The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) gave one of its two annual awards for 2012 to the Palms Middle School DNA Day partnership with UCLA. Palms was selected based on the DNA Day program developed by Palms teacher Susannah Santana. The $10,000 grant supported transportation and instructional materials that let Palms participate in DNA Day and expand the scope of the genetics education our students receive. The grant benefited all of the Palms science teachers who teach genetics.

See our Palms DNA Day page and the National Human Genome Research Institute press release.

In November 2011, four Palms teachers joined the ranks of National Board Certified Teachers. National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program that recognizes effective and accomplished teachers who meet high standards. Studies show that these National Board Certified teachers are associated with higher student gains on achievement tests and that peers look to these teachers for leadership, mentoring and coaching, so the benefit is school-wide.

Our newest National Board Certified Teachers are

• Mr. An (7th grade history)
• Ms. Eddington (8th grade English)
• Ms. Solarz (7th and 8th grade English)
• Ms. Vogel (English as a Second Language)

Congratulations to them all!

Julie West, Palms instrumental music teacher, has received a number of awards:

• The 2011 Outstanding School String Teacher Award from the Los Angeles chapter of the American String Teachers Association (September 12, 2011).

• The 2011 Music Educator Award from Education Through Music - Los Angeles, at their 6th Annual Benefit Gala (October 25, 2011).

• The 2009 Don Schmeer-Byron Hoyt Band Educator Award, given annually to an exemplary instrumental music educator by the California Association for Music Education.

When asked what the Band Educator Award means to her, Ms. West replied

"I am very honored to have music teachers in the state recognize my contribution to teaching music and band in particular. Palms parents and staff are very complimentary about the instrumental music program. I am very fortunate to teach at a school with such great students. It's nice to also be recognized beyond the local school for your hard work and achievement by fellow music educators. I was also told this award is usually given to a high school band teacher."

Congratulations to eight Palms students who auditioned and won music scholarships through the 10th District PTSA in Spring 2011.

• Kaitlyn Blake (cello)
• Jordan Cho (piano)
• Faith Gray (clarinet)
• Jonathan Handler (saxophone)
• Joanne Lee (cello)
• Eric Lin (piano)
• Elizabeth Lopez (clarinet)
• Tiffany Rhee (violin)

Bruce Kravets, Palms math teacher, was honored as Teacher of the Month at a Lakers basketball game in February 2011.

See also "The power of parents" below.

Palms teachers regularly go beyond the call of duty, volunteering to help students, the school, and the local community.

Two highly qualified teachers are no longer on the LAUSD payroll but have returned to Palms to continue teaching as volunteers: Mr. Bruce Kravets (see below) and Ms. Sylvia Kvitky. Both teach math. Palms students benefit greatly from their dedication and years of teaching experience at Palms.

Bruce Kravets, Palms math teacher and winner of a Jaime Escalante award, volunteered to keep teaching without pay after his retirement, but weeks of red tape, mixed signals, and confusion in the school district made it appear that he could not continue to teach, despite the strong support of the principal and a statement by LAUSD superintendent Ray Cortines that Mr. Kravets is "extraordinary."

Parents overwhelmingly responded, calling attention to the situation, resulting in an article in the Los Angeles Times by well-known columnist Steve Lopez. Mr. Lopez reported that Mr. Kravets "worked on Saturdays and Sundays with students who wanted a little extra help at a school that is considered one of the best in L.A. Unified. He quoted Palms principal Bonnie Murrow, speaking of Mr. Kravets in saying "I can't say enough incredible things about this man."

That attention in turn brought about a resolution of the problem and approval for Mr. Kravets to volunteer. He is again teaching math and logic at Palms!

• In June 2011 Palms students Rick Li and Kiara Santacruz were honored at LA High School Corwin Theater as school ambassadors for the Do the Right Thing challenge to help stop violence. They were selected based on the essays they submitted.

• Several students from Palms were chosen to participate in the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States in January 2009, traveling to Washington, D.C. for the event. When they returned, they provided their classes with wonderful insight on the political process.

• In Spring 2009 Palms 7th grader Emily Choi was winner of the Los Angeles County Office of Education Student Art Exhibit.

• Palms Middle School was one of only four middle schools in the United States chosen to select middle school fiction books for Voice of Youth Advocates.