Many ghosts and ghouls came out for Paynter’s annual Fall Parade. Children walked around the parking lot as parents and friends from the community came to watch. Thank you to cafeteria manager, Mrs. Weiss, for providing warm beverages during the cool, crisp morning.

To reinforce the letter S and its sound, students in Mrs. Vu’s Kindergarten made “super sandwiches” and sipped 7-Up soda. The children enjoyed preparing the sandwiches themselves and enjoyed eating them even more.

Paynter Elementary held Red Ribbon week from October 22-26. Organized by Social Worker, Mrs. Melvin, Red Ribbon week is an annual campaign to promote a drug-free society. Students were encouraged to wear sweat clothes to school on Monday, “Living Drug Free is No Sweat”. Tuesday’s Theme was “Follow Your Dreams – Don’t Do Drugs” and all were encouraged to wear pajamas to school. School color day was Wednesday for students to show their commitment to a drug free school. Thursday was Western Day to “Stomp out Drugs”. And Friday was “Team Up Against Drugs” in which all could wear their favorite team shirt. Students were also given bracelets, pencils, bookmarks and red ribbons to help celebrate.

How many candy corns are there? Students donated money to make a guess. The Caring Team fundraiser kickoff took place at Paynter Elementary, led by co-chairs 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Noel and Social Worker, Mrs. Melvin. All donations collected will be given to The Caring Place. The Caring Team is an organization sponsored through the Highmark Company that consists of hundreds of schools, businesses, and community partners that work together to raise funds and increase community awareness for the needs of grieving and uninsured children. For more information, see the website www.highmarkcaringplace.com.

Paynter students enjoyed a PTA-sponsored assembly with Gizmo the robot. Gizmo talked with the children about how being different is a great thing and how we are all “million dollar machines” so we should respect others and take care of our body by eating the right foods and staying away from drugs and alcohol. Check out Gizmo’s website at www.robomedia.com.

Students in grades 9-12 from Baldwin High School Key Club and sponsors, Laura Burns and Kate Musselman, came to Paynter School on October 11th to meet their ELL Book Buddies for the school year.  Book Buddies is a Key Club project that is done around the world. They will continue to visit throughout the school year to read with their new friends.

October 16th was Literacy Night at Paynter Elementary. Teachers were on hand to demonstrate many parts of the Language Arts curriculum to grades K – 5 parents and students. Attendees were able to take an actual Accelerated Reader test, view a read aloud, participate in learning centers and to see how children are led through the writing process. PTA held a delicious bake sale led by chairperson, Mrs. Hayhurst.

Students at Paynter Elementary are very lucky to have their own DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer! Officer Gazzo has begun to make her classroom visits speaking with children about ways they can resist drugs and alcohol and negative peer pressure. For more information check the website: www.dare.com

3rd grade rooms 126 and 127 “used their noodles” to show different ways to represent a number using four different types of pasta. Students created a 4 digit number and wrote it in standard and expanded form and word form. Our noodle math was tons of fun!

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black. To help Kindergarteners learn their basic colors, staff and students dressed in the Color of the Day.

Friday, October 5th was the national Lee Denim Day kickoff. Staff members made donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day for the privilege of wearing denim every Friday throughout the school year. Before school, teachers met for treats and admired each others pink attire. Paynter faculty enjoyed the surprise visitors, past principal and vice-principal, Mrs. Taiclet and Ms DiBon. For more information on this worthy cause, visit the websites:   www.komen.org  or www.denimday.com.