Mrs. Christa Palladino, Principal

January 15, 2024

Pennell Families,

Winter is coming! Please pay attention to district messaging for school delays and closures. If school is delayed, there will be no morning activities/tutoring for that day. We have two emergency days built into our calendar this year. If we should exceed those days, I will communicate our plan to implement a flexible instruction day through email. In the coming weeks, we may begin proactively sending Chromebooks home on days where there are inclement weather forecasts in case there is a need for a flexible instruction day. Please communicate clearly with your child and your child's teacher if you have reliable technology and do not need the Chromebook sent home.

We are continuing to administer mid-year assessments in grades K-5 to monitor our students' strengths, needs, and progress in the areas of reading and math. Our team will continue to address needs through small group instruction, research-based interventions, and our MTSS process.

Important Reminders:

Please do not allow your child to bring items from home like personal devices, toys, stuffed animals, putty, etc. It is good practice to check your child's school bag each morning to make sure all items are left home and only approved school supplies are brought to school
Students are not allowed to carry personal electronic devices during school. This includes cell phones and smart watches. It is against district policy for students to bring these items to school. Any loss or damage to items brought to school is the sole responsibility of the child/family. If an item is brought to school, it should be off and away in the child's backpack. If a child has the item out, it may be confiscated and a parent may need to come pick it up.
Please make sure your child has the lanyard with their ID card for breakfast each morning. Last week there were many students without their card.
Please remember to make sure your child has a warm jacket, hat, and gloves to stay warm at outdoor recess.
Please make sure you have your blue paper with your family name on it for student pick-up each afternoon.

Upcoming Dates for your Calendar:

2/2 PTO Special Person Dance
2/13 PTO Meeting
2/16 No School - Teacher In-service
2/19 No School - President's Day Holiday
2/23 Kid's Heart Challenge

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR - GET YOUR ORDERS IN!

NOTE FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE

Dental exams are mandated by Pennsylvania for grades K/1, 3, and 7. This program is available for students in grades K/1, 3 and 7 who have not provided proof of a dental exam within the last year. If we do not have the required dental information regarding your child, you may qualify for this program. (Please note we will not turn away any student in any grade who requires a dental exam.). Go to pdsd.org/dentist for registration forms and information.

FABULOUS FREDDY'S FOUNDRAISER!

Thank you to all who came out to support our Outdoor Classroom - over $500 raised

PENNELL PTO CORNER

PTO has a LOT of updates this week. Please take a moment to check it all out! Remember, our website always has the most up-to-date info.

Special Person's Dance: Wow! We are thrilled that so many families are excited for this new event on February 2. Tickets sales are now closed & we are at maximum capacity. Wristbands will come home the week of January 22. We are looking for some dessert donations for the dance, if you are able to help please sign up here. As we get closer, stay tuned for reminders & potential volunteer opportunities that day as well.

Career Week: Mrs. Palladino is looking to plan some activities for Career Week, the first week of March. Open to all ideas. Last year, we did career presentations in the classrooms, a career parade, and had a few visits by a local law enforcement team and the Wawa team. It doesn’t have to be just like last year, but something fun, multi-faceted, and educational. We would need to meet soon. Email cpalladino@pdsd.org if you are interested in helping plan this year.

Variety Show: Blue flyers came home last week with all the Variety Show details. This year's theme is "It's All Fun & Games" - please note acts do not have to fit within that them, it's just for fun! All acts must be registered by January 25. Details & links for all necessary forms are online now.

Family Glow Party: Another new event! On March 1, the 5th Grade Committee will host their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Family Glow Party! This event is open to all Pennell families & replaces the Family Bingo we've done the past few years. Details to come, but if you are able to donate items for raffle baskets, please reach out to pennell5thgrade@gmail.com

Yearbooks: Yearbooks are now on sale - we will be doing online sales only again this year. 5th graders will be gifted a yearbook courtesy of the 5th Grade Committee & do not need to order one. Details are online

5th Grade News: 5th grade families, please join the Facebook group to stay up to date on all the upcoming events. If you're not on Facebook, please send an email to pennell5thgrade@gmail.com. We always need volunteers to sell pretzels at lunch on Fridays, so please sign up to help!

Freddy's Fundraiser: Thank you to everyone who came out for our fundraising night at Freddy's. Thanks to your delicious support we raised over $500 for the Outdoor Classroom! Congratulations to our raffle winners, Alex Druding & Harper Fehrle!

Pretzel Sales continue every Friday at lunch. Remember your $1.

The nurse’s office is in need of the following items if you are able to donate: new underwear in sizes 10, 12 & 14 & new or gently used pants in sizes 10, 12 & 14 (sweatpants or similar neutral styles are ideal). Donations can be sent in to school anytime, please label the bag “donation for nurse”.

Thank you as always for everything you do to support PTO! We are so grateful for the continued support of our dedicated volunteers, as well as so many new faces stepping up.

HELPFUL LINKS

Report Attendance

23-24 Instructional Calendar

Volunteer Clearance Information

Pennell's Website

Penn-Delco's Website

Power Kids Library