Summer is on the Horizon but there is still a lot of work to be done!

The end of the school year is quickly approaching. There is a lot going on in a short amount of time. We are in the midst of PSSA's for all grade levels and Keystone Exams are coming up for 8th-grade Algebra students.

In addition, there are a lot of transition activities taking place for our 5th-grade students moving up to middle school. Last week, parents of 5th graders were invited to the middle school for a meeting to learn more about the middle school. This week Mr. Popejoy, Mrs. Waiter and selected 6th-grade students will visit each elementary school to share information with the 5th-grade students about the middle school. In addition, each elementary school will visit the middle school for a tour of the building and provided lunch.

Middle School Visits to the Elementary Schools:

Thursday, May 2nd

Lingle Ave - 9:15-10:00 a.m.

Pine Street - 1:15-2:00 p.m.

Friday, May 3rd

Forge Road - 9:15-10:00 a.m.

Northside - 1:15-2:00 p.m.

Elementary School visits to the Middle School:

Tuesday, May 14th - Pine St visit to MS

Thursday, May 16th - Lingle visit to MS

Tuesday, May 21st - Northside visit to MS

Thursday, May 23rd - Forge visit to MS

With the end of the school year coming in a little over a month, we encourage all students to continue to keep up with their schoolwork and assignments. There are typically fewer assignments in this last trimester, so it is critically important for students to stay on top of their schoolwork now.

Parents can help monitor their child's grades through PowerSchool. Students and parents should look at the F1 grade for each class. Students need to have earned 60% or higher to pass a course for the year.

Summer school information will be sent out to any student failing two or more core classes at the end of the school year. Students needing to recover failing credits will need to enroll in the Keystone Credit Recovery Program. These classes are correspondence courses (which means they are completed at home over the summer and the cost is $116.00 per course.) If you have any questions please contact the counseling office.

Our trips to Camp Swatara are just around the corner! Extensive planning and preparation continue as we draw closer to the awesome opportunity for our students! Camp orientation for students will take place the week of May 6th with the social studies teachers. Look for a final reminder sheet and backpack list of items to bring the Monday morning of your child's camp week. Those forms are below for you to view as well.

MEDICATIONS FOR CAMP:

Any medication (prescription or over-the-counter) that needs to be administered to your child during their time at camp MUST be brought into school with the completed blue form the Thursday before your child's camp week (see the dates below). Please have your child bring the form and medication to their morning homeroom teacher. The school nurse will collect everything that morning, while students are in homeroom. This allows us to make sure we have everything we need before the first day of camp. A pdf file of the medication form is below. Students can also pick up a copy of the form from the counseling office.

Mountain Camp Week - form and medication brought in Thursday, May 9th

Stream Camp Week - form and medication brought in Thursday, May 16th

If you have any questions about medication please contact the middle school nurse as soon as possible.

SNACK MONEY DONATION:

An evening a snack will be provided for students each night of camp. We ask parents to contribute $5.00 toward that cost. If your child has not turned in their snack money yet, please have them do so as soon as possible to their homeroom teacher.

DROP OFF CAMP GEAR:

Students will bring their gear (sleeping bags, clothing, toiletries, etc.) to the middle school auxiliary gym the Sunday night before their camp week. Please have your child's clothing and belongings marked. Your child is responsible for all of their belongings while at camp. Please refer to the "clothing and equipment list" for a guide of what to pack (see. below). Layers are important to have a at camp. Several classes require longs sleeves and long pants for protection - so please make sure your child packs a few - even if the temperatures are going to be warm. A poncho or rain jacket is important - as we continue with our activities through rain, unless it is an electrical storm. Please have your child bring a refillable/reusable water bottle for the week. It is important to stay hydrated throughout each day.

Gear drop-off times:

Mountain – 5/12 (Sun) 7:00-7:30 (No earlier or later) - MS Auxiliary Gym

Stream – 5/19 (Sun) 7:00-7:30 (No earlier or later) - MS Auxiliary Gym

RETURNING FROM CAMP WEEK:

Pick up your camper promptly at 2:00 p.m. on the Friday of your child's camp week in the back parking lot of the middle school

Mountain – 2:00 p.m. 5/17

Stream – 2:00 p.m. 5/24

Annual PSSA and Keystone preparation is underway!!! Here are the dates for testing - please mark them on your calendar!

Monday, May 6th - Science PSSA Testing: Day 1 (8th grade only)

Tuesday, May 7th - Science PSSA Testing: Day 2 (8th grade only)

Wednesday, May 8th - Friday - May 10th - Science PSSA Makeup Testing (8th grade only)

Monday, May 13th - Keystone Testing: Day 1 (Algebra 1 students only)

Tuesday, May 14th - Keystone Testing: Day 2 (Algebra 1 students only)

Wednesday, May 15th - Friday, May 17th - Keystone Makeup Testing (Algebra 1 students only)

Including others is an important lesson for students to be reminded of often. As the summer approaches it is important to have a conversation with your student about the possibility of meeting new people at camps, sports and other activities. It is a great time to remind them of the importance of understanding everyone's differences. We want your students to be prepared with the skills how to welcome diversity and include others appropriately. Below are some attachments to help start the conversation with your student.

Now is the time to be thinking ahead about potential summer opportunities for your child. Here are just a few to consider:

With summer coming up for student's, the "At Home Challenge" can help keep their minds busy and actively still learning through summer. We love for our student's to have a nice summer break but it is always good to keep your mind thinking and creating new ideas.

Kari Lamboni- 6th Grade Counselor

Michelle Waiter- 7th Grade Counselor

Andrew Capodanno- 8th Grade Counselor

Clare Missimer- School Social Worker (Secondary)

Janine Burrows- Counseling Secretary

Location: 50 West Cherry Street, Palmyra, PA, USA
Phone: 7178381331
Twitter: @PAMSCounselors