Students in the Class of 2014 (this year's 7th graders, next year's 8th graders) will be invited to go on a 6-day, 5-night trip to Gettysburg and Washington DC, a trip planned by the 8th Grade History Department.

2014 will be the first year for the cross-country class trip and we're very excited about it!

The trip will take place during the 2014 Spring Recess, from Saturday April 12 to Thursday April 17, 2014. The trip is for students and their teacher chaperones, without parents.

Students will visit dozens of famous sites, including Gettysburg, Arlington, the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Pentagon, the National Mall, the National Zoo, Ford's Theatre, the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the JFK Center for the Performing Arts, and many famous memorials and museums.

For details, including costs and where to get more information, see the Eighth Grade Washington Trip page.

Friday May 17, 2013 is Grad NIght at Magic Mountain for eligible 8th grade students who have signed up.

Please remember these rules:

• Students must meet in the auditorium at 4:30pm. We will board the buses by 5:00pm and will not wait for students who arrive late.
• All students must be picked up promptly at 1:00am. It is essential that parents be at school, on the Palms Blvd. side, when the buses return, so a hardship is not place on the teachers who agreed to chaperone after a long day of work.
• There will be no telephone service at school when we return from Magic Mountain. Do not instruct your child to call upon arrival.
• Students may take cell phones on the trip but they must remain off during school hours.
• Students who are not picked up will be taken to the Pacific Police Division (310-646-4268) to wait for a parent.
• The price of the ticket covers admission only. It does not include game areas, food, drinks, or other goods.
• Be certain your child is dressed appropriately. Six Flags Magic Mountain may deny entrance to any student who is inappropriately dressed. This means no worn/torn jeans, hats/rags or bare midriffs. Any student denied access will have to wait at the park until the buses leave for the trip home.

We appreciate your taking the time to read and discuss these rules with your child. We are looking forward to a successful and exciting Grad Night!

All parents are invited to attend the Choral Spring Concert on Thursday May 16, 2013, at 7:00pm in the auditorium. Listen as the students in our Beginning and Advanced Choruses give their best performances of the year. Our PTSA music scholarship winners will also be performing!

The concerts will be repeated for students during Periods 5 and 6 on Friday May 17.

Platinum Supporters of our Family Annual Donation program receive reserved seats at this and other concerts.

Palms teachers and administrators recognized this year's parent volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation event on the Library patio on Friday, May 10, 2013. Parent involvement is one of the factors that contributes to the success of Palms Middle School, so the school staff took time off from their busy schedules to say thanks.

See a small slideshow on our Volunteer Opportunities page.

The Friends of Palms/PTSA Meeting on Tuesday May 14, 2013 is the last meeting for this school year.

If your child is an 8th grader, bring your questions about Eighth Grade Events and Culmination.

If your child is a 6th grader or a 7th grader, help us make the last month of this school the best of all, and help us plan for the next school year!

All parents are invited to attend the Instrumental Spring Concert on Thursday May 9, 2013, at 7:00pm in the auditorium. Hear the students in our Bands and Orchestra demonstrate the musical and performance skills they've learned this year.

The concerts will be repeated for students during Periods 2, 3, and 4 on Friday May 10.

Platinum Supporters of our Family Annual Donation program receive reserved seats at this and other concerts.

Six art students pose with Dr. Moriuchi, Principal.

Using duct tape, students in Ms. Purdy's art classes learned to make two different kinds of wallets, two different kinds of roses, and then each student worked on an advanced project they chose themselves. The results were spectacular and the students are very proud of their creations.

Visit our Art Elective page for a slideshow of Duct Tape Art Projects!