THE MUSTANG MESSENGER

The beginning of a new school year is always an exciting, yet busy time. It’s hard to believe we’ve already completed the first month of the 2025-2026 school year! Our students have settled into classroom routines, built new friendships, and are already showing academic growth.

I shared the following goals with our faculty and wanted to share my goals for PES for the upcoming year with you.

• Increase positive communication with parents and increase involvement in the PTO.
• Continue our journey as a Leader in Me School while increasing student recognition for positive behaviors and outstanding work.
• As a faculty, we will continue to strengthen instruction through effective PLC (Professional Learning Communities) practices.

As we focus on these goals, I'm excited about the opportunities for our students to grow academically as learners and socially and emotionally as individuals. I encourage you to speak to your student daily about what is happening in the classroom and around the school.

Thank you for your continued support of the students, faculty, and community of Palmetto Elementary School! If you ever have any concerns or questions, feel free to reach out to me via phone or email: koonb@apps.anderson1.org.

Our PTO has already been hard at work this year and would like to invite you to our first meeting on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 , at 6:00 p.m.

Come learn about the Palmetto PTO, opportunities to get involved, and the

positive change you can make in the lives of our school & students!

https://www.anderson1.org/o/pe/page/pto or

https://www.facebook.com/people/Palmetto-Elementary-PTO

The deadline to purchase school shirts or Palmetto Mustangs blankets has been extended until Friday, September 12th. School shirts are a great way to show your PES pride and the blankets make great gifts!

• All 4th and 5th grade students may join the Battle of the Books Club!

  
  

  Challenge:

  Read 5 books each quarter

  (Only 2 can be picture books)

  • 1st quarter-August 5-October 8

  • 2nd quarter-October 9-December 19

  • 3rd quarter-January 6-March 12

  • 4th quarter-March 13-May 8

  
  

  Rewards:

  • Special activity at Lander Library

  • Free lunch at Burger King

  • Time out of class for this field trip

  • Membership in the PES Battle of the Books Club

  • Being better prepared for 4th and 5th grade

  • Relaxation with wonderful books

  • Participation in the Battle of the Books competition

We are excited to announce that Palmetto Elementary will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair from Oct 13-17. Be on the lookout for more information coming soon!

The Mustang Way asks students to Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible throughout all areas of PES. This year, we are recognizing students who demonstrate the Mustang Way.

Gotcha Cards are given by adults to students who are displaying safe, respectful, and responsible behaviors. These cards are placed in the red mailbox near the office.

Each Monday, five Gotcha Cards are drawn at random. These students get to make a positive phone call home, earn a "brag tag" to wear as a bracelet or put on their bookbag, and spin the wheel for an additional prize. Individual student prizes may include ice cream, lunch with Mr. Koon or Mrs. Shaw, hat day, bring a stuffed animal, or other surprises.

Brag tags can also be earned through outstanding attendance, being on the honor roll, and meeting goals on STAR testing. Each student also receives a brag tag for their birthday!

Our lunch monitors and related arts teachers give points each week to the best class from each grade level. At the end of the month, the class with the most points receives a visit from the Jolly Trolley! The Jolly Trolley comes to the winning classroom, accompanied by our mascot and a spirit squad, where the teacher spins for a class prize.

Congratulations to Mrs. O'Connell's class for being the first class to receive a visit from the Jolly Trolley!

*Please be sure to check your student's Parent Portal to ensure all information has been updated. It is especially important to update the list of persons that can pick your student up from school.

*Students should not have any types of toys, Pokemon cards, etc. at school. These items cause distractions that often lead to discipline issues.

*Students should be in their classrooms by 8:00 to be considered present. Any students not in class when the 8:00 bell rings is considered tardy.

*Students who are car riders and wish to eat breakfast should arrive at school no later than 7:40. If not in class by 8:00, these students are considered tardy. Students arriving late due to bus schedules will not be counted tardy and will be allowed to eat breakfast.

*Parents picking up students from both car lines will need to report to the front office after 2:30.

*Please be attentive when dropping off and picking up students in the car line. In the morning - Be sure that students have completely exited the vehicle and reached the sidewalk before driving. In the afternoon - Be sure that all children are secured in the car and doors are shut before driving.

*Thank you for helping ensure our students' safety during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal!

As a Leader in Me School, we have 5 Core Paradigms that dirve our decisions, behaviors, and results. A paradigm is simply the way we "see" things.

These 5 Core Paradigms include:

• Everyone can be a leader.
• Everyone has genius.
• Change starts with me.
• Empower students to lead their own learning.
• Educators and families partner to develop the whole person.

These paradigms are also powerful to use at home. When we use these paradigms as adults, we are communicating our own values and encouraging greatness in our students.

Some ways to engage your family in these paradigms can include:

• Reflect on your strengths and the strengths of your family members.
• Ask your student what their unique genius is.
• Discuss how each member of the family shows personal responsibility for their actions and choices.
• Empower your student at home to be "in charge" of their learning experience by asking questions rather than just always giving them the answer.
• Reflect on how you take care of your mind, body, heart, and spirit and share that with other members of your family.

Once again this year, WYFF 4 and Ingles are sponsoring the Golden Apple Awards as a way to recognize outstanding educators. A nomination form is attached below if you would like to recognize a teacher from PES in this way.

Golden Apple Award Nomination Form

Sept 15 - Dot Day

Sept 16 - PTO Spirit Night @ Loli's

Sept 23 - Fall Picture Make-Up Day

Oct 8 - End of 1st Nine Weeks

Oct 10 - No School for Students (Professional Development for teachers)

Oct 16 - Fall Carnival 4:30-8:00 pm
Oct 24 - Field Day

Oct 31 - No School for Students

Nov 24-28 - Thanksgiving Break

Dec 19 - Early Dismissal

End of 2nd Nine Weeks

Dec 22 - Jan 5 - Christmas Break

Jan 5 - Professional Development for Teachers