the PENN NEWSLETTER
4/5/2019
PENN PRIDE: we have. we are.
Students: This is a fun time of year with lots of projects, activities and field trips. Students have been learning all year and now have more opportunities to use the skills they've learned to create new things. Ask your student what they're working on.
Staff: On Thursday our 3rd - 6th teachers did more learning to prepare for giving the new Iowa assessments and the teachers of younger students continued their focus on learning math strategies and preparing materials.
Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress
Attendance next week is very important and we ask you to try to avoid absences for any reason other than sickness.
Also, please note that phones or any digital device (like a smart watch) will not be allowed on students or in their desks during testing. They will be asked to put devices in their backpacks, so you may just prefer to not bring them to school next week.
LAST DAY of SCHOOL
8:15 - 6th grade Celebration in the gym. Parents and special guests are invited
9 - 10:30 Fun Activities on the playground. Families are welcome.
10:30 - 10:55 Students will return to their classrooms for a closing activity with their teacher and classmates. Parents may wait outside (weather permitting) for dismissal.
CAUTION around road construction
Spring is in the air and that brings a lot of road construction, but especially this year at the Front/Penn intersection where the four way stop is becoming a roundabout.
We reached out to the city of North Liberty this week and received this helpful information with options for navigating through that area.
A temporary sidewalk is being installed on the northwest corner of the Front/Penn site to connect the current sidewalks along Front and Penn streets.
For parents who want to avoid the site entirely, we have a map of open trail and sidewalks online which might help, available here: https://northlibertyiowa.org/2019/03/15/penn-and-front-street-improvements-detours-and-parking-changes-start-in-march/.
For kids traveling around the construction, the designated crossing of Front Street is at Jefferson Street, and of Penn Street it is at Stewart Street. Unfortunately, either detour might add distance the student’s route, but a few extra steps are worth their safety. Please stress to your children to only cross at Jefferson Street or Stewart Street.
And for everyone driving, please stay extra alert for children!
The good news is that while we’re dealing with this in the spring, we expect the sidewalks and trails to be reopened ahead of the next school year and Christine Grant Elementary.
KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP for incoming kindergartners
Date and time:
Thursday, April 18, 2019
2:30 - 3:30 pm
Place:
At your elementary school except for those who will attend Grant. Grant Elementary Round-Up will be held at the North Liberty Community Center.
If you have not yet registered your child for Kindergarten, please contact your neighborhood elementary school and they will be happy to assist you. If registration has not yet been completed, you will need the following documentation to complete the process.
Requirements at registration:
- Verification of your child’s birth date (Examples include a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport. For additional options, please contact the Educational Services Center at (319) 688-1000.)
- Child’s immunization records
- Proof of residency (Examples include a lease/rental agreement or utility bill.)
If you do not have the needed documentation, please contact your school for assistance.
Giving input on next year's classroom assignment
CRANDIC race
The 2nd annual CRANDIC race on Sunday, April 28th. The race has a full marathon and half marathon, with the full marathon beginning in Iowa City at Lower City Park and ending in Cedar Rapids at Czech Village. The half marathon will be completely run in Linn County this year. All proceeds from this race will be split between the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids school districts. More information on the race can be found here: www.runcrandic.com.
"Pay to Ride" Bus Option
If you live less than 2 miles from Penn you will not be routed for bus transportation. However, you can fill out the attached “Pay to Ride” form to apply for busing.
If there is room on the bus, the District can provide a bus for your student through the “Pay to Ride” program.
If your family is on free lunch, there is NO CHARGE!
If your family is on reduced lunch, the fee is $260 per student per year.
If your family is NOT eligible for free or reduced lunch, the fee is $438 per student per year.
Please know that seats on the bus will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. So please get your application in as soon as possible!
The deadline to apply is June 3rd. Please use this link: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/17325 to access the application form.
The application can be turned into Penn no later than May 31st.
If you have questions or need help with the form, please contact the office at 688-1150.
May 3, 5:30 - 7:00: TELL YOUR STORY OPEN HOUSE
Want to help tell a Taekwondo story?
Calling all Anderson’s ATA Students,
I am looking for anyone who would like to participate in either a live or recorded performance at Penn Elementary’s Tell Your Story Night on Friday, May 3. As a group we will decide whether to record our performance or perform it live. Parents/Guardians that are involved in Taekwondo are also encouraged to join in on the performance as it is a part of your’s and your child’s story. If you are interested please contact Mrs. D. at dick.kanndi@iowacityschools.org. Please help up make this night great!
Thanks,
Mrs. D.
Info from ICCSD
Attendance Zones
The Iowa City Community School District Board of Directors approved new elementary attendance areas for the 2019-20 school year. The new boundaries were approved during their November 27 board meeting. The updated maps can be found on the District website at the following link: www.IowaCitySchools.org/DistrictMaps. In addition, the District’s Attendance Area Look-Up links have been updated to reflect the approved boundary changes. The Attendance Area Look-Up links provide school information specific for your home address. The links can be found on the District website at the following link: www.IowaCitySchools.org/AttendanceAreaLookUp. Junior high and high school students may also be impacted by these changes. Please be sure to check the Attendance Area Look-Up link above to determine if changes to the elementary boundaries have affected your student.
- Elementary Roadmap - Please be sure to regularly check the timeline of events over the remainder of the year. This can be found here.
Info for Future Grant Grizzlies
Looking Ahead
- Thursday, April 18 Kindergarten Round-Up
- Friday, May 3: TELL YOUR STORY community event, 5:30 - 7:00
Music Informances Wednesday, May 15- Penn Gym
8:30 AM 3rd Grade
9:00 AM 2nd Grade
10:00 AM 5th Grade
10:30 AM 4th Grade
May 31: Last Day of School
9:00 - 10:30 Fun on the playground, families welcome
10:55 Dismissal