Dear Penngrove Families,

I’m excited to share that we will be able to have the annual Penngrove Halloween Parade on Friday, October 29th at 8:30 AM. If you are planning on attending, please fill out this form so that we have a list of attendees. Parents will line up on the outside of the track, spacing at least 6 feet apart from those that do not live in their household. The students will parade around the track one time, grade level by grade level, starting with TK.

Reminders: Everyone who attends must be fully masked the entire time they are on the school campus. Please stay home if anyone in your household has any symptoms of Covid.

It has been wonderful to have all of the Penngrove students back on campus this week. I went into many classes early Monday morning and observed students hard at work and focused on the tasks assigned to them by their teachers. It was obvious that everyone (students and teachers alike) came back refreshed and ready!!

Mrs. Rudder

Hello Penngrove Families,

National Red Ribbon Week officially starts this weekend! This is a dedicated time during our school year when, as a Penngrove Elementary community, we share ideas and support each other in promoting healthier eating and a more active lifestyle for our students, our families, and our staff.

At this link you will find a handout with some ideas to support your whole family to make healthier lifestyle choices. These are simple tips to help spark your own creative ideas for your family. Any combination of these small steps can add up to make a significant difference to your family’s health and help build healthy habits for life.

While on campus the week of October 25th, the #PennPTA has a variety of activities planned:

• Students will receive a ribbon coloring page to take home and decorate. Return to the office on Thursday, October 28th for a chance to win 1 of 20 JavAmore smoothie gift certificates. Winners will be selected at random and announced on Friday morning.

• Penny McPanther will be delivering special backpack tags on Tuesday, October 26th.

• To celebrate a healthier community for all, we are encouraging our school community to “Wear Red” on Wednesday, October 27th.

• We will have a free healthy snack on Thursday, October 28th for all interested students at snack recess. However, please help us encourage your children to try new and healthy food choices by sending healthy snacks and lunches to school all week. The link above has some healthy snack ideas to help with this goal!

Red Ribbon Week offers an opportunity to challenge your family to try some new foods, move your body every day, limit screen time, and enjoy family meals as often as feasible! Thank you for taking the time during this week to discuss healthier options with your families.

Stay well,

#PennPTA

IMPORTANT SURVEY FROM PETALUMA CITY SCHOOLS

Please read and respond to this important information from our Superintendent of Schools, Matthew Harris.

This month, PCS is asking to hear from our families with young children (ages 0-5) to make sure that the programs we offer at the elementary level are in line with what you hope your children will experience in our schools. Please take a moment to respond to this brief PCS Program Interest Survey, as your input will help drive future planning for our schools. To complete the survey in Spanish, select Spanish from the drop-down menu on the top right-hand corner of the survey.

Please take a moment to respond to this brief PCS Program Interest Survey, as your input will help drive future planning for our schools. To complete the survey in Spanish, select Spanish from the drop-down menu on the top right-hand corner of the survey.

Thank you to all of the families who are continuing to fill out the daily Health Screener on Parent Square. It’s a good reminder of the Covid symptoms that we need to continue to monitor. If you answer “Yes” to any of the screening questions and are keeping your child at home, please remember to call the “Attendance Line” (707-778-4755) or fill out the Absence Form. Our front office staff does not have access to the Health Screening Forms.

We are gearing up for our first ever PCS 1 mile/5K/10K Family Holiday Fun Run. If your child is interested in participating in the 5K or 10K and would like to prepare ahead of time, we are putting together a Run Club at each school site. Practices will be held after school once a week on the day and time of the teacher or parent volunteer's choosing. The final event will be on Saturday, December 11th, where students and families will have the opportunity to participate in either a 1 mile, 5K, or 10K at Shollenberger Park and Ellis Creek.

The Sonoma County Kids Gran Fondo is a bike race for kids. We’re encouraging kids to help other kids, as well as nurturing them to grow with open minds and compassionate hearts. It’s fun, inclusive, educational, and above all else, we truly believe it makes a positive impact on children in need. Each year, through kid-activated fundraising and the community effort of Petaluma and the surrounding area, the Fondo raises money for local families of children dealing with life-threatening illnesses or disabilities- We call these brave kids our Heroes. You can learn more about our heroes (both are seniors in high school this year) on the Sonoma County Kids Gran Fondo webpage. Due to the pandemic, this year's event is going to be all virtual the last week of October, Facebook info here.

How to Participate

• Step 1: Register for the Gran Fondo

• Step 2: Buy a T-shirt (funds go directly to our Heroes!)

• Step 3 (extra credit): Download a pledge form and fundraise for our Heroes!

• Step 4: Packet Pick Up Day the week of October 24th (will send details as we get closer)

• Step 5: Run, scoot, skip, bike, or walk your race with either your t-shirt or Halloween costume and take a selfie!

• Step 6: Tag us! #socofondo @socofondo