Welcome Back To School From the PTSA

Posted on by smittyjd23

Dear Payne Community:

On behalf of the Payne PTA Board, Welcome To School Year ’18-’19! We hope you and your little scholars enjoyed some well deserved rest this summer. I write with some beginning-of-the-year updates from the PTA Board and to ask for your help.

The PTA Board worked during the summer to prepare for the new school year. At this link you will find the PTA Welcome Packet, which contains information about the PTA, a list of this year’s PTA Board members, and ways for you to connect to volunteer opportunities at the school.

The PTA provides vital support to Payne’s academic and student enrichment programs. Over the past two years, the PTA has been instrumental in securing more than $100,000 for new computers for Payne students. In August, the PTA funded a $20,000 teacher training on “Responsive Classrooms” before the start of the current school year. The PTA regularly funds classroom materials for all grade levels, including classroom libraries, math manipulatives, and materials for specials, including science, art, music, and library.

The PTA Board met last Wednesday, and we are excited to report the Board has approved $5,000 for Payne teachers and staff accounts. This money will provide additional support materials for the classroom. The Board also funded $4,500 to support field trips, to be divided equally among all grades, PK3 through 5th.

We want to build on our recent success and WE NEED YOUR HELP!

“But how can I help?” you’re wondering. Well, I’m glad you asked.

First, SIGN UP to be a PTA member!

Next, VOLUNTEER! Even if you don’t know how you can help or when you will have time, please fill out the Volunteer Opportunity form. There are countless ways to contribute to Payne, from helping to organize events, to contributing to bake sales or teacher appreciation breakfasts, to becoming a room parent. Every act helps. By filling out the Volunteer Opportunity form, we will be able to connect you with events suited to your skills and interests. And if you have other ideas about ways to help, PLEASE TELL US.

Also, please sign up for our email newsletter. If you wish to receive regular updates on PTA events and important school info, contact Communications Chair Tony Lombardo here.  Follow Payne Elementary’s Facebook page for updates, too.

Though school has just begun, there are already several key dates to mark on your calendars.

  • Back-To-School Night: This Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 5:30 p.m. This is your chance to visit your child’s classroom and hear from the principal and her leadership team. You will also be able to learn more about programs at Payne and sign up to be a PTA member.  NOTE:  Children are welcome, but childcare will not be provided and children must accompany their parents.
  • Book Fair for Payne at East City Book Shop, Saturday, Sept. 15, 3 to 6 p.m. Support Payne students, teachers and local small business during this three-hour event. Meet PTA members, school leaders and most importantly, shop. Teachers will be sharing book wish lists for donations to their classrooms.
  • Story of Our Schools. New this year, Payne is partnering with Story of Our Schools, an organization that will help us build a history exhibit of Payne. This interacative history project will unite our community, our alumni and our current student body. Story of Schools is hosting a fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, at The Loft. Click here for more details.

And an important note regarding pickups and dismissals:

  • The school is not open to parents and students until 8:10 a.m. each morning. All parents and students should enter through the front doors. PK3 and PK4 parents: Please do not enter through the parking lot. And after school, parents and their children may use the playground, but must leave by 4:30 p.m., when the after school program utilizes the equipment.

We look forward to an exciting and productive school year!

Sincerely,

Mark Jordan on behalf of the PTA Board

Join Us for Back to School Night

Posted on by payneelementary

YOU ARE INVITED!
Please come out and meet your child’s teachers, members of our PTA, and other parents.
This is an opportunity to learn about Payne’s curriculum and instruction.

When: Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Where: Payne Elementary School Auditorium
Time: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm

We will have a drawing to win an IPad and tables set up for various programs and community partnerships.

See you Wednesday!

First Day Instructions and Procedures

Posted on by payneelementary

First Day Instructions and Procedures

 

Welcome to the start of a wonderful 2018-19 school year. Thank you for joining and supporting us in making sure our students have a great year.  Below is information for the first day and some additional policies and procedures we will be enforcing this year.

 

First Day of School:

  • Kindergarten through 5th grade – Monday, August 20th
  • PreK 3 and 4 – Thursday, August 23rd

Arrival:

  • All families begin the day on the playground, parents are invited to get to know one another and students are encouraged to play.
  • Doors open at 8:10 for breakfast
    • At 8:40 students will be escorted back to the large playground, where they will be greeted by their teachers. Teachers will have signs with their names and class lists.
    • Students will not be allowed in the building prior to 8:10am
    • Before care is available through the PTA, contact Davis5@dc.gov for more information
  • Students not enrolled will not be able to attend classes. Enrollment should be completed prior to the first day of school.
    • New enrollment documents, health forms and proof of residency are needed for enrollment

Uniforms: 

  • Pre K3 and Pre K4 – navy blue top and bottom.
  • K-5 – white top and navy blue bottom.

Attendance:

  • The instructional day begins at 8:40, students are considered tardy at 8:45
  • Tardy students should enter through the front door and sign in the main office book for a tardy pass.

Security and ID Checks:

  • We are implementing a 100% ID check process. Security will be checking ID’s and will assist in directing you to your destination
  • All adults who are not employees of Payne must enter through the front door by security. The side door is not an entrance or exit option.

Cell Phones:

  • As cell phones are not needed for instruction, they must be turned off and out of sight.
  • Adults will confiscate any cell phone in sight.
  • Confiscated cell phones can only be retrieved by parents at the front desk.

 

Dismissal:

  • School ends at 3:15pm.
  • All parents should pick their students up on the playground.
  • Children must be signed out with the teacher. Parents are not allowed to enter through the side door. Students who are not in afterschool and are not picked up on time will be at the front area near security desk.

Early Dismissal:

  • Early dismissal ends at 2:30pm.
  • Between 2:30 and 3:15, no students will be released from classes, please plan accordingly. It is important to minimize disruption to learning in the classrooms.

Afterschool: