Panther Newsletter

Welcome to the 2025-26 School Year!

I am so excited to see all the returning Palmer Lake students and to meet our new students! I hope everyone has had a fun summer. There has been a lot going on at Palmer Lake since school ended. We are on our third year of construction. At Open House you'll be able to see our newly remodeled Media Center (there's a tree in the Media Center!!!), Art/Makerspace room, Flex rooms, and some new office spaces. The primary playground is getting a few new features and the intermediate playground is getting a complete remodel. Just wait until you see how amazing it is!

Our theme this year is BETTER TOGETHER! At Palmer Lake Elementary, every student matters and everyone's voice is important. Our unity gives us strength, and recognizing and celebrating our differences gives us richness!

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or ideas, we would love to connect with you. Feel free to call the office and schedule a time to connect with Assistant Principal Zipf or myself.

Respectfully,

Sarah Schmidt,

Palmer Lake Elementary Principal

Open House will be August 27th from 5:00pm-6:30pm. This is a great opportunity to meet your teachers and check out the classrooms. We hope to see you there!

The arrival bell rings at 8:35am. Students may line up outside of the front doors beginning at 8:30am. There is not supervision before 8:30am, so that is the earliest students should arrive. Students who arrive to school after 8:50am are considered tardy and the student(s) will need to check in at the office to receive a pass.

Dismissal of students who are walkers or parent pick up is at 3:15pm. Students who ride a bus are dismissed at approximately 3:20pm.

AM VPK: 8:35am-11:20am

PM VPK: 12:50pm-3:20pm

Our #1 job is to ensure the safety of everyone at Palmer Lake. If your child will be picked up by a parent or other adult at dismissal, please follow the Parent Pick Up expectations.

• Students will be dismissed for pick up at 3:15pm. Please be on time and ensure students are picked up by 3:30pm at the absolute latest.
• Drive slowly and pay attention!
• Cross at the cross walk. Wait for the adult to signal it is your turn to cross.
• Handicap parking spaces are only for drivers who have a valid handicap permit. The permit MUST be easily visible each time you park there.
• Parents are encouraged to pick up their student(s) at the fence along the sidewalk in front of the building. You may also park and meet your child near the cross walk.
• Follow the expectations on the Parent Drop Off/Pick Up map (below and linked). Drivers who do not follow the expectations create unsafe situations and/or back up traffic.
  
• Our parking lot has one-way traffic flow. Please DO NOT leave through the entrance. This creates a dangerous situation and backs up traffic.

Safety is our number one priority. ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone. Please have your ID ready for office staff to scan. Forgotten items (lunch boxes, instruments, etc.) can be left on the table in the vestibule for a more efficient drop off. Again, ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone.

If you would like to speak with an administrator or teacher, you are strongly encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment.

https://pl.district279.org/

Transportation Office: 763-391-7244
BusQuestions@district279.org

Office hours-

School in Session: 6:00am-5:00pm
Non-Student Days: 6:00am-4:30pm

Here at Palmer Lake, we know information throughout the school year can get confusing and be overwhelming at times. The link below will bring you to a separate Newsletter that contains what you need to know, whenever you need it!

https://secure.smore.com/n/rz6mt-panther-newsletter