September, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Welcome back!

The 2020 – 2021 school academic school year will be met with a myriad of feelings, anticipation, joy, fear, caution, and hope are just a few of the feelings we are all experiencing.  With a looming pandemic, racial tensions, unstable economy, and uncertain future we need to find the passion for life and the gift each day brings. 

As we begin a new school year, our method of instruction will be the virtual program.  After numerous weeks of planning instruction for September, with the possibility of the COVID -19 virus returning, this method was the best way to safeguard your children and our staff.  Under this program, we have improved the delivery which sets more teacher/student interaction, which in turn increases academic rigor.  Students in grades K – 6 will follow their grade level schedule beginning at 9:00am and ending at 3pm, with lunch between 12 noon and 1pm.  Students in grade 7 and 8 will follow their schedule which begins at 8:00am and ends at 3pm, with lunch between 12:06pm through 12:48pm.  For students in the Pre-K program their hours are from 9am – 3pm with lunch between 11:30am through 12 noon.  This format allows students to receive their special classes (Art, Music, P.E., Atlas, with the middle school students also receiving Health and Career Financial Management).  Please remember that the regular school hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with Wednesday as a half day of instruction with classes ending at approximately 11:00am. Grade level schedules are posted on our Pennington website.  This format allows our reading specialist, social workers, school psychologist, guidance counselor, speech pathologist and resource room teachers address the needs of your child. Also, we have set up office hours from 8:30am-9:00am to promote a positive relationship between parent and teacher.  During this time the parent can discuss concerns and or questions pertaining to the academic/social growth of their child. This can be done through emails, phone, or a Zoom meeting.

              All students will be required to log on everyday (10 minutes before school starts) to insure attendance is properly taken.  Also, attendance will be taken throughout the school day to insure students are actively participating.  If the teacher does not visually see their student, they will be marked absent, which will affect their class grades.  All students will be assessed through participation, classwork, homework, and projects.  Students will receive grades through the same process as before.  Unless approved by the principal and teacher, students are required to be at their classrooms during the assigned schedule.  There is no late afternoon, evenings or weekend classes. Also, there no afternoon activities due to the medical safeguards the district has taken.

              As a school administrator for 21 years from grades Pre-K – 12, success requires hard work, dedication and commitment on the part of all the stakeholders within the school community.  Colleges, universities, and the work force are being more selective and competitive.  Your role as a parent or guardian is absolutely critical.  I urge you to become more involved in your child’s education and social activities.  Please make sure to discuss with your child the pros and cons of social media and not mimic negative behavior.  When you child enters Pennington there will be new safeguards to protect everyone in the school.  Please discuss social distancing, washing of hands, wearing face masks, no hugging and entering/exit through specific doors. Every student has been assigned a grade level teacher and all classes were developed homogeneously.

              Thank you for your cooperation and support.

                   Alan Gonzalez, Principal                                       Francia Mendoza, Assistant Principal