Welcome to Sunnycrest Elementary, home of the Roadrunners!  I am honored to be joining a community, which celebrates and embraces academic excellence and cultural diversity.  This year is going to be an amazing year as we focus on Goal 2 Whole Child: Thriving, Confident, Responsible Individuals and Goal 4 Content Competence: Mastery of All Subjects of the FWPS Strategic Plan.  With your partnership and support, I am confident all scholars will be provided A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future!

I am joining the Sunnycrest community with over 17 years experience in education.  I have held various positions throughout my career, being a classroom teacher in 3^rd-6^th grade, reading interventionist, Title I Coordinator, and library specialist.  Prior to joining Sunnycrest as the new Principal, I served two years at a neighboring elementary in the Kent School District as the Assistant Principal and last year I was the Assistant Principal at Mirror Lake Elementary in Federal Way Public Schools.  I am passionate about learning and am dedicated to ensuring ALL scholars are provided a rigorous and engaging learning environment.  At Sunnycrest, we believe ALL scholars can be successful and set high expectations for our scholars and ourselves in order to achieve high levels of growth.

Sunnycrest Elementary is your community school.  A scholar’s success is dependent upon a strong cooperative relationship formed between parents, school staff, and community partnerships.  In order to build and maintain this relationship, communication is an essential component.  I believe seeking out your input, ensuring your voice is heard and honored to meet all the needs of your scholar.  We invite you to become involved in our community.  There are many ways to become involved in our community- joining our Building Leadership Team, joining our PTSA, becoming a W.A.T.C.H dog dad, volunteering in the classrooms, joining us for an afterschool event, or attending monthly Principal Coffee Chats (to name a few).

Sunnycrest Elementary is committed to providing your scholar a safe environment, free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying.  This year, in addition to continuing our commitment to fostering a safe and nurturing environment using Positive Behavior Intervention Supports and Restorative Practices, teachers will be teaching social/emotional skills with a new curriculum called Second Step.  This curriculum will provide all scholars with the ability to learn and practice Skills for Learning, Emotional Regulation, Problem Solving, and Empathy.  Additionally, scholars will receive instruction on how to identify, report, and refuse bullying behaviors.

I am excited for the new school to begin!  All of us at Sunnycrest Elementary feel privileged to be a part of your scholar’s education and life journey.  We take this responsibility seriously and are dedicated to being here for all of your needs.  Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time throughout the year- my door is always open! 

In Partnership,

Shana Watkins, Principal