Ready to Climb!

We are committed to maintaining a positive, safe, and respectful environment at PAML. To ensure everyone is on the same page regarding our community standards, we want to share an overview of our school expectations and disciplinary guidelines. Please review these expectations with your child.

School Expectations

Our students are guided by principles of being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible in all areas of the school, including:

• Technology: We have implemented new technology expectations. Playing games on school-issued Chromebooks is prohibited, and reduction of technology use during school hours is being implemented.
• Cell phones: Cell phones or other personal devices are not allowed to be used during the school day or during athletics and UnBound. Cell phones are not allowed at any time, particularly in bathrooms or standing at your locker and using it, if this occurs it will result in in-school suspension. Students are welcome to leave cell phones in the office.
• Office phone: The office phone is available for emergencies, you are expected to make after school plans with your child before school. If your child needs to communicate about plans, we will use reach my teach to message you and get the information to your child.
• Appropriate Conduct: Physical behaviors like "slapping butts" are not permitted and will result in out-of-school suspension. Furthermore, swearing at adults or peers in the classroom carries disciplinary consequences.
• Dress Code: Clothing should be appropriate; we do not allow rolled-up shorts, tube tops, pulled-down shorts, or visible undergarments.
• Transportation: Bus riders are reminded to remain seated, keep aisles clear, and follow driver directions. If students are not following expectations, they may lose the privilege to ride the bus.

Discipline & Support

PAML utilizes a progressive discipline model to help students learn from mistakes.

• LOFT Access: Students sent to the LOFT for behavioral support will go through a process of regulation and reflection. Time spent out of class in the LOFT will be made up during the student's free time (lunch, recess, or after school).
• Co-Curriculars: Participation in athletics and after-school activities is tied to behavior. Two referrals or an ISS/OSS results in students not being able to attend afterschool activities including sports, UnBound, or other events. There are no exceptions.
• General Behavior: Please note that students are responsible for their behavior even outside of school hours while on school grounds (e.g., playing basketball).

Definitions of HHB (Hazing, Harassment, & Bullying)

We take these matters seriously. Please be aware of the following definitions used in our school policy:

• Hazing: Intentional or reckless acts against another student, typically linked to pledging or initiation.
• Harassment: Conduct based on protected characteristics (race, sex, orientation, etc.) that creates a hostile environment. This does not require intent to harm or repeated incidents to be actionable.
• Bullying: Overt acts intended to ridicule or intimidate. Unlike harassment, bullying is typically defined as being repeated over time.

We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing these expectations at home. If you have any questions, please reach out to the school office.

Best,
Jes

Jes Stengel Wills, Ed.D

Principal

I am incredibly proud of our 8th-grade student ambassadors following their recent leadership workshop, where the group truly shone. These exceptional leaders spent the day building connections, identifying their unique strengths, and ultimately coalescing into a unified team. Most impressively, the group collaboratively defined six core values and drafted a formal "Ambassador Agreement," outlining their dedicated commitments to listening, respectful disagreement, and authentic representation of our entire student body throughout the upcoming year. Please join me in celebrating these students for their remarkable maturity and inspiring vision for service to our school community.

August 20th at 6:30pm we will host an ice cream social for our 5th grade. The evening will start promptly at 6:30 in the cafeteria, students and parents will run through their schedules, and then 8th grade Ambassadors will serve ice cream and play recess games with students.

September 30th at 5:30 we will open the doors for students to explore classrooms with their families and introduce teachers. We will also be selling food as a fundraiser for the 8th grade trip to DC, more information to come!

PAML's Parent Advisory Council will be meeting on Tuesday mornings this year at 8:30-9:00am. Please reach out if you can be part of this group that will help guide PAML's work, support fun events, and be involved with our school spirit! First meeting is Tuesday, September 29th at 8:30am!

We’re excited to announce that our new basketball court in the recess area is officially ready for play! A huge thank-you to our custodial staff and the construction crew for their hard work preparing the court in time for the first day of school. We can’t wait to see our students enjoy this new space at recess! We are incredibly lucky to have this new space.