PTSA Newsletter – 12/1/2016

Posted on by payneelementary

Reminder:  No School for students this Friday, December 2.

Writing Contest
Students in grades Kindergarten – 5th Grades must enter the contest by December 8th.  Check with your teacher for more details on writing prompts and guidelines.  Good luck!
The Performing Arts Department Presents…
Yes Leilah, There is a Santa Claus!

A Musical Winter Celebration Spectacular for All

December 8, 2016
Doors Open:  12:30 pm
Program Begins:  1:00 pm

Volunteers Needed

We are still looking for a few more parents to volunteer during EdFEST on December 10 from 11 am – 3 pm.  Parents will support 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.  Thanks to everyone who have committed to helping out during Ed Fest.

Holiday Gift Shop
December 8 – 19, 2016
12:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Room 131

The Holiday Gift Shop is coming to Payne December 8 – 19.  During this time students will have an opportunity to purchase gifts for family and friends in a safe, comfortable and friendly environment.

If you would like to volunteer in the Holiday Gift Shop, please sign up here:
http://signup.com/go/gvEuN2.

December Pre-K Parent Engagement Events

Pre-K Parent Committee Meeting – Thursday, December 8
Library:  8:30 am – 9:15 am  
This month’s meeting agenda:
  • Budget
  • Event Plans
  • Participation/Partnering with PTA
  • ECE Aftercare Programming
December Pre-K Parent Cafe – Tuesday, December 20
Library:  5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Enjoy a free dinner with other Pre-K families and free childcare:
  • Potluck donations will be accepted.  Stay tuned for an opportunity to RSVP and sign up for a potluck donation.

Please save the date for our December PTA meeting on Thursday, December 15th at 6:00 pm. We will be joined by Principal Byrd for a discussion about her goals and vision for Payne Elementary School.

We will also have a discussion and welcome input as we map out goals for the Payne PTA in areas such as supporting teachers, increasing parent engagement, raising funds for classrooms, and improving communication. 

The PTA Board has worked to plan an active and fun year for Payne families. Future events/meetings will include topics such as:

  • Planning for future school events & activities
  • Math Night
  • Family Game Night
  • Movie Night
  • Looking ahead to next year – Meet Payne teachers and learn about what your child will do in the 2017-2018 school year!

Capitol Hill Community Foundation

GREAT NEWS!  Capitol Hill Community Foundation has funded the following grants for Payne: 
Supplemental Art Supplies – $2200
Spanish Text books and libraries – $1000
Printer and toner for deaf/hard of hearing and visually impaired – $800
Grade level classroom libraries for First Grade – $2050
Field Trips for 3rd Grade and 5th grade to support reading curriculum – $1210
After School Programs Enrichment for PreK 3/4 – $1700
Please give Nell Todd, Amy Lee, Lexi Smith, Monica Hicks and Kate Abend a BIG THANK YOU next time you see them.

We will also have spring grants to apply for soon. If you want to join the grant writing fun, please contact Principal Byrd through the website contact form.

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):

  • December 1 – Coffe with the Prinicipal
  • December 2 – No School for Students:  Professional Development Day
  • December 8 – Musical Winter Celebration
  • December 8 – Pre-K Parent Committee Meeting
  • December 12 – My School DC Lottery Application Opens for SY 2017 – 2018
  • December 20 – Pre-K Parent Cafe
  • December 22 – January 2 – No School for Students and Teachers:  Winter Break

 

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)