Wildcat PTSA News: Clubs Clubs Clubs | iPads Arrive | Little League Signups

SO … MANY … CLUBS. Did you know there are more than 25 clubs at Payne Elementary? From chess and Pokemon to art and drama to basketball and flag football — there is something for every kid. And though the year is well underway, many clubs are still accepting new participants. Attached to this email is a handy spreadsheet with club details, eligibility guidelines and points of contact.  Clubs at Payne Elementary

***

iPADS OPERATIONAL. As previously reported, DCPS agreed to provide an additional 25 iPads to split among the Payne classrooms. The influx of iPads was the result of an unanticipated 8 percent uptick in student enrollment (there are 347 students at Payne). Ms. Oxendine, who shared the photo below, said the iPads are already in use.

***

COFFEE TALK SCHEDULE.  In preparation of enrollment season, Payne teachers and staff are hosting coffee talks and classroom introductions for parents. Get an early look at your child’s next school year. The sessions start at 9 a.m. in the auditorium on the following dates:

Moving up to….
Kindergarten-Friday, Jan.11
1st Grade, Jan. 18th
2nd Grade, Feb. 1
3rd Grade, Feb. 8
4th Grade, Feb. 15
5th Grade, March 1

***

THANK YOU, FOULGER-PRATT.  Foulger-Pratt, which is developing the Safeway site across the street from Payne, generously donated $1,500 to the PTSA.  We appreciate the support from our new neighbors.

***

PENNIES FOR PATIENTS. Prepare to raid your couch cushions. Next month, Payne students will be collecting change in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients campaign. While the effort runs Feb. 2-19, some of the younger grades are already bringing home donation boxes. This year’s goal is to raise $2,019 for 2019. Once the school reaches $750, the classroom with the most funds raised will earn a celebration party.The LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and to  improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Click here for more fundraiser details.

***

VOLUNTEER NEEDED. Do you have experience with data entry? Payne is looking for a volunteer who can work 1-2 hours, twice a week. Data would include emails and contact information. Work would also involve answering phones. Email Ms. Oxendine: akua.oxendine@dc.gov

***

FAREWELL, MS. AMY. Amy Thomas, the AmeriCorps VISTA Community Liaison, will be leaving us on Friday. She has accepted a job as a research analyst for a contracting company in Virginia. She anticipates AmeriCorps providing a successor, though he or she has not yet been named. Ms. Amy’s role at Payne has been to assist the administration and improve communication among the entire Payne Community. She had this to share:  “Thanks to the Payne Family, for welcoming me into your school this year. I am saddened to leave Payne, but am thankful for the time I was able to spend at your school. I look forward to visiting and seeing the great things that will be happening at Payne in 2019 and beyond!”

***

PLAY BALL. Capitol Hill Little League registration is now open for the spring season.  Click here to register your player(s) for baseball and softball for the spring. All kids who live within the Capitol Hill footprint or attend a Capitol Hill school are eligible to play, and scholarships are available. The website includes helpful resources such as how to measure your child’s “league age” and a Capitol Hill boundary map.

Baseball divisions are:
Single A:  League age 5 and 6
Double A:  League age 7 and 8
Triple A:  League age 9 and 10
Majors:  League age 11 and 12
Juniors/Seniors:  League age 13-16

***

 

MORE IMPORTANT DATES

Jan. 12: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Eastern Feeder Fest. All of Eastern High School’s feeder schools are invited to learn more about the school at 1700 East Capitol St. N.E. The feeder schools will also have tables at the event. Entertainment includes a DJ, popcorn and more.

Jan. 14: 9:30 a.m., Payne open house

Jan. 21-23: No school

Jan. 29: 6 p.m., PTSA meeting

Wildcat PTSA News: School Year Survey | Summer Camp Fair | Free Sign Language Classes

Happy 2019, Payne parents and staff.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AUG. 26. The 2019-2020 school year begins Aug. 26 for most students and Aug. 29 for PK students, DCPS announced. But DCPS is polling parents, students and staff on three calendar proposals for how holiday breaks should be allotted. The survey takes a few minutes and could have big implications for your vacation plans. Sound off here.

***

SUMMER CAMP FAIR. The New Year has just begun, but parents already are reserving camp spots for spring break and summer. Not sure where to start? J.O. Wilson Elementary’s PTA is hosting an annual camp fair, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 31 at the school, 660 K St. N.E. More than 60 camps from D.C., Maryland and Virginia are expected, ranging from traditional camps to others focused on the arts, music and academics.

 

***

JANUARY PTSA MEETING RESCHEDULED TO JAN. 29: The January PTSA meeting will be moved back two weeks from Jan. 15 to Jan. 29. DCPS has chosen Payne to host a closed roundtable discussion Jan. 15 about the school budgeting process with LSAT members from DCPS schools around the city.

***

GRADE-SPECIFIC COFFEE TALKS. As enrollment season approaches, Principal Byrd is hosting a series of coffees to take a closer look at grade levels. It’s an opportunity to learn what will be in store for your child moving up a grade. The first session at 9 a.m. Jan. 11 will focus on Kindergarten.

***

FREE SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES. The D.C. Public Library is offering free classes to learn American Sign Language. Beginner and intermediate courses available, with no need to register. The Northeast Neighborhood Library will offer beginning level classes 10-11 a.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 26-March 30 and April 27-June 28. Intermediate classes will be 11 a.m.-noon, also on those Saturdays. For a full list of classes, with libraries all over the district, email lbph.dcpl@dc.gov or call 202-559-5368.

 

***

MORE IMPORTANT DATES

Jan. 7: 9:30 a.m., Payne open house

Jan. 12: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Eastern Feeder Fest. All of Eastern High School’s feeder school are invited to learn more about the school at 1700 East Capitol St. N.E.

Jan. 14: 9:30 a.m., Payne open house

Jan. 15: PTSA meeting rescheduled for Jan. 29

Jan. 21-23: No school

Jan. 29: 6 p.m., PTSA meeting

Wildcat PTSA News: Holiday Concert | Skate Party Success

Seasons Greetings, Payne parents and staff.

HOLIDAY CONCERT. The day of the Winter Wonderland show is here. Doors open at 2 p.m., and the show starts at 2:30 p.m. You’ll hear holiday classics like Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman, poetry and a Kwanzaa presentation. And for fans of the Hokey Pokey, get ready to have your minds blown; the PK3 classes will sing the Winter Hokey Pokey live.

***

HOW WE ROLL. About 200 members of the Payne community turned out Wednesday night for the skate party fundraiser at Temple Hills Skate Palace. The PTSA earned nearly $1,000, and the money will be spent on field trips.

***

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR. Today is officially winter and the days are now getting longer.  School is out until Jan. 2.  When asked what parents and students could do during the break to foster learning, PK3 teacher Ms. Stokes shared this advice:

“Read daily, write in a journal, and have conversations with your child. Enjoy!”

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the Payne PTSA.