the PENN NEWSLETTER
5/22/2020
Penn Pride: We have. We are. Together.
Retrieving Student Items from Buildings
Thursday, May 28, 2020: from 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Homeroom teachers have packed up students' belongings.
You'll also receive:
- reading and math workbooks if you have not already picked those up
- info about your child's teacher assignment for next year
- school supply list for next year
- yearbook (if you ordered one) and
- 6th grade certificates.
Using your child's last name: please put a sign with your child's last name (written big, bold and dark) in your car window.
A - K drive thru the bus lane in the south parking lot
L - Z drive thru the front car line
Please drive thru (staying in your car), state your child(ren)’s name, and a staff member will bring items to you.
Students do not need to be present during pick-up.
*If your child has medication in the health office, please use the drive in front of the building regardless of your last name.
You may also drop off: library books, safety patrol belts and borrowed band/orchestra instruments.
from the PTO about school supply packs
Dear Penn Families,
The Penn Elementary PTO is excited to announce that we are partnering with Educational Products Inc. to offer School Supply Packs for Fall 2020. School supply packs are an easier and less-expensive option for you to purchase school supplies, and lets you avoid having to shop in person.
The packs include brand-name items: Crayola, Elmer's, and Fiskars, and include exactly what's on your child's school supply list. Even better, the packs will be ready and waiting in your child's classroom at Ice Cream Social (currently scheduled for August 20). Here is a brief introduction to the company and supplies: https://youtu.be/1KF8JE0sKg8.
We believe you'll find the pricing to be outstanding; these supply packs cost up to 40% less. In addition, it's a great way to support your PTO!
Kindergarten supply pack: $38.41 each (sales tax added at purchase)
Grades 1-6 supply pack: $39.82 each (sales tax added at purchase)
Ordering is now open. To place your order please visit www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks and enter school ID# PEN032.
The deadline for ordering is June 14, 2020.
Questions? Contact the PTO supply pack coordinator, Pauline Wieland, at februarygirl28@yahoo.com or text 319-321-0271.
Thank you!
Penn Elementary PTO
2020-21 Pay-to-Ride Program
The Iowa City Community School District Transportation Department would like to notify you of the 2020-21 Pay-to-Ride Program.
Program details
- The program is provided on a space-available, time-available, first-come, first-served basis. Participation is limited according to capacity as determined by the District and is available to students in grades K-12.
- The program is only available on existing bus routes and at existing stops. No additional routes and or stops will be considered for pay-to-ride students after the deadline.
- Buses provided specifically for special education students are not eligible for this program.
- Bus stop locations and times are assigned by North America Central School Bus (NACSB).
- The availability of seats and location of bus stops is subject to change based on changes in enrollment, boundaries, and other factors determined by the District or NACSB, and can occur at any time. When changes to routes or stops occur, families utilizing pay-to-ride busing will be notified at the same time that the families of eligible students are notified.
- Students must be picked up and dropped off at their assigned location only. Pick-up and drop-off must be at the same location.
- Requests for a change in a student’s bus stop will only be honored if the student’s address has changed.
- No guest students will be allowed to ride along with pay-to-ride students.
- All students riding the bus are subject to the rules and regulations of conduct and safety established by the District and NACSB. The District and NACSB use video cameras on school buses as a means to maintain a safe environment for students and staff.
- Refunds will be granted for any unused full trimester purchased for the current school year.
- No refunds or rate adjustments will be made for days buses cannot operate because of weather or other circumstances beyond the control of NACSB or the District.
- Payments can be made online via the District’s website or by mailing a check. The fee is charged on a per year basis.
Payment and Fees for Service
- Pay-to-ride fee is:
- $495 per student, per year, round trip
- $297 per student, per year, round trip, for students who qualify for reduced-price lunch
- $0 per student, per year, round trip, for students who qualify for free lunch
- Full payments must be made no later than June 11, 2020, to be included on a bus roster for the start of the school year.
- Applications will be accepted after the due date while capacity remains on existing routes. (Note: Students will only be assigned to existing bus stops and routes; buses will not be re-routed to accommodate requests.)
- Students are not eligible to ride until payment is received and the application is approved.
Application Process
- To apply for pay-to-ride busing, please download the following form:
Pay-to-Ride Student Transportation Application: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/18202 - Payment can be made online or checks should be made payable to Iowa City Community School District. Online payments can be made at https://iowa-city.revtrak.net/Pay-to-Ride/#/list
- Mail your application and payment, if paying by check, to the following address:
Iowa City Community School District
Attn: Esme Davis
1725 N Dodge Street
Iowa City, IA 52245 - The Iowa City Community School District will begin processing applications upon receipt, in the order they are received. Each application and payment will be kept on file until it is determined the student is eligible for a seat on the bus.
If you are interested in participating in the Pay-to-Ride Program, please return the application and payment no later than June 11, 2020, to be considered for a bus roster for the start of the school year.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email.
Esme Davis
Transportation Manager
Iowa City Community School District
davis.esme@iowacityschools.org
PTO Update
Hello Penn Panthers,
This was certainly not how we intended to end the school year. I hope you are all healthy and staying safe. The Penn PTO is starting to think about next year and planning for when we can all be back together. We would like announce the 2020-2021 PTO officers and thank everyone for such great support throughout the year. If you would like to share any ideas or questions please feel free to reach out to us through email (pennpto@gmail.com) or facebook. If you haven't already joined us on facebook please search for Penn Elementary PTO. We will be sharing activities and upcoming opportunities. We have recently created an Instagram page for PTO which can be found at penn_pto. We can't wait for our first meeting when we can see everyone again. Thank you again for being such an incredible group of parents, teachers and staff.
2020-2021 Penn PTO Officers
essi Benest- President
Ashley Breinholt- Vice President
Diana Hoffman- Treasurer
Lori Doerschug- Secretary
Angela Bulman- Communications Director
Thank you!
Penn PTO
Math Workbook HELP: BOUNCE Pages
Update on Grade 6 Additional Practice workbooks
The Pearson BouncePages app will work with these pages. It is the same app K-5 can use to support math practice at home. Use the same directions on the ICCSD Elementary Workbook page for downloading app or watch this demonstration video.
You can use the app to scan a worksheet and find an instructional video to support your child on workbook pages. There may be some inconsistency with the video selection based on how the worksheet is scanned. Here are some troubleshooting tips to use if the video does not provide direct support for the worksheet content.
Rescan using the flashlight icon to make it brighter
Rescan if the first video does not offer direct support with worksheet content; try to target/center a specific item so the image is not blurry
Access this website to search for additional videos. Search by using one key word from the title of the worksheet or expanding sections.
6th grade CELEBRATION .... different, but still worthy of notice!
6th graders make sure your slide is done and submitted to Mrs. Krueger or Mr. Newell ASAP.
Every year we have 6th graders each create a personal slide about themselves and their memories from Penn. The 6th grade teachers have shared these instructions with students. Please help us by helping your student if necessary or letting Mrs. Krueger or Mr. Newell know that your child needs some help. We sure want every student to be included!
ICCSD INFO related to Covid-19/Corona Virus.
The most update information will be posted daily on the ICCSD web page.
This is the place to find out about free school lunches and enrichment opportunities.
Here is the link: https://www.iowacityschools.org/domain/4599
Here is the link to request technology devices and/or support for getting internet services: http://innovation.iowacityschools.org/2020/03/30/getting-tech-support-during-the-covid-19-closure/
More Enrichment Ideas from our Specials Teachers
From Ms. Fishman
from Mrs. McDonald
Choose an adventure at Google Earth Voyager. Google Earth's Voyager is a showcase of interactive guided tours, quizzes, and layers that aim to help educate everyone about the world, locations near and far. Interested in castles and what influenced their design? Travel to several sites and learn how angles, line of sight and properties of circles help define the geometry of castles.
Safe travels!
Books, Books, and More Books
Poetry
If you enjoy poetry, this week's pages are for you. You can read poetry, listen to poetry, and create your own poetry. Have fun!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JqGJyFqvLT2rv2ZUG9BKXR3afGmPtn2AceP1lkCCMN8/edit?usp=sharing
from Ms Goeken
Memorial Day Op Art project
In this lesson we learn about a style of art called Op Art. We also learn a little about Memorial Day.
From our School Counselors, Miss Cooley and Miss Gilmore
Virtual Career Day
Brian Ferentz, Coach at the University of Iowa - Brian discusses the many aspects of his job and gives advice that all students can benefit from. He also shares what he enjoys most about his job and delivers a great message about teamwork.
Delaney Cooley, Archeologist at the University of Oklahoma - Delaney talks about how an archeologist spends their time at different times throughout the year. As a bonus, she shared a few photos from a dig she was on last summer. You can find them here.
Pamela Svatos, Video Editor at Disney - Pamela discusses her job as a video editor for Disney and some work she has done. She also shares an activity that you can do from your own home!
Dr. Joan Maley, Radiologist at UIHC - Joan talks about how she chose a career in radiology and the path she took to become a doctor. She also goes through a variety of x-rays and other images from inside the human body!
Contact Info
email anytime at: cooley.kaitlyn@iowacityschools.org
Crisis Hotline - 1-855-325-4296
from our Student and Family Advocate, Jill Winders
Please know that I am here to continue to support you and your family during these challenging times. Please email me at winders.jill@iowacityschools.org or leave a message at 319-688-1154 so I can return your call.
School lunch/breakfast information:
Free school lunch information and locations
How-to guide to downloading district app:
Additional Community Resources:
Computer access:
Internet access:
Financial Resources to access due to COVID19 hardships:
United Way of Johnson County Disaster Assistance
https://www.unitedwayjwc.org/united-way-community-disaster-assistance
Health Well Foundation
https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/fund/covid-19-fund/?blm_aid=492762