NewsFlash | Night of Nonsense tomorrow, new campus features, parent survey and WCPSS budget news

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Did you know there’s a MemberHub app? Available for iPhone and Android! And if you know a new family coming to Joyner, invite them to join the JYJ MemberHub now at this link.

 

Get ready for food trucks and nonsense!

The annual Joyner Night of Nonsense & Food Truck Frenzy is tomorrow night, Thursday, May 4! Food trucks will open at 4:45 and the Nonsense Show starts at 6 p.m. under the overhang. Bring cash or credit for the food trucks, but the hilarious skits performed by the fabulous Joyner teachers and staff are always free! Please help by donating items and/or volunteering to work a shift in the quiet room to help students (or adults) who might experience sensory overload and need a break from all the fun.

Parking is limited, so please walk if you can — and bring your family and friends along. Here’s the full line-up of food trucks, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options:

 

Outdoor learning around the school garden awarded to JYJ

Last week we told you about the new pollinator garden coming to the back of Joyner. This week we have more exciting news that you might have already noticed in front of the school…

Joyner’s outdoor classroom was completed over the weekend and classes have already been enjoying the nice weather. Thanks to the hard working JYJ dads that made this wonderful space happen!

  

You may have also noticed two new Little Free Libraries at each end of the bus loop. If you have any gently used, age-appropriate books that you no longer need, please drop them in one of the libraries. And if you’re looking for something to read with your child, please take a book home. Thank you to our JYJ parents and grandparents for making this project a reality!

 

We want to know what you think

Joyner is participating in the PTA School of Excellence program this year, and we need your help!!! You completed a survey last fall to help us identify areas for improvement. We used your feedback to select a target goal to “Improve Family Engagement in Education” for the year. With that goal in mind, Joyner’s faculty and staff implemented student-led conferences this spring. The PTA also made a deliberate effort to increase communication around our School Improvement Plan, WCPSS standards, National PTA Parent’s Guide to Success and tips for staying informed on important legislation such as HB13.

Now it’s your turn again to help us earn this Excellence award — and maybe a fancy new banner for our lobby! Please complete this anonymous survey so we can assess our improvement and continue to adjust going forward. (Here’s the full link in case you need to copy and paste into your browser: https://goo.gl/forms/SqPIgZ46abbs0GU43.)

 

WCPSS budget in process

The WCPSS Board of Education approved its version of the 2017-18 budget at its meeting Tuesday night and will send it to the Wake County Board of Commissioners by May 12 to approve their appropriation by July 1. The County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget on June 5 at 7 p.m. at the Commons Building (4011 Carya Dr., Raleigh). The budget includes requests for additional funding to recruit and retain bus drivers, expand the number of counselors in schools, and provide additional training for WCPSS employees.

If you’re interested in learning more about the proposed budget and what’s in it for students, come to an information session hosted by the Wake PTA Council, Great Schools in Wake and the Wake NCAE on May 15 from 7-9 p.m. at the NCAE Office on 700 S. Salisbury St. in Raleigh. Wake County School Board Chair Monika Johnson-Hostler and Vice-Chair Christine Kushner will present an overview of next year’s proposed operating budget as well as a discussion of the impact of the K-3 class size limits (including amendments to HB13) in 2018-19 on the capital and staffing needs.

Get updates from the Wake PTA Council (not just budget-related info) by joining their Hub: https://wakepta.memberhub.com/hub/WakePT37281.

 

Updates from the state

  • The third draft of the State Plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is available for public review. Provide feedback via the Let’s Talk link on the NCDPI website. Please select the Every Student Succeeds Act link near the bottom of the page to share your thoughts.
  • Teachers and students will use newly revised standards for English language arts (ELA) in North Carolina public school classrooms beginning in the 2018-19 school year. The State Board of Education approved the revised standards at its April meeting. The revisions were endorsed by the following state-level groups: NC Chamber, BEST NC, the NC Association of School Administrators, the NC School Boards Association, the NC Large District Consortium and HIRE Standards. Also endorsing the revisions was Mission: Readiness, an organization of more than 650 retired admirals and generals.
  • After several months of discussion, the State Board of Education in April approved a new School-Based Mental Health Initiative policy to help address mental health concerns in local schools and districts.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • May 4: Food Truck Frenzy and Night of Nonsense
  • May 4: Rising 6th grade orientation at Daniels Middle School, 6:15 – 7:45 p.m.
  • May 8: Parent input forms due to Mrs. Hutchinson (pick up one in the main office)
  • May 8-11: Box Top classroom collection
  • May 10: Kindergarten orientation, 8:35 a.m.
  • May 12: Teacher workday
  • May 19: Volunteer appreciation breakfast and Field Day
  • May 26-June 6: End-of-Grade testing
  • May 29: Holiday
  • June 7: Step up day
  • June 8: 5th grade graduation
  • June 9: annual 5th grade vs. faculty kickball game (last day of school)

Leave a Reply