6th grade students will host their second annual Science Fair Exhibit in the student cafeteria on Wednesday May 30 from 3:15-4:30pm. Parents are invited to view the many outstanding science projects. Stay afterwards for the Art in the Afternoon Exhibit in the school library from 5:00-7:00pm.

Student science projects are due Monday May 21. Students will present their science projects to their classmates from Wednesday May 23 to Friday May 25 before setting up their display boards in the student cafeteria.

The skills that help students succeed in school are the same skills that will help them later in their chosen careers.

A bonus issue of the Middle Years Newsletter offers ideas to help your child exercise the Four C's: Communication, Collaboration, Critical thinking, and Creativity.

Click below to download this issue or any of the Middle Years Newsletters from this school year.

If your child entering 7th grade in Fall 2012 has not yet received the tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis immunization (Tdap booster), contact your doctor, clinic, or the health department to get it. Then bring a copy of your child's immunization record (the "yellow card") to the Student Services Office or the Health Office.

For the 2012-2013 school year, 7th grade students who do not provide proof of their Tdap booster shot by the start of the Fall semester will be excluded from school. This is a California law.

Use the links below for more information and to find free or low-cost immunization clinics.

Students can pick up Leadership applications starting Friday May 11. Leadership, also known as Student Council, is available to 7th and 8th grade students. Leadership students learn about the characteristics, attributes, and skills that encompass good leadership. They engage in discussions and debates, plan school activities, and provide service to their school and their classmates.

6th grade students can take 6th Grade Leadership, a separate one-semester class.

Leadership students help organize or participate in:

• Fundraisers such as the Magazine Drive
• School Dances
• Palms Pride Days and Spirit Week
• Visitor Days

The May issue of the Middle Years newsletter is the last regular issue for this school year. This issue has tips about learning over the summer, summer socializing, sharing your child's use of technology, telling the truth, being tolerant of other cultures, dealing with disappointment, getting ready for high school, and a year-end checklist.

The LAUSD Band & Orchestra Festival will be held at Palms this Friday, May 4. Our Blue and Gold Bands and Orchestra will perform, along with other schools, starting at 3:15pm. Judges will give students suggestions on their performances and ideas about interpretation of the music, volume during passages, emphasis, and more. This is a wonderful day for our musicians.

Also mark your calendars for the Instrumental Spring Concert on Thursday May 24th at 7:00pm!

Palms has two culmination ceremonies each year, Culmination A at 9:00am and Culmination B at 12:00 noon. Which ceremony you attend depends on your child's homeroom teacher.

Culmination A - students with these homeroom teachers: An, Aza, Bourman, Cohen, Conroe, Garret, Hoffman, Hunter, or Martinez

Culmination B - students with these homeroom teachers: McCarrell, Moszkowicz, Mullaney, Purdy, Reynolds, S. Santana, Stewart, Sudaley, or Twaijri

Culmination will be on Tuesday June 19. Information on the schedule, attire, and more can be found on our Culmination Ceremony page (click below).