Hello, Payne community. The PTSA would like to welcome new members of this group and welcome back all of you ready for another enriching school year.

Two important events are coming up soon:

Back to School Night. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Meet teachers, administrators and other parents. Learn about the curriculum, and bring your questions.

First PTSA Meeting. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6-7 p.m. in the auditorium. Childcare will be provided, and pizza and refreshments will be served. Learn how the PTSA supports students, teachers and parents, and tell us what your priorities are. Sign up here to be a PTSA member now.

Above, PK4 teacher Ms. Douglas welcomes her new class Wednesday, the first day of school for preschoolers.

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Q&A WITH PRINCIPAL BYRD

Principal Stephanie Byrd is starting her fourth year as Payne’s top administrator. The D.C. native and George Washington University grad sat down with the PTSA to discuss the new drama class, new staff and more ways for parents to get involved. Excerpts from our interview:

Q. For the returning parents, what’s new at Payne?

A. We are excited about our new drama class. Mr. Golden, our music teacher, finished his master’s degree last year at Howard University and moved back home to Cleveland. Instead of bringing on another music teacher, the team decided to do drama.

Q. Why drama?

A. Drama gives kids a new avenue to express themselves. Also, I wanted to give kids an opportunity to learn how to speak up and speak clearly, to remember and memorize text and to engage in text in a different way.

Q. Will it be structured similar to how music was – half the school year?

A. Yes, for everybody, PK3 through 5th grade, it will be a semester of art, a semester of drama.

Q. Are there plans to have a school play?

A. There will be some plays, maybe not huge productions, but small productions and maybe one big production.

Q. What are some of the other staff changes this year?

A. We are bringing on quite a few folks. [See full list below.] At the top we have Ms. Latoya Coleman, who is not new to Payne, but is starting off in a new position as assistant principal.

Ms. Coleman came in four years ago, when I was looking to hire a fifth grade math teacher. As we talked, I could see a lot of leadership potential in her. Instead of bringing her on in the fifth grade math teacher position, I offered her the math coach position, and she was delighted. She was the testing coordinator. She also helped support the rollout of our new technology with the laptops and laptop carts, while still leading the math instruction.

Q.  Is there a lot of student interaction for the assistant principal?

A. Yes. One of the pieces is “school culture and climate,” so usually that’s a euphemism for “bad behavior.” But it’s not here, because we don’t have a lot of bad behavior. But really it’s because of the work that the assistant principal does to make sure we don’t have a lot of problems.

Q. Is there a new math coach?

A. There is not. Instead of having the math coach, I have the manager of specialized instruction.

Q. Can you describe that job?

A. The manager of specialized instruction is going to be responsible for leading our special education team. He will do some coaching of special education teachers and general education teachers around special education.

Q. What kind of message would you like to share with the parents who are new to Payne?

A. Welcome to Payne. We’re sure you’re going to be very happy here. I think we have a lot to offer. We are a very community-focused school. So building community, building relationships with one another is really important to the work we do, and I think that’s comforting. We’re growing in achievement, and we’re getting better and better each year at what we’re doing.

Q. What else is new?

A. Before care. We’ve always had before care, but now we’re working with a new company to provide before care. And there’s space. We have two people who will be overseeing the before care. Mr. Davis is still with us and will still be doing before care. The cost is relatively the same. There are scholarships available. If interested talk to Ms. Oxendine.

We have automated our volunteer signup. If you want to read to kids, if you want to volunteer for the spring carnival, whatever it is, you can volunteer there. We’re making it a requirement that every classroom have at least two room parents.

We are also going to have class potlucks at the beginning of the school year, so we need every parent to start thinking about a delicious dish that they’re going to bring to share with their grade level. Try to arrange for childcare if you can; if not, we’ll try to make some arrangements. But this is an adult thing where parents come in and just meet other parents in the classroom.

Q. Why is it so important for parents to get involved?

A. Children follow the lead of the parent. So if parents are involved, then children know that this is an important place to be, and they do better at school.

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NEW STAFF

As Principal Byrd noted, there are quite a few new faces on the Payne staff this year. Here’s the full list:

• Jaclyn Barbarino, Drama Teacher
• Monica Braxton, Primary Behavior Education Support (BES) Teacher
• Thomas Carter, Custodian
• Doug Creef, Science Teacher
• Steven Eskay, Manager of Specialized Instruction
• Tonya Jones, Third Grade ELA Teacher
• Patrice Martin, PK3 Educational Aide in Ms. Stokes’ Class
• Adriana Smith, Behavioral Tech in Primary BES
• Courtney Thomas, Kindergarten Educational Aide in Ms. Fox’s Class

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BOOK FAIR

The Scholastic Book Fair will be the week of Sept. 23. A portion of sales will benefit Payne. Volunteers are needed to help set up the fair, work the fair and clean up. Click here for the sign up sheet.

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NICE THREADS

Before the school year even began, the PTSA had its first fundraising success, raising more than $450 in an online T-shirt sale. If you had your shirt delivered to Liz Aloi, they will be available to pick up at the first PTSA meeting Sept. 10. If you are unable to attend, contact Liz Aloi.

PTSA fundraising enabled the association to buy coffee and donuts to welcome parents and teachers on the first days of school.

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IMPORTANT DATES

Sept. 2: No school

Sept. 4: Back to School Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Sept. 10: PTSA Meeting, 6-7 p.m.

Sept. 12: Grandparents’ Day Celebration

Sept. 13: 8 a.m., Fifth Grade Potluck

Sept. 24-26: Buy books at our Scholastic Book Fair

Hello, Wildcats!

ONE WEEK LEFT. But before you hit the beach, the ball field or the snooze button, let’s catch up on what’s happening at Payne Elementary.

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FIFTH GRADERS EXCEL

Ms. Randolph and Mr. Bergfalk reported many of their fifth-grade students have demonstrated exceptional improvements to math and reading scores during iReady testing.

iReady is administered three times a year (September, December and June) and shows what grade level each student is operating on. Many fifth graders have jumped multiple grade levels over the course of the year, and some already are operating on a sixth-grade level. Students Jacore Braxton, Quiron Davis, Sebastian Frederick, Khloe Lovelace, Khloe Wilson, and Grant Opara all scored above the 90th percentiles on a national level in either math or reading.

Grant, age 10, scored in the 99th percentile in reading and 97th in math. He sat down with the PTSA to share his thoughts on Payne, reading, and Super Potato.

Q. What do you like about Payne?

A. I like what it provides, it provides good food, and it has caring teachers.

 

Q. What do you like about reading?

A. It takes me to a different adventure. It’s like my own space to just be myself.

 

Q. What are your favorite books?

A. Mostly novels and comic books like Muhammad Ali vs. Superman, or Super Potato.

 

Q. What is Super Potato?

A. It’s this comic book about a potato that became a superhuman by DNA generation.

 

Q. Any advice you’d have to the younger Payne students?

A. Stay strong, and keep on moving.

 

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NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL NEXT YEAR. Assistant Principal Jason Ward is leaving Payne at the end of this school year, moving back to North Carolina to be closer to family. Principal Byrd said seven candidates were interviewed to fill his vacated position, and the LSAT committee provided input on four finalists. A new assistant principal has been selected, but his or her name won’t be announced until human resources has approved the hire.

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THANKS FOR SHOPPING. The PTSA raised nearly $600 after last Saturday’s fundraiser at East City Bookshop and Mr. Henry’s. Thanks to all those who bought books and dinner, and a special shout-out to Principal Byrd for leading storytime. The Payne Library also received several book donations, which you can see below.

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FIELD TRIPS FUNDED. The PTSA Board unanimously approved spending $1,142 to support two fifth-grade field trips next week. Students will visit the Shenandoah National Park and Luray Caverns in Virginia and also Assateague Island in Maryland where they will not only have fun, but also see how they connect with recent lessons about the New Deal. The school also provided funds to supplement the trip, and parents will make a contribution. Thanks to fifth grade teacher Mr. Bergfalk for organizing the trips.

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MORE IMPORTANT DATES

June 7: Fifth grade promotion, 9:30 a.m.

June 11: PK4 Promotion, 9 a.m.

June 14: Last day of school

Aug. 26: First day of school for Kindergarten through fifth grade

Aug. 29: First day of school for PK3 and PK4

Hello, Wildcats.

A keen-eyed Payne mom spotted new parking signs posted on 15th Street, between C and D streets,  designating an area for school drop off (8-9 a.m.) and pick up (3-6 p.m.). Meanwhile, a parking enforcement officer was ticketing again in the area this week.

A view of the new signage:

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JUDGES NEEDED FOR SCIENCE FAIR

It’s crunch time for the Science Fair, and science teacher Ms. Henson needs a dozen volunteers to serve as judges. Do you have a basic understanding of the scientific method? Can you provide positive feedback to our burgeoning Payne brainiacs? That’s great: You qualify!

Judging will take place 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 30. The school will provide judging sheets and criteria. You will be invited, but not obligated, to attend the 2:30 p.m. award ceremony that day.

Ms. Henson also needs volunteers to help with a STEM Fair on Wednesday, May 29. Students will be building homemade thermometers, solar ovens and solar cars. She’s also looking for donated pizza boxes to help build solar ovens.

Please email Ms. Henson right away if you can help with any of the above: shanita.henson@dc.gov

Students in Ms. Ferguson’s kindergarten class learn about water displacement in preparation for the science fair.

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PTSA ELECTION RESULTS

The PTSA elected four officers May 21:

• President: Mark Jordan, parent of a first grader and PK4 student. Mark is the current president and was elected to a new term.
• Parliamentarian: Michelle Chapman, parent of a Kindergartner and an incoming PK3 wildcat next year, elected to a two-year position.
• Secretary: Nancy Parris, parent of a third grader, elected to a two-year position.
• Treasurer: Carolyn Bowen, parent of a first grader and PK4 student. Carolyn is the current secretary and will be the treasurer for one year to complete the term for Aisha Lee, who has served as treasurer this school year.

All four races were uncontested. In a speech before the vote, Mark said one of his priorities for the 2019-2020 school year will be to encourage parent involvement in the school.

From left: Mark, Michelle, Nancy and Carolyn

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FLEA MARKET FUNDRAISER

Payne will host a flea market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 8 on the tennis and basketball courts to benefit the Story of our Schools project. The school is seeking vendors to sell anything from clothing and baby gear to used books, antiques and crafts. The $40 vendor fee will benefit the project, and 100 percent of sales will go to the vendor. Concessions at the event will benefit Payne. More details are here.

Would you like to reserve a booth? Email Ms. Monich Brown at monich.brown@dc.gov or Ms. Juanita Stokes at juantia.stokes@dc.gov. Know a friend or neighbor who has a small business or side hustle? Please forward this newsletter and let them know tables are available.

The PTSA is considering managing a flea market booth with donated items with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the project. Is there a volunteer out there who would like to head this initiative? You would lead efforts to collect goods and coordinate other volunteers to help work the booth. Parents had significant interest during this week’s PTSA meeting, so there’d be no shortage of donated items. If this sounds like a project you’d like to be involved with, email tonylombardo1@yahoo.com.

The Story of Our Schools Club at Payne spent the better part of the school year researching Payne history. The Story of Our Schools organization is a non-profit that has designed a museum-quality exhibit for the school’s lobby, informed by the students’ research. Principal Byrd stopped by Tuesday’s PTSA meeting to share photos of Payne students that will be incorporated into the exhibit. Click here to donate to Story of our Schools. The project will cost $30,000, and it is about halfway to reaching the goal.

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BIG THANK YOU

The school community appreciates those who volunteered at and attended the Spring Carnival. The PTSA raised $8,000 to benefit our school. It could not have been done without the tireless work of our volunteers: parents, grandparents, teachers, staff and members of the school community.

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SPRING SHOWCASE. Payne’s Spring Showcase is Friday, May 31. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for refreshments, a student art gallery and a robotics demonstration. Musical performances will begin at 5 p.m, and all grades will participate. The showcase also will feature a performance from The Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University.

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MORE IMPORTANT DATES

May 27-28: No school

May 30: Science Fair

May 31: Spring Concert

June 3: Picture Day

June 7: Fifth grade promotion

June 14: Last day of school