5.2.2025 Friday Letter to Families

• High School Students: Courtney Condon  & Chase Powell
• High School Teacher: Ms. Johnson
• Middle School Students: Alex Forsythe & Robert Waltz
• Middle School Teacher: Mr. Schrimsher

• We absolutely love our teachers and hope you do too! National Teacher Appreciation Week is quickly approaching, May 5 - May 9. If you would like to send a kind word to show your appreciation for your student’s teacher or any staffulty,, please do so on our “Attitude of Gratitude” form to let us know who deserves a reminder that THEY MATTER during this week, or sooner! 
• If you are interested in donating towards our Teacher Appreciation Week OR volunteering for to cover morning or after school duty (and receive Parent Community Service hours), please fill out this form to let us know how you, your business, church, etc, would like to sponsor a breakfast, lunch, treats, gifts or something else our teachers would love during this week of celebrating!

• We are quickly approaching the end of the year! We will begin collecting Chromebooks, textbooks, and Yondr pouches the last week of school. Please encourage your student(s) to locate these items prior to May 27th! The schedule will be as follows: 
  • 6th and 7th grade: May 27
  • 8th and 9th: May 28
  • 10th and 11th: May 29 
• Failure to turn in the assigned Chromebook, charger, case, textbooks, and Yondr pouches may result in additional fees being added to your PowerSchool account
• Fees for Seniors Are Due Friday May 9, 2025
  • Seniors’ last school day is Friday, May 9th. All fees in PowerSchool must be paid by May 9th. Fees include lunch, senior fees, dual enrollment, technology, parking, sport participation, etc. If you have any questions please contact either Assistant Principal, Ms. Skonieczny or Mr. Sweeney.
• Fees forUnderclassment (Grades 6-11) are due May 30, 2025
• Fees at PSA include, but are not limited to: technology, registration, dual enrollment enrollment, testing, athletic participation, dual enrollment failures/withdrawals, before/after care, lunch, senior fees, parking, etc. 
• Failure to pay will result in holding of diplomas, report cards, 25-26 class schedules, etc. If you have any questions, please email your child’s Assistant Principal, Ms. Skonieczny (Middle School) or Mr. Sweeney (High School).

• We have seen a rise in the use of inappropriate language and name calling throughout the school. Please remind your child of the importance of maintaining integrity and respectful decorum at PSA. 

• Graduation practice attendance is mandatory for walking in the Commencement Ceremony on Friday. If you cannot attend, you must email Mr. Reyes, Mr. Sweeney, AND Ms. Sko to make a request. 
• Note: Tickets and cords will be handed out at practice, not at Senior Breakfast.

• Attendance / Seat Time - 
  • We will be contacting students and parents with attendance updates and seat time requirements. The next seat time make up opportunity will be on May 17, 2025.
  • Please be sure to get your absence excuses in as soon as possible. 

• Attention Rising 8th Grade Parents:
  • Please check your email for important information regarding your child's courses for the 2025-2026 school year. As part of PSA's gifted and talented curriculum, rising 8th graders will take high school credit courses, including English 1 Honors, Geometry Honors, and two high school elective credits. Please review the email carefully for details.
• Virtual SC - 
  • Spring courses and final exams are complete.  Grades will be updated in PowerSchool in the coming weeks.  Virtual SC Summer registration opens for 11th/12th grade students on May 19.  Registration opens for 9th/10th grade students on May 27.  Details and instructions will be sent out closer to registration.
• Dual Enrollment - 
  • All TTC Spring DE courses are complete and grades have been finalized by the college.  All grades have also been entered into PowerSchool for students.
  • We plan to hold a dual enrollment info session for rising 11th and 12th grade students and their parents in the coming weeks.  Please continue to check email for more information.
• 11th Grade - 
  • Congratulations to the following students who were chosen as this year's Junior Marshals for the Class of 2026: Justice Garris, Owen Frye, Daniel Brennan, Gerald Wells, Sophia Hoang, William Yang, Howii Querol, Connor Li, Livia Wyatt, and Gyula Thomas.
• 12th Grade - 
  • Senior Check-out is the final step for all 12th grade students to qualify for graduation.  Check-out day will be on Friday, May 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.  This is mandatory for all Seniors who plan to walk in graduation.
  • Please continue to check the school counseling graduation page for more details and information.

• Testing will commence Monday, May 5th. Please ensure students get enough rest and have a hearty breakfast the morning of their exams. Also, please do not schedule doctor’s appointments or vacations/trips on dates your child is testing. See the “event dates” near the bottom of this document for specific assessments. As a reminder EOC exams are for students taking Biology, US History, English 2, Algebra 1. AP Exams are for those taking AP courses. SC Ready exams are for students in grades 6-8. Please notify Ms. Skonieczny with any questions or schedule conflict.

• We want to wish our High School VEX Robotics team, “Exploding Kittens,” the best of luck this week as they travel to Texas to compete in the VEX Robotics World Competition! 
• We also want to wish our Middle School VEX Robotics team, “ The Raviolis,” the best of luck as they will be traveling to the same competition in Texas on Wednesday! 
• VEX Robotics Workshop:
  • Is your rising 7th grader interested in joining VEX Robotics next year? We're hosting a three-day VEX Robotics workshop from May 19–21, 3:30–5:30 PM. While the workshop is geared toward rising 7th graders, students from other grades may be accepted based on availability. Sign up today! (Flyer link) 

• The Palmetto Scholars Theatre Club is pleased to present the stage production of Sherlock Holmes! They would like to invite you to join them on Friday, May 9 at 6:00 pm or Saturday, May 10 at 5:00pm for an evening of mystery and entertainment. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the performance.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for cash during school lunch for $5, or at the door for $7. Online ticket orders can be placed using this link ($5/ticket).  Please mark your calendars and come out to support our talented PSA actors and stage crew!  It is sure to be a wonderful evening for all!

• We're celebrating our amazing 8th graders as they prepare to 'Level Up' into high school for an action-packed time full of fun, food, and friends with their fellow 8th Graders..
• Activities include:
  • Carolina Gamers Game Truck
  • Laser Tag
  • Battleball (giant inflatable bumper suits!)
• Lunch: Hamburgers and hotdogs will be served.
• Cost: $5 per student to participate.
• Time: 12:30 - 2:30
• We're asking for parent donations to help provide food and drinks for our students. Be on the lookout for a sign-up form coming soon!
• Let’s send our 8th graders off in style with a day they won’t forget! 

• As a celebration for the end of the year, the Student Council would like to bring back an old PSA tradition, Phoenix Fest! For those that have never attended a Phoenix Fest before, it is a fair type event with games, activities, and food for all grade levels and their families to enjoy! More specific details will be given in the next Friday notes but this event will take place on Thursday, May 29, from 2:30pm - 5:30pm, so that our PSA families can participate in the fun. In order to make this happen we would love (and need) some community support.
• We are looking for donations of a variety of needs. Please click this link for more details on how you can support this event. 

Mark your calendars:  

PSA Parent/Student handbook.