Family Newsletter - 12/22/22

Pennoyer Families, 

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our families and community members that have supported myself, our entire staff, and all of students in 2022.  It's been an amazing ride so far for me as your principal, and I can't wait for even better things to come in 2023.  No matter what, when, or how you're celebrating over these next couple of weeks, I truly wish every single one of you the happiest of holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year!

I hope you can find time to spend with loved ones, take a break from your daily work and routines, and appreciate this special time of year before we head into the start of a brand new one.  I'll miss our students and staff over the next couple of weeks, but I know our hallways and classrooms will be buzzing again soon enough with our school community taking on new challenges, stretching their thinking and creativity, and building academic and social/emotional learning skills they can use well beyond our school walls.

Make the best of this Winter Break, and we'll see everyone back at Pennoyer on Monday, January 9th!

School Information and Reminders:

As the winter months continue, HERE is our current E Learning Plan our staff put together this year in case we have to close Pennoyer due to weather conditions.  If you have questions about these remote learning plans, feel free to reach out to your student's teacher(s).  

Important Information About Parking at the Salvation Army - Parents and guardians, please make sure to watch your speed and how you're driving in the parking lot at the Salvation Army.  Also, please be careful near the sidewalks where many of our students are walking.  It's often icy and wet out this time of year, and we want to make sure everyone is safe.  Please respect the property and people working at the Salvation Army and work with them if redirected.  They have been a great collaborative partner with us and we so appreciate them allowing our families to use their parking lot.  Thanks so much!

Ukrainian Translator Opportunity with the Norridge Police Department - Wayne Schober, the Deputy Chief of Police from the Norridge Police Department, reached out asking if we could help find any staff or community members to support when translators are needed at the police department.

If you're interested in volunteering, please reach out to Principal Adam Greenberg who can pass your name, address, and phone number along to Deputy Chief Schober.

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

We Celebrate at Pennoyer!

This past Tuesday night was honestly one of my favorite experiences in my 20 years of education.  I was so full of pride and smiling from ear to ear as I witnessed the inspiring dedication of Ms. Amanda Payne and all of our PreK-4th graders shine on stage at our 2022 Pennoyer Winter Concert!  In addition, Mr. Paul Browne and our incredible band students kicked things off on the right foot.  Every student involved in the Winter Concert put in so much work and Ms. Payne was a true leader bringing it all together with her creativity and thoughtfulness for our entire community.  Ms. Payne was supported by our incredible Fine Arts and PE department, which includes Megan McManus, Jim Nelsen, and Kajsa Meyer.  They put in a lot of extra time to get the gym looking absolutely amazing and being flexible with their space and time during the past week leading up to the actual show.  We also had a whole group of teachers come and support our students and Ms. Payne on Tuesday night to help bring it all together.  In the final songs of the show, with an absolutely packed gym, the crowd sang Jingle Bells along with our students and staff and the positive joy and spirit was through the roof.  It was truly a special night for the entire Pennoyer community that I know I will never forget.

What’s Around the Corner?

• Pennoyer PTC 1st Annual Bingo Night!
• Check out this flyer and be a part of this fun event on Thursday, Jan. 12th!
• Middle School Dance Coming up for all 6th-8th graders on Friday, January 20th!  
• Information went home with middle school students, but check out this flyer for information as well.  We can't wait to celebrate with all of our middle schoolers!!!
• Lou Malnati's 8th Grade Valentine's Day Fundraiser - Click HERE for more information!
• Norridge Park District Youth Basketball League
• Check out this flyer for more information

• Norridge Park District - Holiday Celebrations and Activities!
• Check out this flyer for more information.
• West 40 - Newcomer Item Drive - Think about supporting this initiative.  
• HERE is more information if you're interested.
• Winter Workshop opportunities over Winter Break for students
• Check out this flyer for more information.
• Important Information for all 8th grade families sending students to Main South next year!
• Main South freshman registration form - Must be filled out before Jan. 1, 2023

• Pennoyer T-Shirt Fundraiser to Support Refugees
• Check out this flyer for more information. 
• Eisenhower Library Story Essay Activity for Students, Parents, and Families!  Check out this cool opportunity for any creative writers to share their perspective and stories!  There is no deadline I'm aware of to turn these in, but I'm sure the sooner, the better.  HERE is the information!

Sincerely,

Adam

Pennoyer Principal

agreenberg@pennoyerschool.org