Dear Pennekamp Families,

“Green, green - It’s green they say,

On the far side of the hill.

Green, green – I’m going away,

To where the grass is greener still.”

            Song from the 1960s

 

            For those of us who actually remember this song, we’re dating ourselves! Here’s the Baby Boomer trivia question: Name the group? Look for the answer at the end of this article.

            As folks who are fortunate enough to live and/or work in Manhattan Beach, we don’t need to go to the far side of the hill in order to find the green. Through the concerted efforts of our city and our school district, we are well on our way to making things greener still in MB. This week marks the kick-off of Pennekamp’s “Go Green” campaign, in which we are instituting a variety of conservation and recycling measures in an effort to be better stewards of our environment. Spurred on by the incredible energy and expertise of our sizeable Go Green Committee, led by coordinators Mariel Waller and Julie Greenwald, Pennekamp is enthusiastically embracing the concept.

            Yesterday, we initiated our recycling efforts in our cafeteria and in the areas where students have snacks during the school day. We are in the process of educating the children as to which items are recyclables, and which are trash. It helped to have GG Committee volunteers present during lunch and snack times and to have decorative, user-friendly signs (Thank you Tracie Haber!) posted in the eating areas. Despite the expected questions and uncertainties, the kids seemed to do a pretty good job of it. With a bit more time and practice, the separation of items should become second nature to them. We are also working toward recycling paper in classrooms. Our PK ambassadors, under the leadership of Theresa Tower, will be helping with the collection.

            Today was our first Trash-less Tuesday. We are encouraging children and parents to pack lunches that minimize waste. Many students who brought lunches and snacks to school, took the initiative to eliminate or reduce amount of waste (plastic wrappers, disposable cartons, etc.) by utilizing reusable and recyclable items. We realize that this takes some planning and work on the part of kids and parents, and we appreciate the efforts.

            Tomorrow will be our first Walking Wednesday, in which we are encouraging students and parents to either walk to school or carpool in order to minimize gasoline consumption and the resultant pollution, and to lighten traffic on the streets of our community. We fully realize that walking to school is easier for those who live nearer to the school. So any efforts to either walk or carpool are appreciated. Barring inclement weather, I plan on making the two-mile trek from my home to Pennekamp tomorrow morning. Perhaps I’ll see you along my route!

            Beginning in March, we are planning on moving toward a near-paperless pattern of communication. Most written communication from school will be available on the PK eNews, rather than as hardcopies. In our weekly Tuesday Envelopes, we will only be sending home flyers which need to be filled out and returned to school. Those which are “information only” will be available online only. Starting in March my Green Sheet will be sent home as a hardcopy only on the first Tuesday of each month. All other weeks, the Green Sheet will be in the eNews. By next year we hope to be even closer to going paperless. We strongly encourage all families to get on PK’s eList if you have not already done so.

            So is Pennekamp “Going Green”? We are certainly working on it! As with any change, it takes willingness, time and effort. The willingness and effort are there. We just need to sustain it over time. As you can see, we don’t need to go away to look for the green. All we need to do is make our own space a little greener. I am confident that the students, staff and parents of the Pennekamp community will do just that. Go Green, and Go Dragons!

Trivia Answer: The New Christy Minstrels - 1964  

            Sincerely,      

            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
Silent Auction Donations by Grade Level

Green Ideas – As Pennekamp gears up to “Get on Board, Go Green”’ we will be featuring weekly tips and information on how you can go green in your own home.  Our first “green” idea is about saving while shopping.  Did you know that scientists estimate it takes from 5,000 to 10,000 years for a plastic shopping bag to decompose?  One of the easiest ways to start saving our environment is to start using recyclable shopping bags.  Pennekamp will be selling reusable bags with the Pennekamp logo on ice cream Fridays.  Use them when you shop, wherever you shop.  If you have any questions or tips to share, fell free to contact Heather Spadone at teamspadone@yahoo.com.  Happy Greening!
PK Go Green Information

Neptunian’s Annual Art Contest – This contest is open to children of all grade levels.  All work must be original.  Entries must be received by Wed. Feb. 13^th.  For more information, pick up an entry form in the main office.

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

Parent Workshop  We are pleased to announce that David Ghoogasian, expert in gifted and talented education, will be presenting his next parent workshop on Tuesday, February, 12, 2008 from 6:00 pm. – 8:30 pm. at the Grand View Performing Arts Center located at 2617 Bell Avenue.   Parents and teachers are encouraged to attend.  For more information please go to the District’s website at www.mbusd.org

Box Top Winners – Mrs. Harns, room 15, collected the most box tops for the month of November and Mrs. Fletcher, room 14, collected the most box tops for the month of December.  Keep ‘em coming!!  For more information call Patricia Koester at (310) 318-1259.

Reflections Art Contest – Please check out the various pieces of art from the many entrants on the bulletin board at Pennekamp. Our Primary and Intermediate students are so talented! Congratulations to all!

5^th Grade Parent Meet and Greet – Thursday, Jan. 31^st at 9:00 am. in the Pennekamp Cafetorium.  All 5^th grade parents are encouraged to attend.  Join Superintendent Beverly Roher, Board member Amy Howorth, MBMS Principal John Jackson, MCHS Principal Julie Ruisinger and Director of Educational Services Carolyn Seaton for this informative meeting.

 

IMPORTANT DATES

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

·          Wed. Jan. 16^th  and Thurs. Jan. 17^th  – 5^th Grade GATE

·          Jan. 16^th – Board Meeting District Office 6:30 pm.

·          Thurs. Jan 17^th – 2:45 pm. – 5:15 pm.  Talent Show tryouts grades 4 & 5 Pennekamp Cafeteria

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

·          Wed. Jan. 23^rd – Special Ed Task Force meeting 9:00 am. District Office

·          Fri. Jan. 25^th – Assembly “Environmental Defenders”

·          Wed. Jan. 30^th – Board meeting District Office 6:30 pm.

·          Thurs. Jan. 31^st – 9:00 am. 5^th G Grade Parent ‘Meet and Greet’ with Dr. Rohrer and MBUSD administrators Pennekamp Café

·          Wed. and Thurs. Jan. 30^th and 31^st- 4^th Grade GATE