the PENN NEWSLETTER
12-8-2017
WE'RE ALL LEARNING
STUDENTS: Recently, 3rd grader turned the page in their social studies book to a picture of Ruby Bridges. Nearly every child sighed in joyful recognition and quickly rehearsed what they knew about her ... that they had learned in first grade. Ruby Bridges was brave. She did the right thing even though it was hard and people were mad at her. It wasn't fair. They felt outrage and dismay for her personally, and more broadly, at all that segregation and discrimination. A beautiful understanding and part of an extended focus on how individuals can solve community problems.
TEACHERS: This week we enjoyed spending another day with Zack, an educational consultant. He spent time working with teams of teachers reflecting on and planning for innovative engaging lessons.
PENN McTEACHERS Night at McDonalds
Join us for food, family, friends & fun on Tuesday, December 12th at the North Liberty McDonald's to support Penn Elementary School. We will be receiving 15% of all sales from 5:00-7:00, so come out and support your school and have a great time! The classroom with the most visitors will win an extra hundred dollars for their classroom. We hope to see you there!
Deadline extended for ONE BOOK TWO BOOK Writing Festival
Students in grades 1 - 6 are invited to participate in the One Book Two Book writing festival which will be held in February. If your child is interested in submitting a writing piece, please use the link below for instructions. We hope to see many Penn students share their writing talents! The deadline is now December 15.
Focus on KINDNESS
Here are a couple of sample "kindness calendars" if you'd like to use one at home or even just for some kind ideas.
Penn PTO News;
DPO Meeting
We are still in need of volunteers to bring items for next week's DPO meeting. Please consider how you may be able to help, there are lots of spots left.
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c0f4ea8a82fa5fc1-penn/5155144
Supply Needs
The health office is need of several items to help our students. If you are able to donate these items please send them to school with your child or drop them off in the front office.
* Kleenex
* Girls sweatpants/leggings
* Boys gloves and mittens
Classroom teachers are in need of
* Clorox wipes
* dry erase markers
* gallon size baggies
* Pencils
School Supply Volunteer
To continue being able to provide the school supply service which parents can order their school supplies through each year we need someone to begin working on it now. This not a difficult job and you would be working with the current volunteer for this next ordering session. If we are unable to find someone to take this on, we will need to cut the program. Please email pennpto@gmail.com if this is something you are interested in keeping at Penn.
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Jessi Benest pennpto@gmail.com
Looking Ahead
- Tuesday, Dec. 12, 5:00 - 7:00 McTeacher's Night at McDonalds
- Wednesday, Dec. 20, 8:15 - 8:45 am Winter sing-a-long for kindergarten and 1st graders. Parents of Kindergarten and 1st grade students are invited.
- December 25 - January 5: Winter Break
Non-Discrimination Statement
It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Kingsley Botchway II, Director of Equity, 1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, 319-688-1000, Botchway.Kingsley@iowacityschools.org.