Volunteers Needed

We are still looking for a few more parents to volunteer duringEdFEST tomorrow Saturday, December 10 from 11 am – 3 pm.  If you can volunteer, please email Carolyn Bowen at carolyncbowen@gmail.com.  Parents will support teachers and staff as needed and share their experiences from a parent’s prospective.  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.

PTA Meeting and Holiday Celebration with Principal Byrd

Please save the date for our December PTA meeting and Holiday Dessert Party on Thursday, December 15.  Principal Byrd will join us for a discussion about her goals and vision for Payne Elementary School.

We will also have a discussion and welcome any 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. 

Doors Open at 5:30 pm for refreshments
Meeting and childcare begins at 6:00 pm
A dessert of your choice would be welcomed.

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

The Holiday Gift Shop is now open and runs until December 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.

Join Eastern High School for its 4th annual “Give the Gift of Books” event featuring FREE BOOKS, FREE GIFT WRAPPING, music, and treats!

Friday, Dec. 9 from 3:30 – 6:30pm
Eastern High School Library, 1700 E. Capitol St. NE

No need to RSVP – just come get your child a book!

Did you know…
Eastern’s librarian, Ellen Dodsworth, hosts a lunch hour book club meeting monthly WITH the author, AND gives out the book? Dec 14 at 12:15pm is The Wench by DC author Dolen Perkins-Valdez. O (the Oprah magazine) chose it as a Top Ten Pick of the Month, and NPR named it a top 5 book club pick of 2010. All are welcome to attend!

Interested in helping with grant writing for the school.  It is a great way to be involved even if you have a busy schedule!  We have a lot of fun grants to look into pursuing for a variety of topics: an Science Laboratory, Teacher Training for Writing Workshops for Children and Responsive Classrooms, updating our laptops, classroom libraries and more! Please reach out to Lexi Smith if you are interested in helping.

Not sure about your camp and child care plans this summer? Join us for our 3rd Annual Summer Camp Fair, hosted by the JO Wilson PTA. It’s your chance to visit over 30 camp exhibitors representing a wide variety of summer activities, ranging from traditional camps to academic, arts, music, sports, early childhood, and special interest camps. Many of these camps operate right here on Capitol Hill and others provide transportation from the Hill.
When: Thursday, January 26, 2017, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: JO Wilson Elementary School (660 K St NE) Washington, DC.
Why: Learn about camp offerings, enter a drawing to win free weeks at camp, and sign-up for camp (if you wish!)

Look who’s having a birthday!  

Join us in wishing the following teachers a happy birthday!

December Birthdays include:

5             Shanita Henson (Science Teacher)

9             Jacqueline Douglas (PK4 Teacher)

10           Michael Bryant (Custodian)

13           Linda Gant (Clerk)

14           Ieshia Seaborn (Dedicated Aide)

16           Robert Davis (Behavior Tech)

30           Mary Johnson (5^th Grade ELA Teacher)

30           Colonda Andrews (PK4 Educational Aide)

• December 10 – EdFest at DC Stadium Armory
• 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

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

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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.

• Budget
• Event Plans
• Participation/Partnering with PTA
• ECE Aftercare Programming

• 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 15^th 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!

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.

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:

• Books for 3rd Grade Class – Today A Reader. Tomorrow a Leader.:  https://www.donorschoose.org/project/today-a-reader-tomorrow-a-leader/2242108/.
• Computer – Connect to Close the Gap!:  https://www.donorschoose.org/project/connect-to-close-the-gap/2251337/.

Young Education Professionals (YEP):

• Books for 2nd Grade Class:  YEP is raising money to buy books for our students.  Parents can use the following link to make donations:  https://donorbox.org/fundraiser-for-payne-elementary-school-books.

• 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