The Palms Post
October 17, 2024
Memo from the Principal
UPDATED: OCTOBER 17, 2024
Happy October everyone! CLICK HERE for the HALLOWEEN GUIDELINES & See Below:
Classroom teachers will be deciding on how to celebrate Halloween on October 31st, which is a half day of school (8:40am-12:08pm). The following are some guidelines for the day:
HALLOWEEN PARTIES & VOLUNTEERING on OCTOBER 31 (half day of school):
Classroom teachers will be communicating to parents about volunteer opportunities, if they are having a classroom party and if, or how many, parent volunteers are needed.
We kindly ask that parent volunteers, only those that are requested and approved by the classroom teacher or the Palms Office, come into the classroom or building on this day.
Those offering to volunteer MUST be pre-arranged and approved by either the teacher or the Palms Office and have a Volunteer Application (HERE) completed and submitted to the Palms Office no later than Tuesday, October 22. (Unless you completed one last year).
Parents not able to volunteer this day, meaning not able or selected by a teacher, will be given other volunteer opportunities to volunteer throughout the school year.
Normal instruction, teaching, and learning will be occurring in the classroom most of the school day. In addition, students are expected to participate in normal school activities and classes (i.e. recess, physical education, art, etc.).
COSTUMES:
Students may come to school in costume for the day. These costumes must be simple and comfortable for the students to wear the entire day. Costumes cannot be changed at school.
Costumes cannot be too scary, gory, or violent in any way. This includes any accessory item like...Toy guns, knives, arrows, swords, chains, or any other toy weapon accessories.
For safety and accountability reasons, masks that fully cover the face, or more than ½ of the face, cannot be worn at school. Light makeup and/or hair color are allowed, but must be applied before school, not during the school day.
MONSTER MASH:
- Friday, October 25 from 6:00-7:30pm in the Palms Parking Lot.
- Click this link to volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/dy2tzzb5
- All students and families are welcome to participate during this time.
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
Principal, Palms Elementary
Perform - Achieve - Lead - Master - Succeed
OCTOBER DATES & EVENTS @ PALMS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
- No School for Students
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
- PLC Late Start Meeting - School starts at 9:40am
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24
- Young 5's Field Trip to Upland Hills
- Sweatshirt & Mug Orders Due to Office
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
- Palms Picture Re-takes
- MONSTER MASH in the Palms parking lot (6:00-7:30pm) - CLICK HERE, see Page 2
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
- ECSD Board Meeting (6:00pm)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29
- Palms T-Shirt Day
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31 - HALLOWEEN GUIDELINES
- Halloween (1/2 Day of School - Dismissal is at 12:08pm)
Palms Positive Polar Pride Winners: October 14 - October 17
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!
Wednesday, October 23 - Late Start (9:40am - 3:39pm)
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!
- October 23, November 6, November 20, December 4, December 18
- January 8, January 22, February 5, February 19, March 5, March 19, April 2, April 16, April 30, May 14, May 28
Mr. Blackstock's STEAM Lab Is Busy
In our STEAM lab, the Kindergarteners and Young 5's students are finishing up learning all about how we use our senses. The 1st graders are starting to learn about patterns in the sky during the day. The 2nd graders are learning all about rocks, rivers, and weathering. The 3rd and 4th graders just finished lessons about how having a growth mindset can help them learn. The 3rd graders are now learning about patterns and forces of motion and the 4th graders are learning about erosion and deposition and how they change the land. The 5th graders are learning about Earth's Spheres and how they interact and cause all kinds of things to happen.
Palms Elementary Student Of the Month (October)
Our October theme is KINDNESS & CREATIVITY.
Teachers will be looking for students that display these character strengths to award October Student of the Month!
ECSD Building & Site Sinking Fund Information
On November 5, 2024, voters in the East China School District will be asked to consider a Building and Site Sinking Fund. Please read the information below so you are correctly informed on a Building and Site Sinking Fund.
In March of 2020, ECSD successfully passed a Bond Proposal to implement major improvements at all buildings and sites, including new and upgraded instructional technology. The program focuses on prioritized infrastructure upgrades and security enhancements at all buildings and sites, creating future-ready learning environments, technology upgrades, and building a new Innovation Center, all with the goal of increasing student achievement and fostering a culture of college and workforce preparedness.
The approval of the sinking fund millage would allow the District to continue to provide necessary upgrades to our district’s buildings and sites over the next ten years, allowing operational dollars to support classroom activities, instead of addressing infrastructure needs. The health, safety, and security of students are of utmost importance to the District and keeping our buildings in the best possible working condition is the goal of sinking fund dollars.
The sinking fund would be a 2.75 mill levy. The increase over what is being levied today is $2.75 per $1,000 of taxable value. For example, a home with a taxable value of $100,000 (market value ~$200,000) would pay $275.00 a year for this levy.
If approved, the money raised through the Building and Site Sinking Fund millage would:
Reduce pressure on the general fund so that more of the School District’s limited educational operating funds can support student learning.
Protect the community’s investment in the School District’s buildings and school grounds.
Enable East China students to learn and grow in a safe, secure, and healthy environment.
Palms PTO Information
- 3rd Thursday of each month: October 17, November 21, 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)
- Monster Mash - Friday, Oct 25 - 6:00-7:30pm
- Cosmic Bowling Event - Friday, November 8 (Time TBA)
- 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
October Breakfast Menu
October Lunch Menu
Chartwells Information
Palms Elementary - Latchkey Caregiver Position
Palms Elementary Families,
We are looking for someone at Palms Elementary to help out with our Latchkey program as a caregiver!
Please see the information attached, and if you, or someone you know is interested, please apply on-line here: http://www.applitrack.com/eastchina/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1
Birthdays At Palms
- 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, Dismissal, Safety & Security
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.
Important Links & Documents for Parents
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.
Emergency Information
Emergency Information
Emergency Information
Palms Information
Email: lglasgow@ecsd.us
Website: https://eastchinaschools.org/schools/palms-elementary/
Location: 6101 Palms Road, Ira Township, MI, USA
Phone: (810) 676-1350