the PENN NEWSLETTER
5/15/2020
Penn Pride: We have. We are. Together.
Looking ahead to summer
Seriously though, we only have 2 weeks of our school year left. I know for some of you, that will be a relief. This time at home may have been hard for many reasons. For some of you, you surrendered to summer already. For some of you, you are just getting a good routine going. I appreciate that each family has had the freedom to figure out what works for your situation. And, we know that the official end of the school year and a little loosening of restrictions doesn't mean that we all go on with a typical summer. Adjustments will continue to be necessary.
As you look toward summer though, I hope that you will continue to use the learning resources we've provided over the last few weeks. Maybe not with the same intensity, but keep your children reading, assign some workbook pages a couple times a week and jump onto Lexia and Dreambox .... just to keep learning continuous. I don't expect families to fill the gap of all this time out of school .... we know we're going to have to address all that lost instruction in the fall. And we will. Teachers are already planning for that.
However, summer is always a good time for some reading and math.
~ Mrs. Heffner
Retrieving Student Items from Buildings
Thursday, May 28, 2020: from 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Homeroom teachers will pack up students' belongings.
You'll also receive: - reading and math workbooks if you have not already pick those up
- info about your child's teacher assignment for next year,
- yearbook (if you ordered one) and
- 6th grade certificates.
Please drive up to the building (staying in your car), state your child(ren)’s name, and a staff member will bring your child’s items to you.
Students do not need to be present during pick-up.
You may also drop off: library books, safety patrol belts and borrowed band/orchestra instruments.
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!
Every year we have 6th graders each create a personal slide about themselves and their memories from Penn. The 6th grade teachers will be sharing these instructions with student this week. 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!
Yearbooks
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
Do you enjoy games that challenge you to balance risk and reward? Play the game Skunk. You will need a pair of dice and each player will need a piece of paper and a pencil to keep score. Here are directions: The Game of Skunk. Here is a link to a video demonstration of the game.
Do you love reading but your eyes are tired from too much screen time? Or do you like to hear a story read aloud while you get some fresh air outside? Try Audible Stories! You can stream a wide variety of literature in eight different languages. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
Books, Books, and More Books
Space Exploration From Your Living Room
This week's library activities are all about space. You can listen to astronauts read books to you from space, research different astronauts and space facts, and try creating your own rocket with some items you have around the house. This link will take you to one page of K-2 learning resources and one page of 3-6 resources. The Capstone link will be available through the end of June. Have fun learning some new facts about space!
Preview attachment Copy of Penn Distance Learning Space.pdf
from Ms Goeken
A great way to incorporate math, science, and art!
From our School Counselors, Miss Cooley and Miss Gilmore
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