PCHS Pirate News
February 2024
March 13, 2024
π¨βπΌ From the Principal
Pirate Families,
As we enter the final stretch of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on our journey so far and look ahead to the exciting opportunities that await us in the 4th quarter. This year has been filled with challenges, growth, and moments of triumph, and I continue to be impressed by the resilience and dedication of our students, staff, and families.
As we move forward, I want to remind you of the importance of staying engaged and involved in your child's education. Progress reports will be coming out at the end of the week. This is a good time to review your studentβs current progress and identify areas of support that they may need. Please help us support your child as we continue to get closer to the end of the year. The 4th quarter is a critical time, and your support can make all the difference in helping our students finish the year strong.
In the coming weeks, we have a number of exciting events and activities, so I encourage you to mark your calendars and join us as we celebrate the achievements of our students and community.
Thank you,
- Mr. Kiel Giese
Principal, Platte County High School
π€©Thank You to our School Board Members
Celebrating School Board Appreciation Week
PCHS Enjoyed a visit from Board Member Tyler Fadler on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Mr. Fadler was able to visit several classes and said, "It was so great to see the school in action and talk to the students and teachers."
Dr. Mandi Tolen, Mr. Matt Messick, Tyler Fadler, Mr. Kiel Giese, Ms. Michelle Howren
π Calendar
Mar. 13-15: Spring Play, 7:00 pm
Mar. 14: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 pm, DEC
Mar. 15: Report Cards Go Home
Mar. 20: ASVAB Testing, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, Paxton
Mar. 21: Grad. Announcements/Cap & Gown Delivery, 11-1
Mar. 25-29: NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
Apr. 3: Grad. Announcements/Cap & Gown Delivery, 7:00 am
Apr. 5: Arrive Alive event
Apr. 6: Junior/Senior Prom & After Prom
Apr. 10: ACT Bootcamp, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, Paxton
Apr. 10: Spring Athletic Signing. 6:00 pm, Fieldhouse
Apr. 15: No School, Professional Learning Day
Apr. 16: Senior Class Meeting, 11:00 am, Wilson auditorium
Apr. 26: Pirates ROCK End-of-Year Celebration, 5-7pm, Barry-Platte Park
π³οΈ No Tax Rate Increase Prop C Waiver and Levy Transfer
April 2024 Ballot Issue
The Board of Education voted in December 2023 to place this question on the April 2024 ballot to address the priority of attracting and retaining high quality staff. This zero-tax-levy-increase Proposition C waiver and levy transfer, will appear on the April 2, 2024 ballot and will require a simple majority (50 percent + 1) to pass.
Visit our April 2024 Prop C Waiver/Levy Transfer pages to learn more.
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
π΅ Arrive Alive Event β April 5, 2024
Arrive Alive is an initiative that promotes SAFE DRIVING.
Students will participate in activities that educate them on driving safely on Friday, April 5. This event always precedes Sr/Jr Prom.
More information will be sent in the next edition.
Mrs. Spores's Marketing Classes
DECA Dues
Parents,
If your student is enrolled in one of Mrs. Spores's Marketing classes, DECA dues were added to Power School at the end of the first semester. Students who pay their dues by April 12 will receive the membership t-shirt.
From the syllabus:
DECA, An Association of Marketing Students, is a co-curricular organization. This means that activities associated with DECA are integrated into the marketing curriculum. Students enrolled are required to become members of DECA and are strongly encouraged to participate in the local Career Development Conference in February at UMKC. Membership in DECA is $30 (per year) which covers local, state, and national dues, as well as a membership t-shirt.
π Spring Play
PCHS Spring Mainstage Play, "The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition"!
Get ready for a side-splitting evening of laughter at our PCHS Spring Mainstage Play, "The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition"!
The show is Wednesday March 13-Friday March 15 starting at 7pm.
The play is about a collection of community theatre actors that think they're the best in the business...but they aren't...so anything that can go wrong in a show, does go wrong...including parts of the beautiful set falling apart, a missing dog, forgetting lines, spit takes, and more! You won't want to miss this hilarious comedy that promises to keep you entertained from start to finish!
PCHS students can grab their tickets for just $5, while members of the public are invited to join us for only $10 per ticket. Don't wait until it's too late β secure your seats now at www.pchstheatre.com.
π¦Real World Learning Spotlight!
From the Practical Arts Department:
Great collaboration between Ms. Heather Ball and Ms. Kristen Burch on a Valentine-themed Parent as Teachers event.
Please view the image for details on this Real World Learning Spotlight!
π« Students Checking In and Out of School
Reminder:
Students arriving late to school, no matter the time, must check in at the welcome center and get a pass.
Students leaving early must checkout at the welcome center and cannot leave if WE do not have parent permission. If they are going to an appointment and check out early, they need a note to turn in at the welcome center when they check back in.
Parents, please call as early as you can so we can be sure your student is released on time.
β Counseling Corner
Scholarships
Students - Check the local & regional scholarships page often to see what you can apply for.
This document will be added to periodically, so bookmark this page and keep checking!
NCC Applications are being accepted for 24-25 school year. Information on Northland Career Center Programs are linked here.
A + Scholarship
Senior students planning to qualify for the A+ Scholarship need to check with Mrs. Hartland by email to make sure they are meeting all of the requirements set by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
SENIOR SECTION π¨βππ©βπ
β’Send a baby picture and a current picture of your senior for the slideshow if you haven't already. (deadline is April 5) π»πΈ
Send your 2 pictures to ππΌ 2024pchssenior@gmail.com
**UPDATE: Two Date Changes!! Senior Grad. Product Delivery Date has been changed from April 5th to March 21st. The 2nd Delivery day is now April 3rd BEFORE school and not on April 12th.
*Mar 21: Grad Announcements & Cap/Gown Delivery Day, lunchroom, 11:00-1:00
*April 3: Additional Delivery Day (Caps/gowns...) BEFORE school, 7:00-7:45 am
April 6: Prom and After Prom
April 10: Spring Athletic Signing Ceremony, 6pm, Fieldhouse
April 16: Senior Class Meeting, 11am, Wilson Auditorium
SAVE the DATE - Scholarship and Awards Ceremony
May 10th, 9 am PCHS Wilson Auditorium
π« Post-Secondary Advisor Updates
ASVAB Testing March 20, 2024
PCHS will be offering an ASVAB CEP test on March 20th, at 8am in Paxton.
This is a great opportunity for our upperclassmen students (grades 10-12 only) to not only gain experience with standardized testing, but to explore career opportunities.
Why take the ASVAB CEP? The ASVAB is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Career Exploration Program- which means the test is not only measuring your knowledge in content areas, but it is also a career planning tool. Taking the ASVAB also provides students with hands-on experience with multi-content area standardized tests, at no cost. It is great practice for students who plan to take the ACT or SAT test in the future.
Do I have to enlist in the military if I take the ASVAB? While the ASVAB does open the door to enlistment possibilities, students are welcome to test without any plans to enlist. The career planning tools can be used for both military service and civilian career paths.
What should you expect if you take the ASVAB? On test day (March 20th) all students who signed up to test will report to Paxton at 8am, to begin the test. Testing will be done on the student's Chromebook, and students will be able to test at their own pace. The ASVAB tests over a variety of content areas, including but not limited to general science, mathematics knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and mechanical knowledge areas.
Following the test, we will have our National Guard Recruiter (Sgt. Hufford) come back in to explain the career exploration program to any interested test takers. This session will cover how to understand your scores, and how to use the career planning tools provided. Again, this career exploration program is for military and civilian careers.
More information on the ASVAB CEP can be found here.
Students can sign up here, and should do so prior to March 18th.
πSolar Eclipse Activities Planned at PCR-3, April 8
You may have heard about the solar eclipse that will occur on April 8, 2024, visible across North America. While we are not in the path of totality, we'll have about 88% coverage in our area, with eclipse phenomena from approximately 1-3pm and peaking just before 2pm. Science teachers and other staff members in each of our buildings are organizing lessons and activities around the event and all students will receive specialized solar filter eclipse glasses and will have the opportunity to view the eclipse.
Click here for additional information about the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.
Northland Community Education - March Classes
Adult Spring Classes are ongoing at the Career Center!
Enroll at northlandcareercenter.asapconnected.com
Summer School - Enrollment Coming Soon
Summer School will be held May 31-June 28 at the following locations. Click here for more information about summer school.
- Barry Elementary: For all K-5th grade southern attendance area students (Pathfinder and Barry Elementaries)
- Siegrist Elementary: For all K-5th grade northern attendance area students (Compass and Siegrist Elementaries)
- PCHS: For all 6th-8th students, and 9th-12 grade students
**Information about enrolling in the High School summer school program will be available in April.
Make Up Day Plans
With our inclement weather days in January, and no school on February 14 to celebrate the Chiefs Super Bowl parade, our make up day plans to date are as follows:
- January 9 Inclement Weather Day - Will be made up on Thursday, May 23
- January 10 Inclement Weather Day - Will be made up on Friday, May 24
- January 16, 19, and 23 Virtual Learning Days - Will not need to be made up
- February 14 No School Day - Because our attendance hours exceed the necessary hours set forth by the state, the Board has approved not making this day up
π Teen Driver's Education
Driver's Ed Program in St. Joe is being offered in June.
Please see the flyer for more information and to register!
Driver's Permit Academy in St. Joseph
Thursday, March 15
For Students SOON TO BE PERMITTED:
Class is 5:00 pm-9:00 pm on 3/15.
$40.00
In-class and Virtual options are available.
Classes are held at St. Joseph Safety & Health Council.
See flyer for all details and registration info.
πMobile Food Distribution
Providing Fresh Food In our Community
The Mobile Food Distribution is made possible through Harvesters.
It will be on the second Thursday of each month at 1pm.
Location - Platte County Health Department
π» Changes to Loaner Chromebook Policy
Following a comprehensive review of our loaner Chromebook processes spanning the last year and a half, several adjustments will be implemented starting this semester. The rationale behind these changes is outlined below:
π€ Pirate Academy
Pirate Academy Tutoring is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5 in Paxton LG1. Come for a place to work or get help. Activity Bus is available at 5:10 and has a limited route.
https://www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/departments/transportation/activity_bus_information
π² 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.
ποΈ Parent/Student Handbook 23-24
π Activity Information
π Bullying and Safety Concerns: Online Reporting System
Safety is one of our districtβs top priorities, and to help safeguard our school community, our District uses Safe Schools Alert, a tip reporting service by Vector Solutions, that allows students, staff, and parents to submit safety concerns to our administration.
You and your child can easily report tips on bullying, harassment, or any safety issue you're concerned about through this online reporting system. On the homepage of the District website (www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com) and on each school building's homepage there is a Safe Schools quicklink which links to the reporting tool. Every tip Vector Solutions receives about our District is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action. Tips may also be submitted anonymously if you prefer. Together, we can make our District a safer place to learn.
PTSA
PCHS Booster Club
With Spring Sports coming up we have lots of opportunities to help throughout the week and even a few Saturdays. We know everyone is extremely busy with work and families so we really do appreciate any time you can dedicate to help! If everyone chips in then we can make sure we have the concessions stands open for all of our home events! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084BACA92EA1FB6-booster4
Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. Personal emails are below or you can respond to this email directly.
The Board of the Platte County High School Booster Club
President: Krista Wimberly kwimberly12@gmail.com
Vice President: Kim Macias-Lewis kimmacias@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Kate Harmon and Robin Herron harmons42@yahoo.com and herronr@platteco.k12.mo.us
Secretary: Jennifer McClure mcclurej@platteco.k12.mo.us
References:
Website: http://www.pchsboosterclub.com/ (Links to everything there!)
Twitter: @PirateBoosterPC
Signup Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084BACA92EA1FB6-booster4
Pirates ROCK Character Trait: INTEGRITY (March)
Pirates ROCK (Raising Outstanding Character Kids) is a program designed to surround our families with examples of strong character traits through school experiences, at home, and reinforced in their community. Each month our community focuses on a specific character trait and students are recognized for exhibiting these traits: Self Confidence, Pride, Responsibility, Citizenship, Compassion, Individuality, Self Control, Integrity, Perseverance, Respect, Honesty, and Cooperation.
March's #PiratesROCK trait is Integrity: having a sincere honest nature
Michelle Howren, Assistant Principal
Matt Messick, Assistant Principal
Dr. Mandi Tolen, Assistant Principal
Gabe Middleton, Activities Director
Location: 1501 Branch Street, Platte City, MO, USA
Phone: 816-858-2822
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pchshalls/