December 11, 2007

             As we approach mid-December, we are now fully into the Holiday Season. And what a busy and exciting time it is! Sundown this evening heralds the end of the seven-day celebration of Hanukkah. The next few weeks will bring a number of seasonal holidays, including Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Years. It truly is a joyous time of year where families from a variety of cultures and faiths can celebrate the season in the manner in which they choose, while understanding and respecting the beliefs and customs of others. It is great to live in a country where differences are accepted and appreciated.

            And speaking of appreciation – last week was a perfect example! The Pennekamp staff greatly appreciates the amazing support and good will of our community as evidenced at Parent-Teacher Conferences, at the Book Fair, and at our Family Night / Science Lab “Grand Opening”. Each of these events was well attended, with a very pervasive atmosphere of enthusiasm and camaraderie. It made me very proud to be a Pennekamp Dragon.        

            In keeping with the theme of appreciation, please take heed of the following announcements:

Book Fair – Once again, we had a very good one! The preliminary figures indicate that we sold over $20,000 of books and toy/gift items. Pennekamp will receive approximately $4,000. A big thank you to event coordinators Mae Sinkowitz and Sue Hefner, who spent the entire week working the Book Fair, as well as to Stephanie Mibu who coordinated the Joy of Reading, a charitable endeavor which donated many books to underprivileged children at Cienega Elementary in Los Angeles. In addition, thanks to all of the parent volunteers who made this such a successful event!

Amphitheatre Project – If you haven’t already seen it, check out this attractive and functional addition to the upper-grade garden area on the Peck Ave. side of the school. This endeavor, consisting of a teaching stage and 12 custom-designed concrete benches sitting atop a base of crushed granite, was an Eagle Scout project for former PK student, Kyle Nakazaki. The project took many days to complete. Kyle had lots help from family and friends, in particular contractor and PK parent Jeff Wilson, who contributed materials and lots of hours from himself and his crew. We thank them all for this great addition to the Pennekamp campus.   

Authors’ Week – We are looking forward to having children’s author and former PK parent, Michael Wright, as our Author in Residence during the week of February 4^th. We are looking for volunteers to be Mystery Readers, etc. If you would like to get involved or if you have questions, call Shirley Ritter at 310-798-7932.
Mystery Reader Volunteer Form

Talent Show – This annual showcase of “home-grown” Pennekamp talent will take place on Friday, February 29^th at 6:00 p.m. in the Mira Costa Auditorium. Students are encouraged to “get their acts together” for this great event. Try-outs will take place in the PK Cafetorium on Tuesday, January 15^th from 1:45-4:15 for K-3^rd grades, and on Thursday, January 17^th for 4^th & 5^th grades. For information, contact event coordinator, Gail Goldstein, at 310-376-1931.
Talent Show Dates and Information

Going Green – We are making a New Years Resolution to be more environmentally friendly starting in January 2008. In addition to recycling, we will be initiating a number of other measures to support this endeavor.

 

      Sincerely,

  Dale Keldrauk

 

Read Naturally – Our after-school “Read Naturally” program will be starting the week of December 10^th. This effective program for bolstering reading fluency is offered to students who are identified based upon assessment scores. At this time it is being offered to 1^st-3^rd grade students from 2:15-3:00 p.m. in Room 10 on the following days: Mondays =1^st / Tuesdays = 2^nd / Thursdays = 3^rd.  Please pick up your child on time. If your child attends EDP, he/she will go directly to EDP from Room 10.  If you have any questions, contact Suzie Wheeler at 798-6223, Ext. 5802 or Ext. 6825.

Lunches at School – We ask that parents refrain from bringing fast-food items (McDonalds, Jack-in-the Box, Subway, etc.) during lunch periods. In addition to the dietary issues (sodas, high-fat, sugar, etc.), it is also problematic for children who see others having these “special” lunches delivered to them at school. Thank you for respecting this school policy.

School Absences and Tardies – Please call or send in a note when your child is absent and try to keep tardies at a minimum. The office will call you if we have not received a note or phone call when your child is out.

Silent Auction – On Friday, March 14, 2008, Pennekamp will host its annual Parent Party and Silent Auction.  In the past Pennekamp parents have been invaluable in making this event a success.  We need your help again this year! 

If you work for a company that can donate goods, tickets or services, or if you can personally make a donation we could use your help. Electronic, toys, apparel, travel, gift certificates, etc. are all appreciated. Donations can be placed in the Silent Auction box in the office. Remember all of the proceeds of this event go directly to the PTA in order to fund programs our children currently enjoy here at Pennekamp.  All donations are a charitable contribution to a 510(c)(3) organization and are tax deductible.  A donor form will be provided for tax purposes.  Please contact us for questions or donations: Shannon Coyle (310) 941-1988, shannoncoyle1638@msn.com or Zena Cronyn (310) 766-6857, zcronyn@gmail.com

A New Year Resolution for PK – Pennekamp has an enthusiastic Go Green committee that is ready to launch a new program beginning January 14^th, 2008.  The Go Green committee has been working hard to get everything in place and hope everyone will get on board. We will  have “Trashless Tuesdays”, when we ask chidren to bring a lunch that does not generate any trash and “Walk to School Wednesdays”, to save fuel and reduce emissions. There will be recycling throughout the school and recycle bins in the classrooms.  Go Green merchandise including water bottles, reusable shopping bags and lunch containers will be available on Ice Cream Friday, Dec.14^th and 21^st.  Please stop by and learn about this new program.  Go Green!

 

IMPORTANT DATES

·          Fri. Dec. 14^th –Flag Ceremony – Pennekamp Cafeteria

·          Mon. Dec. 17^th – No Strings class

·          Dec. 22^nd - Jan. 6^th, 2008 - Winter Break

·          Thurs., Jan.10^th and Fri., Jan. 11th – 4^th Grade GATE

·          Mon. Jan. 14^th – SSC Council meeting 3 pm. Rm.10

·          Mon. Jan. 21^st – Martin Luther King Holiday – No School

·          Feb. 4^th – 8^th – Author’s Week