Plaza Family Connection
May 19, 2017
What's the Plaza Family Connection?
Congratulations to Mr. Regan, Mrs. Jacobs, Mrs. Reents & Mr. Copeland on their retirement from Park Hill
We appreciate everything you have done for Plaza! Once a Tiger....Always a Tiger!
PAWS is May 24th - We need some volunteers!
With the end of school approaching Plaza PTA, in partnership with the Administration at Plaza, are hosting our End of Year PAWS celebration!!! We would like parent volunteers to assist during our final and biggest PAWS event this academic year. The time commitment from volunteers is about 1 hour 10 minutes per shift and the signup indicates the activity and location in the school. This is an ideal time to participate and show your support.
One additional note, we will have a Kona Ice Truck where students will have the opportunity to purchase a snow cone and will also have bottled water available for purchase. Students do not need to bring more than several dollars.
Thank you for your help in making Plaza a great school for our kids!
End of Year Reminders
*Student Medications in the Health Room
All medications must be picked up by 10:45 on May, 25, 2017. Any medications left in the Plaza Health Room will be properly disposed of Thursday afternoon. Should you have questions about regarding student medications please contact our RN, Mrs. Hatfield at 359-4214.
*Laptop collection on Monday, May 22. Each student will need to turn in the laptop, the charger, the stylus, and the bag to avoid paying for lost items.
* We are collecting all library books and textbooks. If your child still has a library book or textbook, please have him/her return it to school.
*Our current school daily lunch balance is approximately a negative $300. Typically, we have a daily school lunch negative balance of $95. Please ensure your child’s lunch account is either at a zero or positive balance prior to May 25.
We appreciate your help in making the last few days of school as successful as the others have been. Thank you!
From the Technology Department....
Technology fees will be assessed after devices are turned in and inspected
for damage/missing items at the end of the school year. Fees for damages can be
found on the Parent or Student Portal and may be paid in person at the school
building or by mail to the Department of Technology at 7703 NW Barry Road,
Kansas City, MO 64153.
Important Dates this week...
5/22 (Purple Day)
5/23 (Red Day)
5/24 (Purple Day) PAWs, 12:30 PM
5/25 Last Day of School, 10:45 AM Dismissal
5/31 Summer School Begins
SUMMER SCHOOL 2017
Park Hill Summer School is coming!
Park Hill Summer School is a free, fun, caring place for your child to learn during the summer.
Students who will enter kindergarten through eighth grade in the fall will focus on a combination of academic and exploration classes.Park Hill Summer School will offer a full-day program and include transportation. Summer school bus routes and stops may vary from those of the regular school year and will be assigned based on student enrollment turned in by May 12. Enrollees after this date will be assigned to an existing bus stop.
You can also purchase meals for your child during summer school, just as you can during the school year.
To make sure transportation is available for your child, please complete and return the form to your school office by Friday, May 12. Summer school dates are May 31–June 30 (pending snow days). The Summer School Application is now available for you to complete.
Additional information is on the Park Hill Website, https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/teaching_and_learning/summer_school.
Soccer Camp at Park Hill South
For middle school students, boys and girls in grades 6 – 9, interested in soccer, the Park Hill South Soccer program will be hosting a camp from May 30th – June 2nd, 9:30 – 11:00 am. Additionally, for those interested, the camp for elementary students, grades 1 – 5, will be held from July 10th – 13th, 9:30 – 11:00 am. Camp fee is $50. Please contact Coach Farmer with any questions at farmerc@parkhill.k12.mo.us. Participants may register on the first day of camp. Cash or checks accepted. Please make checks payable to PHS Soccer.
For more information, see the Park Hill South Soccer Summer Camps Brochure.
Back to School Fair
Registration deadline is July 11
Pre-registration required.
You can register at: www.PlatteCountyBackToSchoolFair.com
School may be almost out for the summer but it is time to pre-register for the 2017/2018 Back to School Fair. Space is limited. This service is for qualifying Platte County families who meet income guidelines. Information will be provided by 40 service agencies.
Thursday, August 4
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Rock of KC 12750 N Winan Road
Kansas City, MO 64163
Child/Children must be present.
• Backpack & School Supplies
• Dental Screening & Varnish
• Vision Screening
• Review Immunization Records
• Application for Free & Reduced Lunches
• 40 Exhibitors will be available
• Sports Physicals available upon request at check-in the day of event. (Forms need to be filled out prior to arrival, can be found on the main page of the registration website.)
The Platte County Back to School Committee is looking for school supply donations or monetary donations. Please contact Stacy Benninghoff at Platte County Health Department at stacy.benninghoff@plattehealth.com or 816-587-5998 ext. 309 or mail donation to:
1201 E. Street Parkville, MO 64152
Lunch Schedules*
Daily Lunch Schedule
10:52-11:15 Phoenix
11:00-11:23 Heroes
11:20-11:43 Novas
11:28-11:51 Knights
11:50-12:13 Olympians
12:00-12:23 Incredibles
12:19-12:42 Thunderbirds
12:30-12:53 Legends
*May vary on Fridays and during testing
Monthly Attendance
Week 38: Wrap up; Survey
Park Hill Star Award Nomination Information
That is why we present the Park Hill Star award once a month to a pre-K or elementary teacher, a secondary teacher and a support employee.
Anyone can nominate an employee for this award by using the form below. It asks you to share how your nominee demonstrates our district values of continuous improvement, high expectations, integrity, visionary leadership and student focus. You can also share how your nominee supports the goals in our district’s strategic plan.
Please nominate a Park Hill Star today!
Park Hill Star nomination form
CONGRATULATIONS TO MRS. BROWN AND MS. PASCHALL ON BEING PLAZA'S NORTHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOMINEES
Plaza Middle School Spotlight!
Congratulations to Jim Copeland who is Plaza's STAR!
Click below to view his STAR Video
https://www.facebook.com/ParkHillSchoolDistrict/videos/10154972966646638/
Third Quarter Grades and Grade Cards
Plaza Families,
You will be able to access your child's report card through the Infinite Campus parent portal at 4:00 pm March 31st. The following pictures show you how to access the report card. Your child should also a have paper copy of the report card to give you on Wednesday, March 29th.
Yahtzee Time!
Dr. Ivy = 3.....Plaza Students = 15
Katie pulled out the big win!
Repeat Information from Previous Newsletters...
Study Lab and Math Lab
Study Lab and Math Lab are available for students beginning January 24th on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45-4:00 pm. Study and Math Lab provide a quiet place for students to work on homework, make-up assessments or retake assessments, or in the case of Mathematics-receive extra support from a Math teacher. Students must bring classwork to stay busy for the duration of the lab time. Late bus transportation is provided during the intramural session, January 31-March 2, by intramural bus. Students attending lab on days with no late bus transportation must be picked up from school no later than 4:10 pm.
Intramurals
Intramural Session 4 (Quarter 4 dates, only Tuesdays and Thursdays)
April 4 - May 4
Box Tops...send them in!!!
7th Grade Enrollment
Q4 Intramural Information
Intramural Session 4 (only Tuesdays and Thursdays)
April 4 - May 4
*These dates are subject change. In the event this happens, there will be communication as to the changes.
Intramurals begin April 4th and run through May 4th from 2:50—3:55pm. All students participating in an after school activity must have the After School Permission form turned in to the office. Students can find extra copies of the permission form on the information wall outside the front office.
Sign Up Information:
Parents and students will sign up for intramurals online using Sign Up Genius. Students will only choose one intramural on EITHER Tuesday or Thursday. Spaces are limited, once the activity is filled, students will not be able to sign up for that activity. The online form must be filled out completely by the student and parent and be submitted for the student to be properly enrolled in their intramural activity. If you have questions/concerns regarding this program, you can contact Ms. Paschall at paschallj@parkhill.k12.mo.us.
All students must have an After School Permission Form signed and turned in to the front office before participating in an intramural session. If your student has an after school permission form on file, they will not need to fill out another form. Extra copies are located on the information wall outside the office.
Pick Up Information:
Car riders: your child must be picked up no later than 4:10pm. Intramural buses* leave Plaza every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:20pm during the intramural session. These buses are shared with Lakeview and Congress, and they run express neighborhood stops. They do not run regular bus stops, therefore students will arrive home later than normal.
*Receiving a bus conduct on the intramural bus will result in suspension from late bus transportation for the remainder of the year.
How to Sign Up for Plaza Middle School Intramurals
The sign up will open at 7:00 pm on March 14th!
Follow this link: will be provided soon OR
Visit the website: www.signupgenius.com **
Click on FIND A SIGN UP in the top right corner.
You want to search for a sign up by email.
Enter the email address: paschallj@parkhill.k12.mo.us be careful to enter it correctly!
Just below entering the email address it asks you to enter the text you see—type that in, then click Search.
You should now see Plaza Quarter 4 Intramurals. Click on Quarter 4 Intramurals
You can now select your intramural. Keep in mind:
You may only select one.
Make sure you pay attention to whether you select a Tuesday session or Thursday session (some are offered on either day)
If you cannot select your first choice—it is already full. If you have questions, you can click on CONTACT and send an email to Ms. Paschall or email Ms. Paschall from your home/school email at paschallj@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Please make sure to fill in Student First and Last Name, and the Student ID when asked.
You will receive a confirmation from Ms. Paschall in Home Base of your enrollment before intramurals begin.
**If you do not have internet access, please have your child see Ms. Paschall
SHOWCASING IDEAS
Plaza Middle School students Myles Mead and Ammon Runyan presented their marketing and business plan to open a coffee shop to Park Hill South teacher Meredith Williams. This was one of the presentations of the lessons that came out of teachers from across Park Hill participating in Park Hill’s Professional Studies Northland SEE summer externships. Along with teachers from several other Northland school districts, our teachers traveled to business sites and then brought those learning experiences back to the classroom. For more information on the Park Hill Professional Studies program, go to www.parkhill.k12.mo.us and look under Teaching and Learning.
AVID Information for 7th Grade
AVID Applications were due Monday, February 13th, 2017 to the Plaza office. Please feel free to contact your child’s 6th grade counselor, Mr. Matt Calvin (KN, LG, OL, TH Teams) or Mrs. Lesley Mathes (HE, IN, NV, PX Teams) at Plaza if you have any further questions regarding the AVID elective for 7th grade. 816-359-4210
Park Hill Middle Schools have a new opportunity for middle school students beginning the 2017-18 school year. All current Plaza 6th grade students are invited to apply for acceptance into the middle school AVID program at the student’s designated building for 7th grade. AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness program which is designed to increase school wide learning and performance. The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for preparing students to be college and career ready when they leave high school. Beginning next year, all Park Hill Secondary Schools (middle schools and high schools) will have AVID as part of the school day. AVID is not an ‘at risk’ program. AVID is a college and career preparatory program and is currently being used in over 3,500 schools. The application process for the AVID elective is open to all incoming 7th graders.
How does my child get accepted to AVID?
Students are accepted into the AVID program after a careful screening process. Students need to fill out the enclosed application and return it to the Plaza office by Monday, February 13th, 2017. Selected students will be interviewed at Plaza Middle School by a panel of teachers and counselors from either Congress or Lakeview, depending on which building the student will attend for 7th grade. From the application and interview process, decisions will be made on acceptance into AVID. Parents and students need to understand that participation is voluntary; however, it is the student who needs to be committed in order to be successful.
What is required of an AVID Student?
AVID students are enrolled in the AVID elective class. The AVID class, held within the regular school day, provides support, academic monitoring, and tutoring. In this class students learn organizational and study skills, work to think critically and ask probing questions, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities. Students keep track of assignments on assignment sheets and are required to take DAILY notes in all academic classes. Notebooks are graded weekly for content and organization. In addition, students are taught study skills, test preparation, time management, and the writing process.
What Can Parents do to Support AVID Students?
Communication between the AVID teacher and the parent(s) is essential. At home, parents can see to it that students are doing their homework in a quiet place with few interruptions. In addition, stressing your belief that your student can succeed in secondary school and attend college will also motivate students to work harder and achieve more.
We would like to invite you and your student to an AVID informational night on Thursday, February 2nd at 7:00 pm at Plaza Middle School in the Media Center. If, after discussing this with your student, you believe that this program would be beneficial, please complete the attached application forms and return them by the
Fitness Fridays in Plaza PE!
Tiger Time
Plaza Middle School works to meet the individual needs of our students through a variety of ways. Students are assessed individually, based on classroom observation and performance, Acuity Assessment data, and STAR Assessment Data. As determined through collaborative team meetings, each child has been identified to receive additional support in an area to further their success in 6th grade. Areas include, but are not limited to: enrichment reading, enrichment math, organizational skills, social skills, reading, and math. Although groupings occur throughout the day, we specifically design our daily schedule to dedicate a 30 minute period to the enhancement of the instructional delivery for our students. This part of the day is called Tiger Time. Once goals are reached and celebrated, students will move into a different group. This flexibility allows us to meet each student at their current level and to address their specific needs. We encourage you to visit with your child and discuss the activities he/she is participating in during Tiger Time. If you have specific questions, please contact your child’s home base teacher.
Morning Arrivals
Buses at Plaza arrive beginning at 7:25. Once bus students are in the building, they will go to the large gym until 7:30 or they may eat breakfast in the Plaza Cafe. Students riding the bus will not be marked tardy should their bus be running late.
Afternoon Transportation
Our car line is continuing to move well in the afternoons. I encourage anyone coming to pick up a student in the car line to give us another week as we train the students and drivers of our process. The line will move quickly once we have the routine established. We only load students in the yellow area at the front of the building. We load 5 cars at a time. If you are typically at the front of the car line, please encourage your child to exit the building quickly so our line can begin smoothly. The car riders are released from their classrooms 3 minutes before the bus riders in order to have them out front and loading. Thank you for helping us have a safe dismissal process.
End of Day Transportation Changes
We encourage you to make arrangements with your child before they leave for school in regard to their end of day transportation. If your child knows he/she will be a car rider, there is no need to inform the front office. You would call the office if there is a change for your child that he or she would not know about. Thank you for your help in making our end of day dismissal a smooth and safe one.
Bus Transportation Information
In the event your child wants to the ride the bus home with a friend for a birthday party, sport practice, scout meeting, to visit or play, etc. a bus route or stop change will NOT be approved. Many of our buses are at capacity and we cannot accommodate such changes. Please make other arrangements for your child's transportation as the school will not be able to approve any such requests.
Parent Volunteers to be Screened
If you have questions about the volunteer screenings, contact Beverly Leach, (816) 359-6022.
More information on the District website http://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/parent_resources/volunteers
Cell Phone Guidelines
· Cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted during class time.
· Students are to put cell phones and electronic devices away upon arrival, they are to be kept in backpacks and in lockers throughout the student’s time at school.
· Students may use cell phones at their lockers during passing time, but only to check messages from parents. If a student needs to call a parent, they are to be sent by a teacher with a pass to the office to call using the office phone.
· Failure to comply will result in the phone being taken to the office and in disciplinary action.
Refusal to turn over an item when requested by any staff member escalates the disciplinary action.
· Earbuds or headphones are not to be worn in halls. They should be placed and kept in computer bags upon arrival to the building.
· Cell phones and electronic devices that have been taken
may be picked up by students after 2:30PM or by a parent during office hours (7:00-4:00).
Laptop Info
Students with a signed AUP have a received a laptop and got the district issued laptop bag. This is the required bag for your student to use to when transporting the laptop to and from school and throughout the school day. Additionally, each student has a charger that should stay at home to charge the computer each night. We suggest that laptops are charged in a common area within your home. This helps deter the temptation to be on the computer when the child should be sleeping.
The stylus for this laptop model is internal. What we've learned with having a stylus, is that it is easy for students to lose or misplace. We have encouraged each student to keep track of his or her stylus by putting it in the outer pocket of the laptop bag or leaving it at home to use when at home. The laptops are touch screens, so the students often use their finger as the stylus when needed.
Students need to have their laptops charged each day to at least 80%. They also need to have headphone or earbuds with them at school each day. The headphones and earbuds should not exceed the value of $25.
Tutor Support from mymcpl.org/homework
Parents...please be sure to sign up for the Infinite Campus Parent Portal! Did you know there is also a Parent Portal App???
KidGuard
Academic Teams
Daily Schedule
Students are not to be in the building before 7:10 a.m.
Classes start at 7:45 a.m.
Core & Exploratory Classes
Core classes include Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Life Education. The core classes are year-long. Exploratory classes include Physical Education, which meets every other day all year; and Computer Applications and Music, which are semester long.
Exploratory Wheel classes include Art, Technology Education, Family and Consumer Science (FACS), and World Cultures, which are each nine week long courses.
Plaza has a two day rotating schedule; a Red day followed by a Purple day.
Sample Schedules
OR
OR
OR
6th Grade School Supply LIst
Plaza Middle School-6th Grade Center Serving the Park Hill School District
Website: http://plaza.parkhill.k12.mo.us/
Location: 6501 Northwest 72nd Street, KCMO, MO, United States
Phone: (816) 359-4210
Facebook: facebook.com/PlazaMiddleSchool
Q4 Intramurals begin the week of April 4th
Intramurals begin April 4th and run through May 4th from 2:50—3:55pm. All students participating in an after school activity must have the After School Permission form turned in to the office. Information for Q4 will be sent home via backpack on 3/9 and sign-ups will begin on 3/14 at 7:00 PM.
All students must have an After School Permission Form signed and turned in to the front office before participating in an intramural session. If your student has an after school permission form on file, they will not need to fill out another form. Extra copies are located on the information wall outside the office.
Pick Up Information:
Car riders: your child must be picked up no later than 4:10pm. Intramural buses* leave Plaza every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:20pm during the intramural session. These buses are shared with Lakeview and Congress, and they run express neighborhood stops. They do not run regular bus stops, therefore students will arrive home later than normal.
*Receiving a bus conduct on the intramural bus will result in suspension from late bus transportation for the remainder of the year.