Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 12/22/22

                             Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

I just want to take a moment and wish everyone a very happy holidays and New Year!  I know I have so much to be thankful for in 2022 being part of our Pennoyer family, and can't wait for 2023 and even better things ahead for all of us.  Personally, I'm filled with so much gratitude for all of the kind spirit, support, and gifts over the last couple of weeks that I've been on the receiving end of, but that I've also seen between staff, students, and families.  We have an amazing community here, and even when we have tough days and moments along the way, I'll never lose sight of that.

I hope whatever you have planned for the holidays and New Year, it's filled with some joy, relaxation, and time to do a few fun things.  My first goal is to get through these 8 nights of Hanukah without my daughter Sadie crying every night about the present she got.  So far, we're 3 out of 4 in terms of presents she was disappointed in.  I guess daddy got it wrong this year.  Trying to teach my 6th grade daughter to be grateful for anything hasn't been easy, but I'm working on it.  I do love her so much though.

Whatever you might get or give this holiday season, I'm just so excited for our entire staff to have this much earned break.  Unplug from work, and I can't wait to see you all in 2023 recharged and ready to push through the rest of our winter months ahead.  We got this!

Staff Meeting Agenda for Monday, January 9th

Don't forget to take home your school devices over break and into the winter months ahead just in case we ever have to have an E Learning Day...thanks!

Just a reminder if you're coming to the Staff Holiday Party today...If you'd like to leave your car at Pennoyer, we're going to keep the lot and gate open on Thursday all night into Friday if needed for anyone.

Hawk Action Items 

• Please make sure to look around your classrooms before break and clean out any food items.

• A reminder to staff to please put in work orders (SchoolDude) whenever you have something in your classroom or the building that needs attention from our maintenance crew (i.e. HVAC, furniture set up/removal, etc.).  This is the best way for us to keep track of work needing to be done and collect data on our systems and general maintenance of the building.

• If you still need to finish your Infinitech trainings and KnowBe4, please do so by January 13th at the latest to be compliant.  Thanks so much.  Reach out to Patrick with any questions

• Interested in helping out at our first annual Middle School Dance on Friday, January 20th from 7-9pm?  If you still need to sign up for an extra nightly event at Pennoyer, we'd love to have you help this event that our middle schoolers are so excited about!  Sign Up HERE

• Classroom Management Professional Development Opportunity through LASEC
• Check out more information HERE

Have you noticed that traditional discipline often doesn’t work? 

Former teacher, principal, superintendent, and author of The Classroom Behavior Manual, Scott Ervin, can show you a better way. Instead of using the demands, punishments, and deficit mindset of traditional discipline, Scott Ervin’s Behavioral Leadership uses Gentle Guidance Interventions, Learning Opportunities, and a strengths mindset that focuses educators and students on what students are doing right, instead of what they are doing wrong. Participants will learn how to never argue with students, a strategy for remaining calm, and how to build relationships, share control in healthy ways, and teach positive behaviors.

• West 40 - Newcomer Item Drive - Think about supporting this initiative.  HERE is more information if you're interested.
• Eisenhower Library Story Essay Activity for Students!  If you think you may have some students at any age that would be interested in something like this, please pass it along.  It looks like a real cool opportunity for any creative writers!  There is no deadline I'm aware of to turn these in, but I'm sure the sooner, the better.  HERE is the information!
• Interested in SEL Professional Development...check out what West 40 has to offer!  

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

Easy by The Commodores

                                                                         

Hawk Celebrations

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 behind the scenes 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.

December Birthdays! 🎂

Monica Brunell - 12/18

Denise Armenta - 12/21

Meghan Loring - 12/27

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate

Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 12/16/22

                                Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

Well...one more week to go, but who's counting.  We somehow dodged a lot of the crazy bad weather sweeping across the country this week.  It looks like the real cold stuff starts creeping in next week, but nothing we can't handle living in the Midwest.  This week I really enjoyed being invited into Ms. Warchol's classroom and getting to talk to the Kindergartners about the Jewish culture and traditions surrounding Hanukah.  I actually had to look some things up before my presentation but just don't tell my mom.  I also appreciated the time during our Online Safety/Digital Citizenship/Responsible Social Media Usage Assemblies with the 3rd-8th graders and the Norridge Police Department this week.  Officer Zage and Officer Pina did a great job starting this level of education, awareness, and support for our students here at Pennoyer, and I can't wait to continue things moving forward this year surrounding these important topics.  

Finally, if you're looking for something to start watching on Netflix and you haven't checked it out yet, you gotta watch Wednesday.  Sadie and I finally finished it this past week, and just like when Ozark and Schitt's Creek ended (don't worry, I wasn't watching these with my 6th grade daughter)...I wish there were more!!!  For you soccer fans out there, we've got an exiting World Cup final to watch on Sunday.  Could Messi get his first World Cup Championship in his final run?  The world will have to wait and see.

Staff Meeting Agenda for Monday, December 19th

*We're hoping to have some fun as a staff next Monday before Winter Break!  If you'd like to join the workout with Adam and Katherine in the MPR, please make sure to bring some comfy exercise clothes to change into after school and a workout mat if you have one.  We'll try and bring a few extras.  Please don't be intimidated by the workout...this is absolutely for ALL levels.  Check it out HERE!

If working out at school isn't your thing, join Alicia in the Library Resource Center for a fun trivia game that will keep you on your toes!

We won't be meeting as a big group for this staff meeting.  Instead you can go directly to the location you prefer for the activity you're choosing to participate in, and we'll start around 3:30pm to give staff time to change their clothes after school if needed.  We should be all done with both activities around 4:00pm and then you're free to leave for the day...I'm so excited to have some fun with everyone!

Interested in some new Pennoyer Spirit Wear...check out this LINK, which is also featured on our PTC website.  Everything can be shipped directly to your home!

We hope everyone can join us at the Staff Holiday Party on Thursday, December 22nd after school!  Just a heads up that if you'd like to leave your car at Pennoyer, we're going to keep the lot and gate open on Thursday all night into Friday if needed for anyone.

Hawk Action Items 

• Please make sure to look around your classrooms before break and clean out any food items.

• A reminder to staff to please put in work orders (SchoolDude) whenever you have something in your classroom or the building that needs attention from our maintenance crew (i.e. HVAC, furniture set up/removal, etc.).  This is the best way for us to keep track of work needing to be done and collect data on our systems and general maintenance of the building.

• If you still need to finish your Infinitech trainings and KnowBe4, please do so by January 13th at the latest to be compliant.  Thanks so much.  Reach out to Patrick with any questions.

• Pennoyer Holiday Spirit Week sponsored by our Student Council... Check this out and feel free to join in the spirit all next week!!!

• Interested in helping out at our first annual Middle School Dance on Friday, January 20th from 7-9pm?  If you still need to sign up for an extra nightly event at Pennoyer, we'd love to have you help this event that our middle schoolers are so excited about!  Sign Up HERE
• HERE is a flyer with more information that's going home with middle school students today and will be in my family newsletter as well.

• Classroom Management Professional Development Opportunity through LASEC
• Check out more information HERE

Have you noticed that traditional discipline often doesn’t work? 

Former teacher, principal, superintendent, and author of The Classroom Behavior Manual, Scott Ervin, can show you a better way. Instead of using the demands, punishments, and deficit mindset of traditional discipline, Scott Ervin’s Behavioral Leadership uses Gentle Guidance Interventions, Learning Opportunities, and a strengths mindset that focuses educators and students on what students are doing right, instead of what they are doing wrong. Participants will learn how to never argue with students, a strategy for remaining calm, and how to build relationships, share control in healthy ways, and teach positive behaviors.

• West 40 - Newcomer Item Drive - Think about supporting this initiative.  HERE is more information if you're interested.
• Eisenhower Library Story Essay Activity for Students!  If you think you may have some students at any age that would be interested in something like this, please pass it along.  It looks like a real cool opportunity for any creative writers!  There is no deadline I'm aware of to turn these in, but I'm sure the sooner, the better.  HERE is the information!
• Interested in SEL Professional Development...check out what West 40 has to offer!  

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

"Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'. Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'. They just use your mind and they never give you credit.  It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it."

                                                                    9 to 5 by Dolly Parton

                 

Hawk Celebrations

This week I'm humbled to celebrate Denise Armenta and Alana Cardenas in our main office at Pennoyer.  I'm so grateful to be working in the office with Ms. Denise and Nurse Alana each and every day.  We have fun, keep things lightheaded, and in the end, they always get the job done.  They literally keep things running at Pennoyer and help support our staff, students, and families in so many ways it's amazing to witness.  I couldn't do my job without their level of dedication.  It truly brings a smile to my face getting to work so closely with the both of them day in and day out.  I know how lucky I am, and I certainly know how lucky our entire Pennoyer community is to have Ms. Denise and Nurse Alana helping to steer the ship.

December Birthdays! 🎂

Monica Brunell - 12/18

Denise Armenta - 12/21

Meghan Loring - 12/27

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate

Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 12/9/22

          Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

I know this has been a very emotional and difficult week for many different reasons.  I want you all to know that I'm here for each and every one of you if there's anything you ever need from me.  I know we're all here for each other too, and that's what makes Pennoyer such a special place.  This week has reminded me of something I say to my wife and kids on a regular basis, and is actually the theme of my next tattoo I've been hoping to get soon...keep perspective.  We dedicate our lives to being in the field of education, but there are so many things more important that ground us, make us who we are, and give us the ability to thrive in whatever we choose to do in life.  If there's ever a time anyone needs more support or needs guidance to keep things in perspective, I'm always here.

To end on a lighter note, at least we don't have to deal with watching the Bears this weekend and sitting in disappointment, and my little mice friends numbered a grand total of 14 by the end of this week that were found...pretty crazy.  

We're lucky to have each other here at Pennoyer, and I truly feel comfort coming to work each and every day with this group of individuals.  Take care of yourselves and those around you.

Interested in some new Pennoyer Spirit Wear...check out this LINK, which is also featured on our PTC website.  Everything can be shipped directly to your home!

Online Safety & Responsible Social Media 3rd-8th Grade Assembly Information...

*Staff, please come down with students and help support and supervise when it's your time with these groups.

Tuesday, Dec. 13th

Gym location

3rd-5th grade all together 11:40-12:20pm

*(Students will all sit on they gym floor in front of the stage)

Wednesday, Dec. 14th

MPR location for middle school

*(Students will sit in the cafeteria tables but all in the same direction facing the stage)

6th grade - 8:20-9:00am

7th grade - 9:05-9:50am

8th grade - 9:55-10:40am

Hawk Action Items 

• Interested in helping out at our first annual Middle School Dance on Friday, January 20th from 7-9pm?  If you still need to sign up for an extra nightly event at Pennoyer, we'd love to have you help this event that our middle schoolers are so excited about!  Sign Up HERE
• Classroom Management Professional Development Opportunity through LASEC
• Check out more information HERE
• We could use another supervisor with Justin at our home basketball games moving forward.  If you're interested and want to make a little extra money, please fill your name in on this FORM and let Adam and Teresa know.  If you have any questions, please see Adam.

• West 40 - Newcomer Item Drive - Think about supporting this initiative.  HERE is more information if you're interested.
• Eisenhower Library Story Essay Activity for Students!  If you think you may have some students at any age that would be interested in something like this, please pass it along.  It looks like a real cool opportunity for any creative writers!  There is no deadline I'm aware of to turn these in, but I'm sure the sooner, the better.  HERE is the information!
• Interested in SEL Professional Development...check out what West 40 has to offer!  

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

Forever My Friend by Ray LaMontagne

                  

Hawk Celebrations

This week it's my absolute pleasure to celebrate our Library Specialist and Paraprofessional, Linda Krieter.  Mrs. Krieter has helped to transform not only the our Library Resource Center (LRC) this year at Pennoyer, but many other locations in our school as well.  Any chance she gets to find a great deal on furniture that other schools and institutions are getting rid of, she takes it upon herself to find a way to get it and adds to the library space or passes it along to staff here at Pennoyer that are in need.  She welcomes and works with staff and students on a daily basis to help enrich their experiences here at Pennoyer with our vast book collection.  Mrs. Krieter has made our LRC feel like a true home and place of comfort for our students to thrive in.  She has worked with students on a variety of things, including creating some thoughtful and inspiring bulletin boards that can always be seen right outside the library entrance.  Thanks for everything you do!

December Birthdays! 🎂

Monica Brunell - 12/18

Denise Armenta - 12/21

Meghan Loring - 12/27

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate

Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 12/2/22

          Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

I hope everyone had a good first week back after our Thanksgiving break!  I have to say, things were a little more dramatic and crazy around the old Greenberg house than Pennoyer this week, which I guess is probably a good thing.  We learned this week that we have many little friends joining us in our new home...mice!  On Wednesday night, around 9pm, my daughter Sadie let out a blood curling scream that I seriously thought was because there was somebody in our house trying to hurt her.  I was upstairs at the time and raced down the stairs as fast as I could.  Sadie was in the kitchen when she saw a little brown field mouse scatter across the floor and run down under the doorway to the basement.  Shaking and standing up on a chair with tears rolling down her cheek, I picked up my 6th grade daughter, which isn't so easy these days anymore, and had to carry her upstairs to her room so her feet didn't hit the floor.  I will say this occurrence ended up being inevitable as I've come to learn this week and maybe a good thing in the end, because after having a professional come out yesterday, we found out that we have whole families of mice and possibly other things that have been living in the soffits and insulation throughout our basement for years and years.  It's a bigger issue than I thought I guess, and my wife is ready to literally move to a hotel, but I think we got it under control.  I sent the photo below to my wife yesterday, and let's just say she didn't it was that funny.  Not easy to live me and my constant jokes sometimes.  We'll catch all these little guys soon enough though.

Enjoy your weekend everyone in the comfort of your homes and whatever might be lurking around!

Interested in some new Pennoyer Spirit Wear...check out this LINK, which is also featured on our PTC website.  Everything can be shipped directly to your home!

Newcomer Support Guide for Staff - With the support of Monica, Melissa, and Rachel, we've been looking to gather up resources that would be helpful for our staff with newcomer students at Pennoyer that come in with very limited English.  I know it's been a difficult adjustment for many of our students, along with our staff, and we're always looking for better tools and ways of helping our students feel comfortable, engaged, supported, and part of daily lessons.  Please feel free to look this GUIDE over and add anything you'd like along the way this school year.  You can bookmark the doc and use anything in it as needed.  I thought it would be helpful to have one place to look for resources that could be helpful. I'll continue to reach out to colleagues in West 40 and other areas to see what I can gather up and I welcome any ideas and collaboration on this.  Thanks everyone!

HERE is the Staff Meeting Agenda in the MPR for Monday, December 5th.  

Hawk Action Items 

• West 40 - Newcomer Item Drive - Think about supporting this initiative.  HERE is more information if you're interested.
• Eisenhower Library Story Essay Activity for Students!  If you think you may have some students at any age that would be interested in something like this, please pass it along.  It looks like a real cool opportunity for any creative writers!  There is no deadline I'm aware of to turn these in, but I'm sure the sooner, the better.  HERE is the information!
• Interested in SEL Professional Development...check out what West 40 has to offer!  

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

"He came from somewhere back in her long ago.  The sentimental fool don't see tryin' hard to recreate what had yet to be created.  Once in her life, she musters a smile, for his nostalgic tale..."

What a Fool Believes by the Doobie Brothers

                   

Hawk Celebrations

This week we're celebrating our amazing art teacher, Kajsa Meyer!  Ms. Meyer is amazing with our students at Pennoyer.  She puts so much thought and creativity into her lessons and connecting with each and every student.  There's always positive vibes coming out of her classroom and she has encouraged our students to explore so many different facets of art.  Ms. Meyer has collaborated with Artsonia to showcase all of the incredible work our students do and stay connected to families.  She also runs a thriving art club for so many of our students that share in her obvious passion.  We're lucky to have her here at Pennoyer!

December Birthdays! 🎂

Monica Brunell - 12/18

Denise Armenta - 12/21

Meghan Loring - 12/27

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate