Hello, Wildcats.

SIXTEEN FOOT WATER SLIDE. Now that I have your attention, please join the Payne community tomorrow for Payne’s Spring Carnival. Festivities will take place 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday on the playground. We’ll have games, face painting, a moon bounce, hot dogs, cotton candy and a bake sale. Bid in the silent auction on items including Nationals and D.C. United tickets and summer camp spots. Admission is free, and proceeds from food and select activities will benefit the PTSA. Oh, and there will be a big honkin’ inflatable water slide, so bring your bathing suit and towel.The weather experts are predicting a high of 84 degrees.

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SPRING SHOWCASE

The arts will be in full bloom at Payne’s Spring Showcase, Friday, May 31. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for refreshments, a student art gallery and a robotics demonstration. Wildcats will be auctioning artwork created in Ms. Harvey’s studio. “Students are recreating famous Hispanic art pieces, with recommended art pieces from [Spanish teacher] Mr. Montes,” said Mr. Golden, Payne’s music teacher. Musical performances will begin at 5 p.m, and all grades will participate.

“Come experience the growth that has taken place in your scholar since the start of the spring term,” Mr. Golden said.

This showcase also will feature a performance from The Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University.

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ANNUAL PTSA MEETING AND ELECTION

Join the PTSA at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 in the Auditorium for the annual PTSA Election. If you were a paid PTSA member by April 21, you may run for election and/or vote.

This year we are electing a president, secretary and parliamentarian.

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PAYNE POETRY. Third, fourth and fifth graders have contributed to a new book of poetry, available for purchase on Amazon. This is the second edition of poems available for purchase. Curated by Librarian Tim Gordon, the poems are available for $3.70. Click here to purchase.

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NO MORE PARCCING. Congratulations to the third, fourth and fifth graders for completing their mandatory, annual PARCC. They did a great job, and we are all proud of them!

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OUTSTANDING ASL PERFORMANCE. Payne’s deaf and hard of hearing staff organized “The Sign Finale” on Tuesday to showcase the ASL Club’s work this semester. The performance included poetry, music and a tribute to Payne moms. The Payne community turned out in big numbers for the show, and attendees were treated to solo performances by Payne parents and staff.

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SPIRIT WEEK.

Next week is Spirit Week at Payne.

• Monday: Dress as your favorite book character or wear positive words on a T-shirt.
• Tuesday: Wacky hair and hats and mismatched clothes. No uniforms required.
• Wednesday: Class color day (PK3, light blue; PK4, purple; Kindergarten, green; First, yellow; Second, orange; Third, red; Fourth, navy blue; Fifth, gray)
• Thursday: Dress like a real wildcat (think leopard, lion, tiger, jaguar, panther)
• Friday: Professional dress day. Business or job attire (including astronauts, firefighters, scrubs, even scuba suits)

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NATIONALS GAME. DCPS Night at Nats Park is 7:05 p.m. Friday, May 24. Interested in tickets? Contact Ms. Oxendine by the end of the day today: akua.oxendine@dc.gov. Schools have a limited number of tickets. The Nats will take on the Miami Marlins. Stay late for fireworks.

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MORE IMPORTANT DATES

May 21: 6 p.m., Auditorium, PTSA annual meeting and elections

May 27-28: No school

May 29-30: Science Fair

May 31: Spring Concert

June 3: 9 a.m., Picture Day. Order forms were sent home this week

June 7: Fifth grade promotion

June 14: Last day of school

Hello, Wildcats.

The Spring Carnival is coming up fast, and fewer than half of the volunteer slots are filled. Please take a moment and scan the signup sheet here: https://signup.com/go/ThuuiNx. The carnival is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 18 on the playground. In addition to games, face painting and a moon bounce for the kids, there will be hot dogs, cotton candy, a bake sale and a silent auction. Volunteer shifts are short, so you can enjoy the festival, too.

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ASL CLUB PERFORMANCE

Students in Payne’s American Sign Language Club will deliver their closing program, 5-6 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium. The new club has been rewarding for students this year, and the performance will combine poetry, ASL and pop music by artists Miley Cyrus and Drake.

And here is a photo from the deaf and hard of hearing class’s field trip to Port Discovery in Baltimore. They were joined by some members of the ASL club. “We picked Fort Discovery because it was hands-on,” said DHOH teacher Fareeda Gayle. “It gave us a great opportunity for the ASL club to interact with our deaf and hard of hearing population and have an authentic experience in that learning-slash-fun environment.”

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LIBRARY NIGHT. Last week’s newsletter incorrectly stated the date for Payne Library Night. It’s this Monday, May 13. Explore the library with your child from 4-5:30 p.m., read a book with your child and check one out to take home.

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PARKING ENFORCEMENT

Thanks to Assistant Principal Ward for helping to control traffic outside of Payne on Thursday and Friday.

Three parents have expressed interest in joining a working group to examine the parking situation in front of and around Payne. A recent increase in ticketing has stimulated the discussion. Interested in being part of the solution? Email Tony Lombardo.

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PHOTOS FROM THE WEEK

DCPS students flooded Lincoln Park on Wednesday with bicycles, scooters and smiles for D.C.’s annual Bike to School Day. The Payne contingent did not disappoint. As this photo shows, the school had a strong representation from students, parents and staff.

Payne parents and staff joined other feeder schools Tuesday for Eliot-Hine Basketball Fever, hosted at Eastern High School.

Teachers enjoy lunch Tuesday, provided by the PTSA for Teacher Appreciation Week.

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STORY OF OUR SCHOOLS UPDATE. Story of Our Schools staff already are working on graphics and design for the exhibit, which should be complete in about two weeks. The final crucial hurdle is fundraising for the installation; the exhibit is about one-third funded. If you are interested in either making a donation to support this exhibit (any amount is appreciated) or helping to make socilitications using materials developed by the PTSA and SOOS staff, contact Mark Jordan (president@paynepta.org.) Help make this project a reality!

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LSAT ELECTIONS. Elections for four parent positions on Payne’s Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) will be this month. More information about the nomination process and election dates will be forthcoming.

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SUPPORT GIRLS ON THE RUN. Join a fun 5K race (run or walk) June 2. Girls on the Run is a club for girls in grades 3-5, and they’ve been training for 5K. Girls must participate with an adult, and five runners don’t yet have an adult to run with. Support the club and run with one of the athletes. Sign up by May 20 here and let club manager Monich Brown know you will be joining the girls.

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MORE IMPORTANT DATES

May 2: May LSAT Meeting

May 18: 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Playground, Spring Carnival

May 21: 6 p.m., Auditorium, PTSA annual meeting and elections

May 27-28: No school

May 29-30: Science Fair

May 31: Spring Concert, More details to come

June 3: Picture Day

June 7: Fifth grade promotion

June 14: Last day of school