Palatka Jr.-Sr. High School -

Palatka's JROTC program has had its very first rifle team competition, with Matanzas High School. A very exciting day for our cadets, opening their rifle cases just two weeks prior. Though saddened by their loss, they chose to work harder to improve and hone their skills for their next match on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

PSAT Results support for families and students.

Seniors are selling Pura Vida bracelets to help raise funds for senior year activities! Thank you for supporting the Class of 2025!!

Let's congratulate the first 3 students in our school district to pass the Work Ready Soft Skills Assessment! Valissa Thomas Kaylee Burnett Genna Morgan

GOLF FUNDRAISER! PLEASE SUPPORT OUR PANTHERS! https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501cfaeb-313568bc-454455535732-f1e91d36848996f8&q=1&e=66c92cbf-5719-414a-8c09-da933c2bec78&u=https%3A%2F%2Ffevo-enterprise.com%2Fevent%2F80TSGBPHS The high school girls and boys golf teams get $15 for every ticket sold using this link for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl football game January 2nd, 2025 ! Add the tickets are only $25 instead of $50 !

Picture Day is next week!

Be prepared! All Senior parents and students are invited to attend this information sharing and checkpoint event!

PJSHS has five All-Star students who have completed the R.A.I.S.E. High School Tutor training for the 24-25 school year! They were eager to learn and participate in the activities for each component of reading. This year we have at least one student who desires to become a teacher! We hope to get her into the Paras to Pros Grow Your Own program upon graduation. There are also two second year students who intend to graduate as New Worlds Scholars! It is our hope for them to complete the 75 hours of tutoring by April (especially if they are a senior) to be eligible for the New Worlds Scholar designation given by the state of Florida! Please make sure to congratulate them on their efforts to be community minded by building Portrait of a Graduate characteristics at the elementary school level and providing even more support for Tier 3 readers. Looking forward to celebrating their progress throughout the year! 24-25 R.A.I.S.E. Tutor Assignments Madyson Morris - James A. Long Elementary Emberlee Zielinski - Kelley Smith Elementary Sha'Nyla McDuffy - Kelley Smith Elementary Avre'yana Rodgers - James A. Long Elementary Jamar HInes - Kelley Smith Elementary

Palatka Jr-Sr High School is working to increase the number of students and mentors involved with Take Stock In Children, a mentoring and scholarship opportunity through Goodwill Industries. If you think you could meet with a student here on campus or with our sports or club groups and log 15 sessions per year to help them qualify for a 60 credit hour scholarship, please fill out the application linked below. Many of us already have the perfect schedule and the means to do this extra support for our students. Please consider becoming a mentor with me! Use the first link to preview what would be involved as a TSIC mentor before you decide. https://www.takestockinchildren.org/mentors/ https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-313568bc-454455534531-adfea531bdc5c4db&q=1&e=035392da-5049-4612-9e9f-87050cdac4a9&u=https%3A%2F%2Fformstack.io%2FD7DCD

Due to the closures caused by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, adjustments to the academic calendar have been made. These changes were discussed and approved at the October 15th School Board meeting. We have worked diligently to minimize disruptions, especially aiming to preserve the full Thanksgiving week. Here are the key changes: October 15: Full Student Day (previously a District In-Service day/Student Holiday) October 15-18: “A” Days at Secondary schools; 7 periods (no block scheduling) October 22: Full Student Day (previously a 2-hour Early Release Day) January 7-10, 2025: “A” Days at Secondary schools; 7 periods (no block scheduling) January 10, 2025: This will mark the End of the 2nd Nine Weeks and 1st Semester.

Hurricane Milton Update- 10/10/24, 5:00PM: We are grateful for those in our community who have worked to keep everyone safe during Hurricane Milton! Friday, October 11: PCSD schools/offices are CLOSED so we may assess any possible damage to our facilities and clean up those used for shelters. Monday, October 14: PCSD schools/offices are OPEN for a teacher planning day. Monday is a student holiday. Tuesday, October 15: PCSD schools/offices are OPEN for all students and staff as a regular school day. The previously scheduled staff in-service day will be cancelled to provide a regular school day and make-up some of the instructional time lost due to 6 days missed for Hurricane Helene and Milton. The Florida Dept. of Education requires a certain number of hours each term for students to earn instructional credits in all grade levels. This is required of all districts even after weather events cause school closures. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our staff and families as we work to bring schools back to order after this unfortunate event. Thank you!

Hurricane Milton Update- 10/9/24, 10:00AM: All PCSD schools/offices will be closed on Friday, October 11. All after-school programs/athletic activities are cancelled through Friday, October 11. Students were already out of school Monday, October 14, and Tuesday, October 15, for planning and staff development days. Therefore, at this time, staff will return Monday, October 14, and students will return Wednesday, October 16. We will update everyone as we get more information. The following shelters are OPEN: Ochwilla Elementary (general population & pets), Jenkins Elementary (general population- no pets), Kelley Smith Elementary (special needs only), Browning-Pearce Elementary (general population- no pets), and Middleton-Burney Elementary (general population- no pets). Please stay informed by following updates from the Putnam County Emergency Management: www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyEM. Thank you, and stay safe!

Storm Update 10/7/24 5:30PM: Due to developing information regarding Hurricane Milton and traffic concerns in Florida, we will be closing schools tomorrow, October 8th. All PCSD employees should look for an email from supervisors regarding any staff who may be needed tomorrow to prepare for the storm and shelters. Thank you, and stay safe!

Hurricane Milton Update as of 9:00AM 10/7/24: All PCSD schools/offices will be closed on Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10. Schools/offices will be open on Tuesday, October 8. All after-school programs/athletic activities are cancelled beginning Tuesday, October 8- Thursday, October 10. A decision for Friday, October 11, will be made at a later time. The following shelters will open starting Tuesday, October 8, at 6:00PM: Ochwilla Elementary (general population & pets), Jenkins Elementary (general population- no pets), Kelley Smith Elementary (special needs only), Browning-Pearce Elementary (general population- no pets), and Middleton-Burney Elementary (general population- no pets). We will update everyone as we get more information. Please stay informed by following updates from the Putnam County Emergency Management: www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyEM. Thank you and stay safe!

PCSD is working closely with Putnam County Emergency Management to monitor Hurricane Helene and its potential impact. Update as of 12:00PM, 9/25/24: All PCSD schools will be closed on Thursday, September 26th and Friday, September 27th. All extracurricular activities on these days are canceled. Extracurricular activities for today, Wednesday, September 25th, will continue as normal. The following general population shelters will open Wednesday, September 25th at 8:00PM: Ochwilla Elementary (pets), Browning-Pearce Elementary, and Middleton-Burney Elementary. Kelley Smith Elementary will open Wednesday, September 25th at 6:00PM for special needs only. We will update everyone as we get more information. Please stay informed by following updates from the Putnam County Emergency Management: www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyEM, call center is open (386) 329-1904.

PCSD is working closely with Putnam County Emergency Management to monitor Tropical Storm Helene and its potential impact as it is expected to develop into a hurricane. Update as of 3:00PM, 9/24/24: Tomorrow, September 25, all schools and after-school activities are in session. Thursday, September 26, all schools and after-school activities are cancelled. Kelley Smith Elementary School will be opened Wednesday evening for special needs only. Decisions about other shelters will be made Wednesday. We will update everyone as we get more information. Please stay informed by following updates from the Putnam County Emergency Management. Thank you!

Make plans to preserve your senior year memories!

STEP FORWARD: COLLEGE ACCESS CONFERENCE Date: September 30, 2024 Time: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Check-in and morning campus tour opens at 8AM Location: J. Wayne Reitz Union UF Campus, Gainesville, FL RSVP through QR Code Link on Flyer!

PCSD has partnered with Health Hero to offer in-school vaccines to your child for NO COST. Consent forms were recently sent home with students. The flu vaccine clinic will be available Friday, October 4th. Health Hero makes immunizations available to every child to stop diseases like the flu in their tracks and reduce absenteeism in schools. Sign your child up and help us stop the flu in its tracks! https://beahealthhero.com/who-we-serve/parents/ #ProudtobePCSD

FAFSA FRENZY Don’t let finances be a barrier! St. Johns River State College is hosting October information sessions to learn how to complete the FAFSA. And, learn more about SJR State Foundation scholarships! Monday, October 7 Palatka Campus - T Building 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 8 Orange Park Campus - Viking Center 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 10 St. Augustine Campus - H Building 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Last session begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit SJRstate.edu