04/28/2014

Miami Palmetto Senior High School PTSA

April 28, 2014

Upcoming Events:

• May 1 - Dade County PTA/PTSA Election Meeting at the School Board Building 6:30pm
• May 3 - Fit Kids Saturday, from 10:00am to 2:00 pm at Evelyn Greer Park
• May 6 - EESAC Meeting
• May 7 - Volunteer Breakfast
• May 14 - New Student Orientation
• May 20 - Silver Knight ceremony
• May 22 - Senior Awards
• May 30 - Graduation

Legislation:

This is the last week of the 2014 Legislative Session, a time for long hours and short tempers. If all goes well, House Speaker Weatherford and Senate President Gaetz will gather sometime Friday evening to drop a white handkerchief, signaling the end of the session ... and the beginning, for many members, of all-out campaigning for the August primaries and/or November elections.

House and Senate positions remain divergent on issues such as charter school contracts, vouchers for low income students and those with special needs, postsecondary tuition waivers for undocumented students, and textbook selection. It's anyone's guess which positions will prevail by Friday.

The budget must be presented, at the latest, by 11:59pm on Tuesday evening, and some major differences between House and Senate positions on education funding are in the process of being ironed out. With respect to technology funding, the Herald reports that the final compromise will incorporate the Senate position: about half the $86 million amount the House had proposed, but without the strings the House had attached. Sadly, there seems to be no sign at the moment of any budget remedy to Miami-Dade's anticipated property tax shortfall. For more specific information, please consult "Bills on the Fast Track" under Legislative News on the PTSA website: www.palmettohighptsa.org

PTSA:

At the PTSA General Membership meeting on April 24th, the following individuals were elected to the 2014-2015 Executive Board of the Miami Palmetto Senior High PTSA. Thanks to them all for their commitment to our school and our students.

+ President - Anna Hockhammer

+ 1^st VP - Teri Fisher

+ 2^nd VP - Dena Spector

+ 3^rd VP - Dina Lara

+ Treasurer - Audrey Marchesini

+ Recording Secretary - Maricarmen Diazmiron

+ Corresponding Secretary - Elizabeth Wenger

Special Thanks to David and Francine Williams for hosting our Donor Appreciation Event at their home on Thursday, April 24th. MPSH PTSA is grateful to all that have donated their time, treasure and talent towards the educational experience of all students and staff at Palmetto.

Campaign for Excellence is going strong:

Major donors to the PTSA were thanked at a cocktail party on April 24th. Dr. Harley spoke about the school and its successes and challenges. Mayor Lerner attended, along with individual parents who have made significant donations to our donation fund and individuals and representatives of businesses that have donated to our ongoing Campaign for Excellence. We thank all of our donors!

Volunteers Needed:

Dear parents, we are preparing for our favorite event of the year, "The End of Year Luncheon" when we, the parents, give thanks to everyone at Palmetto High School for everything they do for our kids. There are many ways you can be part of this event as we need your support to make it memorable. The following are items that we need and that you can help with...We need 2 liter bottles of the following:

+ 10 - Cokes

+ 10 - Diet Coke

+ 10 - Sprite

In addition:

+ 15 Gallons of Water

+ 15 sliced lemons

+ 6 sliced oranges

+ 6 Flavored Coffee Matte Liquid Creamer Large size (32 or 64 oz. of Vanilla, Hazelnut or any other you like)

We also need desserts; i.e.: pies, cakes, brownies, etc....

+ Strawberries and other berries

+ 3 Hersey Syrup

+ 4 whipped cream

Volunteers are needed on June 3rd to help set up and decorate the Media Center starting at 12:20pm after early release day (students would be given volunteer hours). Volunteers are needed on June 4th (day of event) at 10:15 am to prepare last minute things, in addition to serve at 12:20pm and / or cleanup.

Finally we would love to give every one of our 220 teachers and school staff a gift of appreciation; we are looking for gift certificates that can be given to males or females such as Trader Joes, Starbucks, movies, restaurants, massages, department stores, wine, sports, etc.

Please mail your donations or drop them off at:

Mercedes Sorensen

6200 SW 112 ST

Miami, Florida, 33156

Miami Palmetto Senior High

Attn: Mercedes Sorensen (PTSA Membership Chair)

7460 SW 118 ST

Miami, FL 33156

Thanks for your support!

Palmetto Alumni Association:

The Miami Palmetto Senior High School Alumni Association is proud to announce that thanks to the generosity of the Class of 1961, it will be offering two $1500 college scholarships this year. For further information, please contact palmettoalums@gmail.com.

Alumni Association Scholarship application forms are now accessible online on Mr. Nerenberg's scholarship webpage, and are also available in the CAP office. Applications are due by May 12, and awards will be presented on May 22.

The Alumni Association reminds all graduating seniors that they are entitled to a one-year complimentary membership in the Association. To sign up, visit the website, palmettohighalumni.org. Palmetto Class of 1984 parents! We have contact information for your upcoming reunion! Check with us at palmettoalums@gmail.com.