The Pride of Palo Alto

Patriot Families,

We are so proud of the effort that students and staff gave last week as we all adjusted to new routines and expectations. It has been a joy getting to know your students and helping them navigate middle school, whether for the first time or as a returning Patriot.

Friday (8/22) was the deadline to submit schedule change requests. Our counselors have been working diligently to process these quickly—thank you for your patience during this busy time.

We are also working on getting student ID cards printed this week. Once IDs are ready, we’ll communicate with you and distribute them to students.

This week kicks off after-school athletic events for Football and Volleyball. We encourage you to come out and cheer on our student-athletes! Please remember that KISD’s clear bag policy will be in effect—see the Athletics section below for details on what can and cannot be brought into events. KISD has also moved to online ticketing for all events.

Beginning this week, tardies will count. Please remind your student of the importance of getting to class on time—every minute of instruction matters! Tardies are tracked through the Hero system, and parents will receive an email if their student is marked tardy.

On a positive note, students will also begin earning Hero points for demonstrating our Patriot Values: Proud, Accountable, Tenacious, Responsible, Innovative, Organized, and Team Player. Every staff member can award points, and at the end of each month, students will be able to redeem them for rewards and activities. We LOVE celebrating students who Lock In and Level Up through positive behavior and leadership!

We are looking forward to another great week with your Patriots!

With Patriot Pride,
Christina Harris

• Students are required to enter the building at Door 17. Students should take their binders out of their bags in order to speed up the entry process. They should also have their phones turned off and ready to place in their Yondr pouch.
• Students dropped off after 8:10am must enter through the front office at Door 1 to receive a tardy/late attendance pass. They will still need to walk through our security check and may be searched if it alerts.
• Students have a 4 minute passing period between classes, which is ample time for them to get to each class.
• Starting Monday, August 18, 2025, students will receive consequences for being tardy to class. Once the tardy bell rings, they will be marked tardy in Hero and we will follow the SCOC. You should receive an email notification every time your student is tardy.
• All students, staff, and visitors are required to wear an identification badge (ID) daily. We must be able to identify everyone on our campus. Visitors must walk through a metal detection system at the front office (Door 1).
• Students are required to wear their ID (or a temporary) all day every day as soon as they receive it. Failure to follow this expectation may result in severe consequences. Safety is our #1 concern, and it is imperative we know every student on campus is officially a PAMS student.
• Students and staff should never let anyone in an exterior door, and all classroom doors must remain locked and closed during instruction. Failure to follow this expectation will result in severe consequences (out of school suspension/In school suspension/and possible DAEP placement).
• Students who must leave the classroom for any reason during instructional time (ex: restroom) must have a pass while in the hallway and have their school ID displayed. Any student who does not have a pass or is somewhere in the building where they are not permitted may receive immediate consequences.
• Yondr pouches have been issued to all students. The expectation is that devices are turned off and locked in their pouch. Electronic devices should never be seen nor heard at anytime during the school day.
• Failure to follow this expectation will result in consequences to include confiscation and possible requirement for parents to pick up the device. Additionally, consequences may result in placement at DAEP.
• Students are expected to be in dress code when they arrive on campus and remain in dress code throughout the school day. Failure to follow this may result in serious consequences.
• Consequences for dress code will begin Monday, August 18, 2025, which may include sending them home to change.
• Additionally, should students bring any illegal items or items prohibited by the campus/district, they will receive consequences to the fullest extent possible. Prohibited items are also left to the discretion of administration. We ask parents and community members to remain vigilant about what students bring to school. Parents should check their child’s belongings each day before they leave home.

We greatly appreciate your support, and look forward to seeing you at many of our upcoming events!

We are always looking for caring and dedicated volunteers to support our students and staff here at Palo Alto Middle School. Whether it’s helping at events, mentoring students, or assisting with special projects, your involvement makes a big difference!

To volunteer, all individuals must first complete the KISD Volunteer Application (https://www.killeenisd.org/o/kisd/page/volunteer). Once cleared, volunteers will then attend a volunteer orientation at Palo Alto before getting started. We would love to partner with you in building a strong Patriot community!

Tuesday, Aug. 26

Patriot Football vs. LORMS (games start at 5:30PM)

• 8th grade @ PAMS
• 7th grade @ PAMS

Wednesday, Aug. 27

Lady Patriot Volleyball vs. LHMS (games start at 5:30PM)

• 8th grade @ LHMS
• 7th grade @ LHMS

We are excited to kick off our after-school athletic events this week! Please remember that KISD’s clear bag policy will be in effect for all games, and tickets must be purchased online in advance.

When attending, we ask that all families model the Patriot Way by being positive and supportive of our student-athletes. Our role as fans is to encourage our team, not put down the other team or use inappropriate language or behavior.

Together, we can create a spirited and respectful environment that makes every game a great experience for students, families, and our community.

Your school counselors are excited to kick off the 2025-26 school year together! We are here to support you with academic planning, social-emotional growth, and future goals. Let’s make this year one filled with learning, kindness, and success. Remember—you are not alone on this journey; we’re here to help every step of the way.

Here’s to a great year ahead!
—Your Counseling Team

Tips for Helping Your Child Transition Back to Middle School

• Re-establish routines – Set consistent bedtimes and morning schedules a week or two before school starts.

• Organize materials – Help your child gather school supplies, set up a binder, and prepare a quiet homework space.

• Review expectations – Talk about school rules, class schedules, and after-school activities to reduce beginning of year anxiety.

• Encourage independence – Give your child opportunities to practice managing time, organizing belongings, and solving problems.

• Talk openly – Ask about their feelings (excitement, worries, or questions) and reassure them it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions.

• Stay connected – Attend orientation, check school updates, and keep communication open with teachers and counselors.

• Balance school and fun – Make time for family activities, friends, and relaxation to keep stress low.

Bus Route information was made available to parents/guardians via Home Access Center for those who are eligible and requested transportation.

Expect transportation delays the few days of the school year. However, Killeen ISD provides

the Edulog Parent Portal Lite smartphone app to help you receive information about your student's

bus ride. The app allows you to see real-time information about the location of your student's bus

and will alert you when the bus is getting close to the bus stop.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Map for Cars and Buses

Please notice the drop off and pick up areas for cars at PAMS. For the safety of our students,

please do not drop off in the bus loop.

Parents/Guardians should only be driving in the yellow area indicated on the map.

The red area is for buses only. Parents who enter the red area are putting students and staff at

risk as there is limited visibility when buses are present.

Patriot families should be able to access your student's schedule in Home Access Center (HAC) this week. HAC is a valuable resource and is one way that teachers communicate your student's progress throughout the year (see attachment below for information about HAC). If you need assistance with it, please reach out to our parent liaison, Brittanee Warren (Brittanee.warren@killeenisd.org).