
Moose Minutes
February 2025
Principal Post
PJMS Families,
I hope this letter finds you well and warm. We are thrilled to share some outstanding achievements and highlights that our students and staff have accomplished this year. These milestones are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire school community.
Academic Highlights:
#1 in the district for growth in i-Ready Reading: Our students have shown remarkable progress in their reading skills, achieving the highest growth in the district.
#2 in the district for growth in i-Ready Math (#1 vs. big schools): We are proud to be ranked second in the district for math growth, and first among the larger schools.
#1 in the district for PSAT Scores: Our students have excelled in the PSAT, securing the top position in the district.
#1 in the district for lowest percentage of Fβs for the semester at 5%: We have the lowest percentage of failing grades in the district, with only 5% of students receiving an F.
#1 in the district for English 1 Scores with a 90% on the District Wide Common Assessment: Our English 1 students have achieved an impressive 90% on the district-wide assessment, placing us at the top.
#2 in the district for Algebra 1 Scores with an 85% on the District Wide Common Assessment: Our Algebra 1 students have also performed exceptionally well, earning an 85% and ranking second in the district.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our students, the support of our parents, and the exceptional efforts of our teachers and staff. We are incredibly proud of these achievements and look forward to continuing this momentum into the second semester.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education. Have a great week!
Go Moose,
Ryan Geagel
Principal
Important Dates:
Feb 5: Wacky Wednesday Hippie Day
Feb 5: C-Team VB @ CMS
Feb 7: 7th&8th VB RJS @ PJMS
Feb 7-8: Wrestling @ WMS
Feb 10: 7th&8th VB Grace @ PJMS
Feb 11: 7th&8th WMS @ PJMS
Feb 12: Wacky Wednesday Hat Day
Feb 12: PHS Counselor visit 8th grade
Feb 13: Valentine dance/social
Feb 14: Valentines Day
Feb 14: Donuts with Admin in Conference Room
Feb 14-15: C-Team VB Tournament @ CMS
Feb 14-15: Wrestling @ PJMS
Feb 17: Parent/Teacher Conferences 7:30-11AM-11:45-3:00PM, no nurses available.
Feb 18: 7th&8th VB CMS @ PJMS
Feb 19: Wacky Wednesday Old Person Day
Feb 20: 7&8th VB TMS @ PJMS
Feb 21-22: Valley Championships @ CMS
Feb 22: Winter Social 5-8PM
Feb 26: Wacky Wednesday Croc Day
Feb 26&27: JV VB Tournament @ RJS
Feb 27-March 1: Wrestling State Championships @ Fairbanks
Feb 28- March 1: V VB Tournament PJMS
AK STAR & Alaska Science Reports
The results from the Spring 2024 AK STAR and Alaska Science administration are now available for you to view in ParentVUE if your child tested in Mat-Su in spring 2024. Directions on how to view these reports are attached as well as the Family Guide to Assessment Reports. If your child tested in another district in Alaska in spring 2024, you will need to contact the previous district for results.
COMPUTER INFORMATION
Student Chromebooks
On the front of each Chromebook is a QR Code that can be scanned for resources relating to the device.
Students may decorate their Chromebook CASE ONLY! The cases should remain on the Chromebook AT ALL TIMES.
Lost or Damaged Chromebook
If a device is lost, please notify Mrs. Roberts as soon as possible. We will look up the history of the device and lock it if needed. We will try to help the student find the device, and then we will assign a loaner device on a case-by-case basis to help ensure that students are still able to be successful in school.
You can also call or email Mrs. Roberts for more information or help with damaged and lost devices.
Phone: 907-761-4315
email: stacy.roberts@matsuk12.us
Go Guardian for Parents
Did you know you can monitor and block websites your student is accessing on their Chromebook? Check out our GoGuardian app and see if it is a good fit for you. Our teachers and staff use GoGuardian during our school day to monitor and restrict access to websites needed for learning.
This is a chance for you to be able to track your student's use of their device after school hours and on weekends.
Please reach out to Mrs. Roberts at PJMS if you have any further questions.
Chromebook Handbook
https://www.matsuk12.us/programs/msbsd-tech-information/student-devices
Attached below is the One to One Parent/Student Handbook that can also answer questions, including applicable charges relating to Chromebook damage. Please email Mrs. Roberts (stacy.roberts@matsuk12.us) with questions regarding Chromebooks.
SPORTS & CLUBS
Sports
Big Teams sports registration is required to participate in sports at PJMS. This includes a current physical, physicals are considered valid for 18 months.
Athletic fees are assigned towards the end of the first week of practice. Access your students sports fee through ParentVue.
Volleyball for 7/8 grade girls has tryouts Jan 6-8th. C team is built from anyone who is not chosen for the specific grade team and anyone who wants to play volleyball but doesn't want to try out is welcome! 6th grade volleyball happens in March.
Wrestling for ALL grades and genders begins January 6th.
The PJMS website has additional information.
JNYO has been cancelled this year due to lack of participation.
If you have questions, contact Mrs. Shelton, Sabrina.shelton@matsuk12.us 761-4303
Clubs - Students must be picked up by 4 PM
Welcome to Semsester 2 Clubs!
Please make payment online through school pay for clubs. Students should bring a blue permission slip home for you to complete. This form is then turned in to the office for Mrs. Shelton.
Tuesday: Marksmanship, BOB, Walking club, Chess club, Study Hall, Art Club
Wednesday: Ham Radio, Magic the Gathering, Walking club, Weightlifting, Study Hall
Thursday: Marksmanship, Walking club, Study Hall, Art Club
Friday: None
TITLE 1 INFORMATION
βStudents with Free and Reduced Lunches need to re applyβ
Everyone should fill out the Free or Reduced Lunch application
Report Card to Parents
Palmer Junior Middle School
1159 S. Chugach
Palmer, AK 99645
Jan 23, 2025
Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s):
Recently the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) released the 2023-2024 Report Cards to the Public for each school district and school in Alaska. These Report Cards present information about performance for the 2023-2024 school year. During this third administration of The Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) assessment, students in grades 3-9 were assessed in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Students in grades 5, 8, and 10 took the Alaska Science Assessment.
To view a 2023-2024 School or District Report Card to the Public, go to Palmer Middle School - State Report Card to the Public - DEED. This user-friendly website aims to provide families with clear, common information. The Report Card to the Public contains data and information about academics, school environment, teacher quality, and more. If you are unable to access the Report Card to the Public online, please contact us.
We know that the Report Card to the Public is just one of many ways you will engage with us at PJMS. We look forward to sharing our schoolβs successes with you and working together to make our school better every day. We are proud that at PJMS the report card to the public shows us doing well on These milestones are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire school community.
Academic Highlights:
#1 in the district for growth in i-Ready Reading: Our students have shown remarkable progress in their reading skills, achieving the highest growth in the district.
#2 in the district for growth in i-Ready Math (#1 vs. big schools): We are proud to be ranked second in the district for math growth, and first among the larger schools.
#1 in the district for PSAT Scores: Our students have excelled in the PSAT, securing the top position in the district.
#1 in the district for lowest percentage of Fβs for the semester at 5%: We have the lowest percentage of failing grades in the district, with only 5% of students receiving an F.
#1 in the district for English 1 scores with a 90% on the District Wide Common Assessment: Our English 1 students have achieved an impressive 90% on the district-wide assessment, placing us at the top.
#2 in the district for Algebra 1 scores with an 85% on the District Wide Common Assessment: Our Algebra 1 students have also performed exceptionally well, earning an 85% and ranking second in the district.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our students, the support of our parents, and the exceptional efforts of our teachers and staff. We are incredibly proud of these achievements and look forward to continuing this momentum into the second semester.
We hope you will closely follow your studentβs academic progress and work with his or her teacher(s) to help ensure academic success. Working together as a team, we can improve not only how well our students are performing individually, but how our school and district is performing as a whole. There is nothing more important to administrators and teachers at PJMS than ensuring that students are ready for the next step in their academic career. We look forward to partnering with you.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our School or District Report Card to the Public, please donβt hesitate to contact us at 907-761-4300
Join Us for Special Events at PJMS!
February 14th: Morning with Admins
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Cafeteria
Details: Enjoy donuts and coffee while celebrating your student. This is a great opportunity to speak directly with administrators and share your ideas.
March 21st: STEAM Night
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Schoolwide and Cafeteria for dinner
Details: Bring the whole family for a night of fun activities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Plus, enjoy a delicious nacho bar! This event is free for everyone.
Sincerely,
Ryan Geagel
Principal
Families who qualify for Migrant Education
Families who qualify for Migrant Education benefits and receive free lunch and breakfast should still fill out the Free or Reduced Lunch application. Having everyone fill out the application helps PJMS receive funding that supports our after school programming, regular family events, and various other programs that enhance opportunities for students.
If you are interested in finding out more information about Migrant Education benefits, click here.
ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY FAMILIES
MILITARY AND FAMILY LIFE COUNSELING PROGRAM
The Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC) Program is designed to support service members, their families, and school communities in managing the unique challenges of military life. Here are some key points about the program:
Services Offered
- Non-Medical Support: MFLCs provide short-term, non-medical counseling to help with issues like adjusting to new schools, deployments, parent-child communication, and bullying1.
- Confidentiality: Services are private and confidential, with no records maintained. However, MFLCs are mandated reporters for situations involving harm, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, or illegal activities2.
- Specialized Support: MFLCs are licensed clinicians who specialize in issues related to the highly mobile and stressful nature of military life2.
Areas of Assistance
MFLCs can help with:
- Communication and conflict resolution
- Self-esteem and self-confidence
- Anger management
- School adjustment
- Deployment and separation
- Reunion adjustment
- Behavioral concerns
- Fear, grief, and loss2
Availability
In the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough school districts, MFLCs serve schools based on the number of military-connected students. For example, Tish Arnold is the MFLC for PJMS and several other schools, and she can be called upon by any military family within the district2
To be eligible children need to be of active duty or service member needs to be separated or retired within 180 days and not receiving counseling services elsewhere for the same issue.
Consent forms must be signed.
If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
Tish Arnold
Military & Family Life Counselor
907-390-9369
Updated Dress Code Policy
Update to Student Dress Code Policy
Please see attached information regarding our Updated Dress Code Policy.
PARKING AT PJMS
π« No Parking on South Chugach Street π
Please pay attention to the yellow curb markings on S. Chugach Street and do NOT park there! Also, DO NOT park in front of the flagpole where there are red markings! That is for emergency vehicles only. When dropping off/picking up your student in the drop off lane, please pull all the way forward, toward the second set of doors to keep traffic flowing and running smoothly. Thank you for your help keeping our students safe and helping traffic move more efficiently.
BUS INFORMATION
Bus Information
Please make sure that bus passes are completed by 1 PM! If you have any questions please feel free to call PJMS at 761-4300.
REPORTING ABSENCES AND PICK UPS
Student Pick-up During the School Day
PJMS is locked down during the hours of 8:00-2:30pm. To increase security at PJMS, has a doorbell entry system has been added to help secure the building during school hours. This system will keep the front doors locked during school instructional time so that we can help to keep the campus secure to provide added safety for students and staff.
The doors will be open as normal before school starts and after school is out for the day but once the instructional day begins (at 9 am on Monday and at 8 am on Tuesday - Friday) this new system will be activated, and the front doors will be locked. The door will remain locked until school is over for the day at 2:30 pm. To gain entry to the building, you only need to ring the doorbell and an office staff member will answer the doorbell and let you in. The doorbell is equipped with a video camera so that office staff can see the person(s) requesting entry and unlock the door for those granted access.
Mondays
A Lunch: 10:44 β 11:14 am
B Lunch: 11:33 β 12:03 pm
Tuesdays-Fridays
A Lunch: 10:35 β 11:05 am
B Lunch: 11:28 β 11:58 pm
MSBSD School and Community Flyers
Nurse Moose Health Nuggets
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
If you would like to volunteer in our school,
Please contact Sabrina Shelton for classroom and activities
907-761-4303
The school Nurses if you have availability:
Kathy Voran RN: kathy.voran@matsuk12.us
Robin Waldvogle-Kemp RN: robin.waldvogle-kemp@matsuk12.us
907-761-4309
Library News π
Overdue Notices
Overdue notices will be sent home with students the first week of February.
- Books are checked out for 3 weeks at a time and may be renewed by talking to Mrs. Roberts.
- After 3 months of being overdue, books are assumed lost and bills will be generated. Bills can be paid with Mrs. Roberts in the library, or books can be returned to take care of the bill.
Emoji Reading Incentive
The Emoji Reading Incentive is happening from now until Spring Break. Students can pick up an Emoji tracking sheet in the library to participate. As students read books, they fill in an emoji matching the emotion the book evoked from them. When the sheet is filled up, students can turn it into the library for a prize!
Read in the Dark - Winter Reading Challenge
π Attention book lovers and winter adventurers! π
Are those long, dark evenings leaving you searching for something fun to do? We've got just the thing! βοΈπ Join our Winter Reading Challenge and dive into a world of stories, adventure, and maybe even prizes! πβ¨
Hereβs how it works:
Pick up a special βRead in the Darkβ bookmark at the library.
Read 7 books between now and March 16th and track your progress.
Turn in your completed bookmark to the librarian by March 17th to be entered to win an awesome prize!
Don't let the winter blues get you downβgrab a book, cozy up, and start reading today! πβοΈ
Advice for Parents π©π»βπ«
Housekeeping
- Students are not allowed any drinks (Aside from Water) in the hallways. Drinks are only allowed in the Cafeteria.
- If students are leaving early, they need to be picked up prior to 2:00 pm.
- Lost and Found (located in the lobby near the cafeteria) is emptied WEEKLY, so please make a plan to check it often for your student's items.
- Chromebooks and chargers need to be sent to school DAILY. We are not issuing spare computers or chargers this year.
- Front doors are locked at 8:00 am, so please ensure your student is dropped off before 8. Dropping students off later disrupts class time.
- Check ParentVue weekly to help your student stay caught up this year.
- Please do not park in the Pull Through. If you need to park, please park in the main lot and enter the building to pick up your student.
Live Homework Help Access
Have you ever felt like you needed to help your student with homework but didn't know how? Here is a FREE resource to all Alaska students and families that gives access to live tutors to help in ALL subjects!
Contact Mrs. Roberts if you need more help with accessing this FREE resource!
Box Tops for Education - PJMS
Contact Information
Email: pjm@matsuk12.us
Website: https://www.matsuk12.us/pjm
Location: 1159 South Chugach Street, Palmer, AK, USA
Phone: 907-761-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJMSMOOSE
Signing up is easy!
1. Download the Box Tops for Education App.
2. Choose a log in method.
3. Choose PJMS as the school to support.
4. Fill out some basic info about yourself to create your account.
5. Enter referral code: WZ2K45EL
6. Shop!
7. Scan your receipt!
8. Start earning cash for PJMS!
FRED MEYER COMMUNITY REWARDS
Palmer Junior Middle School is part of the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program.
To Use the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program:
Simply visit https://www.fredmeyer.com. Once logged into your Fred Meyer account you can search for Palmer Junior Middle School either by name or BJ629 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.
*Customers must have a registered Fred Meyer rewards card account to link to your organization.
*If a member does not yet have a Fred Meyer rewards card, please know they are available at the customer service desk at any Fred Meyers.