PHS NEWSLETTER
March 2024
Welcome, March!
In March, Women's History Month is observed. Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society and has been observed annually in the month of March. This year’s theme is “Inspire Inclusion,” it is a theme that honors women in every community, such as Portage, who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art and news, pursuing truth, and reflecting on society. We are grateful for these leaders in our schools and community and their influence on our female leaders of tomorrow.
As we wrap up Winter and head into Spring, learning is in full swing at Portage High School. As you may know, this is the time of year when students make the most academic and social learning improvements. Below are important tips and priorities that can help your child be successful at school, along with important upcoming date dates.
Make Attendance and Punctuality a Priority.
Discuss School Activities, Projects, and Assignments.
March 4 & 5, 2024, In-person Parent-Teacher Conferences.
March 12, 2024, ACT Testing Juniors only.
March 12, 2024, PHS Band & Choir Concert
March 26, 2023, National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
Once again, Portage High School is extremely proud of our co-curricular activities that act as an extension of the classroom and serve to enhance motivation and create positive experiences for our students. We would like to recognize and celebrate the following programs for their accomplishments: State Award Winning Cheer Team, State Qualifying Bowling Team, Individual State Bowling Qualifier Aiden Scott, State Third Place Girls Varsity II Curling Team, and State Wrestling Qualifier Landon Heitmeier. We would also like to recognize the accomplishments of the following: FBLA State Qualifiers, State Solo Ensemble Band and Choir Qualifiers, and Spanish National Honor Society Inductees. Thank you to our Clubs, Sports Teams, Music Department, and the PHS student body for making all after-school events unforgettable.
Thank you for your continued support, and have a wonderful Spring Break with your family.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Garrigan
Dates to Remember
Monday, March 4 & Tuesday, March 5
- Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Monday, March 11
- Board of Education Meeting 6:30 pm
Tuesday, March 12
- Jr. ACT Testing, No School for Grades 9, 10, and 12
- Band & Choir Combined Concert 7:00 pm
Wednesday, March 13
- Student Council Blood Drive
Monday, March 18 - Friday, March 22
- No School ~ Spring Break
Tuesday, March 26
- ACT Make-up Day
- NHS Induction 6:30 pm
Friday, March 29
- No School
- Senior Baby Ads are Due
March Early Release Dates: 3/1, 3/8, 3/15
Academic Students of the Week
Spring Teacher Conferences Are:
Monday, March 4 from 4-7:00 pm in the Commons & Gym
Tuesday, March 5 from 4-7:00 pm in Classrooms
PHS Family and Consumer Ed classes will be making homemade cookies for the conferences.
We hope you can join us!
ACT Testing
All Juniors enrolled in PHS, PAA, and Kiel will be taking the ACT test on Tuesday, March 12. Students in 11th grade will be allowed to leave after testing is complete.
ACT & PreACT Spanish Parent Brochure
Students in grades 9, 10, and 12 will not have school that day.
Course Fees
Course fees for quarters 3 and 4 have been assigned. Fees can be paid online through Infinite Campus with a credit or debit card or in the office with cash or a check.
Senior Class Information
Senior students and families should watch for emails and announcements throughout the school year leading up to graduation. Please click here for the Senior Year Timeline.
Senior Baby Tributes
Please click this link- Senior Baby Tributes if you would like information on including a senior baby tribute in the yearbook. Contact yearbook advisor Tammy Chase at chaset@portage.k12.wi.us with questions. The deadline for submissions is March 29, 2024.
Senior Meeting/Caps and Gowns
There will be a class meeting and Jostens will be at the High School Tuesday, April 2 during WIN Time (9:26-10:02) to distribute caps and gowns. Kiel students and early graduates are welcome to attend the meeting. If you are unable to attend, caps and gowns can be picked up in the office after April 2.
Graduation Ceremony Participation Attendance Requirement
According to the Student Handbook, participation in the graduation ceremony and class trip shall be reserved for those senior students who have attended school at least 90% of the school days/class periods in the second semester of their senior year.
The 2024 Graduation Ceremony is Friday, June 7 at 7:30 pm.
Class of 2024 Top 10
We are proud of our 2024 top scholars!
(Listed Alphabetically)
Estella Brees, Mekah Erdmann, Griffin Garrigan, Adison Hamele (not pictured), Ezra Laufenberg, Sophie Meicher, Carly Nyholm, Makayla Perrodin, Chloe Schultz, Abby Shier
Trimester Information
Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, we are making a shift from a semester-based system to a trimester-based structure. This change will divide the school year into three separate trimesters instead of the usual two-semester arrangement. Each trimester will span approximately 12 weeks, providing a more specialized approach to education.
Throughout each trimester, students will concentrate on a narrower selection of classes compared to the broader semester system. Assessments and grading will take place at the end of every trimester, offering more frequent feedback on your child's progress.
The trimester model opens up additional academic and elective opportunities that were not feasible within our current scheduling framework.
Your engagement in your child's education remains crucial during this transition. Your continued involvement—reviewing Infinite Campus, maintaining communication with teachers, and providing support as needed—will significantly contribute to your child's success within the new trimester system. Creating a supportive and enriching academic environment for all students remains our aim, and your participation is pivotal in achieving this goal.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's educational journey.
Further information and resources are linked below.
PHS Trimester Presentation - For Parents
Standards Based Grading
We are in our second year of implementation of standards-based grading at our high school. It is designed to provide a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of your child's academic progress. Unlike traditional grading systems, which often rely on a cumulative average of various assignments and tests, standards-based grading focuses on specific learning objectives or standards within each subject.
This approach offers a more detailed insight into your child's strengths and areas needing improvement by evaluating their mastery of individual skills and knowledge. Rather than receiving a single letter grade, students are assessed based on their proficiency in meeting the established standards for each subject.
As we fully adopt this method for the 2024-2025 school year, our goal is to provide you with a clearer understanding of your child's academic strengths and areas that may require additional attention. It offers a more precise and informative way to track your child's progress throughout high school.
Further information and resources are linked below.
An Introduction to Standards-Based Grading Video
2023 -2024 Standards-Based Grading.pdf
2023-2024 Virtual School Enrollment News
We are glad to offer a virtual option for our students again next year thanks to a continued partnership with Kiel’s Between The Lakes Virtual Academy (K-8) and Kiel’s eSchool (9-12). Families interested in enrolling their students virtually for the upcoming school year will need to complete the linked application (1 application for each student). All applications are due back to the school by Monday, May 6. Once received, families will be contacted for an interview to be completed before June 14 so the family can complete online registration. The agreement attached to the application will be reviewed at this time in case there are any questions you have about participating in this virtual option.
Between The Lakes Virtual Academy (k-8)
German Club
German Club celebrated Karneval in February with some fun facts and a mask activity. Not only are the masks fun, creative, and a little crazy, the idea of wearing masks also allow for more equality! Students colored their masks and added a specific number of feathers depending on how they answered the questions (in German). This tradition is a keeper!
Spanish National Honor Society Inductees - New and Returning Members
From the District Nurse
Children and Sleep: Routines are Important
Sleep is critical for everyone’s health, no matter how old you are. The age of a person determines the amount of sleep needed. This can vary based upon other factors like a person’s health status. Sleep hygiene is a term used to describe a practice of going to bed about the same time and rising about the same time each day. The routine is supported by activities to calm the body before going to bed. The brain needs to time to unwind. Try these steps to build you and your child’s sleep hygiene routine:
· Turn off all screens about 30 minutes before getting into bed for the night
· Avoid large meals and caffeine before bed
· Consider a small healthy snack
· Have a drink of water
· Brush your teeth for two minutes
· Set out clothes, boots/shoes and load the backpack for the next day
· Read a story or listen to the highlights of your child’s day
· Set your alarm for morning
· Remove all electronic devices from bedrooms
This routine will become useful in helping your child’s body adjust to the ‘spring ahead’ time change on March 10. A routine will help transition the children to this new sleep wake cycle.
The Sleep Foundation has ideas to help create a sleepy bedroom, dealing with bedtime worries, and other sleep strategies for kids. Ask your child about some of the mindfulness activities they have learned at school.
Athletics
Athletics Website
Link to formal invitation:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sE1ZkN-zcfdojBij0lVs8pvYUUSKQusBwAQ08h9p2bc/edit?usp=sharing
Track:
Online Apparel Store: First store opened from Feb. 14-28th. We will have a second round once the season opens if anyone missed anything or if we have new students.
Boys Golf:
Boys golf sign up meeting will be Friday, March 8th during WIN time. Sign up for Mr. Berger's WIN.
Season Calendar (Incomplete & Will be adjusted/updated)
Boys Tennis:
Before practice begins informational sheet
Parents and athletes need to read through the Tennis Handbook and TURN IN SIGNED FORMS TO COACH PULLIAM PRIOR TO 1st PRACTICE
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vxWbrNqOTrj01Mju51BTHuW-BsYnn0GNlNG0kzOuWEQ/edit
Girls Soccer:
Girls Soccer parent/player meeting will be March 5th at 6pm in the High School iCenter.
the United Soccer will start practices Mon, March 18th at Poynette Elementary School in the gym. We have set this up just incase the weather isn’t great or the fields aren’t available. If everything does align then we’ll be at the Portage Soccer Complex as usual. Practice times will be from 4-5:30PM every day
Softball:
Player/Parent Meeting - March 4th @ 7pm in Room 132
Online apparel store link Order closes on March 3rd and will be here about 3 weeks after March 3rd.
Baseball:
Parent meeting- March 14th from 6-7pm in the High School Commons
General Athletics Information:
1. Link to spring sports registration directions
2. Repost Start dates for spring sports used in Feb. newsletter
3. Repost Baseball @ American Family Field Graphic used in Feb. newsletter
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