Palms Post

May 18, 2026

https://www-ope.stjohns.k12.fl.us/
(904) 547-3760

Office Hours: 7:55 am to 3:45 pm

"Our focus is the child."

Principal's Message

Good afternoon families! This will be the last official Palms Post for the 2025-26 school year. Over the summer, I will be sending updates and information so that you can start planning for the fall. Our team is excited to plan for the 2026-27 school year.

Yearbooks will be distributed on May 26 to students who purchased them. If you did not purchase one, there are not any extras for sale.

Also on May 26, you will receive a parent information form to fill out for your child so that we can take this information into consideration as we create classes for next year. This will need to be returned by the last day of school.

Have a wonderful summer!

Thank you for your continued support.

Upcoming Events

May

19- 5th grade science test

21- 4th grade celebrations

5th grade kickball tournament

22- 5th grade Talent Show and Fun Day

25- Memorial Day (No School)

26- 5th grade promotion rehearsal (walking to LMS)

5th grade yearbook signing

27- 5th grade Bingo

28- 5th grade promotion ceremony 9:30 LMS

29- Clap out

Report Cards

Last Day for students- early release 1 hour earlier

*Please watch your child's weekly newsletter from the teacher for more specific information as it becomes available.

Student Spotlight

The kindergarten play, And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon, was a reminder that even the smallest voices have courage to share out on stage. Thank you to Ms. Webster, Ms. Jette, Ms. Seese, and Ms. Pharis for conducting this sweet production.

Testing

Dear Parent/Guardian,

The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is a progress monitoring test that is administered three times per year to track your student’s progress in learning the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards. Your student will participate in the third administration (PM3) of the Grades three through five FAST ELA Reading and Mathematics assessment April 27- May 19th. Your child’s teacher will communicate the exact dates your child will be testing. The results from PM3 will show how well your student has mastered the grade level content standards. You will be provided with information about how to see your student’s results after testing is completed.

FAST assessments are computer-adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. The questions get easier or more difficult depending on how your student responds, and each student will see different questions from a common item bank. Each test (PM1, PM2, and PM3) has 35–40 items that cover the test “blueprint,” meaning students will see items that measure the standards within the subject and grade level. For more information about the test design, please visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/best/. You or your student can practice using the online testing platform or review sample items at home at https://flfast.org/families.html.

Please review the following policies with your student before testing:

Electronic Devices—Students are not allowed to access any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smart glasses, and smartwatches, at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom), even if the devices are turned off or students do not use them. Students may not wear smart glasses during statewide testing, even if they are prescription glasses. Students with prescription smart glasses will need to remove them or test another day with standard glasses. If your student is found with an electronic device or is found using Bluetooth/wireless headphones/earbuds during testing, his or her test will be invalidated (not scored).
Calculator Policy—For Grades 7–8 FAST Mathematics, approved handheld scientific calculators may be used. For Grade 6 FAST Mathematics, a handheld four-function calculator may be used. Calculators are not allowed for Grades 3–5 Mathematics.
Testing Rules Acknowledgment—All tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.” Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students click a box in the test to show that they understand the testing rules.
Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last part of the testing rules read to students states that because the test content is secure, students may not discuss or share details about the test items and passages after testing. This includes texting, emailing, or posting test content to social media sites. While students may not share information about what questions were on their test, this policy is not meant to prevent students from talking about their testing experiences with their parents/families.
Working Independently—Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated (not scored).
Leaving Campus—If your student leaves campus before completing a test (e.g., for lunch, an appointment), he or she will not be allowed to return to that test. If your student does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best for him or her to wait and be tested on a make-up day. Please remember not to schedule appointments on testing days.
Testing Accommodations—If your student has an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or is an English Language Learner (ELL) or a recently exited ELL, please contact the school to discuss any testing accommodations that will be provided for your student.
Testing Irregularities—If a testing irregularity occurs in your student’s testing room, as part of a school investigation, your student may be asked questions to provide information about the incident. In addition, your student may need to retake the test if a suspected irregularity is reported that may affect the validity of the test results.
Extra Time—Any student still working at the end of the allotted time for the session will be provided extra time, as allowed, to complete the test. However, based on directions from the district, students who are not actively working (e.g., sleeping) at the end of regular time may be dismissed rather than being given extra time.

If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Faie Pellegrino at Olivia.pellegrino@stjohns.k12.fl.us or 904.547.3772

For more information about the FAST program, please visit the portal at https://flfast.org/fsa.html.

Thank you for supporting your student and encouraging him or her to do his or her best on the test.

Sincerely,

Ms. Altick

Principal

Attendance

Attendance, Early Dismissal Forms, and Change of Transportation Forms now go through Parent Square. There are quick links on the OPE website: https://www-ope.stjohns.k12.fl.us/

Request for Early Dismissal Form

Please fill out this form by 10AM on the day of early dismissal to request that your student be dismissed from school early.

Change of Transportation Form

This form must be submitted BEFORE 12 PM - No changes over the phone.

As per SJCSD regulations, students are NOT permitted to ride an unassigned bus.

Request to Excuse a Student Absence

Submitting this form does not guarantee an excused absence.
Please allow 24-48 hours to see changes in Home Access Center (HAC).
Only a parent or legal guardian may complete the absence form.
The form must be completed within 48 hours of the student returning to school.

If your student has accumulated 15 total absences (excused and/or unexcused), a doctor’s note is required for additional excused absences. Doctor’s notes can be uploaded on this form or can be sent to the school.

Clinic

Important Information Regarding Medication

All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must have a completed Medication Authorization Form or Medical Management Form for a chronic condition
All medications (prescription and over the counter) must have a completed Medication Authorization Form or Medical Management Form for a chronic condition.
All medications must be brought to school by a parent/guardian and received in the original container with current Rx label (if prescribed). All over the counter medications must be unopened and in the original pack.
No medication will be given if presented at school in a plastic bag.
Medication brought to school by a student will be kept in the clinic until a parent/guardian comes to the school with the required paperwork. Without the required authorization, the student will not be given the medication during school hours.
At the end of the school year, parents are responsible for picking up their child’s medication.

All forms can be found on the OPE website under "Health Clinic". See the link below.

Health Clinic – Ocean Palms Elementary School

Cafeteria

Voluntary Pre- Kindergarten Lunch Menu