Pennekamp Families,

We are now fully into the heart of the winter season. The weather alone could be a real adventure! Wet? Dry? Cloudy? Sunny? Cool? Warm? Windy? Calm? We've had it all! Despite the ever-changing weather conditions, we have every confidence that we will have a great winter in terms of school activities, including the following: 

5^th Grade Parent Meeting – This Thursday, Jan. 31^st, from 8:30-9:30 a.m., PK Cafetorium. All 5^th grade parents are encouraged to come to this “Meet & Greet” with Superintendent Bev Rohrer, MBUSD Board Member Amy Howorth, Director of Curriculum Carolyn Seaton, MBMS Principal John Jackson, MCHS Principal Julie Ruisinger, and former PK parent Gail Currey. Come out to hear about the great “beyond-elementary-school opportunities” that MBUSD has to offer.

Go Green – Pennekamp is really stepping up to the challenge! Through the leadership of our Go Green Committee, students and adults are taking measures to soften the footprint we are leaving upon our world. Last Friday our 1^st-5^th grade students saw a motivating “Environmental Defenders” assembly, which educated students not only about their theme  of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, but also about landfills, storm drain pollution, and household hazardous waste. Hopefully your child brought home a “Pledge” form that can be mailed in (no postage necessary) for a free CD of child-friendly music that was played during the assembly. 
PK Go Green Info  Go Green Shopping Bag and Water Bottle Order Form   

Authors’ Week – This annual Pennekamp extravaganza will take place next week, February 4^th-8^th. This year's Author in Residence is Michael Wright, who is both a children's author and a former Pennekamp parent. Also, screenwriter and former PK parent Karol Hoeffner Shrodes will be teaching a screenwriting workshop to PK's 5^th graders. It promises to be an exciting week, filled with assemblies, workshops, mystery readers and poetry breaks. If you are interested in being a mystery reader, contact Authors’ Week Chair, Shirley Ritter at 310-798-7932 or scand@aol.com.  
Mystery Reader Signup Form  Author-in-Residence Michael Wright Book Order From

Mid-Winter Recess, Feb. 18-22 –It is only 3 weeks away! We strongly urge families to use this week for your ski trips, etc. rather than pulling students out during times when school is in session.  Thanks for your support!

Talent Show – PK students are very excited about this year’s event which will occur on Friday, February 29^th  from 6:00 pm. - 9:00 p.m. at the Mira Costa Auditorium.  Family and friends are  encouraged to attend this gala event.  See you there!

Registration for 2008-09 – Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 5^th, for the beginning of registration for kindergartners and new 1^st-5^th grade students for next year. Registration packets will be available prior to March 5^th. Look to future Green Sheets for the date when packets can be obtained in the school office. We recommend that you register that first week if possible. Our Kindergarten Parent Orientation will be on Tuesday, March 18^th at 9:00 a.m. in the PK Cafetorium. Tell your friends and neighbors.  
MBUSD Pre-enrollment Form for 2008-2009  MBUSD Kindergarten Registration Information 2008-2009

 

            In addition to the aforementioned items, we also have assemblies, field trips, the PK Parent Party, MBEF Parent Basketball Tournament, and more coming up. As you can see, we have quite a winter calendar! Catch the PK Dragon Spirit and enjoy these great school activities. So embrace the winter weather - whatever it may be on any given day – and enjoy the Super Bowl this weekend! 

                        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 Class Basket Donation List

MBEF Annual Appeal – This is the last week (by Jan. 31^st) to make a pledge that will count toward classroom participation. You can donate/pledge online at www.mbef.org/givetoday.htm or by sending your donation in to the Pennekamp office.

1^st  Friday’s Speaker Series – Connect the Dots – a Life Skills program for students with special needs will be presented on Feb. 1^st from 9 – 11 am. in the Manhattan Beach Preschool auditorium, located at 1431 15^th Street.  All parents are welcome to attend this informative meeting with Sonia Dickson-Brachs as she describes the Life Skills curriculum to be used by the DIS counselors and Special Education staff.  A question and answer period will follow the presentation.  
First Friday Lecture Information for February 1

Green Ideas – STOP THE JUNK MAIL:  To produce junk mail for one year we use 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water.  An average of 41 lbs. of junk mail is sent to every adult citizen every year.  Approximately 44% of this mail goes into a landfill unopened.  There are companies that can help you reduce your junk mail by 75% to 90%.  Check out www.greendimes.com or www.41pounds.org .  You can also use the instructions at www.newdream.org/junkmail/ Please contact Heather Spadone at teamspadone@yahoo.com with any questions you may have.

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.

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.     
Parent Workshop with David Ghoogasian Information

Friday Ice Cream Update – We realize how much the kids (and parents) look forward to Friday Ice Cream!  We are planning on continuing the tradition, however, there will be some slight changes in what is being offered.  Based on the District’s new Wellness Policy, we will be eliminating some of the usual choices (such as malts), but we will still offer several choices of cold treats.  We hope that everyone understands the nutritional changes that are being made are for the well-being of our kids.

Parent Party – The PTA needs empty baskets of all shapes and sizes for the silent auction at the Parent Party.  Please drop off baskets in the front office.  Ticket order forms are also available in the office.  
Parent Party Ticket Order Form

 

IMPORTANT DATES

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

·          Thurs. Jan. 31^st – 9:00 am. 5^th  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

·          Fri. Feb. 1^st – First Friday’s Speaker Series – “Connect the Dots” at MB Preschool Auditorium

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

·          Mon. Feb. 4^th – All Kdg. & DK on early schedule 8:00 amm. -11:20 am.

·          Tues. Feb 5^th – Talent Show Rehearsals K – 3^rd 2:15 pm. – 4:00 pm. Pennekamp Cafeteria

·          Wed. & Thurs. Feb. 6^th and 7^th - 5^th Grade GATE

·          Thurs. Feb. 7^th – Talent Show Rehearsals  4^th & 5^th grades 3:00 pm. – 5:00 pm. Pennekamp Cafeteria

·          Tues. Feb. 12^th – MBUSD Parent Education session – “Emotional Intelligence”, 6:00 pm. – 8:30 pm. at the Grand View School Performing Arts Center

·          Feb. 18^th – 22^nd – Mid-Winter Break – No School

·          Wed. March 5^th – Kindergarten registration begins.