NewsFlash | Order Jagwear, Science-Go-Round Presenters Needed, After School Club Sign Ups, Teacher Appreciation

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Want to help feed a hungry Joyner child this school year? Click here to donate to Backpack Buddies. We have so far collected enough to cover 13 of the 25 students we hope to support this year. 

 

Friday is Fall Picture Day

Say cheese! School pictures are this Friday, Sept. 22. Send in your order form on picture day or click here to order online. It should come up automatically, but Joyner’s picture day ID is BW017212Q0.

 

Pre-Order Joyner Spirit Wear

Show your school pride and support the PTA! Pre-order forms for Joyner Spirit Wear should have come home with your student. Orders will be accepted through Sept. 29 and this is the only Jagwear sale for the school year. Click to view the options: short-sleeved tee, long-sleeved tee, and sweatshirt. You can click here to download an order form, if your child’s form gets lost in the twilight zone between school and home.

Scientists Needed for Science-Go-Round

JYJ’s annual Science-Go-Round is coming Nov. 9, and we are in search of some exciting new presenters! Know any engineers, pilots, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, chemists, physicists, health and wellness experts, or scientists from other fields who would be willing to share their knowledge and passion with our students? If so, please contact Leigh Wolitski at leigh@etelli.com for additional information.

Help Joyner Make Free Money

If you haven’t joined the PTA yet, now’s the time! If Joyner can meet last year’s PTA membership plus 50 more members by October 16, our school will win $50.

  • Member dues are only $5. Click here to learn how to join and pay online or by check.
  • Moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles — Joyner gets a boost for every adult who joins.
  • Any additional funds you donate for the No Fuss Fundraiser (beyond the $5 dues) stay right here at Joyner to pay for our fantastic PTA programs.
  • Ask your employer if there is a matching donation program where you work.

 

Spirit Night at United Skates of America

Joyner is having a Skate Party at United Skates (2901Trawick Rd Raleigh) next Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 6-8:30. p.m. Admission is $3.50, skate rentals are $3.50, and 100% of admission proceeds go back to the Joyner PTA. So bring the family out and support our school while enjoying a night of rollerskating fun!

 

Odyssey of the Mind Application is Live

The online application for Odyssey of the Mind is now live, through October 2. Click here to learn about this year’s “problems” and here to apply. If you weren’t able to attend the informational meeting yesterday, email joynerom@gmail.com with any questions about the program.

 

TEK After School Clubs Sign-Ups

Is your child a Super Scientist? A Krafty Kid? Is he into cooking? Does she love robotics? Check out the fall clubs at Joyner! Fall TEK Clubs will run for six Wednesdays from Oct. 18 – Nov. 29 (skipping Thanksgiving week) from 3:30-4:45. TEK supervises students after school until clubs begin. Cost is $135.

  • Registration forms with full club descriptions will be sent home in folders this week.
  • Registration will be held Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 8-8:30 a.m. in the JYJ Media Center.

Contact TEK (Duval Fisher) at duval@tailoredenrichmentkids.com or visit www.tailoredenrichmentkids.com with questions.

 

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Next Week

The first early release of the year is next Friday, Sept. 29, and you know what that means! It’s time to shower our fantastic Joyner teachers and staff with love! The theme for this first teacher appreciation day is Our future is so bright, we gotta wear shades! Students can use a yellow theme and write what they love about Joyner. Click here to find out which additional staff members your child’s class is appreciating this year.

For those new to Joyner this year, rather than appreciating our teachers and staff only once a year, we provide lots of opportunities to tell them how fabulous we think they are! Every early release day is also a Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day, and each one will have a fun theme. Click here for the full year of themes (but don’t worry — we’ll give you a heads-up as they come).

 

Impact of Smaller Class Size Legislation on Joyner

Joyner is one of 27 Wake County elementary schools whose enrollment may be limited, starting next year, because of a new state law that aims to lower class sizes for kindergarten through third grade. The class size legislation calls for K-3rd classrooms to average roughly 17 students by 2018, compared with an average of 21 children this past school year. In order to meet these new requirements, Wake County would need to create space for the equivalent of 559 classrooms and 9,500 students — or about 14 new schools.

While well-meaning (who doesn’t like smaller classes!?) the legislation is having some unforeseen consequences — like larger classes for 4th and 5th grades, more trailers, and converting art and music spaces into regular classroom space. And in 27 Wake County elementary schools, those steps won’t be enough. Wake County school administrators have proposed additional strategies in some schools, including Joyner, to reduce enrollment. The strategies proposed for Joyner include closing the school to transfers and reducing magnet slots. Click here for the list of all 27 schools and the proposed strategies.

Want to know more? Watch a recent episode of Education Matters about the coming impacts of the new class size legislation.

 

Kiwanis Park Volunteer Opportunity

Kiwanis Park is a huge asset to Joyner Elementary as we use it for recess, special events, field day and the 5th grade kickball game. There are exciting plans for a major renovation this year, but the funding has fallen a bit short. You can pledge to help by converting volunteer hours into savings for the project!

Joyner parent Jen Schrage is partnering with Kiwanis to help raise the additional needed funds via cash or volunteer pledges, and pledges must be in by October 1. Pledges to volunteer count at $23.56/hour. Go to  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040c4cabaa29a13-pledge to sign up or donate. Contact Jen at theschragefamily@yahoo.com with any questions.

 

Quick Links

Calendar Items

  • Sept. 21: Teacher workday (no school)
  • Sept. 22: Fall picture day
  • Sept. 27: Joyner Spirit Night at United Skates of America, 6-8:30
  • Sept. 29: Early release and Teacher Appreciation
  • Oct. 13: Joyner Jamboree
  • Oct. 20: Early release and Teacher Appreciation
  • Oct. 31: Teacher workday (no school)
  • Nov. 9: Science go round
  • Nov. 9: Picture re-takes (date subject to change)
  • 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.

NewsFlash | Help Publish Student Writing, Scientists Needed, and Odyssey of the Mind

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Wake County Schools gave a SHOUT OUT to @pta_joyner for receiving @NationalPTA Schools of Excellence designation! pic.twitter.com/3rLltbyFNF

National PTA School of Excellence Logo

Junior Authors’ Guild (JAG) Needs Volunteers

Help publish Joyner students’ writing! The JAG committee is responsible for publishing original student work, including yearly biography books for each classroom and original teacher classroom projects. Volunteers for JAG may interview students, communicate with teachers, and type, bind, and laminate student works. Please contact Lori Nieter at lori.nieter.phd@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer for the JAG committee.

 

Required Volunteer Registration Only Takes a Second

If you plan on volunteering in any way this year (and we know you want to!), you MUST complete the WCPSS registration. Just stop by the media center (or any Wake County public school) and fill out the online form — it’s really quick, especially if you’ve registered in years past. You must complete and be approved (which takes additional time) before being allowed to work alone with groups of Joyner children.

 

Calling All Scientists!

JYJ’s annual Science-Go-Round is coming Nov. 9, and we are in search of some exciting new presenters! Know any engineers, pilots, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, chemists, physicists, health and wellness experts, or scientists from other fields who would be willing to share their knowledge and passion with our students? If so, please contact Leigh Wolitski at leigh@etelli.com for additional information.

 

Odyssey of the Mind General Interest Meeting

Come learn about Odyssey of the Mind at 6 p.m. in the media center on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The meeting will include a short presentation and Q&A session. Joyner has a rich history of creative problem-solving, and we invite all K-5 students and parents to participate in this year’s program. Email joynerom@gmail.com for more information.

 

Fall Picture Day is September 22

Start practicing your picture smile! School pictures are next Friday, Sept. 22. Order forms will come home with students this week, so go ahead and make those haircut appointments. (Note: Earlier schedules listed picture day as 9/27 — the correct date is 9/22.)

 

Pre-Order Joyner Spirit Wear

Show your school pride and support the PTA! Pre-order forms for Joyner Spirit Wear should have come home with your student. Orders will be accepted through Sept. 29 and this is the only Jagwear sale for the school year. Click to view the options: short-sleeved tee, long-sleeved tee, and sweatshirt. You can click here to download an order form, if your child’s form gets lost in the twilight zone between school and home.

Kiwanis Park Volunteer Opportunity

Kiwanis Park is a huge asset to Joyner Elementary as we use it for recess, special events, field day and the 5th grade kickball game. There are exciting plans for a major renovation this year, but the funding has fallen a bit short. You can pledge to help by converting volunteer hours into savings for the project!

Joyner parent Jen Schrage is partnering with Kiwanis to help raise the additional needed funds via cash or volunteer pledges, and pledges must be in by October 1. Pledges to volunteer count at $23.56/hour. Go to  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040c4cabaa29a13-pledge to sign up or donate. Contact Jen at theschragefamily@yahoo.com with any questions.

 

School Performance Grades Released

Joyner received a “B” for the 2016-17 school year, according to accountability data released last week to the State Board of Education. Joyner is among the one-third of schools in the state that received an “A” or “B” grade. School Performance Grades are generally based 80 percent on the school’s achievement score (how well 3rd-5th graders did on the tests) and 20 percent on students’ academic growth (how many months of progress they made over the course of the year). Joyner was also among the 80 percent of elementary schools that met their growth targets.

 

Quick Links

Calendar Items

  • Sept. 15: Summer reading celebration during school
  • Sept. 19: Odyssey of the Mind general interest meeting, 6 pm
  • Sept. 21: Teacher workday (no school)
  • Sept. 22: Fall picture day
  • Sept. 27: Joyner Spirit Night at United Skates of America, 6-8:30
  • Sept. 29: Early release and Teacher Appreciation
  • Oct. 13: Joyner Jamboree
  • Oct. 20: Early release and Teacher Appreciation
  • Oct. 31: Teacher workday (no school)

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.

NewsFlash | Joyner’s New Principal Named, PTA Wins Award, and Fall Clubs Kick Off

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

September is Attendance Awareness Month! Missing just two days per month means a child misses 10% of the school year — that can really add up to academic losses in the classroom. Check out #schooleveryday on Twitter for more stats.

 

Joyner Welcomes a New Principal!

We are delighted to announce that WCPSS has named Joyner’s new principal! Jennifer Zezza comes to us from Ligon Middle School, where she has served as an Assistant Principal since 2012. She’ll start at Joyner on Sept. 25, although we hope to invite her to school for a visit before then. Please join us in giving her a warm JYJ welcome!

 

Open House is Tomorrow

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow evening, Thursday, Sept. 7, for Open House! There will be two classroom sessions with a short PTA meeting in between: 5:00 session, 5:45 PTA General Meeting, 6:15 session. Please plan to attend one session (or two if you have multiple children) and the PTA meeting.

 

Joyner Wins National PTA School of Excellence Award

Joyner PTA has been designated a National PTA School of Excellence for 2017-2019. Look for a new banner up in the school soon! Joyner’s PTA is the only one in Wake County and one of only three in North Carolina to win this award. Thanks to all of you for making this possible!

Pre-Order Joyner Spirit Wear

Gimme a J! Gimme an O! Ok, I won’t do the whole thing, but it’s time to show your school spirit! Pre-order forms for Joyner Spirit Wear will be sent home this week. Pre-orders will only be accepted through Sept. 29, so go ahead and place those orders. Proceeds from Spirit Wear go to the PTA to help fund our fabulous Joyner programs. Click to view the options: short-sleeved tee, long-sleeved tee, and sweatshirt, then click here to download an order form.

Upcoming Joyner Spirit Nights

More opportunities to show your school pride and help fund our school:

  • United Skates of America: Sept. 27 from 6-8:30 p.m. Show your Joyner spirit with a night of rollerskating fun with friends and family. All admission proceeds go back to Joyner.
  • Kendra Scott Gives Back Event: Dec. 5 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Love jewelry? Save your Kendra Scott Wish List for a Dec. 5 holiday shopping event to benefit Joyner. Spread the word to friends and family as Joyner will receive 20% back from all purchases. Plus the class with the most purchases will win a set of Kendra Scott jewelry for their teacher.

 

Missing Pre-Ordered School Supplies? 

Pre-ordered school supplies should have been in your child’s classroom when school started last week. Anyone who didn’t get their pre-ordered pack or had damaged items, please email Sarah Mears at smears17@gmail.com so that we can get everything fixed. A HUGE shout-out to Sarah Mears, Sara Betz and all the volunteers who helped distribute the packs before Meet the Teacher.

 

PTA Membership and No Fuss Donation Made Quick and Easy

Why should I join the PTA? What does it really DO?

The JY Joyner PTA supports so many of the great programs at our school, including arts and science programming, mini-grants and appreciation events for teachers and staff, classroom technology, student clubs and recognition programs, family fun events and so much more. PLUS, there’s that really cool JYJ magnet that you can put on your car!

How does the JYJ PTA raise funds? Please tell me I don’t have to sell anything to my neighbors.

Good news — you don’t have to sell cookie dough, coupon books or anything else! Donating to the PTA could not be easier. The NO FUSS FUNDRAISER is happening NOW! It costs $5 to join the PTA, and any dollar amount over that stays right here at Joyner to fund our fabulous school.

Do I have to volunteer or attend a bunch of meetings?

NO! We would love to have you volunteer if you so choose, but right now we’re looking for your financial support for Joyner.

Ok, I’m sold! What do I do now?

You should have received a PTA sign up and donation form in the mail, or you can grab a new one from the PTA table located across from Ms. Burston’s office this week during drop-off and during Open House. Send your form, with check or cash, in to your child’s teacher — or skip all the paperwork and join/donate online through MemberHub.

 

Yearbook Committee Needs Your Help

You know how awesome it is when your kids open the yearbook in June and see fun photos of them with all their friends? So great, right? Help the Yearbook Committee ensure that your kids are delighted when they get their books by sending in photos (actual size) throughout the year to Tracy Robinson at joyneryearbook@gmail.com. We rely on parents for most of our pictures — please send photos from field trips, Jamboree, the dance-a-thon, classroom candids, Spanish dancing, school awards, Spirit Week, the 5K and other Joyner events. Be sure to click “actual size” when your phone asks you.

 

School Bus App Not Yet Online for Traditional Schools

The Here Comes the Bus app will hopefully be fantastic once it’s online for traditional schools, but alas, we are not yet in the system. Wake County estimates a couple more weeks before traditional calendar parents can start using the app. We will update you in NewsFlash when it is ready to go.

 

Fall Clubs at Joyner

Sports After School with Coach Scott is back again this year for Joyner families. Coach Scott picks up the kids at Joyner in the walker hallway after school and escorts them down to Kiwanis Park for fun games, activities, nature walks and a variety of sports. The program is open to students in K-5 and runs every Tuesday, starting now! Cost is $15 per session or $60 per 4-week session. Pick up your child at 4:30 at Kiwanis Park. Contact Coach Scott at 336-963-4555 or sportswithcoachscott@gmail.com with questions or to register.

Fall TEK Clubs will run for six Wednesdays from Oct. 18 – Nov. 29 (skipping Thanksgiving week)  from 3:30-4:45. TEK supervises students after school until clubs begin. Details/registration forms for  clubs will be sent home in folders. Cost is $135. Contact TEK (Duval Fisher) at duval@tailoredenrichmentkids.com or visit www.tailoredenrichmentkids.com.

 

Support Joyner’s Backpack Buddies Program

Last year, your generosity provided weekend backpacks of basic food to 20 food insecure Joyner students — and we are aiming to fund 25 of our students for the 2017-18 school year. We need your help! It costs $350 per child to provide with a weekly bag to take home filled with nutritious food throughout the school year. Any and all donations appreciated.

Backpack Buddies, administered through the Interfaith Food Shuttle, provides nutritious food on the weekends to Joyner students in need. Providing students with better nutrition means they are better able to focus at school, with improved learning and behavior.

If you would like to contribute, just click this link — you can donate anonymously if you wish, and it only takes a minute. Alternatively, you can mail your donation to: Ele Roberts 616 Mial Street, Raleigh 27608. Checks can be made out to Interfaith Food Shuttle with “Joyner” on the memo line. Donations are tax deductible. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes directly from Interfaith Food Shuttle. Joyner’s goal is to collect enough to fully fund the program before school starts in three weeks.

For more information, please visit Interfaith Food Shuttle’s website or contact our Joyner volunteers:

 

Quick Links

Calendar Items

  • Sept. 7: Open House (5:00 session, 5:45 PTA General Meeting, 6:15 session)
  • Sept. 15: Summer reading celebration during school
  • Sept. 21: Teacher workday
  • Sept. 27: Fall picture day
  • Sept. 27: Joyner Spirit Night at United Skates of America, 6-8:30
  • Sept. 29: Early release and Teacher Appreciation
  • Oct. 13: Joyner Jamboree

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.

NewsFlash | Backpack Tags, New Bus Location App, and Summer Reading Logs

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Tweet much? Follow the JYJ PTA Twitter account! Find us @pta_joyner and tag us when you have news to share.

We’re halfway through week one. We got this! Here’s what you need to know this week:

  • Kindergarten Meet the Teacher is this Friday, Sept. 1. Kindergartners and their parent(s) can come from noon to 1:30 to the K hallway to get your teacher assignments and meet your teachers, then join your new classmates for popsicles under the overhang.
  • Summer Reading logs are due by this Friday, Sept. 1. Reading logs are available in the PTA hub files section of MemberHub in English and Spanish.
  • Join the PTA and give to the No Fuss Fundraiser. PTA volunteers will be staffing a table in the lobby every morning during drop-off through next Friday. Please stop by to make your donation, fill out a volunteer interest form and get a JYJ magnet.
  • Monday is a holiday! No school next Monday, Sept. 4.
  • Open House is next Thursday, Sept. 7. There will be two classroom sessions with a short PTA meeting in between: 5:00 session, 5:45 PTA General Meeting, 6:15 session. Please plan to attend one session (or two if you have multiple children) and the PTA meeting.

 

What’s With the Tag on My Child’s Backpack?

This school year, Wake County is requiring all elementary school bus riders to have color-coded tags with bus route information on their backpacks. Please help your child keep this important tag on his or her backpack all year. Bus drivers will look to see that students have tags when boarding the bus in the morning. In the afternoon, bus riders will be required to have a tag in order to board the bus. At the start of the school year, some students may use a temporary bus pass while they are being assigned school transportation.

 

New App to Track Your Child’s School Bus Location

WCPSS now offers an app that provides parents with real-time bus location information. Parents with children in traditional-calendar schools (like Joyner) can start using the app about three weeks into the school year, once bus routes are finalized. Here Comes the Bus translates GPS data into an easy to use customizable map that works on a computer, tablet or smartphone. It allows you to see where the bus is and how close it is to your stop.

You can sign up for Here Comes the Bus at https://herecomesthebus.com/getting-started/. You will need the district code and your student’s ID number to sign up. The WCPSS school code is 67500. For your smartphone or tablet, download the Here Comes the Bus app from the App Store or Google Play. Click here for more on how to get started and use the app.

 

Sign Up, Update or Unsubscribe from the Joyner Hub

If you are new to MemberHub, complete this form and we’ll get you into the JYJ Hub: https://jyj.memberhub.com/join/9bpx9e. If you’re already in the JYJ Hub, take a moment to update your info. Once class lists are made available, volunteers will place you (and your children) in the proper classroom and grade level hubs, so be sure to add your children’s information when you join MemberHub.

Did your family graduate from Joyner this year? We hate to see you go, but understand if you no longer need to be in the Joyner Hub or receive the PTA NewsFlash. Scroll to the bottom of this message for a link to change your preferences. 

 

Quick Links

Calendar Items

  • Aug. 28-Sept 1: Kindergarten staggered entry week
  • Sept. 1: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher (in the K hallway) followed by popsicles under the overhang, 12-1:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 4: Holiday
  • Sept. 7: Open House (5:00 session, 5:45 PTA General Meeting, 6:15 session)
  • Sept. 15: Summer reading celebration during school
  • Sept. 21: Teacher workday
  • Sept. 27: Fall picture day
  • Sept. 29: Early release and Teacher Appreciation
  • Oct. 13: Joyner Jamboree

 

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.

Why should you care about the PTA?

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Congratulations on making it through the first day of school! Whether you were celebrating on the sidewalk or wiping away the tears (or a little of both) this morning, we hope that you and your kids had a marvelous day.

While you catch your breath from day 1 and gear up for the next 179, I want to take a moment to encourage you to do two things this week:

1. Join the PTA.

2. Donate to the No Fuss Fundraiser.

Here’s why you should join the PTA

Your membership shows your commitment to supporting teachers, staff and students at Joyner throughout the year — the greater our membership numbers, the stronger our voice at the school, district and state levels. Membership in the Joyner PTA connects you with advocates in the Wake County, North Carolina and National PTA organizations, all of whom are working to make sure school is a great place to teach and learn.

If your vision of PTA is just bake sales and end-of-year classroom parties, then you’re really missing out. At Joyner, we are privileged to have a strong, energetic PTA filled with volunteers who are committed to making Joyner a place where every student and teacher can succeed. We have a range of volunteer opportunities available throughout the year, from one-off community event set-up to year-long advocacy programs, so there’s something for everyone. And we PROMISE that joining the PTA doesn’t accidentally put you in charge of anything you don’t want to lead — there’s no up-front volunteer commitment or requirement.

Joining the PTA costs just $5 — but we hope you’ll add your No Fuss Fundraiser donation above that amount to support PTA programming at Joyner. Both your dues and your donation are 100% tax deductible. Just make one donation for any amount from $5 to $500 (or beyond!) to cover both your PTA membership and your fundraising gift. Stop by the PTA table in the lobby before school to make your donation (or tell us you gave online) and we’ll give you a cool JYJ car magnet!

 

Here’s why you should donate to the No Fuss Fundraiser

Approximately half of the PTA’s budget comes from money donated during the fall No Fuss Fundraiser, going on now. With the exciting news that our school’s Foundation has made it possible to fund 1.5 teaching positions this year, we realize it might be less obvious what your PTA donations do for students and teachers at Joyner. The PTA and the Foundation are great partners, but they’re two separate organizations with two separate budgets — that’s why you’ll hear from both of us when it comes to fundraising.

Here’s a quick list of just some of what the PTA makes possible:

  • Enhanced classroom technology across the school
  • Cultural arts and science experiences during the school day for every grade level
  • Mini-grants for teachers to bring new ideas into their classrooms
  • Academic enrichment opportunities, like Odyssey of the Mind and Science Olympiad
  • Schoolwide events that build community, including the fall Joyner Jamboree and spring Night of Nonsense
  • Athletic programs such as First in Fitness, PE supplies, the Joyner 5K and running club
  • Design and production of the JYJ yearbook
  • Student awards and recognitions, including publication of student writing
  • Sets of books for teachers to use in class with students
  • Improvements to school grounds, including the turf field, stage and outdoor sound system
  • Appreciation events for teachers and staff
  • Student events and celebrations, including the Summer Reading Challenge, kindergarten popsicles, Field Day and fifth grade graduation
  • Advocacy efforts at the county and state levels to support policies that benefit students in our public schools

Amazingly, we’re able to do ALL of this without asking you or your children to sell wrapping paper, magazines, coupon books, cookie dough or summer sausages. All you have to do is donate to the No Fuss Fundraiser online or by sending in cash/check with a form (click here for English or click here for Spanish) to your child’s teacher.

 

Now take a deep breath and enjoy the year ahead — and feel free to reach out to any PTA board member or committee chair if there’s something we can do to help!

NewsFlash | Teacher Letters Mailed, Meet the Teacher, and Bus Routes Posted

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Still learning the JYJ lingo? Check out our glossary of terms to get up to speed.

 

Teacher Letters and Meet the Teacher

Packets from school have been mailed, so be on the lookout for your letter, which includes your teacher assignment. Then come to Joyner for Meet the Teacher:

  • This Friday, Aug. 25, 1st through 5th graders and their parent(s) can drop in between 8 and 9:30 am. Look for fun letter-writing activities and a photo booth to get excited for the first day of school!
  • Next Friday, Sept. 1, Kindergartners and their parent(s) can come from noon to 1:30. Come to the K hallway at 12 to get your teacher assignment, then join your new classmates for popsicles under the overhang.

Bus Routes Posted

Joyner families who have transportation-eligible bus riders can find new bus routes for 2017-18 posted online at http://www.wcpss.net/routes. Click the bus routes link. Look for your school on this page and click the link to find the bus routes. Find the listed stop nearest your residence for your stop location. Wake County Public Schools Transportation will also share your student’s transportation route, stop and estimated bus arrival time by email and make it available through Homebase/Powerschool. Check bus routes at school if internet isn’t accessible at home.

Please plan to be at the stop 10 minutes prior to pick up. There is a lot of change at the start of the new school year as new students begin riding the bus and learning to use bus service. Please be patient. WCPSS encourages parents to review bus safety with their children to get the new school year off to a great start.

 

Please Drive Safely

A new 4-way stop sign has been installed at the intersection of Lowden Street and Noble Road. Please take your time when driving around the school and be sure to watch for students, stop at crosswalks and obey all parking rules.

 

Join the PTA and Give to the No Fuss Fundraiser

We invite all families (and friends) to join the Joyner PTA and make a donation to the No Fuss campaign at the same time! The annual No Fuss Fundraiser allows the PTA to retain 100% of the money raised to support all of the PTA programs for your children. Please consider asking your employer if there is a matching donation program where you work. And don’t forget to ask grandparents — they will be THRILLED not to have to buy wrapping paper!

When you join the JY Joyner PTA and make a gift to the annual fundraiser, you are supporting wonderful programs for our students and teachers/staff including arts and science programming, mini-grants and appreciation events for teachers and staff, classroom technology, student clubs and recognition programs, family fun events and so much more!

Being a PTA member at JY Joyner also gives you membership to National PTA and your state PTA. You are eligible for all exclusive PTA member benefits and you know your voice is being heard at all levels. Your total dues payment (including school, state and national) is $5, but we hope you’ll donate whatever amount you can beyond that to support PTA programming at Joyner. Both your dues and your donation are 100% tax deductible. Just make one donation for any amount from $5 to $5,000 (or beyond!) to cover both your PTA membership and your fundraising gift. You can join/give online at https://jyj.memberhub.com/dues or download the paper forms (in English and Spanish) from the Files section of MemberHub. 

 

School Supply Lists and Pre-Orders

School supply lists have been uploaded to MemberHub for any families who didn’t pre-order supplies through the school and wish to purchase their own. If you pre-ordered school supplies through Joyner, your supplies will be delivered to the school and will be in your child’s classroom at Meet the Teacher this Friday. If you aren’t able to make Meet the Teacher, your pre-ordered supplies will be waiting for him or her on the first day of school!

Support Joyner’s Backpack Buddies Program

In North Carolina, 1 in 5 kids under the age of 18 does not have enough to eat, making our state the second highest in the country for child food insecurity. That’s why Joyner participates in a very special program called Backpack Buddies, administered through the Interfaith Food Shuttle, that allows a group of Joyner children in need to take home some basic food each weekend. These students receive breakfast and lunch at school during the week, but often do not have access to nutritious food on the weekends. Providing students with better nutrition means they are better able to focus at school, with improved learning and behavior.

Last year, your generosity provided backpacks to 20 food insecure students — and we need your help to fund 20 students again for the 2017-18 school year. It costs $350 per child to provide with a weekly bag to take home filled with nutritious food throughout the school year.

If you would like to contribute, just click this link — you can donate anonymously if you wish, and it only takes a minute! Alternatively, you can mail your donation to: Ele Roberts 616 Mial Street, Raleigh 27608. Checks can be made out to Interfaith Food Shuttle with “Joyner” on the memo line. Donations are tax deductible. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes directly from Interfaith Food Shuttle. Joyner’s goal is to collect enough to fully fund the program before school starts in three weeks.

For more information, please visit Interfaith Food Shuttle’s website or contact our Joyner volunteers:

 

Fill Out Summer Reading Logs

Students who read 1,000 minutes over the summer (about 20 minutes per weekday) will participate in the Summer Reading celebration after the start of the new school year. Track your summer reading using the logs available in the PTA hub files section of MemberHub in English and Spanish. Logs should be turned in by Sept. 1.

 

Volunteers Welcome for Joyner Programs

Interested in volunteering with the Joyner PTA this year? Complete the online JYJ PTA volunteer form to let us know your interest in PTA volunteer opportunities. By filling out the form, you’re not promising anything long term – but a committee chair will get in touch with you to see what would be of interest to you.
The JY Joyner PTA is especially looking for volunteers to help lead in a few key areas this year:
  • Girls on the Run committee
  • Healthy Choice Marathon chair
  • Science Olympiad co-chair (with Jen Schrage)

Contact Cyndi Soter O’Neil, PTA president, if you are able to help out. We are so grateful for our awesome and supportive Joyner PTA community!

 

Sign Up, Update or Unsubscribe from the Joyner Hub

If you are new to MemberHub, complete this form and we’ll get you into the JYJ Hub: https://jyj.memberhub.com/join/9bpx9e. If you’re already in the JYJ Hub, take a moment to update your info. Once class lists are made available, volunteers will place you (and your children) in the proper classroom and grade level hubs, so be sure to add your children’s information when you join MemberHub.

Did your family graduate from Joyner this year? We hate to see you go, but understand if you no longer need to be in the Joyner Hub or receive the PTA NewsFlash. Scroll to the bottom of this message for a link to change your preferences.

 

Quick Links

Calendar Items

  • Aug. 25: Meet the Teacher (1st through 5th graders) 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 27: JY Joyner Foundation back-to-school kick-off, LBC on Whitaker Mill Rd., 2-4 pm
  • Aug. 28: First day of school!
  • Aug. 28-Sept 1: Kindergarten staggered entry week
  • Sept. 1: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher (in the K hallway) followed by popsicles under the overhang, 12-1:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 4: Holiday
  • Sept. 7: Open House (5:00 session, 5:45 PTA General Meeting, 6:15 session)
  • Sept. 15: Summer reading celebration during school
  • Sept. 21: Teacher workday
  • Sept. 27: Fall picture day
  • Sept. 29: Early release and Teacher Appreciation

 

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.

10 ways to get ready for a great school year!

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Hello Jaguars!

Welcome to all who are returning to our school and those who are here for the first time – we are so glad to have you in the Joyner family!

August 28 will be here before we know it, so I just want to take a moment to introduce myself and welcome you to the 2017-18 school year. In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Cyndi Soter O’Neil and I have the pleasure of serving as your PTA president this year. This will be our family’s sixth year at Joyner – my daughter is starting 4th grade and my son (a proud Joyner grad) is in 7th grade at Carroll. 

We have some new faces this year, including an ever-expanding kindergarten cohort (hello, six classes!) and a terrific interim principal to get us off to a great start (thanks, Mr. Chappell!). But whether this marks your first or your tenth year at the JYJ, please know that you play an important part in making our school a family, and we hope you’ll take advantage of all the ways (small and large) to get involved in school and the PTA.

 

Just in case you would like to mark a few things off your to-do list before school starts, here’s a top 10 list of things you can do from the ease of your computer to streamline the back to school process:

1. Join the PTA and make your No-Fuss fundraiser contribution. At Joyner, we don’t ask kids to sell wrapping paper, candles, cookie dough or coupon books. We simply ask that you make whatever donation you can to help us cover the many wonderful things that the PTA does for our teachers and students. You can join and donate online through this link: https://jyj.memberhub.com/dues. If you prefer a paper membership/ contribution form, download them here (English or Spanish) or check the letters coming from the school next week — just fill out the form and bring it with you to Meet the Teacher or send it in to your child’s teacher.

2. Complete the online JYJ PTA volunteer form to let us know your interest in PTA volunteer opportunities. By filling out the form, you’re not promising anything long term – but a committee chair will get in touch with you to see what would be of interest to you.

3. Sign up in MemberHub and/or update your directory info. If you are new to MemberHub, complete this form and we’ll get you into the JYJ Hub: https://jyj.memberhub.com/join/9bpx9e. If you’re already in the JYJ Hub, take a moment to update your info. Once class lists are made available, volunteers will place you (and your children) in the proper classroom and grade level hubs, so be sure to add your children’s information when you join MemberHub.

4. Follow the JYJ PTA Twitter account – find us @pta_joyner and tag us when you have news to share.

5. Check out the PTA website, complete with a glossary of JYJ terms, list of committee chairs and other helpful info.

6. Buy school supplies (find lists here) and add money to your child’s lunch account here.

7. Make sure you have your calendar marked for back-to-school events, including Meet the Teacher (Aug. 25 drop-in between 8-9:30 for 1st-5th grades, Sept. 1 at noon for kindergarten) and Open House (Sept. 7 starting at 5 p.m.) Check out the school/PTA calendar and link it to your own Google Calendar.

8. Be on the lookout for JYJ swag. Order forms will be available soon to get your Joyner t-shirts, hoodies and more!

9. Read the weekly NewsFlash, delivered to all MemberHub subscribers inbox each Wednesday morning throughout the school year (catch up on past editions here). Be on the lookout for your packet from school (which includes your teacher assignment). Letters are scheduled to be mailed by Aug. 18.

10. Enjoy the final days of summer and get those back-to-school outfits ready!  

 

Cyndi Soter O’Neil 
2017-18 JYJ PTA President

NewsFlash | Kindergarten playdate, school supply delivery and Backpack Buddies donations

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Rising Kindergarten Popsicle Playdate Today!

All rising kindergarten families are invited to enjoy popsicles on the playground this morning, Wednesday, August 9, at 10 a.m. on the main playground behind the school. Please RSVP to courtneycwatkinson@yahoo.com so we can be sure to have enough popsicles!

This is a great way to help your child get familiar with Joyner and make some new friends before school starts. A second playdate will be held on Sunday, August 20, at 3 p.m.

 

Middle/High School and Parent Volunteers Needed

Calling all middle and high schoolers!!! We are looking for help from rising 6th graders and older (including adults!) to help distribute classroom supplies before the first day of school. Come earn some volunteer hours and see your favorite elementary school teachers too! Sign up here.

Please meet in front of JY Joyner at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24. We will be delivering kits to each teacher’s classroom. We would like to get about 20 – 25 volunteers. We estimate it will take about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the number of volunteers.

 

School Supply Lists and Pre-Orders

School supply lists have been uploaded to MemberHub for any families who didn’t pre-order supplies through the school and wish to purchase their own.

If you pre-ordered school supplies through Joyner, your supplies will be delivered to the school and will be in your child’s classroom at Meet the Teacher on Aug. 25. If you aren’t able to make Meet the Teacher, your pre-ordered supplies will be waiting for him or her on the first day of school!

Support Joyner’s Backpack Buddies Program

In North Carolina, 1 in 5 kids under the age of 18 does not have enough to eat, making our state the second highest in the country for child food insecurity.

That’s why Joyner participates in a very special program called Backpack Buddies, administered through the Interfaith Food Shuttle, that allows a group of Joyner children in need to take home some basic food each weekend. These students receive breakfast and lunch at school during the week, but often do not have access to nutritious food on the weekends. Providing students with better nutrition means they are better able to focus at school, with improved learning and behavior.

Last year, your generosity provided backpacks to 20 food insecure students — and we need your help to fund 20 students again for the 2017-18 school year. It costs $350 per child to provide with a weekly bag to take home filled with nutritious food throughout the school year.

If you would like to contribute, just click this link — you can donate anonymously if you wish, and it only takes a minute! Alternatively, you can mail your donation to: Ele Roberts 616 Mial Street, Raleigh 27608. Checks can be made out to Interfaith Food Shuttle with “Joyner” on the memo line. Donations are tax deductible. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes directly from Interfaith Food Shuttle. Joyner’s goal is to collect enough to fully fund the program before school starts in three weeks.

For more information, please visit Interfaith Food Shuttle’s website or contact our Joyner volunteers:

 

Summer Food Programs Available

Organizations across the state are participating in the free summer meals program. Children and teens aged 18 and younger may get healthy, free lunches through August 25. No application or proof of income is needed to receive a meal. To find summer feeding sites, check out the Summer Nutrition Programs Site Locator Map, text FOODNC to 877-877, or call 1-866-3HUNGRY for English or 1-866-3HAMBRE for Spanish. On social media, families can follow #NCSummerMeals for updates.

 

Fill Out Summer Reading Logs

Students who read 1,000 minutes over the summer (about 20 minutes per weekday) will participate in the Summer Reading celebration after the start of the new school year. Track your summer reading using the logs available in the PTA hub files section of MemberHub in English and Spanish. Logs should be turned in by Sept. 1.

 

Volunteers Needed for Joyner Programs

The JY Joyner PTA is looking for volunteers to help lead in a few key areas this year:
  • Girls on the Run committee
  • Spelling Bee chair
  • Healthy Choice Marathon chair
  • Science Olympiad co-chair (with Jen Schrage)
  • Study Buddies co-chair (with Kate Parke)

Contact Cyndi Soter O’Neil, PTA president, if you are able to help out. We are so grateful for our awesome and supportive Joyner PTA community!

 

Unsubscribe from the Joyner Hub

Did your family graduate from Joyner this year? We hate to see you go, but understand if you no longer need to be in the Joyner Hub or receive the PTA NewsFlash. Scroll to the bottom of this message for a link to change your preferences. 

 

Quick Links

Calendar Items

  • Aug. 9: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 20: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 3 p.m.
  • Aug. 25: Meet the Teacher, 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 28: First day of school!
  • Aug. 28-Sept 1: Kindergarten staggered entry week
  • Sept. 1: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher (in the K hallway) followed by popsicles under the overhang, 12-1:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 4: Holiday
  • Sept. 7: Open House (5:00 session, 5:45 PTA General Meeting, 6:15 session)
  • Sept. 15: Summer reading celebration during school
  • Sept. 21: Teacher workday
  • Sept. 29: Early release
  • Oct. 13: Joyner Jamboree

 

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.

NewsFlash | State budget recap, summer food programs available

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Summer To-Do List

  • Water the pollinator garden. Sign up is available on MemberHub.
  • Track your summer reading using the logs available in the PTA hub files section of MemberHub in English and Spanish. 
  • Join us for library meet-ups on Aug. 8 — see details at the end of this message. 

NC Budget Recap

The NC Legislature passed the state budget in early July. Click here for a recap of the education policy and funding changes.

 

Public Comment Period for Every Student Succeeds Act Draft State Plan Ends July 27

Educators, parents, students and other stakeholders of North Carolina’s public schools are invited to comment on the draft North Carolina Consolidated State Plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA State Plan). The public review and comment period opened on June 26 with the posting of the latest draft. While earlier drafts of the plan included policies on early learning (birth through third grade), that language has been eliminated in the current draft.

As required by federal law, the state’s ESSA plan must be open to public review and comment for 30 days. NCDPI will submit the draft plan to Gov. Roy Cooper’s office for review after the comment period ends on July 27. The governor has 30 days to review and sign the plan before NCDPI submits it to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Education by Sept. 18. Additional information and earlier draft plans are posted online.

Written comments may be submitted via email to Lou Fabrizio, NCDPI’s director of federal policy, or to Donna Brown, director of the department’s Federal Program Monitoring and Support Division. Comments also may be mailed to: Lou Fabrizio, Director of Federal Policy, NCDPI, 6367 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6300.

“Meet Up to Eat Up!” Summer Food Programs Available

More than 60 percent of North Carolina children are eligible for free or reduced price school meals and almost a quarter are food insecure. When school is out and students no longer have the benefit of the school breakfast and/or school lunch program, some may not have enough food to eat.

The Summer Nutrition Program invites students to “Meet Up to Eat Up!” Organizations across the state are participating in this free summer meals program. Children and teens aged 18 and younger may get healthy, free lunches through August 25. No application or proof of income is needed to receive a meal.

To find summer feeding sites, check out the Summer Nutrition Programs Site Locator Map, text FOODNC to 877-877, or call 1-866-3HUNGRY for English or 1-866-3HAMBRE for Spanish. On social media, families can follow #NCSummerMeals for updates.

Citizens and organizations interested in more information about getting involved as a site, activity provider or volunteer should contact NCDPI Summer Nutrition Programs Manager Cynthia Ervin.

 

School Supply Order

If you pre-ordered school supplies through Joyner, your supplies will be delivered to the school. You can pick them up at Meet the Teacher on Aug. 25 and take them directly to your child’s classroom. If you aren’t able to make Meet the Teacher, your pre-ordered supplies will be delivered to your child’s classroom and should be waiting for him or her on the first day of school!

 

Unsubscribe from the Joyner Hub

Did your family graduate from Joyner this year? We hate to see you go, but understand if you no longer need to be in the Joyner Hub or receive the PTA NewsFlash. If this is the case, just reply to this message with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line and we’ll take care of it.

 

Quick Links

Calendar Items

  • Aug. 8: JYJ library meet-up at Leesville Community Library, 5:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 9: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 20: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 3 p.m.
  • Aug. 25: Meet the Teacher, 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 28: First day of school!
  • Aug. 28-Sept 1: Kindergarten staggered entry week
  • Sept. 1: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher and popsicles
  • Sept. 4: Holiday
  • Sept. 7: Open House (5:00 session, 5:45 PTA General Meeting, 6:15 session)
  • Sept. 15: Summer reading celebration during school
  • Sept. 21: Teacher workday
  • Sept. 29: Early release
  • Oct. 13: Joyner Jamboree

 

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.

NewsFlash | Interim principal, summer programs

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Interim principal named for Joyner

Michael Chappell has been named interim principal for Joyner while WCPSS completes the process to find a permanent person to lead the school. Chappell has worked in WCPSS since 1982, retiring from the principalship of Jones Dairy Elementary in 2011. Since then, he has served as interim principal at several WCPSS schools, most recently at Wakefield Middle. The PTA welcomes Mr. Chappell and appreciates the care WCPSS is taking to find just the right principal for Joyner!

 

Summer to-do list

  • Water the pollinator garden. Sign up is available on MemberHub.
  • Track your summer reading using the logs available in the PTA hub files section of MemberHub in English and Spanish. Join us for library meet-ups on July 11 (NEXT TUESDAY!) and Aug. 8 — see details at the end of this message. 

 

Summer food programs available

More than 60 percent of North Carolina children are eligible for free or reduced price school meals and almost a quarter are food insecure. When school is out and they no longer have the benefit of the school breakfast and/or school lunch program, they may not have enough food to eat.

Fortunately, organizations across the state are participating in the Free Summer Meals program. Children and teens aged 18 and younger may get healthy, free lunches through August 25. No application or proof of income is needed to receive a meal.

To find summer feeding sites, text FOODNC to 877-877 or call 1-866-3HUNGRY.

 

Unsubscribe from the Joyner Hub

Did your family graduate from Joyner this year? We hate to see you go, but understand if you no longer need to be in the Joyner Hub or receive the PTA NewsFlash. If this is the case, just reply to this message with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line and we’ll take care of it.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • July 11: JYJ library meet-up at North Regional Library, 5:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 8: JYJ library meet-up at Leesville Community Library, 5:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 9: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 20: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 3 p.m.
  • Aug. 25: Meet the Teacher, 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 28: First day of school!
  • Sept. 1: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher and popsicles
  • Sept. 4: Holiday
  • Sept. 7: Open House (5:00 session, 5:45 PTA General Meeting, 6:15 session)
  • Sept. 15: Summer reading celebration during school
  • Sept. 21: Teacher workday
  • Sept. 29: Early release
  • Oct. 13: Joyner Jamboree

 

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.