Welcome to the monthly PTSA and EESAC update, Panthers. This month’s blog post covers updates regarding COVID-19 policies, construction, CAP, activities, fundraisers and more. 

District COVID-19 Policies 

• On Feb. 14, 2022, Miami-Dade County Public Schools announced that facial coverings would no longer be mandated for adults in district schools and facilities. However, the district continues to encourage all students, contractors, visitors, employees and volunteers to wear masks. 

Construction Updates 

• After recently receiving necessary funding from the school board, Palmetto plans to resume construction on the auditorium. Administration expects the auditorium to be complete in time for the 2022-2023 school year. 

CAP Updates 

• Congratulations to the Class of 2022 on their acceptances and commitments in their post-graduate planning. Linda Dwyer, Palmetto’s College Advisory Program Counselor, has asked that students update their SCOIR pages with their outcomes from schools. If a student has committed to a school, they should also update their SCOIR page with this information.

Activities

• A new date for the Junior Ring Ceremony has not yet been announced. Due to a shortage of stones, administration has been unable to receive all the ordered rings and hence cannot schedule a ceremony. As soon as Herff Jones can deliver the rings, administration will schedule a ceremony for juniors and their families. Until then, more updates can be expected in the coming weeks. 
• On Mar. 11, TVP will hold their annual fundraiser, Mr. Panther, for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. General admissions tickets can be purchased prior to Mar. 11 for $10 at this link. Tickets will also be made available for purchase the day of Mr. Panther for $15 on gofan.co.

CAP Counselor & Student Services 

• Students have access to a counselor who can help them throughout their four years of high school to ensure that they enjoy 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. 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, 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] 
• 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! There are no PTSA meetings in March, so there will not be a new blog post next month. For those with further questions, please contact administration or visit https://www.palmettopanthers.org.