The Hawk Happenings: Pennoyer Staff Newsletter

Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

What a way to end the week and spend St. Patricks Day! It definitely wasn't a usual Friday, but I hope everyone was ok with the E Learning day and just made the best of it. I thank all of you for putting things into action so quickly for our students and families...you're the best! A huge shout out to Alain and his team for coming in super early and getting the boilers up and running again. We're lucky to have them and the hard work they put in today and throughout the week with all of these issues.

On another note, this past Wednesday's Alumni Staff Volleyball event was absolutely awesome! I had the best time and can't thank our very own Ms. Denise enough for everything she did behind the scenes to make this night possible. I also want to thank all of the staff for taking the time to help out, participate, and cheer our family on. I don't know how I did as a ref, but we won in the end, so I guess that's all that matters. I may have made a few questionable calls, but I think it was balanced on both sides...lol. Wednesday's event just cemented what I already knew and have felt each and every day throughout this first year as your principal...Pennoyer is truly a special place and has been for a very long time.

I'm going into this final week before Spring Break with a positive attitude and feeling good about April 4th and beyond. I can't wait for our Spirt Week and assembly to celebrate our school and everything that makes Pennoyer what it is.

*Staff Meeting AGENDA for Monday, March 20th in the MPR

Hawk Action Items

Spring Spirit Week all next week and our Spirit Assembly is on Thursday, March 23rd. Start bringing classes down to the gym at 1:50pm. We can't wait to celebrate with our students and staff!

Ramadan starts next week for some of our students and staff. Please be mindful of this and feel free to read this overview for further guidance and understanding. We may have students fasting, so participation in PE should be limited if needed, along with levels of homework. Also, if any students need a space for praying, please let me know and we'll work something out.

Half Day on Friday, March 24th (SIP agenda will be going out next week for that day). Please remember this half day we'll be running Periods 6-10.

6th period: 11:40-12:20 8:20-9:00
7th period: 12:20-1:00 9:00-9:40
8th period: 1:00-1:40 9:40-10:20
9th period: 1:40-2:20 10:20-11:00
10th period: 2:20-3:00 11:00-11:30

PTC is still looking for one or two more teachers at any grade level to help support the Pennoyer Pride Essay contest that our 8th graders participate in. If you're not aware, this is an annual activity where our 8th graders write essays about what brings them Pennoyer pride, and then a panel made up of parents (not 8th grade parents) and teachers take time to score them, interview the finalists, and students will be celebrated at graduation with the winner receiving a gift from the PTC. They also get their name added to the plaque in the District Office. If you're interested, please contact Tina Giarmidis at our PTC. Essays will be read and interviews will conducted the last couple of weeks in May.

Aurora University MA in Educational Leadership with Principal Endorsement Program. Check out this flyer if interested.

As we look towards Spring Break, please make sure that all food items are cleaned out from your classroom spaces and the staff lounge/refrigerators before leaving on March 24th...thanks!

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, leaks, 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. Here is the link you can find on our OneLogin page - https://assetessentials.dudesolutions.com/PennoyerSchoolDistrict/Requester/Home/Management

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

"Are you wanting inspiration. You spill your secrets on me. Then you tell me with a whisper, of things that will never be..."

Thorn In My Pride by The Black Crowes

Hawk Celebrations

Last Friday I experienced my very first Father Daughter Dance at Pennoyer and it did not disappoint. I had the best time watching so many our students and their dads celebrate together with food, dancing, and having so much fun! The Disney theme was perfect, and our PTC did an amazing job putting this event together. Some of our youngest students were dressed in their favorite Disney dresses, and our older students came ready to hit the dance floor and connect with their dads and friends. As a father of a 6th grade girl myself, I can honestly say that the bond between a daughter and her dad is certainly a special one that I truly cherish every day.