THE MUSTANG MESSENGER

As we reach the end of the first nine weeks, we hope you have scheduled a report card conference to meet with your student's teacher. It is our hope and expectation that each family attends a face-to-face conference with their student's teacher. These conferences provide a time to celebrate your student's growth and achievements over the first nine weeks while also discussing their next steps in academic growth. Building a strong home-school relationship is crucial in helping our students reach their potential. Just as we have celebrated our students each week for displaying the Mustang Way, we look forward to celebrating students for their academic efforts and achievements.

With the end of the first nine weeks comes an increase in school events and happenings. Our PTO has many great events currently scheduled and more in the works. Many of these events are detailed below.

Thank you for playing an active role in your student's experience here at PES. As always, please reach out if there is anything we can do to help your child reach their highest potential

Brandon Koon

koonb@apps.anderson1.org

Principal

We had a tie! This month the Jolly Trolley visited Mrs. Huff's second graders and Mrs. Haigler's fifth graders as they were rewarded for their outstanding behavior in the cafeteria and related arts.

In our last Mustang Messenger, we highlighted the Mustang Way and our Gotcha Cards. This month, we would like to highlight a few more things that are new at PES this year!

STEAM - This year, all students in grades K-5 are attending STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) as a related art. During STEAM time, they take a deeper dive into the science and math standards they are learning about in their homeroom class. Just this week, students have worked in stations to learn more about habitats, magnets, and energy.

Student-led announcements - Each morning, our fifth-grade news crew records announcements to start our day. They are assisted by students from different homerooms to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, update us on the day's lunch, remind us of our Leader in Me Mission Moment, and recognize birthdays. Our news crew has done an outstanding job so far this year, and we appreciate their leadership in this role.

Math Intervention - We are excited to offer small-group math intervention services this year. Similar to reading intervention, students who require additional support in math are identified and work in a small group setting on the necessary skills to help them achieve academic success in math. These small groups are frequently changed to help as many students as possible, focusing on specific math skills.

Gifted and Talented - Although this program is not new at PES, it has undergone a new look. This year, GT students receive small group GT services twice a week, once with Mrs. Sutherland and once with Mrs. Williams.

There is no school for students on Friday, October 10th, so that parents and teachers can hold report card conferences. Be on the lookout for more information from your child's teacher regarding conference availability. Our goal is to meet with all parents in person as we work together to help our students reach their full potential.

During October, every 2nd-grade student at Palmetto Elementary will be administered the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and the Cognitive Aptitude Test (CogAT). The results of these two measures will be used to determine eligibility for the District’s Gifted and Talented Program (LAUNCH).

The testing schedule for students at Palmetto Elementary is as follows:

ITBS Reading Wednesday, October 8

ITBS Math Thursday, October 9

CogAT Verbal Tuesday, October 14

CogAT Quantitative Wednesday, October 15

CogAT Nonverbal Thursday, October 16

Make-up testing for absent students will take place during the following week.

Please encourage your child to do their best, but avoid pressuring them. Please ensure your child is present and on time each day.

An important part of being a Leader in Me School is providing leadership opportunities for students in the classroom. Students may serve as a class greeter, recess equipment manager, door holder, time keeper, or even pencil patrol.

Leadership roles are just as important at home. This attachment offers suggestions for leadership roles you can try at home.

We are excited to announce plans for this year's Field Day, scheduled for October 24th. As always, families are welcome to come. If you plan to attend, please be sure that all adults have a valid ID. Check-in will be required before entering the Field Day area.

This year's theme will be All-American. We will also have a Color War competition between grade levels to see who can show the most spirit.

Field Day Times

• 3rd–5th: 9:00–11:00

• K5–2nd: 12:00–2:00
  
  

Color War Assignments:

• 5th Grade - Red

• 4th Grade – Blue

• 3rd Grade – White

• 2nd Grade – Red

• 1st Grade – Blue

• K5 – White

Candy Drive:

The candy bins are ready and we have started to collect candy donations for the upcoming Fall Carnival. The grade level with the most candy collected at the end of the day on October 15th will win a pizza party! All candy collected will be used for the Fall Carnival.
Thank you for your donations!

Volunteers Needed

If you are interested in volunteering to help at any upcoming events - Book Fair, Fall Carnival, and/or Field Day, please email palmettoelementaryschoolpto@gmail.com.

Fall Carnival

One of our favorite events is just around the corner and will be bigger than ever! We will have candy, food vendors, book fair, pictures with characters, hayrides, and for the first time - a haunted classroom!

All attendees over the age of 2 must purchase a wristband to attend the fall carnival. Pre-ordered wristbands are available for $5 and must be purchased no later than October 13th. The price of wristbands will increase to $7 after this date.

Blanket Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone that ordered! This was a HUGE success! Blankets have been distributed, but don't worry! We have extras that will be available for sale at upcoming events.

Be sure to follow the Palmetto Elementary PTO on Facebook. Updates will be shared via Facebook and Seesaw throughout the year.

Oct 8-9 ITBS testing

Oct 8 - End of First Nine Weeks

Oct 9 - Battle of the Books field trip

Oct 10 - Professional Development (Report Card Conferences)

Oct 13-17 - Fall Book Fair

Oct 14 - 16 - CogAT testing

Oct 16 - Fall Carnival 4:30 - 8:00

Oct 24 - Field Day

Oct 30 - Second Grade Performance 6:00

Oct 31 - No school!

Nov 8 - Palmetto Girls' Run Club 5K

Nov 13-14 - Good Morning Grands (More info to come)

Nov 24 -25 - No School (Inclement Weather Make Up Days if needed)

Nov 26-28 - No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)

ADDRESS:

Palmetto Elementary School

1 Roberts Blvd

Williamston, SC 29697

(864)847-5442

INTERNET/SOCIAL MEDIA:

WEBSITE: https://www.anderson1.org/o/pe

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/PalmettoElementary