The Pride of Palo Alto

Happy Sunday Patriot Families,

This week marks the beginning of STAAR testing and we have our first assessment on Tuesday, April 7th! This is an important opportunity for our students to show what they have learned this year, and we are confident in the effort they have been putting into their learning. Please help us by making sure your student gets a good night’s rest, arrives at school on time, and comes ready to do their very best. Encouragement from home makes a big difference, and we appreciate your partnership in supporting student success.

We would also like to congratulate our 7th grade Boys Track Team on winning the District Championship! Their hard work and dedication was evident as they finished the season and we are so proud of their accomplishment.

Finally, this week we celebrate two very important groups who support our school every day—our paraprofessionals and our assistant principals. Our paraprofessionals play a vital role in helping students succeed both academically and socially, and our assistant principals work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our campus safe, organized, and focused on learning. We are grateful for the positive impact they make on our students and school community each day.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s success as we get closer to STAAR testing!

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!

Month of the Military Child

School Librarian Appreciation Month

Autism Awareness Month

Assistant Principal Appreciation Week

Monday, April 6th –

Activity Bell Schedule for Pep Rally

Tuesday, April 7th –

STAAR Testing Reading (6th-8th Grade)

Wednesday, April 8th –

Patriot Swim Time Trials @ Boys & Girls Club (5:00PM)

Thursday, April 9th –

Have a terrific Thursday!

Friday, April 10th –

Hope it's a fantastic Friday!

Saturday, April 11th –

Patriot Swim Meet @ Belton

We have a number of students with many unexcused absences. Please use the link the below to submit parent notes to excuse them. If you have questions, you can contact our attendance secretary, Ana.Aponte-Sanchez@killeenisd.org.

Learning Through Challenges
Encourage students to view setbacks as learning opportunities and keep trying, even when tasks are difficult.

Counselor Tip:

• Add “yet” to challenging statements (“I can’t do this… yet”)

• Reflect on mistakes as opportunities to learn

• Praise persistence and effort, not just results

Tip for Families:

• Discuss times when your child overcame a challenge

• Model a growth mindset in your own experiences

• Encourage problem-solving instead of giving up

Wellness Corner:

• Practice positive self-talk daily

• Take short walks or stretch breaks to refresh the mind

• Use journaling to reflect on small successes

Counselor’s Note:
Counselors support students in developing resilience and a growth mindset to approach challenges with confidence.

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.

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.

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).