Dear Pennekamp Families,

            With the coming of Autumnal Equinox this past weekend, we have now officially entered the new season. For us inveterate beach folk, I suppose it is time to bid a reluctant adieu to summer. Actually, it was rather refreshing to receive a much-needed splash of rainfall and cooler weather here in Southern California after a seemingly interminable dry spell. But low and behold, the weather reports are now calling for a warming trend this week. So perhaps we shan’t be too hasty in hanging up our boogie boards and beach attire quite yet. I’m still holding out hope for a couple of weeks of “Indian Summer” before settling into the allure and excitement that the fall season always brings.   

            Certainly the highlight of the previous school week our 1^st-5^th Grade Back-To-School Night. As is always the case here at Pennekamp, parents came out in droves to meet their children’s teachers and to learn about educational opportunities that students would be enjoying over the course of the 2007-08 school year. It was both an informative and celebratory evening. The camaraderie between parents and the school was very evident to all in attendance. The Pennkamp staff truly appreciates all of the support that you give in the enterprise of educating your children.

            On Tuesday of last week, we also had assemblies to kick-off our Gift Wrap Fundraiser. You received information in last week’s Tuesday Envelopes about this effort. This year PTA is earmarking a sizeable portion of the proceeds toward financing our Artists in Residence program which brings drama, dance, visual arts and vocal music to enrich children’s educational experience at Pennekamp. Children and parents can take part in this worthwhile venture. We ask students to confine sales efforts to friends and family, and not to go door-to-door. Your support is greatly appreciated.

            This week’s biggest event is our first PTA meeting of the year, which takes place at 6:30 this evening in the PK Cafetorium. Our terrific PTA Co-Presidents, Denise Ellis and Cathey Graves will be introducing the new Executive Board and delineating PTAs budget, plans and goals for the year. In addition, I will be introducing the fabulous Pennekamp staff, who traditionally attend the first meeting of the year. Refreshments and childcare will be provided.

On Monday of this week, we had our first Pennekamp School Site Council meeting. SSC is an important organization that is instrumental in determining our school’s educational priorities and crafting a vision for on-going school improvement. SSC is made up of equal numbers of staff members and parents, and meets on a monthly basis. This year parent members are Steve Lau, Manuela Millington, Anita Bhakta, Jackie James, Kim Wilson (alternate) and Cindy Poirier (alternate). Staff SSC members are Dale Keldrauk, Karen Harns, Wendy Fletcher, Mike Warner, Debbie Snook, and Tracey Windes (non-voting). Also PTA Co-President, Cathey Graves, and School Board member Bill Cooper are non-voting members. All SSC meetings are open to any community member who wishes to attend. Dates and times will be listed in future Green Sheets.

Have a great week. We hope to see you tonight at our PTA meeting

 

Sincerely,

Dale Keldrauk.

 

PK Pride Day – 9:00-2:00, Saturday, Oct. 13. Parents and children are encouraged to take part in this school beautification effort. Come on out for all or part of the day. Students who work for 1 hour or more will receive a Gold Card. Bring your gardening tools and come on out to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and good company. If you have any questions, contact event coordinators Kim Wilson (937-9369) and Maureen Gold (369-4443). Hope to see you there! 

MBEF Annual Appeal – Manhattan Beach Education Foundation is launching its Annual Appeal. At the elementary level MBEF funds class-size reduction, libraries, PE, technology, science labs, the arts and much more. Parents are strongly encouraged to join the effort to enhance our children’s education. See the blue flyer in the Tuesday Envelope.

Special Education Parent Handbook – Copies of this informative guide are available for perusal in the PK Office or can be viewed on the MBUSD website.

District Wellness Policyy – MBUSD has created a wellness policy in an effort to promote healthy eating habits on the part of children. At Pennekamp, we encourage parents to provide your children with healthy lunches and snacks. More information on this topic will be forthcoming throughout the year.

Family Photos – Save the date!  Photos will be taken on Sunday, Oct. 21^st at Polliwog Park or Monday, Oct. 22^nd in the Pennekamp Cafeteria.

Box Tops -  Attention Summer Box Tops savers!  If you have saved 100 or more General Mills box tops, put them in a baggie with your name and room number on it and get them to Patricia Koester by Monday, Oct. 1^st for the Annual Students with the Most Box Tops Contest.  The winners can get up to year of free ice cream!!!

Writer’s Workshop – Join us for a free opportunity to experience the writing structure taught to Pennekamp students.  On Oct. 9^th from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.  Mrs. Dawn Curry, fifth grade teacher, will present The Step-up to Writing program.  This night is free but parents must register to attend at (md.ellis@verizon.net).  Please bring a pen or pencil and a clipboard.  This instruction is geared to the needs of fourth and fifth graders.

Pets on Campuss – Please remember, even though we love our furry friends, dogs are not allowed on campus.

Donations  - Thanks to all the families who so generously donated funds when their children were absent!

 

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR FIRST PTA MEETING OF THE YEAR, TONIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE CAFETORIUM!

 

                               IMPORTANT DATES

 

·          Tues. Sept., 25^th – 6:30 pm. 1^st PTA Meeting – Café

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

·          Mon., Oct. 1^st  – STAR Education courses begin

·          Tues., Oct. 9^th – Vision and Hearing      Screening- Grades DK, K, 2, 5

·          Tues., Oct. 9^th – Writer’s Workshop  6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

·          Fri., Oct. 12^th  – Cultural Assemblies “Imagination Machine”

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

             2^nd, 3^rd grades

 

·          Sat., Oct. 13^th – Pride Day:  9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

·          Tues., Oct. 16^th – School Photo Make-ups

·          Oct. 23^rd-31^st – Red Ribbon Week

·          Wed., Oct. 31^st – 8:45 a.m. – Halloween Parade – Pennekamp Field