Pennoyer Family Newsletter - 4/5/24

Pennoyer Families,

We had a short week with our students back at Pennoyer but it was productive, and we were so excited to welcome them back after Spring Break!  We didn't come back to the greatest weather, but things look like they're going to improve in the coming weeks around here.  Our students and staff have done a nice job adjusting and navigating while construction projects have begun in full swing.  I couldn't be more excited about everything that's coming ahead for Pennoyer!  We've adjusted some of our procedures and how to best utilize our spaces and the hallways during this first construction phase.  Just a heads up that we're going to try and start utilizing our field during outdoor recess times when it's dry enough starting on Tuesday next week.  We've had limited access to the blacktop area in the back this past week due to some construction necessities, so we want to start getting students outside when we can again for recess.  Please be aware that the field can get a little messy sometimes when you're sending your students to school next week as far as their shoes go.  

I wanted to let you all know that I'll be out next week from Wednesday-Friday with a group of our 8th graders on their Washington DC trip.  I'm super excited!  Ms. Norgard, Ms. Slawson, and our social work interns will be around though to support staff, students, and families as needed.

Finally, click HERE to see the Spring Edition of our Pennoyer Press publication hot off the presses!  Thanks to Miss Burghart and our Pennoyer Press Crew for putting this all together.

School Information and Reminders:

*Please remember our new arrival/dismissal and lunch/recess procedures due to construction projects.  Here are a few very important reminders...

• Please make sure to not pull through the East entrance gate and pick up students along the circle drive in front of the building.  This is ONLY for preschool parents.  We ask that even preschool parents that may have older children at Pennoyer, please drive around to the West carline that starts on Foster or you can park on the street or Salvation Army after picking up your preschooler and waiting for your other student(s).

• ALL cars MUST use the West Gate entrance off of Foster for both ARRIVAL and DISMISSAL times every single day.  It's important not to block the circle drive and front of our school for emergency vehicles and cars that are parked in our spaces that may need access to leave.  We also have students walking across the parking lot and their safety is so important.  

• Please watch your speed in our parking lot each and every day while driving in and out.  We have many students crossing the parking lot at different sections.  This is why it's so important to follow the correct flow of traffic that Officer Bob and Principal Adam Greenberg have set up for the safety of our students and staff.

• Remember, if you think it's more convenient and closer, families can certainly choose to park at the Salvation Army for arrival/dismissal time if they wish.  *(PLEASE just remember, it's very important that you park in actual spaces in the Salvation Army parking lot for safety concerns.  Please do not pull up and park in their circle drive or near the sidewalk at the front of the building...thanks so much!)

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

We Celebrate at Pennoyer!

This past Wednesday, April 3rd, was Paraprofessionals Appreciation Day, so we wanted to celebrate this incredible group of staff members that we have here at Pennoyer this week!  Without the every day support that these fabulous individuals provide, we could not function so successfully as a school.  Our paras work so closely with our teachers and other support staff to help get the best from our students and meet them where they're at.  They are collaborative, thoughtful, open-minded, caring, and so hard working.  We can't thank them enough for their dedication they bring to Pennoyer each and every day.  They support our students in and out of the classroom; during lunch/recess and during arrival and dismissal times as well.  This is such a special group that we're truly lucky to have at Pennoyer.  #Pennoyerpride definitely goes out to Ms. Barb, Ms. Ramia, Ms. Diana, Ms. Nataliia S., Ms. Nataliia H., Ms. Audrey, Ms. Monica, Ms. Viktoriia, Ms. Maria, Ms. Ivana, Ms. Halyna, and Ms. Shay!

What’s Around the Corner?

• The Pennoyer Spring Book Fair is coming up the week of April 15th! Click HERE, HERE, and HERE for flyers and more information. There links on the flyers that are to the our Scholastic home page and Sign Up Genius if you're interested. We're excited to announce that the Book Fair will be open during Literacy Night on April 18th as well!!!


• Pennoyer Literacy Night is coming up on April 18th!  Check out this flyer HERE and Save the date!!!

• Pennoyer Community Kindness Day is coming up on Saturday, April 20th for all Pennoyer students and families!  Come joint us for this fun celebration.  Check out this flyer HERE for more information.  

• District 207 STEM Summer Camp is back for all Middle School students!  HERE is a flyer with more information if you're interested.

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Spring sessions at the Eisenhower Library are open to all families and students. If you're interested, check out more information HERE.

Sincerely,

Adam

Pennoyer Principal

agreenberg@pennoyerschool.org