July 17, 2024

Dear Palomar Elementary Families and Community,

Welcome back Palomar Panthers! We are excited to begin another extraordinary school year together. For those who are new to our community I would like to share a few special accomplishments of our school community from this past year.

  • In March 2024, Palomar Elementary School was chosed as one of the twelve schools in the United States to be a finalist for the 2024 America’s Best Schools Award by the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST). The 2024 America’s Best Schools Award is a highly respected accolade that honors schools for their outstanding accomplishments in delivering quality education and cultivating a supportive learning environment in urban schools.
  • In May 2024, Palomar Elementary was named to the California School Honor Roll. This is a prestigious recognition, bestowed by the California State Senate and the State Assembly for excellence in education. This special honor is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students, staff, and supportive community. Congratulations to all for this remarkable achievement!
  • The 2024-2025 school year will be our second year as one of the two founding schools within CVESD with the Community School Program. Our Community Schools model is designed to enhance students’ lives by providing more services into the school, offering more academic instruction, fostering more local community partnerships, and encourage shared decision-making opportunities with the entire community. The essential four pillars of our program include student support, expanded learning, community engagement, and shared leadership.

As we step into this new school year, we are excited about the growth our Panthers will make, and we are committed to supporting them every step of the way. We recognize that strong family involvement is crucial to student success, and we encourage you to engage with us by:

  • Volunteering for various school activities and events.
  • Partnering with our fabulous Parent and Teacher Organization (PTO) by becoming a member.
  • Stepping up to our School Site Council (SSC) as a representative to help shape decisions regarding school policies and budgets that impact student learning.
  • Participating in our English Language Advisory Council (ELAC) to provide support for English Language learners and gain strategies to assist your child’s success.
  • Joining as a member of our Community Schools Steering Committee.

At Palomar Elementary, we are committed to fostering a safe, positive, and nurturing environment where all students reach their potential. We emphasize kindness, respect, and thoughtful engagement throughout our school community.

I am eager to meet and collaborate with each of you as we embark on this exciting journey together. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I know we are going to have a fantastic school year!

Warm regards,

Amber MacDonald

Principal, Palomar Elementary