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