JY Joyner PTA

NewsFlash | Everyone take a deep breath (and come hug Mr. Charles this morning)

Posted on June 7, 2017June 10, 2017 by Cyndi O'Neil

Don’t forget to visit with Mr. Charles this morning! He’ll be out front to say goodbye for the summer. Many thanks to all who contributed cards and donations to his get-well wishes!

Congratulations to Mrs. Hutchinson

Last night, the Wake County Board of Education named our own Mrs. Hutchinson to lead Centennial Campus Middle School starting in July. We wish her all the best and thank her for her leadership at Joyner over the past six years! WCPSS will be working with the PTA to set up a parent input session regarding the hiring of a new principal — we’ll share details as soon as we have them.

Check school supply ordering off your list

Quick, before you forget — go to https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/ and use ID code joy014 to order school supplies for next fall. Order by June 15 to get the discounted price. If you’re able to order an extra pack, just put “donation” in the name fields and the PTA will make sure it goes to a Joyner student in need. All supply orders must be placed in advance — no supply packs will be sold at school this fall. Pre-ordered supply packs will be delivered to the school and waiting for you at the beginning of the school year.

Spring fundraiser leads to special purchases

The 2017 Joyner 5K Run/Walk and Classroom Challenge raised $30,000 through generous sponsorships and donations from community members, parents, grandparents and students. Our 5K fundraising theme this year was “Super Specials” and focused on enhancing our Spanish, PE, art and technology programs. We are pleased to share those improvements:

Technology: Wonder Workshop Dash and Dot robotics kits (real robots that make computer science education fun and effective in teaching kids to code and create music); Lego Story Pack (early learning focused on creating tech animation programs); and soundboard, mixer and broadcast equipment to upgrade the student-run JYJ News.
PE: Sets of lacrosse equipment to introduce students to the sport.
Spanish: Materials and manipulatives to improve language learning with a focus on technology and visual aids.
Art: Large drying racks for student art and clay materials

Thank you to the entire school community for your support!

Sign up to water the JYJ garden

The pollinator garden is exploding and we need your help keeping it that way over the summer. We are looking for families to help with watering the garden each week. No set days or time, just pick a week and use your judgement on how often you need to come. Sign up is available on MemberHub.

Join us at the library this summer

All JYJ students are invited to participate in the Summer Reading Challenge by reading a total of 1,000 minutes over the summer. Those who track and turn in their minutes after school starts back in the fall will take part in the Summer Reading Celebration in September. Details and reading logs are available in the PTA hub files section of MemberHub in English and Spanish. Make plans to join us at library meet-ups each month — see the dates and locations listed at the end of this message. Contact Kristin Wolverton at kmwolverton70@gmail.com or Crystal Jordan at crystalsjordan11@gmail.com with questions.

Thanks for the magic (markers)!

Parent volunteer Rebecca Bloom extends a HUGE thank you to the community for sending in markers and to Mr. Fotta and Ms. Johnson who kept collection bins in their rooms this year. Last weekend, she shipped 5,614 markers to Crayola for recycling! Many thanks to all who supported this program to help protect the environment for our children.

Help change Kiwanis Park

In case you’re planning ahead…

TEK Clubs will return to JYJ this fall for six sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:45 p.m. The clubs will run from Oct. 25 through Dec. 6 (skipping the week of Thanksgiving). More TEK Club details will be sent home at the start of the new school year. Feel free to reach out to Duval Fisher with any questions at duval@tailoredenrichmentkids.com).

Calendar items

June 7: Step up day
June 8: 5th grade graduation
June 9: annual 5th grade vs. faculty kickball game (last day of school)
June 19: Wake Board of Commissioners to vote on county budget, 2 p.m. at the Justice Center (300 S. Salisbury St.). To speak, sign-up 30 minutes before meeting.
June 20: JYJ library meet-up at Cameron Village Library, 5:30 p.m.
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. 28: First day of school!

The NewsFlash is produced (almost) every week by the Joyner PTA communications team. 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 | School supplies, Mr. Charles and Wake County budget hearings

Posted on May 31, 2017June 10, 2017 by Cyndi O'Neil

Great news from Mr. Fotta and his wife — they’re heading to China this Friday to bring home their daughter, Harper Kay Fotta. Join their “Fottas Travel Journey to China” Facebook group if you’d like to follow along.

Check school supply ordering off your list

Take advantage of school supply pre-ordering now and save yourself some time in August! Just go to https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/ and use ID code joy014. Order by June 15 to get the discounted price. If you’re able to order an extra pack, just put “donation” in the name fields and the PTA will make sure it goes to a Joyner student in need. All supply orders must be placed in advance — no supply packs will be sold at school this fall. Pre-ordered supply packs will be delivered to the school and waiting for you at the beginning of the school year.

Get-well wishes for Mr. Charles

Joyner’s sweet and wonderful crossing guard Mr. Charles took a fall and has been in the hospital, but should be heading home. He’s hoping to come by on Thursday morning with his wife to say hello and wish the kids a great summer. If you’d like to contribute toward the collection for dinners and take-out gift cards, please see Ameshia Turlington (aturlington@att.net) or Ashley Jones (ashleytjones@gmail.com) this week. Ameshia will also be in the school lobby THIS MORNING to collect donations or any cards from the kids for Mr. Charles, or you can catch Ashley at walker pick-up.

Gear up for summer reading

Looking for something educational to keep your child busy this summer? Look no further than Joyner’s Summer Reading Challenge! All JYJ students are invited to participate in this challenge by reading a total of 1,000 minutes over the summer. Those who track and turn in their minutes by Friday, Sept. 8, will take part in the Summer Reading Celebration later that month. Look for a reading log to come home with your child before the end of school — extra logs will be available on Memberhub.

Attend county budget hearing to voice support for schools

Did you know that…

Magnet Schools of America placed 27 WCPSS schools — including Joyner — among the best in the nation for 2016
Each WCPSS graduating class adds more than $86 million to local property values
Every dollar spent and retained in Wake County by the WCPSS operating budget generates $1.76 in our community and every dollar invested in the WCPSS capital budget generates $2.23
WCPSS relies on funding from Wake County Board of Commissioners for nearly 30 percent of its annual budget

WCPSS has requested an additional $45 million from Wake County for 2017-18 — read this overview explaining the need for funds and the pressures facing the district. County commissioners need to hear from parents about why these budget items matter for students and families. Here’s how you can make your voice heard:

Attend a public hearing on June 5 — sign up 30 minutes before meeting starts to get 3 minutes to speak. Hearings will be held at the Justice Center (300 S. Salisbury St.) at 2 p.m. and at 4011 Carya Dr. (off Poole Rd.) at 7 p.m. Wear red if you’d like to show your support for public ed.
Attend the Commissioners’ voting meeting on June 19 at 2 p.m. at the Justice Center (300 S. Salisbury St.). To speak, sign-up 30 minutes before meeting.
Tweet at the Wake County Commissioners: @sighutchinson @Matt_Calabria @JessicaHolmesNC @ervportman4wake @GregFordNC @Burns4Wake
Call or email the Wake County Commissioners: Click for contact information

Help fund the Kiwanis Park make-over

Interested in learning more about The City of Raleigh Parks & Rec department and the Kiwanis organization effort to rebuild Kiwanis Park? Click here for details. Joyner parent Jen Schrage is partnering with Kiwanis to help raise additional needed funds. Check out the June 4th Food Truck Rodeo and the crowdfunding site for ways you can contribute. If you know of a business that might be interested in sponsorship opportunities for the Food Truck Rodeo or through signage at the park, please contact Jen at theschragefamily@yahoo.com.

Calendar items

May 26-June 6: End-of-Grade testing (exact dates vary by grade level)
June 7: Step up day
June 8: 5th grade graduation
June 9: annual 5th grade vs. faculty kickball game (last day of school)
Aug. 9: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 10 a.m.
Aug. 20: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 3 p.m.

NewsFlash | Pre-order school supplies, support new Kiwanis Park, register for camps

Posted on May 24, 2017June 10, 2017 by Cyndi O'Neil

Bring in any dried up markers to school this morning for the final pick-up of the year for the Crayola Colorcycle Program. Drop them off in the colorful bin in Mr. Fotta’s room!

Order supplies now, be ready in August

While it may feel strange to think about next school year when you’re still in the craziness of the current year, we’ve got one item you can go ahead and check off your list for the fall: school supplies.

Just go to https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/ and use ID code joy014. Order by June 15 to get the discounted price. If you’re able to order an extra pack, just put “donation” in the name fields and the PTA will make sure it goes to a Joyner student in need. All supply orders must be placed in advance — no supply packs will be sold at school this fall. Pre-ordered supply packs will be delivered to the school and waiting for you at the beginning of the school year. [Note: If you’d rather shop for your own supplies, teacher lists will be available. But ordering them this way is waaaaaayyyy easier.]

Kiwanis Park make-over needs your support

If you volunteered at Field Day last week and thought that Kiwanis Park could really use some help, you’re in luck! The City of Raleigh Parks & Rec department and the Kiwanis organization are teaming up to rebuild Kiwanis Park — the park belongs to the city, but is a huge benefit to Joyner. Park & Rec have committed $1 million to cover the new fully staffed community center, new picnic shelter and new bathrooms — click here for details. That leaves an additional $400,000 needed to provide a new playground, basketball court, dog park, pickle ball court (yes, that’s actually a thing) and a greenway connection. Kiwanis Foundation has committed to match community donations up to $250,000 to help make this happen!

Joyner parent Jen Schrage is partnering with Kiwanis to help raise the additional needed funds. Check out the June 4th Food Truck Rodeo and the crowdfunding site for ways you can contribute. If you know of a business that might be interested in sponsorship opportunities for the Food Truck Rodeo or through signage at the park, please contact Jen at theschragefamily@yahoo.com.

Summer camps filling up

Don’t forget to register your kids for Spanish camp with Sra. Bell, kindergarten readiness camp with Ms. Johnson and Ms. Forbes, or PE/art/expedition camp with Mr. Poyer, Mr. Fotta and Ms. Orr. Just a heads up — the PE camp session for K-2 students is already full for the week of Aug. 7.

County, school district differ on budget approach

Are you keeping up with all the latest budget information? Read the WCPSS response to the county’s proposed budget. If you’d like to advocate for or against items in the budget, make plans to attend the public hearing on the budget on June 5 at 7 p.m. at the Commons Building (4011 Carya Dr., Raleigh).

Calendar items

May 26-June 6: End-of-Grade testing (exact dates vary by grade level)
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)
Aug. 9: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 10 a.m.
Aug. 20: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 3 p.m.

NewsFlash | Only three more Wednesdays…

Posted on May 17, 2017June 10, 2017 by Cyndi O'Neil

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month to raise awareness about communication disorders — learn more from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

So much fun this Friday!

There’s no shortage of good times scheduled for this Friday:

JYJ volunteer appreciation breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m. in the media center.
Field Day runs from 9:15-11:15 for K-2 and 11:30-1:30 for 3-5. Mr. Poyer is all set on juice boxes, but still needs cookies for the kids and water bottles for parent volunteers — please bring what you can before Friday! Remember to cover your kids in sunscreen before they come to school on Friday and pack a change of clothes.
EOG pep rally will start at 2:00 to get our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders excited about showing off what they’ve learned this year.

Complete parent survey this week

Please complete this anonymous survey so we can assess our improvement and continue to adjust going forward as part of the PTA School of Excellence program — it’s quick and easy, but we need your replies by the end of the week!

We used your feedback earlier this year 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. Here’s the full link in case you need to copy and paste into your browser: https://goo.gl/forms/SqPIgZ46abbs0GU43.

Study Buddies meeting next Tuesday

Calling all Study Buddies! Please meet in the media center on May 23 at 8 a.m. to discuss how the first year of our new mentoring program has gone. Thank you for all your hard work and commitment to our JYJ students. Committee Chair Kate Parke would love your feedback in regards to what went well and what we could change up next fall. Teachers, please feel free to email your input to kparke24@gmail.com.

Clear out those old markers

Take a few minutes to sort through your art supplies at home and bring any dried up markers to school for the Crayola Colorcycle Program. Drop them off in the colorful bin in Mr. Fotta’s room by next Wednesday and parent volunteer Rebecca Blum will pick them up!

PTA officers, chairs for 2017-18

Many thanks to all who have helped make the PTA and its programs possible this year — and an extra thank you to all who have already signed up to help for next school year. Check out the slate of officers and committee chairs lined up for 2017-18.

We still need co-chairs for the Joyner Jamboree — now’s your chance to step up and claim the glory (and bask in it all year after completing your job in October)!

County and state budgets impact education

If you love budget wrangling, then this is your favorite time of year!

Wake County has released its proposed budget, which includes a response to WCPSS’ request for local funding for education — read more from The N&O. 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 NC Senate has released its proposed budget — read this article from EdNC about education spending in the Senate budget. The budget now goes to the House, which will propose it’s own plan. For a detailed breakdown of the budget proposal, please see the NC Department of Public Instruction’s line item analysis: Senate Budget Summary and its Comparison of the 2016-17 Proposed Budgets.

Quick links

Calendar items

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)
Aug. 9: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 10 a.m.
Aug. 20: Rising kindergarten popsicle playdate, Joyner playground, 3 p.m.

NewsFlash | Parent survey, kindergarten camps, Box Tops and more

Posted on May 10, 2017June 10, 2017 by Cyndi O'Neil

Today is National Bike to School Day! Bonus points to you and your child if you’re heading to Joyner on two wheels this morning. Be sure to talk about safety with your kids — check out the videos and discussion guides for ages 5-18 at Bicycle Safer Journey.

Share your opinion, improve the PTA

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.)

Kindergarten camps new this summer

To help students prepare for kindergarten, Joyner teachers Ms. Forbes and Ms. Johnson are offering fun half-day kindergarten readiness camps at Hayes Barton Baptist Church this summer. The camps will run from 9 a.m. to noon for the weeks of June 26, July 24, July 31 and Aug. 7 and are open to all rising kindergartners (not just Joyner students) for $150/week. Through games, crafts and hands-on activities, the camps will focus on the physical, intellectual, emotional and social child to prepare for the awesomeness that is kindergarten. See MemberHub files to download the camp flyer and registration form.

Bring your Box Tops tomorrow

This week is the final Box Top collection for the school year — another way small actions can add up to support for the Joyner PTA. Send in your trimmed Box Tops to your child’s teacher through May 11 (Thursday). Winning class gets a pizza party!

Art treasures are back

Original Works orders and artwork went home last Thursday, May 4. If you have any questions or anything is wrong with your order, please email mlswindel@aol.com by THIS Friday.

Celebrating with froyo

During the Classroom Challenge as part of February’s Healthy Choice Marathon, classes competed to see who could bring in the most money for the JYJ PTA. Last week the winning classes enjoyed their prize: a frozen yogurt truck visit just for them. JAM Soft Serve came to Joyner on Friday to serve those students frozen yogurt and shaved ice next to the new outdoor classroom. Sra. Gorley’s Spanish class even came out to serenade the winners with Spanish songs! Congratulations again to our winning classes: Mrs. Johnson (K), Ms. Wilson (1st), Mr. Jepsen (2nd), Mrs. Millsaps (3rd), Mr. Zimmerman(4th) and Mrs. Lewis (5th)!

Understanding the school district budget

If you’re interested in learning more about the proposed WCPSS 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.

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.

Quick links

Calendar items

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)

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

Posted on May 3, 2017June 10, 2017 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:

Phenomenal Dumplings: http://www.phonomenaldumplings.com/
Pie Pushers Pizza: http://piepushers.com/
Humble Pig: http://www.thehumblepig.com/index.html
El Rey del Taco: https://www.elreydeltaconc.com/
American Meltdown: http://www.americanmeltdown.org/
Loco Pops: http://www.ilovelocopops.com/
Buzzy Bakes: https://www.buzzybakes.com/

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

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.

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)

NewsFlash | Gala tomorrow, food trucks next week and a pollinator garden for JYJ

Posted on April 26, 2017June 10, 2017 by Cyndi O'Neil

Frenzy! Nonsense! What could be better?

The annual Joyner Night of Nonsense & Food Truck Frenzy is coming up on Thursday, May 4 (can you believe that’s next week?)! 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! Check out some of the skits from last year on the JYJ You Tube channel.

Parking is limited, so please walk if you can — and bring your family and friends along. Dinner seating will be available in the cafeteria, but feel free to bring a picnic blanket if you’d like to eat outside. Be sure to RSVP on the Facebook event page so we can recruit more food trucks — here’s who we have so far:

Pollinator garden awarded to JYJ

On Tuesday, the Joyner PTA received a $500 grant from The City of Raleigh at the environmental service awards ceremony for the establishment of a pollinator garden. Joyner partnered with Wildwood Forest Elementary in this initiative. Julie Dalton and Elizabeth Harris were present to accept the grant on behalf of the Joyner PTA. At Joyner, the existing garden space will be modified to include native pollinator plants. Teachers can use these outdoor classrooms for experiential science opportunities to introduce students to the dynamic connections of the natural world. Through the grant, the two schools hope to help pollinator species and the environment in a fun and educational way. Thanks to Julie and Elizabeth for bringing this exciting opportunity to our students!

Give when you shop

Joyner PTA now has an Amazon Smile account, so you can help out the PTA every time you shop online! Just use this link when you’re shopping at Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-1691112. And while you’re at it, get those Box Tops ready — classroom collection coming the week of May 8 with a pizza party prize for the class that collects the most!

Foundation gala tomorrow night

The Simply Southern Gala, which raises funds for the JYJ Foundation, is a night of celebration and school spirit filled with music, friends, food and drink. Buy your tickets for the gala online at https://joyner.auction-bid.org/ — click the link for “Register and Buy Tickets” to see all ticket packages.The adult-only event will be held April 27 at the Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh. Even if you can’t attend the gala, you can still bid on silent auction items before and during the event — go to https://joyner.auction-bid.org/microsite/registration for details.

NC General Assembly crafts compromise

On Monday night, the Senate education committee offered an amendment to House Bill 13, granting a one-year reprieve for districts concerned about not being able to fund art, music, drama, and physical education teachers. For more information, read the article from EdNC at https://www.ednc.org/2017/04/25/senate-committee-proposes-temporary-class-size-compromise/. Thanks to all who contacted your legislators to advocate for House Bill 13.

Bags needed for Backpack Buddies

Our Backpack Buddies team is in need of plastic grocery bags to pack food for weekend bags. Parents can give bags to Ms. Burston or drop them off in the main office. Thank you! And thanks to the many volunteers who quietly make this critically important program happen throughout the school year!

Produce Box offers healthy way to thank your teachers

The Wake County PTA Council is sharing a special opportunity to say thank you to our teachers through a partnership with the Produce Box during Teacher Appreciation Week. Produce Box subscribers can order a Hero Box along with their regular box, and subscribers and non-subscribers can order here: http://www.theproducebox.com/celebrate-teacher-appreciation-week.

Quick links

Joyner PTA website
Joyner glossary of terms
J.Y. Joyner Foundation website
Mrs. Hutchinson’s blog
WCPSS email alerts and newsletters
Lunch menus
My School Bucks (lunch money app)
WCPSS Online School Payments (for field trips)
Mr. Fotta’s adoption site
Triple P (Positive Parenting Program)
Summer camps:
- Kindergarten readiness camp with Ms. Forbes and Ms. Johnson
- Spanish camp with Ms. Bell
- PE/Art/Expedition camps with Mr. Poyer, Mr. Fotta and Ms. Orr
- Please note that Ms. Pelletier’s camps will not be offered this summer as she is transferring to a year-round school. She apologizes for any inconvenience this recent change may cause and will be refunding any submitted registration fees soon.

Calendar items

April 27: JY Joyner Foundation gala
May 4: Food Truck Frenzy and Night of Nonsense
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)

NewsFlash | Foundation gala, Night of Nonsense/Food Truck Frenzy + update on class size reductions

Posted on April 19, 2017April 19, 2017 by Cyndi O'Neil

Welcome back from break! No Heritage Parade today, but please remember to bring in your family’s quilt square for Ms. Orr.

Joyner teachers offer summer camps

Still looking for great options for summer camps for your kids? Check out the offerings from some of our Joyner teachers available this summer:

Foundation gala next week

The Simply Southern Gala, which raises funds for the JYJ Foundation, is a night of celebration and school spirit filled with music, friends, food and drink. Buy your tickets for the gala online at https://joyner.auction-bid.org/ — click the link for “Register and Buy Tickets” to see all ticket packages.The adult-only event will be held April 27 at the Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh. Come socialize with Joyner parents and friends of JYJ to raise money to help fund teaching positions at our school.

Prepare to be fed and entertained!

The annual Joyner Night of Nonsense & Food Truck Frenzy is coming up on 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! Check out some of the skits from last year on the JYJ You Tube channel.

Produce Box offers healthy way to thank your teachers

The Wake County PTA Council is sharing a special opportunity to say thank you to our teachers through a partnership with the Produce Box during Teacher Appreciation Week. Here are the options:

Order a HARVEST BOX OF FRUITS & VEGGIES ($25 value) – A curated box full of fruits and veggies will be hand-delivered directly to your teacher’s school during Teacher Appreciation Week with your name and your teacher’s name on it. You can also not specify a name and ask for it to go the break room for teachers to share or help themselves.
Purchase a $30 or $60 GIFT CERTIFICATE – This option allows the recipient to choose their OWN BOX from our weekly menu full of delicious items. The certificate will be e-mailed to you within 48 hours so you can forward the e-mail to your teacher or print and deliver it! Your teacher can choose a delicious Box full of fresh fruits & veggies or they can build their own Market Box full of local goodies. Their personally selected order will be hand-delivered to their home or school (their choice) with a smile!
Produce Box subscribers can order a Hero Box along with their regular box, and subscribers and non-subscribers can order here: http://www.theproducebox.com/celebrate-teacher-appreciation-week

WCPSS considers its class size reduction options

As the question about class size requirements in grades K-3 lingers, the Wake County Public School System is preparing to add about 460 new elementary classroom teaching positions. How the school system reaches that number is possible through several different scenarios, according to WCPSS Superintendent James Merrill. The superintendent presented multiple options to restructure the school system to utilize existing staff who are licensed to teach in elementary classrooms. For more details on this issue from WakeEd Partnership, click here to read the full WakeEdge article. A related report released Monday by the N.C. Justice Center’s Education & Law Project suggests it could cost the state’s school districts more than $188 million to comply with the class size mandates.

Parent voices needed to inform NC policies and practices

Tracy Zimmerman, executive director of the NC Early Childhood Foundation (and wife of a certain 4th grade teacher), recently wrote a blog post for EdNC about the importance of tackling a serious challenge facing North Carolina: the overwhelming majority of our children are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade. Because reading well in the early grades predicts a child’s academic and career success, it’s critical that our state adopt policies and practices that are both based in research and informed by the people who know the most about what children need – their parents and caregivers. Click here to read the blog post, then contribute your voice in the survey at the bottom of the post. Click here for a second survey about nutrition, education and early childhood development.

Calendar items

April 20: PTA general membership meeting and 2nd grade/3rd grade/choir concert, 6:30 p.m.
April 22: JYJ Gold Choir at the Carolina Mudcats
April 27: JY Joyner Foundation gala
May 4: Food Truck Frenzy and Night of Nonsense
May 10: Kindergarten orientation, 8:35 a.m.
May 26-June 6: End-of-Grade testing
June 7: Step up day
June 8: 5th grade graduation
June 9: annual 5th grade vs. faculty kickball game (last day of school)

NewsFlash | Get ready for kindergarten and the Heritage Parade

Posted on April 12, 2017April 19, 2017 by Cyndi O'Neil

Hope everyone is enjoying spring break! Get lots of rest and read some good books if you can so you come back ready to learn next week.

Kindergarten registration and readiness camps open now

Have friends and neighbors zoned to attend Joyner next year? Remind them to register their rising kindergartners now so that our school leaders can plan for the fall! Rising kindergarten orientation will be held at Joyner on May 10.

Support for Joyner family

Many of you may already know that the Joyner family recently suffered a tremendous loss when parent Lucette Tshiyonga — mother of Mael (6th grade) and Karla (4th grade) — passed away. If you are interested in supporting the family through this difficult time, please visit their Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/3af7z68. The Joyner PTA is grateful for all that Lucette did as a parent volunteer and we hold her family in our hearts.

Quilting squares and the Heritage Parade next week

Over the break, don’t forget to work with your child on your family’s quilting square. You should have received a small felt square with a pink letter from Ms. Orr last week. Please bring these back to school after spring break, and volunteers will sew them together into a large unity quilt.

As members of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) community, Joyner would like to honor our diverse heritage with a parade at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19. Any members of our school community who wish to dress in traditional clothing and participate in a celebration of our cultural backgrounds are welcome to gather in the media center at 8:30. Following the parade, we’ll host a “quilting bee” to create a Joyner Unity Quilt. Please contact dorr@wcpss.net to sign up for the Heritage Parade or to volunteer your time and sewing skills on April 19.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

All children deserve a great childhood, both for themselves and for the future success of our society. When children grow up in safe, stable, nurturing homes and communities they are more likely to become healthy, productive adults. Adverse childhood experiences, like child abuse and neglect, rob us all of a successful future. These experiences cause toxic stress that damages children’s developing brain architecture, resulting in poor school and workplace performance, increased risk of addictions and criminal behavior, and long-term physical and mental health problems.

We all have a role in helping children grow up in safe, stable, nurturing homes and communities. Take a moment during April to learn more from Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina about ways you can improve the lives of children today in order to create a more prosperous and productive North Carolina tomorrow. You can also take PCANC’s free 2-hour Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment online course designed for professionals and volunteers working with children and families and any NC citizen concerned with child well-being.

Calendar items

April 19: Heritage Parade at 8:45 a.m. (contact dorr@wcpss.net to sign up for the parade or to volunteer your time and sewing skills
April 20: PTA general membership meeting and 2nd grade/3rd grade/choir concert, 6:30 p.m.
April 22: JYJ Gold Choir at the Carolina Mudcats
April 27: JY Joyner Foundation gala
May 4: Food Truck Frenzy and Night of Nonsense
May 10: Kindergarten orientation, 8:35 a.m.

NewsFlash | Artwork orders today, class pictures tomorrow + state-level education news

Posted on April 5, 2017April 19, 2017 by Cyndi O'Neil

Original Works orders due today

Today is the last day to order personalized gifts with your child’s artwork! Check your child’s backpack or Wednesday folder for artwork and ordering instructions for this year’s Original Works school fundraiser. Completed forms should be turned into your child’s teacher no later than TODAY, Wednesday, April 5. Contact Meredith Swindell at mlswindel@aol.com with questions.

Class and individual pictures tomorrow

Lifetouch will be back tomorrow to take individual spring photos (for those who want them) and class pictures. If you’re feeling adventurous, let your child decide what to wear — at least it will be memorable that way. If you want to pay online, go to www.mylifetouch.com and use the following codes: BW106290Q0 for individual photos and BW036165G0 for class photos. Or just send in a check with the order forms that came home in Wednesday folders.

Upgrades coming to JYJ garden

A few fantastic Joyner parents have been working hard to get the old garden (outside the main office beside the gym) into shape. We hope you’ll take a look and see how it has changed so far — or just ask your kids! If you’re interested in volunteering, help is always welcome — contact Julie Dalton (Julie.e.dalton@gmail.com) or Elizabeth Harris (lizaharris21@gmail.com). Even if you don’t have a green thumb, we’d love your help with watering

They are in need of a few things that can be dropped off at the garden area:

Plant food
Bird bath
Bags of soil
If you have any native plants in need of dividing or that you want to get rid of, contact Elizabeth at lizaharris21@gmail.com

Sign up for text messages from WCPSS

You may have already take care of this, but here’s your reminder just in case. WCPSS is offering text messaging and email for the School Messenger Notification System, including principal messages, school closings, early dismissals, attendance, special activities and school emergencies. To opt-in for text messages, text YES to 67587. If you’d like to customize the type of communications you’d like to receive on your phone or email, visit https://infocenter.schoolmessenger.com/ and create an account. Please note that changes made to the school account will not affect messages you receive from the PTA, the Foundation or the school through MemberHub.

State Board considers new language, math standards

State Board of Education members will vote this month on revisions to the English Language Arts Standards. The revised standards will govern what students are expected to learn and be able to do in English language arts in each grade, K-12. The latest revisions were made after gathering feedback from local school districts, from the Academic Standards Review Commission and from the public. Revisions include an expanded description of the complete writing process, more focus in some grades on grammar and usage conventions, new handwriting standards in grade 2 to focus on cursive writing, and increased focus on reading persistence and the ability to connect prior knowledge and experiences to informational (non-fiction) text.
The state has developed a survey to seek public input on the second draft of the state’s revised K-8 Mathematics Standards. The second draft takes into account local school district feedback. You may review the draft standards online prior to completing the survey. The survey deadline is 5 p.m. on April 20.

NC General Assembly considers school-related bills

Reach out to your legislators if you’d like to voice support for or against any of the following bills making their way through the General Assembly. Not sure who to contact? Visit the NCGA website and enter your address.

HB 458 School Annual Report Card:

On the School Performance Grades law, this bill would change the current 80:20 (achievement:student growth) formula to having two separate grades entirely: one school grade for achievement and another school grade for growth.
It would also prescribe the State Board of Education’s state accountability plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) by requiring SBE to use:
- the school achievement score and
- specific school performance indicators (e.g., promotion rates from 3rd to 4th grade and from 8th to 9th grade, science test scores, high school graduation rates, and English language proficiency assessments).
Passed the House on Thursday; goes to the Senate.

School Calendar Flexibility

HB 389 would set up a 20-school system 3-year pilot program allowing calendar flexibility for opening dates on the Monday closest to August 10 and closing dates on the Friday closest to June 11.
HB 375 would permit an opening date of August 15 to align the date with the opening date of the community college serving that city or county.
Read more about flexibility around school calendars from The N&O.

Class Size Allotment Concerns

HB 13 — which would give districts flexibility in meeting class size requirements so as not to impact music, art, PE and technology teachers — has been sitting in the Senate Rules Committee since February 20.
Senators appear to be crafting their own Senate solution. Please reach out to them to encourage action on this matter to protect our music, art, PE and technology classes at Joyner — read the full position statement from Wake PTA Council. Find more details in last week’s NewsFlash.
Read more about the debate around flexibility for reducing class size from The N&O.
Learn more from last weekend’s Education Matters broadcast about how the state funds public schools.

Limited 5K t-shirts still available

For only $5, you can look like you ran the Joyner 5K without having to do the work. To purchase a shirt(s), please send a check (payable to JY Joyner PTA) or cash to your child’s teacher in an envelope marked “JYJ 5K t-shirts.” Include a note with the number of shirts and sizes (youth small through adult XXL) you want, your child’s name, teacher’s name and your email address. Once your payment is received, we will deliver the shirts to your child’s classroom.

Calendar items

April 6: Spring picture day and class photos
April 6: Spanish dancing at 5:45 p.m. for participating students
April 10-14: Spring break — no school
April 19: Heritage Parade at 8:45 a.m. (contact dorr@wcpss.net to sign up for the parade or to volunteer your time and sewing skills
April 20: PTA general membership meeting and 2nd grade/3rd grade/choir concert, 6:30 p.m.
April 22: JYJ Gold Choir at the Carolina Mudcats (ticket forms due to Ms. Moore by April 7)
April 27: JY Joyner Foundation gala
May 4: Food Truck Frenzy and Night of Nonsense
May 10: Kindergarten orientation, 8:35 a.m.