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

Posted on 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

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 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.

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:

 

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.

 

Quick links

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 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.

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.

 

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.

 

Quick links

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 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

 

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.

Quick links

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.

 

NewsFlash | Original Works, school garden, 5K t-shirts, plus useful policy information

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Study Buddies are awesome

PTA volunteer Kate Parke revived the JYJ Study Buddies program this year to rave reviews! Teachers report that students in the program eagerly anticipate their study buddy visits, are more enthusiastic about school work, and are thriving with the one-on-one time. One volunteer expected her students wouldn’t benefit too much from such a short time span, but has found that students are prepared and can’t wait to show her their progress each week — and she feels a positive connection with the students, making it a win on both sides.

It’s not too late to help out — we still have more than 20 spots to fill and we’re already planning great things for next school year. Contact Kate at kparke24@gmail.com for more information.

 

Create a family heirloom (or just make your kid happy)

Choose 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. Choose among lots of great products featuring your child’s very own artwork. Completed forms should be turned into your child’s teacher no later than Wednesday, April 5. Contact Meredith Swindell at mlswindel@aol.com with questions.

 

Oh, say can you see JYJ sing for the Mudcats?

The JYJ Gold Choir will sing the National Anthem at the Carolina Mudcats baseball game on Saturday, April 22, at 5 p.m. To purchase discounted tickets to the game, fill out this form (saved in the JYJ hub files) and give it to Ms. Moore by April 7. Make checks payable to Carolina Mudcats for $7 per ticket (regular price is $10) — no cash accepted.

 

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

 

Keep up with student progress

As parents, we play a large part in our children’s education — but with our busy schedules, it can be easy to lose track of what’s happening in the classroom. Our Joyner teachers do a top-notch job keeping our kids inspired to learn and meeting important goals and objectives. On top of it, they keep us informed as parents, too! For those who want to know even more as we head into 4th quarter, there’s a lot of information to be found on the Joyner, WCPSS and PTA websites. Specific resources include:

  • Wake County Public School System provides an overview of the goals/objectives your teachers will be covering on a quarterly basis by subject for each grade level.
  • The National PTA website offers lots of resources to help parents understand and set expectations for academic standards, including a Parents’ Guide to Student Success to provide clear, consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared for college and career.

 

Advocacy: Protecting schools from teacher cuts

Due to state-mandated reduction in class sizes for next school year, the current state budget may cause elementary schools to cut teaching positions for specials, including art, PE, music and technology. While lowering class size is a worthy goal, schools will be forced to reallocate funds currently used to pay for specials to cover the hiring of additional classroom teacher positions. To allow districts flexibility with class sizes, the House unanimously passed HB 13. However the bill has languished in the Senate Rules Committee. (Read more here from The N&O.)

Wake County PTA Council supports the passage of HB13, which would adjust language in the North Carolina budget, giving school districts the ability to exceed class size limits by six students per class in K- 3. The passage of HB13 would allow for the retention of arts, music and other cultural arts programming, as well the retention of qualified educators to teach these classes. Read the full statement from Wake PTA.

Parents interested in advocating for this bill — or a similar fix to this challenge — can contact your NC Senator to request action on HB 13 as soon as possible so that schools can make appropriate plans for the coming school year:

You can also share your concerns with members of the Senate Education Committee by email, phone calls and in-person meetings.

 

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.

NewsFlash | Skate night on Thursday, order yearbooks by Friday

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Last week to order yearbooks

Yearbook orders are due by Friday, March 24 — forms went home with students, but we encourage everyone to order online at http://ybpay.lifetouch.com with yearbook ID 10746717. Picture submissions for the yearbook are no longer being accepted — thanks to all who sent in photos!

 

Come show us your moves!

Bring your family and friends out to United Skates of America this Thursday, March 23, for Joyner spirit night from 6-8:30 p.m. — it’s your chance to relive those neon and disco ball days of your youth! This event is just for Joyner and your $3 admission fee comes back to the Joyner PTA (skate rental costs $3.50). United Skates is at 2901 Trawick Road in Raleigh.

 

Get a jump start on Mother’s Day gifts

Choose personalized gifts with your child’s artwork! Artwork and ordering instructions came home last week for this year’s Original Works school fundraiser. Choose among lots of great products featuring your child’s very own artwork. The completed forms should be turned into your child’s teacher. Orders and payment are due no later than Wednesday, April 5. Contact Meredith Swindell at mlswindel@aol.com with questions.

 

That’s a lot of mulch

Thank you to the five families who turned out on Sunday for our campus spring clean-up day. Be sure to walk around the back of the school and check out the 13 cubic yards of mulch that we spread around the rain gardens and other plantings, the two very heavy picnic tables that we relocated to the garden patio, and even more plants that our third grade helpers got in the ground to help control run off. Would love to have lots of volunteers next time so we can accomplish even more!

 

Fabulous 5K t-shirts available for purchase

Did your family have to miss the JYJ 5K this year due to illness, travel or some other lame excuse? Want to look like you were there anyway? Well, you’re in luck. The PTA has extra 5K shirts for sale in sizes Youth Small – Adult XXL for $5/shirt. If you’d like 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.” Please include a note with the number of shirts and sizes 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. Shirts are first come, first served.

 

Join in the Heritage Parade next month

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.

In addition, we will be sending home cloth squares for each family to decorate. Please bring these back to school after spring break, and we will sew them together into a large unity quilt. More information about this quilt will go home in Wednesday folders. 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.

 

No, really, we mean you!

If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to serve as a PTA committee chair for next school year, you’re in luck! The nominating committee is currently looking for a pair of people to co-chair the Joyner Jamboree committee. We also need co-chairs to help returning committee chairs with Grounds, Study Buddies, Odyssey of the Mind and Communications (managing Twitter). Please email Cyndi at soteroneil@gmail.com for more information, to nominate a friend or to claim a position.

 

Free parenting resource available

Anyone who’s ever been a parent knows that some days we could use some help. Through funding from the NC Department of Health & Human Services, all Wake County parents of children through age 16 can access free Triple P resources online. Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is a national program that offers parents tools and strategies for managing misbehavior, setting routines that everyone can follow and generally making family life more enjoyable. Session topics include Teaching New Skills, Dealing with Disobediences and Raising Confident, Capable Kids. Modules include videos, worksheets, and activities. Parents may also sign up for podcasts, emails and text support. Families may progress through the modules at their own pace and during their own preferred time. Click here for details.

 

Wear red on Wednesdays to support teachers

As you may already be aware, many school districts around the state are wearing red on Wednesdays as a show of support for public schools and the wonderful people who work in them. Check your closets and plan your outfits with your kids to “wear red for public ed” — it’s a little thing, but a visible way to give our fabulous teachers a boost.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • March 20-24: Writer-in-residents with 4th graders
  • March 22: First in Fitness (rescheduled event)
  • March 22: Number Drummer performance for all grades
  • March 23: Spirit Night at United Skates, 6-8:30 p.m.
  • March 24: Yearbook orders due
  • March 31: Snow make-up day (school is in session)
  • April 10-14: Spring break
  • April 27: JY Joyner Foundation gala
  • May 4: Food Truck Frenzy and Night of Nonsense

NewsFlash | Club pictures, yearbooks and clean-up day

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

From the main office: In an effort to capture every important moment of learning at Joyner, we would like to remind all families that they cannot pick up their students from the office after 2:30. If you must check your child out due to an appointment, please come before 2:30. Our office will not check out students after 2:30 as they prepare for dismissal. Thank you for sharing our efforts to help all children grow!

 

Club pics Thursday, yearbooks orders due next week

Club pictures will be taken tomorrow, March 16 — students should plan to wear their club t-shirt or safety patrol vest if they have them and listen for their club to be called during the day. Yearbook orders are due by March 24 — forms went home with students, but we encourage everyone to order online at http://ybpay.lifetouch.com with yearbook ID 10746717. Picture submissions for the yearbook are no longer being accepted — thanks to all who sent in photos!

 

Join the crew on Sunday

Good news — there’s no snow in the forecast for Sunday! [Knocks on wood, just in case.] Spend some time outside, get your exercise and show your love for the JYJ this Sunday, March 19, from 1-3 p.m. as we beautify the grounds at Joyner. Any amount of time would be appreciated. See signup in memberhub.

 

Wear red on Wednesdays to support teachers

As you may already be aware, many school districts around the state are wearing red on Wednesdays as a show of support for public schools and the wonderful people who work in them. Check your closets and plan your outfits with your kids to “wear red for public ed” — it’s a little thing, but a visible way to give our fabulous teachers a boost.

 

Spend summer weeks with JYJ teachers

Several of our fabulous Joyner teachers lead summer camps for elementary students. Check the links below for details:

For more information about local summer camp options, visit www.camprooster.com.

 

Heritage Parade coming in April

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.

In addition, we will be sending home cloth squares for each family to decorate. Please bring these back to school after spring break, and we will sew them together into a large unity quilt. More information about this quilt will go home in Wednesday folders. 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.

 

Joyner dancers wow crowd at Pieces of Gold

Congratulations to our talented Joyner 5th graders who performed as Spanish dancers at the 35th annual performing arts extravaganza held on March 8 at Memorial Auditorium. Pieces of Gold is a night of music, song and dance performed by 900 talented Wake County students representing 30 elementary, middle and high schools. Joyner’s group was selected at auditions in December and has been practicing every day since January. They performed the song “Tambito” under the direction of Senora Lourdes Onate, also the choreographer.

Pieces of Gold - Joyner dancers

 

Free parenting resource available

Anyone who’s ever been a parent knows that some days we could use some help. Through funding from the NC Department of Health & Human Services, all Wake County parents of children through age 16 can access free Triple P resources online. Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is a national program that offers parents tools and strategies for managing misbehavior, setting routines that everyone can follow and generally making family life more enjoyable. Session topics include Teaching New Skills, Dealing with Disobediences and Raising Confident, Capable Kids. Modules include videos, worksheets, and activities. Parents may also sign up for podcasts, emails and text support. Families may progress through the modules at their own pace and during their own preferred time. Click here for details.

 

Here’s your big chance!

If you’ve been waiting for someone to ask you to serve as a PTA committee chair for next school year, consider this your personal invitation — yes, we’re talking to you. The nominating committee is currently looking for someone (or a pair of people) to chair the Joyner Jamboree, Grounds and the Spelling Bee. We also need co-chairs to help returning committee chairs with Study Buddies, the School Store, Odyssey of the Mind and Communications (managing Twitter). Please email Cyndi at soteroneil@gmail.com for more information or to claim a position.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • March 16: Club picture day
  • March 19: JYJ clean-up day, 1-3 p.m.
  • March 20-24: Writer-in-residents with 4th graders
  • March 22: First in Fitness (rescheduled event)
  • March 22: Number Drummer performance for all grades
  • March 23: Spirit Night at United Skates, 6-8:30 p.m.
  • March 24: Yearbook orders due
  • March 31: Snow make-up day (school is in session)
  • April 10-14: Spring break
  • April 27: JY Joyner Foundation gala

NewsFlash | Conferences, yearbooks, laundry, summer camps and more!

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

It’s National School Social Work week — big cheers to our social worker, Molly McNeil, for all the great things that she does at Joyner!

In other celebratory news, Joyner has been recognized by the Magnet Schools of America national awards program as a Magnet School of Distinction! Congratulations to all who help make our school a great place to teach and learn!

 

Everyone wins at the Joyner 5K

Another JYJ 5K is in the books — it was a fantastic race day full of fun, fitness and good community! We’re still waiting on official numbers, but nearly 600 people participated in the race and we exceeded our goal of raising $20,000 through the 5K and the Classroom Challenge — many thanks to all of you! If you want to see your race results, click here. And if you want to see the wonderful photos that Ms. Westarp (kindergarten team) took at the finish line, check out the photo album in MemberHub.

 

Students to lead conferences on Thursday

Hopefully you’ve signed up in your classroom hub for a student-led conference tomorrow. This process is new to Joyner, but most IB schools have adopted this approach. The conferences are a great way to empower students as active participants in their learning and provide them meaningful time for reflection on their learning. And, for at least 10 minutes, they get to be the boss.

Kona Ice will be serving up treats at school from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, so bring cash ($3 for a regular, $5 and $6 for souvenir cups) and get your dessert before dinner.

 

Did you know?

Every school in Wake County has a School Improvement Team which works on (… wait for it… ) a School Improvement Plan. At Joyner, the team is made up of representative teachers from each grade level and specials who are elected by the whole staff, as well as a parent representative and the administrative team. The team meets monthly to focus on student achievement, instructional practices and overall school climate.

There are two goals in Joyner’s Improvement Plan:

  1. By 2018, 75% or more of Joyner students will be college and career ready, as measured by reading and math End-of-Grade test (EOG) proficiency levels of a 4 or 5.
  2. By 2018, all subgroups will meet or exceed growth targets in reading and math, as measured by annual measurable objective status reports.

In other words, there is one proficiency goal (measuring what students need to master) and one growth goal (measuring what students learn over time). For more about the JYJ School Improvement Plan and a list of team members, go to http://www.wcpss.net/Page/3273. For more information on School Improvement in Wake County, visit http://myworkplace.wcpss.net/sip/index.htm.

 

Order yearbooks and see your photos in print

Yearbook orders are due by March 24 — forms went home with students, but we encourage everyone to order online at http://ybpay.lifetouch.com with yearbook ID 10746717. You have until March 21 to send photos of your kids to joyneryearbook@gmail.com — if you’re sending from a phone, make sure to choose “actual size.” Club pictures will be taken on Thursday, March 16 — students should plan to wear their club t-shirt or safety patrol vest if they have them.

 

Help make our campus beautiful

Spend some time outside, get your exercise and show your love for the JYJ — that’s called a win-win-win when you join us on Sunday, March 19, from 1-3 p.m. to beautify the grounds at Joyner. Any amount of time would be appreciated. See signup in memberhub.

Our spectacular Grounds Committee chair is also looking for someone who works for or owns a landscape company to help with a project for NEXT YEAR. If you know of anyone please contact Julie Dalton at julie.e.dalton@gmail.com.

 

Do one extra load of laundry for a good cause

We need volunteers to wash items from the lost and found so that they can be donated to Note in the Pocket. And with all the recent warm weather, we have LOTS of bags. Please see Ms. Burston to pick up a bag of clothes in the front lobby, wash them and return to school by next Friday, March 17.

 

Spend summer weeks with JYJ teachers

Several of our fabulous Joyner teachers lead summer camps for elementary students. Check the links below for details:

For more information about local summer camp options, visit www.camprooster.com.

Quick links

Calendar items

  • March 9: Student-led conferences
  • March 16: Club picture day
  • March 19: JYJ clean-up day, 1-3 p.m.
  • March 20-24: Writer-in-residents with 4th graders
  • March 21: Yearbook pictures due
  • March 22: Number Drummer performance for all grades
  • March 23: Spirit Night at United Skates, 6-8:30 p.m.
  • March 24: Yearbook orders due
  • March 31: Snow make-up day (school is in session)
  • April 10-14: Spring break

NewsFlash | JYJ 5K this Sunday, TEK Club sign-ups today, Yearbook orders

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

TEK Club spring signups today

Sign-ups for TEK After School Clubs start at 8 a.m. today in the media center. Bring your form and payment for $135 per child. Full club descriptions are on the TEK website at http://www.tailoredenrichmentkids.com/joyner-clubs.html. Please contact Duval Fisher at duval@tailoredenrichmentkids.com with any questions.

 

Get ready to run (or walk) this Sunday!

  • Haven’t registered for the 5K yet? No problem! Register online until midnight on Thursday, March 2?, at? ?https://joynerpta.com/5k-running-club/.
  • 5K Packet Pickup (race bibs, t-shirts, info sheets) on Saturday, March 4? at Omega Sports North Hills from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. You can only pick up race packets for your family – no exceptions. We have ordered a limited number of extra t-shirts for families who missed the t-shirt deadline. These shirts are first come, first served and we are unable to exchange shirt sizes.? ?We will also be processing new registrations onsite Saturday, cash or check only.
  • ?Find all the info you need for packet pickup and race day on the JYJ 5K Facebook page??. And don’t forget the 5K Fun Fair from 1-4 p.m. complete with family activities, a photo booth, a DJ, Locopops food truck and much more.
  • There are still openings for volunteers — sign up to help with packet pick-up on Saturday or on Sunday with funfair activities, cheering on the course or cleaning up after the event. No running required! Sign up at https://memberhub.com/HSR6192I1118.

 

It’s the final countdown!

As you get ready for the 5K, don’t forget all the other activities leading up to the big day. We’re now into week 4 of the Healthy Choice Marathon!

  • The theme for week 4: Read, read, read! Read as many pages as you can.
  • Keep encouraging your teachers and staff in the weekly staff wellness challenges! Who check off the most books from the reading challenge list?
  • And speaking of books, do you have your costume ready for Friday? Students are invited to dress as their favorite book character on March 3 in celebration of collecting more than 2,600 books! Keep bringing in gently used books through Friday for the WAKE Up and Read annual book drive.

 

Run Club meets tomorrow

Run Club meets for its last session tomorrow after school for all who are already signed up. Thanks to all the volunteers who stepped up to make the JYJ Run Club possible — more volunteers are needed tomorrow! Please sign up if you can help.

 

Order yearbooks and see your photos in print

It’s time to order your yearbook! Order forms went home last week, but we encourage everyone to order online at http://ybpay.lifetouch.com with yearbook ID 10746717. And please keep sending photos of your kids to joyneryearbook@gmail.com — if you’re sending from a phone, make sure to choose “actual size.”

 

Planning ahead for campus project

Do you have spring fever? Looking for a project for your boy/girl scout troop, Y Guides/Princess group, service project? We have the solution! Join us on Sunday, March 19, from 1-3 p.m. to beautify the grounds at Joyner. Any amount of time would be appreciated. See signup in memberhub.

Our spectacular Grounds Committee chair is also looking for someone who works for or owns a landscape company to help with a project for NEXT YEAR. If you know of anyone please contact Julie Dalton at julie.e.dalton@gmail.com.

 

Look for markers, Legos and shoes in your spring cleaning

All this warm weather have you itching to start your spring cleaning? Joyner is here to take some of those items off your hands.

  • Don’t forget to recycle ALL kinds of dried up markers through the Crayola Colorcycle Program. Bring them to Mr. Fotta’s room and look for the colorful collection bin!
  • Bring your spare Legos to technology teacher Jennifer Bell for use with Stop Motion movies and a new Maker Space. Any and all donations would be hugely appreciated and can be dropped off at the Joyner technology lab in the media center. Contact Ms. Bell at jbell3@wcpss.net with questions.
  • Donate new and used shoes for Mr. Fotta’s collection to support his family’s adoption trip — collection bins are in the front lobby and beside the art classroom.

 

Help guide language arts curriculum for WCPSS

Wake County Public School System wants your input about the English/language arts curriculum in grades 3-8. In these sessions, you will be asked to review some very high quality curriculum resources to be introduced in our schools beginning next year. Teachers and other school professionals will be on hand to guide you through the process. Sessions are set for through March 2  from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and are open to parents and community members. See the WCPSS website for details and locations.

 

Read Across America event

In celebration of Read Across America Day, Brier Creek Commons and the North Carolina Association of Educators are hosting a Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast with the Cat. The event is Saturday, March 4, from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the Barnes & Noble parking area. Breakfast is sponsored by RISE and costs $6, with a portion of the proceeds going to the NC Foundation for Public School Children. Click here for details. [This event is not affiliated with the PTA.]

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • March 1: TEK Club registration, 8-8:30 a.m.
  • March 2: Run Club, 3-4 p.m.
  • March 3: Carlotta Santana Dance Ensemble performance for all grades
  • March 5: Joyner 5K
  • March 9: Student-led conferences (sign up in your class Hub)
  • March 20-24: Writer-in-residents with 4th graders
  • March 22: Number Drummer performance for all grades
  • March 23: Spirit Night at United Skates, 6-8:30 p.m.
  • March 31: Snow make-up day (school is in session)
  • April 10-14: Spring break

 

NewsFlash | Classroom Challenge ends Friday, 5K registration open, yearbook photos needed

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Congratulations to our OM teams!

Congratulations to students and parent volunteers from the four Joyner teams who participated in the K-2 entries for Odyssey of the Mind last weekend! We love hearing about your creativity and innovation. Our 3rd-5th grade teams will compete next month. Joyner’s PTA is proud to sponsor the JYJ OM program.

 

TEK Club spring schedule available

Tailored Enrichment Kids is excited to return this spring to JYJ with the TEK After School Club Program. Clubs will run on Wednesdays for six sessions, March 22-May 3, from 3:30-4:45 a.m. TEK supervises students prior to clubs starting. Club cost is $135 per child and participation supports the JYJ staff members who teach the clubs. Registration forms will go home today, and registration will be on Wednesday, March 1, from 8:00-8:30 a.m. in the media center. Full club descriptions are on the TEK website at http://www.tailoredenrichmentkids.com/joyner-clubs.html. Please contact Duval Fisher at duval@tailoredenrichmentkids.com with any questions.

 

Register for the 5K and bring in your spare change

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Register for the JYJ 5K Run/Walk right now at https://joynerpta.com/5k-running-club/. You must register online by Sunday, Feb. 26, to guarantee a t-shirt. New this year on race day (March 5), the PTA is hosting a 5K Fun Fair from 1-4 p.m. complete with family activities, a photo booth, a DJ, Locopops food truck and much more. Come out and make an afternoon of it! And don’t forget to sign up in MemberHub to volunteer on race day

The last day of the Classroom Challenge is this Friday, Feb. 24! All donations must be in by Friday to be counted in the challenge. Grade winners and overall winner will be announced on Monday, Feb. 27. Donate via cash or check to your teacher or at school dropoff or online at https://joynerpta.com/5k-running-club/. Funds will go toward bringing innovative technology into Joyner classrooms, including robotics, coding and multimedia equipment. Questions? Please contact Arinn Widmayer at arinnwidmayer@gmail.com or 919.306.7270.

 

Three weeks of healthy choices — one more to go!

As you get ready for the 5K, don’t forget all the other activities leading up to the big day. We’re now into week 3 of the Healthy Choice Marathon!

  • The theme for week 3: Try a NEW exercise or activity each day. Be creative!
  • Keep encouraging your teachers and staff in the weekly staff wellness challenges! This week we’ll see who can post a healthy choice(s) using our #JYJ175K hashtag on social media. Next week wraps up the month-long bookworm challenge — who can check off the most books from the reading challenge list?
  • Reading books is part of a healthy life — don’t forget to help gets books to kids who need them by donating gently used books at school as part of the WAKE Up and Read annual book drive. If Joyner collects 2,600 books by this Friday, students get to dress up as their favorite book character on Friday, March 3.

 

Run Club meets tomorrow

Run Club meets again tomorrow after school for all who are already signed up. Thanks to all the volunteers who stepped up to make the JYJ Run Club possible. If you missed out on tomorrow’s session, you can still click here to register your child and click here to sign up as a volunteer for March 2. Registration closes on Tuesdays at midnight each week and children must be registered to attend. Parents are strongly encouraged to volunteer twice and are not required to run.

 

Look for markers, Legos and shoes in your spring cleaning

All this warm weather have you itching to start your spring cleaning? Joyner is here to take some of those items off your hands.

  • Did you use markers on your Valentine’s Day crafts? This is a reminder that we can recycle ALL kinds of dried up markers through the Crayola Colorcycle Program. Bring them to Mr. Fotta’s room and look for the colorful collection bin!
  • Do you have Lego hanging around the house that you are tired or stepping on or that are taking up space in your storage? Technology teacher Jennifer Bell is in search of all things Lego for use with Stop Motion movies and a new Maker Space. Any and all donations would be hugely appreciated and can be dropped off at the Joyner technology lab in the media center. Contact Ms. Bell at jbell3@wcpss.net with questions.
  • Bring in new and used shoes for Mr. Fotta’s collection to support his family’s adoption trip — donation bins are in the front lobby and beside the art classroom.

 

Yearbook team is counting on you for photos

Our yearbook committee needs your pictures now — especially candid shots of kids around campus! 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!

 

Help guide language arts curriculum for WCPSS

Wake County Public School System wants your input about the English/language arts curriculum in grades 3-8. In these sessions, you will be asked to review some very high quality curriculum resources to be introduced in our schools beginning next year. Teachers and other school professionals will be on hand to guide you through the process. Sessions are set for Feb. 27-March 2  from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and are open to parents and community members. See the WCPSS website for details and locations.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Feb. 23: Run Club, 3-4 p.m.
  • March 1: TEK Club registration, 8-8:30 a.m.
  • March 2: Run Club, 3-4 p.m.
  • March 3: Carlotta Santana Dance Ensemble performance for all grades
  • March 5: Joyner 5K
  • March 9: Student-led conferences (sign up in your class Hub)
  • March 20-24: Writer-in-residents with 4th graders
  • March 22: Number Drummer performance for all grades
  • March 23: Spirit Night at United Skates, 6-8:30 p.m.
  • March 31: Snow make-up day (school is in session)
  • April 10-14: Spring break