PHS NEWSLETTER
August 2023
The Principal's Letter
Greetings and Welcome.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the beginning of a new academic year.
As a Portage Alumni and the principal of Portage High School, I am honored to lead a dedicated team of educators committed to providing high-quality education that empowers students to succeed. Our goal is to inspire our students with the knowledge and skills they need to become confident, compassionate, and responsible individuals in a positive school climate.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the new students and their families who have joined our school community. We understand that starting a new school can be exciting and challenging, but know that our staff and students will support you every step of the way. We encourage you to embrace new opportunities, make new friends, and get involved in extracurricular activities, clubs, music programs, and sports that are available to you.
I would like to emphasize the importance of open communication and the partnership between home and school. When parents and educators work together, we can maximize the potential of our students. We encourage you to stay actively involved in your child’s education, attend our Open House on August 30, participate in Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 16 and 17 & March 4 and 5, and attend extracurricular events throughout the school year. Creating this strong partnership between home and school is critical for a solid learning foundation.
As we embark on the new academic year, let us remember that education is not just about academic excellence but also about character development, empathy, and resilience. Let us embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Together, we can make this school year a truly memorable and rewarding experience.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Garrigan
Open House Extravaganza!!!
Please join us Wednesday, August 30 from 4-6 pm!
~ Galley Studio will be here to take Photos
(We need all students to have their pictures taken including seniors for their IDs.)
~ Meet Teachers
~ Printed Schedules will be Available
~ Move into Lockers
~ Nursing forms will be Available
~ Pick up last year's Yearbook
~ Chromebook Pick Up- Returning students in grades 10 - 12 can pick up their Chromebooks in their homeroom teacher’s room. Freshmen and new students will receive their Chromebooks on the first day of school.
~ Deposit Money to Lunch Accounts
~ Purchase Parking Passes, Yearbooks, Chromebook Cases, and Gym Locks. Cash or check can be used in person; credit card payments can be made online in Infinite Campus. *New for the 2023/24 School Year - Rather than being assessed in the summer, Course Fees will be assessed 2 weeks into each term to allow for schedule changes.*
Parent Meetings in the Auditorium~
9th Grade Parent Meeting ~ 4:30 pm ~ "Welcome to High School"
12th Grade Parent Meeting ~ 5:00 pm ~ "All You Need to Know Your Senior Year"
Dates to Remember
- 6:30 pm Board of Education Meeting
Tuesday, August 15
- 10:00 am - 6:00 pm MS/HS In-Person Registration (Come if you aren't able to register online.)
Wednesday, August 30
- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Open House Extravaganza!!! Please join us!
Monday, September 4
- No School - Labor Day
Tuesday, September 5
- 7:50 am - 3:20 pm First Day of School for Freshmen and New Students
Wednesday, September 6
- 7:50 am- 3:20 pm First Day of School for ALL Students
Friday, September 8
- Full day of school (NOT an early release)
Monday, September 11
- 6:30 pm Board of Education Meeting
Monday, September 18
- School Picture Day (If pictures were not taken at Open House.)
Monday, September 25 through Saturday, September 30
- Homecoming Week "Rock the Boat"
The school day starts at 7:50 am.
2023/24 Early Release Fridays
October: 6, 13, 20
November: 3, 17
December: 1, 8, 15
January: 12, 19
February: 2, 9, 16, 23
March: 1, 8, 15
April: 12, 19, 26
May: 3, 10, 17, 24
Registration
Online Registration
In-Person Registration
In-Person Registration for the 2023/24 School Year is Tuesday, August 15 from 10 am - 6 pm in the Commons at Portage High School. High school families only need to attend if they weren't able to register online. All other opening activities can be taken care of at Open House Wednesday, August 30. (See above.)
From the District Nurse
Welcome Back! Let's make this a safe and healthy school year. Medications that must be available to a student while at school or school related events must follow district policy. This requires one completed medication form for each medication. Medication may be prescribed by a healthcare provider or purchased as an over the counter product. Cough drops or throat lozenges are being sold with other ingredients that require us to return to the process of completing a medication form and having these administered through the main office. The medication form is available on the website in both English and Spanish. Print the form or pick one up in the main office. Complete the form. Parents must deliver the form and pharmacy labeled or originally packaged container of medication that is not expired to the main office. Several steps will be completed with the parent there and then provided to the school nurse for review prior to the medication being administered by designated trained school personnel. Until the school nurse has completed the medication and form review, parents are welcomed to come to school to administer the medication.
Students who will participate in school-sponsored activities outside of school hours or overnight should also plan ahead for any medication needs during these times. Again, one form for each medication. Some coordination with the school nurse to prepare for these special events is just a phone call or visit away.
Please take a moment to talk with your child about medication safety. Discuss the importance of not bringing pills to school in a pocket or sharing any medication with others. Students found with medication on their person without paperwork will have the medication secured in the health room and parent notification made. Together, we will keep our school safe and supportive while meeting each child's needs.
Contact your school nurse for assistance.
School Breakfast and Lunch Information
The prices are as follows:
K-5 lunch $3.10, 6-8 lunch $3.30, 9-12 lunch $3.75. K-12 breakfast $2.00.
K-12 reduced lunch $.40. K-12 reduced breakfast $.30.
Please visit the PCSD Food Services webpage for additional information. Click the image below for the Free and Reduced Lunch Application.
Can't remember your lunch pin? Sign in to your Infinite Campus account, your lunch pin is the 4 digit # under your picture.
Locker & Backpack Information
In an effort to increase safety for students and staff in our building, no backpacks (regular or clear) will be allowed in classrooms. All students will be assigned a locker and a school-issued lock ($6.50). Returning students can reuse their old school-issued locks. (Replacement locks are $6.50.)
Locker information can be found in the student's Infinite Campus account by clicking "More" and then "Lockers."
Student Parking Passes
Ride-Off/Drive-Off Privileges
Senior Year
First Semester ~ Seniors may earn the privilege of riding as a passenger in a vehicle, and/or driving off-campus, as long as they have obtained zero Fs and or zero truancies during the 2nd semester of their Junior year.
Second Semester ~ Seniors may earn or lose the privilege of riding as a passenger in a vehicle with other seniors, and/or driving off-campus, as long as they obtained zero Fs and zero truancies during the 1st semester of their Senior year.
In Order to Drive-Off:
A Drive-Off/Ride-Off Waiver must be signed by both the student and their guardians and must be submitted to the office. Drive-Off/Ride-Off Privileges will start Monday, September 11.
A driver sticker will be placed on their ID card by the office.
Junior Year
Second Semester ~ Juniors may earn the privilege of driving off-campus or riding as a passenger in a vehicle at the start of the 2nd semester of their Junior year, as long as they have obtained zero Fs and or zero truancies during the first semester of their Junior year.
In Order to Drive-Off:
A Drive-Off/Ride-Off Waiver must be signed by both the student and their guardians and must be submitted to the office.
A driver sticker will be placed on their ID card by the office.
Freshman & Sophomore Year
Freshmen & Sophomores are not allowed off-campus for lunch.
Chromebooks
Therapy Dog
Tully the therapy dog, will be be in our school September 12, 2023 - October, 2023. Along with being in our school socializing with students, Tully will also be available during WIN time.
The therapy dog WIN time will include training and tricks, grooming and care, and socializing with the therapy dog to provide emotional support, comfort, and companionship to students. The WIN time period being offered does not interfere with curriculum courses and is a personal choice made by students with parent consent and student assent.
Please click on the links below for more information and permission to participate during WIN time.
Electronic Parent/Guardian Consent (Parent Permission Form)
The Market
We are excited to begin our third (school year) of operations on Tuesday, September 5!
Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays ~ 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Fridays 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: within the commons area of the Portage High School
The Market is a no-cost grocery store open to ALL students and families that attend school in the Portage Community School District. There are NO qualifiers to use this program. In addition to offering non-perishable meal items, snacks, fresh produce, dairy, frozen meat and meal items, and basic hygiene products, The Market also provides
~ 50% of classroom snacks for the elementary schools throughout the school year
~ maintains a smaller Market and daily snack program at BMS
~ provides continued support and funding of backpack food for elementary students
Yearbooks
The 2022/23 yearbooks will be available for pick up at Open House Wednesday, August 30 or in the high school office after that date.
2023/24 Yearbooks can be purchased through Infinite Campus under "Optional Payments" with a credit/debit card or in person with cash/check. Yearbooks will be $60 through Open House August 30. Yearbooks purchased after August 30 will be $65.
Portage HS Band 4th Annual Mattress Sale Fundraiser!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2023 From 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
We carry quality name brands like Simmons Beautyrest and Wellsville, priced up to 50% below retail. This is ONE DAY only, so we need your help to SPREAD THE WORD by inviting all of your family and friends! Every purchase benefits the Portage Band!!
Athletics
New Athletics Website
2023-24 Sports Registration
Player/Parent/Guardian Meetings
August 1, 2023
Swim Meeting 6pm - High School Commons
Girls Tennis 5:30pm - Room 132 at PHS
August 2, 2023
Boys Soccer 6pm - Room 132 at PHS
August 7, 2023
Girls Golf 6pm - Portage Country Club
August 8, 2023
Volleyball 7pm - High School Commons
August 10, 2023
Cheer 4pm
Football 7:30pm - High School Commons
August 17, 2023
Cross Country - Silver Lake Beach after triathlon
High School Fall First Practice Dates
Football – August 1
Girls Golf – August 7
Girls Tennis – August 8
Girls Swimming – August 8
HS Cross Country – August 14
Girls Volleyball – August 14
Boys Soccer – August 14
Athletic Passes
- Athletic Passes will be available for purchase on August 30 at PHS Registration or at any home sporting events where tickets are sold.
- Adult Athletic Annual Pass: $30 , Family passes: $75 (WIAA tournament games are excluded)
- High School Students: Free entrance to all home events with student ID (WIAA tournament games are excluded)
- Middle School Students and under: Free if accompanied by an adult that stays for the event or an Annual Pass is $20 - a special sticker will be placed on the student's school ID.
Portage Community School District Media Release:
The Portage Community School District may use student photos, interviews, videos and projects for educational and informational purposes. This media may be used in classroom projects, district newsletters, newspaper articles, school websites, District-sponsored social media sites, (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), and for general media purposes. Please send written notification to the Portage Community School District Gerstenkorn Administration Office, Attention: Communication Department, 305 E Slifer Street, Portage, WI 53901 if you DO NOT want your student’s photo used. * If your student is included in a photo or project as part of a large group or public area gatherings where the student is not clearly identified, that photo or project may be used with or without an opt-out notification on file.
Portage High School
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/schools/high/
Location: 301 East Collins Street, Portage, WI, USA
Phone: 608-742-8545
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortageCSD
Twitter: @PortageCSD