Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 1/27/23

                               Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

Well, we got through a little snow this week and a full 5 days!  I can't believe we're already rolling into February next week.  I know I've done this a lot, but I just want to thank our entire staff again from the bottom of my heart for making our students feel so welcome and included here at Pennoyer.  The highlight of my week was certainly a couple of students, and one in particular, that is a newcomer from Ukraine this year and in absolute tears for weeks straight when they started here months ago.  Walking through the hallway this week, I got a fist bump as the student walked by, a huge smile, and we exchanged what we always say over the last few weeks to each other..."pryvit," which I learned means hello awhile back from this student.  It's been going on for over a month or so now with me and a few students actually, but this one moment this past week really got to me, and my smile was beaming from ear as ear as I walked away. 

We have amazing students here at Pennoyer that light this place up every day, but our staff are the ones that bring the best out in them and give them that ability to shine.  Never forget what you mean to these kids...even when they're driving us nuts...lol.

Staff Meeting Agenda for Monday, January 30th

LRC will continued to be closed for the next couples of weeks for ACCESS testing except for Math 1 students from 12:20-1:40pm.  We're continuing to look into hiring to fill Linda's position as well.  Thanks to everyone for your understanding and flexibility with all of this.

Hawk Action 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.

• Just a reminder to staff to continue to check emails each morning by 7:30am if you signed up to help out with internal subbing when we need coverage.  Thanks so much for the support with all of this.  Anyone else is able to check their email as well and pick up any coverage they might be interested in moving forward.  HERE is the doc we'll use every day.  You can just fill in your name in the spaces you're available to cover...thanks again!

• ESL Volunteer Instructor Program at The Salvation Army - If you're interested, see the message below and contact Pamela Church-Pryor at the Salvation Army.  Her number is 708-456-6220 and her email is Pryor@usc.salvationarmy.org *(They can create these instructional classes after school hours so any staff members interested could support and volunteer.)

Here at The Salvation Army, we are looking ahead to ways we can better serve our community in the new year and we feel ESL classes would be beneficial, considering how many immigrants and refugees have come to live among us.  We’d prefer to provide classes during the school hours, so parents would not have to worry about child care.  But we may also consider evening classes.   I am wondering if there are staff or volunteers at your schools who might be able to help us.  

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

"Rockets, moon shots.  Spend it on, the have-nots.  Money, we make it.  Before we see it, you take it..."

Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) by Marvin Gaye

                                                                         

Hawk Celebrations

What an amazing celebration to share this week...we had our first annual Middle School Dance last Friday night here at Pennoyer and the New Year, New Dance did not disappoint!  To begin with, I can't thank all of the teachers, the middle school Principal's Crew, Dr. Kopta, her husband and son, and our fabulous PTC enough for all they did to help support this dance and make it a reality for our middle schoolers.  I was filled with so much pride and joy watching our students genuinely have fun on Friday night with all the dancing, playing games, taking pics, eating food, and just hanging out.  They were so appreciative as well, and I am proud each and every day to be their principal.  We definitely plan on doing this every year moving forward and continuing the opportunity to celebrate our middle school students and all they bring to Pennoyer.

January Birthdays! 🎂

Vicki Kafka - 1/11

Kristin Kopta- 1/13

Sarah Adkins - 1/21

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate

Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 1/20/23

                               Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

This four day week actually went by quicker than I feel they normally do!  I hope that's the way it felt for all of you too.  So I have to share my new watch on Netflix over the past couple of weeks.  It started over Winter Break.  Sadie and I discovered The Walking Dead, and we're hooked!!!  I know I'm like three of four years late with this series, but we finally got around to checking it out.  Probably not the best show to watch back in 2019 when it started with what would have been my 7 year old daughter at the time anyways, but I realize after getting into this show over the past couple of weeks that it's probably not something I should be watching with my now almost 12 year old daughter either, but oh well.  We're only on Season 3 or 11, so we've got a long way to go, but so far, so good.  Whatever you're watching these days if you're a tv person, I hope it's an enjoyable escape and time away from your work lives.  

I have to leave you all with my highlight for the week at Pennoyer.  I was getting into classrooms like I try to do as much as possible, and on Wednesday, I popped into our preschool room.  Within a few minutes, I found myself dragged into the house, real play area, and watched a couple quick puppet shows put on by a small group of preschoolers.  Then they told me it was my turn.  I was on the spot, but I grabbed the elephant and the dog puppets and did my best improv with funny voices and everything and they just stopped, stared, and listened.  Wondered if I had a hidden talent I didn't know about, but they didn't seem that impressed.  I really loved it though and we had fun!

LRC will continued to be closed for the next couples of weeks for ACCESS testing except for Math 1 students from 12:20-1:40pm.  We're continuing to look into hiring to fill Linda's position as well.  Thanks to everyone for your understanding and flexibility with all of this.

Hawk Action 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.

• Just a reminder to staff to check emails each morning by 7:30am if you signed up to help out with internal subbing when we need coverage.  Thanks so much for the support with all of this.  Anyone else is able to check their email as well and pick up any coverage they might be interested in moving forward.  HERE is the doc we'll use every day.  You can just fill in your name in the spaces you're available to cover...thanks again!

• ESL Volunteer Instructor Program at The Salvation Army - If you're interested, see the message below and contact Pamela Church-Pryor at the Salvation Army.  Her number is 708-456-6220 and her email is Pryor@usc.salvationarmy.org *(They can create these instructional classes after school hours so any staff members interested could support and volunteer.)

Here at The Salvation Army, we are looking ahead to ways we can better serve our community in the new year and we feel ESL classes would be beneficial, considering how many immigrants and refugees have come to live among us.  We’d prefer to provide classes during the school hours, so parents would not have to worry about child care.  But we may also consider evening classes.   I am wondering if there are staff or volunteers at your schools who might be able to help us.  

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

Seven Days by Sting

                                                                         

Hawk Celebrations

This week we wanted to celebrate our boys basketball teams and our cheerleaders as they look to finish their seasons in the playoffs coming up.  Both the JV and Varsity basketball teams had a solid regular filled with a lot of excitement and great moments!  They played hard every game and didn't give up, even when they were up against a difficult opponent.  Right there to support them every step of the way, was our dedicated group of cheerleaders.  They brought so much spirit on the sidelines during the games and gave some great performances during the half time breaks at home games.  Their positive energy was so appreciated.  During our home games in particular, I so enjoyed seeing our Pennoyer gymnasium filled with school pride and so many families and friends that came to support these young men and women during the season.  A special thanks to Coach Nelsen, Coach Arango, and Coach Palicka for the endless hours and energy they put into supporting these programs.  We all wish you and your teams the best of luck in the playoffs...Go Hawks!

January Birthdays! 🎂

Vicki Kafka - 1/11

Kristin Kopta- 1/13

Sarah Adkins - 1/21

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate

Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 1/13/23

                               Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

To say this has been a difficult week for all of us would be an understatement.  I'm not going to sugarcoat things or pretend what we're all going through right now is easy in any way.  For some, there are much bigger impacts than others obviously, but in this short amount of time that I've been so lucky to be your principal, I know what this true Pennoyer family is made of and how resilient we all are.  I know that nobody here should feel alone.  At times it will be a rollercoaster of emotions for many over the next few months, but just know that I am here for each and every one of you whenever you need to talk, gain some perspective or insight, need a break, or just need to vent and have me listen.  I truly mean that.  I'm also comforted in the fact that we have an amazing staff as a whole that I know will continue to support and lift each other up whenever needed as well.  I wish I had a crystal ball right now, but I can tell you all with all my heart, that I have faith that things will absolutely work out in our favor come April.  

I will always stay positive, be a champion for Pennoyer, keep perspective, and help make each and every day here the best it can be for all of us, our students, and families.  You can count on me.  Through these ups and downs, if anyone has ideas on how to continue to build upon the culture and climate here at Pennoyer, you know I always welcome ideas.  Keep your heads up, hang in there, and this fight is not over yet.  This is just the final piece that I believe needs to happen unfortunately before real change finally comes our way.

LRC will be closed all of next week for ACCESS testing except for Math 1 students from 12:20-1:40pm.  We may be working on a modified library access schedule beyond next week until ACCESS testing is complete, but we'll let everyone know.

We have a PTC Meeting next Wednesday night now from 6-7pm in the MPR if any teachers are interested in joining for representation.  HERE is the agenda.

Hawk Action Items 

• We could still use a few more staff members to help out at our first annual Middle School Dance on Friday, January 20th from 7-9pm.  If you'd like to just stay after school and help decorate the gym a little, we'd love support with that as well.  So if you still need to sign up for an extra nightly event at Pennoyer.  Sign Up HERE!

• 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.

• Just a reminder to staff to check emails each morning by 7:30am if you signed up to help out with internal subbing when we need coverage.  Thanks so much for the support with all of this.  Anyone else is able to check their email as well and pick up any coverage they might be interested in moving forward.  HERE is the doc we'll use every day.  You can just fill in your name in the spaces you're available to cover...thanks again!

• ESL Volunteer Instructor Program at The Salvation Army - If you're interested, see the message below and contact Pamela Church-Pryor at the Salvation Army.  Her number is 708-456-6220 and her email is Pryor@usc.salvationarmy.org *(They can create these instructional classes after school hours so any staff members interested could support and volunteer.)

Here at The Salvation Army, we are looking ahead to ways we can better serve our community in the new year and we feel ESL classes would be beneficial, considering how many immigrants and refugees have come to live among us.  We’d prefer to provide classes during the school hours, so parents would not have to worry about child care.  But we may also consider evening classes.   I am wondering if there are staff or volunteers at your schools who might be able to help us.  

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

"And we go running on faith.  All of our dreams will come true, and our world will be right, when love comes over me and you."

Running on Faith by Eric Clapton

                                                                         

Hawk Celebrations

This week we celebrate our incredible social worker, Mrs. Rachel Slawson!  Mrs. Slawson is such a vital component to our success here at Pennoyer and is so much more than just a social worker who supports all of our students.  She goes above and beyond to build relationships with students, staff, and families to make our school and community the best it can be.  Mrs. Slawson is kind, collaborative, hard working, and a true problem solver no matter what the situation is.  She is truly reliable, and in the end, she puts students first above all else.  Mrs. Slawson is the leader of our PBIS initiative that embraces positive behavior with clear expectations and incentives for all of our students here at Pennoyer to succeed, learn, and grow.  We're so lucky to have Mrs. Slawson here at Pennoyer!

January Birthdays! 🎂

Vicki Kafka - 1/11

Kristin Kopta- 1/13

Sarah Adkins - 1/21

Connect - Collaborate - Celebrate