PayneJunior High School

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Payne Junior High (2021-2022)

Payne Junior High students in David Giaramita's English Language Arts class wrote hypothetical backstories to the article, The Rampaging Pigs of San Francisco by Thomas Fuller of The New York Times. The author then read their adventures and loved it so much he agreed to have a zoom call with the students. The kids were so excited to be part of this. What a great experience!

Payne Junior High (2021-2022)

Payne Junior High eighth grader and golf club member, Trevor Rogers, had a perfect shot on No. 6 at Fountain of the Sun Country Club that found the bottom of the cup in one shot, A HOLE IN ONE, at their match versus Eastmark. Way to go, Trevor!

Payne Junior High (2021-2022)

Congratulations to Kennedy Grant who won 3rd place in Plant Sciences - JR, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2022 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled "Plants and Different Colored Light."

Payne Junior High (2021-2022)

Congratulations to Katherine Russo who won 2nd place in Plant Sciences - JR, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2022 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled "Scarification of Seeds."

Payne Junior High (2021-2022)

Students in Amanda Griffin's Gifted Geometry Class "worked their magic" constructing similar right triangles and geometric mean to indirectly measure the height of the gym wall. The next week, they used class-made clinometers and trigonometric ratios (Sine - Cosine - Tangent) to measure the same walls and compare. You couldn't ask for more beautiful weather to be outside and enjoying some math! PHOTO ALBUM: Applying Geometry and Trigonometry

Payne Junior High (2021-2022)

Builders Club members at Payne Junior High School created holiday decorations and cards for Archstone nursing home in Chandler.

Payne Junior High (2021-2022)

Payne Junior High students in the builder's club had a toy drive, and Payne students brought in 1,200 toys for the Blue Line of Love Toy Drive. These toys will go to community families in need. The club also packed 160 toy kits for police officers in Gilbert to give to kids in times of trauma to keep their spirits high.

Payne Junior High (2021-2022)

What better way to learn about chemical elements than by creating superheroes and villains based on the element's characteristics? Students in Scott Bemisdarfer's science class even dressed up as their hero.

Payne Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to the 2021 Americanism Essay winners from Payne Jr. High School: Scott Larsen - 1st Place; Hailey Green - 2nd Place; and Preston Womatopolous - 3rd place (Division 2) for the local Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Chandler Lodge #2429.

Payne Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Payne Junior High custodial manager Jesus Colon who won the Apple Achievement Award, Heather Catlin who was named the Outstanding Volunteer, and eighth grader Noah Lovato who is the Superintendent Citizenship winner for 2021. Read their stories here!

Payne Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to Sophia Harris of Payne Junior High who tied for 6th place at the 2021 Chandler Unified School District Spelling Bee on February 2. Sophia will advance with the other top 10 spellers to the Maricopa Region 6 Virtual Spelling Bee to be held on Tuesday, February 16. Good luck!

Payne Junior High (2020-2021)

Congratulations to winners in the 2021 City of Chandler Creative Expression Competition from Payne Junior High. Essay winners (5-8 Category): Kailani Higgins, 1st place; Evan Martin, 2nd place; and Rachel White, 3rd place. The theme for the 2021 contest: How your experience of culture or understanding of equity has changed with time. City of Chandler Creative Expression Competition website

Payne Junior High (2020-2021)

Payne Junior High builders club students, under the direction of Rosemary Schlechty, made holiday decor for nursing home residents to brighten their holidays.

Payne Junior High (2020-2021)

Payne Junior High staff members went out to feeder schools to see future Panthers on their first day of in-person learning. The staff stopped by and helped where they were needed, and Rice Elementary knew where to put Principal Paul Bollard to work!

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to the Elks Essay Contest Division II (junior high) winners from Payne Junior High:

• 1st Place - Helena Sherman (also took 1st place in the state competition for Division II)
• 2nd Place - Kailani Higgins
• 3rd Place - Owen Cumbo

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Grant Jones who won 3rd Place in Animal Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Do Crickets Eat More When Alone or With Other Crickets?. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Elizabeth Vernon who won Honorable Mention in Physics & Astronomy, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Thermal Spectrum. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Carson Devore who won 2nd Place in Physics & Astronomy, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled How Temperature Affects Elasticity of Rubber Bands. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Halle Chamberlain who won 3rd Place in Chemistry, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Different Types of Flour. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Joseph Garner who won Honorable Mention in Chemistry, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Stain's a Pain. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Mitsu Navarro who won Water Wise Award in Environmental Sciences, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Desalinating Water. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Kayla Scanlon and Jillian Mack who won 3rd Place in Physics & Astronomy, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled The Effect of the Surface Type on the Distance the Soccer Ball Travels. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Ella Wicoff who won 3rd Place in Physics & Astronomy, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Rockets. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Ethan Vela who won 2nd Place in Engineering, Junior Division (7th - 8th Grade) at the 2020 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Science of Bridge Tension and Compression. HISEF 2020 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Student comment: "Ms. (Cynthia) Bartlett plans amazing assignments for the kids, and she shows up everyday ready to teach!"

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Daya Wilson and Aidan Doyle, VEX Robotics teammates and students from the House of Payne Robotics Team, traveled to Whiteriver, Arizona to compete in the Last Chance Qualifier Tournament. Team 1096D, the Techno-Panther, won both the tournament championship and the Excellence Award! The Excellence Award is presented to teams at or near the top of all tournament rankings in competition, skills, design and other judged awards. They exhibited a high-quality team interview with the judges, and a student-centered robotics program that demonstrates positive team conduct, sportsmanship, and professionalism. Congratulations, Daya and Aidan!

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

From a message to our Facebook page: "I wanted to recognize three members of your girls' basketball team. I was at a restaurant (Barros) with my 3 year old special needs son, and three lovely young women from your team, still in uniform, saw him. He admires all things sports-related, and was in awe. They spent their evening playing with him, and even gave him a small basketball and showed him how to toss it back and forth. They represent the very best in our young people and made his night. You should be rightly proud of your wonderful students."

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Payne Junior Assistant Principal Lisa Palella was presented with the Horace Mann "Ruler of the Month" recognition for February 2020.

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Superintendent's Student Citizenship Award winner: Will Lucas is an 8th grade student at Payne. He works incredibly hard in his classes and is often seen as a leader other students can look up to for model behavior and citizenship. Teachers on campus often comment that "they wouldn't know what to do without him" as he is so thoughtful and kind. He's always looking for a way to improve and to help those around him.

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Payne librarian Shannon Jacques was nominated for the American Library Association's "I Love My Librarian Award." Her nomination said: "Shannon goes above and beyond to support our students and make our library a warm and inviting place. She remains current on contemporary YA texts for our students, but also seeks out new works that students would be interested in. She takes Payne's library beyond the traditional setting, creating a Maker Space, theme days, activities for students to do at lunch such as novel-themed escape rooms, and makes less than exciting tasks such as completing library orientation fun by creating digital scavenger hunts for the students. These are all created by Shannon personally, often outside of school hours. In addition to making the library a welcoming space, she frequently steps in to assist teachers to find relevant yet engaging materials and technology to integrate into lessons. Our school is lucky to have Shannon as our librarian!"

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Payne Junior High social studies teacher Kelly Heschke is a longtime member of the Cowgirls Historical Foundation. She has served hundreds of hours as an ambassador of western heritage and the equestrian way of life. New Year's Day, she was honored to ride with the group as part of the RFD-TV and Cowboy Channel's Tournament of Roses parade float. The ladies all wore designer vintage western wear from the 1940s and 1950s while riding horseback in Bohlin silver parade saddles from the same era.

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Congratulations to Audree Davis whose Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest entry was selected as the school winner for Payne Junior High. For over 30 years, Lions clubs around the globe have sponsored this international art contest to give children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. Audrey was awarded a certificate and cash prize from the Sun Lakes Lion's Club, sponsored by Intel.

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Payne Junior High students in Kennedy Plumb's class are truly getting into the holiday spirit by preparing care packages for troops overseas.

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Payne Junior High seventh graders Hannah Johnson, Alyssa Kuraoka, Sahasra Malepati, and Sabra Sanders made 425 friendship bracelets and took them to Phoenix Children's Hospital over Veterans Day weekend to let the patients there know they had friends thinking of them, even if they've never met.

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Our original Payne Staff from 2005 recently celebrated their longevity and commitment! These are the people who are still at Payne Junior High since the school's inception in 2005. Dr. Craig Gilbert, who was the Principal at the time, made the trek out here for his shirt and this picture! Thank you Dr. Gilbert!

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Parent comment: "My son took a pretest based on the ACT in his AP English class as a junior. He scored a 74 out of 75, which would have been a 34 on the ACT test. Kids in his class actually asked him if he cheated. He was worried his English teacher might think so too, but when she found out he had Mr. David Giaramita (Mr. G) for two years, she said she wasn't surprised. What she doesn't know is in 6th grade he barely scraped by with a D in English. Mr. G is an amazing teacher. He made my son work for every grade he received and taught him how to think critically about everything."

Payne Junior High (2019-2020)

Avery Koperniak, currently a Freshman at Basha High, spoke on Saturday to the Southwest Convention of Kiwanis Club. She represented the Payne Junior High School Builders Club extremely well. She was our PJHS Builders Club President the past two years. She spoke about the values and goals of Builders Club, her experiences in our club, and the service projects our club completed over the past 2 years. Avery received a standing ovation from the 200 Kiwanians attending the conference and received several compliments from individuals after the luncheon was over. We are very proud of her.

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Payne Junior High loves bus drivers rocking their attire! They are a great group of people who keep kids safe and are always working to make connections with students.

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Open letter from self-contained Special Education teacher to Payne staff, teachers and students: "Panther Pride, Words can't express the overwhelming pride that Amber and I have in the Payne Staff and students! What an memorable experience you gave the Unified BASKETBALL team today! Payne has truly shown what it means to embrace inclusion and celebrate everyone's successes. Please take a moment and tell your students how proud we are of them! The energy in the gym was UNBELIEVEABLE!!! Payne ROCKS! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who come out and watched the Unified Basketball game today vs. Santan. Can't wait for our next year's basketball game!"

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

The Payne Junior High chamber orchestra received a Superior (the highest rating) at the Flagstaff Junior High Orchestra festival on Saturday, May 4. Congratulations to our chamber orchestra and director Valerie Dopp!

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to Payne students Justin Basset (first place), Chimela Nwosu (second), and Austin Catlin (third) who won in this year's Chandler Elks Lodge essay contest, "What Makes You Proud of America?" The judges chose their entries out of 122 essays received from students all over the city.

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

The Payne National Junior Honor Society and CATS team joined forces to represent Chandler Unified School District at the Chandler Relay for Life. Over 85 past and present students raised over $3,800 in the fight against cancer! Dana Hansen, the Payne CATS Science teacher and childhood bone cancer survivor of 45 years, spoke at the Opening Ceremony/Survivor Lap. She wrote an essay that won for "Women's Voice." With the help of Big-O Tire, Payne teams raised a total of SIXTEEN THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY DOLLARS for the American Cancer Society! Photo Album: Payne Relay for Life

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Parent comment: "[Thank you, Mrs. Grimes] for going above and beyond to ensure my daughter maximizes her potential as a student. Mrs. Grimes has gone out of her way to get to know my daughter's learning style, making learning and understanding fun."

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Parent comment: "An effective honors and general math teacher, Mrs. Herz has taken it upon herself to understand how my daughter learns. From the first week of school, Mrs. Herz went to great lengths to discover and remove any obstacles to grasping concepts, even changing the appearance of the assessments so that my daughter could best show what she has learned. Tests no longer seemed overwhelming or confusing -- which drastically changed the way my daughter felt about testing until it clicked with her. Gratefully, Mrs. Herz didn't stop there. She continued to seek out instructional methods that would reach my daughter best and made adjustments to match. With Mr. Bollard's support, I nominated Mrs. Herz for the Silver Apple Award last October. While not selected as a recipient, she deserves every bit of that recognition. Mrs. Herz is truly an exceptional math teacher, and I couldn't be more appreciative of the impact she has made."

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to Payne Junior High Symphonic Band and teacher Deanna Bessette who received a rating of Superior with Distinction at the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA) area festival on March 27.

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to Payne Junior High student Barron Silsby who made 24 out of 25 shots at the Region 7 Elks Hoop Shoot Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 9 and is now a four-time state champion in his division! Barron will move on next to compete at the national competition in Chicago in April. Elks Hoop Shoot website

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to 8th Grade award winner Isabel Marley who won Honorable Mention in Medicine & Health Sciences at the 2019 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Mindfulness Meditation: The Effect of Meditation on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate and Stress Level. HISEF 2019 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to 8th Grade award winner Allison Freestone who won Water Wise Award in Environmental Sciences at the 2019 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled Preserving Freshwater Through Surface Area. HISEF 2019 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to 8th Grade award winner McKay Hartman who won 2nd Place in Earth & Planetary Science at the 2019 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled The Effect of Different Surface Material on Soil Erosion. HISEF 2019 Award Winners

Payne Junior High (2018-2019)

Congratulations to 7th Grade award winner Sarah Ritchie who won 3rd Place in Chemistry at the 2019 Hamilton Invitational Science and Engineering Fair (HISEF) for the project titled The Effect of Temperature on Rolling Balls. HISEF 2019 Award Winners

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