NewsFlash | Jamboree Info, OM and Science Olympiad Meetings, and New Bus App

Don’t forget to send in great pics for the yearbook! Email “actual size” photos throughout the year to Tracy Robinson at joyneryearbook@gmail.com.

 

Joyner Jamboree is Next Friday!

It’s that time again! The Joyner Jamboree is next Friday, Oct. 13, from 5:30-8 p.m. This annual family fun event is back with the Haunted Hallway, Climb-N-Challenge, Chick-fil-a and more! Skip the line and pre-order your $5 wristband today. The pre-order form was sent home last week, or just send in a check (payable to JY Joyner PTA) or cash to your homeroom teacher in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and grade. Kids need wristbands; parents do not.

A Quiet Zone will be available during the Jamboree for anyone needing a break from the excitement. The location is still being determined, but look for an update next week and Quiet Zone signs on Jamboree day.

 

Sign Up to Help Out at the Jamboree

We need lots of help to make the annual Joyner Jamboree a success. Volunteering at the Jamboree is always a blast, so click here to sign up on MemberHub and be a part of the action! Positions are available for both youth and adult volunteers. If you have questions about volunteering, contact Kenia Reynard at skreygirls@gmail.com.

 

Join the PTA, Win a Dance Party with Principal Zezza!

Starting NOW through next Thursday, Oct. 12, we are doing one last push for our PTA No Fuss Fundraiser and membership drive, with an awesome prize on offer. Please join the PTA (it costs just $5 per person), and contribute anything beyond that you wish — every dollar above the $5 dues stays right here to fund programs at Joyner. THE BEST PART?? The class with the highest percentage of families joining wins a DANCE PARTY WITH MS. ZEZZA!!
  • Donate online: Just go to https://joynerpta.com/join-donate/ to donate/join via credit card through MemberHub.
  • Send a check to school: Visit https://joynerpta.com/join-donate/ to download a membership form and turn it in to your child’s teacher with a check or cash. If you have issues with getting the form, please contact Ele Roberts at ele_wells@yahoo.com.
  • Donate at school: There will be a PTA table set up at school next week during morning drop-off.
FAQ:
Q – Does joining the PTA mean I have to attend meetings or volunteer?  
A – NO! We would love it if you did, but this is a membership drive and we simply need the numbers!  No meetings or volunteering is required.
Q – I already joined – I think.  I’m not sure!  Can you check?
A – Yes!  Email Ele at ele_wells@yahoo.com

 

Last Chance to Sign up for Odyssey of the Mind (K-5th)

It’s your last chance! Registration for 2017-18 Odyssey of the Mind ends Friday, Oct. 6. OM is student-led, builds teamwork and confidence, and most importantly, it’s FUN! Click here to sign up. Questions? Email joynerom@gmail.com.

Join the JYJ Science Olympiad Team (3rd-5th)

Does your kid love learning and experimenting with science? Is she curious about volcanoes, plants, space, nutrition, forensics, math, animals, fossils, earthquakes, energy or weather? Would he enjoy building a rocket, a roller-coaster, a tower out of duct tape or a bridge out of pasta? If so, then we would love to tell you more about how to get involved with our award winning Science Olympiad team! Come to one of the short parent information sessions:

  • Thursday, Oct. 12, 8:30-8:50 a.m. (Location TBD)
  • Thursday, Oct. 19, 5:30–5:50 p.m. (Location TBD)

These are identical sessions so parents only need to attend one. New and returning families are welcome. Kids can attend, but this meeting will be geared toward parents. There will also be an information session for the kids. Interested 3rd – 5th graders can learn more on Monday, Oct. 23, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. (location TBD). Stay tuned for more info. Questions? Click to email Jen Schrage or call 919-602-2432.

 

Library Volunteers Needed 

Love books, love kids? This is the volunteer opportunity for you! Ms. Hale is helping out with the morning news so she needs extra help in the library during the morning rush. Ideally this means a daily volunteer between 8:00 and 8:30 to help the kids get their books checked out. Go here to sign up.

She could also use help checking in books and getting them back on the shelves. Books can be checked in and shelved anytime during the day. Even 15 minutes can make a big impact. Please drop in when you have a few minutes — no need to sign up for helping out with shelving books.

 

Encourage Teachers to Apply for PTA Grants for Class Needs

The JYJ PTA sets aside funds every year to help teachers, staff and specialists enhance our students’ educational experience outside of the prescribed curriculum. Mini grants have funded the installation and upkeep of a garden, class sets of books, bouncy ball desk chairs, a manga collection for the library, Spanish language counting blocks, rugs for our kindergarten classrooms and so much more. The PTA is committed to supporting this outstanding program that promotes creativity among the teaching staff and adds interesting elements to daily learning. Please encourage your child’s teachers to apply for a mini-grant if they have a need or an idea they’d like to explore. The application period is open until Oct. 11. Applications are available on Memberhub.

 

Here Comes the Bus Website and App Now Working

According to Wake County, we can now use the free bus tracking system called Here Comes the Bus, which lets you see the location of your child’s school bus on your smartphone, tablet or computer. The website and app let you know when the bus is near your stop. You might not want to rely heavily on Here Comes the Bus at first, as any kinks get ironed out! Here’s some more information from Wake County Schools:

  • You can sign up for Here Comes the Bus at https://herecomesthebus.com/ getting-started/. You will need the district code: 67500 and your student’s ID number to sign up. For your smartphone or tablet, download the Here Comes the Bus app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
  • Once activated, you can customize or edit certain features, including how the app will communicate with you (via email and/or push notifications) and the size of the notification radius.
  • WCPSS Transportation makes bus substitutions when preventative maintenance is due and in response to the management of drivers. When a substitution is made, some features of the app may not work.
  • Once you are logged into your account, the link to HCTB customer support can be found by selecting Help. Additional resources can be found there as well. Questions or concern related to bus service issues should be directed to www.wcpss.net/ transportation. For more information, go to: http://www.wcpss.net/ herecomesthebus.

 

Share Feedback on K-3 Class Size Legislation

We will be sending more information out soon about the effects of the class size legislation on Joyner. In the meantime, we wanted to remind you how to share feedback–one of those opportunities is this Friday, Oct. 6.

How can I share feedback?

Online:  You can share your feedback on Wake County’s public discussion forum. There are comment threads related to each of the new schools and other proposed assignment changes. Please provide feedback in the appropriate section.
In Person:  Wake County Public Schools will also hold two public information sessions: Oct. 6 at Holly Grove Middle School, 1401 Avent Ferry Road, Holly Grove, and Oct. 9 at the future South Garner High School campus, 8228 Hebron Church Road, Garner. Doors will open at 6 p.m.; the meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.

October is Disability History and Awareness Month

During October, Wake County Public Schools acknowledges Disability History and Awareness Month. We will be sharing links and resources to promote awareness and acceptance of unique abilities each week of October. This week, we’d like to mention an important way that the Joyner PTA helps everyone enjoy our school events throughout the year. The Quiet Zone has become an important fixture at school events like the Joyner Jamboree and Night of Nonsense to ensure that all members of our Joyner family are able to be a part of the fun at their own comfort level. The Quiet Zone is for anyone who may need a break from the excitement:  students, siblings, parents, grandparents, and guests.

 

Support Joyner with Your State Fair Ticket Purchase

Here’s yet another way your family can support Joyner and have fun doing it! Buy your State Fair tickets online in advance of the fair and use Joyner’s school code. The State Fair will donate $2 to the school for every adult ticket purchased using Joyner’s code and $1 for every child ticket. To buy your tickets, click here, then enter 456 under “Membership” at check-out. For Joyner to benefit, you must purchase your tickets online in advance of the Fair, by Thursday, Oct. 12.

Quick Links

Calendar Items

  • Oct. 6: Wake County public information session #1 on proposed enrollment changes, Holly Grove Middle School, 6:30 pm
  • Oct. 9: Wake County public information session #2, future South Garner High School campus, 8228 Hebron Church Road, Garner, 6:30 pm
  • Oct. 12: Science Olympiad parent info session #1, 8:30-8:50 am
  • Oct. 13: Joyner Jamboree
  • Oct. 19: Science Olympiad parent info session #2, 5:30-5:50 pm
  • Oct. 20: Early release and Teacher Appreciation
  • Oct. 23: Science Olympiad student info session, 3-4 pm
  • Oct. 31: Teacher workday (no school)
  • Nov. 9: Science-Go-Round
  • Nov. 10: Holiday (no school)
  • Nov. 16: JY Joyner Foundation Dance-a-Thon

The NewsFlash is produced (almost) every week by the Joyner PTA communications chair. Have an announcement to include in a future edition of the NewsFlash? Submit your article via this form. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @pta_joyner.

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