Dear Pennekamp Families,

            Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year!  How wonderful it is to see the excitement on the faces of children as they return to the friendly and comfortable environs of Pennekamp! The school staff is brimming with enthusiasm after a summer of partaking in recreation and travel, participating in professional growth activities, and generally recharging our batteries.  It promises to be another banner year.

            The Pennekamp staff is extremely proud of our school and the successes of our students.  Our STAR (state-mandated testing) scores were recently released, and Pennekamp once again excelled.  You should be quite proud of the achievements of your children. In the fine tradition of Pennekamp, we again have a great crew of teachers and support personnel as follows:

Teaching Staff (Room Numbers in Parentheses)

DK – Joanne Schepis (8)

Kdg. Plus – Toni Campbell (9)

AM Kdg. – Erin Schneck* / Tami Freeman (6), Anne Vanderpool (7)

PM Kdg. – Dana Cannon (6), Amanda deAlba (7)

1^st –  Nancy Caine (11), Kristin Hicks (12), Karen Harns (15), Kim Price (16)

2^nd – Juliet Smith (13), Wendy Fletcher (14), Candace Moriyama (17), Donna Barney (18)

3^rd – Deidra Ojakian (19), Linda Hunt (20), Jayne Horowitz (21), Michele Moreno (22)

4^th – Garrett Romines (27), Sandra Rumble (29), Erynne Hart (31),

5^th – Mike Warner (30), Bill Ahrens (32), Dawn Curry (33)

PE – Theresa Tower

Learning Center – Sheryl Diamond (28), Sharon Kirkpatrick (28)

Speech & Language – Joyce Margolin (23)

English Language Learners – Karina Gerger (23)

Instrumental Music – Amy Johnson (25), Dan Mollick (Cafetorium)

Reading Support – Tracey Windes (24), Suzie Wheeler (24)

Math Support – Marti Tucker (24)

 

Office & Support Staff

Principal – Dale Keldrauk

Elem. Support Specialists – Suzie Wheeler & Tracey Windes

Office Manager – Debbie Snook

Office Clerk – Gertie Hill

Health Assistant – Gale Davis

Library Media – Stacia Costa

Technology – Kathy Long

Psychologist – Emily Griffith

Counselor – Linda Saker

Day Custodian – Nelson Tiangson

Night Custodian – John Maher

Assistants – Teri Cummings, Karen Cunningham, Michael Delgado, Anna Domaradzka, Judy Kelly, Margaret McElwain, Kerry Muhlbach, Rebecca Vaughn

Noon Supervisors - Marina Trachy, Lorraine Fellows, Patricia Koester & assistants

STAR (After-School Programs) Coordinator: Lauren Weinstein

EDP (Day Care) – Teachers: Becky Hausken (Site Coordinator), Heather Klaus, Joanie Silengo / Assistants: Carmen Rodriguez, Joanna Rocha, Vivian Klaus 

 

            On behalf of the Pennekamp Staff, I would like to extend a welcome to all new students and families to our school community.  As we enter the new school year, I would like to convey a few important messages to all Pennekamp Families.

Parking – Due to limited space, all school lots are for staff parking only.  Parents and visitors are not to park in these lots, even for brief stops or drop-offs.  All non-staff parking should be done on adjacent streets.

Car Drop-Off and Pick-Up – Use only designated off-road drop-off and pick-up areas on Rowell Ave. (front of school) and Peck Ave. (rear).  Do not park and leave cars unattended or blocking the flow of traffic in these areas.  Always curb your child during drop-off and pick-up. Parents who wish to walk children to class must park on adjacent streets, and never allow children to walk across streets unattended.

Arrival at School – Kindergarten and DK students should arrive approximately 5 minutes prior to the beginning of class, and wait in front of classrooms.  Students in 1^st-5^th grades should arrive no earlier than 8:00 AM, which is the time that supervision begins on the east (Peck Ave.) playground. Parents may wait with their children on the east playground, but should not remain on campus once school begins unless volunteering in the classroom.

Pick-Up from School – Parents and caregivers must be prompt in picking up students at the end of the school day.  Students should not remain at the end of the school day.  Students should not remain at school to play on the field or use playground equipment, but should report home immediately after school.

*Parents and caregivers must keep well informed of transportation arrangements, play dates, etc.

**Confusion arising over whereabouts of children after school, causes great anxiety to parents and school personnel.  Please be certain that all parties are aware of after school arrangements, and instruct your children not to go home with friends without informing you and the school.

Early Wednesdays – Every Wednesday our schedules will be as follows: 1^st-5^th = 8:15-1:30 / PM  K = 10:10-1:30 / DK, AM Kdg. & Kdg Plus  = No Change

Study Hall – Monitoring in the Cafetorium will be provided free of charge from 1:30-2:45 on Early Wednesdays.

Parents and Visitors on Campus – All parents and visitors must report to the school office and wear a Visitors Badge except during drop-off and pick-up.  Please refrain from socializing outside of classrooms after dropping off students or before picking them up.  As you know having a distraction-free campus during class times is crucial to maintaining the academic environment.

Pets – Pets are not allowed on campus

Bicycles – Students in grades 3-5 only may ride bicycles to school.  Bike riders must wear helmets and lock their bikes in racks.  Bikes are not to be ridden on campus at any time.

*Riders must receive a Bike Pass from the school office.

**Failure to follow procedures or to ride safely will result in a loss of bike privileges.

Skates, Skateboards, Scooters, etc. – School District Policy prohibits students from riding or bringing these items to or from school at any time, including after school and weekends.  This includes “Razor” or similar type scooters as well as “Wheelies”, “Heelies” or any of the other current shoes with inserts.

Tuesday Envelopes – Look for your children to bring these large envelopes home every Tuesday, other than this week when they are coming home today (Wed.).  Please review the contents carefully, sign the envelope, and return it to school with your child the following day. This is an important means of communication between school and home.

*Green Sheet – Please read this  principal’s newsletter in each week’s Tuesday Envelope for important information, dates, etc.

School Attire – In order to ensure comfort and functionality for your children at school, please pay heed to the following “do’s” and “don’ts”

 Do’s: Dress appropriately for weather conditions; dress in layers; wear shoes that are P.E.-appropriate; mark all coats, sweaters, etc. with child’s name; hats may be worn at school provided they are worn outside only and with brims facing frontward.

 Don’ts: No sandals or open-toed shoes; avoid platform shoes (bad for P.E.); no bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, tank tops, etc.; no clothing containing profanity, inappropriate illustrations or graphics, etc.

*Parents should monitor children’s clothing – comfort and appropriateness are the keys.

**Every Friday is “School Spirit Day” at Pennekamp. Students and adults are encouraged to wear their Pennekamp T-shirts or clothing with our school colors, blue and white.

Lunch – Students in 1^st-5^th grades eat lunch at school.  They may bring a lunch from home or buy a school lunch for $3.00, which includes milk.  Students bringing a lunch from home may purchase milk for $.50.  Lunch cards for 20 lunches may be purchased for $ 55.00, or a yearly pass may be purchased for $495.00* (*only available in Aug. & Sept. 2007) from the school office.  If your child has any food allergies, please send a physician’s note to the office so we can mark their card accordingly.

Class Placement – All student placements in classes as they appear on the posted lists are final.  Please respect this policy and make every effort to support your children, their teachers, and the school in order to ensure a happy and successful school year for all.

            Again, we welcome you to the 2007-2008 school year. Best wishes to all Pennekamp Dragons for a wonderful school year filled with exciting learning opportunities, good friendships, and memories to last for a lifetime.

No School on Monday – Labor Day Holiday!

 

Sincerely,

Dale Keldrauk