Miami Palmetto High School and Palmetto Middle School are public institutions of academic excellence, yet they would like to see even more parental involvement.
While located in the Village of Pinecrest, the student population for these schools comes not only from Pinecrest but also from Palmetto Bay, Perrine and the area around The Falls, a fact that takes a toll on the accessibility of the school to the parents.
During the past several years the administrations, staff and PTSAs (Parent Teacher Student Association) have worked together to increase involvement among all parents of Palmetto students, regardless of where they live. Dr. Allison Harley, Palmetto High’s new principal, is eager to continue this outreach effort.
To launch the outreach effort this academic year the schools have organized a new, free event called “Back to School at Bell’s” on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 5-7 p.m. This event will take place at one of the Perrine community landmark groceries, “Bell’s Short Stop” and will feature representation by both Palmetto Middle School and Palmetto High School administrators, counselors, teachers and parents.
This will be an opportunity for families of students to meet and greet school staff and obtain school information in an informal setting. There will be music, food and giveaways.
Dr. Harley said that she is “so excited about this program, [seeing] this event as a way to support the critical relationship between the school and the parents. Increasing parental involvement will insure the success of the students from the Perrine community.”
Gregory Beckford, Palmetto High School’s new assistant principal is excited about this event. He has been a Perrine resident his entire life and graduated from Miami Palmetto Senior High School. His mother, Ethel Beckford, was a community activist and PTSA president at Palmetto High for many years.
“We want to make the Palmetto schools more accessible to the community,” Beckford said. “This will allow the Perrine community to have a stronger voice at their children’s schools. I hope to see many Perrine residents on Aug. 16 at Bell’s.”
