October 9, 2007

Dear Pennekamp Families,

Consider the following, all-too-familiar scenario: You have just dropped your children off at school, entrusting them to the care of school personnel. As you are driving or perhaps walking away, you are hopeful that they will have a great day. Within that rather nebulous descriptor, “great day”, consider what would be your highest priority. Your first thought might be “academically stimulated and successful”. On second thought, you might consider “comfortable and happy”. But upon even-more-careful consideration, your obvious response is “safe and secure”.  For every parent, the physical well-being of your children is paramount. While academic success and happiness are important, they pale in comparison to the hope and expectation for their safety, whether at school or in any other setting.

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District shares your feelings and expectations for children’s well-being. Although we live in a comparatively safe community, we still need to take precautions to ensure safety and security at our school sites. Perhaps the world around us has changed a bit over the course of a generation since we were in school (OK, in my case it may be more than one generation!). We have all heard news accounts of tragic events at schools and in communities in our nation. While luckily our MBUSD schools have not experienced any tragedies of that magnitude, we feel that we need to be proactive. As a result, we have initiated a number of measures that will hopefully make our schools safer. Some of these measures are as follows:

Visitors, Guests and Volunteers

Visitors - Attend special events (programs, festivities, conferences, Open House, etc.) at school.

*Do not need to sign a registry or fill out forms.

Guests – Assist teachers, students, office, etc., on a non-regular basis (field trip, class visit, etc.).

*Must sign registry in school Office each visit, and give CA Driver’s License information once.

Volunteers – Assist at school on a regular and on-going basis.

*Must sign-in each time, CDL info. once, complete all volunteer forms, provide TB Test results.

Sign-in and Identification – Other than at Drop-off / Pick-Up times, and at special school events (programs, festivities, Open House, etc.), we require parents and others on campus to check into the PK Office and wear a Visitors Badge.

Note: MBUSD is currently in the process of generating ID badges for all employees, which are to be worn during school hours. This will assist children and parents in easily identifying school and district personnel.

Volunteer Requirements – All must complete three forms: 1.) Volunteer Application, 2.) Roles & Responsibilities (Code of Conduct) 3.) Hold Harmless & Medical Treatment Authorization.

Note: All volunteers must obtain a clear TB test (at own expense) and have results on file in the Health Office. TB tests can be obtained from personal physicians or from Little Company of Mary Health Station (Sepulveda & 9^th St., MB) at a nominal cost.

Facilities Enhancements – MBUSD schools have added extra lighting (motion sensitive), and in some cases surveillance cameras where needed. Additional steps will be taken to secure campuses without detracting from community access. Our very responsive MB Police Dept. has been great about providing additional patrol and monitoring during school hours and non-school times.

Wellness Policy – While this may not apply to school safety & security, it does impact the health and well-being of children. A primary focus is to reduce sugar and trans-fats in foods consumed at schools, and to build within children a better sense of making healthy choices. Our MBUSD Food Services Dept. has already instituted healthy changes, with more yet to come. Changes will also occur at schools in terms of healthier offerings at school parties and after-school events. PK’s Ice Cream Friday will be in a “transitional” mode in which we plan to have only healthy offerings (juice bars, etc.) by Jan.1, 2008.

            Yes, we do live in a different era. Times have changed, and perhaps we have lost a bit of the innocence and care-free nature of by-gone days. While it is certainly not our intent to be intrusive, controlling or anti-fun, we must make adjustments to respond to current conditions and legal requirements that are designed to protect our children. So despite the “down-sides” of change, we all ultimately want to be confident that our children are safe and secure at school. That’s the bottom line!             

Sincerely,

Dale Keldrauk    

 

Pride Day – All students and parents are encouraged to come out to help “spiff up” our school. Come out for the day or for just an hour or so. Bring gardening tools and gloves.  Enjoy the sunshine and the company of friends.  All students who work one hour or more will receive a gold card.

Halloween Costume Sale – On Thurs. Oct.11^th  from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and Fri. Oct. 12^th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. we will be selling over 70 new and gently used costumes.  The sale will be held outside the school office on Rowell Ave.  See the flyer in your Tuesday envelope.

Blood Drive  - Pacific School will having a blood drive on Oct. 23^rd in the Art Room from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  To make appointments, please email patti.bundy@gmail.com or call her at (310) 545-1646.

Writer’s Workshops – Parents are invited to attend the “Writer’s Workshops” being presented by 5^th grade teacher Dawn Curry on Oct. 9^th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Pennekamp cafeteria. This class will include writing format, producing an expository essay and tips on how to “help” your child.  You will be actively involved in the writing process, so be sure to bring a pen or pencil, paper and a clipboard

Special Programs Offered  - MBUSD’s Student Services department is offering the following great new programs for students and parents: 1. First Friday Speaker’s Series  2. Discussions and Solutions  3. Social Clubs.  Flyers are available on the MBUSD website, as well as on the Pennekamp website.

Shopping for Students - Help Pennekamp earn cash by logging your receipts from the Manhattan Village Mall.  When you bring your receipts dated Sept. 1^st,2007 through April 30^th, 2008 to the concierge (located adjacent to the Apple store near Macy’s), Pennekamp earns five (5) points for every dollar spent at any store.  This includes Fry’s, Pacific Theater, Ralph’s and CVS.  Can’t make it to the mall? Drop your receipts off in a box in the Pennekamp office.  Receipts will not be returned.  Questions??  Contact Christine Dillon at cdillon7466@aol.com 

Talent Show – Do you want to get involved at Pennekamp?  Do you enjoy kids and shows?  We still need a volunteer to chair our Talent Show this year!  The talent show is an annual event at Pennkamp that is enjoyed by both children and parents.  The date is set for February 29^th at Mira Costa.  Unfortunately,  we will not be able to have one this year if we don’t have someone in charge.  If you may be interested or would like to know more, please call Avigal Horrow (310)379-9940 or Leslie Whittet (310) 318-1318.

Family Night  - Thursday, Nov. 8^th from 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Theresa Tower will be conducting a PE class for parents and 1^st – 5^th grade students.  Come out and join Coach Tower for some fun and games.

GATE Workshops – David Ghoogasian, expert in gifted and talented education, will be presenting two parent workshops.  All elementary, middle and high school parents are encouraged to attend.  The first workshop is “Learning and your Child’s Brain,” to be held on Oct. 11^th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Grand View Performing Arts Center located at 2617 Bell Ave.  For more information, please go to the district website at www.mbusd.org. under “Programs,” click on “GATE news,” where you will find the link to the flyer that highlights these events.

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

Student Photo Make-up Day – is Oct. 16^th. Payment envelopes are in the office.  Say cheese!

Mira Costa Night – Forward thinking parents can come to an information meeting on Monday, Nov. 5^th, at MBMS.  Featured will be representatives of Faculty, Music, Athletics, Drama and much more!  Students are invited too!

Parish Fair – American Martyrs will have their annual Parish Fair on Sat. Oct., 20^th and Sun. Oct., 21^st.  A lot of fun is guaranteed to be had by all!

 

IMPORTANT DATES

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

·          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 a.m. = 4^th & 5^th grades / 10:00 a.m. =   1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd grades

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

 

See you at Pride Day on Saturday!!!