The Palms Post

Palms Families,

As we approach the final two weeks of school in December, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the continued support and partnership you’ve provided throughout this year. Together, we’ve made 2024 a year filled with growth, learning, and community connection, and I am incredibly proud of the progress our students have made.

These last weeks of the calendar year are a time for celebration and preparation for the road ahead. In the classroom, our teachers are focused on finishing 2024 strong, ensuring students remain engaged and supported as we wrap up important lessons and activities. We encourage you to talk with your children about their goals and accomplishments so far and to celebrate their hard work and achievements.

The holiday season also brings a unique opportunity for us to come together as a school community. We have several exciting events and initiatives planned including a full-day Christmas Craft event sponsored by our fantastic Palms PTO, a Spirit Week December 16 - 20, and much more. These types of moments remind us of the strong bonds we share and the joy that comes from the holiday season.

If there are ever any questions, please call the Palms office at 810-676-1351. Always keep in mind that if we positively work together, then we will help each other Perform Achieve, Lead, Master, and Succeed. #BELIEVE

Mr. Mike Domagalski

Palms Elementary School, Principal

Perform - Achieve - Lead - Master - Succeed

Wednesday, December 11

• PTO sponsored "Magic of Science" assembliles for students

Thursday, December 12

• All students & staff get Christmas cookies & milk for their hard work with holiday door decorating

Monday, December 16

• ECSD School Board Meeting 6:00pm
• Christmas Spirit Day - Flannel Day

Tuesday, December 17

• Palms PTO Christmas Craft Day
• Christmas Spirit Day - Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Wednesday, December 18

• PLC Late Start Day (school starts at 9:40am)
• Christmas Spirit Day - Christmas Socks Day (green/red)

Thursday, December 19

• Christmas Spirit Day - Festive Christmas Spirit Day

Friday, December 20

• 1/2 Day School - Dismissal @ 12:08pm
• Christmas Spirit Day - Winter White Out Day

Monday, December 23-January 3

• No School - Christmas Break

Monday, January 6

• Classes Resume

Congratulations to our amazing Palms Polar Pride winners for the past week! Students were acknowledged by the Principal, Mr. Domagalski, had their picture taken, and given a small gift!

We have great kids!!! #PalmsRocks!

Our DECEMBER themes are SELF-CONTROL & SUPPORTING OTHERS. Teachers will be looking for students that display these character strengths to award December Student Of the Month!

Here are a few of the groups of students meeting with Mrs. Lowhorn during their classroom WIN Time. WIN stands for "What I Need". During this time, students meet with their teacher in a small group, with Mrs. Lowhorn in an intervention group, or work on the adaptive computer program, ExactPath.

LATE STARTS: There are many “Late Start” Wednesday’s due to many 1-hour Teacher PLC Professional Development mornings. Those dates are noted in the District Calendar. Our Palms school times will be from 9:40am-3:39pm on those dates - SO PLEASE ADD THESE DATES/TIMES TO YOUR CALENDAR AT HOME!!! Other than Latchkey (planned at least a week in advance, 6:30am-9:40am), the school will not open until 9:40am on these dates. Please see the dates below!

• December 18
• January 8, January 22, February 5, February 19, March 5, March 19, April 2, April 16, April 30, May 14, May 28

MEETINGS: 2024/25

• 3rd Thursday of each month: January 16, February 20, March 20, April 17, May 15.
• All meetings happen in the Media Center at Palms Elementary starting at 4:30pm.
• Child Care: The PTO works with the MCHS Student Government & NHS to have high school students available to watch younger children brought to a Palms PTO meeting.

President: Kelly Morrison, 586-873-5215, kmorrison1004@gmail.com

Vice-President: Orianne Myres, 810-278-1948, orianne84@gmail.com

Secretary: Robin St. Aubin, 586-822-8861, rstaubin615@gmail.com

Co-Treasurer: Shannon Perry, 313-570-2191, shannonmperry@hotmail.com

Co-Treasurer: Amye Kammer, 810-335-3097, aykammer@yahoo.com

PTO EMAIL ADDRESS: palmspto@gmail.com

PTO Facebook Page: "Palms Elementary PTO"

EVENTS PLANNED for 2024/25 - WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!!!!

• Fundraisers: Fall Fun Run (Sept), Mum Flowers (Sept/Oct), Candy Sales (Jan), Spring Flowers (Apr)
• Cosmic Bowling Event - Friday, November 8 (5:30pm Check-In, 6:00pm start)
• Staff Dinner for Conferences: Monday, November 25 - 4:00pm
• Christmas Craft Event for Students - December 17, 2024
• Daddy Daughter Dance - February 21 (snow date February 28, 2025)
• Donuts with Grown-Ups - March 4 & March 5, 2025
• Mother-Son Event @ All-Star Sports - April 18, 2025
• Bus Driver, Latchkey & Custodial Breakfast - Tuesday, April 22, 2025
• Teacher Appreciation Day/Week: May 5 - May 9, 2025
• 5th Grade Party - Monday, June 9, 2025 (2:00-3:30pm)
• Palms Field Day - Thursday, May 29, 2025 (rain date May 30)
• Music Concerts (1st, 3rd, 5th grades) - Monday, June 2, 2025

Here are the links to the DECEMBER newsletter for STEAM class from Mr. Blackstock. Please click the link pertaining to your child's grade level to be informed on the "Happenings" in STEAM class.

Kindergarten/Young 5s - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fkyBVfvkc8snQra4iuoP60GtLFEnob0RmBRHUjhyzI8/edit#slide=id.p5

1st grade - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NXsMmg-bCjWiAFN3wHRIFn_89jFyPfKRBKJlSEWJ9sk/edit#slide=id.p5

2nd grade - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M5UKpHfr1T77w7heLX2OSuZSGMTcMwCYQWEupEbWri0/edit#slide=id.p5

3rd grade - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16uz2WSBMmYCBXPzQar9MKQoLI8GsfkU0BJYV6roGtX8/edit#slide=id.p5

4th grade - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ACPFM_rqxz_2ILHG01gpgzsZb7fVi5_qpXJa3eOtvvs/edit#slide=id.p5

5th grade - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1voIlK1Zo4R_WQrtrmu2qcagRpqQx3SW7GqGxr0qQbn0/edit#slide=id.p5

We love celebrating birthdays at Palms; however, we kindly ask that parents be aware of the policies at Palms when it comes to student birthdays.

• RECOGNITION: When a student has a birthday, they will be recognized during the morning announcements and given a birthday treat.
• TREATS/GIFTS: If parents would like to send in a birthday treat, we ask that the treat be pre-packaged, individual-packaged, and nut-free. Classroom supplies would be a great treat for the class as these are recommended as opposed to a food treat.
• TEACHERS: Parents should communicate with their child's teacher a week in advance on a birthday and agree on the appropriate treat/gift for the class.

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

• DROPPING OFF: Out of consideration for others, when dropping off students, please pull to the front of the drop–off area and keep the line of traffic moving.
  
• Please have your child on the RIGHT SIDE of the car when dropping off. This makes it easier and quicker.
• When students are dropped off they are to line up and enter the building at the south entrance, door #1.
• Mrs. Woodhouse’s Young 5’s students will line up outside the door to Mrs. Woodhouse’s room, door #1A.
• The office staff will sign-in the students if they are not here when the bell rings. Building entrance bell rings at 8:40 a.m.
• Classes begin daily at 8:45 a.m. and dismiss at 3:39 p.m. Students should not arrive at school before 8:30 a.m.
• Latchkey is available to parents who need supervision for their children before this time.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

• PICK-UP: If you are picking your child up from school at dismissal time, grades K-5 will be dismissed out of the doors by the office, door #1. Parents will stay outside of the building during this time. If parents are a few minutes late picking up, students will stay inside the building to wait.
  
• If your student is leaving early for the day, please send a note with the student to let the office know. If you are picking up your student at the end of the day, they will meet you outside the doors at the south entrance (Door #1).
• The turn-around on the west side of the building (on Palms Rd.) will be for buses and staff parking only.
• Visitor parking will be located in the parking area on the south side of the building.
• As a matter of safety, DO NOT park along the sidewalk. This is a Fire Lane.

• If your child does need to be released from school during the instructional day, please notify the office in writing. Students will be called to the office when you arrive.
  

*****POLICY TO BE STRICTLY APPLIED*****

For the safety of your child and to avoid confusion, no child will be dismissed after 3:15pm on full days of school or after 11:50am on 1/2 days. Please wait outside to greet your child after school as this will ensure a positive and safe dismissal for all children.

Please be sure to check your child’s backpack for notes and homework assignments on a daily basis. We are looking forward to a very productive and exciting school year. Additional information is available in the ECSD Elementary Student Handbook.

School Attendance

• If your child is going to be absent, please call the Palms attendance line, 810-676-1366. It is important that your child is present and on time for school each day unless he/she has a fever or is sick.

Palms Elementary Links & Info

• Palms Elementary Website
• Cafeteria Menus
• Skyward Family Access - LOGIN
• Skyward Family Access - HELP
• Volunteer Application
• Regular School Day: 8:40am-3:39pm
• PLC Wednesdays: 9:40am-3:39pm
• Half Days of School: 8:40am-12:08pm
• Office Hours: 8:00am-4:00pm

East China School District Links & Info

• District Calendar Link
• ECSD Webpage
• Early Childhood & Daycare
• ECSD Employment Opportunities
• Latchkey Information
• East China Educational Foundation
• ECSD Calendar of Events

Please call the office at 810-676-1351 for any questions.

Email: lglasgow@ecsd.us
Website: https://eastchinaschools.org/schools/palms-elementary/
Location: 6101 Palms Road, Ira Township, MI, USA
Phone: (810) 676-1350