PCMS Weekly Update
November 11, 2022
Good afternoon PCMS Families!
As we head into the Holiday Season, we know itโs always a busy and crazy time for us as adults! Itโs no different here, as weโve got lots going on with our kiddos! Our 8th graders, along with the Barry 8th grade class (the official Class of 2027! - pictured below) had their Future Freshman Day at PCHS where they toured the campus and learned more about their course offerings and activities (see the picture below). Our winter sports are in full swing, our music programs are preparing for their winter concerts, our after-school program, PACE, is full of students, and our Robotics team is in its competitive season. There are lots of opportunities for our students to get involved, meet and make new friends, and make a positive impact on others. Students who are involved in school activities tend to have stronger connections to their school, which in turn help them in achieving more both academically and socially. Itโs a busy time! But itโs a good busy!
From all of us here at Platte City Middle School, we wish you and your family a very happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday! GO PIRATES!!
๐ Check Out What We Did This Week!
Robotics Team rocking it at the Tournament!
SPARK (Students Promoting Acts of Respect and Kindness) put post-it notes on all the lockers with kind words for everyone!
All the classroom doors at PCMS are getting a makeover for the World Cup!
โ๏ธ School Tips & Reminders
When you send a check to school with your student for lunch, field trips, Chromebook insurance, etc., please make it out to PCR-3 each time. Thank you!
๐ฑ Reminder of Middle School Cell Phone Expectations
As you know, our cell phone expectations at PCMS are that they may only be used before or after school, or during passing periods after arriving in class and before the bell rings. While cell phones are not allowed during lunch, we provide students the opportunity to earn electronics privileges on every Friday if they meet the cafeteria behavior expectations for that week. Administrators are in the cafeteria during lunch every day and reinforce positive use of electronics and set up parameters for use (i.e. no taking pictures, no AirDropping, no FaceTime).
Today, a student AirDropped a video to students during a lunch shift. AirDrop is a way of transferring files between phones. Students who allow pictures and videos, on their phone settings, and were within proximity, received this video. While we have responded to the inappropriate incident during lunch today, we would like our parents to talk with your student about their AirDrop settings. For iPhone users, here is how to adjust the AirDrop settings:
Apple iPhone - Turn AirDrop On/Off
From your Home screen, navigate to Settings. General. If an app isn't available on your Home screen, swipe left to access the App Library.
Tap. AirDrop.
Select the AirDrop setting: โReceiving Off: AirDrop turned offโ or โContacts Onlyโ.
๐งก This Week's CharacterStrong Focus
Hereโs a quick recap of what we talked about this week in our CharacterStrong sessions - some good stuff right here!
6 Grade learned about Building Listening Skills. This was the 1st of 2 sessions on becoming better listeners. Listening is an important skill that improves peer relationships and is important for perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and group work. In this session, we practiced listening closely with a partner and reflected on what is hard (or easy) about it.
7 Grade discussed Understanding Stress. This was the 1st of 2 sessions on stress and coping. Increasing numbers of adolescents struggle with stress. In this session, we focused on understanding stress and learning ways to cope with stress.
8 Grade talked more about Happiness. This was the 2nd of 5 sessions on emotion understanding and regulation. In this session, we examined another myth about happiness - that if we're not always happy there's something wrong with us. We discussed how being unhappy at times is normal and knowing that can help us feel better when we experience unhappiness.
๐คผ Pirates in Action
Hereโs a quick recap of our Pirates in action from this past week.
- Our Robotics Team competed last weekend in a tournament at Basehor-Lindwood. The Y Team brought home the Middle School Excellence Award, which is the highest achievement given at this tournament. Our other 3 teams were in the top 10 in the team competitions, and all 4 teams were in the top 9 for skills. It was a great showing by our kids!
- Our Wrestling Team had their first meet of the season on Monday vs. Smithville Middle School and Antioch Middle School. The Pirates came away with 31 wins to only 10 losses in their opening meet. Then the wrestling team went 33-9 against Maple Park and Excelsior Springs on Wednesday night. Way to go, Wrestlers!
๐ข Upcoming MOCSA Training for 7th Grade
7th Grade Parents: Please review the letter below regarding upcoming training provided by the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA). If you do NOT want your child to attend this presentation, please complete THIS FORM by Monday, December 5th.
MOCSAโs healthy relationships presentation is a developmentally appropriate conversation that explores characteristics of both healthy and unhealthy relations. Relationships can be dating, yes, but also friendships, and all have to be healthy. We discuss why we have boundaries, how to express and read others' boundaries, and where to go/what to do if someone is in an unhealthy relationship.
๐ฟ NJHS Movie Night Fundraiser
On Friday, December 9th, from 6-8 pm, the NJHS will be showing the movie ELF. Students can purchase tickets during lunch shifts for $5. The tickets will get you popcorn and a drink. We hope to see you there!
๐ฌ Fall Parent Survey, Please Complete by December 4
Platte County School District is conducting its annual parent survey to gather feedback on the strengths of the district, as well as areas to consider for growth. Your input is important and will be considered when making future decisions.
If you have not already completed the survey, we ask that you complete the survey by clicking on the link below by December 4. If you have more than one student, please be sure to answer those questions for each building. The survey should take approximately fifteen minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your feedback!
๐ซ PCHS Phase 1 Rebuild Grand Opening
Along with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners and Incite Design Studio, the District will be hosting a ribbon cutting and open house of the Platte County High School Phase I Rebuild project on Thursday, December 8 from 5:30-7:30 pm. This event is open to the community and tours and refreshments will be provided following the ribbon cutting at 5:30 pm. Come tour our new space which will be open for the second semester!
โ๏ธ Winter Weather Information
Click here for information on school cancellations/modifications due to inclement weather, how the District will notify parents, as well as information on recess, Y Club, and Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Days. As a reminder, PCR-3 will implement traditional inclement weather days (no school and no virtual learning), until we reach a threshold that would push the school year past Memorial Day. We will make those days up per our academic calendar, and if we go past our planned make-up days for inclement weather, we will implement our Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Days.
๐ดโโ ๏ธ Pirates ROCK Character Trait for November: Citizenship
Pirates R.O.C.K. (Raising Outstanding Character Kids) is a program designed to surround our families with examples of strong character traits through school experiences, at home, and reinforced in their community. Each month our community focuses on a specific character trait and students are recognized for exhibiting these traits: Self Confidence, Pride, Responsibility, Citizenship, Compassion, Individuality, Self Control, Integrity, Perseverance, Respect, Honesty, and Cooperation.
Novemberโs #PiratesRock trait is Citizenship: providing service and duty to your community.
๐ Upcoming Events
November 19
5th & 6th Grade Honor Choir Concert, 3 pm
7th & 8th Grade Honor Choir Concert, 4 pm
All-District Jazz Clinic/Concert, Northwest Missouri State University, 7:30 am - 8:30 pm
November 21
Boys A/B Teams Basketball vs. Belton Middle School @ Home, 4 pm
Boys C Team Basketball @ Summit Lakes Middle School, 6 pm
Girls A/B Teams Basketball @ Belton Middle/Freshman Center, 4 pm
Girls C Team Basketball vs. Summit Lakes Middle School @ Home, 6 pm
Wrestling @ Kearney Junior High, 4 pm
November 23
No School - Thanksgiving Break
November 24
No School - Thanksgiving Break
November 25
No School - Thanksgiving Break
November 29
Boys Basketball A/B/C Teams @ Bingham Middle School, 4 pm
Girls Basketball A/B/C Teams vs. Bingham Middle School @ Home, 4 pm
November 30
Wrestling @ Nowlin MS, 4:00 pm
December 1
Boys Basketball A/B Teams @ Osage Trail Middle School, 4 pm
Boys Basketball C Team vs. Plaza Middle School @ Barry Middle School, 5 pm
Girls Basketball A/B Team vs. Osage Trail Middle School @ Home, 4 pm
Girls Basketball C Team vs. Plaza Middle School @ Barry Middle School, 4 pm
December 2
Archery Family Tournament @ Barry Middle School, 5 - 9 pm
December 3
Archery Family Tournament @ Barry Middle School, 7 am - 6 pm
Robotics Tournament @ Home, 8 am - 4 pm
๐ผ Thank You to Our Pirates ROCK Star Business Partners!
Email: tomlinsk@platteco.k12.mo.us
Website: http://www.pcms.plattecountyschooldistrict.com
Location: 900 Pirate Drive, Platte City, MO, 64079
Phone: (816)858-2036
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plattecitymiddleschool/