Dear Pennekamp Families,

            Wouldn’t you know that once school started temperatures would soar! Despite the warmer-than-usual weather, even for summer in Southern California, the children seem to be flourishing.   Now that we are into the third week of school and are firmly ensconced in the month of September, we can now unequivocally state that we have shed our laid-back summer personas, and are fully back into the school mode. Despite the initial shock of our early return to school, the students seem to have made the transition with ease and have attacked the new school year with a passion. At the elementary ages it is not yet considered to be “uncool” to actually admit to liking school. Parents, enjoy these precious years in your children’s lives!

            In the world of education, as in all enterprises, good communication is essential. You have all received our weekly Tuesday Envelopes for each of your children. For the first few weeks, a greater-than-usual amount of information is sent home, and you have filled out a number of forms that needed to be sent back to school.

          Fear not, this will ease up, and    hopefully Tuesday Envelopes will be less intimidating in ensuing weeks. One of our goals at Pennekamp is to endeavor to become less paper-intensive, and to communicate vis-à-vis email more. The PK PTA has established an “eList” in which families can receive important information, such as the weekly PTA Dragon eNews, and periodic announcements from the school office.

            The Pennekamp staff is committed to maintaining strong partnerships between home and school. We encourage parents be involved with your children’s education, and to establish positive communication with their teachers. If you have questions or concerns about your child, always go to the teacher first, before taking it to an administrative level. In addition to being a common courtesy, it is also the most efficient way dealing with matters. Staff members can be reached by phone (310-798-6223 Ext. 58 + Rm.#) or via email by person’s first initial + last name + mbusd.org (e.g. dkeldrauk@mbusd.org).  We will try to get back to you in a timely manner. Please be aware that teachers have very busy schedules, and would appreciate your consideration in keeping calls and emails reasonable in terms of length and frequency.        

Please mark your calendars for the following special events.

1^st-5^th Grade Back-to-School Night – Thursday, Sept. 20^th – As per the following schedule:

6:15-6:30 – 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd parents go to Cafetorium for important info from PTA & MB Ed. Fdn.

6:30- 7:15 – 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd parents go to Classrooms

7:00-7:15 – 4^th & 5^th parents go to Cafetorium for PTA & MBEF info (unless you went at 6:15-6:30)

7:15-8:00 – 4^th grade parents go to Classrooms

7:15-8:30 – 5^th grade parents go to Cafetorium

*For parents with students at 2 grade levels that meet at the same time (e.g. 2^nd & 3^rd), we suggest that you “divide and conquer” by having one parent go to each class.

** Please calendar this event. It is for parents only.

PTA Meeting – Tue., Sept. 25^th, 6:30 p.m. – Cafetorium Plan on attending our first PTA Meeting of the year. PTA Co-Presidents Denise Ellis and Cathey Graves cordially invite you to come to meet the  PTA Executive Board, and learn about their plans for 2007-08. Mr. Keldrauk will be introducing the PK Staff.  Childcare will be provided. See you there!  

Sincerely,

Dale Keldrauk

 

School Spirit / Ice Cream Fridays – Historically at Pennekamp, Fridays are designated as “School Spirit Days’ in which students, staff, and even parents are encouraged to wear Pennekamp shirts to show our PK spirit and pride. Another PK tradition is the sale of ice cream on Fridays after school (2:15-3:15 p.m.) in our Cafetorium. We offer a variety of delicious ice cream & juice bar choices at the bargain price of $1.00 each. Ice cream sales will begin Friday, Sept. 21^st. PTA will also be selling scrip, as well as PK T-shirts (while they last!) on Friday afternoons.

Gift Wrap Sale – Packets for this year’s sale will go home on Tuesday. September 18^th. And this year… featuring Innisbrook Wraps and Helen Grace Chocolates! There are many exciting products and prizes, including Best Buy gift cards. Sell just 10 items and receive a plush gorilla with backpack hook. Please return all order forms to your child’s classroom by Tuesday, October 2. Orders will be delivered before Thanksgiving Break. It’s a great way to raise money for Pennekamp and get a head start on holiday shopping. Pennekamp receives 50% of all sales!

Brown Bag Naturals – MBUSD no longer has a contract with them, so these lunch options are no longer available. The district is hoping to develop an alternative. More information to follow.

TB Testing for Volunteers – All parent volunteers must have a current, valid TB test. Please bring the results to Gale Davis in the PK Health Office.

MBEF Rental Night at Dietz Brothers -Sept. 12^th, 19^th, and 26^th from 3pm – 8pm. Dietz Brothers Music store will donate half of the first month’s rental fee and 15% of accessory sales to the MBEF. Dietz Brothers is located at 240 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA  The phone number is (310) 379-6799.

Pride Day – Mark your calendars for the first of our two annual school beautification days.  Parents and children are encouraged to come and “spiff” up our school.

Science Fair Projects – A number of projects from last year’s Science Fair have not been claimed. Students or parents may pick up projects in Room 26 by no later than Friday, Sept. 17^th.

* We are planning on having another Science Fair this year.  More information to follow.

 

            IMPORTANT DATES 

·          Thurs. Sept. – No School-Local Holiday

·          Fri. Sept 14 – Staff Dev. Day- No School for Students

·          Mon. Sept 17 – Constitution Day (required observance)

·          Tues. Sept 18 – Gift Wrap Assemblies (15-20 muinutes)

·          Thurs. Sept. 20 1^st – 5^th  Back to School Night

·          Tues. Sept. 25 – 6:30 pm. 1^st PTA meeting – Café

·          Wed. & Thurs., Sept. 19^th & 20^th – 5^th Grade GATE

·          Wed. & Thurs., Sept. 26 & 27 – 4^th Grade GATE

·          Oct. 9 – Vision and Hearing Screening- Grades K,2,5

·          Fri. Oct. 12 – Cultural Assemblies

    9:00 = 4^th 7 5^th grades / 10:00 = 1^st,     

          2^nd, 3^rd grades

·          Sat. Oct.13 – Pride Day

9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

·          Tues. Oct. 16 – School Photo Make-ups

·          Oct. 23-31 – Red Ribbon Week

·          Oct. 31 – 8:45 a.m. – Halloween Parade