Blog

NewsFlash | HCM videos and kick-off, media center volunteers

Show us your healthy moves

We’re gearing up for the 2017 Healthy Choice Marathon! Encourage your students to create a 30-second video showcasing their favorite healthy activity on their own or with JYJ friends. Dancing, playing sports, running, jumping, stretching… show us what you love to do to stay healthy! All videos meeting the above criteria will appear on the JYJ News, and all who submit videos will be entered into a drawing. Two students’ names will be drawn from each grade level to receive a prize, plus these 10 lucky winners will be asked to appear onstage during the HCM kickoff assembly on Friday, Feb. 3! Videos submissions will be accepted through Feb. 1 and will be aired beginning today. Send 30-second videos to HCM Chair Kate Sonawane at katecoward@yahoo.com — please include children’s names and grade level in the email message.

Speaking of the HCM kickoff, get your red outfits ready! Friday, Feb. 3, is also National Wear Red Day for heart healthy month, so we’re asking everyone to wear red to help rev up the Healthy Choice Marathon!

 

Get ready to run (or walk or volunteer or all of the above)

Join us for the 6th annual Joyner 5K Run/Walk on March 5 at 2 p.m.! This fun family event aims to teach kids about the benefits of making healthy lifestyle choices and raises money to fund annual programs for our 700+ student body. Over the past five years, more than 3,100 race participants have helped fund character education, Battle of the Books, campus beautification, Science Go Round, First in Fitness, technology updates, media center projects…and so much more. Registration for the race opens on Feb. 6. Questions? Contact Arinn Widmayer at arinnwidmayer@gmail.com.

Interested in helping with run club? Shanna Schroeder is looking for volunteers to continue this great program — contact her at shannas@us.ibm.com.

 

Help out in the media center sign-ups

new sign-up is now available to help out Ms. Hale in the media center — main needs are checking in books and getting them back on the shelves. Ideally, she would like to have a volunteer each morning between 8:00 and 8:30, but books can be checked in and shelved anytime during the day. Even 15 minutes can make a big impact — drop in when you have a few minutes, even if you don’t sign up. Thanks to PTA volunteer Helen Green for getting things organized and helping volunteers with the process!

 

Sports with Coach Scott

A few spots have opened up in Sports After School. 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. 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.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Jan. 27: Snow make-up day (school is in session)
  • Jan. 31:  Magnet application period closes for WCPSS
  • Feb. 3: Wear red for the Healthy Choice Marathon kickoff assembly
  • Feb. 10: Early release and teacher appreciation (Theme: “We couldn’t have ‘PICKED’ a better teacher than you!” Have your child pick out their teacher/staff member’s favorite healthy snack to bring in.)
  • Feb. 20: Snow make-up day (school is in session)
  • March 5: Joyner 5K

NewsFlash | Spelling Bee, HCM video contest, Joyner 5K

Good news — there’s no snow in this week’s forecast! Check the WCPSS website for a detailed listing of make-up days from last week’s unexpected break. Want even more good news? The PTA will provide hot chocolate and cupcakes for teacher appreciation on this Friday’s early release — no student effort required (although feel free to show your teacher some extra love).

 

Registration and magnet period open for 2017-18

Have a rising kindergartner? Registration is now open — click here for details. Looking at magnet middle schools or other options? Find all your magnet information here. The magnet application period closes Jan. 31.

 

Enter now for your 30 seconds of fame

We’re gearing up for the 2017 Healthy Choice Marathon! Encourage your students to create a 30-second video showcasing their favorite healthy activity on their own or with JYJ friends. Dancing, playing sports, running, jumping, stretching… show us what you love to do to stay healthy! All videos meeting the above criteria will appear on the JYJ News, and all who submit videos will be entered into a drawing. Two students’ names will be drawn from each grade level to receive a prize, plus these 10 lucky winners will be asked to appear onstage during the HCM kickoff assembly on Friday, Feb. 5!

Videos submissions will be accepted by e-mail any time from Jan. 18 through Feb. 1 and will be aired beginning Jan. 25. Send 30-second videos to HCM Chair Kate Sonawane at katecoward@yahoo.com — please include children’s names and grade level in the email message.

 

Need some motivation to exercise?

Join us for the 6th annual Joyner 5K Run/Walk on March 5 at 2 p.m.! This fun family event aims to teach kids about the benefits of making healthy lifestyle choices and raises money to fund annual programs for our 700+ student body. Over the past five years, more than 3,100 race participants have helped fund character education, Battle of the Books, campus beautification, Science Go Round, First in Fitness, technology updates, media center projects…and so much more. Check out our website at https://joynerpta.com/5k-running-club/ for more info. Registration for the race starts soon, so stay tuned! Questions? Contact Arinn Widmayer at arinnwidmayer@gmail.com.

Interested in helping with run club? Shanna Schroeder is looking for volunteers to continue this great program — contact her at shannas@us.ibm.com.

 

Volunteer sign-ups

Two opportunities coming this week still need some volunteer help:

 

Sports with Coach Scott

A few spots have opened up in Sports After School. 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. 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.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Jan. 19: Schoolwide spelling bee, 3:30 p.m.
  • Jan. 20: Early release and teacher appreciation provided by the PTA
  • Jan. 27: Snow make-up day (school is in session)
  • Feb. 10: Early release and teacher appreciation (Theme: “We couldn’t have ‘PICKED’ a better teacher than you!” Have your child bring their teacher/staff member’s favorite fruit.)
  • Feb. 20: Snow make-up day (school is in session)
  • March 5: Joyner 5K

 

NewsFlash | Magnet open houses, yearbook photos

Welcome back and happy new year! Thanks to your generosity last month, Joyner collected 871 pairs of socks and 5 boxes of toiletries for those in need — what a great way to end 2016. 

 

Get set for 2017-18

Sure, you still have your holiday decorations up and you can’t remember to write 2017 for the date — but it’s already time to think about next school year! [Deep breath.] Have a rising kindergartner? Registration starts on Thursday — click here for details. Looking at magnet middle schools or other options? Find all your magnet information here.

 

Yearbook committee needs your pictures

As you take pictures on field trips, while visiting your child at lunch and attending school events, please take a minute to send those pictures to joyneryearbook@gmail.com. If you’re sending from a phone, make sure to choose “actual size.” Your kids love seeing themselves in the yearbook and you can make that happen!

 

Chaperone the Spelling Bee

We still need volunteers for the schoolwide Spelling Bee on Thursday, Jan. 19, including helping with breakdown from 6:30 to 7 p.m. as well as chaperones for the kids before and during the bee. Our pronouncer this year is Loretta Bohn, a former Scripps National Spelling Bee contestant!

 

Get out your paint brushes

Here’s your chance to show appreciation for the JYJ staff by making a positive change at the school.  Carnela Hill, an interior decorator and friend of Ms. Burton, has graciously offered to redo the staff bathrooms for free! She is looking for talented painters to help repaint the four staff bathrooms on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m. Because of the small areas we are working in, this is a parent-only volunteer opportunity. Can’t make it Saturday? We need your help taping off trim ahead of time. See the sign-up on MemberHub.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Jan. 16: Holiday
  • Jan. 19: Schoolwide spelling bee, 3 p.m.
  • Jan. 20: Early release and teacher appreciation (Theme: “We couldn’t have ‘PICKED’ a better teacher than you!” Have your child bring their teacher/staff member’s favorite fruit.)
  • Jan. 27: Teacher workday
  • March 5: Joyner 5K

NewsFlash | Last day for socks/toiletries donations

Today is the last day of school for 2016! If we could wrap up our gratitude for all that you do to make Joyner a wonderful learning space for all children, we’d have to use an entire package of wrapping paper to cover the box. We hope you’re able to make some time to rest during the break and enjoy time together — we’ll see you at school again on Jan. 3!

 

Socks and toiletries accepted today

If you’ve been procrastinating, now’s your final chance to donate new socks for Note in the Pocket, which provides clothing to children in need enrolled in WCPSS schools, as well as travel-size toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc for men and women) for Interact of Wake CountyWe’ve already collected more than 600 pairs of socks — can we make 800 by next week? Look for collection bins at the school’s front entrance and a huge thank you to all who have already donated!

 

Spelling Bee sign-up for January

Congratulations to all the winners in our classroom bees last week! Click here to volunteer for the schoolwide Spelling Bee on Thursday, Jan. 19, including setting up in the gym from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. and helping with breakdown from 6:30 to 7 p.m. as well as chaperones for the kids before and during the bee. Our pronouncer this year is Loretta Bohn, a former Scripps National Spelling Bee contestant!

 

Give new life to old markers

As you clean out your craft drawers to make room for new supplies, please remember that Joyner is  collecting dried up markers again this year for the Crayola ColorCycle Project. The collection bin is in Mr. Fotta’s room this year. We can recycle all shapes, sizes, brands and styles of markers!

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Dec. 22: J.Y. Joyner Foundation event with The Blasa Gliders and The Geb at Kings Barcade (14 W. Martin St., Raleigh), 7:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 22: Teacher workday
  • Dec. 23-Jan. 2: Winter break (school closed)
  • Jan. 16: Holiday
  • Jan. 19: Schoolwide spelling bee, 3 p.m.
  • Jan. 20: Early release and teacher appreciation (Theme: “We couldn’t have ‘PICKED’ a better teacher than you!” Have your child bring their teacher/staff member’s favorite fruit.)
  • Jan. 27: Teacher workday
  • March 5: Joyner 5K

NewsFlash | Spelling bees and holiday donations

Many thanks to all who helped make last week’s Book Fair and Hour of Code events such a success! Congratulations to Book Fair chair Laura Moreschi and Hour of Code coordinators Matt Harrell and Jennifer Bell on a great week for Joyner students!

Bee ready on Friday

Don’t forget to dress in your most bee-tastic yellow and black apparel this Friday in honor of classroom Spelling Bees to be held in all 3rd-5th grade classrooms. The top two spellers will advance to the school bee. Your child should have received the list of study words, rules and resources last month. If you do not have the word list, please see your child’s teacher.

Click here to volunteer for the schoolwide Spelling Bee on Thursday, Jan. 19, including setting up in the gym from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. and helping with breakdown from 6:30 to 7 p.m. as well as chaperones for the kids before and during the bee. Our pronouncer this year is Loretta Bohn, a former Scripps National Spelling Bee contestant!

 

Gift for Mr. Charles

Do you love to start your school day with a greeting from our delightful crossing guard, Mr. Charles? Then let him know how much you appreciate him by contributing towards a Christmas gift. Ameshia Turlington will be in the front lobby this Friday to collect donations from any walker families who would like to contribute.

 

Socks and toiletries accepted through Dec. 21

One more week to donate new socks for Note in the Pocket, which provides clothing to children in need enrolled in WCPSS schools, as well as travel-size toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc for men and women) for Interact of Wake CountyWe’ve already collected more than 600 pairs of socks — can we make 800 by next week? Look for collection bins at the school’s front entrance through Dec. 21. Thanks to all who have already donated!

 

Give new life to old markers

As you clean out your craft drawers to make room for new supplies, please remember that Joyner is  collecting dried up markers again this year for the Crayola ColorCycle Project. The collection bin is in Mr. Fotta’s room this year. We can recycle all shapes, sizes, brands and styles of markers!

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Dec. 16: Classroom spelling bees
  • Dec. 22: Teacher workday
  • Dec. 22: J.Y. Joyner Foundation event with The Blasa Gliders and The Geb at Kings Barcade (14 W. Martin St., Raleigh), 7:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 23-Jan. 2: Winter break (school closed)
  • Jan. 16: Holiday
  • Jan. 19: Schoolwide spelling bee, 3 p.m.
  • Jan. 20: Early release and teacher appreciation (Theme: “We couldn’t have ‘PICKED’ a better teacher than you!” Have your child bring their teacher/staff member’s favorite fruit.)
  • Jan. 27: Teacher workday
  • March 5: Joyner 5K

NewsFlash | Book Fair, Hour of Code and PTA meeting this week

Have an hour to volunteer this week?

We still have lots of spaces for Hour of Code volunteers and a few spots at the Book Fair — please click the links to sign up if you have an hour to give this week. The Book Fair hours are: Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Thursday 7:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. before the PTA Meeting and Holiday Concert at 6:30; and Friday 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Don’t forget that the online book fair is open now!

Be sure to look for the book requests from Joyner teachers, including our special ed team — all of our teachers would love your support in purchasing books for their classrooms. Consider buying one book for your child’s teacher and one for your class’s assigned specialist or another teacher that you don’t know.

 

PTA meeting this week before holiday concert

Make plans to join us for the PTA general membership meeting on Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The holiday concert will follow at 6:45 p.m., featuring performances by Joyner’s 1st grade students and Gold Choir. Click the following links for meeting materials:

 

Donations accepted through Dec. 21

We are still collecting new socks to donate to Note in the Pocket, which provides clothing to children in need enrolled in WCPSS schools, as well as travel-size toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc for men and women) to donate to Interact of Wake County. Look for collection bins at the school’s front entrance — collection runs through Dec. 21. Thanks to all have already donated!

 

Spaces left for Study Buddies

Looking for a small way to make a big difference at Joyner? We still have some slots open for study buddy volunteers. Available times include the 20 minutes right before pick up — come read with a student, then pick up your kids without having to get in the carpool line! Contact Kate Parke at kparke24@gmail.com for more information.

 

Get ready to spell!

Classroom Spelling Bees will be held on Friday, Dec. 16, in all 3rd-5th grade classrooms. The top two spellers will advance to the school bee. Your child should have received the list of study words, rules and resources last month. If you do not have the word list, please see your child’s teacher.

Click here to volunteer for the schoolwide Spelling Bee on Thursday, Jan. 19, including setting up in the gym from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. and helping with breakdown from 6:30 to 7 p.m. as well as chaperones for the kids before and during the bee. Our pronouncer this year is Loretta Bohn, a former Scripps National Spelling Bee contestant!

 

Give new life to old markers

As you clean out your craft drawers to make room for new supplies, please remember that Joyner is  collecting dried up markers again this year for the Crayola ColorCycle Project. The collection bin is in Mr. Fotta’s room this year. We can recycle all shapes, sizes, brands and styles of markers!

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Dec. 5-9: JYJ Book Fair
  • Dec. 5-9: Hour of Code
  • Dec. 8: PTA general membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. and JYJ holiday concert (1st grade and Gold Choir) at 6:45 p.m.
  • Dec. 16: Classroom spelling bees
  • Dec. 22: Teacher workday
  • Dec. 22: J.Y. Joyner Foundation event with The Blasa Gliders and The Geb at Kings Barcade (14 W. Martin St., Raleigh), 7:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 23-Jan. 2: Winter break
  • March 5: Joyner 5K

2016 Mini-Grant Program supports Joyner teachers

The JY Joyner PTA–funded Mini-Grant Program allows teachers and specialists to implement ideas that might not otherwise become part of the classroom environment. Mini-grants have helped to fund many significant achievements at our school including: the Reading Rainbow series, campus and grounds improvements, class sets of books, special Spanish language programs, updated counseling technology, and equipment for teachers and specialists. The PTA is committed to supporting this outstanding program that promotes creativity among the education staff and adds interesting elements to the curriculum.

The next funding period for mini-grants will be fall of 2017. The Mini-Grants Committee will post information and applications in September. Contact Arinn Widmayer if you have questions about the Mini-Grant Program.

Congratulations to our fall 2016 mini-grant recipients!

  • Jennifer Bell, Technology: MacBook Upgrade + Configurator App; Wonder Workshop Robotics Kit
  • Christina Bell, Spanish: Dice With Clear Pockets
  • Andrea Burston, Counselor: Counselor Book Club Refresh + Speaker + Audible subscription
  • Fran Cameron, 1st grade: “Well Lookie Here” Document Cameras
  • Emily Dawson, Kindergarten: Legos for Education Kits
  • Sra. Duncan, Spanish: Escribe! Dry Erase Boards
  • Natasha Durrette, Spanish: Spanish Classroom Presentation Speaker and Mics
  • Ryan Fotta, Art: Document Camera, Matte Cutter and Bead Racks
  • Amy Gourley, Spanish: External DVD Drives
  • Denise Hale, Library: “Libraries in Community” Free Lending Library; Graphic Novel Refresh
  • Emory Jepsen, 1st grade: ELA Mentor Texts Book Sets for Classroom
  • Lauren McCallum, 1st grade: Leveled Readers for Student Library in Classroom
  • Kim Millsaps, 3rd grade: Hocus Pocus Deskcycle + Fidget Toys; Read Aloud Spotlight Classroom Books
  • Phyllis Moore, Music: Instrument Repairs
  • Laura Munster , 1st grade: Geodes! Project; Count to 120 Math Boards; Number Line for Floor
  • Monica Normark, 2nd grade: RAZ Kids Classroom Books
  • Rose Olone, 2nd grade: Readers for Life Classroom Books
  • Sra. Onate, Spanish: Fluency/ Digital Timers
  • Tim Poyer, PE: Pinnies for All
  • Stefanie Piner, Kindergarten: MathRacks Manipulative for Classrooom; STEM Stations for Classroom
  • Lynn Reynolds, Speech Therapy: Social Learning Library
  • Laura Sollazo-Doran, Behavior Support 3-5: Ipad Cases
  • Jo Wallace, 4th grade: Classroom Seating (stools)
  • Jakala Wilson, 1st grade: Leveled Readers for Classroom Library
  • Megan Wing, 1st grade: Keats Book Set for Classroom; Kinesthetic Classroom Fidgets and Exercise Balls

NewsFlash | School Psychology Week, holiday giving and yearbook covers + dancing on Thursday

If you missed out on Science Go Round, be sure to check out the pictures on Twitter! Those JYJ teachers are seriously brave. A great big thank you to Science Go Round committee chair Katie Cavillo and to all the volunteers and presenters who made it such a great day!

 

Small steps change lives

During this week, schools throughout the country will celebrate National School Psychology Awareness Week to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students do their best. We share our school psychologist, Ms. Nasto, with another WCPSS school — she is at Joyner working closely with our counselors, social worker and staff for two and a half days a week. Following this year’s theme that “Small Steps Change Lives,” the PTA blog offers several ways families can help children make positive changes in small increments. 

Bring cheer for families in need

The holidays are nearing and Joyner has several options for giving back during this time. Once again, JYJ will have the snowman tree to help out our families in need of assistance during the holidays. If you would like to help by donating gifts, please take a number off the snowman tree located in the front office starting Monday morning (Nov. 21). We have more families needing assistance this year, so there are more numbers on the tree — just take a number, fill out the bottom portion and return it to our school counselors (Andrea Burston and Beth Vincent) or Elizabeth Ferriter in the front office. They will use this info to keep track of returned gifts. Please return all wrapped gifts (in a bag please) with the tag number attached by Monday, Dec. 5.

We are also collecting new socks to donate to Note in the Pocket, which provides clothing to children in need enrolled in WCPSS schools, as well as travel-size toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc for men and women) to donate to Interact of Wake County. Look for collection bins at the school’s front entrance. Thank you for all of your support, if you have questions please contact Andrea Burston.

 

Design the next JYJ yearbook cover

All students are invited to submit an entry for the JYJ yearbook cover contest! Design a creative cover with a Joyner theme using markers, crayons or colored pencils on an 8.5×11″ page in portrait orientation. Turn in entries to your classroom teacher or the front office by Wednesday, Nov. 30. Teachers and staff will vote on the submissions, and winners will be announced on the WJYJ news in mid-December.

 

Spaces left for Study Buddies

Looking for a small way to make a big difference at Joyner? We still have 20 slots open for study buddy volunteers. Available times include the 20 minutes right before pick up — come read with a student, then pick up your kids without having to get in the carpool line! Contact Kate Parke at kparke24@gmail.com for more information.

 

You shared, we’re listening

Thanks to everyone who participated in the PTA School of Excellence Parent Survey! We had a great response rate and want to share the feedback and next steps with all of you.

More than 90% of respondents answered ‘Always’ or ‘Frequently’ to these three questions, making them some successes we can celebrate:

  • Our school and PTA communicate with families in multiple ways.
  • Families feel encouraged to volunteer.
  • Families feel they are treated fairly regardless of age, gender, race or cultural background.

More than 40% of respondents answered ‘Sometimes’ or ‘Never’ to these questions, so we’ll be looking closer here for ways to improve:

  • Families feel they are collaborative partners that share in the decision making for areas such as policy, curricula, budget, school reform, safety, and personnel.
  • Families feel they have input in the development of our school improvement plan.
  • Our school includes students in parent-teacher conferences as active participants in discussions of expectations and work quality.

We will submit the full survey results to the National PTA this month. They will review it and send us a Roadmap to Excellence, which will contain recommendations specific to Joyner. We’ll use those recommendations to make changes that strengthen our family-school partnership through the school year. We have a lot to be proud about as a community, and we’re excited to do even more in the future — stay tuned!

 

Volunteer signup ready for the Book Fair

Get your holiday shopping done and help out the PTA at the same time! The Joyner Book Fair is coming to the media center the week of Dec. 5. See the signup in MemberHub to pick a 1-hour shift (or two or three) and help make the Book Fair a success: https://memberhub.com/HSR6192I4713.

 

Get your dancing shoes ready!

Here’s your checklist for the second annual J.Y. Joyner Foundation Dance-a-Thon this Thursday (that’s TOMORROW) from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

1. Everyone over 4 needs a wristband to enter. LAST CHANCE FOR ADVANCE SALES is this morning in the lobby (wristbands $3 or Family Pack $20). After that, wristbands will be available at the door for $5 and bonus tickets for $1 each. Your kids can exchange bonus tickets for water, sweets, DJ shout-outs and glow swag.

2. This is NOT a drop-off party. All children must have an adult responsible for them.

3. Do parents dance? Totally. Plus: look for the Dads Dance-Off sometime around 6:15. Last year it was a crowd favorite. Dads, limber up!!

4. Have dinner at the Dance-A-Thon! Please RSVP on FB so the Food Trucks can be prepared, and check out their menus here: https://www.facebook.com/events/144541742682269/

5. REMEMBER TO BRING CASH! Small bills if possible. Raffle tickets, entry wristbands, bonus tickets, and most food trucks are cash-only.

6. The evening looks clear and cool. Bundle up, then keep warm on the dance floor!

7. Entry is via the carpool driveway on Noble Road. The back path by the gym will NOT be lighted, and playgrounds are off-limits.

8. Is this a fundraiser? Yes, sponsored by the Joyner Foundation. Last year, the Dance-A-Thon combined with the Spring Gala funded an entire teacher position. Pledges are tax-deductible and still can be made online. Share the link with aunts, uncles, grandparents, anyone who would like to help support your child’s education. All funds go back into our school.

Questions? Email Kate Whitney kwaves16@hotmail.com or Anne Elizabeth Harrell anne.harrell@gmail.com.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Nov. 1-16: JYJ Foundation Dance-A-Thon wristbands and raffle tickets for sale in the lobby; collect Dance-a-Thon pledges (PayPal option: http://joynerfoundation.org/#)
  • Nov. 15: Dance video entries (20 seconds max.) due by NOON to kparke24@gmail.com
  • Nov. 17: 2nd Annual JYJ Foundation Dance-a-Thon, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (food trucks will start serving at 5 p.m.)
  • Nov. 30: Yearbook cover designs due
  • Dec. 2: Early release
  • Dec. 5-9: JYJ Book Fair
  • Dec. 5-9: Hour of Code

Small Steps Change Lives

Thanks to our school counselor, Erin Nasto, for the following post.

During this week (Nov. 14–18, 2016), schools throughout the country will celebrate National School Psychology Awareness Week to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students do their best. Our school psychologist is Mrs. Nasto. We share her with another WCPSS school and she is here working closely with our counselors, social worker and staff for two and a half days a week. This year’s theme is “Small Steps Change Lives.”

There are many ways families can help children make positive changes in small increments. As parents and caregivers, you can:

  1. Praise attempts, as well as success, and make sure that you focus on the effort or hard work put into the success.
  2. Emphasize that learning and growing requires trying new things and that success comes from small steps to a long-term goal.
  3. Help your child internalize a sense that they can achieve by reinforcing the skills already developed and encouraging them to try new challenges.
  4. Create an environment at home that allows your child to explore building (playing with blocks, helping with projects, and more), drawing (crayons, finger paints, paper), and music (on the radio, with children’s instruments, or through formal training through school or community resources). This may help to identify special interests.
  5. Emphasize the importance of deliberate practice of a new or old skill for further development, and that talent is developed over time through skillful practice.
  6. Help your child work through setbacks, or lack of self-confidence, by helping to identify negative thoughts that may suggest concerns about his or her ability to be successful. As a parent, you can help children see what the small steps are and how persisting and overcoming obstacles is a part of succeeding. Help your child realize that setbacks are not permanent or all-encompassing.
  7. Demonstrate, through your own behaviors, how to identify and achieve long-term goals by thinking aloud, creating a pathway of short-term goals, and using problem solving and decision making skills along the way.
  8. Encourage your child to participate in community activities that may help them to develop positive behaviors, such as being grateful. In particular, volunteer activities may encourage the development of positive behaviors. Consider participating in community events yourself as role model.

NewsFlash | Study Buddies meet today, Science Go Round tomorrow, holiday on Friday

Study Buddies information session

Please join us in the library THIS MORNING (Nov. 9) from 8-8:30 a.m. to learn more about the Study Buddies program beginning at Joyner. The program will pair adult volunteers with students in each grade that need a little extra one-on-one time reading or doing class work — no prior teaching experience necessary. For more information, contact Kate Parke kparke24@gmail.com.

 

No Fuss Fundraiser comes close to goal

Many, many, many thanks to all of you who contributed to the PTA’s annual No-Fuss Fundraiser this fall! With your help, we raised $22,517.56 (plus $500 outstanding from corporate matches) — so just about $2,000 shy of our goal. Through the great efforts of our Jagwear team, the clothing sales earned more than expected, so we’re hopeful not to have to cut funding to any PTA programs despite not quite reaching our No-Fuss goals. Thank you again for your continued support of the Joyner PTA in so many important ways.

Sounds of science drops this Thursday!

The Science Go Round Committee still needs a few more volunteers to help during our spectacular science event on Thursday, Nov. 10 — sign up to assist in a classroom or bring a cart/dolly to help move materials. JYJ’s annual Science Go Round is a fun-filled day when scientists and parents give hands-on demonstrations to our students, connecting science application with the real world. Contact Katie Calvillo at 919-272-3225 or Katie@calvillo.com.

 

Design the next JYJ yearbook cover

All students are invited to submit an entry for the JYJ yearbook cover contest! Design a creative cover with a Joyner theme using markers, crayons or colored pencils on an 8.5×11″ page in portrait orientation. Turn in entries to your classroom teacher or the front office by Wednesday, Nov. 30. Teachers and staff will vote on the submissions, and winners will be announced on the WJYJ news in mid-December.

 

Last week to pre-pay for the Dance-a-Thon

It’s just over a week before The J.Y. Joyner Foundation cranks up the disco balls and cracks the glow sticks! Here’s how to get ready:

  1. Buy your wristbands and raffle tix. Advance wristband sales and raffle ticket sales continue in the front lobby through Nov. 16. Everyone ages 5 and up must have a wristband to enter. Wristbands are $3 in advance, $5 at the door, or reserve your Advance Family Pack for $20. Also, don’t forget to enter the raffles for amazing music-related prizes ($1/raffle ticket) or a carpool pass ($10/raffle ticket)! Check out the prizes in the front lobby.
  2. RSVP on the Facebook event by clicking here to let the food trucks know how many people to expect.
  3. Please get your pledges in by Nov. 15 on the orange pledge form or the SUPER easy PayPal link on the JYJ Foundation website. The class with the most sponsorships gets its own DJ Shout Out!
  4. If your child wants to make a dance video (20 seconds or less) that will be shown on the big screen Nov. 17, get on it! Videos are due to kparke24@gmail.comby NOON on Nov. 15.
  5. Just shimmy on over Thursday, Nov. 17, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the JYJ overhang — food trucks will start serving at 5:00. We’ll see you on the dance floor!

Questions? Email Kate Whitney or Anne Elizabeth Harrell.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Nov. 9: Study Buddies meeting, 8-8:30 a.m., media center
  • Nov. 10: Science Go Round
  • Nov. 10: Picture make-up day
  • Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day (no school)
  • Nov. 1-15: JYJ Foundation Dance-A-Thon wristbands and raffle tickets for sale in the lobby; collect Dance-a-Thon pledges (PayPal option: http://joynerfoundation.org/#)
  • Nov. 15: Dance video entries (20 seconds max.) due by NOON to kparke24@gmail.com
  • Nov. 17: 2nd Annual JYJ Foundation Dance-a-Thon, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 30: Yearbook cover designs due
  • Dec. 2: Early release
  • Dec. 5-9: JYJ Book Fair
  • Dec. 5-9: Hour of Code