the PENN NEWSLETTER
10/20/17
Fun Night is TONIGHT!
Game tickets will be sold at the door. Food will be sold in the lunch room. Silent auction will be in the library.
If you can't remember where you volunteered or what time check the link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4baeab2ca2f58-2017
See you there!
Check the Lost and Found Bins tonight at FUN NIGHT. They are located at the south doors.
WE'RE ALL LEARNING
STUDENTS: Students wrapped up assessments (reading & math screening and Ia Assessments) this week! Global Read Aloud continues. Ask your student about the book(s) they're reading and the connections they're making with other people.
TEACHERS: Lots of Teacher Learning this week!
7 teachers attended ITEC (Iowa Technology & Education Connection) on Monday. Our own Andrew Fenstermaker presented 2 workshops at this conference!
On Tuesday, Ms. Happel, Mrs. Folkerts and Mrs. Connolly attended a class on a reading intervention.
Teachers spent Thursday afternoon learning more about the results from our new reading assessments, literacy designations and setting up interventions for students who need additional instruction. More info will be shared at PT conferences.
On Friday, our innovation consultant, Zack was here and worked with K, 2nd, 6th and specials teachers. Our focus is always on improving instruction and making learning joyous.
CELEBRATING the WORLD's CHILDREN
Picture Retakes
If you received your prints and would like your child's photos retaken please send the entire photo package in original envelope to school and inform your child's teacher that they need to get retakes.
Penn Spirit Wear Orders end Oct. 22
Penn spirit wear is available through Rage Graphics until Oct. 22. The online store can be accessed using the following link: https://pennelementaryfallapparel2017.itemorder.com/
If you have any questions please contact the Penn Spirit Wear Committee by e-mailing kerrie.williams@gmail.com
Fall turns our thoughts to HALLOWEEN
The whole school will be on parade at 2:00 pm. Well be outside on the playground if weather permits or through the gym. Parents are welcome to come to watch.
Teachers will provide more specific info about their classroom parties.
Please remember: dressing up is fun. Let's keep it fun. No weapons, even play weapons, are allowed as part of costumes.
Parent Teacher Conferences: Nov. 9 and Nov. 15
Conferences are coming up soon. Please use this link to sign up for a time to meet with your child's teacher. We think this is a very valuable conversation.
https://sites.google.com/iccsd.k12.ia.us/penn-conferences/homeMrs. Heffner will have a "shadow"
Dear Parents and Guardians:
I am honored to be your child’s school principal and am dedicated to working with you, our teachers and support staff to do my very best.
As a principal it is my goal to make teaching and learning my primary focus. Everyone knows how day-to-day management tasks and outside distractions can take us away from our desired goals. As a result, I am participating in a nationally tested and proven professional development process called SAM. It uses a unique set of tools to help principals focus on activities that are directly connected to improving teaching and learning.
The first step in the SAM process is to determine how I currently spend my time at school. A data collector will “shadow” me for two days taking data every five minutes. The data collector will not interact with others and will try to be as “invisible” as possible so they do not change what I would normally do.
The data collector will carry a clipboard with a stopwatch and follow me wherever I go in the school throughout the day. The shadow will not speak or respond to anyone and will even try to avoid eye contact so they do not become involved in our interactions.
After data collection the results will help me focus on instructional leadership to improve teaching and learning.
Thanks for your support in helping us best meet the needs your children.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Heffner
PS: You can learn more about the SAM process at www.SamsConnect.com
Looking Ahead
- Oct. 20: Penn Fun Night, 5:45-7:45pm
- Oct. 24: Picture retakes
- Oct. 31: Halloween Parties and Parade
- Nov. 9: Parent-Teacher Conferences, 2:10 - 7:10
- Nov. 15: No School- Parent-Teacher Conferences, 7:55 - 7:05
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.