Friday, January 26, 2024

Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 1/26/24

                                                 Hawk Thoughts & Happenings

Team Pennoyer,

As we roll along through this crazy weather month of January, I realize why we probably all appreciate the sunshine, stability, and warmth around here more than people in other parts of the country.  We just gotta wait for it I guess, and then take it when it comes.  

Outside of school, this past week was a monumental moment in the Greenberg household.  My 12 year old daughter Sadie just got her braces off, and I'm happy to say that's it for us as a family.  Both of my kids were in braces for almost two years...what a relief that's over with.  Maybe I should have been an Orthodontist, because I can't believe the amount of money and appointments we had deal with through the years.  These doctors are probably doing ok I'd guess.  On a similar note, I haven't watched it yet, but there's a new documentary on Netflix called Open Wide that follows a couple doctors that have unorthodox theories and methods when it comes to the world of orthodontics.  Who knows....maybe I could have saved thousands of dollars...lol.


Well, I can't end this Hawk Happenings message this week without a shout out to Emerson and her playoff pool she put together for the staff.  What a fun idea, and it's been great seeing so many staff members getting into these final NFL games.  I'd love to see Detroit win the whole thing, but I know the odds are stacked against them.  Anything is possible though.  Maybe if Jarad Goff had Taylor Swift in his corner, things might work out differently.  Enjoy the games on Sunday if you're watching!


In addition, Nina Torossi has a special shout out for Nataliia Shnaider...

I would like to give a shoutout to Ms. Nataliia Shnaider. Nataliia is an amazing help to my class this year and I couldn't get by without her. She goes above and beyond to not only focus on helping our Ukrainian students, but our class as a whole. She is quick to help and spends extra time working with our kids. We appreciate you so much! :)

Hawk Action Items  

  • If you're interested in signing up to supervise and facilitate any Behavior Academies after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, feel free to sign up on the  spreadsheet.  Here's a reminder about the protocol for our Behavior Academies if you're interested.  Thanks to everyone who has been supporting these. 
  • Just a friendly reminder to make sure food is out of the classrooms each day and nothing is left open.  We have found some mice in our building, and we're doing our best to deal with this situation.  As homeroom teachers, if you didn't get a to have students clean out their lockers to make sure there is no food, old work they don't need, etc. before Winter Break, please take some time that works best (could be homeroom, Enrichment, etc.) to have students do this before Friday, February 16th.  If you need garbage cans or recycling bins by classrooms, please let our maintenance crew know and put in a work order...thanks!
  • If you haven't had a chance to take our Pennoyer climate survey, it's still open until January 31st.  Remember, this is completely anonymous and results will only be reported out collectively.  We greatly appreciate your input and feedback.


    Click the link below to access the CERTIFIED STAFF survey:

    Click the link below to access the PARAPROFESSIONAL survey:

    Click the link below to access the SUPPORT STAFF survey:
  • Lucky Losers Ridgewood Casino Night Fundraiser Event On behalf of Ridgewood High School, an invite has been extended to  the Union Pennoyer staff and families for their 4th Annual Lucky Losers Casino Night Fundraising Event.  Click HERE for a flyer if you're interested. Purchase a couple's ticket for the event if you'd like.  By doing this, you will be involved in the biggest community event of the year for Ridgewood.  You will meet coaches, alumni, parents, school administrators, community members, along with having a fun filled night out with dancing, food, cocktails and casino gaming fun.  Most of all chances to win raffle prizes, 50/50 and the grand prize of $5k (Based on 200 couples). Registration link (https://ridgenet.revtrak.net/lucky-losers-22/?fbclid=IwAR2p3wgNhO3oo7bzgnO-th5CkoWv2oqsmLFndpyJ9o3E84WAn7y28t5VcqY) 
What your ticket includes...
- Admission for 2 people
- All you can eat appetizers
- Buffet Dinner
- Top shelf bar from 6pm - Midnight
- Casino Gambling
- Dancing
- 1 Ticket for the grand prize $5K (Based Off Of 200 Couples)

  • Below are some useful supports and resources to check out to help build a more restorative mindset and set of tools to use at Pennoyer.  These come from the PD we did at our Staff Meeting this past Monday.  We're planning on continuing this work at our next Staff Meeting on Feb. 5th.

           Recording of our Restorative Practices PD (1/23/24) – This is a recording of the  
           session from Monday.   The link expires 30 days following your training. 

           What is Restorative Practice – This is a link to a YouTube video that discusses  

           restorative practices and how to 

use these in schools.


           HERE of some of the slides covered during the training.   These might come in  

           handy as we continue to learn and utilize more restorative practices in our  

           classrooms.

  • I hope all is going well with instituting our universal expectations each day of the week for EVERY CLASS PERIOD they teach a new group of students to support behavior, expectations, and build connections.  3 to Succeed! 
                  1. Greet students every morning.
2. Display School PBIS expectations OR PBIS Expectations (BLANK) in the
classroom and review everyday. Example: What are 2 ways we are
responsible in the classroom? In school? (This doesn't have to take long each
day and each class period)
3. Anytime your kids are in the hallway (arrival, dismissal, transitions,) you are
in the hallway with them. Middle school - transitions between classes.

  • Wanna make somebody's day at Pennoyer...don't forget about our staff shout outs we'd like to get started up again this year!  It's real easy; if one staff member wants to give another staff member at Pennoyer a positive shout out for something that week, just send a quick email blurb to Adam, and he'll feature it in our weekly Hawk Happenings!

  • Great job with all the social media posts shared for the month of December! Keep it up in January. Here's the Google Form for teachers to complete.  Thanks!!!

Weekly Hawk Playlist/Lyric

"I know I could turn, blink, and you'd be gone.  Then I must be prepared anytime to carry on.  But minute by minute, by minute by minute, I keep holding on."

                                                                    - Minute by Minute by The Doobie Brothers

Hawk Celebrations

This week our celebration is focused on a very special group of students here at Pennoyer...The Principal's Crew!  These 12 students from 3rd-8th grade, were nominated by their teachers earlier this school year to represent their peers and have an opportunity to meet with me once a month and discuss a variety of topics that support our school and students in a positive way.  This year's Principal Crew members are:  Petar, Riley, Davey, Halima, Liam, Oleh, Molly, Penn, Ava, Alexa, Emilia, and Filip.  They have all been an amazing group of students to work with so far, and I couldn't be more proud of them.  They always come with such good energy, they collaborate together, and have come up with some thoughtful ideas this year.  From the middle school dance, to a possible 3 on 3 basketball tournament in the spring, and a book drive, this group of student leaders are challenging themselves and me to make this school a better place.  I'm so excited to work with them this school year...#PennoyerPride






January Birthdays! 🎂

Vicki Kafka - 1/11

Kristin Kopta - 1/13

Alexis Koukari - 1/20

Sarah Adkins - 1/21


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Pennoyer Staff Newsletter - 5/31/24

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