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PLSD Families:

NOTE: Please be advised that PLSD will only be accepting personal checks as payment for fees through April 28, 2023. Beyond 4/28, payments may be made by card, electronic check via the Parent Portal, or cash as needed.

ATTENTION 8TH GRADERS:

Interested in addressing real global-local issues while learning about global cultures and careers? The application is open for the 23-24 incoming cohort of the Global Scholars program!

Ideally, students start as freshmen or sophomores so that they can finish all three years of the program, but upperclassmen are also welcome to apply and do 1-2 years of the program, as their schedules permit. Students enjoy off-campus adventures to locations such as Nestle in Marysville, Honda, the Grange Audubon Insurance Center, and multiple Columbus area colleges.

Application Link for 23-24:

https://forms.gle/soHb9hcTfD1uQnUr9

Here is information about the program:

https://columbusworldaffairs.org/program-training/global-scholars-diploma/

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State Testing

testing calendar

More to come in the next month or so, but we would like you to add the dates to your calendar so you can avoid scheduling appointments, trips, etc. during those days. We generally test during the first part of the day so please avoid scheduling your student out of school before 10:30 that day if possible. If they miss a testing day, they will have to make it up during class time and will be missing instruction. Thanks for supporting us in this.

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Crisis Text Line: text "HOME" to 741741

Nationwide Children's Youth Hotline: 1-614-722-1800
Teen Hotline: 1-614-294-3300
Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Safe Schools Tip Line: Call or text 1-844-723-3764

Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 1-614-221-5445

Sheriff Department: 1-740-652-7900

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Hello everyone!

First, I wanted to thank you all for volunteering to help with our Parents on Positivity Patrol (PoPP) volunteers! I know it is an additional task for you and we really do appreciate you taking it on.

Second, we are kicking off our 2023 recruitment campaign. Yay! Our goal is to have 10 active volunteers per building, active is defined as volunteering at least twice a month, with an additional 5 volunteers volunteering at least once per month. Our stretch goal is 20 active volunteers per building with 10 semi-active/in-reserve. We are asking you to help us reach these goals!

I have attached a short guide on volunteer engagement. Please read it and begin implementing these practices. Involve your office staff, because they can really help with this. They are the first persons your volunteers see when they enter the building. Please work these practices into your routine; so they aren't additional things, just stuff you do every day with the people you work with!

It's really hard to constantly recruit new volunteers, and it costs us to onboard them. It's much easier and less costly to keep the ones we have. Volunteers can help us provide necessary services at a reduced cost. They also help us with community engagement and with developing community connections. Parent volunteers are associated with better outcomes for students both socially and academically. There's really very few negatives with our parent volunteers!

Here are some quick tips on volunteer engagement:

• Have the volunteer sign in on a dedicated PoPP sign in sheet.
• Greet the volunteer.
• Make sure the volunteer has a name badge, vest, and walkie (if available).
• Walk with the volunteer. Let the volunteer know where they may best serve during their shift.
• Talk with the volunteer. Ask if they have any questions or need clarification on anything.
• If you see a volunteer in the hallway, greet them and/or walk with them a bit.
• Go over scenarios with your volunteers. "If this happens, you do that..."
• Invite the volunteer to attend school events such as performances, plays, and sporting events at no charge.
• Demonstrate small gestures of appreciation. Wish your volunteer a happy birthday. Tell the office staff that it's the volunteer's birthday, so the person gets multiple good wishes. Perhaps hand out a small gift such as candy or a card showing your appreciation for your volunteers' efforts.

With your help, I know we can make this the best volunteer positive behavior support program ever! Thank you so much for being a part of this program!

• Districtwide Calendar

  Upcoming events and important dates are listed in the Districtwide Google Events Calendar, which is synced with individual building, program and athletic team calendars. Once inside the district wide calendar, to display the events of a particular building, team, program or activity, you will need to check the specific corresponding color-coded box(es) from the list on the left-hand side.Pickerington Community Calendar

  Pickerington Schools partners with the City of Pickerington and Yodel to bring you the Pickerington Community Calendar!

  Visit this link to view all Pickerington Schools activities included on the calendar and don’t forget to “favorite” our Pickerington Schools schedule! Once favorited, Pickerington Schools' events will be front and center on your calendar, enabling you to see what’s coming up.

The Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Public Safety have launched the SaferOH tip line that will accept both calls and texts 24 hours a day.

This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety—whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.

Every tip can remain anonymous. School safety analysts may ask for additional information, but the caller can remain secret or leave his or her contact information for later follow-up.

Calls or texts to 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) are answered by analysts in the Ohio Homeland Security’s Threat Assessment and Prevention (TAP) Unit. When action is needed, the TAP Unit immediately forwards information to Pickerington Schools, local law enforcement agencies, and others, if necessary.