Pennington School kindergartener Hailee Carter's big heart raises big bucks for AHA
![Girl holds up Heart of Gold certificate]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772212788/mtvernoncsdorg/fv5iojyypn8j9x1ticjo/PennHeart-8_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772212788/mtvernoncsdorg/fv5iojyypn8j9x1ticjo/PennHeart-8_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772212788/mtvernoncsdorg/fv5iojyypn8j9x1ticjo/PennHeart-8_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1772212788/mtvernoncsdorg/fv5iojyypn8j9x1ticjo/PennHeart-8_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1772212788/mtvernoncsdorg/fv5iojyypn8j9x1ticjo/PennHeart-8_1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1772212788/mtvernoncsdorg/fv5iojyypn8j9x1ticjo/PennHeart-8_1.jpg","width":2200}])
Pennington School kindergartener Hailee Carter's big heart raises big bucks for AHA
Hailee Carter put her whole heart into it!
The Pennington School kindergartener was celebrated in the gym Friday morning after raising an eye-popping $4,411 for the American Heart Association, powering her school to a total of $6,137.17 during the nationwide Kids Heart Challenge.
Coach Mike McGovern presented Hailee with the Heart of Gold Top Student Medal and a certificate recognizing her heartfelt achievement after she skipped, jumped, crawled and raced through an obstacle course with her fellow students.
Between activities, children stopped to check their pulses, counting their heartbeats as part of an engaging lesson about how exercise keeps the heart strong. The event blended fun and fitness with an important message about lifelong heart-healthy habits and community service.
Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland stopped by to personally congratulate Hailee, who beamed with pride as she held up her certificate proving that she has a heart of gold.
The Kids Heart Challenge, held at schools across the country, teaches students lifesaving skills and healthy habits while raising funds to support children with congenital heart defects and other heart conditions.
Pennington’s event was one of several held throughout the district during American Heart Month, including at Lincoln, Grimes and Hamilton schools.
![Chili Cook-off poster]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773339354/mtvernoncsdorg/maqiyljxjnh0akk4azqx/ChiliCook-off-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773339354/mtvernoncsdorg/maqiyljxjnh0akk4azqx/ChiliCook-off-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1773339354/mtvernoncsdorg/maqiyljxjnh0akk4azqx/ChiliCook-off-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1773339354/mtvernoncsdorg/maqiyljxjnh0akk4azqx/ChiliCook-off-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1773339354/mtvernoncsdorg/maqiyljxjnh0akk4azqx/ChiliCook-off-1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1773339354/mtvernoncsdorg/maqiyljxjnh0akk4azqx/ChiliCook-off-1.jpg","width":2200}])
Things got a little spicy at Pennington School, where staff and community members gathered for a Chili Cook-Off — a friendly culinary competition celebrating National Chili Day.
![Students stand side by side holding honor roll certificates]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773070621/mtvernoncsdorg/expmynotna1yewt4q1gi/PenningtonHonorRoll-16.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773070621/mtvernoncsdorg/expmynotna1yewt4q1gi/PenningtonHonorRoll-16.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1773070621/mtvernoncsdorg/expmynotna1yewt4q1gi/PenningtonHonorRoll-16.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1773070621/mtvernoncsdorg/expmynotna1yewt4q1gi/PenningtonHonorRoll-16.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1773070621/mtvernoncsdorg/expmynotna1yewt4q1gi/PenningtonHonorRoll-16.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1773070621/mtvernoncsdorg/expmynotna1yewt4q1gi/PenningtonHonorRoll-16.jpg","width":2200}])
The Pennington School students were recognized for their academic success Monday during the school's 2nd Marking Period Honor Roll Ceremony. Congratulations to all the students who earned this recognition!
![Dr. Strickland with class smiling for the camera.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772818642/mtvernoncsdorg/ti7r5gcanv6s2frxqz21/penningtonreadingvisit-6.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772818642/mtvernoncsdorg/ti7r5gcanv6s2frxqz21/penningtonreadingvisit-6.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772818642/mtvernoncsdorg/ti7r5gcanv6s2frxqz21/penningtonreadingvisit-6.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1772818642/mtvernoncsdorg/ti7r5gcanv6s2frxqz21/penningtonreadingvisit-6.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1772818642/mtvernoncsdorg/ti7r5gcanv6s2frxqz21/penningtonreadingvisit-6.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1772818642/mtvernoncsdorg/ti7r5gcanv6s2frxqz21/penningtonreadingvisit-6.jpg","width":2200}])
Second grade students in Taylor Luxoro's class at Pennington had a special guest reader for Read Across America Week yesterday morning, as Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland read "Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change."
![Three young students, each holding a colorful paper craft, stand in a classroom setting with vibrant wall displays in the background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772480851/mtvernoncsdorg/g6bd8fiu86wbpjc8ofru/Penn-hearthealth-collages-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772480851/mtvernoncsdorg/g6bd8fiu86wbpjc8ofru/Penn-hearthealth-collages-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772480851/mtvernoncsdorg/g6bd8fiu86wbpjc8ofru/Penn-hearthealth-collages-1.jpg","width":640}])
Last week, Pennington students created collages about heart health and self-love in Joann Torregrossa's art room, with the help of school counselor Bianca Gentile-Doyle. Students discussed the concept of self-care and love along with the theme of Heart Health to tie into the PE team's obstacle course and fundraiser. Click here to learn more about the obstacle course and fundraiser held for Heart Health Awareness Month.
Hailee Carter put her whole heart into it! The Pennington School kindergartener was celebrated in the gym Friday morning after raising an eye-popping $4,411 for the American Heart Association, powering her school to a total of $6,137.17 during the nationwide Kids Heart Challenge.
![Students making Valentine's Day cards.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772032909/mtvernoncsdorg/xhm91fuvdzcgrldi9bza/PenningtonCupids-7.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772032909/mtvernoncsdorg/xhm91fuvdzcgrldi9bza/PenningtonCupids-7.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772032909/mtvernoncsdorg/xhm91fuvdzcgrldi9bza/PenningtonCupids-7.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1772032909/mtvernoncsdorg/xhm91fuvdzcgrldi9bza/PenningtonCupids-7.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1772032909/mtvernoncsdorg/xhm91fuvdzcgrldi9bza/PenningtonCupids-7.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1772032909/mtvernoncsdorg/xhm91fuvdzcgrldi9bza/PenningtonCupids-7.jpg","width":2200}])
Scholars at the Pennington School dedicated their time and creativity to producing over 300 handcrafted Valentine’s Day cards, each containing thoughtful messages of kindness and compassion, for distribution to senior living communities.
![Children holding up signs]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1766079453/mtvernoncsdorg/f3pxnhqjhcrdipf2xhzy/SpookySaga-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1766079453/mtvernoncsdorg/f3pxnhqjhcrdipf2xhzy/SpookySaga-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1766079453/mtvernoncsdorg/f3pxnhqjhcrdipf2xhzy/SpookySaga-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1766079453/mtvernoncsdorg/f3pxnhqjhcrdipf2xhzy/SpookySaga-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1766079453/mtvernoncsdorg/f3pxnhqjhcrdipf2xhzy/SpookySaga-1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1766079453/mtvernoncsdorg/f3pxnhqjhcrdipf2xhzy/SpookySaga-1.jpg","width":2200}])
Fifth-graders at Pennington School recently scared up some spine-tingling tales in 100 words or less for the “Spooky Saga” nationwide writing challenge
![The image shows a colorful and vibrant classroom or educational space, with a large mural covering the walls and various decorations and displays visible in the background. In the foreground, a person wearing a plaid shirt can be seen.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1765544591/mtvernoncsdorg/f0iothbfyw9bkoiemzsz/Penn-Deck-the-Halls-6.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1765544591/mtvernoncsdorg/f0iothbfyw9bkoiemzsz/Penn-Deck-the-Halls-6.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1765544591/mtvernoncsdorg/f0iothbfyw9bkoiemzsz/Penn-Deck-the-Halls-6.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1765544591/mtvernoncsdorg/f0iothbfyw9bkoiemzsz/Penn-Deck-the-Halls-6.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1765544591/mtvernoncsdorg/f0iothbfyw9bkoiemzsz/Penn-Deck-the-Halls-6.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1765544591/mtvernoncsdorg/f0iothbfyw9bkoiemzsz/Penn-Deck-the-Halls-6.jpg","width":2200}])
Decorations, lights, and holiday-themed student-work are lining the hallways at Pennington, as students and teachers collaborated to deck the halls with holiday cheer this month. On Wednesday, District administrators, including Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland, visited the school to serve as judges in the “Deck the Halls" competition.