Mrs. Christa Palladino, Principal

April 7, 2024

Pennell Families,

In light of the upcoming Solar Eclipse expected on Monday, April 8, Penn-Delco School District would like you to review our plans, as well as safety information relevant to your child. We hope you find this information helpful as excitement builds through the weekend!

Since this event coincides with our regularly scheduled school dismissals, staff will

reinforce the importance of not observing the eclipse directly without proper eye protection. Penn-Delco has ordered protective eclipse glasses for students in grades K-8 since they are the ones most impacted by a regularly timed dismissal and travel home during much of the eclipse. They will be distributed on Monday.

Please check your email for the complete information sent on April 3 or go to the pdsd.org website for information.

Pick-up and Drop-off:

Thank you for you for honoring the bus lane by going around the building before and after school. Please also avoid the front drive from the other side of the building during these times as well. All cars should park in the lot adjacent to the playground. The front drive is One-Way only with a Do Not Enter sign; therefore, the parking spots out front may not be accessed during drop-off and pick-up.

Important Reminders:

Please do not allow items to come into school from home.
No personal electronic devices permitted at school during school hours.
Students need their lanyards w/ ID card for breakfast.
Adults need blue name card for pick-up.

Upcoming Dates for your Calendar

4/5 Variety Show
4/9 PTO Meeting
4/10 Pennell Pride Day - Wear your Pennell shirts
4/12 Kindergarten Field Trip
4/19 1st Grade Field Trip
4/23 No School for students - Primary Day - Teacher In-service
4/22-5/3 PSSA testing window - no vacations approved for 3rd-5th
4/22, 24, and 25 ELA (Grades 3-5)
4/29 and 30 Math (Grades 3-5)
5/1 and 2 Science (Grade 4 only)
4/30 Reading Olympics Competition
5/3 Half-Day for Students - Teacher In-Service
5/6-5/10 PSSA Make-ups
5/8 Pennell Pride Day - Wear your Pennell shirts
5/9 Pennell Art Show and Chorus Concert
5/13 5th Grade visit to NMS
5/13-17 Teacher Appreciation Week
5/14 PTO Meeting
5/14-16 Spring Book Fair
5/17 2nd Grade Field Trip
5/21 Spring Band Concert
5/23 3rd Grade and Autistic Support Field Trips
5/24 Half-Day for Students - Teacher In-Service
School-wide Assembly
5/27 District Holiday - Memorial Day - all schools and offices closed
5/28 5th Grade Wax Museum
5/30 4th and 5th Grade Field Trips
5/31 Field Day

As a point of pride, the Pennell family includes many students with Autism. All of our Penguins are kind, hard-working, and inclusive all year long. However, during the month of April we like to take a little extra time to recognize that all of our students are unique in many ways, and that those differences are what make each of us awesome! You can take time to learn more about neurodiversity HERE. Pennell will celebrate and learn by having an Autism Spirit Week April 15-19.

THE PSSAs ARE COMING, OH MY!

April 22-May 3

All third, fourth, and fifth grades are scheduled to take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) exams in the coming weeks. English Language Arts will run the week of 4/22. Math and Science will run 4/29-5/3. Exam makeups will follow the regular testing window through 5/10. Please direct all questions to Mrs. Palladino through email at cpalladino@pdsd.org

Please review these parent documents documents for testing.

PENNELL PTO CORNER

The April PTO Meeting will be Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 in the library (childcare will be available) & on Zoom. This meeting is the deadline for nominations for next year's Treasurer & Vice President, to be voted on at our May meeting (if necessary). The 5th Grade Committee will meet at 6pm as usual.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4864630334?pwd=QnVROGl3TE1pangrK1hzL1NCcUZnUT09&omn=81005997436

Meeting ID: 486 463 0334

Passcode: 7TPRTK

This Friday, April 12 is the last day to order a yearbook. Visit https://barksdalephoto.com/ & enter Access Code 01049YB. If you're interested in helping proofread or are not sure if you've ordered yet, please email yearbookpennell@gmail.com. 5th graders do NOT need to order as they will each receive one at their year end celebration.

Friday Pretzel Sales continue this week. Remember your $1 at lunch!

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month & we are so grateful for the Pennell families who step up to help plan, organize, decorate, deliver, and clean up our many events throughout the year. Special thanks to our Committee Heads & Homeroom Parents for stepping up as well. We couldn't do it without you!

ENVIONMENTAL CLUB COLLECTS GLASSES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ASTON LIONS CLUB

Pennell's Environmental Club students are collecting used glasses, sunglasses and reading glasses in partnership with the Aston Lions club. We are collecting all types of glasses until June 3, 2024. Our collection box is located on the table outside Room 109.

(From the Aston Lions Literature)

Usable Glasses Give New Life

Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses, yet millions living in low and middle income countries lack access to basic eye care services. Lions have recognized the urgent need for corrective lenses and collect usable glasses in their communities to support the Lions Recycle For Sight Program.

"Usable glasses can make a difference! Lions and Leo Clubs help to conserve sight by providing usable eyeglasses to children and adults throughout the world."

YOUR USED CRAYONS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Mrs. Pringle, 2nd grade teacher, is collecting used crayons with a donation bin outside of her classroom, 211. The crayons will be donated to children's hospitals via The Crayon Initiative and turned into new crayons for patients. Information can be found here.

SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT FALL

HELPFUL LINKS

Report Attendance

23-24 Instructional Calendar

Volunteer Clearance Information

Pennell's Website

Penn-Delco's Website

Power Kids Library