Programs and Services

PENNEKAMP

2010/11 Pennekamp PTA Committees and Descriptions

 

Student Services Committees:

Artists in Residence (AIR):  PTA funds programs to provide classrooms with access to talented artists throughout the school year.  Ms. Radha teaches drama which result in performances for peers and parents (i.e., Three Piggy Opera). Mr. Hugo teaches a wide variety of art classes, and Ms. Dulce provides dance instruction.  Both students and teachers look forward to learning from these artists!  Contact:  Becky Hicks (bhicks@hotmail.com).

 

Authors’ Week:  For one week in the spring, the PTA organizes and funds a week dedicated to reading and writing for students.  The week includes an assembly presentation by a children’s book author, a writer’s workshop for 5th graders, and parents volunteering as Mystery Readers.  Mystery Reading is open to all parents/family members.  They schedule a time to come in the class to read a favorite story.  Mystery Readers can dress in costume and read to as many classes as they like.  Contact:  Shirley Ritter (scandc@aol.com).

 

Cultural Arts:  PTA sponsors four assemblies a year featuring artists representing many cultures.  They incorporate dance and storytelling into their performances.  All family members are welcome to attend.  Also, the academic curriculum of 5th grade classes is enhanced by performances of “Letter to Harriet Tubman” and “I, Nate Love”.  Contact:  Susan Holton (strawberryonfire@aol.com).

 

Family Dragon Night:  A Pennekamp family celebration with a movie under the stars. The event and popcorn are free. Food and drinks are available for purchase. A teacher raffle tops off the evening. Contact:  Pennie Stepczyk (pennie17@verizon.net) or Alesia Alonso (alesia.alonso@verizon.net).

 

Fifth Grade Promotion and End-of-the-Year Party:  5th graders are given a rousing send off as they leave Pennekamp for MBMS.  The event takes place in June and requires fifth-grade parent volunteers.  The 5th Grade students also raise money for a gift to be given to Pennekamp from their class.  Contact: Judi Walley (ljss.walley@verizon.net) or Lilly Chang (lilly@vnsm.net) or Leslie Chalmers (slchalmers@aol.com).

 

Halloween Parade:  Students parade around the field in their costumes to delight parents and one another with their characters and creativity.  Contact:  Beth Rivera (bethrivera17@hotmail.com).

 

Ice Cream:  Every Friday after school, PTA sells ice cream to students to celebrate the end of a great week.  Students purchase ice cream in the cafeteria and then mingle with one another and parents.  This is a longstanding Pennekamp tradition!  Contact:  Nikki Donovan (nikoladonovan@gmail.com).

 

PTA Reflections:  Reflections is a national PTA recognition program that asks students to express themselves creatively with any of the following arts (musical composition, photography, literature, visual arts, dance choreography or video production) based on a theme.  Judges at PK review the work by category and grade.  Winners are forwarded to the Manhattan Beach Council, State, and even the National PTA. Contact: Loli Ramezani (laleh.ramezani@bt.com).

School Photos:  Pennekamp students have their school photos taken by Lifetouch Studios in September.  A make-up photo day is scheduled in mid October for those absent on the original photo day.  Contact:   Leanne Huebner (lpyott@yahoo.com).  **For family photos, see fundraising committees.  

 

Science Fair & Science Night:  In March, the PTA sponsors students who want to apply scientific methods to better understand their world.  Projects are displayed and judged by local expertise, such as Northrop Gruman. Students are awarded during our Science Night where parents and the entire student body can enjoy an evening of fun activities and be intrigued by our bright students. Contact:  Jennifer Claman (clamanfamily@roadrunner.com) or Letitia Lau (letitialau@yahoo.com).

Talent Show:  Each spring, Pennekamp mounts a spectacular display of students’ great ideas/talents.  Acting,   singing, dancing, and playing piano are just some of the acts seen over the years.  Contact:  Gail Goldstein  (gailigold@verizon.net).

 

T-Shirts:  Every year, a new T-Shirt is designed and printed for Pennekampers to wear to demonstrate their school spirit.  Dragons wear their shirts every Friday and on field trips.  Contact:  Maggie Berman (maggiebermanotr@gmail.com).

 

Yearbook:  PK publishes a yearbook that chronicles the school year.  Photos are solicited through your child’s room parent during the year.  Contact:  Tammy Hughes (tammy@scnative.com).

Young at Art (YAA):  This visual arts enrichment program focuses on enhancing students’ creative processes and visual perceptions.  The program utilizes numerous community resources in the Arts and trains very dedicated parent volunteers on a monthly basis.  These parent volunteers bring the projects to life in each classroom by walking students through a series of easy, step-by-step instructions to allow each child to create the featured artwork themselves.  The program explores the art of a variety of artists and art movements each year, using a variety of mediums.  Every child will have one of its works displayed in the ‘Young At Art’ gallery during Pennekamp’s annual Open House.  Contact:  Lindy Welk (lindywelk@yahoo.com) or Cathey Graves (catheytim@msn.com). 

 

                

Operations Committees:

Adopt-A-Family: During the holidays, Pennekamp participates in the nationally recognized Adopt-A-Family program.  In 2009/10, Pennekamp’s sister school was Buford Elementary located in Lennox, CA.  Each classroom will be assigned a deserving family, whose children are on the honor roll, and help provide that family’s wish list of basic household items. Contact: Avigal Horrow (amhorrow@roadrunner.com).

Campus Enhancements:  This committee maintains the lovely potted gardens outside classrooms, organizes campus “pride days” for sprucing up our grounds, and helps find ways to improve the overall appearance of the campus. First Pride Day is September 25th. Contact:  Maureen Gold (mksgold@msn.com) and Shannon Coyle (shannoncoyle1638@msn.com).

 

Clothing and Toy Drive:  Each fall, Pennekamp families get into the spirit of giving.  We collect gently used clothing, toys and books and provide them to an inner city school.  Contact:  Lisa O’Donaghue (lisacullenod@gmail.com).

Daffodil Days:  This committee coordinates “Daffodil Days,” a spring fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.  Contact:  Tracie Haber (tcd.haber@verizon.net).

 

Directory/Parent Handbook:  Parents know it is one of the most important books in the house!  The PK Directory provides the names/phone numbers for all your child’s classmates, teachers’ extensions at school, and critical information about PTA and Pennekamp.  A copy of the Directory is provided free to each PTA member.  The Directory accepts local advertisements.  Extra copies are available for purchase.  Contact:  Carol Dafesh (rivfish@verizon.net) or Mina Arnao (minaarnao@yahoo.com) or Janice Arnson (janice@arnson.biz).

 

Family to Family:  This committee offers a helping hand to Pennekamp families needing assistance during difficult times.  They may make meals, offer babysitting or carpooling, help with grocery shopping, etc.  Contact:  Kathy Martens (kdmartens@adelphia.net).

Grades of Green:  Students and parents participate in ongoing activities to improve the environment.  The goal is to educate Pennekamp families on the importance of the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Programs include bringing a “trashless” lunch on Tuesdays, ‘Walk to School’ Wednesdays, and recycling in the classroom/lunchroom.  Go Green merchandise, such as lunchboxes and water bottles, is available to purchase. Contact:  Shannon Coyle (shannoncoyle1638@msn.com) or Maureen Gold (mksgold@msn.com).

Growing Great: During Harvest-of-the-Month tasting, a seasonal fresh fruit or vegetable is sampled in the cafeteria during lunch. Displays illustrate the farm to table cycle with samples of live plants, seeds, different varieties of produce being sampled and nutrition facts.  Our Growing Great Garden provides a great learning environment in which students can grow, harvest, eat and sell their own food from the garden located on campus.  Students experience new foods in their organic school gardens while learning about seasonality, life cycles, and sustainable food production.  Contact: Phoebe Herron (pmherron@roadrunner.com) or Maureen Gold (mksgold@msn.com).

Halloween Costume Closet:  Donate new or gently used costumes to be donated to a local family shelter. Contact:  Nicole Meyer (nicmmeyer@gmail.com).

 

Historian:  The Pennekamp Historian compiles photographs and other memorabilia from the school year.  They maintain the bulletin boards on the Pennekamp campus.  Contact:  Ann Parsons (ann.parsons@gmail.com).

 

Hospitality:  The PTA serves snacks at PTA events such as general PTA meetings.  Hospitality chairs organize and set up snacks (usually juice, cookies, coffee), paid for by PTA. Contact:  Pamela Noel (pljnoel@yahoo.com).

 

Kindergarten/New Parent Social:  Just prior to the start of school in September, Pennekamp hosts a “welcome” social for in-coming Kindergarten/DK families as well as anyone new to our school. Contact:  Allyson Goldsby (agoldsby@gmail.com).

 

Library Volunteer Coordinator:  Library volunteers help students locate and check out books, re-shelve books, and generally support the work of our Library Media Specialist.  Contact:  Stephanie Mibu (smibu@roadrunner.com).

Marquee:  Look for our new electronic marquee coming in October, located at the corner of Peck & 1st Street also at the front of the school on Rowell Ave.  A PTA volunteer keeps it up to date with upcoming school events.  Contact: Will Staszkow  (wstaszkow@flowserve.com).

 

PE Volunteer Coordinator: A new position at Pennekamp to help facilitate PE classes.  In an effort to help our teachers make an exciting and efficient PE class for our students, the PE Coordinator will manage parent volunteers interested in helping our teachers during PE class. Contact: Bonnie Darrow (bldmdd@yahoo.com).

Richstone Feast: Once a year, the Pennekamp community pulls together to support the Richstone Family Center, a facility that provides counseling against and education about child abuse as well as a safe place for children and adults to retreat to.  The 5th Grade hosts the on-campus, family dinner in March.  Last year, Pennekamp raised $5,000 to donate to Richstone.  Contact: Avigal Horrow (amhorrow@roadrunner.com).

 

Room Parent Coordinator:  Each class has two ‘Room Parent’ volunteers to support the classroom teacher and PTA.  The ‘Events Planner’ plans two class parties, helps with one teacher/staff luncheon, organizes two class gifts and plans something special for Teacher Appreciation Day, and assists with the Jog-a-thon and Halloween Parade.  The “Communications Coordinator” gathers contact information for each family in the class, finds a parent who will take classroom photos, sends emails to class families with information from PTA or MBEF, and attends four evening PTA meetings a year.  Room Parents are solicited in September.   Contact:  Suzy Sadilek (sixsadileks@verizon.net).

 

Scholastic Books:  To support our school Library, PTA sends the monthly Scholastic Books flyer home with students in their Tuesday envelope.  Orders are compiled and sent to Scholastic, and the books are then sent home with students.  Contact: Stephanie Mibu (smibu@roadrunner.com).

 

Science Lab Coordinator:  Science Lab volunteers help students with their science experiments and generally support the work of our Science Specialist.  Contact:  Lilly Chang (lilly@vnsm.com).

 

 

Staff Appreciation Days:  PK has the best teachers, instructional assistants, custodians and administrative staff.  Once a month, we host a lunch to show them they are appreciated. Contact:  Jennifer Ure (Jennifer@deforestsearch.com) or Tammy Hughes (tammy@scnative.com) or Karen McGory (kmcgory@mapmarketinginc.com).

 

Technology Liaison:  The tech liaison coordinates development of the PTA technology budget with the PTA Executive Board, Pennekamp administration staff and MBUSD administration and staff. The tech liaison also provides annual expansion goals to make sure Pennekamp is technologically advanced. The liaison also coordinates with the district to ensure we are compliant with district standards. Contact:  Rajeev Mishra (rajeev_mishra@ea.epson.com).

 

Tuesday Envelope Stuffers:  This committee meets every Tuesday morning to “stuff” the weekly Tuesday Envelopes with all sorts of communication, including the “Green Sheet,” to keep you well informed. Contact: Mae Sinkowitz (maesink@gmail.com) or Sue Hefner (suehefner@verizon.net).

Website:  The Pennekamp PTA has an award-winning website, www.pkpta.org, which is updated weekly with the latest PTA and school information.  The Tuesday Green Sheet, Parent Handbook, and Tuesday envelope fliers are only a few examples of the information available. Contact:  Judi Walley (ljss.walley@verizon.net).

Year-end Gifts/Scrip:  PK families have the opportunity to thank other teachers and staff that work with our children.  All gifts are tallied and the recipients get a scrip gift certificate for the total amount.  Last year these $1 contributions added up to one substantial gift for each person.  Your name will appear on a thank you card or your gift can be anonymous.  Contact:  Need a new chairperson.

 

 

Membership Committees:

Membership Drive:  This position works closely with the VP-Membership to ensure a successful membership campaign for the school year.  Responsibilities include helping to update and assemble the annual PTA ‘membership packet’ that goes to each Pennekamp family on the first day of school, updating and maintaining the membership database, and assisting with communications and events that help stimulate PTA membership.  Contact:  Micki King (micki.morris.king@gmail.com).

 

Matching Gifts:  Many employers offer matching gift programs that match the funds their employees donate to Pennekamp PTA and MBEF.  This position helps raise awareness about employer matching gift programs, including identifying and promoting employers that offer such programs.  This person coordinates the steps involved in applying for gifts and collect matching gift funds.  Contact:  Micki King (micki.morris.king@gmail.com) or Kim Leserman (kimleserman@gmail.com)

 

 

Fundraising Committees:

Scrip/eScrip:  Scrip is one of our biggest fundraisers, yet it costs families nothing to participate!  Buy scrip at school, via the internet or during ice cream sales on Fridays.  Don’t miss the opportunity to register your credit cards with eScrip or your grocery club cards to earn money for Pennekamp while you shop.  The Scrip Committee is a great volunteer opportunity for parents with younger children who can only donate limited time to PTA.  Contact: Kelly Schmit (kls4999@aol.com) or Kathy Jacques (klchop@verizon.net).

 

Book Fair:  Once a year, the Pennekamp PTA sponsors a book fair featuring current, high-quality fiction, nonfiction, and gifts for PK students and their families.  In conjunction with the Book Fair and through its Joy of Reading Program, PTA collects new books to donate to less fortunate students at a school in Los Angeles.  Working on the Book Fair is fun!  Contact: Bonnie Darrow (bldmdd@yahoo.com) or Tracie Haber (tcd.haber@verizon.net).  For the Joy of Reading Program Contact:  Stephanie Mibu (smibu@roadrunner.com).

 

Box Tops:  Cash for Trash! Before recycling those boxes from General Mills and other products, tear off the little “Boxtops for Education” symbol on the top and send it to school.  We pack them up every few months and send them in for redemption.  Each symbol is worth ten cents. Last year Pennekamp received over $2,000 from this program.  Classrooms with the most ‘Boxtops’ win monthly ice cream parties.  Contact:  Hilary Skinner (hilaryskinner@earthlink.com).

 

Family Portraits:  Once a year, the PTA sponsors Family Portraits.  For a modest fee, a family gets a sitting and a photograph.  Our photographer offers packages as well, including holiday photo cards delivered in time for the winter holidays.  Contact:  Stephanie Mibu (smibu@roadrunner.com).  **For school photos, see student services committees.  

 

Gift Wrap:  During September, the Pennekamp PTA has a gift wrap fundraising drive.  We offer high quality wrapping paper, stationery, and gifts just in time for the holidays.  Students are encouraged to sell wrapping paper to family and friends.  PK PTA nets a 50% profit on all sales.  Contact:  Karen McGory (kmcgory@mapmarketinginc.com).

 

Jog-A-Thon:  The mighty Dragons of Pennekamp show their strength in the spring at our Jog-A-Thon.  Sponsored by parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends, our tireless Dragons run around the field for as many laps as their little legs can take.  The Jog-A-Thon traditionally raises money for special projects at school.  Contact:  Karen Patton (karenpatton@gmail.com) and Andy Leserman (lesermana@aol.com).

 

Parent Party:  The Pennekamp Parent Party provides an opportunity for parents to meet one another and enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, and fun!  This lively event also includes a silent auction which raises needed funds for PK. Contact:  Christine Dillon (cdillon7466@aol.com), Pennie Stepczyk (pennie17@verizon.net) or Amy Staszkow (amys@blueroomevents.com) or Kim Weller (scottkim.weller@verizon.net) or Tracey Dennis (traceyandduane@aol.com).

 

Parking Raffle:  Parents can compete in a raffle for a convenient parking space right in the Rowell parking lot for either early drop off, afternoon kindergarten drop off, kindergarten pick-up or early and late pick ups.  These privileges last the entire school year.  Contact:  Tracey Dennis (traceyandduane@aol.com).

Pennekamp Open (PK Open): Pennekamp’s very own MBEF fundraiser.  A women’s double tennis tournament, held in April, of which 100% of the proceeds are donated to MBEF on behalf of Pennekamp.  The PK Open is the one fundraiser that rallies the entire beach community together for one cause. Contact: Missy Ready (mailto:missy_ready@yahoo.com) or Nina Patel (patelnina@hotmail.com).

 

Recycle Rebates:  Everyone has used computer ink cartridges, old cell phones, completed batteries, or computers that have seen better days.  Pennekamp offers an electronic recycle program where we can earn cash for recycled items.  Look for the drop-off containers near the front office.  Contact: Susan Maser (susan.maser@gmail.com).

School Supplies:  Don’t stress about buying school supplies at the beginning of the year, participate in Pennekamp’s easy pre-purchase program.  A portion of the sale price goes back to Pennekamp. Your child’s school supplies will be custom packed according to the requirements of the Pennekamp teachers for each specific grade.  Contact:  Need new chairperson.

Summer Workbooks: Keep your kids fresh and ready for the new school year by buying interactive summer study workbooks.  Pennekamp earns a percentage of the sale price.  Contact: Nicole Meyer (nicmmeyer@gmail.com) or Karen Gregan (guitan@aol.com).

Teacher Raffle: During our family favorite event, Family Dragon Night, we hold a Teacher Raffle where students can win special events and gifts from their teachers.  It’s one of the most generous ways our teachers can give back to the school.  Contact: Karen Patton (karenlynnpatton@gmail.com) or Julie Hoheb (julieannhoheb@aol.com).