Programs and Services

2009 – 2010 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:  Kim Friedman (jkefriedman@earthlink.net).

 

Authors’ Week:  For one week at the beginning of the New Year, 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 three 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 5^th grade classes is enhanced by performances of “Letter to Harriet Tubman” and “I, Nate Love”.  Contact:  Susan Holton (strawberryonfire@aol.com ).

 

Daffodil Days:  This committee coordinates “Daffodil Days,” a spring fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.  Contact:  Sharon Kay (sakay@roadrunner.com).

 

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).

 

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: Kim Friedman  (jkefriedman@earthlink.net) or Charmaine Nielsen  (cn819@aol.com).

 

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

 

Halloween Parade:  Students parade around the field in their costumes to delight parents and one another with their characters and creativity.  Contact:  Jeanette Thue  (jeanettethue@msn.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 ).

 

Marquee:  Ever notice the marquee on Peck Avenue?  A PTA volunteer keeps it up to date with upcoming school events.  Contact: Will Staszkow  (wstaszkow@flowserve.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:  In late spring, the PTA sponsors students who want to apply scientific methods to better understand their world.  Projects are displayed at Open House in early June.  Contact:  Jennifer Claman (clamanfamily@roadrunner.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:  Gina Meyer (ginabmeyer@yahoo.com) or Melissa Stein (melissabethstein@hotmail.com).

 

Yearbook:  PK publishes a yearbook that chronicles the school year.  Photos are solicited through your child’s room parent during the year.  Contact:  Sue Grubman (suegrubman@roadrunner.com) or Tiffany King (tippy.king@mac.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 their works displayed in the ‘Young At Art’ gallery during Pennekamp’s annual Open House.  Contact:  Lindy Welk (beach.welks@verizon.net) or Cathey Graves (catheytim@msn.com ). 

 

                

Operations Committees:

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.  Contact:  Maureen Gold (mksgold@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) or Kim Friedman (jkefriedman@earthlink.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:  Karen Chan (chefkaren@att.net ).

 

Dragon eNews:  Pennekamp’s PTA sends out a weekly e-mail newsletter on Monday evenings to parents, teachers and administrators containing information about school events, a calendar of upcoming events, a link to Principal Dale Keldrauk’s weekly green sheet, the school lunch menu, articles of interest and much more.  It will also post any of the forms and flyers which go out in the Tuesday envelope so you can download and print them at home.  Go Green!  Sign up for eNews to help us save money by reducing paper usage.  Contact:  Judi Walley (ljss.walley@verizon.net).

 

Go 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, recycle.  Programs include bringing a “trashless” lunch on Tuesdays, ‘Walk to School’ Wednesdays, and recycling in the classroom/lunchroom.  Go Green merchandise is available to purchase. Contact:  Mariel Waller (mvdhrew@aol.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 Lisa Petillon.

 

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.

 

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:  Binny Patel (binnypatel@hotmail.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:  Susan Holton (strawberryonfire@aol.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.  The 2009-20010 theme is “Beauty Is…!" and entries will be due in the Fall.  Contact: Loli Ramezani (laleh.ramezani@bt.com).

 

PTA 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).

 

Room Parent Coordinator:  Each class has two ‘Room Parent’ volunteers to support the classroom teacher and PTA.  The ‘Events Coordinator’ 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 “PTA Liaison” 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:  Carol Dafesh (rivfish@verizon.net) or 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:  Cathey Graves (catheytim@msn.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:  Gail Goldstein (gailigold@verizon.net).

 

Technology Liaison:  The tech liaison coordinates development of the PTA technology budget with the PTA executive board and PK and MBUSD administration and staff. The tech liaison also provides oversight of PTA technology expenditures and participates as PK PTA representative to district, MBEF and other technology groups as needed. 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: Arlene King (teamking.mb@verizon.net) or Kathy Large (ibegonesurfing@aol.com).

 

 

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:  Leslie Averback-Lee (leslieaverback@yahoo.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:  Hilary Skinner (hilaryskinner@earthlink.net).

 

 

Fundraising Committees:

Scrip/eScrip:  Scrip is one of our biggest fundraisers, yet it costs families nothing to participate!  Buy scrip at school through your Tuesday envelope or during ice cream sales on selected Fridays.  It’s easy, convenient, and we have a great selection of vendors!  Also, 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 (tcdhaber@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:  Nikki Donovan (nikoladonovan@gmail.com).

 

Dragon Movie 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. The tentative date is May 16. Contact:  Karen Cavallo (cavallo5@verizon.net) or Cindy Poirier (cpoirier@sequel-us.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:  Alison Biancamono (abiancamano@roadrunner.com) or 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@roadrunner.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).

 

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:  Suzy Sadilek (suzsadilek@roadrunner.com).

 

School Supplies:  Parents will have the opportunity to take care of next fall’s school supply needs right here at school.  All you have to do is fill out the required form and your child’s school supplies will be delivered to school before school starts in August.   Your child’s school supplies will be custom packed according to the requirements of the Pennekamp teachers for each specific grade.  Contact:  Linda McCrary (mccrarycali@yahoo.com).

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:  Carol Dafesh (rivfish@verizon.net).