PCHS PARENT News
January 14, 2019
Attendance Matters
Our goal at Platte County School District is to ensure that every student attends school regularly. Our state and district's goal is to have our students attending at or above 90% or more of the total time school is in session.
PCHS's current attendance rate is falling short of the state and district goal: 87% of our PCHS students are attending at 90% or above of the total time school is in session. This is better than our past year, but we still have room to improve.
There’s not much we can do about the weather, but there are two key steps every parent can take to help avoid absences this year: Make back-up plans for bad weather and keep your student healthy.
- It’s important to find a way to get your student to school even when the weather is bad. If you’re having trouble getting to school, reach out to other families, or call the school. We can connect you with families or staff members who can help.
- This is the time of year when winter weather and student’s illnesses can take a toll on school attendance. But it’s important to get your student to school every day possible Do what you can to keep your student healthy. Dress them warmly for the cold weather and make sure they’ve got hats and gloves. Encourage them to wash their hands regularly, and send them to school with a bottle of hand sanitizer.
By doing this, you will help your student learn to persevere. Today, they learn to overcome a snowdrift. In the future, your student will have the grit to triumph over even greater obstacles to achieve their dreams.
Counseling Department
Jump Start
This is an opportunity to visit with PCHS school counselors. In January we will be addressing Success Ready pathways and will be at PCHS on 1/16 and Barry on 1/30.
We have changed the time and will start @ 7:30 a.m.
Parents of Freshmen
We are beginning conversations about 2019-2020 enrollment in January with Freshmen, please ask your child if their school counselor has visited with them in their American History class about course choices and ask to see their ICAP.
Parents of Sophomores & Juniors
Do you have a student interested in NCC or NCAPS? They must fill out an application:
- NCAPS application deadline February 22: NCAPS APPLICATION
- NCC APPLICATION
Parent of an 8th-grade student?
Mark your calendars for our annual 8th grade parent night and learn more about course offerings for the class of 2023. January 14th, 6:30 pm, PCHS Wilson Auditorium.
Parents of Seniors
Has your student completed their FAFSA yet? We encourage all college-bound students to complete the FAFSA by February 1st. Parents have a section to complete as well. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa Questions? Call the counseling office.
Questions about scholarships? Please check out our SCHOLARSHIP PAGE.
KC SCHOLARS
9th grade:
KC Scholars offers a College Savings/Match opportunity for current freshmen! Get a head start on saving and planning for college while increasing your odds of enrolling in and completing college. And, you get to learn about investing funds as you increase your odds of college completion!
Each year, up to 500 9th graders will have a "529 college savings account" seeded with $50 from KC Scholars. Of these 500 9th graders, at least 50 will be selected for the 4:1 match and incentives program and earn a one-time award of up to $7,000 toward college.
See kcscholars.org for more information, eligibility, and to apply. Deadline is March 1.
11th grade:
KC Scholars awards its Traditional Scholarship at the end of 11th grade.
The Traditional Scholarship is up to $10,000 per year up to 5 years, and is awarded directly to the college or university of enrollment. Scholars must maintain a cumulative 2.5 high school GPA and enroll full-time in an eligible college the semester immediately following high school graduation and remain enrolled full-time in order to remain eligible. Please see kcscholars.org for more information and to see if you are eligible to apply! Deadline is March 1.
PARENTS!
There is also an adult learner scholarship:
You must meet all of the following requirements to apply:
- Be age 24 or older at the time of college enrollment in the fall after being awarded a scholarship;
- Reside in 1 of the following 6 counties: Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte (MO) or Johnson and Wyandotte (KS);
- Earned at least 12 college credits previously at an accredited, Title IV postsecondary institution OR have earned an associate’s and will complete a bachelor’s degree;
- Not been enrolled in a postsecondary institution during the 2018-2019 academic year;
- Be lawfully present in the U.S. or DACA eligible and DACA applied/approved; and
- Be considered low- or modest-income. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forecaster must be 12,000 or less. The calculation is based on household income, number of members in the family and number of family members that will be in college at the same time. It is the amount of annual financial support a family can be expected to pay toward the student’s college education
Northland Caps (NCAPS) Open House
*In addition to these we will also have an Information Night with a presentation on Tuesday, January 15th at Gladstone Community Center that will begin at 5:30 pm.
"Facing the Future" - Parent and Student event
February 7th, 6:30 pm at Paxton; workshops include topics NCC, NCAPs, AP courses, college planning, attendance, etc.
Student SCHIVIR Nominations
In an effort to make sure we are recognizing all our students, we are opening up the opportunity for students to nominate their peers when they are seen living out our Pirate Character Traits in our building. Please use this form to nominate your fellow students whom you see are living out our Pirate Character Traits (Self-Confidence, Pride, Responsibility, Citizenship, Compassion, Individuality, Self Control, Integrity, Perseverance, Respect, Cooperation, Honesty). Students who are nominated will be called to the office and recognized for their efforts.
From the School Nurse
If your student is now over the age of 16, they can receive the 2nd Meningococcal (MCV) vaccine that is REQUIRED for his/ her senior year. One MCV is required for all students attending Missouri schools between the 8th and 11 grades. ANOTHER MCV is required after the age of 16 yrs.
We are trying to get as many done as possible before the end of the 2018-19 school year so that enrollment next school year will be a bit smoother for everyone. Your student may have already had this done and we just don't have the updated documentation in their school health record. Please check with your student's doctor or provider where your student has their immunizations done. If they have already had this SECOND immunization, please get that information to us as soon as possible. Keep in mind, if your student does not have this immunization at enrollment next year, they will not be able to get their schedule. Last minute checks can make your wait at enrollment time much longer than necessary. If you have any questions please call (816)858-2822 Ext 1209.Updated immunizations may be brought in to the health room at school, faxed to 816-858-7067 or emailed to olsonj@platteco.k12.mo.us
Jobs For Life Program - Seniors & Parents
Flyer attached below has more information:
Platte County Pirates Booster Club Online Store
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Winter Weather/School Closing Planning and Notification
With the recent drop in temperatures and arrival of “white stuff,” it is time to begin planning for winter weather!
In the event of school cancellation, PCR-3 will get that information out as early as possible through automated phone calls and text messages, the District website, Facebook, Twitter, the District Hotline (816-858-2752), and local media.
Please visit the Winter Weather Information page on the Parents Tab of the district website for information regarding recess and clothing considerations (there will be no outdoor recess/class when the wind chill is at 20 degrees or below), cancellations, how the district will notify families, and Y-Club information.
Parents: If you haven't yet opted in to receive texts and wish do so, please text the word "YES" to 67587.
Have You Opted In to Receive Text Notifications from PCR-3?
School Messenger is our automated phone calling and text notification system. We use this system to notify parents quickly for sudden changes in schedules due to emergencies, school cancellations, or just important school announcements.
If you aren't receiving the District's text reminders and notifications and would like to opt-in to receive these, simply text "YES" to 67587.
Standard text messaging rates apply.
PTSA
(All meetings are at 6:30 pm in the library unless otherwise announced.)
*Jan. 17 - McDonalds Night (fundraiser!)
McDonald's night Thursday, Jan. 17! PCHS principal Dr. Sayre and several teachers will be serving up fries and burgers at the Platte City location. Come see them 4-8 pm and McDonald's will donate 20% of proceeds to PCHS PTSA.
Feb - 7
Mar. - 14
Apr - 11
May - 9
- CONNECT WITH PTSA
- FACEBOOK: PlatteCountyHighSchoolPTSA
- TWITTER: @PTSAPCHS
- eMAIL: ptsapchs@gmail.com
Pirates R.O.C.K. Character Trait: INDIVIDUALITY
January's #PiratesROCK trait is INDIVIDUALITY: setting yourself apart from others.
Bullying and Safety Concerns
Safety is one of our district’s top priorities and to help safeguard our school community, our district is now using SafeSchools Alert, a tip reporting service that allows students, staff, and parents to submit safety concerns to our administration.
You and your student can easily report tips on bullying, harassment, or any safety issue you're concerned about through SafeSchools Alert.
Every tip SafeSchools Alert receives about our district is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action. And, tips may also be submitted anonymously if you prefer.
Together, using SafeSchools Alert, we can make our district a safer place to learn!
Click the link below to submit a tip or concern.
Mark Your Calendar
January 15:
- Jostens: Class Ring Delivery, 7:00 AM, Main Lobby
January 16:
- Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Day, 2-hour early release
January 17:
- McDonalds Night for PTSA, 4-8 PM
January 21:
- No School, Martin Luther King Day
January 30:
- Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Day, 2-hour early release
February 4-8:
- National School Counseling Week
- Spirit Week - COURTWARMING
February 7:
- Facing The Future - "The Edge": Parent Workshops, 6:30 PM, Paxton
February 8:
- Courtwarming
February 10-16:
- School Board Appreciation Week
February 11-14:
- Pirates ROCK Character Warms the Heart Week
February 15:
- No School, District Inservice
February 15:
- No School, Presidents' Day
Click here to view the full Platte County High School calendar on our website.
Upcoming Community Events
Thank you to our Pirates ROCK Star business partners!
Platte County High School
- Dr. Chad Sayre, Principal
- Shari Waters, Assistant Principal
- Matt Messick, Assistant Principal
- Stephanie Theis, Assistant Principal
- Phil Dorman, Activities Director
Email: sayrec@platteco.k12.mo.us
Website: www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/plattecountyhs
Location: 1501 Branch St, Platte City, MO, United States
Phone: 816-858-2822
Facebook: facebook.com/PCR3HS
Twitter: @PCHSHalls