Moose Minutes
October 2023
Principal Post
Hello PJMS Families,
The leaves are turning color, the temperatures are beginning to fall, and the night sky is getting darker more quickly each day.
There were lots of things happening the month of September. It was great seeing our Community come together during the visit of our Sister City, Saroma. Progress 1 has ended. We also, got MAP Testing out of the way. Routines have been set, and the students are benefitting greatly. Oh! And sports are in full swing!
I would like to say that I am honored to be part of such a dedicated and collaborative community where students, families, and staff work together to create an excitement for learning that will result in our children being life-long learners.
I am looking forward to another great month here at Palmer Jr. Middle School
Sincerely,
Ryan Geagel
PJMS Principal
Students with Free and reduced Lunches need to re apply
Students who received Free/Reduced lunch need to re-apply, their benefits expired on September 29th. This includes all students from previous schools who were getting lunches for all their students. (i.e. Sherrod). Students will be charged for breakfasts and lunches.
Bus Information
PJMS Families,
We are making bus passes at PJMS more user friendly. Please make sure you fill out the form attached when requesting daily bus passes. This form will be available on our website and on our Facebook. Please remember the end of the day gets extremely busy. Please make sure that bus passes are completed by 1 PM and that bus passes are done with the form and not over the phone. If you have any questions please feel free to call PJMS at 761-4300.
2023-2024 Housekeeping
There are some changes here at PJMS this year, and we wanted to remind you of some basic housekeeping items that help the year run smoother:
- Students are not allowed any drinks (Aside from Water) in the hallways. Drinks are only allowed in the Cafeteria.
- If students are leaving early, they need to be picked up prior to 2:00 pm.
- Lost and Found (located in the lobby near the cafeteria) is emptied WEEKLY, so please make a plan to check it often for your student's items.
- Chromebooks and chargers need to be sent to school DAILY. We are not issuing spare computers or chargers this year.
- Front doors are locked at 8:00 am, so please ensure your student is dropped off before 8. Dropping students off later disrupts class time.
- Check ParentVue weekly to help your student stay caught up this year.
- Please do not park in the Pull Through. If you need to park, please park in the main lot and enter the building to pick up your student.
Important Dates
October 5 - Picture Retake Day
October 18 - Title 1; Pumpkin Carving Event
October 18 - Quarter 1 Ends
October 19 - Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)
October 20 - Professional Learning Day (No School for Students)
October 26 - Band & Choir Concert @ 7pm
October 31 - Halloween Dance @ 1:15 pm
WACKY WEDNESDAY
10/4 - Pink out Day (wear pink)
10/11 - Crazy Sock Day
10/18 - Flannel Day
10/25 -
Clubs
Clubs will be starting soon. Please encourage your student to listen to the announcements for the most up to date information.
All clubs cost $20 each. Permission forms are available in the office and are needed for each club.
Clubs:
(Anime, Battle of the Books, Boys Volley Ball, Dungeons and Dragons, Flag Football, Girls Volleyball, Marksmanship, Photography, Saroma Sister, Star Wars, Weightlifting)
AFTER SCHOOL STUDY HALL!!
Is your child struggling academically? Could they use some additional assistance from a certified teacher?
PJMS holds Study Hall Tuesdays-Thursdays from 2:30 - 4 pm in Mr. Anderson's room. This is a FREE resource for students and families, but students DO need a completed permission form.
Our first dance will be held on Tuesday, October 31st at 1:15 p.m. Students should dress for a SPOOK-TACULAR time!!
Any volunteers are more than welcome to chaperone.
Our annual fundraiser is running from now until October 15th. Help us raise money for field trips and school wide events.
Sports
CHEERLEADING:
10/21 - State Cheer @ Colony Middle School
7th and 8th GRADE BASKETBALL:
10/3 - @ Teeland Middle
10/4 - Houston Middle @ PJMS
10/5 - Colony Middle @ PJMS
10/10 - Wasilla Middle @ PJMS
10/12 - GCS @ PJMS
10/13 - @ Redington Jr/Sr
10/16 - @ Academy Charter
10/17 - @ Colony Middle
10/24 - @ Wasilla Middle
10/27 - Academy Charter @ PJMS
10/30 - Redington Jr/Sr @ PJMS
GIRLS C-TEAM BASKETBALL:
10/4 - @ Colony Middle
10/13 - @ Wasilla Middle
10/18 - @ Wasilla Middle
10/25 - @ Teeland Middle
BOYS C-TEAM BASKETBALL:
10/10 - @ Teeland Middle
10/16 - @ PJMS
10/25 - @ PJMS
10/30 - @ Teeland Middle
Submit some fun photos with your student. These photos will be chosen by the Yearbook committee to be placed in the yearbook. Click the button above for easy submission.
Nurse Moose Health Nuggets
Doorbell at PJMS
To increase security at PJMS, a new door bell entry system has been added to help secure the building during school hours. This system will keep the front doors locked during school instructional time so that we can help to keep the campus secure to provide added safety for students and staff.
The doors will be open as normal before school starts and after school is out for the day but once the instructional day begins (at 9 am on Monday and at 8 am on Tuesday - Friday) this new system will be activated and the front doors will be locked. The door will remain locked until school is over for the day ay 2:30 pm. To gain entry to the building you only need to ring the door bell and an office staff member will answer the doorbell, and you will just need to let them know the purpose of your visit to PJMS is for. The doorbell is equipped with a video camera so that office staff can see the person(s) requesting entry and unlock the door for those granted access.
iReady Personalized Path
Did you know that students should be completing 2 iReady lessons from their personalized path each week? This is for ALL students except Algebra and Geometry students. Math teachers are checking in with students about these lessons, but these lessons are personalized to help fill gaps and advance students forward in skills that they need individually. Please help prioritize these lessons for your student! If you have any questions about the iReady lessons, please email your student’s math teacher.
Student Chromebooks
Students have their Chromebooks assigned, and these Chromebooks are issued to your student for multiple years. It is important for your student to take care of their device. If there are issues with your student's Chromebook, please have them see Mrs. Roberts in the library for assistance.
On the front of each Chromebook is a QR Code that can be scanned for resources relating to the device.
Students may decorate their Chromebook CASE ONLY! The cases should remain on the Chromebook AT ALL TIMES.
More information will be forthcoming regarding lost or damaged Chromebook charges.
Student Pick-up During the School Day
PJMS is locked down during the hours of 8:00-2:30pm. To increase security at PJMS, a new doorbell entry system has been added to help secure the building during school hours. This system will keep the front doors locked during school instructional time so that we can help to keep the campus secure to provide added safety for students and staff.
The doors will be open as normal before school starts and after school is out for the day but once the instructional day begins (at 9 am on Monday and at 8 am on Tuesday - Friday) this new system will be activated and the front doors will be locked. The door will remain locked until school is over for the day at 2:30 pm. To gain entry to the building you only need to ring the doorbell and an office staff member will answer the doorbell you will just need to let them know the purpose of your visit to PJMS is for. The doorbell is equipped with a video camera so that office staff can see the person(s) requesting entry and unlock the door for those granted access.
Mondays
A Lunch: 10:36 – 11:10 am
B Lunch: 11:26 – 12:00 pm
Tuesdays-Fridays
A Lunch: 10:40 – 11:14 am
B Lunch: 11:34 – 12:08 pm
Live Homework Help Access
Have you ever felt like you needed to help your student with homework but didn't know how? Here is a FREE resource to all Alaska students and families that gives access to live tutors to help in ALL subjects!
To access the Live Homework Help, students need to log into their Student Quick Links Clever account. Then students should open SLED. From there, click on Live Homework Help and get connected to a live tutor!
Contact Mrs. Roberts if you need more help with accessing this FREE resource!
stacy.roberts@matsuk12.us
Box Tops for Education - PJMS
Help us earn money that will be used to support all of our students.
Signing up is easy!
1. Download the Box Tops for Education App.
2. Choose a log in method.
3. Choose PJMS as the school to support.
4. Fill out some basic info about yourself to create your account.
5. Enter referral code: WZ2K45EL
6. Shop!
7. Scan your receipt!
8. Start earning cash for PJMS!
FRED MEYER COMMUNITY REWARDS
Palmer Junior Middle School is part of the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program.
To Use the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program:
Simply visit https://www.fredmeyer.com. Once logged into your Fred Meyer account you can search for Palmer Junior Middle School either by name or BJ629 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.
*Customers must have a registered Fred Meyer rewards card account to link to your organization.
*If a member does not yet have a Fred Meyer rewards card, please know they are available at the customer service desk at any Fred Meyers.
