The Hawk Happenings: Pennoyer Staff Newsletter

Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

Ok...this week was certainly filled with a lot, but I couldn't start any other way except with the world of Securly. I'm gonna spare everyone, but let's just say the week started out with a Securly about animals and certain parts of their bodies a particular student was curious about. The week ended with an example of why it's important to know how to spell, understand sentence structure, and know a little bit about the importance of commas. This was from a second grader...'toys for cats butt in the plane that they don't get bored'

Well, if that doesn't make you smile, maybe this will. Watching Sava and Filip step off the Norridge Fire Truck after their ride to school that they won at the Taste of Pennoyer raffle was priceless. You should have seen their faces. So much joy, and an awesome way to start the morning.

It doesn't end there though...the week wouldn't be complete without a nod to Star Wars, which if you've seen my office, I'm a little obsessed with. Baby Yodas were in abundance in Ms. Strecker's and Ms. Barzano's 1st grade classrooms. May the 4th Be With All Of Us!

Finally, I can't thank everyone enough for the wonderful signs, and cards that now adorn the door to my office and were brought down throughout the week. I'm so thankful to be your principal each and every day, and I hope I've done you all proud this first year. These kind thoughts absolutely made my week! But I have to say, I wasn't alone as the principal this week. My two Principals For the Day winners crushed it on Thursday and made my job a little easier. I had so much fun with Principal Samantha from 1st grade and Principal Kosta from 6th grade as we traveled around to classrooms, sat in on a Principal's Crew meeting, made announcements, picked the Friday end of the day songs for the next two weeks, and talked about the importance of keeping up good communication each week. I told them about this weekly newsletter and my family one as well and how that's an important part of my job. Here are their contributions I promised I would share this week...

Samantha wrote, "Help Pennoyer School. New paint on the walls, new decorations everywhere, and new tables in the classrooms. Thank You."

Kosta wrote, "Our school needs new equipment, stairs, walls, supplies, locker rooms, lab stations, and more. The school is great but small with somewhat small classrooms. We should make the cafeteria have better equipment since we won the vote."

Hawk Action Items

Interview Update For Next Week - We'll most likely have interviews for our open positions next Wednesday and Thursday after school. They'll start about 30 mins. after school is out each day. I plan on putting a specific schedule together this weekend and pushing it out to staff again. I really appreciate anyone who would like the opportunity to be part of the interview process. I truly value your input in this collaborative process. I definitely understand those that are not able to be a part of these interviews though, or staff that are not interested. Thanks again to everyone that has given their time up after school these past few weeks. Reach out with any questions.

It's all about our amazing staff next week. I can't wait to celebrate each and every one of you and all of the hard work you put into making Pennoyer everything it is for our students and families. You certainly earned next week!!! Enjoy the weekly celebrations.

Culture the Change Workshop opportunity - Click HERE if you're interested.

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

"You would stay just to watch me darlin'. Wilt away on lies from you. Can't stop the habit, of livin' on the run. Take it all for granted, like you're the only one..."

Minute by Minute - The Doobie Brothers

Hawk Celebrations

This week it's all about celebrating the best of our school and community with a huge shout out to our students, staff, and families who came out last Saturday in the cold rain for Community Kindness Day at Pennoyer! We certainly didn't let the weather hold us back. Students of all ages came out with positivity and enjoyed the time together. We chalked the sidewalk, made posters spreading kindness messages around our school, ate donuts, played music, created potted plants to take home, and had read alouds with our older students supporting our younger ones. We had so much fun hanging out together as a school, community, and family. One big part of the day didn't get completed due to the weather, but when it's finish, the new fence art design in the front of our school is going to really shine. For now, it says...Be Kin (kind of appropriate since we're such a family at Pennoyer), but soon enough, it will say, "Be Kind Be A Hawk". So proud of everyone that came together and a special thanks to Ms. Kiera Strecker and our PTC that helped make this day possible!