October 30, 2007

            Tomorrow is the big day! After weeks of growing excitement on the part of children (Ok, we big kids are excited too!), this highly-anticipated event will finally be here. The annual Pennekamp Halloween Parade will take place on the PK Field at 8:45 a.m. Parents,  younger siblings, grandparents, family friends, etc. are all cordially invited to come out to watch this entertaining event. Street parking is available on both sides of the school, but please be aware that our parking lots are for staff only. Don’t forget, both AM and PM Kindergartens will attend from 8:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. that day.  On Wednesday, K+ will still go from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Students may come to school dressed in their costumes, but should also bring a bag with regular school clothing to change into following the parade. We realize that they will still be excited, but it is important that we strive to have “business as usual” once the parade is finished. This is much more easily accomplished when children are in “civvies” rather than costumes. So don’t forget to send your child to school with a change of clothes, or bring a change when you come to see the parade.

            The Halloween Parade is always one of the highlights of the school year, and a can’t-miss event for parents. We certainly hope that you are able to attend. It should last no more than 45 minutes, so it shouldn’t take too big of a bite out of your morning. As you know, the parade is just the first of the exciting events of the day. That evening, many children will be going out trick-or-treating, which has long been the focal element of this unique American holiday. In order to ensure that it is a safe and enjoyable experience for children, parents should take note of the following recommendations:

Halloween Safety Tips

·          When buying or making costumes, avoid flammable materials and costumes that drag on the ground. Never allow real knives, swords, etc. to be part of a costume.

·          Be sure that a parent or older, responsible youth supervises children under the age of 12.

·          Know the names and phone numbers of friends who accompany your older children.

·          Plan trick-or-treat routes and stay in familiar neighborhoods. Avoid traffic!

·          Caution children about not entering houses or cars, and about avoiding strangers.

·          Avoid dangerous activities such as paintball or pellet wars, toilet-papering, squirt guns, etc.

·          Warn your child against eating any treats until they return home, so you can inspect them.

·          Do not allow your children to eat any homemade or unwrapped treats.

Note – Have your child eat dinner before going out in order to reduce the chance of eating treats while trick-or-treating.

Post-Halloween Reminders – Please check lunch bags, backpacks and pockets for purloined goodies as your children leave for school in the days following Halloween. Highly elevated blood-sugar levels result in temporary bursts of energy followed by inattentiveness and a ‘post-rush crash”. Not exactly a formula for success at school! We recommend that they eat nutritious foods at school, and save the sweet treats for home.

            Halloween can be an enjoyable holiday that provides children with many fond memories, if all goes well. It can also turn into a bad experience if precautions and good judgment are not exercised. This is one event where it is advisable for parents to be cautious, and even a bit intrusive, no matter how much your children might protest about it. Put safety first. Best wishes for a happy and safe Halloween!

Best Wishes,  

 Dale Keldrauk

           

P.S. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour this Saturday evening.

 

Menu Changes – In this packet you will find a new format for the lunch menu.  There will be some changes in food options and how this food will be served.  The entrees will be made from scratch and will feature more whole grain products and more appealing fruits and vegetables.  These entrée options are designed to be low in sugar and in fat.

           These changes will be very labor intensive for the kitchen staff.  Please make sure your child checks out the selections the night before and makes a decision.  Once a selection is made, Food Service will prepare the proper amount according to the lunch count.  Please discourage your student from changing his/her mind while waiting in line to get lunch. 

            Please check out BOTH sides of the new menu.  There are choices on each side.  There will be more options in the coming weeks.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during these changes.  These changes will also take place at MBMS and Mira Costa.

School on Friday – Many students will be going on the South Bay Voyagers (Formerly Indian Guides) Fall Camp this coming weekend. Please be aware that Friday is still a school day, and students should be in attendance. We realize that some parents want to get an early start on the weekend by pulling students out of school on Friday. While MBUSD does not condone this, we realize some parents will choose to do so. Our district loses over $35 per day in state funding whenever a child is absent for an entire day. We ask that you at least have children attend the first portion of the school day.

Scrip News  - Don’t forget to check out the new vendors on your scrip order form!  Scrip is so easy to use!  Take advantage of the gift certificates during this upcoming holiday season.  You can use the order form that comes in the Tuesday envelope or you can download a form from E-news. Place an order of $200 or more and receive a scrip wallet and even have it delivered.  What could be easier!!  For information call Christie Mancilla  at (310) 679-2093.

Free Ice Cream! – Congratulations to the following children who have won free ice cream for the whole year!  Those students are: Lexi Nielson, Mackenzie Kawahara, Anaiah Shepherd, Dylan Koester, Zachary Goldstein, Chase Harding and Jonas Wilmoth.  These children turned in over 100 box tops each, with Lexie, Mackenzie and Anaiah turning in 497, 489 and 429 box tops, respectively. WOW!! October starts the monthly contest to win ice cream for your entire classroom.  If you have any questions, please call Patricia Koester at (310) 318-1259.

Clothing and Toy Drive – November, 5^th-9^th. Bring new or gently used clothing items and toys to the containers in front of the school office. We will be having two separate drives occurring concurrently. In addition to our PTA Clothing and Toy Drive, MB Girl Scouts will be conducting their “One Warm Coat” drive. Both are worthwhile, charitable endeavors that will benefit underprivileged individuals during the upcoming winter holiday season.  

Red Ribbon Week – Oct. 23-31. This nationally recognized event is designed to raise children’s awareness of the effects of drug and alcohol use, and to encourage healthy lifestyles. Students will be given red wristbands with the slogan “Drug Free, You & Me!”, as well as bookmarks. Classrooms may also be doing activities (pictures, writing, etc.) which are age-appropriate.

“Shopping for Students” fundraiser – Don’t forget log in your receipts from the Manhattan Village Mall dated Sept. 1^st, 2007 through April 30^th, 2008.  Pennekamp earns five (5) points for every dollar spent at any store.  If you can’t make it to the mall, drop off your receipts in the PK office. Receipts will not be returned.  Contact Christine Dillon for more information at cdillon7466@aol.com.

PTA “Reflections” – The theme this year is “I Can Make A Difference By…”  Students may submit an entry in any of the six areas, which include: Literature, Musical Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, Dance Choreography or Film/TV Production.  Submissions are due by Friday, November 16^th.  Registration forms are in the PK office.  For more information, please contact Marjie Block, hey.yall@verizon.net.

Music Notes – Our music teacher Ms. Jordan has created a school notes page to help teachers and parents keep informed about what their students are learning.  This page can be found at www.schoolnotes.com/90266/jjordan/html. Also, if you have any classroom instruments that are not being used and would like to donate them to our music program, please contact Ms. Jordan at jjordan@mbusd.org or drop them by the music room.  Thank you!

 

IMPORTANT DATES

·          Tues. Oct. 30^th & Thurs. Nov. 1^st  5^th Grade GATE

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

·          Thurs. Nov. 8^th – PE Family Night 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – PK Field

·          Mon. Nov. 12^th – Veteran’s Day – No school

·          Nov. 19^th – 23^rd         – Thanksgiving Week – No School

·          Nov. 27^th – Report Cards go home

·          Dec. 3^rd – 7^th – Monday – Friday Parent/Teacher Conferences Minimum day schedule