NewsFlash | Counting down the days…

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Road construction warning

For families driving to school, please avoid traveling to Joyner via Medway Drive. The entire street is being resurfaced and will be one lane through mid to late September. Lowden Street approaching Medway has also been closed. That project, combined with several houses under construction on Medway, means driving and parking on the street will be challenging at best.

 

Meet the Teacher this Friday morning

Come on by Joyner this Friday morning between 8 and 9:30 to meet your 1st-5th grade classroom teachers for the new school year — you can also get your carpool number, sign-in any medications and register for before/after school care while you’re there. If you pre-ordered school supplies, be sure to pick them up in the cafeteria and bring them to your child’s classroom while you’re there.

We send best wishes with several faculty and staff who are leaving us for new adventures this year and we welcome the new faces to our Joyner family! Check out the school website for changes and bios about our 2016-17 team and see Mrs. Hutchinson’s blog for more.

 

School grounds get spiffy

The grounds around Joyner got a major upgrade this week! More than 150 new plants and trees were planted to welcome everyone back to school. A special thank you to Danielle Slavin for her vision in plantings and to Julie Dalton for working her magic to make it all happen!

 

Before you arrive on Monday…

Here’s a quick list of back-to-school links, to help you get ready:

 

Joyner’s Backpack Buddies needs your help

We still need your help funding Joyner’s Backpack Buddies program, administered through the Interfaith Food Shuttle. So far we’ve funded only about one-quarter of the food insecure students to be able to take home some basic food each weekend. It costs $350 per child to provide them with a weekly bag to take home filled with nutritious food throughout the school year.

If you would like to contribute, just click this link — you can donate anonymously if you wish, and it only takes a minute! Alternatively, you can mail your donation to: Ele Roberts 616 Mial Street, Raleigh 27608. Checks can be made out to Interfaith Food Shuttle with “Joyner” on the memo line. Donations are tax deductible. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes directly from Interfaith Food Shuttle. If you have questions, please contact our Joyner volunteers: Ele Roberts (919) 649-6600, Lisa Brown (919)782-0640 or Kelly Valdespino (919)835-0405.

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Aug. 25: Bowling fundraiser for the JYJ Foundation at The Alley (2512 Hillsborough St.), 6-8 p.m.
  • Aug. 26: Meet the Teacher (grades 1-5), 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 29: First day of school!
  • Sept. 2: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 8: Open House, 5-7 p.m.

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.

SummerFlash | Why have a PTA? (plus news you can use)

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Popsicles for kindergartners this week!

Welcome to all our rising kindergarten families! Please join us for popsicles on the playground this Thursday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m. and/or Sunday, Aug. 14, at 3:30 p.m. Come meet other Joyner kindergarten families and talk to current students and parents! Please RSVP to hannacompton@gmail.com.

 

Why have a PTA?

If your vision of PTA is just bake sales and end-of-year classroom parties, then you’re really missing out. At Joyner, we are privileged to have a strong, energetic PTA filled with volunteers who are committed to making Joyner a place where every student and teacher can succeed. But that success doesn’t happen by accident — it’s only because all of you make it a reality year after year.

With the exciting news that our school’s Foundation has made it possible to hire a new Spanish teacher this year, we realize it might be less obvious what your PTA donations do for students and teachers at Joyner — the PTA and the Foundation are great partners, but they’re two separate organizations with two separate budgets.

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

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

Amazingly, we’re able to do ALL of this without asking you or your children to sell wrapping paper, magazines, coupon books, cookie dough or summer sausages. At Meet the Teacher, be sure to pick up your No-Fuss Fundraiser form to make your PTA donation — or go ahead and download the form (click here for English or click here for Spanish), fill it out and bring your check with you on Aug. 26. 

 

Getting ready for school

Here’s an extra list of back-to-school links, in case you missed anything last week:

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Aug. 11: Popsicles on the playground for rising kindergartners, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 14: Popsicles on the playground for rising kindergartners, 3:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 25: Bowling fundraiser for the JYJ Foundation at The Alley (2512 Hillsborough St.), 6-8 p.m.
  • Aug. 26: Meet the Teacher (grades 1-5), 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 29: First day of school!
  • Sept. 2: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 8: Open House, 5-7 p.m.

SummerFlash | Welcome to August!

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

What to expect in August

Only three and a half weeks left before school starts! For many of you, back-to-school routines are old hat — but for some, this is your first August at Joyner. Whether you need a introduction or just a refresher, here are a few notes about what to expect this month:

  • Letters with classroom assignments (1st-5th grades) and staggered entry dates (kindergarten) — along with other helpful info about Joyner and the PTA — will be mailed from WCPSS by Aug. 19. Note that staggered entry for kindergarten means those students will only attend school ONE day during the week of Aug. 29.
  • Kindergarten gatherings with popsicles on the playground are set for Thursday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m. and Sunday, Aug. 14, at 3:30 p.m. Come meet other Joyner kindergarten families and talk to current students and parents! Please RSVP to hannacompton@gmail.com.
  • Meet the Teacher for students in 1st-5th grades runs from 8-9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 26. Bring your kids and drop in anytime during that block to check out your child’s new classroom, introduce yourself to your child’s teacher, pick up a carpool number, get a walker number, check your bus information, sign up for before/after school care and drop your pre-ordered supplies at your child’s desk. You can even sign up to be room parent for your child’s class while you’re there. PTA will also have a table set up so you can go ahead and join the PTA and give to the No-Fuss fundraiser — details coming soon. (Kindergarten Meet the Teacher will be held on Sept. 2 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.)
  • School supply lists are on the Joyner website at http://www.wcpss.net/Page/4728, in case you didn’t pre-order supplies to be delivered to school.
  • Deposit lunch money in your child’s account through the My School Bucks lunch money app, if your child plans on buying cafeteria lunch. You can also use the app to see what they buy, so you know if they’re getting the lunch or just buying desserts. Not that anyone would do that. Or if you’re looking for information about the state’s Free or Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program, click here for the latest updates.
  • Help out the PTA by volunteering for the audit position on the PTA board — contact Catherine Otto at catherineeotto@gmail.com for details.

 

What does that mean?

The overhang. The Jamboree. OM. IB. PYP.

Like all families, Joyner tends to use its own shorthand and nicknames for lots of things — plus the world of education comes with a whole set of terms and acronyms. Check out our handy-dandy JYJ glossary to find definitions of terms and explanations of programs to help keep you in the know — it’s saved in the Files section of the Joyner hub.

 

Donate to Joyner’s Backback Buddies program

So far we’ve raised about $1,000 for Joyner’s Backpack Buddies program, administered through the Interfaith Food Shuttle. That amount will only cover about three Joyner children in need to take home some basic food each weekend — and we need your help to fund 18-20 food insecure students for the 2016-17 school year. It costs $350 per child to provide them with a weekly bag to take home filled with nutritious food throughout the school year.

If you would like to contribute, just click this link — you can donate anonymously if you wish, and it only takes a minute! Alternatively, you can mail your donation to: Ele Roberts 616 Mial Street, Raleigh 27608. Checks can be made out to Interfaith Food Shuttle with “Joyner” on the memo line. Donations are tax deductible. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes directly from Interfaith Food Shuttle. Joyner’s goal is to collect enough to fully fund the program before school starts in August. If you have questions, please contact our Joyner volunteers: Ele Roberts (919) 649-6600, Lisa Brown (919)782-0640 or Kelly Valdespino (919)835-0405.

 

Updates to MemberHub

The Joyner PTA and the J.Y. Joyner Foundation both use MemberHub for communications with Joyner parents, but we don’t have a way to automatically subscribe families to the hub. If you know someone who is joining the Joyner family and isn’t set up in MemberHub, please ask them to complete the form at this link: http://bit.ly/JYJmemberhub. 

Already in MemberHub? Take a moment to be sure your profile is updated. If your child is no longer attending Joyner and you’d like to be removed from the JYJ hub, just reply to this message and ask to unsubscribe.

 

Get those final summer books!

Hopefully your kids are finding time between camps and other summer activities to keep up their reading! Extra reading logs, as well as program info in English and Spanish, are available on MemberHub. Students can keep track of the minutes they read this summer (either at www.scholastic.com or on the log in sheet) and be eligible for a celebration in September. Don’t forget to join us for the last Summer Reading Challenge library meet-up on Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Leesville Community Library.

 

Access online learning resources

Be sure to use Joyner’s online learning resources over the summer! Big Universe, PebbleGo, BrainPop, BrainPop, Jr, CultureGrams, Tumblebooks, NC WiseOwl and more are available to you for free as a Wake County/Joyner family. Check the files section of MemberHub for login information and let the learning begin! If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hale at dhale@wcpss.net.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Aug. 8: Summer reading meet-up, Leesville Community Library, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 11: Popsicles on the playground for rising kindergartners, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 14: Popsicles on the playground for rising kindergartners, 3:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 26: Meet the Teacher (grades 1-5), 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 29: First day of school!
  • Sept. 2: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 8: Open House, 5-7 p.m.

SummerFlash | Pre-order school supplies by July 15

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Last week to pre-order school supplies

Order your children’s school supplies online. Show up at school in the fall. Pat yourself on the back. It’s really that simple when you order through Joyner’s school supplies partnership! Just click this link and login with our account number (JOY014), then find the packs for your child’s grade for next year and order. The packs will be delivered directly to Joyner in August. Online ordering is available through July 15. Here’s the link again, in case you missed it: https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/

 

Thanks to Wells Fargo!

The Hayes Barton Wells Fargo team has selected the Joyner PTA for a $1,000 Community Connection grant. Huge thank you to Wells Fargo and the Hayes Barton team! What a great way to give Joyner a jump on the PTA’s No-Fuss Fundraiser for the fall.

 

Updates to MemberHub

The Joyner PTA and the J.Y. Joyner Foundation both use MemberHub for communications with Joyner parents, but we don’t have a way to automatically subscribe families to the hub. If you know someone who is joining the Joyner family and isn’t set up in MemberHub, please ask them to complete the form at this link: http://bit.ly/JYJmemberhub. 

If your child is no longer attending Joyner and you’d like to be removed from the JYJ hub, just reply to this message and ask to unsubscribe.

Hayes Barton Wells Fargo team has selected the Joyner PTA for a $1,000 Community Connection grant. Huge thank you to Wells Fargo and the Hayes Barton team! What a great way to give Joyner a jump on the PTA’s No-Fuss Fundraiser for the fall.

 

Donate to Joyner’s Backback Buddies program

Thanks to all who have already supported Joyner’s Backpack Buddies, the program administered through the Interfaith Food Shuttle that allows a group of Joyner children in need to take home some basic food each weekend. Last year, your generosity provided backpacks to 18 food insecure students — and we need your help to fund 18-20 students for the 2016-17 school year. It costs $350 per child to provide with a weekly bag to take home filled with nutritious food throughout the school year.

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

For more information please visit Interfaith Food Shuttle’s website at foodshuttle.org/childprogram. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Joyner volunteers: Ele Roberts (919) 649-6600, Lisa Brown (919)782-0640 or Kelly Valdespino (919)835-0405.

 

Summer Reading Challenge is on!

Hopefully your kids are finding time between camps and other summer activities to keep up their reading! Extra reading logs, as well as program info in English and Spanish, are available on MemberHub. Students can keep track of the minutes they read this summer (either at www.scholastic.com or on the log in sheet) and be eligible for a celebration in September. Don’t forget to join us for the last Summer Reading Challenge library meet-up on Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Leesville Community Library.

 

Access online learning resources

Be sure to use Joyner’s online learning resources over the summer! Big Universe, PebbleGo, BrainPop, BrainPop, Jr, CultureGrams, Tumblebooks, NC WiseOwl and more are available to you for free as a Wake County/Joyner family. Check the files section of MemberHub for login information and let the learning begin! If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hale at dhale@wcpss.net.

 

Garden watering schedule

Thanks to all who signed up to water the JYJ learning garden — don’t forget which week you picked! These blazing temperatures aren’t forgiving for our sunny growing space.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • Aug. 8: Summer reading meet-up, Leesville Community Library, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 11: Popsicles on the playground for rising kindergartners, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 14: Popsicles on the playground for rising kindergartners, 3:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 26: Meet the Teacher (grades 1-5), 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 29: First day of school!
  • Sept. 2: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 8: Open House, 5-7 p.m.

SummerFlash | Reading meet-ups, Backpack Buddies, online learning, school supplies and calendar items

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Backback Buddies needs your help

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

Last year, your generosity provided backpacks to 18 food insecure students — and we need your help to fund 18-20 students for the 2016-17 school year. It costs $350 per child to provide with a weekly bag to take home filled with nutritious food throughout the school year.

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

For more information please visit Interfaith Food Shuttle’s website at foodshuttle.org/childprogram. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Joyner volunteers: Ele Roberts (919) 649-6600, Lisa Brown (919)782-0640 or Kelly Valdespino (919)835-0405.

 

Summer Reading Challenge is on!

Hopefully your kids are finding time between camps and other summer activities to keep up their reading! Extra reading logs, as well as program info in English and Spanish, are available on MemberHub. Students can keep track of the minutes they read this summer (either at www.scholastic.com or on the log in sheet) and be eligible for a celebration in September.

Join us for the Summer Reading Challenge library meet-ups (note new morning times):

  • July 11: North Regional Library, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 8: Leesville Community Library, 10 a.m.

 

Access online learning resources

Be sure to use Joyner’s online learning resources over the summer! Big Universe, PebbleGo, BrainPop, BrainPop, Jr, CultureGrams, Tumblebooks, NC WiseOwl and more are available to you for free as a Wake County/Joyner family. Check the files section of MemberHub for login information and let the learning begin! If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hale at dhale@wcpss.net.

 

Not too late to pre-order school supplies

Order your children’s school supplies online. Show up at school in the fall. Pat yourself on the back. It’s really that simple when you order through Joyner’s school supplies partnership! Just click this link and login with our account number (JOY014), then find the packs for your child’s grade for next year and order. The packs will be delivered directly to Joyner in August. Online ordering is available through July 15. Here’s the link again, in case you missed it: https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/

 

Garden watering schedule

Thanks to all who signed up to water the JYJ learning garden — don’t forget which week you picked! These blazing temperatures aren’t forgiving for our sunny growing space.

 

TEK Club dates set for fall

Are you ready to start planning your fall after-school fun? Joyner’s TEK Clubs will return to JYJ this fall with for six consecutive Wednesdays from Oct. 12 – Nov. 16, 3:30-4:45 p.m. TEK supervises students after school until clubs begin. Club cost is $135. More details coming this fall about which Joyner teachers will be offering clubs. Any questions, please contact TEK (Duval Fisher & Julie Sullivan) at duval@tailoredenrichmentkids.com or visit www.tailoredenrichmentkids.com.

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • July 11: Summer reading meet-up, North Regional Library, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 8: Summer reading meet-up, Leesville Community Library, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 11: Popsicles on the playground for rising kindergartners, 10 a.m.
  • Aug. 14: Popsicles on the playground for rising kindergartners, 3:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 26: Meet the Teacher (grades 1-5), 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 29: First day of school!
  • Sept. 2: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 8: Open House, 5-7 p.m.

NewsFlash | Last week of school plus some summer updates

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Where did the time go?! Hard to believe it’s our last NewsFlash of the 2015-16 school year. Many thanks to you and all the amazing parents, teachers, staff, families and friends who make Joyner such a wonderful place to be. Your contributions throughout the year are too overwhelming to list here (seriously, none of you would read all of that), but please know that your time and energy are so valuable to every child here! A special thank you to all the parents who served on the executive board or chaired a committee over the past year — many of you went above and beyond the call of duty and we are so grateful. The 2016-17 PTA officers will be working over the summer to be sure that next year is just as fabulous.

And one more thank you — to the Class of 2016! Thanks to this year’s 5th grade class for giving Joyner this amazing mural, created by the very talented (Joyner mom) Denise Hughes, as a special backdrop for our new stage. What a beautiful gift for the whole Joyner family! Best wishes to all our graduates.

Summer is for reading

Check the bottom of your kid’s backpack for a pink sheet with information about JYJ’s Summer Reading program, which begins as soon as the last bell rings on June 9 (or maybe your kids actually handed the info to you, in which case, congratulations on raising such responsible citizens!). Extra reading logs, as well as program info inEnglish and Spanish, are available on MemberHub. Students can keep track of the minutes they read this summer (either at www.scholastic.com or on the log in sheet) and then turn in their minutes by Sept. 4 to participate in a fun-filled celebration. Don’t miss out!

 

Your summer to-do list:

  • Order your children’s school supplies online so that they’ll magically show up at school in August (the supplies, that is, not your kids). By July 15, Just click this link and login with our account number (JOY014), then find the packs for your child’s grade for next year and order.
  • Send a picture of your child(ren) in a JYJ shirt during your summer trips to jyjsummerpics@gmail.com by Aug. 19.
  • Sign up to water our new learning garden — just come over twice during the week that you sign up for and help keep our garden growing strong.
  • Track your summer reading (see item at top).
  • Attend fun camps run by Joyner teachers.
  • Don’t forget to wear sunscreen.

 

Magical marker collection

Thanks to your contributions this year, PTA volunteer Rebecca Blum will be mailing off 323 markers for the Crayola Colorcycle program. Be sure to collect your used-up markers over the summer and bring them to Joyner in August — let’s see if we can keep even more plastic out of the trash and into this recycling program!

 

Still time to stock the hospital treasure box

Joyner is collecting items for the UNC Children’s Hospital’s “treasure box,” where young patients can pick out a prize after having blood drawn. Items needed include: crossword puzzle books, any books (all reading level), games, small toys, coloring books, markers, crayons, colored pencils. Look for the bin at Joyner’s front entrance to drop off those items and bring a smile to some kids (and their families) who might really need one.

 

Summer meals for kids

Last year, nearly one million low-income North Carolina public school children received meals during the school year, but less than 15 percent received meals or snacks at approved summer meal sites in their neighborhoods. To help address this critical need, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) School Nutrition Services staff, along with a number of statewide partners, have announced the availability of the Summer Nutrition Programs for students across the state. Once the school year ends, nearly 3,000 summer nutrition meals sites will help bridge the school meals gap until the beginning of the new school year. Click here for details, including a program locator map and text-messaging service to find the site closest to you.

 

Connecting new JYJ families

Know a new family coming to Joyner next year? Let them know they can sign up to join our MemberHub at http://bit.ly/JYJmemberhub. We will send a couple of updates over the summer, so be sure your friends are on the list!

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • June 7: Step Up Day for K-4th grades
  • June 7: Don’t forget to vote! Visit ncvoter.org for details.
  • June 8: 5th grade celebration (pre-ceremony reception in cafeteria at 8:30, graduation at 9 a.m. followed by pizza party)
  • June 9: School store open
  • June 9: Annual faculty vs. 5th grade kickball game, 9 a.m. at Kiwanis Park
  • June 10: No more school for the summer
  • Aug. 29: First day of the 2016-17 school year!

NewsFlash | Dine-out night, school supplies, garden watering and more!

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Eat at Pei Wei this Thursday

It’s that crazy time of year when we could all use a night off from making dinner. But we’ve got good news! Come join your friends for our last dine-out night of the year at Pei Wei Restaurant (4408 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh) on Thursday, June 2, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Joyner PTA will receive a percentage of proceeds for all meals purchased on that day (take out or dine in).

 

School supplies? Check.

Order your children’s school supplies online. Show up at school in the fall. Pat yourself on the back. It’s really that simple when you order through Joyner’s school supplies partnership! Just click this link and login with our account number (JOY014), then find the packs for your child’s grade for next year and order. The packs will be delivered directly to Joyner in August. Online ordering is available through July 15. Here’s the link again, in case you missed it: https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/

On a related note, the school store will be open the last day of school (June 9) so that you can stock up on enough fun erasers and pens to get you through the summer.

 

Stock the hospital treasure box

Joyner is collecting items for the UNC Children’s Hospital’s “treasure box,” where young patients can pick out a prize after having blood drawn. Items needed include: crossword puzzle books, any books (all reading level), games, small toys, coloring books, markers, crayons, colored pencils. Look for the bin at Joyner’s front entrance to drop off those items and bring a smile to some kids (and their families) who might really need one.

 

Make Joyner a trash-free zone

Some enterprising second graders have formed the Joyner Environmental Club to help clean up the grounds once a month. You can join these students this Sunday at 3:30 — the more help we have, the faster we can pick up trash from around our campus. The crew will have trash bags available to anyone who wants to meet under the overhang.

 

Show your JYJ love this summer

Have an exciting summer adventure planned? Be sure to pack a Joyner shirt in your luggage! Send a picture of your child(ren) in a JYJ shirt during your summer trip to jyjsummerpics@gmail.com. Please include in your email message your child(ren)’s name(s) and where you are in the picture. Pictures shared will be displayed at school in the fall and may even be included in Mrs. Hutchinson’s summer tweets! Deadline for submissions is Aug. 19.

 

Seeking summer watering volunteers

Worried you might miss coming to the JYJ this summer? Need an excuse to get out of the house? Then we have the perfect job for you! Visit the sign-up in MemberHub and pick a week to help water our new learning garden — just come over twice during the week that you sign up for and help keep our garden growing strong. It’s a low stress way to be a big help.

 

Vote on June 7

Now, you might be thinking: Wait, what, didn’t we already vote? Is it November already?!

So this is a little confusing. In North Carolina, the district lines for who represents you in the U.S. House of Representatives changed. In a special election on June 7, Democrats and Republicans will pick their candidates to be on the November ballot. (Unaffiliated or independent voters can vote in either party’s contest.) In a few districts, the party only has 1 candidate so there is no contest and that person will be on the November ballot. But ALL North Carolina voters will be picking among four candidates to decide who will sit on the NC Supreme Court. This is a nonpartisan contest; no party labels will appear on the ballot. Visit ncvoter.org for details.

 

Connecting new JYJ families

Know a new family coming to Joyner next year? Let them know they can sign up to join our MemberHub at http://bit.ly/JYJmemberhub. We will send a couple of updates over the summer, so be sure your friends are on the list!

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • June 5: Campus clean up at 3:30 p.m.
  • June 7: Step Up Day for K-4th grades
  • June 7: Don’t forget to vote!
  • June 8: 5th grade celebration (pre-ceremony reception in cafeteria at 8:30, graduation in gym at 9 a.m.)
  • June 9: School store open
  • June 9: Annual faculty vs. 5th grade kickball game, 9 a.m. at Kiwanis Park
  • June 10: No school — see you in August!

NewsFlash | Dine-out night next week, office volunteer need, charter school funding bill

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Extend your IB learning to dinnertime

You can’t go to China for dinner next week, but you can pretend to be international and join us for our last dine-out night of the year at Pei Wei Restaurant (4408 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh) on Thursday, June 2, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Joyner PTA will receive a percentage of proceeds for all meals purchased on that day (take out or dine in). Give yourself a night out, help the PTA and enjoy the company of friends!

 

Here’s your chance to use the laminating machine!

Elizabeth Ferriter, our fearless front desk leader, needs two parent volunteers to sort, make copies, laminate and cut out new carpool numbers for the 2016-2017 school year. If you’re available on May 26 or 27 or June 1-3 after 1 p.m., please see Ms. Ferriter in the main office so she can fill you in on the details.

 

Missing something?

In addition to the general lost and found pile, Ms. Ferriter also has a special stash of prescription glasses, eye cases, jewelry and other treasures that have been left behind at school. If you can describe your item to her, then it’s yours. Please stop by the office if you think one of these treasures might belong to your child.

 

Advocacy alert from the NC PTA

The North Carolina House of Representatives is considering a bill that would significantly increase the amount of money that local public schools must share with charter schools. The expansion of funds required by HB 539 to be shared includes federal grants and appropriations made directly to local school administrative units, as well as grants and gifts received by the school if the grant or gift does not contain specific restricting language. HB 539 also requires that local school districts must provide charter schools with additional funding for services and programs even if the charter school does not provide the same services or programs connected with the funding. Both the NC School Administrators Association and NC School Boards Association strongly oppose HB 539. If you have concerns about HB 539, please contact your House member and ask that he or she vote NO on House Bill 539. The vote could take place as early as this week. Click here for more information from the NC School Boards Association.

School lunch prices up for next year

The Wake County school board last week approved 25-cent increases in school breakfast and lunch prices for the 2016-17 school year. This is the school district’s first price increase since 2010. Breakfast will rise to $1.25 in elementary schools and $1.50 in middle and high schools. Lunch will increase to $2.25 in elementary schools and $2.50 in middle and high schools. There is no change expected in the price for reduced-priced meals. It’s free for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch for those students who qualify for the lower price due to their reported family income. (via The N&O)

 

Connecting new JYJ families

Know a new family coming to Joyner next year? Let them know they can sign up to join our MemberHub at http://bit.ly/JYJmemberhub. For those who’ve just joined, welcome to the NewsFlash!

NewsFlash | PTA meeting, Box Tops, magic markers and lots of Friday fun

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

PTA meeting tomorrow at 6:30

Our final PTA general membership meeting will be held tomorrow (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m. — please be prompt so that we can wrap up before the student performance begins at 6:45! We need your votes to approve the proposed PTA budget amendment for 2015-16 school year, the proposed PTA budget for 2016-17 school year, and the slate of PTA officers for 2016-17 school year. We’ll also announce the school supplies pre-sale and present the George Risinger Service Award for 2015-16.

 

Last chance for Box Tops

Gather up all those tiny little Box Tops that you’ve clipped and stashed all year — this is the last week to send them in to your child’s teacher for this school year. The class that collects the most gets a pizza party. Your kids will thank you — and so will the PTA funds.

It’s also the final collection for the Crayola Colorcycle project. Please bring in your dried up markers, dry erase, sharpies, highlighter — ANY kind of marker can be recycled. The colorful collection bin is located in the art room. Thanks to everyone who has sent in markers already this year!

 

Star of Stage and Screen

Have you seen the beautiful new stage under the overhang? Be sure to check it out the next time you’re at school — it’s a great upgrade for our school’s performance space, thanks to continued efforts by Julie Dalton and the PTA’s grounds restoration committee.

New Joyner stage

Fun and games on Friday

Many thanks to all the volunteers who help make Joyner such a wonderful family! Join us for a thank-you celebration on Friday morning when you bring your kids to school.

Then it’s the ultimate kids Fri-yay — Field Day craziness for everyone this Friday! Thanks to all who have volunteered to help make this event possible. Mr. Poyer is still collecting juice boxes and cookies for the kids to have during the day.

And as if that weren’t enough awesomeness for one Friday, there’s also the Duct-Tape-a-Principal for the J.Y. Joyner Foundation — don’t forget to bring your $5 this week to buy your piece of silver stickiness to attach Mrs. Hutchinson to the wall on Friday.

 

Final dine-out night next month

Please join Joyner families for fellowship and fundraising at Pei Wei Restaurant (4408 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh) on Thursday, June 2, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Joyner PTA will receive a percentage of proceeds for all meals purchased on that day (take out or dine in). This is a great chance to bring your family out to dinner with Joyner friends as the school year is coming to a close!

 

Connecting new JYJ families

Know a new family coming to Joyner next year? Let them know they can sign up to join our MemberHub at http://bit.ly/JYJmemberhub. For those who’ve just joined, welcome to the NewsFlash!

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • May 19: Kindergarten animal parade, 8:30 a.m.
  • May 19: General PTA membership meeting at 6:30 followed by 6:45 music concert (2nd grade, 3rd grades and the Gold Choir)
  • May 20: Field day and volunteer breakfast
  • May 26-June 6: EOG testing and make-ups
  • June 8: 5th grade celebration (pre-ceremony reception in cafeteria at 8:30, graduation in gym at 9 a.m.)
  • June 9: Annual faculty vs. 5th grade kickball game, 9 a.m. at Kiwanis Park

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 | Kindergarten orientation today, Box Tops collection and final dine-out night in June

Posted on by Cyndi O'Neil

Kindergarten orientation today

Our kindergarten orientation will be held TODAY at 8:30 a.m. Parents should bring your rising K student with you to attend — the current kindergartners will present a welcome program and your student will get to spend time with the kindergarten teachers while you learn more about being a Joyner family.

 

Final dine-out night next month

Please join Joyner families for fellowship and fundraising at Pei Wei Restaurant (4408 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh) on Thursday, June 2, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Joyner PTA will receive a percentage of proceeds for all meals purchased on that day (take out or dine in). This is a great chance to bring your family out to dinner with Joyner friends as the school year is coming to a close!

 

Turn Box Tops into cash for PTA

It’s time for our final Box Top collection of the school year! Clip all those tiny little Box Tops and send them in to your child’s teacher — the class that collects the most gets a pizza party. Collection runs May 16-20.

 

Share your thoughts on math standards

Parents, educators and interested citizens are invited to provide feedback regarding proposed revisions to the North Carolina content standards for high school math courses Math 1, 2 and 3 via an online survey. The survey will be available through May 20. NC Department of Public Instruction staff review the state’s Standard Course of Study on a five-year cycle per subject, and mathematics is currently under review. As proposed, the changes could go into effect as early as this fall if the State Board approves the changes at its June meeting. The K-12 English/Language Arts Standards revision process will proceed this summer with the K-8 mathematics standards and fourth level high school mathematics standards revision process proceeding in the fall. Click here for more details.

 

Show off your PTA membership

Let us see your PTA pride by joining us for the final PTA membership meeting of the 2016 school year — May 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the gym. We’ll share highlights from this year and vote on the proposed budget and PTA officers for next year, so we need all your voices in attendance.

 

Have a 4th grader? You’re in luck!

Did you know that the federal Every Kid in a Park initiative allows 4th graders nationwide to obtain a pass for free entry for them and their families to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters nationwide for an entire year? The second year of this annual program begins Sept. 1. To find out how to get a pass or for more information to help plan trips, check out the Every Kid in a Park website.

 

Connecting new JYJ families

Know a new family coming to Joyner next year? Let them know they can sign up to join our MemberHub at http://bit.ly/JYJmemberhub. For those who’ve just joined, welcome to the NewsFlash!

 

Quick links

Calendar items

  • May 11: Rising kindergarten orientation, 8:30 a.m.
  • May 12: Spanish dancing evening for various classes and grades
  • May 14: Letterland at Pullen Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • May 19: Kindergarten animal parade, 8:30 a.m.
  • May 19: General PTA membership meeting at 6:30 followed by 6:45 music concert (2nd grade, 3rd grades and the Gold Choir)
  • May 20: Field day and volunteer breakfast
  • May 26-June 6: EOG testing and make-ups
  • June 8: 5th grade celebration (pre-ceremony reception in cafeteria at 8:30, graduation in gym at 9 a.m.)
  • June 9: Annual faculty vs. 5th grade kickball game, 9 a.m. at Kiwanis Park