The PTSA’s next virtual meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 4. We’ll be discussing next school year, and we’ll get a visit from Payne’s Student Government. We’ll send out a Zoom link closer to the day.
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PAYNE POINTS OF CONTACT
Have a question but you’re unsure which Payne staff member to contact? The LSAT (Local School Advisory Team) and Principal Byrd have compiled a helpful list of points of contact, and it’s attached to this email.
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COUNTDOWN TO 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
If you just can’t wait until Aug. 30, 2021, when Payne and DCPS are 100 percent back in person, enjoy this Payne Countdown Calendar. It’s not too early to get excited.
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FREE LACROSSE PROGRAM
Winners Lacrosse is hosting a free program for kids ages 6-14. “Your child will become a pro at ball handling, scooping, shooting, and so much more!” the website says. Winners Lacrosse has added a new program, starting April 24 in Tacoma. Click here to sign up and learn more.
The $15 annual dues can be paid via PayPal. If you are unable to pay dues, the PTSA will still accept membership. Please remember you must be a member for 30 days to vote at the annual meeting (early June timeframe).
Unsure if you paid already this year? You can email Michelle Chapman to find out.
You also can write a check payable to Payne PTSA. It can be mailed or dropped off at the school, 1445 C St. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003.
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IMPORTANT DATES
May 3-9: East City Bookshop Payne Fundraiser. Buy books online, and 20 percent of sales will benefit Payne. We’ll distribute a special link to make sure Payne gets book-buying credit.
Principal Byrd is hosting a “Coffee with the Principal” meeting at 5 p.m. Friday. A Teams link will be posted on Canvas. The topic is “The future of Payne,” so don’t miss this important opportunity.
You also can write a check payable to Payne PTSA. It can be mailed or dropped off at the school, 1445 C St. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003.
Annual meeting update: The PTSA will be hosting its annual meeting before this school year ends, and it will once again be virtual. While we typically vote on new officers at this meeting, the PTSA Board is considering a potential amendment to our bylaws to delay the officers vote until the fall when school operations could be back to normal and participation is expected to be higher.
Note: Only members will be eligible to vote in May, and only members can run for a seat on the board.
Once again, a sincere THANK YOU to the Payne community for attending our virtual meetings this past year and continuing to support the PTSA and Payne. Please consider running for a board position for the upcoming school year.
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PROBLEM-BASED MATH
The PTSA applied for a $1,600 grant through the Capitol Hill Community Foundation to fund new professional development for Payne math teachers. The funds will cover problem-based math seminars taught by the Two Rivers Learning Institute. Problem-based tasks are exploratory math lessons built around a single compelling problem. Students are given time to collaborate and are encouraged to think creatively and independently. They come up with solutions to share with the group that are then challenged and debriefed with the teacher serving as a guide instead of an all-knowing answer key. Ultimately, the goal is to teach students a deep conceptual understanding of math while building their math reasoning skillset.
Mr. Steven Eskay, Payne’s manager of specialized education, recommended the workshops, noting the technique helps improve student scores on PARCC. If Payne receives the full grant, $1,600 will cover four sessions.
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STILL TIME FOR SURVEY
Has your family completed the Panorama Surveys? Originally due in March, the survey still is open to encourage more participation. Survey data can influence principals and school teams to improve school climate and social emotional learning. Click here for the Panorama survey.
Payne staffers are dressing the school building in pink to celebrate cherry blossoms. Would you like to help decorate? Email Kindergarten teacher Ms. Fox, Marion.Fox@k12.dc.gov, or art teacher Ms. Harvey, Malkia.Harvey@k12.dc.gov.
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IMPORTANT DATES
April 2: Open enrollment begins and lottery results are released.
April 5: 5 p.m., Third Grade Parent Meeting
April 12-16: Spring break, no school
May 3-9: East City Bookshop Payne Fundraiser. Buy books online, and 20 percent of sales will benefit Payne. We’ll distribute a special link to make sure Payne gets book-buying credit.
Thanks to everyone who attended last week’s PTSA meeting, and thanks to those who shared thoughts and questions with Principal Byrd. If you missed it, several parents expressed concerns that not all families were asked whether they’d like to enroll their children in CARES classrooms. There also was confusion about how offers were made for in-person seats for teacher classrooms and whether a formal policy was in place.
Principal Byrd has asked parents to email her directly if you did not receive a call for a classroom seat: stephanie.byrd@k12.dc.gov. The PTSA encourages you to express your desires for Term 4 and beyond when you email Principal Byrd. Has your initial answer changed and you’d be interested in an availability? Let Principal Byrd know that, too. Some of Payne’s CARES and teaching classrooms have seats available. When notifying parents of available seats, the school now will both call and email families. Principal Byrd provided the classroom status as of March 7:
In-Person Learning With Teacher (Spots filled)
PK3: Ms. Stokes (8 out of 8)
PK3: Ms. Campbell (5 out of 8)
Kindergarten: Ms. Fox (10 out of 10)
Third Grade: Ms. Jones (11 out of 11)
Behavior and Education Support: Ms. Flanders (2 out of 5)
Principal Byrd said seats have been offered in these classrooms because teachers are available. As personnel becomes available, additional classrooms will be opened.
CARE Classrooms (Spots filled)
PK4: (6 out of 10)
Kindergarten: (6 out of 11)
First Grade: (10 out of 11)
Second through Fifth Grades Combined Class: (9 out of 11)
DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee led a TeleTownhall update last week, providing insights on the future of in-school instruction. Here are some key takeaways:
Talks are underway to expand in-person learning in Term 4, following spring break, on April 19, contingent on capacity.
DCPS anticipates full in-person learning in the fall.
PARCC testing looks like it will be cancelled this year. It hasn’t officially been cancelled, but the Office of the State Superintendent for Education has requested the waiver, and DCPS has stopped preparing for it.
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COVID TESTING UPDATE
DCPS is updating how it conducts tests asymptomatic Covid testing in school. Effective March 15, school nurses will begin testing 10 percent of the school population. Only those students with consent forms will receive the test. Click here for the form. Schools will continue to provide on-site rapid testing for symptomatic individuals.
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FAMILY MATH NIGHT
Payne will host Family Math Night from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. March 17. Teams links will be distributed in four categories: PK3 and PK4; Kindergarten and first grade; second and third grades; and fourth and fifth grades.
Please RSVP to Manager of Specialized Instruction Steven Eskay at steven.eskay@k12.dc.gov. And stop by Payne to pick up your kit to build an abacus with art teacher Ms. Harvey.
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TIPS FROM A TEACHER
During the PTSA meeting, fourth grade ELA and social studies teacher Ms. Foster shared several ways parents and family can prepare their students for a return to school, whether it’s this year or next:
Review proper mask safety with students.
Practice handwriting skills at home. So much online learning can weaken this skill.
Find out your child’s most recent reading level. During the summer, schedule regular time for your child to “DEAR” — drop everything and read. Use a book slightly above their level.
Have your child keep a journal, which is another way to practice handwriting.
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SUMMER SCHOOL
Payne is planning a four-week, in-person Summer Academy starting in July. The format will be instruction in the morning and camp activities in the afternoon. Principal Byrd says a survey will be sent soon to gauge interest.
In addition, DCPS will offer its normal Extended School Year program for students identified by Individualized Education Plan (IEP) teams at risk of possible skill regression.
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LAST CHANCE FOR GIRL SCOUT COOKIES
Whether you missed the sale or want to restock, this is your last opportunity to order Girl Scout cookies and support Payne Girl Scout Troop 1455. The sale ends March 14. Click here to buy cookies now. There is a four-box minimum, and there are shipping costs. Questions? Email alison.mitchell@gmail.com.
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TRIVIA NIGHT: NEW DATE
If you thought you missed trivia night, you’re in luck. The PTSA had to reschedule, and the new date is 8 p.m. March 15. Anyone who signed up the first time already has a seat. If you’d like to snatch one of the remaining seats, email carolyncbowen@gmail.com.
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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
We wish a special thank you to our Payne PTSA sponsors for this year!
Here is a little about the Jeanne Phil Meg Team at Compass: “Founding agents of the Compass Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. real estate office, The Jeanne Phil Meg Team has been described by clients and colleagues alike as knowledgeable, collaborative, professional, motivated, and trustworthy. Successful realtors since 2004, they have earned numerous awards for excellent customer service and sales over the years and have been named one of Washingtonian Magazine’s Best Teams annually since 2016. But the Team is most proud of being LONGTIME sponsors and supporters of practically every event that takes place here in the Capitol Hill Community, be it school fundraisers, community social events, or a variety of philanthropic endeavors helping other neighbors.”
Here is a little about Capitol Hill Auto Service: “My name is Chris and I own Capitol Hill Auto Service. My parents bought the business back in the summer of 2000. Their thought was to start something that I could take on and make my own. After 9 years of learning the ropes, I bought it from them in 2009. I have become a strong believer in and supporter of small businesses in America now that I know what type of commitment it takes to keep one alive. I’m proud to continue my family’s legacy valuing customer service and providing quality work to all of our customers.”
May 3-9: East City Bookshop Payne Fundraiser. Buy books online, and 20 percent of sales will benefit Payne. We’ll distribute a special link to make sure Payne gets book-buying credit.
Payne Elementary School 