Mr. G's Corner: 2023-02-12

Pennoyer Families,

We certainly had a positive and emotional week at Pennoyer. It started out with a celebration of love and appreciation on Valentine's Day with our students and staff on Tuesday, and that same level of positivity and support just absolutely spilled over to this past Wednesday night at our Community Event surrounding the referendums and vote on April 4th. I can't express the gratitude and pride I felt as I saw the incredible outpouring of support that filled our MPR from wall to wall. We had staff, students, families, and community leaders all joining together to make sure VOICES WERE HEARD and everyone understands what is truly at stake this time around. I can't thank you all enough for the thoughtful time you gave to our school on Wednesday night. We had a great dialogue that was fueled by really good questions that needed to be asked and talked about. If you didn't get to join us, there will be a highlight video up on our Pennoyer website coming soon.

If you did get to join us, then you know that the video that was put together by our very own staff and students that kicked off the night, really said it all. I've watched this video many times now, and I honestly tear up again and again. It's a powerful statement to what really matters and what's on the line this time around. If you didn't catch it, or would like to watch it again...HERE it is! This is on our YouTube channel on the Pennoyer website as well.

Remember, your vote certainly COUNTS in this election on April 4th. Find 5 people in our community and MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!

Also remember, to support our school and every single student here, Pennoyer families and friends can join the private Facebook group “Pennoyer Moms and Dads” if they wish. Families can also check out PennoyerYes.com to sign up for updates, be a volunteer, and seek out ways you can get involved.

School Information and Reminders:

There will be an asbestos abatement in the Special Education hallway and rooms over this President’s Day weekend. If you're not aware, over Winter Break, we had a pipe break that caused water to flood into this area and classrooms. It was determined that the tile needed to be replaced. Some good news that came out of this is the fact that these areas will be receiving nice, new flooring. However, before that can be done, the current tile and the tile under that tile (which is asbestos tile) will need to be removed from rooms 111, 116 and 118 and the hallway areas. This will happen over President's Day Weekend from February 17th - 20th. A non-friable method will be used, which basically means they will heat the floors up to a high temperature and peel both floors away leaving no debris or fibers in the air, making it safe to return to the classroom once completed. However, our environmental consultant will still conduct air quality tests before we all return on the 21st. Please reach out to Dr. Kopta if you have any questions or concerns. We have done this same process in other classrooms and common areas around the school during the past years and it has always gone smoothly.

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

We Celebrate at Pennoyer!

This week I'm so proud to celebrate the incredible thoughtfulness and community spirit of our students and staff. When the Salvation Army reached out a couple weeks ago and asked if our school could help support their Birthday Cake Box Project, we certainly stepped up and answered the call! This community service project was all about putting together birthday cake packages to utilize in our surrounding area for families that might not be able to afford creating birthday cakes for those special occasions with their children and loved ones. These collections consisted of cake mix, frosting, Sprite, and candles to help make yummy soda pop cakes with no flour or eggs at all! I was so impressed with the amazing level of giving our students and staff came forward with. This entire endeavor was supported by our very own Student Council led by Mrs. Khafka and Ms. Kopoulos, and Peer Leaders led by Mrs. Stecker. In the end, last Friday, we were able to deliver an enormous amount of cake box packages over to the Salvation Army with so much Pennoyer pride. In celebration of our successful community project, Ms. Warchol's Kindergarten class will be receiving a party with some sweet treats after Kindergartner Lucille Klein had her name pulled in our school raffle. Way to go!!!