Family Newsletter - 10/28/22

Pennoyer Families, 

Early voting is happening this week and next week at Norridge Village Hall.   It is so important that all our families vote.  The referendum is critical to moving Pennoyer forward and maintaining our current programming.  Please see our Pennoyer website https://www.pennoyerschool.org/referendum/ for more information.

This past week I hosted our very first Parent/Principal Connect-Collaborate-Celebrate monthly meeting, and I so appreciated families that took time out of their busy schedules to come by Pennoyer and join in this opportunity.  We had such good and honest conversations where voices were heard throughout the night.  I'm so excited about working with all of our families to help make Pennoyer the best place possible for each and every one of our students.  There's so much we can do when we're working together on the same team with the same goals in mind.  I can't wait to see the progress we make throughout the year.  We'll have another meeting next month to build on some of the focus areas we discussed this past week.

Also, don't forget about the exciting new clubs we are offering at Pennoyer in collaboration with the Norridge Park District this year.  Make sure to check out these cool opportunities for our K-8th graders and register soon before things close up and get filled.  HERE is a flyer that provides information on how to sign up, along with the different options in Session 1.  

School Information and Reminders:

Updating Skyward for Grades -  Teachers will do their best to have all current assignments/assessments in Skyward within 1 week of the due date. Larger projects, late assignments and reassessments could be in Skyward within 2 weeks. Our staff will work hard to be consistent with these practices.

Wearing/Bringing Gym Shoes to School - Just a friendly reminder as the weather changes, all students are required to have appropriate gym shoes with them at school every day to participate properly in gym class.  We want to make sure students are safe, able to engage in activities, and the gym floor is preserved.  The easiest thing to do is to make sure all students come to school in some type of gym shoes each day.  When they have to wear boots or something else, please send them with an extra pair of shoes in their backpacks.  Thanks so much!

Want to get involved, volunteer, or have ideas for our school...Check out the PTC Link!

We Celebrate at Pennoyer!

I'm so excited and proud to celebrate Mrs. Strecker this week who applied and received the Excellence In Education Grant this year from the Illinois Retired Teachers Foundation.  The Excellence in Education Grant program began 18 years ago, and over that time has presented over a half a million dollars to active teachers, allowing them to pursue innovative activities for their students.  This year, 180 teachers across the state applied for the grants, and from our area, Mrs. Strecker was chosen based on the description of her project she submitted.  Mrs. Strecker will be using her grant to purchase sets of read alouds that are connected to math for Kindergarten to 3rd grade to engage students in mathematical concepts through literacy.  These resources will allow them to think about math in different ways, activate background knowledge, and apply new skills in an additional setting which creates a deeper learning experience.  

Way to go Mrs. Strecker!

What’s Around the Corner?

• Pennoyer Halloween Celebrations on Monday, October 31st - HERE is a letter for parents/guardians with information all about our day on Oct. 31st.  Please note the parade route has changed slightly.  
• Also, remember it's a half day of school and students are dismissed at 11:30am.  There will be no lunch on October 31st.
• Erin's Law student presentations - These will take place in the classrooms for students sometime between November 1st - November 4th.  HERE is a letter from Mrs. Slawson detailing Erin's Law and the focus to support our students here at Pennoyer.
• Pennoyer Family STEAM Night - Thursday, November 3rd from 6-7:30pm
• Check out this Cool Flier
• 8th grade Krispy Kreme fundraiser - Check out this Cool Flier!
• Fall Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday, November 7th 
• HERE is a link to all of the sign ups if you're interested.  Teachers sent out emails to families as well.  Remember these are Student Led Conferences for the K-8th graders, so make sure they attend with you.  Also, our PreK-8th grade will have 15 minute time slots to sign up for, while 6th-8th will have 10 minute time slots to accommodate families who may want to see multiple teachers. 

Sincerely,

Adam

Pennoyer Principal

agreenberg@pennoyerschool.org