(7.31.2025 New student Orientation)

Good afternoon, PSA families! 

     We are just over one week away from an amazing year at PSA! We had an amazing time welcoming our newest PSA students on Thursday at our New Student Orientation! Our new students had the opportunity to make new friends, play games and feel more comfortable with our staffulty and campus as they begin a new school year at a new school. Big thanks to all of our staffulty, parents and board member volunteers in helping us have a successful orientation! We are excited to have our teachers back starting on Tuesday! Here are some details for what is coming up this week. 

Student Pick Up - FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 (ALL STUDENTS)

• Student Pick Up will be on Friday, August 8, with times varying by last name. We apologize for any confusion caused by the inaccurate information included in earlier communications. All other information is accurate. We are hoping this provides the needed clarification.
• The grade level times can be found on our website here. Students will be picking up their schedules, chromebooks, textbooks, Yondr pouches (for electronic devices), and taking yearbook pictures. 
• YEARBOOK / ID PICTURES will be taken at Student Pick Up. Any new students who did not take their picture during New Student Orientation will be able to take their picture on this day.

2025/2026 Back To School Important Links & Forms - 

• This FLYER will provide you with links and information to the following items that need to be filled out, signed and returned, or reviewed.

• Lunch Services Application
• CCSD Meals Information & Linqconnect.com Application
  • All 25/26 Students are required to fill out 25/26
• Powerschool / Parent Portal Contact
• Parent / Student Handbook Draft
  • Parents Sign Acknowledgement Form
• Progressive Discipline Plan Draft
• Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures
• Before/Aftercare Procedures (MAP)
• PSA Technology Use Form
• Home Language Survey (All Students)
• Health Update (Hard Copy Signed)
• Media Opt-Out Form
  • (Submit only if you wish to opt out of photos/videos in PSA publications)

• Before and After-School Care Sign-up (if applicable)
• PCA Membership Form (Parent Community Association)

School Supplies - (To Be Updated Weekly) 

• SC tax free weekend starts on August 1st - August 3rd. Many of our families will want to use this opportunity to complete their back-to-school shopping and we have been getting some questions about specific school supply needs. Supplies vary by class and will be outlined in the syllabus, but all students will need the normal resources of middle and high school students- a binder, loose leaf paper, notebooks, pens, ruler, pencils, a backpack, etc. Students enrolled in high school math courses will benefit from the purchase of a TI84 Plus calculator for use at home and school. Students will have access to Chromebooks to use for schoolwork. Any student or family who needs support at any time with school resources should please contact our Director of School Counseling at Kaytie Widener. 
• This will be updated as received. Students will get a teacher’s supply list once their schedules are completed or on the first day of school.
  • High School
  • 6th Grade
  • 7th Grade
  • 8th Grade

Powerschool Corner - *DISTRICT CODE: *FDLP*

• If you're having trouble logging in or need a password reset, feel free to reach out to Ms. Madison at shanelle.madison@psaschool.org. 
• The PS District Code is: FDLP
• Note - Class schedules aren’t visible at this time.

PSA New Hire Press Release(s) -

• We are thrilled to work with and welcome our newest hires for the 25-26 school year! Click the “Press Release” links below to learn more about our newest Staffulty members!
  • Tara Girch - Special Education
  • Brandon Wilkins - Physical Education
  • Crystalyn Macdonald - Secretary
  • Portia Seabrook - 1:1 Assistant
  • Lillian Pharis - Art
  • Sherri Andersen - Middle School Counselor
  • Kelly Velesaris - Nurse
  • Ashleigh Werth - Middle School Science  
  • Athletics
    • Sally Ann Archie - Head Volleyball Coach

Registrar’s Desk - 

• We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and emails regarding registration, address changes, and records requests. We appreciate your patience and will respond in the order received. Please note that these requests can take up to 10 business days. 
• Transcript requests may take up to 10 business days to process during this peak season.
• A huge thank you to everyone who attended New Student Orientation! We’re excited to welcome new families to the Phoenix community.
• If your student will be withdrawing from Palmetto Scholars Academy, please complete the Withdrawal Form found on our website. If your student has an outstanding balance, please reach out to Mrs. Stanley prior to submitting the form.
• If you are not receiving Friday Notes, or if you know someone who hasn’t been receiving them, please email registration@psaschool.org with the following information:

• Your first and last name
• Student’s first and last name
• Student’s grade level
• The email address and phone number you’d like associated with the student’s account

Counselors’ Corner - 

• Dual Enrollment - 
  • Rising 11th and 12th grade students who are interested in dual enrollment for the Fall semester AND have not already submitted an application should do so IMMEDIATELY.  For those who could not attend our dual enrollment workshop in June, the presentation and other important information can be found on the school counseling website.
• Virtual SC -
  • Virtual SC Summer courses have ended.  Students who did not take their final exam at PSA on Wednesday 7/30 have until August 5 to complete their exams.  Final grades will be available after August 6.
  • Registration for Fall Virtual SC courses opens for 11th & 12th grade students on August 13.  Registration is open for all grades beginning on August 20.
• Graduation 2026 - 
  • Save the date!  The graduation ceremony for the class of 2026 is OFFICIALLY scheduled for Friday, May 22, and Senior Breakfast and graduation practice are both scheduled for Thursday, May 21.  These dates are posted on the school’s calendar.  More details to come throughout the year.
• Student Schedules -
  • Schedule distribution will take place at PSA on Friday, August 8.  Schedules will not be available to students before this date.  Any requests to make schedule changes must be made through the physical schedule change form that will be available after August 8.

PSA Exchange Student in Need -

• Hello PSA!! We have a student from Brazil possibly coming to PSA in August who is in need of a Host Family. She is number one in her class in Brazil, speaks good English, and plays volleyball and other sports. She would be a junior or senior. 
• If you would be interested in being a host family or would like more information, please contact Cal McRae at cal.mcrae3@gmail.com

Athletics -

• Coach Keefe encourages ALL parents and Student-athletes to continue to check our Athletic Newsletter for Updates and Schedules.  Fall Schedules for Cross Country and Volleyball are posted to the Phoenix Athletic Page under that sport.  Schedules are subject to change.
• Coach Keefe would like to invite any Girl/Boy in grades 7-12 to please consider running Cross Country this Fall.  Please email Coach Gasser with any questions.
• All documents for our Cross Country and Volleyball players need to be downloaded to BigTeams.  The link for BigTeams is in the Athletic Newsletter.  Participation Fees ARE NOT DUE until after tryouts have been completed.
• Tomorrow (8-1-25) marks the kickoff of SCHSL Sales Weekend at Dick’s Sporting Goods locations across South Carolina. Coinciding with Tax Free Weekend, this represents a great opportunity for all of our students and families to save on athletic equipment, apparel, and other merchandise. Please help spread the word by sharing this information and the following E-flyer.

Parent Community Association (PCA) -

• The PSA Parent and Community Association (PCA) is a volunteer organization which exists to support and enrich the academic and community life of the students at Palmetto Scholars Academy and to aid the faculty, staff and administration of the school in carrying out their work.. Sign up on the PCA website or text PSA PCA to 234-324-3332 . We strive for 100% membership from all families!
• We need your help! - Let’s Stock the Staffulty Break Room! Parents, let’s help our amazing Palmetto Scholars STAFFULTY kick off the school year feeling appreciated and energized! We are inviting families to drop off snacks, drinks and treats for the staffulty’s breakroom as a small gesture of gratitude. We are collecting the following items, but not limited to:
  • Granola Bars, Chips, Candy, Water, Soda, Coffee Pods, Etc.
• Donations can be made in the front office this week - just label them, “Staffulty Lounge,” and we will take care of the rest.
• Thank you for supporting the incredible team that supports our students! Every little bit helps!

Looking ahead… 

• School Volunteer Info
• Early Graduation details
• Registering for Lunch (all students are required.)
• Lockers details
• Facts and Fees details

Mark your calendars:  

• August 4 - Regular Business Hours Resume: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 3:45
• August 5 - Teachers Return
• August 8 - Student Pick Up 
• August 12 - Students Return
• August 13 - Virtual SC Available for 11th-12th Grade Students
• August 20 - Virtual SC Available for All Students
• August 27- Open House - 5:30 pm
• May 22 - 2026 Graduation Ceremony (May 21 - MANDATORY Graduation Practice)

We hope everyone enjoys their last week of summer! August 12th will be here in no time! We are looking forward to making this school year the #PSABestSchoolYearYet! To all of our amazing PSA community, please don’t forget…