Back to School

Fresh decorations and excited teachers greeted Palmer Home for Children’s Columbus campus students earlier this month when Palmer School held it’s open house for the 2017-2018 school year.

“We wanted to have the students over for open house because it’s a normal part of back to school,” said Pam Abrams, Palmer School Director of Education.

Palmer Home staff joined houseparents and children as they toured the school, met the teachers and enjoyed some refreshments. While many of the students attended Palmer School last year, teachers routinely rearrange the classrooms in the summer making finding their desks a fun task for the children during open house. Some of the children changed classrooms as they advanced in grade levels.

Palmer School hosts four classrooms with grades divided K-3rd grade, 4th-6th grade, 7th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade. Each classroom has a certified teacher with three of four teachers boasting over 30 years of teaching experience. (Read more about how Palmer School creates educational program tailored to each child’s needs.)

Classes officially started on Monday, August 7 with the school’s normal school hours of 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. After school, students participate in extracurricular activities like therapeutic horseback riding, gymnastics and choir.

In addition to four highly qualified teachers, Palmer School students also benefit from one-on-one tutoring and help from the community. Students from Mississippi School for Math and Science (located on the Mississippi University for Women campus) volunteer to tutor Palmer Home’s high school students who are enrolled in upper math classes.

“It can be hard to keep students up on the higher math courses,” said Abrams. “The MSMS students are very dependable and very helpful.”

Students arrive at Palmer School with varying backgrounds of school experience. Some have missed large numbers of days or even years of school prior to arrival. In order to help them catch up, Palmer School relies on assistance from community volunteers who read with students or go over math flash cards.

“We really just have a few volunteers who come in on a regular basis to read with students,” said Abrams. “We could always use additional volunteers.”

For community members interested in reading with students one-on-one on a consistent basis during the school day, contact Pam Abrams or after school contact Donna Otts. Palmer School is also open for visits from the community during school hours. Abrams encourages friends of Palmer Home to visit and see first hand how Palmer School is restoring the lives of children on Palmer Home’s campus. Contact our offices to arrange a visit.