Welcome to the monthly PTSA and EESAC update, Panthers. We hope that everyone had a restful holiday season and a good start to the new year. This month’s blog post covers updates regarding COVID-19 policies, construction, activities, senior activities, fundraisers and more. 

COVID-19 Policies

• Miami-Dade County Public Schools has implemented a five-day quarantine for staff. If students inform the school that they have tested positive for COVID-19, they must be quarantined for 10 days.
• Parents and guardians will receive a phone call from administration alerting them that their student(s) has been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19.
  • Students can choose to remain in school regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status as long as they do not show any symptoms.
• Students who quarantine must alert the school so their attendance record reflects the COVID-19 quarantine period.
  •  If quarantined, students can attend class passively or actively via Zoom meetings. 
• Students — as good practice — are advised to contact their teachers to inform them of their circumstances.
• If a student does not feel well, they will have time to make up any missing work. If they are able to attend Zoom classes and make up work, they can do so as well. 

Construction Updates

Administration expects that the new auditorium should be fully refurbished by the end of May.This refurbishment also includes the completion of a new band room. 

• The end of the 2021-2022 school year should mark the completion of the entire construction project. 
• Currently, the outdoor basketball courts remain under construction. More information will be available in the upcoming weeks. 

Senior Activities

• Senior Spirit Week is due to take place the week of Feb. 22 through Feb. 25. During that week, seniors can enjoy festive activities and discover this year’s prom theme.
• To find out more information regarding senior events (Senior Picnic, Prom and Grad Bash), Palmetto families can view a video made by Elizabeth Valero, Palmetto’s Activities Director. Click here to watch the video. 
• To attend senior events, including graduation, seniors must be cleared by administration. To check if a student has received clearance, click here. Students on the list are recorded by identification number to ensure confidentiality. 
  • For students who do not have clearance status, an appeal form is available on Palmetto’s website. To download the form, click here. Students must follow the directions listed on the form and submit it to the Activities Office during their lunch block. Forms cannot be turned in at any other time.
    • Students who have already filled out a clearance form and have turned it in to Valero do not have to fill out an additional form unless specifically instructed by Valero or administration. 
  • Due to constant changes, the list on Palmetto’s website may not always be up-to-date. To ensure clearance status, students can visit the Activities Office only during their lunch block. 
• As in previous years, Palmetto administration receives a form where they can list the graduation dates that they prefer. At this point in time, Palmetto administration has not yet received the form.
  • Valero expects that by mid-February the graduation date and venue will be announced publicly.
    • Palmetto administration promises that the moment they are made aware of the information they will release it to Palmetto families.  

• Due to COVID-19 concerns, Valero has told Palmetto families not to expect a guaranteed six tickets per family as in years past. More information regarding tickets can be expected in the upcoming weeks.

Activities

• On Mar. 11, Panthers can attend TVP’s annual male pageant show, Mr. Panther. This year’s theme is ‘Men in Black.’ The event marks the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that Mr. Panther has been hosted.
• The Junior Ring Ceremony has been rescheduled. Panthers can expect updates in the coming weeks. 

CAP Updates

• All Panther students can join SCOIR to begin their postgraduate planning. More information regarding SCOIR can be found in the CAP Office, located in the Attendance Office. 
• Miami-Dade College will be visiting Palmetto on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15. For more information, visit the CAP Office.
• Freshman and Sophomore Parent Night is due to take place on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. To register for the event, click here. 

CAP Counselor & Student Services 

• Students have access to a counselor who can help them throughout their four years to ensure that they have a successful high school career. Panthers can find their designated counselor and corresponding information below: 
  • Ms. King (works with students who have last names starting with A-Ba, T-Z)
    • Email address: [email protected] 
  • Mr. Sanchez (works with students who have last names starting with Bb-D)
    • Email address: [email protected] 
  • Ms. Pinero-Trombly (works with students who have last names starting with E-J)
    • Email address: [email protected] 
  • Ms. Concepcion (works with students who have last names starting with K-O)
    • Email address: [email protected] 
  • Ms. Mallard (works with students who have last names starting with P-S)
    • Email address: [email protected] 
• Palmetto also has a Trust Counselor, School Social Worker and Mental Health Coordinator available on-campus for students. Students are more than welcome to email the social services team or stop by their offices. 
  • Ms. Mills – Trust Counselor 
    • [email protected]  
  • Ms. Garces – School Social Worker
    • [email protected] 
  • Ms. Molina – Mental Health Coordinator 
    • [email protected] 
• The Student Services Department also offers students assistance with the college admissions process through the College Advisory Program. Palmetto’s CAP Advisor, Linda Dwyer, advises all grade levels. Dwyer has started taking appointments with freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Students can contact her via a message on SCOIR or by email. 
  • Ms. Dwyer – [email protected] 
• At Palmetto, the Activities Director Ms. Valero organizes all student activities. Students can find Valero’s email below and stop by the Activities Office (located next to the Main Office) during their lunch block. To visit the virtual activities office, click here.  
  • Ms. Valero – [email protected]

Fundraisers

• While Palmetto is not a uniform school, spiritwear is available for purchase this month. SharingWear, an organization founded by Palmetto graduate Nicole Markus, is currently operated by her younger sister, Palmetto sophomore Kate Markus. Profits from Palmetto merchandise sales go to the PTSA and SharingWear’s Charity of the Month. Palmetto families can click here to shop the site. 
• The PTSA encourages Palmetto families to purchase a membership, which helps to fund many of the projects at Palmetto. Families can click here to purchase whichever membership option best suits them. 

Those are all the updates from PTSA and EESAC for this month! Have a great start to the second semester, Panthers! For those with further questions, please contact administration or visit https://www.palmettopanthers.org.