The Official Blog from the Superintendent of Pennoyer School District #79, Norridge, IL On this blog, information is "auto posted" from the http://pennoyerschool.posthaven.com blog. The school district's Twitter updates can be viewed by searching twitter for username @pennoyerschool from the Twitter site or from the main Pennoyer site.
visit: http://www.stemfest.niu.edu/stem/fest/ for more information
Don't Miss Out! Watch classroom lessons come alive! Tech Fair, September 27, 6:30 p.m.
In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year, designated in memory of the 2,977 killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. Most Americans who were alive during the events refer to the day as "Nine-Eleven (9/11)", "September Eleventh", or some variation thereof. Initially, the day was called the Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.
U.S. House of Representatives Joint Resolution 71 was approved by a vote of 407–0 on October 25, 2001. It requested that the President designate September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day". President George W. Bush signed the resolution into law on December 18, 2001 (as Public Law 107-89[
On this day, the President directs that the American flag be flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday. From Wikipedia:
The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labor Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary.
Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable for women to wear white.[4]
In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 1983 in Darlington, South Carolina. At Indianapolis, the National Hot Rod Association hold their finals to the U.S. Nationals drag race.
The School AdministratorAugust 2011 Number 7, Vol. 68
We soon will experience the most important time in the school year for all children — the first two weeks. What happens during this critical period pretty much determines how the rest of the year will go.
When children return to school after the summer break, their perceptions about school and about themselves as learners are mostly uncertain. It’s a new year with new teachers, new books, new classes, new schedules and new friends. All of these novelties come with the hope this year could be different and better than all previous years.
That uncertainty in their perceptions continues only until teachers administer the first quizzes and assessments around the end of the second week of school. When teachers assign grades to those first quizzes, the grades put students into categories. Getting out of a category is really difficult.
Students who receive a C on that first math quiz begin to see themselves as C students. Their uncertainty suddenly becomes fixed, and they begin to accept the idea they are likely to earn C’s in math for the rest of the school year.
When the second quiz or assessment occurs, they expect to receive another C. When they do, it reinforces their perception. Similarly, if they receive a failing grade on that first quiz, they think all ensuing grades will be the same. But if they succeed on that first quiz and receive a high grade, that too is their perception of all that might follow.
Student Persistence
For school leaders, this means doing everything possible to help teachers ensure students’ success during the first two weeks. At every level and in every class, they must press teachers to do whatever is necessary to help students experience successful learning during this critical period — and not fake success, but an accomplishment on something meaningful and challenging. It should be something that makes students feel good about what they have achieved and confident in their abilities as learners.
The key to motivating students rests with that success. Students persist in activities at which they experience success, and they avoid activities at which they are not successful or believe they cannot be successful.
This is the reason truancy and attendance problems rarely occur during the first two weeks of the school year. They begin to occur after the first graded quizzes, papers or assessments. In students’ minds, the grades they receive on these first quizzes and assessments establish their likelihood of future success. And why come to school if there is so little chance of doing well?
Parent Understanding
School leaders also must help parents understand the importance of this time and how essential it is for them to be genuinely involved in their children’s education during these first two weeks. Routines established at home in this critical period profoundly affect the likelihood of students’ success.
Daily conversations about school activities help children recognize that their parents value success in school. Providing a quiet place for children to work on school assignments and limiting the time they spend watching television or playing computer games further increase the chances for success. Checking with the teacher to ensure children are well-prepared and ready to succeed also can help.
Successful experiences during these first two weeks of school do not guarantee success for the entire year. But they are a powerful and perhaps essential step in that direction. School leaders, teachers and parents alike need to take advantage of this critical time and use it well. It can make all the difference.
Thomas Guskey is professor of educational psychology at University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky. E-mail: Guskey@uky.edu
August 19, 2011
Dear Pennoyer Families,
Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! We hope that you are enjoying your final days of summer. We are looking forward to another great year of educational excellence and partnership!
The Life Safety and Fire Prevention construction projects are finished and the school truly looks beautiful. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of our Pennoyer PTC, the generosity of Pennoyer families, local businesses, and vendors, we have a new electronic sign outside and many new interactive technology solutions in our classrooms inside!
Our all-staff institute day (meetings and training) will be held on Monday, August 22, 2011 (for staff only). Students will begin their 2011-2012 school year as follows: grades 1-8 students will have a half day on Tuesday, August 23, from 8:10am-11:30am. Our kindergarten students will come in for an orientation on Tuesday, August 23, 8:15am-9:15am. The pre-school student and family orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, August 24, 8:15am-9:15am and 12:15pm-12:45pm. On Wednesday, August 24, all students in grades K-8 will have a full day of school, and on Thursday, August 25, all students in grades PK-8 will have a full day of school.
There will be a back to school family picnic on Friday, August 26, starting at 5:30pm, and there will be a new parent orientation on August 31, 2011 at 7:00pm
This year we will be using engaging digital curriculum through the Discovery Education Network; this is affiliated with the Discovery Channel, and once the year gets underway, we'll share access codes with students and families for at-home educational partnering.
Our Pennoyer family continues to grow. We have added several new teachers to our staff. It is our pleasure to welcome the following staff to the Wilmot family.
As we prepare for the upcoming school year we have done some cleaning, discovering, and constructing. It's fun to step back in time and see what Pennoyer was like many years ago through archives such as the Pennoyer Pioneer (school newspaper). In January 1958, the school was welcoming it's "new school"; as we prepare for 2011-2012, we are welcoming a "refreshed" school ... it's nice to look back and see what was going on ... here are a few pages from our proud history
At Pennoyer School, we are dedicated to the development of our children academically, emotionally, and socially. We must prepare our students to become life-long learners, positive contributors of our community and responsible citizens of a global society.
The 2011-2012 school year is all set to be an amazing year for student growth, teacher growth, learning, integrating digital literacy and technologies, and overall progress for our school district. This year we will continue to implement the changes begun last year like Google Apps for Education (Gmail, Documents, Sites, etc.). We also plan to continue the use of Gaggle Net email for students (protected, restricted usage). This year our Interactive White Board experiences will expand from Promethean and eBeam to include Mimio as well, and we have acquired several mounted and mobile projectors from our generous Parent Teacher Council.
In addition, we have contracted with the Discovery Education Network for video streaming, science curriculum materials, media sharing, and digitization of material across all curriculum areas. Beyond the "stuff", we will have job-embedded professional development throughout the school year on how to best utilize these digital media tools within the classrooms.
Teachers will continue to use the student management system Skyward for grades, attendance, etc. The school plans to "open" the portal to parents later in the fall for 24/7 access to student progress and performance. This year our substitute system will be automated with AESOP (an online caller and tracker system).
Students will also use iPod touch devices for reading and math remediation, practice, and enrichment. The school will also continue to use the Multiple Assessments of Progress (MAP) assessments in reading, language usage and mathematics to track and measure student growth and learning.
Finally, students will still be encouraged to use Prezi, Glogster, Voice Thread, Edmodo, Wiki's, Blogs, Encyclopedia Britannica Online, Alexandria, and countless other Web 2.0 and 3.0 services, tools, and learning enhancements.
The school's Twitter and Facebook pages will continue to be updated with information, events and happenings at Pennoyer School.
All in all we are looking forward to a GREAT school year full of exploration and growth for students and staff!
We are proud to share that Pennoyer School District #79 has achieved the highest category available for school districts in the area of Financial Profiles!
Thank you to Mr. Bender for going up in the air to take this all-school photo!
Today all of the PK-8th grade students, faculty, staff, administration and members of the Board of Education gathered in the gym for an assembly, pep rally, and all school photo. This celebration was part of the Board of Education's celebration and acknowledgement of the academic excellence awards - Back to Back for two years in a row - as well as as a prelude to the annual field days and all - school pizza party! We celebrate our student's excellence, talents, kindness, respectfulness, resourcefulness, and scholarship!!
Community Meeting
