Science Teacher Mr. Creef will be presenting at the next PTSA meeting. Learn about the Science Fair, his curriculum and some of the fun projects your kids are working on.

The meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium.

The agenda also includes items on the school budget and how parents are getting involved. Childcare and pizza will be provided.

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EARLY LOOK AT KINDERGARTEN AND THIRD GRADE

Parents with children entering Kindergarten or third grade next year are invited to meet with parents with kids currently in those grades. The informal meetings are a retention initiative led by members of Payne’s Local School Advisory Team.

Parents with rising third graders will meet 8-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22.

Parents with rising Kindergartners will meet 8-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.

If you would like to attend, contact Liz Aloi at lizaloi@gmail.com for details. Additional grade level meetings are in the works.

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STORY OF OUR SCHOOLS INSTALLATION

Payne’s story will soon be told in a museum-quality exhibit in the main entrance of the school. The Story of Our Schools exhibit is scheduled to be installed Jan. 28, said Jen Harris, Executive Director of the Story of Our Schools project. You may see Payne maintenance staff in the coming days painting the walls, prepping for the installation.

Last year, a team of students and staff researched the history of Payne, and their work contributed to the exhibit, which will be located near the auditorium entrance. There are early talks of an unveiling party for the exhibit in February for students, staff, parents and donors.

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EAT NANDO’S, SUPPORT PAYNE

Now that our feathered friends are gone, we can head to Nando’s Peri-Peri guilt-free and feast on roast chicken — and we’ll be benefiting Payne, too. (OK, they do have a nice hummus wrap, as well.)

From 4-9 p.m. Jan. 29, Payne is hosting a fundraiser at Nando’s, 411 H St. NE. A whopping 40 percent of money spent on food will be donated to the Payne PTSA.

And a special thanks to everyone who turned out for Skate Night. Nearly $600 was raised to benefit Payne.

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GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

Thin Mints. Samoas. Tagalongs. Your favorites, plus new and improved lemon cookies called Lemon-Ups. Don’t miss out on Girl Scout cookies this season. Your first opportunity to buy is via the red forms that went home in your student’s bookbags this week, which are due today, Friday. Please submit to the main office or to First Grade Teacher Ms. Thompson. If you missed this opportunity, you’ll have chances to buy from Troop 1455 through mid-March. Cookies are $5 a box, with the exception of S’mores and Toffee-tastics which are $6 per box. The girls will have booths this spring.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Payne is looking for volunteers to read to an early childhood education student for one hour each week to foster early literacy and reading skills. A volunteer orientation will be 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24 in the auditorium. Parents of all grade levels are encouraged to participate. Click here to sign up.

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OTHER IMPORTANT DATES

Jan. 13: 9 a.m. Payne Open House

Jan. 14: 6 p.m., PTSA meeting, Auditorium

Jan. 15: Spelling Bee, 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 17: Noon-7 p.m., individual parent-teacher conferences

Jan. 17-20: No school

Jan. 23: 6 p.m., Eastern High School Open House

Jan. 27-28: No school

Jan. 29: 4-9 p.m., Nando’s fundraiser, 411 H St. NE.

Feb. 11: 6 p.m. PTSA meeting

Feb. 17-21: No school