Miami Palmetto Senior High School PTSA
Upcoming Events - ALL EVENTS AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
September 28: Open House (Virtual, Details TBA)
October 4: College Fair, 6:30PM, MPSH Gym
October 6: Teen Talk Roundtable, 2:20-3:30PM, Media Center
October 11-15: Homecoming HOCOween Dress-Up Days, Hallway Decor
October 11: Financial Aid Night, 6:30PM (virtual, more details TBA)
October 12: EESAC Meeting (more details TBA)
October 13: PSAT
October 14: General PTSA Meeting (more details TBA)
October 14: Panther Prowl Pep Rally (during school)
October 15: Homecoming Game, 7:30PM @Tropical Park vs. Southridge
October 16: Homecoming HOCOween Dance
November 16: Junior Parent Night, 6:30PM (virtual, more details TBA)
December 4: Senior Photo Session Deadline for Yearbook Inclusion
Resources:
PTSA MEMBERSHIP
The 2021-2022 Annual Love Our Panthers Membership Drive is now OPEN! Please join and support PTSA today. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. This year we are aiming for 100% participation! All proceeds go back to the students and our school.
 
Click here for more information.
HOCOween Homecoming 2021 Week Details:
Panther Prowl (10/14)- Live Pep Rally during the day
Hallway Decor (10/11-15)
Dress Up Days (10/11-15)
     Monday- Decade Day
     Tuesday- Throwback Day
     Wednesday- Costume Day
     Thursday- Class Color Day
     Friday- Panther Spirit Day
Homecoming Game (10/15)- Vs. Southridge
Dance (10/16)- In the Palmetto Gym
 
How to Purchase Homecoming Dance Tickets:
Get ready for our First Homecoming Dance since 2019! We're back and it's time to celebrate in Panther Spirit!
 
Join us for a Ghoulish Gala during a Night at Panther Manor! Saturday October 16th 2021. 7pm-11pm in the school gym,
 
Tickets are $65 and are being sold online through OSP on your Student Portal.
 
HOW DO YOU BUY A TICKET?
 
Follow THESE Instructions: 
 
SENIORS:
Tickets on sale for SENIORS ONLY 9/21 to 9/22. Go to OSP on your Student Portal to purchase the ticket FIRST! One ticket per person. After you purchase your ticket on OSP, fill out the Homecoming Acknowledgement Form at the link below to reserve your spot at the dance. If you skip this step, you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE DANCE and you will not receive a refund. Have your OSP receipt handy because it will ask you for your order number.
 
 
JUNIORS:
Tickets on sale for SENIORS and JUNIORS ONLY 9/23. Go to OSP on your Student Portal to purchase the ticket FIRST! One ticket per person. After you purchase your ticket on OSP, fill out the Homecoming Acknowledgement Form at the link below to reserve your spot at the dance. If you skip this step, you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE DANCE and you will not receive a refund. Have your OSP receipt handy because it will ask you for your order number.
 


SOPHOMORES AND FRESHMAN:
Tickets on sale for ALL PALMETTO STUDENTS 9/24-10/1. Go to OSP on your Student Portal to purchase the ticket FIRST! One ticket per person. After you purchase your ticket on OSP, fill out the Homecoming Acknowledgement Form at the link below to reserve your spot at the dance. If you skip this step, you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE DANCE and you will not receive a refund. Have your OSP receipt handy because it will ask you for your order number.
 
 
OFF CAMPUS GUESTS:
Tickets on sale for ALL PALMETTO GUESTS 9/24-10/1. Go to OSP on your Student Portal to purchase the ticket FOR YOUR DATE FIRST! One ticket per person. After you purchase your ticket on OSP, fill out the Homecoming Acknowledgement Form at the link below to reserve your date's spot at the dance. If you skip this step, your date will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE DANCE and you will not receive a refund. Have your OSP receipt handy because it will ask you for your order number. NEXT, fill out the Guest Form that is attached as a PDF below and bring that hard copy form to Mrs. Valero IN PERSON by 10/1. If you skip this step as well, your date will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE DANCE and you will not receive a refund. 
 
 
PLEASE READ ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE BEFORE PURCHASING A TICKET!
Senior Parent Night
Did you miss Senior Parent Night? That’s OK! It was recorded! You can watch it here.
Class of 2025 on Instagram:
Make sure you follow @MPSHS2025 to get all of the Class of 2025 news and updates.
Girls Soccer:
School Board School Member Luisa Santos House Meeting:
All are invited to attend a virtual meeting to discuss the Miami-Dade County Public School System. To register go here.
Are you a Palmetto High Alumni?
If you are… make sure you are following the MPSH Alumni Association Facebook Page.
Mu Alpha Theta FREE Math Tutoring
Teen Talk Round Table
All students are invited to "Teen Talk" round table discussions as part of the district's SEL Strong initiative. Topics on mental health & wellness will be discussed the first Wednesday of every month after school from 2:20-3:30 PM in the media center.
College Visits 2021 (Subject to Change):
Panthers! These are huge opportunities to learn more about schools you may be interested in. You must register on Scoir. Organized by our CAP Advisor, Linda Dwyer. Make sure you follow her new account on IG: @MiamiPalmettoCAP
UPDATED PSAT Info
  • PSAT/NMSQT will be on 10/13/21. All 10th graders will take this test. The district pays for all 10th graders. I will schedule all 10th grade students to take the test. If you are a 9th or 11th grader, you will have to pay $18, should you wish to participate. This is a first come-first served and our 11th graders are given priority. 
  • I distributed all the PSAT/NMSQT study guides to all my 10th grade English teachers today. 9th and 11th graders will need to come to my office, media center room 2106B and show proof of purchase to receive a study guide and free practice test. Picture of receipt is fine. I also get record of payments-24 hour delay if you are unable to bring proof of purchase.
  • Please do not email and ask me to register you for the PSAT/NMSQT test. This is something that you will have to pay online on our OSP payment platform found in the student/parent portal. I will assign you a test once you pay. ONLY students who are in 9th and 11th grade will need to pay for it. I will make sure to schedule all 10th graders- they DO NOT pay. 
  • 11th graders can start paying on 9/9/21 through 9/24/21 (midnight). Make sure that you pay ASAP on the first week because on the second week, I will open the payment to 9th graders. First come first served.
  • 9th graders can start paying on 9/19/21 through 9/24/21 (midnight). First come first served.
  • If you are unable to pay by credit card through our OSP system (Online Student Payment), then you will need to pay in cash. You will need to go to the treasurer's office in the main office, room 1102, ext:2330.
  • Treasurer office time= Monday through Thursday 7:00 AM-12:30 PM. Closed on Fridays.
  • OSP payments= go to your student or parent portal, click on apps/services, click on OSP and look for either PSAT 11TH grade or PSAT 9TH grade
  • 9th and 11th graders will need to come to my office, media center room 2106B and show proof of purchase to receive a study guide and free practice test.
  • 10TH graders- If I do not schedule you to take the PSAT/NMSQT, you MUST CONTACT ME! I might have missed you, so please contact me if you are not in my list. The list will be given to ALL teachers- especially the ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS teachers. List will be out in about three weeks.
  • Schedules are not posted yet. Give me three weeks until I receive payments for room scheduling. Students will be informed of their testing rooms by their English Language Arts teacher. Ask your English teacher first. 🙂

Alejandra Valencia
Testing Chairperson
Co-AP Coordinator
Miami Palmetto High School
(305)235-1360 x2284
Important Testing Information:
IMPORTANT TESTING INFORMATION
  • Fall retakes will take place from 9/13/21 through 10/3/21. I will post schedules on our main website (https://palmettopanthers.org) under IMPORTANT TESTING INFORMATION. I will also send this information to ALL teachers. Students are usually informed by their English and or math teachers.
  • TEST INFORMATION:
  • Algebra 1 EOC retakes will start on 9/17/21
  • If you did not take or pass your algebra 1 EOC, do not despair. There are several options for you to meet the algebra 1 EOC graduation requirements.
  • You can get a 3 and above score in your geometry EOC. For those students who are taking the geometry class this year, you have a good chance at getting a comparative score for the algebra 1 EOC. DO YOUR BEST next May 2022!
  • Score a 430 and above in your PSAT/NMSQT exam
  • Score a 420 in the Math section of the SAT. (collegeboard.org)
  • Score a 16 in the Math section of the ACT. (ACT.org)
  • Take the algebra 1 EOC again. I strongly suggest the ACT/SAT/PSAT-NMSQT 🙂
  • FSA ELA Retakes will start on 9/13/21
  • If you did not take or pass your 10th grade FSA ELA (graduation requirement), do not despair. There are several options for you to meet the FSA ELA graduation requirement.
  • Score a 480 in the READ section of the SAT. (collegeboard.org)
  • Score an average score of 18 in your Language/Reading section of the ACT. Simply, add both scores and divide by 2. (ACT.org)
  • If you have Free/Reduce lunch, you may qualify for a fee waiver for the ACT and/or SAT. You will need to contact Ms. Fair at jafair@dadeschools.net.
  • Write you name, student ID, birth date, and reason- fee waiver. Remember that it is first come-first served and there might not be one always available 🙂.Waivers are constantly being offered. Best of luck!
  • PLEASE go to collegeboard.org or ACT.org for testing dates. These tests are given throughout the year.
  • If you did not do well on your Geometry, Biology, or US History- do not worry. This past year, the district did not count it against you. The 30% was only added to your final grade if you did well or it would have helped your grade.
  • FSA ELA and Algebra 1 EOC are the graduation requirements. However, the geometry will serve as a comparative score to the algebra 1 EOC if you get a 3 or above.

  • PSAT/NMSQT will be on 10/13/21. All 10th graders will take this test. The district pays for all 10th graders. I will schedule all 10th grade students to take the test. If you are a 9th or 11th grader, you will have to pay $18, should you wish to participate. This is a first come-first served and our 11th graders are given priority. 
  • I will be posting more information in the next couple of weeks concerning payments for the PSAT/NMSQT.
  • All information will be posted soon. Please do not email and ask me to register you for the PSAT/NMSQT test. This is something that you will have to pay online on our OSM payment platform found in the student/parent portal. ONLY students who are in 9th and 11th grade will need to pay for it. I will make sure to schedule all 10th graders- they DO NOT pay.  
  • 10TH graders- If I do not schedule you to take the PSAT/NMSQT, you MUST CONTACT ME! I might have missed you, so please contact me if you are not in my list. The list will be given to ALL teachers- especially the ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS teachers.

All of these dates have REGISTRATION DEADLINES! Check website for dates. Best of luck everyone!
Alejandra Valencia
Testing Chairperson
Co-AP Coordinator
Miami Palmetto High School
(305)235-1360 x2284
avalencia@dadeschools.net
Yearbook & School Photo Info:
Yearbook Senior Ads For Sale
Discounted pricing until October 28th!
If you need further information or assistance on yearbook related matters, please contact Arlene Huffman, Yearbook Advisor, at:a.huffman.thepalmecho@gmail.com
Senior Portrait Reminder
Seniors:
In order to be included in this year’s yearbook, you MUST book your session by DECEMBER 4th, 2021. 
GET YOUR PALMETTO SPIRIT WEAR:
NEW DESIGNS! The PTSA's online store, Sharingwear.org, has launched three new designs that are available in several colors and lots of different shirt styles (t-shirts, v-necks, long sleeve t's, hoodies, joggers, etc.).  

Sharingwear.org is a charitable organization founded and operated by Palmetto High students. Designs can be purchased in multiple clothing styles and some designs are available in multiple colors. Orders are custom printed and usually take 2-3 weeks for delivery. All profits from Sharingwear's Palmetto Senior Online Store are shared 50% with the Palmetto Senior PTSA and 50% with Sharingwear's Charity of the Month. Please visit SharingWear.org to stock up on clothes for this year!
Community News:
MDCPS Parent Academy Webinars:
FREE Tutoring through Miami-Dade Public Library System:
The Miami-Dade Public Library System has two programs to help students academically, and best of all they are FREE. live, and interactive:
 
“Help your child have a successful school year with the Miami‑Dade Public Library System’s Homework Help & Tutoring Program. Free, 30‑minute one‑on‑one virtual tutoring sessions with certified teachers are available on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. ‑ 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. to all K‑12 students who reside in Miami‑Dade County. Tutoring is available in reading and math. To participate, please submit a tutoring appointment request for your child/ren each week. To maximize learning, a computer or laptop with Internet access and a working camera and microphone is required.”
Very soon, MDPL will be rolling out a program in which we circulate laptops to take home that will include internet access. It’s a CAREs Act grant. 
 
2-  tutoring.mdpls.org  
Tutoring.com is normally a paid service through The Princeton Review, but is free for students with a library card (easy to get- see below). 
“Experts help you with homework, study for tests and write essays from noon to midnight daily.” The student can have typing or voice chat. They can request a specific tutor that they have worked with before or take a random tutor. The entire interaction is recorded and the student can put the transcript into a personal virtual locker. They can email it to their teacher or refer to it in the future. 
Other Notes: 
If a student doesn’t have a library card, they can get one almost instantly at https://www1.mdpls.org/webservices/ecard/Account/Register.
 
If they have any issues with logging on to any of the resources, customercare@mdpls.org can resolve problems from M-Th 9am-8pm, Fri & Sat 9am-6pm. 
 
Public libraries are open for students to study in, with safety measures in place. They also have computer access. For locations and hours: https://www1.mdpls.org/webservices/locator/
Abuse Resources:
THANK YOU PTSA Sponsors! As of 9/24:
More information about Sponsorship for families and businesses can be found here.
Have Something You Want to Share?
If there is something you would like to share in the MPSH weekly e-blast, please email KatieLAbbott@comcast.net by the end of the school day every Friday.

PLEASE FORWARD this email to any new parents who may not be receiving it yet. 
Thank you!!!
www.palmettopanthers.org • (305) 235-1360