PDCMS Panther Update

Dear PDCMS Community,

Happy Saturday! I want to share some exciting updates and reminders with you.

First, I encourage all our families to participate in the upcoming Panther 5K on Friday, January 26th. This event is a fantastic opportunity to support the PDCMS Foundation while enjoying a fun and active experience together. Mark your calendars and join us for this wonderful community tradition.

Save the date for Wednesday, January 28th, when we will have the privilege of hearing from Chaz Perez. This promises to be an engaging and inspiring event, so don’t miss it!

This week, we were honored to have a representative from California Senator Steve Padilla’s office present a Certification of Recognition for our Academic Excellence. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families. Thank you for your continued efforts in upholding the excellence of PDCMS.

We are also proud to support the Chassler and Jordan families, who tragically lost everything in the recent LA fires. As a community, we are coming together to provide assistance. Please see the information below on how you can contribute to help these families in need. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

On Monday, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. At PDCMS, we honor his legacy by fostering a safe, affirming, and inclusive environment for all. Let’s continue to embody these values in all that we do.

Finally, congratulations to Trenton Nguyen and Caitlyn Ulip for having their artwork selected for the PDCMS Planners this semester. Their creativity and talent are a source of pride for our school.

Thank you for your continued support of our PDCMS community. I look forward to seeing you all at the Panther 5K and at our upcoming events!

Warm regards,

Deborah Dolan
Principal
Palm Desert Charter Middle School

The Honor Roll has existed for over a decade and is administered and awarded annually by the non-profit organizations Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE). The program uses state assessment data to recognize schools that are outperforming their peers in closing achievement gaps and teaching the foundational skills that employers value and look for in the workforce.

Each year, through the Honor Roll, we identify and recognize the highest performing schools in every community in California and Texas. To be recognized as an Honor Roll School, a school must outperform in the core subjects of Math and English, other schools that are like them both socioeconomically and demographically. Schools receiving the Honor Roll designation are among the highest performing schools in their state. They are recognized for their performance in consistently closing achievement gaps for students of various backgrounds. The Honor Roll is the only school recognition program presented in partnership with business leaders and using only student achievement outcomes as the criteria.

https://www.edcampaign.org/honor-roll

PDCMS is proud to host the annual Panther 5K Run & Walk, supporting the PDCMS Foundation. We invite your family and friends to participate as registrants for this exciting event. Please note that the sponsorship deadline has passed.

This year, the Panther 5K has partnered with Desert Hot Springs Animal Care to host a Pet Drive and Adoption Event. They will be collecting donations of pet treats, warm blankets, and waste bags. Join us in making this event a success for both our school and our furry friends in need.

We are thrilled to invite parents to join us for an inspiring event featuring Chaz Perez, whose powerful message, "Turning Pain Into Passion," has transformed school communities across the country. This keynote and workshop will offer valuable insights on fostering genuine resilience in our students by helping them feel seen, heard, and empowered to serve others. As parents, your presence and support play a vital role in shaping our school culture, and this event is an incredible opportunity to learn how we can work together to elevate servant-leadership and strengthen our community. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a meaningful conversation that can positively impact your child’s future and our entire school!

• Jan 20th - *** NO SCHOOL *** Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Jan 22nd - Blaze Pizza Dine Out for Band Boosters (details below 👇 )
• Jan 23rd - ELAC Family Meeting at 5:30 pm in the Fraser Forum
• Jan 26th - Panther 5K starts at 6:30 am
• Jan 27th - 31st - Kindness Week (see below for details)
• Jan 27th - Ignite Your Passion by Chaz Perez - Student Assemblies
• Jan 28th - Ignite Your Passion by Chaz Perez - Parent Engagement 6-7 pm

Save the date for ROCK THE HOUSE on February 22nd!!

Jan 23rd - Thomas Jefferson Middle School @ PDCMS

Feb 7th - PDCMS @ La Quinta Middle School

Feb 12th - PDCMS @ Indio Middle School

Feb 13th - PDCMS @ Col Mitchell Paige Middle School

Bus Departs at 2:30 PM

Games start at 3:15 PM

Return to School 4:45 PM

The Desert Sands Unified School District is excited to host a 6th Grade Sports Day on February 22nd, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This fun-filled event offers students an opportunity to showcase their athletic skills and enjoy a day of teamwork and sportsmanship. Interested participants can pick up applications in Mrs. Panko's classroom, Room #106. Don’t miss out on this exciting event!

Dear PDCMS Families,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 8th Grade Information Night on January 15th! We are thrilled about the positive turnout and engagement during the event.

For families who couldn’t attend or for those who would like to review the materials discussed, we’ve included the slide presentation below:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LqbDgKDk86aUJBv0W-sa5FSdwVn6l-55rqjpH-SoqEg/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any further questions, feel free to email Renee McDaniel at renee.mcdaniel@desertsands.us

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we look forward to supporting your student's transition to high school!

Celebrate your your 8th Grader with an Ad in the yearbook!

Join us for a Dine-Out Night at Blaze Pizza, Palm Desert on Monday, January 22, from 5 PM to 8 PM.

🍕 Enjoy delicious pizza while supporting our talented Band and Color Guard Program! A portion of the proceeds will go directly to helping these amazing students shine. Flyer must be presented when ordering.

📅 Save the date and spread the word!

We can't wait to see you there—thank you for your support

Trenton Nguyen and Caitlyn Ulip's artwork was selected and voted upon by their peers for the cover of this Semesters PDCMS Planner