Mr. Pennetta has been a draw paint and photography teacher at James Caldwell High School for the last six years. In April 2025, he will be going on paternity leave to care for his incoming daughter. Both paternity and maternity leave are crucial in today’s society to allow both parents to care for and raise their child in their early years. 

When asked to rate his excitement about his first child on a scale of one to ten, Mr. Pennetta stated he is, “at a level twelve for excitement to meet, love, and care for my daughter”. Mr. Pennetta is going to miss all of his students and his best friend Mr. Lavin. However, he is thrilled to begin this new chapter in his life. Mr. Pennetta has also stated that he will be returning in June 2025 for the class of 2025 graduation. 

Mr. Pennetta is surrounded by a loving community, not just the administrators, but through colleagues who soon became his friends. Mrs. Amacher said that she is ecstatic for him that he is having a baby as it is the biggest thing that can happen in your life. However, she is of course going to miss him and so are the students. She acknowledged how hard it can be to create sub plans for the extensive period of time that he will be absent but she knows that everyone will be in a cooperative manner for everything to work smoothly. Her favorite thing about Mr. Pennetta is that he is laid back and easy to work with!

Mr. Pennetta’s best friend, Mr. Lavin talked about how bittersweet it is that he is embarking on a new life chapter. He explains how it is crucial that he takes advantage of his time to take care of his newborn. He does not feel ‘sadness’ is the right word about Mr. Pennetta leaving, as he is ecstatic for him and his family. Mr. Lavin’s favorite thing about Mr. Pennetta is that he laughs at everything Mr. Lavin says, even when it isn’t funny. His biggest pet peeve about him is that he always ruins Mr. Lavin’s prep period by asking to go to starbucks, shop rite, the gas station, or the car wash. 

Just as Mrs. Amacher said that Mr. Pennetta is laid back and easy to work with, the students have found joy in being in his class and working with him. Senior Avery Geher said that her favorite thing about him is his humor, and being in his class is one of her favorite high school memories so far. Avery is looking forward to and hopes she can meet his baby! Senior Luke Fierro said that his favorite thing about Mr. Pennetta is his hair and loves when he uses hairspray in the classroom to fix his hair. Luke hopes to meet the baby as well! 

A little advice for Mr. Pennetta from Mr. Bradell, who took paternity leave last year, said that he should soak up every minute of it and spend time with his child. Mr. Bradell stated that, “It is a very satisfying time that you get those twelve weeks with your new baby, and it goes by quickly, so cherish every second that you get.” 

Although there is a lot of time before Mr. Pennetta goes on leave, the entirety of James Caldwell High School is wishing him the best of luck, and hopes to meet his baby in the near future!