#TeamPenn WAG
April 6 - 10, 2020
1st Week of Distance Learning! We've Got This!
Ready or not, here we come!
What an emotionally exhausting week it was for us last week. I am SO proud of the work we are doing and the dedication of this team. You each play such a special role at Penngrove and that's what makes us who we are. The level of care you have for each other, for your students, and for their families, is breathtaking to watch. I am in awe. Full disclosure: I am super behind on emails so I'll be catching up the first part of this week. If you need me for anything, text or email away!
Amy
- Monday, 4/6, Distance Learning/Instruction begins
- 11:30am IA check-in with Amy (via Zoom)
- Tuesday, 4/7
- Wednesday, 4/8
- 11:30am Staff Meeting (please save this time for all Wednesdays and we can see if it works well)
- Thursday, 4/9
- Friday, 4/10
- 4pm??? Is that a good time? Team Penn virtual Happy Hour
Happy Birthday, Viki Wise on April 6th!!
Happy Birthday, Ms. Gies on April 10th!!
So sad to see you go, Leslie!!!!
Dear Penngrove Staff Members,
It is with mixed emotions that I share with you all that I have accepted a position to be the speech therapist serving Petaluma High School next year. I have truly enjoyed the last 23 years at Penngrove, seeing the growth in our students and the evolution of our amazing school! Helping kids communicate is my passion, and I am very excited to continue this adventure at my former high school, doing what I love each day. I have appreciated being a member of "Team Penn" and also part of the Learning Team at this site. The compassion you all put forth for your students each day is truly amazing, and I am thankful to have been part of it for so long! What a gift it has been to work with each of you. Thank you for the joy and laughter over the years, I will miss you all!
Announcing this now, and over the computer was definitely not the way I wanted to communicate, also considering what everyone is processing at this time. I just wanted you all to hear this from me first before the news traveled through the district. I value you all as colleagues and even more as my friends. Thank you for so many wonderful years at Penngrove! Hopefully, we can see each other in person very soon.
With love,
Leslie
--Leslie S. Ransom, MS,
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech Therapist Department Chair
Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley
Penngrove Elementary School
Thanks Dr. Seuss Fans
I imagine if Dr. Seuss were alive today, he'd write something like this:
(Read with Dr. Seuss book rhythm).
The buildings were big and people would smile
And travel they would mile by mile.
But sick they become, in numbers it grew
Businesses worried, communities too.
Things stopped for a bit, the world slowed its roll
The virus had certainly taken its toll.
But what they then saw from slowing things down.
Is in fact they now had less reasons to frown.
Families now gathered, what game shall we play?
Pass me the blue crayon, give mommy the grey.
Dad's home guys! He'll read us a book
then all of us together will cook.
The lungs of the planet caught a small break
less travel meant less pollution to make.
People did realize they'd all be ok
They don't need so much to get through the day.
Maybe this virus that caused so much stress
Showed the whole world that more can mean less.
Written by XXXXXX
Inspired by Dr. Seuss
Thanks PTA for this bag swag!
Thirsty anyone?
Loved the car decor!
April Lifeskill: TRUSTWORTHINESS
A Note of Care from Jillian
Dear Penngrove Staff,
I’m sure we were all imagining a very different spring break and end to the school year. The current crisis is unlike anything we’ve experienced, and so it’s understandable that the range of emotions we’re all experiencing is unique too. I can say personally, that I’ve been feeling quite a bit of concern for our students, grief over the loss of personal connection, and anxiety about how to adequately reach and support the students I care so much about. While this experience is new, the dedication and compassion I know we all have for our students is something that carries through no matter what. Team Penn is an exceptional group of people, and I truly believe each of us is capable of meeting this new set of challenges. I just hope that you’re all mindful to be gentle with yourselves, to allow yourself to feel what’s coming up, and give yourself the time to process in your own way. This is good advice for me too! I am available to lend an ear to any of you. Whether it’s sharing concerns for students, providing resources, or listening to and validating what you’re going through. I realize that supporting staff has the trickle down effect of supporting our students as well! Please feel free to reach out by email or phone. Counseling services will continue for those on the counseling caseload who are able and open to doing teletherapy. My plan was to be on baby bonding leave for the two weeks following spring break, but given the situation, I will be more available than I would have been under normal circumstances. Hang in there Team Penn! We’ve got this!
~Jillian
Helpful Resources for Families & Staff
The first link is to the CDC website, and is about how to talk to kids about the COVID 19 crisis. There is also a pdf attached that is a "poster" of 7 tips for talking to kids..." for those visual learners. And the other link is about mental health resources specific to Sonoma County.
https://norcalpublicmedia.org/2020032742003/news-feed/sonoma-county-mental-health-resources
That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief
#PennPanthers Photos
Email: fopptavp@gmail.com
Text: 707-239-2504
Mystery Science update
#TeamPenn All Day Every Day
Email: penngrove@petk12.org
Website: www.penngrovepanthers.org
Location: 365 Adobe Road, Penngrove, CA, USA
Phone: (707) 778-4755
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Penngrove-Elementary-School-323595021067904/
Twitter: @pennpanthers