Dear Pennekamp Families,

            It is a startling realization that tomorrow is the last day of the month of April. The school year seems to be going by at a mind-bogglingly rapid clip, with the end-of-the-year activities and summer looming just around the corner. The final eight weeks of school promises to be amazingly busy, albeit quite an exciting period of time.

            At this time our focus is firmly fixed on next week’s STAR (State Testing and Reporting) assessments, which are compulsory for all students in 2^nd – 5^th grades in the state of California.  These tests will be administered within our district’s testing window of May 5^th – 16^th. These vitally important assessments of students’ learning provide parents with information as to how well their children are progressing in relation to state curriculum standards in core academic areas. It all provides the school with excellent information that can assist in planning instruction to better meet individual student needs, as well as to determine focal areas for school-wide improvement in ensuing years.

The state of California expects that these tests will be administered to all students, except in a few rare cases, and holds schools accountable for seeing that this standard of participation is met. It is imperative that parents make every effort to ensure that their children are prompt and regular in attendance during the two-week testing window. We urge parents to avoid scheduling appointments, vacations, etc. which would result in students missing or being late to school during testing weeks. In creating our testing schedule at Pennekamp, we have endeavored to spread out the testing over many days, in order to limit the amount on any given day, and to administer tests in the morning when students are the most rested and alert.

It is important that students do their very best on these tests, for their benefit, as well as for the benefit of the school. To assist the school in this venture, we ask that you make sure your children get plenty of sleep, eat a nutritious breakfast, and arrive at school on time each morning. We will do our part to help out by limiting the amount of homework assigned during test weeks. Lastly, it is critical that we try not to put undue stress on children, with regard to how they perform on these tests. Yes, it is OK to tell them that the tests are important and to encourage them to do their best, but we don’t want to engender any anxiety on their part. Let them know that as long as they give a good effort, we will be proud of them.

We will celebrate the end of STAR testing with our Family Dragon Movie Night on Friday, May 16^th.  Also remember to mark your calendars for Saturday, May 10^th for Pennekamp’s Pride Day.  Come out for all or part of this school beautification venture from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Gold Cards will be given to any student who works one hour or more. We’ll see you there!   

Sincerely,

Dale Keldrauk

 

Staff Appreciation Luncheon – A huge “Thank You” to the 1^st grade parents for providing a wonderful luncheon for the PK staff last Thursday. The Hawaiian cuisine was superb, the door prizes were terrific, and the hospitality was unparalleled. Once again our Pennekamp parents spoiled the staff. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Soccer Tournament – Kudos to the dads who played four games in the brutal heat last Sunday at the annual MBAF Soccer Tournament. The PK Dragons team played admirably. A big “thanks” to players Jeff Goodrich, Scott Millington, Bob Julius, Ross Kay, Robert Goldberg, Damon Haber, George Bordokas, Remco Waller, Gil Henry, Neal Dillon and Ed Danskin. A special “thank you” to Jeff Goodrich for coordinating this very successful event which raised approximately $17,000 for our schools.

MBMS Carnival for 5^th Graders – This Friday, May 2^nd, from 3:15 p.m.-5:00 p.m., MBMS will be hosting an Ambassadors’ Carnival for incoming 6^th grade students for 2008-09. All 5^th graders are cordially invited and encouraged to attend. 

MBUSD Summer School – The district will be providing remediation summer school to general education students currently in grades 2-7 based upon California Education Codes regarding supplemental instruction.  Students who qualify will be specifically identified by multiple performance measures that have been calculated to determine core proficiency.  Parents of students who qualify for these Summer School programs will receive an invitation by mail, providing details of the program the week of April 21, 2008.  Summer School will be held at Pennekamp Elementary from Monday, June 23^rd – Friday, July 18^th.  There will be no school on Friday, July 4^th.

GATE Testing – Spring testing for current 4^th grade students is on June 2, 2008.  This testing opportunity is for any current 4^th grade student who did not take the test in September of this school year.  The test will be given in Room 27 at Pacific Elementary School at 8:30 a.m.

In order to reserve a spot, please fill out a Permission to Test form and send it to:  Alyse McDonald 1200 Pacific Ave. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, or it can be dropped off in the Pacific office.  The office also has copies of the permission slip.  Students who have already qualified for GATE do not need to retake the test.  The district will test 6^th grade students in October, 2008 at MBMS.

Parent Talk Lecture Series - Nurturing the Nature of your Child  - Speaker Michael Gurian, NY Times bestselling author will be speaking at MCHS on Tuesday, May 13^th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Register online at www.southbayadult.org or at the door. 
Parent Lecture Information

Take a Step – Start a Worm Bin– If one million people vermin-composted for one year, 82,000 tons of food waste could be turned into fertilizer.  Do not underestimate the lowly worm; it is one of nature’s best recyclers.  Give hungry worms access to your kitchen vegetable waste and soon through the process of verm-icomposting, your garbage will be turned into nutrient-rich, non-polluting fertilizer.  Compost improves plant and root growth, helps soil hold in moisture, binds nutrients in the soil and can help inhibit plant disease.  Interested in learning more?  Join Lisa Ryder-Moore for a free one-hour Composting Workshop this Saturday, May 3^rd, at 10 a.m. at Polliwog Park.  MB residents may purchase Biostack Bins or Worm Composting Bins at the class or call Waste Management at (310) 830-7100. For questions or comments, contact Heather Spadone at teamspadone@yahoo.com.                 

STAR -  It’s not too late to enroll in STAR classes!  4^th and 5^th grade students will get 10% off enrollment for the Science Fair Project class with Mrs. Ibrahim.  Come support wildlife and earth preservation…Join us for the biggest and best Earth Day celebration for kids in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 27^th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the STAR Ecostation located at 10101 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA.  There will be rescued exotic wildlife, an outdoor carnival, live entertainment and a few Nickolodeon celebrities as well! Please contact Beverly Powell at (310) 877-9047. 
STAR Class Schedule    STAR Class Registration Form

Camp VIP – Attention 5^th graders – There are several wonderful options just for you!  Getting Ready for Middle School is a great way to learn about what goes on at MBMS, engage in activities that will prepare you for the 6^th grade year, as well as meeting new kids and having a lot of fun while learning new skills.  Also, Mrs. Daly’s Book Club is a great way to accomplish some of your required summer reading in small groups, with skill-based activities that will give you a boost of confidence and preparedness for your  6^th  grade Humanites class.  Call Director, Nancy Rosenberg, at (310) 376-6115 with any questions you may have.
Camp VIP Website

MBUSD Summer Enrichment Camp – Camps will be held this year on the Pacific and Pennekamp campuses.  All South Bay residents are invited to join us for some outrageous summer fun! Campers from Kdg. – 8^th grade can register for any or all of the nine, one-week sessions.  Please contact Becky Hausken at (310) 318-7345 ext. 5840 with any questions.
MBUSD EDP Camp Information

Author’s Week Coloring Books by Michael Wright are Here – The official Authors’ Week coloring books created by Michael Wright have arrived!  Each class has a drawing and poem in the book. The cost is $1 each and the money should be given to your child’s teacher.  Books will be distributed when paid for.  For any questions, call Shirley Ritter at (310) 798-7932

Movie Night  - Pennekamp’s 2^nd Annual Movie Night will be held on Friday, May 16^th.  The film this year will be “Ice Age”. The teacher raffle, food and fun starts at 6:30 p.m.  The movie will begin at 8 p.m.  If you would like to volunteer for the popcorn machine, please contact Susan Holton at (310) 376-9206 or strawberryonfire@aol.com  Look for flyers in next week’s Tuesday envelope to purchase tickets for the auction items that our teachers have so generously donated for this special night. 
Movie Night Information  Teacher Time Raffle Information

Fiesta Time at Grandview  - Join in the fun at Grandview school this Saturday, May 3^rd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  There will be games, prizes, arts and crafts, bake sale, garage sale and so much more!  Ole!
Grandview Fiesta Information

 

IMPORTANT DATES

 

·          Fri., May 2^nd – Assembly – “50 Years of American Pop Music” 9 – 9:50 Ks, 4^th, 5^th . 10– 10:50 Ks, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd

·          Mon., May 5^th – May 16^th – State testing

·          Wed., May 7^th - School Board meeting at District Office 6:30 p.m.

·          Sat., May 10^th – Pride Day at Pennekamp -  9  a.m. – 2 p.m.

·          Mon., May 12^th – 5^th grade field trip to House of Blues 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

·          Tues., May 13^th – 5^th grade Panorama Photo - PK Field  2 p.m.

·          Fri., May 16^th – Family Dragon Movie Night – “Ice Age”  6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

·          Mon., May 26^th – Memorial Day – No School

·          Wed. June 3^rd – 5^th Grade Transition Breakfast – 7:45 a.m.

·          Wed., June 4^th – Science Fair

·          Thurs., June 5^th – Open House

·          Fri., June 6^th – Kinderthon – 10 a.m.

·          Fri., June 13^th – 5^th Grade Promotion Party – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.