Dear Palmer Community:
Second semester is in full swing as we prepare for State Assessments and end of year activities which will lead up to graduation. Staff and students alike are approaching this semester with a clear focus on the learning that needs to take place between now and the end of the year.
During this semester, freshmen and sophomores will take the CSAP tests in March and MAPS testing in April and May. Juniors will take the ACT in April. AP and IB students will be preparing for spring testing in April and May. Testing of students is very much a part of our lives as the decisions that we make about curriculum and instruction are a result of individual student performance on these assessments.
Assessment data is not only used to measure student achievement, but it also indicates a school’s level of proficiency in delivering a standards based curriculum as reported by the state in the School Accountability Report. As you know, Palmer has received a rating of “High” on the SAR for the past six years. To continue Palmer’s standard of excellence, we must not only assure that each student does his or her best, but we must also test at least 95% of our freshmen and sophomores on the CSAP and MAPS tests and juniors on the ACT. Your help in making sure that your children are in attendance on testing dates, in addition to encouraging them to do their best, would really help Palmer. We will be talking to freshmen and sophomores about the importance of state testing and striving to do their best.
We’ll be having a grand opening in late February or early March when we open the newly renovated Commons. At that time you will be able to take a tour of all the improvements made at your school.
The annual Palmer Beautification Day will be held on Saturday, May 10th. This day is dedicated to “sprucing up” our school. Please join other parents, students, staff and alumni in cleaning, painting, planting flowers and fixing up our campus. This is a great opportunity to get involved and meet other members of the Palmer High School community. We want our pride to show!
Please feel free to call me or stop by and visit at any time. I appreciate everything you do for our students and for our Palmer community.
Warmly,
Tom Kelly
Principal