Kentwood Elementary School Newsletter
Jean Pennicooke, Principal • Christine Ferreira, Assistant Principal
October 2010, Volume 21, Issue 13
School Calendar
OCTOBER
10/4-10/18 Signature fundraiser
10/18-19 Truxton’s Dinner Social
10/20 School Photos
10/22 United Nation’s Parade
10/25-10/29 Spirit Week
10/29 Halloween Parade
10/29 Minimum Day (12:34 Dismissal)
NOVEMBER
11/1-11/5 Winter Book Fair; Adopt-a-Book
11/2 Bake Sale at Election Site
11/3 Math Night
11/4 Campus tour
11/7 Daylight savings
11/11 NO SCHOOL – Veteran’s Day
11/11 Toyota Sports Center Ice Skating
11/15-11/30 See’s Holiday Candy Sale
11/17 Make Up Photos
11/19 Turkey Trot (Walk-a-Thon)
11/19 Minimum Day (12:34 Dismissal)
11/19 Yogolicious Social
1/22-11/26 NO SCHOOL –
1 ing 2010 marked the fourth major increase in a
Thanksgiving week
Kentwood Elementary
School Website:
Please visit our website at
www.kentwoodes.org. You will find a
wealth of information about our school, includ-
ing upcoming events, press releases, monthly
cafeteria menu, current flyers, fundraising infor-
mation, after-school programs and much more!
8401 Emerson Ave., Westchester, CA 90045
p. 310.670.8977 • f. 310.670.6957 • www.kentwoodes.org
Lori Counihan, PTO President
Kentwood, In the Press!
Kentwood Elementary Receives
Award of Fitness Center
September 20, 2010, Los Angeles, California —
After years of participation in the California Gov-
ernor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and
ranking as a top contender each year, Kentwood
Elementary comes out ahead – way ahead! Not
only have Kentwood students, faculty and their
family members managed to stay active and pro-
mote fitness to their friends year after year, the
sweat and tears now pay off enormously with the
donation of a brand new Live Positively Fitness
Center, courtesy of the Coca-Cola Company.
Out of over 2,000 California schools who par-
ticipated in the program in 2010, only eight were
privileged to receive this very special reward.
“These eight winning schools have proven that
they are committed to being fit and living healthy,
and they deserve to enjoy the Live Positively Fit-
ness Centers provided by our partners at Coca-
Cola.”, said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, “I
applaud these schools for their hard work and
dedication and encourage them to use these fit-
ness centers to reach out to even more children
and other schools, so that we can continue to cre-
ate a healthier California.” Jack Steinfeld, Chairman
Kentwood Elementary Moves
Consistently Upward in Test Scores
September 17, 2010, Los Angeles, California —
The family-oriented community of Westchester,
California stands proud as its neighborhood el-
ementary school, Kentwood, consistently moves
up the rank in their scores on the state Academic
Performance Index (API). The school year end-
row, jumping from 859 to 870. With the statewide
target of 800 API, it is no wonder that accolades
continue for this California Distinguished School.
Don’t Miss a Single Bit of Information!
Join our yahoo parent group! Send
an email request to communica-
tions@kentwoodes.org with subject
of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and
Sports congratulated Kentwood Elementary and
said, “I’ve always believed that passion leads and ev-
erything else follows and I commend all the lead-
ers at Kentwood for the passion they displayed in
promoting this year’s Governor’s Challenge.”
The fearless Kentwood leader who initiated
this program is none other than teacher extraor-
dinaire Roberta Guarnieri. “I recall when Roberta
Guarnieri first presented the recommendation to
the Kentwood Parent-Teacher Organization that
the school join this program,” said parent Nancy
Hiromoto, “there was a phenomenal camaraderie
at school with everyone doing their part to be ac-
tive at least 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week. This
final award is definitely proof of what sheer de-
termination can do and this is exactly how I view
Roberta Guarnieri to be – ‘Sheer Determination’
and ‘Can Do’.”
Jean Pennicooke, Kentwood Elementary prin-
cipal, officially received this meaningful award at
the 5th annual Spotlight Award Ceremony in Sac-
ramento on September 17. The Spotlight Awards
honor organizations and events that positively im-
pact the physical activity, fitness, and well-being of
California children and youth.
“I am immensely proud of the progress Kent-
wood continues to make,” said parent Denise
Sample, “not just with its phenomenal API increas-
es, but with all the awards and special recognitions
from the school board to the Governor’s office.”
“This upward trend in student testing scores is
exactly what drives our students, teachers, parents
and community members,” said Jean Pennicooke,
school principal, “this special recognition gives our
stakeholders the momentum to continue to work
hard to supersede our goals year after year.” It is
also a banner celebration for a successful public
school.
line “join yahoo parent group”. You
must include your name and email
address in the email.
 Current Events
Back-to-School Picnic…
Thanks to all of you that made time out of your
busy weekend schedule to attend our Back-to-
School picnic on September 26th. There were
roughly 380 people at the event with over 50
volunteers! Parents were able to find out about
all of our after-school programs and meet with
other parents and teachers. The kids enjoyed
getting their face painted, running around with
their balloon creations and taking part in all of
our games. And of course, otter pops, baked
goods and hot dogs were enjoyed by all.
Congratulations to our raffle winners:
One-year Club Penguin membership
Jaden Fode
Tony Hawk skateboard, Willis Hardaway
Koala gear t-shirt Timia Greenlee
Reading Partners Needed
If you can you spare a little time, come and
train to become a Reading Volunteer with help
from Wonder of Reading. If you have one spare
hour every week, you can inspire a 1st-5th grader
from Kentwood to read by sharing your time and
reading with them. Contact Rosie Steingold at
310-649-0202 or see me in the library to find out
about registering today!
Annual Pledge Drive is Under Way!
Participate in the biggest fundraiser of the year
and help to continue the current programs at
Kentwood! Make checks payable to ‘Kentwood
Education Fund’.
Super Mondays!
Campus Beautification College Mondays:
We had our first Campus Beautification
event on Sept. 29th after school hours, head- Every Monday, students are
ed by the Beautification Chair person, Anna encouraged to wear apparel from
Marie Caso. A group of 21 LMU students the college of their choice.
volunteered their time to help plant flowers
and plants in the literacy garden and weeded
as well. Thank you for keeping the Kentwood
Koala Gear Sales:
Elementary campus looking so nice! Koala Gear will be on sale near the
cafeteria during our Monday Morning
Tile Wall Assembly in the months of October
The tiles from last school year have been and November (except on rainy days).
put up on the tile wall.Thank you to Mr. Brian Come check out the new designs
Doggett, parent and his colleague, Mr. Jose before supplies run out.
Rigoberto Barrona for mounting the tiles.
Please take a look at the beautiful work done
by each student. The tile wall is adjacent to Banked Time
the main Library door.
Tuesdays
Students are dismissed at
1:24 until May 3, 2011
We need your support for this very special pro- (except March 1st,
gram. If you can’t commit to this program there which is regular dismissal)
are other opportunities to help support the li-
brary by volunteering your time. See me or drop
a note in my box in the office if you would like to Spirit Fridays!
help out.
Thank you, Every Friday show your Koala Spirit!
Laurie O’Neill, Kentwood Library Aide Wear your Kentwood Gear or a red
T-shirt and receive a Caught
Being Good card.
Thank you to those who have donated thus
far! We are currently at 10% participation and we
encourage you to continue to turn in your pledges,
as we need to meet our goal for this year.

Pledge Drive donors* Jennifer & Michael Mr. & Mrs. Charles Palmer,
Anonymous Hernandez Grandparents
Anonymous Nancy Hiromoto The Savitt Family
The Bishoff Family Shana Fischer Huber The Shaffer Family
David & Amy Born & Steve Huber Parents of Symphony Smith
Steven & Rebecca Blum Kit Hulit The Stodder Family
The Butler Family Co-op Tibor & DeeDee Lody The Sun Family
The Counihan Family Elba Luna The Talbot Family Otter Pops & Popcorn
Dr. & Mrs. Eric P. Dahlstrom Jackie Lyons & Andrew Ray Dera Tennelle
Beth & Jim Dreyfuss Langston Metoyer Max & May Wang Every Friday,
The Goldman Family The Nelson Family The Yamashita Family Popcorn and
Latoria & Derwin Henderson The O’Neil Family *at time of printing Otterpops
are sold for 50
cents each on
Ongoing Fundraisers: the yard at
Office Depot will give Labels for Education: Clip and save UPCs and beverage caps from partici- lunch.
credit to Kentwood pating products (Campbell’s/Pop Secret/V-8). Turn in the UPCs and beverage
equal to 5% of all your caps to the front office- when the whole school participates, the points really
qualifying school sup- add up! Kentwood can redeem Labels for Education points for FREE educa-
ply purchases. Every tional resources! Check out the complete list at: http://www.labelsforedu- Lost & Found
time you shop at Of- cation.com/Earn/participating-products.aspx
Please remember to label all your children’s
fice Depot, give them Box Tops for Education: Turn those shopping trips into easy cash for our
items. If you have lost anything, you can look in
Kentwood’s school school, and encourage friends to do the same! All you need to do is clip and
drop them off in the main office - each one is worth 10-40¢ for our school. the Kentwood Lost and Found located in the
id # 70010333. hallway between Room 5 and the Girls Restroom.