Thanks to everyone who attended the PTSA meeting this week. Participation continues to grow at the meetings. Thanks also to Principal Byrd for her insights.

You don’t want to miss the next meeting, 6 p.m., Feb. 11, when you’ll have an opportunity to visit with teachers to discuss your child’s next year at Payne.

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SCIENCE SNIPPETS

Mr. Creef covered a wide-range of topics at Tuesday’s PTSA meeting. Here are a few highlights:

1. He’s interested in bringing back chickens and is exploring the idea (and related costs) of incubating eggs and hatching them at school.

2. With the help of the PTSA and a grant award, Mr. Creef purchased a number of specimen jars with assorted creatures and organs. They have proven very popular with the kids. He brought some animal brains, a shark and other preserved creatures to the PTSA meeting.

3. Project planning for the Science Fair, required for grades 3-5, now is underway. Mr. Creef has set up after-school hours when parents can assist students with their projects. Are you available 3:30-5:45 p.m. Jan. 21-24 or Feb. 6-13? Email Mr. Creef: emmett.creefjr@k12.dc.gov.

Teachers in the younger grades are exploring classroom project ideas. If you’d like to assist, check with your room parent or child’s teacher.

For anyone looking for ideas for science fair projects, Mr. Creef suggested checking out ScienceBuddies.Org.

4. DCPS introduced a new science curriculum called STEMscopes. Mr. Creef gave the curriculum high marks, noting that resources are all online and cover grades Kindergarten through high school. Parents can ask Mr. Creef for their own parent sign-on to explore the curriculum in greater detail.

5. Fourth graders helped to grow endangered orchids as part of a Smithsonian conservation program. The class attempted to grow both Maryland and Florida varieties of orchids. While the Maryland plants did not survive, many of the Florida varieties have successfully grown, and the young plants will be shipped to the Sunshine State to flourish.

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ART AND DRAMA SWITCHEROO

On Feb. 3, prepare for a specials shift at Payne. Students who attend the art special each week will switch to drama for the remainder of the year, and vice versa.

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COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL

Principal Byrd hosts informal chats with parents 9 a.m. on the first Friday of each month. Have some coffee and candid conversation with our school’s top administrator. The next coffee klatch is Feb. 7. Principal Byrd said she also is planning some evening opportunities this school year.

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SUMMER CAMP FAIR

J.O. Wilson will host its annual D.C. Camp Fair 6-8 p.m. Jan. 30. Learn about more than 40 summer camp options. The school is at 660 K St. N.E.

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TAKE THIS SURVEY

If you haven’t completed the DCPS Panorama survey, please click here. It only takes a few minutes, and DCPS uses the data to inform decision making for professional development, family resources and more. It’s an opportunity to share feedback about your child’s teachers, the administration, DCPS and more.

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A REAL WILDCAT

Some wild(cat) local news this week. A bobcat was caught on a motion camera in Georgetown — a rare sighting in the District. It’s unclear what business the bobcat had in the District, but it probably wasn’t studying for the PARCC test.

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OTHER IMPORTANT DATES

Jan. 17-20: No school

Jan. 22: 8-9 p.m., Parents with rising third graders meet. Contact Liz Aloi for details.

Jan. 23: 8-9 p.m., Parents with rising Kindergartners meet. Contact Liz Aloi for details.

Jan. 23: 6 p.m., Eastern High School Open House

Jan. 24: 9 a.m., Volunteer orientation for Reading Rocks. Click here to sign up.

Jan. 27-28: No school

Jan. 29: 4-9 p.m., Nando’s fundraiser, 411 H St. N.E. Tell them you support Payne, and 40 percent of your order will go to the school.

Jan. 30: 6-8 p.m. J.O. Wilson Summer Camp Fair

Feb. 11: 6 p.m. PTSA meeting

Feb. 17-21: No school

Science Teacher Mr. Creef will be presenting at the next PTSA meeting. Learn about the Science Fair, his curriculum and some of the fun projects your kids are working on.

The meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium.

The agenda also includes items on the school budget and how parents are getting involved. Childcare and pizza will be provided.

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EARLY LOOK AT KINDERGARTEN AND THIRD GRADE

Parents with children entering Kindergarten or third grade next year are invited to meet with parents with kids currently in those grades. The informal meetings are a retention initiative led by members of Payne’s Local School Advisory Team.

Parents with rising third graders will meet 8-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22.

Parents with rising Kindergartners will meet 8-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.

If you would like to attend, contact Liz Aloi at lizaloi@gmail.com for details. Additional grade level meetings are in the works.

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STORY OF OUR SCHOOLS INSTALLATION

Payne’s story will soon be told in a museum-quality exhibit in the main entrance of the school. The Story of Our Schools exhibit is scheduled to be installed Jan. 28, said Jen Harris, Executive Director of the Story of Our Schools project. You may see Payne maintenance staff in the coming days painting the walls, prepping for the installation.

Last year, a team of students and staff researched the history of Payne, and their work contributed to the exhibit, which will be located near the auditorium entrance. There are early talks of an unveiling party for the exhibit in February for students, staff, parents and donors.

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EAT NANDO’S, SUPPORT PAYNE

Now that our feathered friends are gone, we can head to Nando’s Peri-Peri guilt-free and feast on roast chicken — and we’ll be benefiting Payne, too. (OK, they do have a nice hummus wrap, as well.)

From 4-9 p.m. Jan. 29, Payne is hosting a fundraiser at Nando’s, 411 H St. NE. A whopping 40 percent of money spent on food will be donated to the Payne PTSA.

And a special thanks to everyone who turned out for Skate Night. Nearly $600 was raised to benefit Payne.

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GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

Thin Mints. Samoas. Tagalongs. Your favorites, plus new and improved lemon cookies called Lemon-Ups. Don’t miss out on Girl Scout cookies this season. Your first opportunity to buy is via the red forms that went home in your student’s bookbags this week, which are due today, Friday. Please submit to the main office or to First Grade Teacher Ms. Thompson. If you missed this opportunity, you’ll have chances to buy from Troop 1455 through mid-March. Cookies are $5 a box, with the exception of S’mores and Toffee-tastics which are $6 per box. The girls will have booths this spring.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Payne is looking for volunteers to read to an early childhood education student for one hour each week to foster early literacy and reading skills. A volunteer orientation will be 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24 in the auditorium. Parents of all grade levels are encouraged to participate. Click here to sign up.

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OTHER IMPORTANT DATES

Jan. 13: 9 a.m. Payne Open House

Jan. 14: 6 p.m., PTSA meeting, Auditorium

Jan. 15: Spelling Bee, 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 17: Noon-7 p.m., individual parent-teacher conferences

Jan. 17-20: No school

Jan. 23: 6 p.m., Eastern High School Open House

Jan. 27-28: No school

Jan. 29: 4-9 p.m., Nando’s fundraiser, 411 H St. NE.

Feb. 11: 6 p.m. PTSA meeting

Feb. 17-21: No school

Hello, fellow Wildcats. The holidays are nearly upon us. But before you bundle up and go wassailing, please read the latest school news and mark your calendars.

HO, HO, HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

Everyone must have been extra nice this year because the school is putting on two programs to celebrate the holidays. The littlest wildcats (PK3 through 2nd grade), will perform 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 in the auditorium. The program, led by the specials teachers, is called “A Winter Performance of Frozen.”

If kids kindly asking you to “build a snowman” doesn’t suit your tastes, perhaps you should just “let it go” and instead attend “Scrooge: The Musical.” The big kids (3rd through 5th grades) will perform this show 5:15 p.m.Thursday, Dec. 19.

For parents of the Frozen cast: Your child will be collaborating as a grade or in smaller groups to perform songs from the movie. Classes can also choose to perform another non-Frozen winter-themed song. Students are encouraged to wear Frozen attire or blue and white. Students not already receiving food from after care will get a snack before the show.

For parents of the Scrooge cast: Students are encouraged to wear red. In addition to Scrooge numbers, the kids will perform winter-themed songs between scenes. Students not already receiving food from aftercare will get pizza.

Ask your child about his or her songs and practice with them at home.

And finally, Drama Teacher Ms. Barbarino is looking for parent volunteers to help decorate the auditorium during the day of each performance. She also is looking for crafty folks to help build decorations or props. Email: jaclyn.barbarino@k12.dc.gov

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ASL CLUB SHOWCASE

The ASL Club will present its Winter Performance 5 p.m. Dec. 11, in the auditorium. All are invited to see students demonstrate their American Sign Language skills. Students will perform signed presentations that provide a few interesting facts about each student. The students also will perform two musical performances.

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ROLLERSKATING PARTY

The PTSA is hosting a skate night 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Temple Hill Skate Palace, 3132 Branch Avenue, Temple Hills, Md. Tickets are $10 each, and that includes skate rental. Anyone over the age of 2 requires a ticket. PTSA members will sell tickets outside of the Payne auditorium 8-9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 and 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. Cash, credit card and check will be accepted. You also may purchase tickets day-of at the Skate Palace.

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GRANT MONEY? WE GOT IT

The Capitol Hill Community Foundation announced Payne will receive a number of high-dollar grants to support activities in and out of the classroom.

Science Materials for Experiments and Interactive Activities: $2,200

Science Teacher Mr. Creef requested funds for animal specimens such as scorpions, spiders, frogs, squids and wasps. You know, the cute ones. Money may be used for other science materials, too.

Professional Development for Eureka Math: $2,000

Seventeen teachers will receive eight hours of training from Great Minds to learn to use the Eureka Math curriculum.

Buses for Field Trips: $1,500

In a city full of free museums, transportation is often the most costly aspect of Payne field trips.

Materials for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Classes: $700

Materials include colored textured tape to help identify hallway paths, dramatic play items with distinctive textures and textured paper and bold Sharpies.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who took the time to write the applications.

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LOTS OF NEW BOOKS

The PTSA just purchased $1,300 worth of books for Payne classroom libraries, made possible through the profits of the Scholastic Book Fair. Purchases were based on recommendations from school librarian Tim Gordon, literacy coach Tiffani Turner and teachers. Titles range from Artemis Fowl to Dog Man to Superfudge.

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OUT AND ABOUT

Last month the Payne Brownie troop went hiking at Kingman Island. They learned about the “leave no trace” philosophy and practiced marking a trail.

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IMPORTANT DATES

Dec. 10: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteer fingerprinting. Spots still are available Click here to sign up.

Dec. 11: 5 p.m., ASL Winter Performance

Dec. 14: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. EdFest, D.C. Armory

Dec. 17: 4 p.m., A Winter Performance of Frozen

Dec. 18: Payne Night at Temple Hills Skate Palace

Dec. 19: 5:15 p.m., Scrooge: The Musical

Dec. 19: 10:15-11:30 a.m., Eliot-Hine Open House

Dec. 23-Jan. 1: No school

Jan. 17-20: No school

Jan. 27-28: No school