Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 10/28/22

           Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

Ok...this week had it's ups and downs, but above all else...the spirit of Red Ribbon Week prevailed for sure!  This pic says it all...

I can't begin to explain how much fun I had at Trunk or Treat last Friday!  The turnout was amazing, the weather was perfect, and it was just good vibes all around.  I had the best time playing music for so many of our students and families.  For my first time I got tipped in CANDY!  Pretty special memory.  I so appreciate all of the help and support it took to put this all together with our PTC, students, and staff that volunteered to help out.

And don't worry...the Greenberg's are ready for our own Halloween celebration on October 31st.  I can't wait for Monday night.  I hope everyone enjoys the time in your neighborhoods, whatever you choose to do!

Here is our SIP agenda for our half day SIP on October 31st.  I hope everyone finds it productive and helpful!

Erin's Law presentations will be happening in classrooms for all PreK-8th grade students sometime between November 1st - November 4th.  Rachel has sent out information and a sign up for teachers to fill out for when they would like the presentation in their classrooms.  Connect with Rachel if you have any further questions.

Pennoyer Halloween Plans for Monday, October 31st - HERE is a copy of the letter I sent out to families to support October 31st and our school plans.  I'm looking forward to the Monday.  Reach out with any questions or concerns.  It looks like the weather is going to cooperate...I may have just jinxed us.  Below is a map of the route showing where the students will go west down Foster, and then they'll cross just east of Delphia Ave., and then walk back towards Pennoyer.  Then they'll cross back again at the crosswalk by the District Office.  Our Norridge Police Department will be with us during our parade time from 9:00-9:30am to help students as they cross the street.  We want all students to exit and enter from the main office double doors please.

Hawk Action Items 

• Staff Halloween Costume Contest - October 31st is the big day everyone and the pressure is on from what I've heard!  There's even a student judging portion to this now, so GAME ON.
• Final Call for Stipend Openings for JV Girls and JV Boys Basketball Teams...Connect w/ Adam if interested.
• Interested in SEL Professional Development...check out what West 40 has to offer!  

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

"If there's something strange, in your neighborhood, Who ya gonna call?  Ghostbusters!  If it's something weird, and it don't look good, Who ya gonna call?  Ghostbusters!

                                                                          -Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.

Hawk Celebrations

Staff shout out to Nurse Alana for scheduling the time in her busy day to visit classrooms to remind students of the 7 B reasons to visit her.  It was great for teachers to hear this information together with students so that they can feel more comfortable keeping those frequent flyers in the classroom instead of them missing instruction. Nurse Alana has a great rapport with our kiddos and they truly enjoy her visiting the classrooms.

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!

October Birthdays! 🎂

Ramia Elddine - 10/2

April Bardelas - 10/4

Rachel Slawson - 10/7

Alissa Warchol - 10/3

James Nelsen - 10/15

Erica Hauer - 10/18

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate

Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 10/21/22

           Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

Ok...nobody got it as bad as Mr. Nelson at the Walk-A-Thon last week.  He was a real trooper.  Two pies in my face were more than enough, but I had the absolute best time watching our students and staff celebrate, have fun, and raise over $5000!  I'm looking forward to Trunk or Treat tonight and the beautiful weather all weekend long!!!  I hope everyone can find time to get out and enjoy the sun and warmer temperatures.  My son is playing in his flag football championship this coming Sunday for his intramural team at Stevenson High School.  I'm looking forward to that and having a good meal at Wildfire on Saturday night with my family thanks to a special gift I got last week on Boss's Day. 

I also have to take a moment to let everyone know of a really cool hand written letter we received at Pennoyer this week.  It was from Dolores Weeda, who taught at Pennoyer between 1961-1968.  She now lives in Wyoming, Minnesota.  In an act of kindness, she simply wrote that she remembered when Pennoyer had only a few book shelves by the teachers' lunch tables to a growing library, and she wanted to give us a little something to continue to purchase some new books for our students to enjoy.  She enclosed a check for $100, and we were able to fulfill some student wish lists this year.  It was such a thoughtful thing to do, and to see the connection that Dolores still feels to Pennoyer speaks volumes about her and the special place this is and has always been.

I'll be sending out an agenda for our half day SIP on October 31st as well when it gets closer.

Don't forget about Red Ribbon Week coming up on Monday!  Join the fun and support a positive message if you like.  Thanks so much to Student Council and Peer Leaders for sponsoring this important week!

Erin's Law presentations will be happening in classrooms for all PreK-8th grade students sometime between November 1st - November 4th.  Rachel will be setting up and sending out information about teachers signing up.

Hawk Action Items 

• Staff Halloween Costume Contest - This is just meant be totally fun, but I've heard there's a history of staff joining together as grade bands and dressing up together with a theme/idea in mind.  I know our office staff has a good idea brewing!  Just wanted to put this on your radar before Halloween squeaks up on us.  Let's see who takes the crown this year!
• Stipend Openings for JV Girls and JV Boys Basketball Teams...Connect w/ Adam if interested.
• Interested in SEL Professional Development...check out what West 40 has to offer!
• Pennoyer Halloween Plans for October 31st - HERE is a copy of the letter I sent out to families to support October 31st and our school plans.  I'm looking forward to the day.  Reach out with any questions or concerns.  

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

Going to California by Led Zeppelin

Hawk Celebrations

Staff shout out to Rachel Michaels for helping to clean the lunch tables when George had to step out on Wednesday!

I am humbled and honored to present this weeks Hawk celebration!  With the generous support and donations from the PEA and Board of Education, along with spirit wear from our PTC and our incredibly thoughtful staff, which includes Mrs. Adkins, Mrs. Kula, Dr. Kopta, Ms. Meyer, Mrs. Kafka, and Mrs. Loring, we were able to present gift bags to all of our new students joining our Pennoyer family this year from the Ukraine.  They were so excited and grateful as we called them all down to the Multi Purpose Room this past Tuesday morning.  This is such a special group of students that we're so proud of.  They're working very hard every day as they continue to learn and grow with us.

October Birthdays! 🎂

Ramia Elddine - 10/2

April Bardelas - 10/4

Rachel Slawson - 10/7

Alissa Warchol - 10/3

James Nelsen - 10/15

Erica Hauer - 10/18

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate

Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 10/14/22

           Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

I just have to share that the greatest thing that made me smile about this week was watching a younger student of ours (probably a 1st or 2nd grader), getting out of her parent's car in morning line during arrival time and literally dancing her way through the gate as I was blasting ABC by the Jackson Five on my bluetooth speaker.  It was amazing, and I wish I had it on video!  I shared this with Team Leaders at our meeting this week, but thought everyone would get a kick out of it.  

I just want to say how incredibly impressed I am by the incredible things you are all doing with our students each and every day.  From the hands on simulations, bringing in guest speakers and opportunities for students, and structuring so much choice and voice in your daily lessons, I am so appreciative of the thought and effort you all bring to Pennoyer.  Remember to keep perspective and acknowledge how important the work is that we all do every day.  It's not always easy, so continue to keep that balance in your life and know when to turn it off and give yourself a much earned break.  For me, it's been about playing my piano on Friday nights, getting at least one good meal from a restaurant or going out to eat on the weekend, and working out with a group of friends each Saturday morning.

Whatever it is for you...make time for it, and make it a priority.

Staff Meeting next Monday, Oct. 17th from 3:15-4:15pm in the MPR.  HERE's the agenda!

Hawk Action Items 

• Staff Halloween Costume Contest - This is just meant be totally fun, but I've heard there's a history of staff joining together as grade bands and dressing up together with a theme/idea in mind.  I know our office staff has a good idea brewing!  Just wanted to put this on your radar before Halloween squeaks up on us.  Let's see who takes the crown this year!
• Stipend Openings for JV Girls and JV Boys Basketball Teams...Connect w/ Adam if interested.
• Trunk or Treat - PTC sponsored event on Friday, Oct. 21st from 5:30-7:30pm if you're interested in hanging out!  Thanks to those who volunteered to help that night.

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

Better Days by Amos Lee

Hawk Celebrations

I want to celebrate our incredible group of Kindergarten students and our amazing teachers Mrs. Dylag and Ms. Warchol.  Spending time with these students and in their classrooms always brings a smile to my face.  They are so kind, thoughtful, and creative as students, and Mrs. Dylag and Ms. Warchol certainly bring the best out in this group each and every day.  Kindergarten is crushing it...keep it up!!!

October Birthdays! 🎂

Ramia Elddine - 10/2

April Bardelas - 10/4

Rachel Slawson - 10/7

Alissa Warchol - 10/3

James Nelsen - 10/15

Erica Hauer - 10/18

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate

Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 10/7/22

           Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

I thought it was a great first week of October around here.  I want to thank everyone for their work and support with our safety drills this week.  I was proud of our students and staff, and everything ran smoothly.  I know there are areas we can improve upon, and I'll continue to work through new ideas out there and feedback I've received.  Ok...I need a new show to watch, so feel free to throw out some ideas.  The hardest thing in my house is finding something that Jamee and I can agree on.  I like the dark, dramatic shows, and she wants everything to be lighthearted and nothing too serious.  

Whatever you do this weekend, I'm so excited that everyone has an extra day off on Monday.  Make the best of it and enjoy the nice fall weather.  I have to find Sadie a Halloween costume, and this might be the big weekend to decorate our house.  Lennon never cared much, but Sadie and I have a tradition of doing this, ever since the episode that happened when she was 4 or 5 years old.   I'll keep it short, but the story is basically we were going to start decorating the house like usual, when I pulled the bag of Halloween decorations out from the garage.  Now let me tell you that I smelled something funny in our garage prior to this day for a few weeks, but couldn't put my finger on what exactly it was.  Well, to my utter surprise, that smell was actually waiting for me in the bag of Halloween decorations.  As I opened the bag of decorations on the garage floor with my little Sadie just steps away from me, what I saw as I reached my hand into the bag was the most decomposed squirrel I have ever laid my eyes on.  To be honest, it was so decayed, it could have been a chipmunk for all I know.  I jumped back, and I don't exactly know the look that was on my face, but it was freaking out my daughter.  She said, "Daddy, what is it?"  I remember saying, "Oh Sadie, it's nothing, but these Halloween decorations got all dirty and broken from last year so we can't use them anymore."  She gave a little frowny face, and I immediately closed up the bag tight and went straight to the garbage bin with it.  We took a ride to buy new decorations that day, and I'm happy to say, we still have many of those plastic tombstones, spiders, and skeletons almost 6 - 7 years later.

Hawk Action Items 

• Pennoyer PTC Walk - A - Thon - Friday, Oct. 14th - Here's the plan...we will have students and whichever staff want to walk participate from 1-2pm (We can change the time a little bit.  If we start late, they can walk for 45 min instead of an hour if needed for some reason).  The K- 4th will walk on the blacktop in the back of school and 5th-8th will walk on the side by the field. When they're done, they will gather for the outdoor assembly on blacktop from approx. 2-2:30pm.  After that, students can be sent back to class for enough time for 3pm dismissal.  Thanks to all that volunteered to help.  I will be supporting as the MC of the assembly and getting pie thrown in my face!!!
• PTC Meeting next Tuesday if a teacher representative is interested in joining.  It has been moved to 5pm for this meeting and will be in the MPR.  HERE's the agenda to see.
• Staff Halloween Costume Contest - This is just meant be totally fun, but I've heard there's a history of staff joining together as grade bands and dressing up together with a theme/idea in mind.  I know our office staff has a good idea brewing!  Just wanted to put this on your radar before Halloween squeaks up on us.  Let's see who takes the crown this year!
• Lunch/Recess Support Sign Up for October 17 - October 28 - We still need staff members to fill in to support our Lunch/Recess for a two week period coming up when Ramia is out of the building.  We really need support with 8th grade if possible.  Take a look at the doc, and feel free to sign up for as many or as little time slots as you'd like.  Thanks so much!
• Mentor Mentee Meeting - Thursday, Oct. 13- This will be in Meghan Loring's room from 3:15-4:15pm
• Stipend Openings for JV Girls and JV Boys Basketball Teams...Connect w/ Adam if interested.

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

"They've been wasting most their days, in remembrance of ignorance oldest praise.  Tell me who of them, will come to be.  How many of them, are you and me."

-Pastime Paradise by Stevie Wonder

Hawk Celebrations

October 2nd was National Custodial Workers Day, so I wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate our incredible crew we have here at Pennoyer.  Alain, Carmen, George, and Angelica are so dedicated to their work each and every day, and I know how lucky we are to have them at our school.  They work long hours, often putting in overtime, and keep our school functioning and clean day in and day out.  They do all of this with smiles on their faces and a positive attitude that not only our staff, but our students feel as well.  I couldn't be more proud to work with these four individuals.  Thanks for everything you do!!!

October Birthdays! 🎂

Ramia Elddine - 10/2

April Bardelas - 10/4

Rachel Slawson - 10/7

Alissa Warchol - 10/3

James Nelsen - 10/15

Erica Hauer - 10/18

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate