PHS NEWSLETTER
September 2023
The Principal's Letter
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!
As the principal of Portage High School, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone back for a great year in Portage. The dedicated teachers and staff are excited to have students back in our classrooms and hallways, filling them with energy and enthusiasm for learning. It is our mission to ensure all students learn at high levels. Additionally, we strive to inspire, encourage, and provide opportunities for students to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners. Our teachers utilize research-based practices and analyze academic data through our PLC process to determine current skill levels and set goals for growth and academic achievement. We believe all students who graduate from high school are prepared for the demands of postsecondary education, meaningful careers, and effective citizenship.
We would like to extend our gratitude to all who attended our Open House on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Witnessing the familiar faces of our returning students and the excitement of our incoming freshmen was amazing. If you could not partake in this back-to-school gathering and have inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out to either myself or the main office.
I am honored to serve as the principal of Portage High School. It is truly a privilege to be a part of a community where parents, school staff, and students care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth. Thank you for being a part of the Portage High School family. Here is to a successful and inspiring year ahead.
Please feel free to contact me at 608-742-8545 ext. 1001 or at garriganj@portage.k12.wi.us.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Garrigan
Dates to Remember
Monday, September 4
- No School - Labor Day
Tuesday, September 5
- 7:50 am - 3:20 pm First Day of School for Freshmen (All Day) and New Students (1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
Wednesday, September 6
- 7:50 am- 3:20 pm First Day of School for ALL Students
Friday, September 8
- Full day of school (NOT an early release)
Monday, September 11
- 6:30 pm Board of Education Meeting
Monday, September 18
- School Picture Day (If pictures were not taken in August.)
Tuesday, September 19
- Chalk Talk Testing for Grades 9, 10, & 11, Late Start for Grade 12
Monday, September 25 through Saturday, September 30
- Homecoming Week "Rock the Boat"
The school day starts at 7:50 am.
2023/24 Early Release Fridays
September: 15, 22
October: 6, 13, 20
November: 3, 17
December: 1, 8, 15
January: 12, 19
February: 2, 9, 16, 23
March: 1, 8, 15
April: 12, 19, 26
May: 3, 10, 17, 24
Portage High School Attendance Policies can be found in the Student Handbook.
Chromebooks
Returning students, if you did not pick up your Chromebook at Open House, you can get your Chromebook during WIN time on your first day of school (Wednesday, 9/6) when you are with your homeroom teacher.
Freshmen and new students will be issued their Chromebooks on their first day of school (Tuesday, 9/5).
If you need help with your Chromebook, please stop in the library! (Formerly the iCenter- on the 2nd floor.)
Food Deliveries
For safety purposes, student food deliveries
will not be allowed this school year.
Student Fees
*New for the 2023/24 School Year - Rather than being assessed in the summer, Course Fees will be assessed 2 weeks into each term to allow for schedule changes.*
Student Parking Passes
Students driving to school will be required to have a parking permit. The cost for a full-year parking permit is $20. Please click here to access the parking permit form - Student Parking Permit Form.
NEW THIS YEAR
Parking spots are numbered so students need to park in the spot that has the same number as their permit. (If you drive the first day of school and don't have a permit yet, you can park in the far end of student the lot closest to Culver's.)
Ride-Off/Drive-Off Privileges
Senior Year
First Semester ~ Seniors may earn the privilege of riding as a passenger in a vehicle, and/or driving off-campus, as long as they have obtained no more than 1 F and or zero truancies during the 2nd semester of their Junior year.
Second Semester ~ Seniors may earn or lose the privilege of riding as a passenger in a vehicle with other seniors, and/or driving off-campus, as long as they obtained no more than 1 F and zero truancies during the 1st semester of their Senior year.
In Order to Drive-Off:
A Drive-Off/Ride-Off Waiver must be signed by both the student and their guardians and must be submitted to the office. Drive-Off/Ride-Off Privileges will start Monday, September 11.
A driver sticker will be placed on their ID card by the office.
Junior Year
Second Semester ~ Juniors may earn the privilege of driving off-campus or riding as a passenger in a vehicle at the start of the 2nd semester of their Junior year, as long as they have obtained no more than 1 F and or zero truancies during the first semester of their Junior year.
In Order to Drive-Off:
A Drive-Off/Ride-Off Waiver must be signed by both the student and their guardians and must be submitted to the office.
A driver sticker will be placed on their ID card by the office.
Freshman & Sophomore Year
Freshmen & Sophomores are not allowed off-campus for lunch.
Locker & Backpack Information
In an effort to increase safety for students and staff in our building, no backpacks (regular or clear) will be allowed in classrooms. All students will be assigned a locker and a school-issued lock ($6.50). Returning students can reuse their old school-issued locks. (Replacement locks are $6.50.)
Locker information can be found in the student's Infinite Campus account by clicking "More" and then "Lockers."
Chalk Talk Test/Late Start for Grade 12
This year, Chalk Talk will be used to assess student readiness for ACT testing. On Tuesday, September 19 students in grades 9, 10, & 11 will arrive at their normal time to do testing in the morning. Students in grade 12 will need to arrive at 10:02 am to begin their day going to second block.
Immunizations
High school students seeing their healthcare providers will likely be offered any immunizations they need boosters for or those needed to complete the series.
Routine immunizations may include:
· HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine.
This vaccine offers protection from the virus that causes a reproductive type of health concerns or cancers.
· Meningococcal vaccine.
This vaccine offers protection from 5 of the most common strains of the meningococcal family that can severely & negatively impact parts of the whole body.
· Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccine.
This is an adult tetanus shot with whooping cough protection. The last doses of DTaP were at kindergarten age and must be boosted to keep up the protection level.
· COVID-19 vaccine.
This vaccine booster offers the bi-variant protection. A newer version of vaccine is being produced that is focused on protection from the mutations occurring in this viral illness.
· Influenza vaccine.
This vaccine protects you from severe illness of seasonal influenza-cough, high fever, body aches, headaches, & sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms.
Take the time to have a conversation with your child’s healthcare provider to see what they need to stay as healthy as can be. Of course, this includes drinking water, having a good sleep routine, eating balanced meals, handwashing, and staying home when ill or away from others who are ill. You may visit the health section of Infinite Campus to see if your child is missing any school required immunizations. If you choose not to immunize, waivers are still available for health, religious or personal reasons and require a form be signed. Reach out to the school nurse for assistance. The high school nurse is Mrs. Schaub, RN. Extension 1156.
School Breakfast and Lunch Information
The prices are as follows:
K-5 lunch $3.10, 6-8 lunch $3.30, 9-12 lunch $3.75. K-12 breakfast $2.00.
K-12 reduced lunch $.40. K-12 reduced breakfast $.30.
Please visit the PCSD Food Services webpage for additional information. Click the image below for the Free and Reduced Lunch Application.
Can't remember your lunch pin? Sign in to your Infinite Campus account, your lunch pin is the 4 digit # under your picture.
School Pictures
Students that didn't have their pictures taken in August by Galley Studios can have their photo taken the morning of Monday, September 18.
Photo make-up day is the morning of Monday, October 16.
We need all students to have their pictures taken so they receive a photo ID.
FFA
The 2023-24 Portage FFA Officer Team is ready for the upcoming school year. They have spent many hours planning and preparing for events and developing new recruitment strategies. FFA is an intra-curricular organization that is available to any students who are interested in growing their leadership skills, building their community, and strengthening agriculture in the process. If your student is interested in joining, please reach out to Mrs. Babcock, PHS FFA Advisor, or any of the FFA Officers!
Therapy Dog
Tully the therapy dog, will be be in our school for four weeks this Fall, September - October 2023. Along with being in our school socializing with students, Tully will also be available during WIN time.
The therapy dog WIN time will include training and tricks, grooming and care, and socializing with the therapy dog to provide emotional support, comfort, and companionship to students. The WIN time period being offered does not interfere with curriculum courses and is a personal choice made by students with parent consent and student assent.
Please click on the links below for more information and permission to participate during WIN time.
Electronic Parent/Guardian Consent (Parent Permission Form)
The Market
We are excited to begin our third (school year) of operations on Tuesday, September 5!
Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays ~ 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Fridays 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: within the commons area of the Portage High School
The Market is a no-cost grocery store open to ALL students and families that attend school in the Portage Community School District. There are NO qualifiers to use this program. In addition to offering non-perishable meal items, snacks, fresh produce, dairy, frozen meat and meal items, and basic hygiene products, The Market also provides
~ 50% of classroom snacks for the elementary schools throughout the school year
~ maintains a smaller Market and daily snack program at BMS
~ provides continued support and funding of backpack food for elementary students
Senior Year Timeline
Senior students and families should watch for emails and announcements throughout the school year leading up to graduation.
Our Jostens representative will be here during WIN time Tuesday, October 3 to meet with senior students. Information will be provided about ordering caps and gowns as well as other graduation supplies.
Senior Photo information will be sent out later this fall. Senior pictures need to be in a vertical format and will be due in December.
Athletics
New Athletics Website
Athletic Passes
- Athletic Passes will be available for purchase at any home sporting events where tickets are sold.
- Adult Athletic Annual Pass: $30 , Family passes: $75 (WIAA tournament games are excluded)
- High School Students: Free entrance to all home events with student ID (WIAA tournament games are excluded)
- Middle School Students and under: Free if accompanied by an adult that stays for the event or an Annual Pass is $20 - a special sticker will be placed on the student's school ID.
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