowed for a safer environment to exercise in, and provided the opportunity for several students to lift more weight and set new goals.

“We want to say thank you to the Pendleton Foundation Trust for helping us continue to improve our facilities. The grant money has truly changed the weight room and the students’ attitudes in a very positive way,” Cary said.

Sunridge Middle School Students Create Pottery

October 17, 2024/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg

New this year at Sunridge Middle School is an opportunity for students to try their hand at pottery using electric pottery wheels. Principal Piper Kelm said the school purchased 25 new wheels for classes this year.

In a recent art class, students in 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades were each seated behind a pottery wheel with lumps of clay, working hard to create ceramic mugs.

Wayne Small is the new Art Teacher at SMS. He said one thing he really likes about pottery is that students who feel that they aren’t talented in drawing or painting can be given the confidence to excel with clay. “Pencils and paint are readily available materials, and the students who do well practice constantly. But with clay, everyone starts closer to the same ability level, so it gives those students a chance to feel successful in the visual arts,” Small said.

Natalie, a 7^th Grader, was working on her project to make a mug for her little cousin. She had never worked on a pottery wheel before but said, “It’s pretty fun, and I like how it’s turning out.”

Two other 7^th graders, Jacob and Miles, were working together on forming a cup. Jacob said it’s hard to shape the clay, but he took the class because he would like to do more art projects. Miles said he has liked the drawing and now the pottery. “I like the creativity of the class,” he said.

Sunridge Middle School – 5th Grade Night

May 24, 2024/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg

On Tuesday evening, May 21, 2024, Sunridge Middle School staff was on a mission to get fifth grade students and their families excited about middle school! The school hosted the 5th Grade Night to introduce fifth grade students from the district’s three elementary schools to Sunridge, where they will attend sixth grade in the 24-25 school year.

The event got off to a great start, with families enjoying hamburgers served by SMS Leadership students. Then, Principal Piper Kelm introduced all of the sixth-grade teachers and went through a short slideshow to discuss what sixth grade is like. She reiterated that some things are the same in middle school, like math, language arts, and science, but some things are different because students go to separate classrooms for each one. Other points Kelm made were the school’s No Cell Phone Use policy for students during the school day and three-minute passing times to get to your next class.

Principal Kelm also mentioned that sports are available, more food choices at lunch, the importance of regular attendance, and the social-emotional learning and supports that Sunridge Middle School has in place for students.

A couple of students from SMS Leadership talked about fun school spirit/dress-up days, Friday reward activities, and student Activity Nights that occur throughout the year. “You will want to get involved in these activities here!” they said.

After the presentation, fifth graders and their parents toured the sixth-grade hallway and classrooms, met teachers, and asked questions.

Principal Kelm said that 5^th Grade Night is always a positive time to showcase SMS and connect with fifth grade students and parents. “We want them to feel comfortable when they arrive at Sunridge in August, and introducing them to our building and teachers now helps in that process,” Kelm said.

Currently, the Pendleton School District has 238 incoming fifth graders to the middle school in the fall.

School Play at Sunridge Middle School

March 18, 2024/in District Site News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg

Students at Sunridge Middle School will be presenting the play “The Raven & the Rue Morgue” on March 19-21, 2024.

The play is based on stories by Edgar Allan Poe. It has 14 actors, five singers, and three crew members doing technical work. Abby Foust, a senior at Pendleton High School, is also an assistant director. The play is rated PG as it is a “whodunit” mystery with some references to violence.

The play will be performed at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 3/19, Wednesday, 3/20, and Thursday, 3/21, at Sunridge Middle School.

Admission is FREE and open to the public.

PHS Forecasting Night

March 4, 2024/in District Site News, High Schools News, Sunridge News /by rthornburg

PHS Forecasting Night was a success on February 28, 2024! Thank you to all the students and families who joined us to learn about opportunities at PHS.