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The Pride of Palo Alto

August 13th, 2025

The Pride of Palo Alto August 13th, 2025
The Pride ofPalo AltoAugust 13th, 2025

Welcome to the 25-26 School Year! Welcome to the 25-26 School Year!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to a new school year at Palo Alto Middle School! Whether your student is joining us for the first time or returning as a proud Patriot, we are excited to partner with you in making this year our most successful yet.


This year, our campus has embraced the theme “Lock In and Level Up.” This theme reflects our belief that when students stay focused, commit to their goals, and push themselves to grow, they can achieve incredible things. It challenges them to lock in on their learning, make positive choices, and take ownership of their actions—striving for excellence not only in academics, but also in relationships, leadership, and extracurricular activities.


We will bring this theme to life alongside our Patriot values:

  • Proud – celebrating achievements while respecting others.

  • Accountable – owning actions, decisions, and their consequences.

  • Tenacious – showing determination even when challenges arise.

  • Responsible – being dependable and trustworthy.

  • Innovative – thinking creatively to solve problems.

  • Organized – managing time, materials, and priorities effectively.

  • Team Player – working together with kindness and cooperation.


During our 2nd period, students will engage in lessons and activities that help them learn about these values while locking in on their personal and academic goals. They’ll learn to persevere, recover from setbacks, put forth their best effort, and celebrate growth—big or small—on their journey to leveling up.


The staff at Palo Alto Middle School is ready and eager to welcome our students back. We encourage you to stay engaged throughout the year—whether by attending parent nights or volunteering for school events. Your involvement makes a real difference in your child’s success and helps us ensure that every Patriot truly Locks In and Levels Up this year.


If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to support your child every step of the way.


With Patriot Pride,
Christina Harris

First Day What To Expect - Arrival and Dismissal First Day What To Expect - Arrival and Dismissal

Morning - All Students

  • Doors open at 7:30 AM
  • All students will enter the building through the doors at the back of the building where the orange star is(see map below)
  • Students who want breakfast will be directed to the cafeteria
  • All other students will pick up official schedules* in their grade level hallways
  • Students will remain in their schedule room until directed to move to 1st period.


As students enter, they are expected:

  • Be in dress code
  • Wear their student ID (once it's issued)
  • Have a clear or mesh backpack
  • Power off all cell phones and electronic devices and place them in their YONDR pouch (once it's issued).
  • Walk through the Entry Shield System


Entry Shield Screening Process

Students will walk through an Entry Shield System daily as they enter the building. If the system alerts, the student will be directed to a designated area where they will be screened using a Garrett Handheld Wand and their bag will be searched in accordance with KISD procedures. This safety process may create delays in our entry as we begin the year; however, we anticipate the delays to decrease as students understand the process better.


After School - All Students

  • The last bell rings at 3:37 PM
  • Walkers and car riders will exit the building first
  • Bus riders will remain in their 9th period classroom until their bus number is announced
  • Bus Transportation will pick students up at the front of the building
  • Car Riders will wait for parents along the sidewalk on the north side of the school


*Schedules might have changed since Readiness Days, so students will need to pick up a new schedule on Wednesday.

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Important Info Important Info

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Backpacks and Water Bottles

Backpacks must be clear or mesh. Only clear, plastic water bottles will be allowed.
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Dress Code

KISD Dress Code will be strictly enforced. Please ensure that students are dressed appropriately for school.
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Lockers

Students will not be assigned a locker. Students may bring a clear or mesh backpack for their belongings.
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ID Cards

Students will receive their ID cards during the second week of school. If your student did not take their photo during Readiness Day, they will have their photo taken this week.

Schedules

Patriot families should be able to access your student's schedule in Home Access Center (HAC) this week. 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).

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Meet Our Leadership Team Meet Our Leadership Team

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What's going on at PAMS during the week of Aug. 13th-Aug. 15th? What's going on at PAMS during the week of Aug. 13th-Aug. 15th?

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Wednesday, August 13th –

1st day of school!


Thursday, August 14th –

Volleyball Tryouts 7th & 8th Grade (4:05PM-6:00PM)


Friday, August 16th –

Volleyball Tryouts 7th & 8th Grade (4:05PM-6:00PM)

Transportation Transportation

Expect transportation delays the first 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.

Information about the KISD Bus App

After First Day What To Expect - Arrival and Dismissal After First Day What To Expect - Arrival and Dismissal

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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.

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Christina Harris
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