PCMS WEEKLY UPDATE
April 13, 2018
Over the past several weeks, our Pirate Time classes have been working with students through a series of lessons called Erase Meanness. The lessons focus on helping students make the connections between the choices they make and the world they leave behind by asking “How do you want to be remembered?” As I listened in on the conversations, I was so proud knowing that we're not only leading our kids in making their school a better place, but we're helping them be better people. It reminded me that our work goes beyond just the teaching and learning of a curriculum. We're here for a greater good - striving to improve our student's lives and make the world a better place by creating more thoughtful, compassionate, creative, and skilled individuals. Awesome stuff right there!
Providing a safe and caring environment is part of our district mission, and it goes beyond the walls of our building. We were so proud of our students, parents, coaches and staff with the way they handled a very difficult situation at Thursday’s middle school track meet. We had multiple parents share that they appreciated the quick response of our coaches to ensure the safety of our students. This morning, our coaches, counselors, and social workers met with track team members to offer support and time to process. We know that an event like this can impact our students and families in various ways, and we want to reiterate that if you or your child needs additional support, please reach out to us. We're always here to partner with you as a Pirate community.
~ Robert Mueller
Math Pathways
The purpose of middle school math pathways is to provide rigorous and meaningful mathematics experiences to students. Middle school math pathways honors the PCR-3’s Vision, Mission, and Values as well as our Principles of Learning by preparing individual learners for success in life, focusing on the individual student, and respecting that students learn at different rates and different times.
Protocol for Evaluating Students for Personalized Math Pathways
During 4th Quarter, 5th -7th grade student mathematical strengths and areas for improvement will be identified to accurately prescribe their upcoming math course. This process allows for student-focused and data-driven placement of a student’s mathematics learning pathway for the upcoming school year. The pathways are illustrated in the graphic below.
*COURSE CREDIT
Middle school students earn a “transcribed credit” for Algebra I or Geometry upon successful completion of the course. A “transcribed credit” indicates the student’s high school transcript will show completion of the course. These credits DO NOT go toward high school graduation credits and/or high school grade point average (GPA).
In the coming weeks, you will be receiving communication notifying you of your child’s math course placement for the upcoming school year. Your child’s math placement is based on the following information.
Step 1: State and district assessments will be utilized to determine which pathway is most appropriate for students.
Previous year’s spring MAP score
Current year’s STAR Math benchmark scores
Step 2: Teacher input will be cross checked with academic data for appropriate student placement.
Step 3: Parents will be notified (via written correspondence) PRIOR TO MAY of their child’s math pathway entering middle school.
Step 4: Students new to the district will be placed based on previous district placement, MAP scores, and results from the STAR assessment upon enrollment.
Please contact the office if you have questions or concerns regarding the math placement process.
MAP and EOC Assessment Schedules
Below is a reminder of the 2018 Assessment Schedule for this year. We ask that you make every attempt to ensure that your child is present during these testing dates and that he/she is prepared for testing. (Students will need to have earbuds for testing.)
6th Grade
ELA - April 25*-May 1 (Revised 4/9/18)
Math - May 9-14
7th Grade
ELA - April 25*-May 1 (Revised 4/9/18)
Math - May 9-14, or Alg I (EOC) - May 14 & 15
8th Grade
ELA - April 25*-May 4 (Revised 4/9/18)
Math - May 9-14, or Geometry (EOC) May 7 & 8, or Alg I (EOC) May 14 & 15
*Please Note: This date was listed as April 26 on last week's Update.
Please Return Re-Enrollment Packets!
Everyone should have received a Re-Enrollment Packet for their current PCMS student(s) in the mail by now. Please update/fill-out the forms and return them to us ASAP!
Miles of Smiles
Miles of Smiles is a full service dental program that provides FREE dental care to children in the Northland. Click here for more information and to see if your family qualifies for this program. You may register online (see links below) or you may print the registration from provided below.
Reminder to pay for and/or return unwanted Spring Portraits!
Please return any unwanted Spring Portraits, as well as payment for those you are keeping to the office ASAP. If you prefer to pay online, go to www.mylifetouch.com and use the Picture Day ID: KM417417Q0.
PTO- PCMS Night at River Roll - Tonight!
River Roll Skate Center - 4720 NW Gateway Ave, Riverside, MO 64150
Friday, April 13 from 7:30 - 10pm
Cost - $6 at the door
PCMS students only - no siblings, please!
PTO- Spring Spirit Wear Orders
Please see the attached order form for some “new” and some “back by popular demand” Pirates spirit wear! Orders are due by April 18.
PTO- School Supply Orders for 2018-19
The Platte City Middle School PTO once again is making your Back to School shopping as easy as it gets! With just a few keystrokes you can have all the supplies you need for your student to start the 2018/19 school year off right. Kits must be ordered no later than April 20th and will be available for pickup at PCMS on your student’s enrollment day in August. Please see the attached flyer for website address & account number info for online ordering. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Bean at beans@platteco.k12.mo.us.
Now sit back and enjoy your summer...if winter ever leaves!!!
PTO- Scholastic "BOGO" Book Fair
The Annual Scholastic Buy One, Get One FREE Book Fair is here! Students have begun previewing the fair in their ELA classes. Students may purchase items from the book fair beginning Tues, April 17 thru Fri, April 20. The book fair is located in the PCMS Library and will be open Tues-Thur 7:30am - 3:00pm and Fri 7:30am-1:00pm.
Friday, Apr 13
PTO Skate Night @ River Roll (See Above)
Tuesday, Apr 17
Swim vs Bingham MS @ Henley Aquatic Center, 4pm
Wednesday, Apr 18
Platte Valley Bank Day
Track @ Excelsior Springs HS, 4pm
Thursday, Apr 19
Track @ Kearney HS (7th Gr Only), 4pm
Track @ Ray-Pec East MS, 4pm
Swim @ Belton Comm Ctr, 4pm
Friday, Apr 20
Progress Reports Emailed Out
Upcoming Community Events and Flyers
Make sure you check out the “Community” tab on the Platte County RIII School District webpage. There you will find an option called “Community Event/Activity Flyers” where you can access flyers with information regarding various events and opportunities within our community! Below are a few your middle schooler(s) might be interested in, but check the website for more!
- Middle School Art Show in Conjunction with Middle School Musical - April 27 & 28, 2018
- YMCA Healthy Kids Day - April 21, 2018
- PCYFL Anchors Away 5K Walk/Run - April 21, 2018
- Barry and PCMS Musical: Mary Poppins Jr. - April 27 & 28, 2018
- YMCA Culinary Classes - March, April and May
- Pirates ROCK End-of-Year Celebration - May 5, 2018
- Platte County Back to School Fair Mother's Day 5K - May 12, 2018
COMMUNICATION - The key to success!
All parents are encouraged to “like” us on Facebook and visit our school website on a regular basis. Great things are happening at PCMS! Thank you to our staff, students, and community for your continued support. It takes all of us working together to make our school a success!
Platte City Middle School
Email: snowb@platteco.k12.mo.us
Website: http://www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/site/Default.aspx?PageID=21
Location: 900 Pirate Drive, Platte City, MO, 64079
Phone: (816)858-2036
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plattecitymiddleschool/