Palm Desert Middle School

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Palm Desert Charter Middle School
Location
74200 Rutledge Way,
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Information
Principal Ms. Sallie Fraser
Enrollment

Approximately 1600 (2005-2006)
Type Public Charter
Information (760) 862-4320
Colors
Mascot		 Black and Blue
Panthers
Homepage PDMS Home page

Palm Desert Middle School (PDMS) is a middle school in the Desert Sands Unified School District located in Palm Desert, California. The school had about 1600 students in the years 2005-2006. The number is now decreasing due to the finish construction of a new middle school Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School in La Quinta. The school's mascot is Peppy the Panther. The school's first year was 1978 as an alternative Junior High school for students living in the then "rural" communities of Palm Desert and La Quinta instead of going to Indio (Thomas Jefferson Middle and Woodrow Wilson Middle schools). Palm Desert Middle School is currently going under reconstruction. The 2 1/2 year project began in the summer of 2006, it is scheduled to be completed by January 2009. In September 2007, the school opened (2) of the new buildings recently constructed, a brand new state of the art Multi Purpose Room, it also features a brand new Drama and Choir classrooms, on the east side of the school, a brand new 2 story classroom building was first built as Phase 1 of the project. The 800 building features (10) regular classrooms, and (4) science Labs, along with an elevator, restrooms, etc. The 100 building east side was remodeled from late June 2007 - Late December 2007. As of early January 2008, the east half of the 100 building was finished for current use. The administration along with the west side of the 100 building are currently being expanded and the interior of the classrooms are being remodeled, and the 604 - 606 science classrooms are currently under remodelation as well. The 601 - 603 classrooms are 6th grade mathematics (currently the principal's office and her assistants offices as well), but the teachers were moved to portable classrooms in the north side of the school, so that theres no problem in teaching while the Administration is being expanded. The project budget is currently at $29.4 million dollars, but it might increase due to an approval of tennis courts, basketball courts and new features the school might soon have as its Charter petition was approved by the D.S.U.S.D board, Palm Desert Charter Middle School will begin in July 1, 2008 and there on a 5 year term for Charter status until June 30, 2013. They can renew their status again if they wish to continue being the ONLY middle school in the coachella valley to opearte a Charter Status, followed by George Washington Charter Elementary, just 1.5 miles south of PDMS.

Contents

[edit] Bands and Color Guard

Palm Desert Middle School has four bands; Cadet, Concert, Panther, and Jazz. Cadet band is split into two separate groups that eventually perform together during concerts. Cadet band is the beginning band, the band where the kids decide which instruments they will play for the rest of their Middle School career. Concert band is a step up, these kids perform at a single music festival as well as the band's end of the quarter concerts. Jazz Band is a small group that travels about doing gigs throughout the desert, at charity events, Disneyland, as well as at the end of the quarter concerts. Panther band is the school's largest band as well as its main band. These students perform at parades and receive high rankings and recognition from all about the desert. The Panther band's Drum Majors this year are Amelia Sullivan and Michael Harris. The Drumline is an afterschool activity, their show based upon that of NASCAR theme. They travel throughout California performing and competing against others.

When it's not marching season, the Color Guard performs to recorded or live music in gymnasiums where they receive a score based on general effect, ensemble analysis, individual movement analysis and individual equipment analysis. The Panther Color Guard is one of the top Jr. High programs in California.

[edit] Sports

PDMS has sports that include:

  • Flag Football
  • Softball
  • Basketball
  • Track
  • Volleyball

Palm Desert Middle School Panthers play:

  • Colonel Mitchell Paige, La Quinta
  • Thomas Jefferson Middle, Indio
  • Indio Middle
  • La Quinta Middle
  • John Glenn Middle, Indio
  • Woodrow Wilson Middle, Indio

Students are required to have the following:

  • No More than 2 F's in any classes
  • No more than 2 Classes of Misbehavior
  • Cannot be on the Discipline Expulsion List

[edit] Electives

Journalism is in charge of the Panther Press the school's new paper. Yearbook is also a popular elective. Drama is offered. ASB helps the school with recycling and many other things. Shannel Amaraweera is the president and Alexa McDonald the Vice President.Art, Tech, Spanish, Foods, AVID, Robotics, French, Computers, Band, and Renaissance are the other electives available at PDMS.

[edit] External links