Pennekamp Families,

            Seasons Greetings! Now that we have passed the midpoint of the month of December, we find ourselves only a few days away from Winter Solstice, Friday, December 21^st, which heralds the onset of the new season. The recent chill-in-the-air evenings and frost-on-the-lawn mornings have certainly been a harbinger that seasonal change is in the offing.

While it may not look like the classic Currier and Ives depiction of a “Winter Wonderland”, the Southern California beach version has a different appeal.  We may not be able to take a brisk walk through a wintry forest, but a nice morning jog along the Green Belt can be just as invigorating. With all apologies to Robert Frost, I’ll gladly trade a jaunt through the woods on a snowy evening for a bike ride along the strand at sunset.  We may not have a giant tree lighting ceremony like the one in Washington D.C., but last weekend’s fireworks display from the Manhattan Beach Pier was quite a spectacular event in its own right. Winter at the beach certainly has an allure that is all its own.      

            All around town, the sights, sounds and scents of the winter holiday season abound. In the streets and neighborhoods of our fair city, bright lights and adornments add an atmosphere of festivity. While frequenting the stores, shops and centers around town, one can readily perceive the hustle and bustle which is both pervasive and infectious. Everyone seems to be energized and focused, whether it be shopping for gifts, preparing for celebratory events, or planning for upcoming vacations. It is quite an exciting and vital time of year. 

             At Pennekamp, the children are certainly growing more and more excited as we rapidly near Winter Break. With only three school days remaining, they are anxiously awaiting a two-week respite from school and the various celebrations and fun times that lay ahead. Some may be journeying out of town to visit loved ones or to partake in recreational activities, while others will be enjoying time spent at home with family and friends. Just having some time to relax and take in the joys of the season is reason enough for folks to look forward to Winter Break. It is safe to say that the Pennekamp staff is certainly ready for a couple of weeks of relaxation and recreation.

            In closing, on behalf of the school staff I would like to extend our warmest holiday wishes to all of our Pennekamp families.  We wish you a Merry Christmas, Festive Kwanzaa, Happy New Year, and any other salutations that may apply. Have a  joyous 2007 Holiday Season, as well as happy, healthy and prosperous year in 2008.

  Warmest Regards,

  Dale Keldrauk

 

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. Electronics, 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!

Go Green Merchandise - Pennekamp is Going Green in January and we will be offering great merchandise to support this campaign, such as: Reusable shopping bags with the Pennekamp logo (1 for $3.50 or 3 for $10.00).  Reusable water bottles with logo ($ 6.00) and reusable lunch containers (Tupperware, Lunchopolis and others).

We will have these items available for sale on Thursday , Dec. 20^th from 8:00 - 8:30 am. and Friday, Dec. 21^st from 2:15 - 3:00 pm. in the cafeteria.  Please come by and make a green start of the new year!

Author's Week - Volunteers are still needed to help with Author's Week (Feb.4 - 8, 2008).  We need people to coordinate lunches for the authors, to help with Mystery Readers, etc.  If you can help out, please contact Shirley Ritter: at (310) 798-7932 or SCANDC@aol.com. Mystery Reader Volunteer Form

Lady Mustang Basketball  - Please join us for Lady Mustang Basketball on Saturday, January 12^th, 2008. Come see the beautifully refurbished Fisher Gym at Mira Costa.  See the flyers regarding game times, ticket and food orders.  All order forms must be dropped off in the Pennekamp office by Wed., Jan. 9^th,2008.
MCHS Girl's Basketball Info and Food Order Form

PTA Reflections - Beginning in January, the work done by the Pennekamp winners of the Reflections contest will be displayed on our campus.  Check it out when you arehere. The Reflections contest was entirely voluntary.  The following students participated in this event:  Primary (Kdg - 2^nd) - Emma Hatton, Jayin Patel, Parnia Mazhar, Jared Block, Prescott Kwon, Ryu Yoshizawa, Kenna Gold, Audrey Kim, Zachary Goldstein and Paul Matt.

Intermediate (3^rd - 5^th) - Arjun Patel, Pooja Nagpal, Meera Nagpal, Sabrina Callendar-Clewett, Reyna Bhakta, Kaitlin Kwon, Morgan Goldstein, Mackenzie Matt, Makena Spadone and Shun Yoshizawa. Congratulations on a job well done!

                     

IMPORTANT DATES

-          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

-          Tues. Jan. 15^th - 1:45 pm. - 4:15 pm. Talent Show tryouts for Kdg - 3^rd Pennkamp Cafeteria

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

-          Fri. Jan. 25^th - Assembly "Environmental Defenders"

-          Feb. 4^th - 8^th - Author's Week