Panther Posts Newsletter

a 7th and 8th grade Junior High School located in Queen Creek/SE Gilbert within the Chandler Unified School District!

Principal: Lisa Palella

Assistant Principal/Athletic Director: Michael Schultz

Dean of Students: Amy Welch

Email: pjhswebmaster@cusd80.com
Website: www.cusd80.com/pjhs
Location: 7655 South Higley Road, Queen Creek, AZ, USA
Phone: 480 224 2400
Facebook: facebook.com/PayneJHS
Twitter: @Payne_Jr_High

Hi, Panther Families!

I want to give a huge thank you to our Boosters, staff, volunteers, and everyone who worked so hard to make our Spring Carnival a success. The students had a blast, and it was so great to see former students returning and meet some of our incoming students and families.

Once again, we have a busy quarter ahead of us. Fourth quarter sports have started try-outs and practices this week. I look forward to cheering on boys’ volleyball, girls’ soccer, and track and field. Go Panthers!

This quarter also means state testing. Our 8th graders will take AZSci (the state Science assessment) on Wednesday, April 3. The following week, 7th and 8th graders will take the AASA - Arizona’s Academic Standard Assessment (formerly AZMerit) on April 9, 10, and 11. Please ensure that your child is at school on time for the days of testing with a charged Chromebook and charger. Getting plenty of sleep the night before and having a nutritious breakfast can help students do their very best on the assessments.

CUSD sent out an email blast this week with information on ParentSquare, a new communication tool that the district has been piloting. Beginning next school year, this will be the way in which schools, teachers, coaches, and the district communicate important information. You’ll be receiving an email soon with an invitation to join ParentSquare. We recommend that you join to activate your account – it only takes a minute! You can also download the free mobile app for iOS or Android to stay connected with our school community.

As the school year comes to a close, we have some special events planned for our 8th graders. Friday, May 10, we are excited to host a semi-formal dance. On Friday, May 17th, 8th graders will take a field trip to Sunsplash for an end of year celebration. More information will be coming about both events as we get closer to the dates.

I’m looking forward to an amazing quarter to close out the school year.

Mrs. Palella

Open Enrollment for the 24-25 school year will begin January 8, 2024

Check out our Payne Calendar for Campus Tour Dates.

Click here for Secondary Open Enrollment and School Registration information

We need Kids Express workers!

This job is perfect for college students. They can work part-time and still get great benefits because they are working for a school district. It really is part-time work with full-time fun! If you know someone who might be interested in joining our Community Education team, please encourage them to apply. All the information is on our website. https://www.cusd80.com/Apply

Take a moment to check it out on https://give.livingtree.com/c/help-keep-student-meal-accounts-current--payne-jr-high-school and also share it with your friends

Here’s the page with instructions:

https://www.cusd80.com/SchoolMessenger

In summary, to receive texts from SchoolMessenger, you would need to opt in by texting Y or YES to 67587. SchoolMessenger will send you a confirmation text to confirm that your phone can receive texts from short code. If you don’t get this confirmation text, please refer to https://www.cusd80.com/SchoolMessenger for how to unblock short codes.

• Tax Credit donations help students become involved in fun, meaningful and life-enhancing activities like extra-curricular enrichment programs, athletics, or field trips. Eligible contributions are donated directly to schools, not to the state or the school district and are a full refund, not a deduction. Arizona law enables taxpayers a tax credit contribution of up to $400.00 per calendar year if filing status is Married, filing Joint Return; $200.00 per calendar year if filing status is Single or Head of Household. By making a tax credit donation, you are saying how you want your tax dollars spent. To donate or to learn more, visit our website: Parent Resources / Tax Credit and Student Fee Payment Menu (cusd80.com)

Girls Volleyball, Boys Baseball, Wrestling (co-ed) and Cheer

Girls Softball, Boys Basketball, Tennis (co-ed), and Cross Country (co-ed)

Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer, Flag Football (co-ed)

Girls Soccer, Boys Volleyball, Track and Field (co-ed)

Hi Families –

Did you know that only semester grades are recorded on student transcripts? This means that second quarter can be a fresh start for students who earned a low grade first quarter. Here is how the semester grade is calculated: first and second quarter grades account for 45% each, and the semester final makes up 10% of the grade.

Now that the transition of first quarter is behind us, keep that momentum going! Remember, your counselor can help you with organization, getting caught up on missing assignments, study skills and more. Please reach out; we are happy to help!

Payne Counseling Team:

Lisa Brown (7th/8th grade CATS and students with IEP’s) brown.lisa@cusd80.com

Melanie Holan (7th grade) holan.melanie@cusd80.com

Aimee Smith (8th grade) smith.aimee@cusd80.com

STUDENT SUCCESS TIP – How can I avoid getting behind when I’m absent?

In elementary school, when students are absent, they often return to school to find a folder on their desk with the work they missed while they were gone. In Jr. High, however, it is the student’s responsibility to find what they missed and make arrangements with teachers to make up tests or quizzes. Google classroom has made it so much easier to avoid getting behind during absences. While students are off campus, it is important to check Google classroom every day to see what was being taught in class that day, get notes, and assignments. Once students return to school, it is imperative that they communicate with each teacher to find out if they missed a test and schedule a time to take it before or after school or during their AP time.

If you find yourself behind on assignments, please reach out to your counselor. We can help organize work and create a schedule for completing it. We want you to be successful!

March:

29- Spring Holiday (no school)

April:

3- AZSci State testing 8th grade only

4- Q4 Season Team pictures

4- Parent Athlete meeting at 5:15p in Gym

9-11 AZ State Testing (7th and 8th)

May:

2- Stuco State Convention

8- Band Concert at 6:30p

9- Choir Concert at 6:00p

10- 8th gr Semi Formal Dance

13- Percussionpalooza at 6:30p

14- Night of Recognition at 6:00p

15- EVC Soccer & Volleyball Championships

16- EVC Track Championships

17- 8th gr EOY SunSplash trip

23- Last Day of School

Homework Hub is Monday through Thursday from 4:00p - 5:00p in the Library! Core teachers from each curriculum area will be available each day! If your student is in a Club that meets after school, they too can ride one of the Late Buses. They will leave Campus at 5:00pm. If you'd like your student to utilize this option, please call the office for bus stops and times, OR ask your student to come to Student Services. The student will receive a bus pass from Homework Hub/Club to be able to board the bus!

Check out our daily Video Announcements created and produced by our students

Daily Class Bell Schedule

CUSD Technology Links

TRANSPORTATION:

Bus routes are posted to your portal accounts. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCOMODATE FRIENDS RIDING ON OTHER FRIENDS BUSES. If you have extenuating circumstances, please call The Transportation Dept. at 480-424-8600.

Please review our Expected Student Behavior.

PE Shirts- Can be purchased online through your Parent Portal and InTouch. The shirts are $10!

Boosters- Check out our webpage to find opportunities to help!

Chandler Unified School District uses a notification system called School Messenger to best serve you with timely information about school or district updates. To receive text messages from CUSD, you must opt in by texting YES to 67587. There is no charge from School Messenger for this service. Standard messaging rates from your carrier may apply. Once you have sent YES to 67587, you should immediately receive a reply text from School Messenger confirming that you have opted in to receive text messages

Here is the second edition of the CUSD Weekly Newsletter https://www.smore.com/dpg5t.

Parent Portal- How to access the Parent Portal or create a new account, please visit the website. You can use the "Infinite Campus Parent Portal" app as well to view your student's information, read District messages, etc. Contact the office if you have any questions or need a password reset!

Order your Yearbook directly from Jostens! It is the ONLY way you can order. www.jostens.com

https://www.peachjar.com/

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home