Payne Elementary School

As a small neighborhood school, Payne's staff is committed to helping our students achieve academically and in life. We offer technology opportunities through the use of computers in the classrooms and a new mobile wireless laptop lab utilized for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. Our media center offers a computer lab for student research, writing and presentations. Payne offers special education programs and the English for Speakers of Other Languages program. A before-and after-school program is also available.

Teachers communicate student performance to parents. Two conferences are formal parent-teacher formats. The Payne staff works closely with parents and family members to help ensure success for the students. Community involvement is also important to Payne students and staff. United Way, RIF, Red Ribbon Week, Fire Prevention Week, Arts Partner Presentations, family nights, Site Council, and Parent Organization are all ways to become involved.

Our mission reflects the belief that all students will be academically successful when the staff plans and implements instruction based on individual student assessments. At Payne, assessment driven instruction coupled with the use of scientifically proven best teaching practices equate to optimal student learning, for all students.


Click the link at the right of this page to visit the Payne Elementary web site and get more information about our school.

Exit west Kellogg at Meridian St. Go south on Meridian to Harry. Go west on Harry two blocks to Payne. See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

We, the Payne staff in collaboration with parents, community, and students, will provide a safe and inviting environment where creative, responsible leaders and lifelong learners are developed. This will be achieved through the implementation of standards based curriculum and purposeful assessments.

School Vision Statement
Payne Elementary will be a positive and safe learning environment for students and staff, crating an atmosphere of open communication that encourages all families to be highly  involved.

School Values and Beliefs
As a staff, we value, respect, and celebrate successes of our students, families, and co-workers. We value and encourage communication and working together with:

* a standards-based curriculum
* relentless effort to promote student achievement in the community
* involved Parents

• Reading: Payne students will read and respond to the four types of text with an emphasis on Text Structures and Vocabulary while increasing their comprehension.
• Math: Payne students will increase their use of mathematical knowledge in real world applications.
• Writing: Payne students will develop proficiency in writing.

Each school has a site council, which is a group of parents, community members, business representatives, teachers and other school staff. Site councils identify, consider and discuss educational problems and issues at the school. Councils provide advice and counsel for evaluating state, school district and school site performance goals and objectives. Councils may also recommend methods that may be employed at the school site to meet these goals and objectives.

Meeting Day: Selected Thursdays
Time: 3:45 to 5 p.m.
Location: Payne Media Center
Chairperson: Michelle Sutton, 316-973-7850

• English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Title I school-wide program
• Parent Involvement-Parent Resource Room
• Parenting classes
• D.A.R.E
• Before-and after-school program
• Speech and Language Services
• Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)
• Pre-Kindergarten
• Computers in every classroom
• Mentors and Tutors
• Reading and Math Intervention Groups

Kindergarten

Pre-Kindergarten Program
Full Day Kindergarten

• Boogie on the Blacktop (Curriculum based)
• Fun Night
• Musicals
• DARE
• Student Technology Team
• RIF
• Before and after school Program

On January 25, 1954 Payne School on the corner of Wheeler (now Harry Street) and Edwards was opened for use. The school was named for David L. Payne, twice a member of the Kansas Legislature and one of the well-known figures in the opening of the Oklahoma Territory.

Payne opened with an enrollment of 413 pupils from the neighboring Stanley and Meridian Schools, with Oscar Carr as the principal of both Payne and Meridian. In the fall of 1954 there were 425 students enrolled, and Edward Crumrine was appointed principal. On Sunday, October 3, 1954 the Payne staff and Payne PTA, with Mrs. William Rosiere as president, hosted an open house for the public.

The peak enrollment between the years 1954 to 1969 was 664 students in 1958, and from 1957 through 1964 the enrollment remained above 600. Twelve portables were added during the years 1955 to 1959, of which nine were removed upon completion of a major addition to the building in 1961. The new addition added seven classrooms, a multipurpose room, library, special activities room, office area and kitchen.

Payne was a Title I school from the start of the federal program under P.L. 89-10 through the 1994-95 school term. With the creation of middle schools in 1988, the sixth grade program was moved from the building easing overcrowding conditions. The school enrollment declined from its peak enrollment in the early 1960s but remains around 400. The school began a Chapter 1 schoolwide program during the 1994-95 school year which included a longer school day and school year as well as the extensive use of technology integrated within the curriculum.

In April 2000, the voters of the Wichita School District approved a $284.5 million bond issue. The projects began in the fall of 2000 and were completed over the next five years. The plan built 19 multipurpose rooms, upgraded science labs, replaced portable classrooms with permanent construction, improved handicap accessibility to all buildings, rebuilt five existing elementary schools, added a new elementary and middle school, expanded seven other elementary schools and provided nine new libraries as well as the expansion of nine others. Building infrastructure in 82 buildings was also upgraded, including the replacement of antiquated plumbing, updates and expansion of electrical systems, replacement of inefficient or broken windows and doors, upgrades of heating and cooling systems, and asbestos abatement when required.

Brecko Construction Co. was contracted to complete the projects at Dodge and Payne, in which Payne received a new addition including four classrooms and a new student support area. Payne's library was also expanded, and certain hallways had unsafe glass removed.

The Bond project celebration was held April 11, 2006.