The Pride of Palo Alto

Happy Sunday Patriot Families,

We have a short but meaningful week ahead at Palo Alto! Monday is a student holiday for staff professional development, and we’ll be closed in observance of Veterans Day on Tuesday. We are proud to honor the brave men and women who have served our country and protected our freedoms. Their commitment and teamwork reflect the very best of what it means to be a Patriot.

Thank you to all the parents and community members who attended last week’s informational meeting about the district’s plans for next year. We truly appreciate your questions, input, and continued support. The district will continue sharing updates throughout the year as we move forward in this process. If you have additional questions, please use the QR code below to submit them.

As we continue our Capturing Kids’ Hearts focus on Teamwork, we’re encouraging students to think about what it means to be a team player—in class, in the hallways, and even at home. Team players listen, cooperate, and support one another. You can help reinforce this value by asking your student how they contributed to their “team” at school this week.

Please also help us keep our campus safe by making sure students leave promptly after school or their after-school activities. There is no supervision after dismissal time ends, and students should not be hanging out on campus once activities end. If your student walks home, please remind them to head straight home. If they are picked up, ensure they are picked up on time each day. This helps us maintain a safe, orderly environment for everyone.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping us build a strong, supportive Patriot community where every student can Lock In & Level Up—together!

With Patriot Pride,
Christina Harris

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!

Monday, November 10th -

Student Holiday/Staff PD Day

Tuesday, November 11th -

Veteran’s Day: Staff & Student Holiday

Wednesday, November 12th -

Lady Patriot Basketball vs. JDAMS (games start at 5:30PM)

• 8th grade @ PAMS
• 7th grade @ JDAMS

SBDM in the Library (4:00PM)

Thursday, November 13th –

Patriot Boys Basketball vs. JDAMS (games start at 5:30PM)

• 8th grade @ PAMS
• 7th grade @ JDAMS

Friday, November 14th –

Have a fabulous Friday!

Healthy Conflict and Communication

Conflict is a normal part of friendships and group activities, but how students handle it can make all the difference. Encourage your child to:

• Listen first before responding

• Use “I” statements (“I feel upset when…”) instead of blaming

• Take a break if emotions are too high, then revisit the conversation calmly

Teaching these skills helps students build stronger relationships and solve problems without escalating tension.

Growth Mindset in Social Situations

Remind your child that social challenges are opportunities to learn and grow. Mistakes in communication are normal—what matters is practicing new ways to express themselves and repair relationships.

Tip for Families

Model healthy communication at home by:

👉 Listening fully without interrupting

👉 Expressing feelings calmly

👉 Asking, “What do you need from me to fix this?”

These simple habits give students concrete examples to follow in their own friendships.

Wellness Corner

Managing conflicts in a healthy way supports emotional wellness. Encourage your child to take deep breaths, step away from tense situations, or journal about their feelings. These strategies help students regulate emotions and maintain mental balance.

Counselor’s Note

Learning to communicate effectively and resolve disagreements is a key skill for middle school and beyond. Our counseling team is available to support students who need guidance or a safe space to talk through challenges. With practice, students can navigate conflicts with confidence and respect.

Students watched the video linked below earlier this year in order to ensure they know what the

expectations are. We believe that knowledge is power--knowing and understanding the rules helps them to be more successful.

A few points to be aware of:

• One (1) fight SHALL result in a due process hearing with a recommendation for DAEP placement. Students placed at DAEP for fighting shall be assigned for a minimum of 45 days and may be placed up to 90 days.
• Off campus fights may be considered a disruption to the campus learning environment and students who participate may be subject to a due process hearing with a recommendation for DAEP placement for a minimum of 45 days and up to 90 days.
• A student must be placed in a DAEP if the student: Commits an assault under Penal Code 22.01(a)(1)(3). Assault is defined in part by Penal Code 22.01 as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another; intentionally or knowingly threatening another with imminent bodily injury; or intentionally or knowingly causing physical contact with another that can reasonably be regarded as offensive or provocative.
• On the 3rd cell phone offense, the student will be assigned three days of In School Suspension (ISS) and will have a District-Level Hearing (DLH) with recommendation to the District Alternative Education Program (DAEP).

We want to keep our Patriots learning and growing here at Palo Alto, so please take time to talk with your students about the impact and consequences of their choices. Our discipline process is not just about consequences—it’s about teaching responsibility, accountability, and respect for others. When students understand expectations and take ownership of their actions, they are better able to stay focused on learning and enjoy a safe, positive school environment.

We are excited to continue 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. There will be no cash taken at the door/gate and there will not be devices for anyone to use to purchase at the gate. Please let grandparents, aunts, uncles and all other family members know this is the new process.

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. Texas has recently passed a law that requires us to remove spectators immediately if a game official requires it--there will be no warnings. Please help us to make our events a positive experience for all!

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

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 grades in Home Access Center (HAC). 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).