PTSA Newsletter – 11/23/2016

Posted on by payneelementary
Pre-K Parent Parent Cafe
November 30, 2016
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
If you haven’t already, please RSVP today for the PreK Parent Cafe next week. You can sign up online here:  http://signup.com/go/WrKYpe or email LaToya Smith directly at LaToya.Smith@dc.gov.  This is an opportunity to meet other parents, make new friends, share parenting experiences in a  supportive community environment.  FREE dinner and childcare provided.

Special thanks to everyone for attending Literacy Night last week.  It was a great success!

Don’t forget to take the pledge of reading with your family for at least 20 minutes every day.  Share your routine with us by taking a picture and using the hashtag #Take20ReadPayneES!

We have the best volunteers!  Thanks to all that helped organize the library with Ms. Logan last Saturday. There’s still more work to do, so please stay tuned for other upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer Opportunity
We are looking for 3 – 4 parents to volunteer to help teachers during EdFEST on December 10 from 11 am – 3 pm.  Parents will support the teachers and staff as needed and share their experiences from a parent’s prospective.  If you can volunteer, please email Carolyn Bowen at carolyncbowen@gmail.com.  EdFEST is an annual event that allows parents to explore the city’s many public and charter school options.
Ways to Support a Classroom

Are you looking for ways to support a classroom?  Today many teachers are using alternative ways to request much needed materials and experiences for their students. Please follow the following links to easily donate to any or all of the following:

Donors Choose:

Young Education Professionals (YEP):

Mayor Bowser announces new Chancellor!  

Yesterday the Mayor annouced that she has chosen Antwan Wilson to lead DC Public Schools as the next Chancellor.  His nomination will be sent to the Council for confirmation, and he will begin full time on February 1, 2017.  See the full article and details here:  http://dcps.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-announces-antwan-wilson-dcps-chancellor.

Our next PTA meeting will take place on Thursday, December 15 at 6:00 pm.

  • November 24 & 25 – No School for Students, Teachers & Staff:  Thanksgiving Break
  • November 30 – PreK Parent Cafe
  • December 2 – No School for Students:  Professional Development Day
  • December 12 – My School DC Lottery Application Opens for SY 2017 – 2018
  • December 22 – January 2 – No School for Students and Teachers:  Winter Break

Payne Post – 11/22/2016

Posted on by payneelementary

Happy Thanksgiving,

Please be reminded that tomorrow, Wednesday, November 23rd is a school day. All students are expected to attend.

But there is NO After School.

Over the following days we will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy family and friends. We can spend time reflecting on the start of a new school year and give thanks for our many blessings.  Below are a few of the things I am thankful for:

  • 301 beautiful wildcats. If you were not aware, we have grown a bit, our enrollment is up and our students are awesome.
  • Teachers, paraprofessionals, social workers, psychologists, custodians, behavior techs, office staff, kitchen workers, security guards, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, substitute teachers, volunteer grandparents’ math coach and assistant principal all deeply committed to educating each student.
  • An awesome cadre of parents who have welcomed and supported me as I transitioned into this new role.
  • The opportunity to serve in this capacity.

Thanks to all who came out and enjoyed Literacy Night. Our next big event will be the Holiday Celebration in December.

Thanks to all who helped with our library.

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Our ECE classes are under construction. We are moving into a new unit: Grocery Store. Centers are being transformed and students will don new personas like the shopper, the clerk who is checking out the groceries, the baker, produce manager or truck driver.

Check Us Out

Paynedc.org is up and running!

Cool Stuff

  • Our robotics team will compete against other teams here on Saturday, December 10th.
  • At Literacy Night we kicked off our writing contest for students 1st grade through 5th grade.
  • Our Math Club is taking form.
  • We will announce our student government officers soon.

Reminder

The building opens to students at 8:15am. There is a parent operated Before Care in the Library. Students should arriving prior to 8:15 will remain on the playground and will not be supervised by Payne staff.

Up Coming

Nov 29                 1st Grade to Air and Space Museum

Nov 30                 PreK Parent Cafe

Dec 1                    Coffee with the Principal

Dec 2                    Professional Development Day – No School for Students

Dec 8                    Holiday Celebration

Dec 10                  EdFest (Volunteers needed to represent Payne at the DC Armory)

PTSA Newsletter – 11/9/2016

Posted on by payneelementary

Thank you so much to everyone for your contributions, energy and time toward making our school great!  Since the start of school, PTA and Staff have raised over $2,500!  It’s only with committed volunteers like you that we can organize and run fun events such as these:
Fall Festival = $2,000
Hilloween = $75
Pretzel Bakery Fundraiser = $184
Election Day Bake Sale = $552

Pre-K Parent Engagement Events
LaToya Smith, Family Services Coordinator, will host the following November Pre-K Parent Engagement Events:
  • November 10 – Parent Committee Meeting (8:30 am – 9:15 am)
  • November 18 – GOLD:  Understanding Your Child’s 1st Report (8:30 am – 9:00 am)
  • November 30 – Parent Cafe (5:30 pm – 7:00 pm)
If there are questions or concerns, contact LaToya via email at latoya.smith@dc.gov or (202) 320 – 3274 (cell).


Family Literacy Night
Thursday, November 17, 2016
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Join us for a fun event focusing on reading and growing in literacy.
Come to see Student Readers, Spelling Bee Winner Ceremony, Refreshments, Fun Games & More!

We hope to see you there!

This month PTA will join forces with school administration during Family Literacy Night!
Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.