Principal’s Message

Reach the Peak!

As a part our District’s “Every Day Counts” campaign, I would like to challenge all students to a month-long attendance contest. Every student who comes to school on-time, every day during the month of February will be honored with a special Glenknoll Carabineer for their backpack. The “carabineer” is a replica of the ones used by mountain climbers to “reach the peak.” The rules are simple. Arrive at school between 7:20 and 7:45 so that you can line up and be counted when your teacher takes roll at 7:50. Students who are late (for any reason) are not eligible for this contest, but there will be additional contests in coming months. Please—if a student is sick, do not send them to school—they will have a chance in a future contest. Students who have to leave during the day for a medical appointment or emergency (with a doctor’s note) will still be eligible for the February “Reach the Peak!” contest.

Don’t forget! We are including 3 student’s names each month, in brackets, like this [George Washington].  The names are drawn at random from the Cougar Pride Card box. If you find your child’s name, hidden somewhere in this letter between brackets, they will win a prize! The three students can pick up their prizes in the office.

Welcome to Mrs. Wren!

Due to increased enrollment over the past several months, our school has the unique opportunity to add an additional Second Grade Teacher. This also allows us to reduce class sizes in several other primary classrooms to allow more time for teacher and student interaction.

Our new teacher is Mrs. Becky Wren, an educator well known in our community. Mrs. Wren has been our Reading Intervention Teacher for two years. She is a fully credentialed teacher with experience as a teacher and a substitute teacher in all elementary grades. Her own three children attended Glenknoll, and she loves teaching at our school. She will be in Room 306, between the two other Second Grade Classrooms.

Superintendent Search

Parents, students, and community members are invited to a forum on Wednesday, February 8, at 5:30 p.m. to provide input that will be used to develop the recruitment criteria for the next superintendent of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

The forum will be held at the PYLUSD District Office Board Room, located at 1301 E. Orangethorpe Avenue in Placentia, and facilitated by Leadership Associates, the firm retained by the Board of Education to assist in the search.  [Eleni Katsivalis] The consultants will gather stakeholder input about the characteristics and issues the Board should consider in its selection of the next superintendent.

Community members may also submit input via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In December, current PYLUSD Superintendent Dennis Smith announced that he will retire in June.  Dr. Smith has led our 26,000-student district since 2000. The district serves the cities of Placentia and Yorba Linda as well as portions of Anaheim, Fullerton, Brea, and unincorporated county territory.  The school district is known for academic excellence; nationally- and state-recognized schools, students and staff; and a highly supportive community. 

Dates to Remember

Feb. 3:   Spirit Day

Feb. 17: Lincoln’s Birthday (No School)

Feb. 20: Washington’s Birthday (No School)

Feb. 21:  Principal’s Lunch

Feb. 29:  See’s Candy Fundraiser order forms will be sent home.

Mar. 3:   Glenknoll Garden Day (9am-11am) and Barbeque (11am-2pm)

Mar. 9:   Career Day

Mar. 16:  Furlough Day (No School)

Mar. 19:  Regular School Day (This Furlough Day has been cancelled)

Upcoming Events Information

Spirit Day: Be sure to turn in those box tops and Cougar Pride cards before Spirit Day on the 3rd. Your name could be drawn for a free book or certificate!

See’s Candy Spring Fundraiser: Help support Glenknoll and satisfy your sweet tooth by participating in the upcoming See’s Candy fundraiser! [Matthew Koscelnik] Order forms will be distributed by the end of the month. Thank you for your continued support of our fundraisers! These funds provide enriching activities for our Glenknoll Cougars!

Glenknoll Garden Day and Barbeque: Grab your gardening gloves and tools and join us in the Glenknoll Garden on Saturday, March 3 from 9am-11am! Help us get our garden in shape for spring! (Children must be accompanied by an adult.) Then, stay for a barbeque and games sponsored by the National Children’s Study from 11am-2pm Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served in the Kindergarten playground area. If you would like to donate items or help coordinate Garden Day, please contact Laura Ryu at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Glenknoll Garden Mural Contest: Calling all artists, don’t forget to turn in your design idea for the garden mural sponsored by Fibo Art. The winning designs will be announced this month. Winners will participate in the painting of the mural during Garden Day! Entries are due February 1!

Career Day: Are you passionate about your career? Share about your career with our Glenknoll Cougars! If you’d like to be a guest speaker or simply help with refreshments, please contact Patty Bates at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Spirit Wear: Don’t forget to submit your order for “Reach the Peak” t-shirts and sweatshirts! (Order forms were distributed recently.) What a great way to show your school spirit!

Spotlight Kids Theater: Register your super star for the Spotlight Kids Theater acting classes which will be held Mondays after school from January 23 through March 12. See the flyer on our website for details and fees. [Connor Platt] (This is being offered by the same company which provides the chess classes.)

Yearbook: Calling all photographers…please submit photographs for the yearbook as soon as possible! Photos may be placed on a CD and submitted to the PTA. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Smith at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Laila Renaud at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  6th Graders! We especially need pictures of Outdoor Science School from our 6th Graders!

Yearbook Cover Contest: What an opportunity to shine! Design a cover to go with this year’s theme, “Reach the Peak.” The first place recipient’s artwork will be featured on the front cover. The second place recipient’s design will be on the back cover. Runners-up artwork from each grade level will be included throughout the yearbook. Winners will be announced in May. Entries are due in the office by February 10!

Library: Mrs. Yamashita, our school librarian, is requesting used books for the library. If you wish to donate, please bring them directly to the library.

Computers: Thank you to the Glenknoll families who have donated funds for computers this school year! This district will be providing some new staff computers as well. Let’s help keep our kids on the cutting edge of technology! [Go Giants!]