PCMS WEEKLY UPDATE
April 16, 2021
Good Afternoon PCMS Families ~
We hope everyone had a wonderful week! There were a couple of really bright spots for us this week, which we wanted to highlight here. Our track team is performing amazingly well on the track, but the thing that makes us the proudest is seeing them cheer and support each other (and even the opposing competitors) during their events. For example, during the distance runs or the relays, you'll see our kids lining the track cheering on their teammates and the other runners to give their best. It's just an incredible sight to see. As you know, with middle schoolers, that doesn't just happen all the time ;-) It takes intentional teaching and role modeling from parents and coaches - awesome stuff right there!!
The other area where we were very proud of our teachers and kids this week was our Suicide Awareness Week. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for kids this age. This week's goal was to raise awareness and teach students how to recognize the warning signs and respond with our Acknowledge, Care, Tell (ACT) steps. Students have been thoughtful, positive, and caring during these conversations. Super proud of them and their teachers for taking on this topic the way they did.
As they say, April Showers bring May Flowers! Have a great weekend and GO PIRATES!!
Look What Happened at PCMS!
On Tues, students participated in the Signs of Suicide Prevention Program during Pirate Time and watched a refresher video. The video reminded students what to do if they or a friend are feeling depressed or suicidal. Students learned what A.C.T. stands for - Acknowledge, Care, Tell. Students also had the opportunity to speak with our social worker or counselors after viewing the video if they needed to. Throughout the week students have been participating in a door decorating contest between Pirate Times. Pirate Times were asked to decorate their doors with positive messages and/or anything related to the A.C.T. acronym. Several of our students also wrote positive messages in sidewalk chalk in the front and back of the building (see pictures below). We recognize this is a difficult topic to discuss but feel it is very important to educate our students on what to do if they or a friend are hurting.
Math Pathway Information for Current 6 Grade Students
Attached is a letter explaining our process for identifying and assessing students who might be ready to pursue Pre-Algebra in 7th-grade and Algebra I in 8th-grade. Please reach out to your child’s math teacher or Mr. Mueller if you have any questions.
All Students Learn Remotely April 20: 2nd Dose Vaccination Clinic for Staff
In collaboration with Truman Medical Center, the District will be holding our second-dose, closed COVID-19 vaccination clinic for staff on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.
PCR-3's staff vaccination clinics will be required work days for staff; but to allow every PCR-3 employee who wants the COVID-19 vaccine, ALL students will participate in their learning remotely, using an AMI-X day on April 20. There will be no live instruction for students, and this day will not be made up.
Community members are encouraged to visit and register for vaccinations via Missouri's COVID-19 Vaccine Navigator.
MAP and EOC Testing Details
MAP and EOC testing will begin Tues, Apr 27. In order for students to be prepared for testing, please send the following items to school with them:
Earbuds - airpods or any wireless earbuds are NOT allowed
Calculators - students must bring their own calculator
Important: During testing students must turn off all electronic devices including phones, Apple Watches, FitBits, or anything device that connects to the Internet.
Below is the testing schedule for PCMS:
Online Re-enrollment/Proof of Residency for Existing Students; Planning Survey for 2021-22
Resident parents of existing K-11th grade students are asked to complete online re-enrollment forms and electronic proof of residency, as well as a brief planning survey for the 2021-22 school year.
Please log on to Parent Portal to complete the re-enrollment process by May 14, 2021. Click here for a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
In preparation for the 2021-22 school year, we are gauging our family's comfort level with a complete return to full in-person instruction. Please complete the e-form planning survey on Parent Portal by May 14, 2021.
Please visit the Proof of Residency page for guidance on the electronic process and complete by July 16, 2021. Click here for instructions.
High School Summer School Enrollment Now Open for Current 8th Graders
Incoming PCHS Freshmen are allowed to take one course for a 1⁄2 credit. The following courses are available to incoming Freshmen: Physical Education (in-person), Health (virtual), Business Tech I (virtual), and Theater Arts (virtual). Classes do fill up, and there is a limit to the number of students per course. You will need to enter your child's school email address on the form linked below when enrolling. Incoming 9th graders must enroll by May 7, 2021.
PCHS 2021 Summer School Enrollment (Incoming 9th Grade)
***Please see the PCHS Summer School infographic for additional information.***
Last Day of School: May 26, 2021
Wednesday, May 26, 2021 is designated as our last day of school for the 2020-21 school year, and will be a 3-hour early dismissal. Platte County High School seniors' last day is set for May 14, a full day of school.
Get Involved and Make a Difference at PCMS!
***Students, are you looking for an opportunity to get involved in making a difference at PCMS? Look no further and apply to be a part of a team that needs your leadership skills, talents, and character. All applications are due Fri, Apr 30.***
Student Ambassadors (6th, 7th, & 8th graders)
The PCMS Student Ambassador Program is a student-centered leadership program that focuses on welcoming new students. Ambassadors serve as role models within PCMS by showing leadership, good judgment, maturity, honesty, and integrity while upholding their responsibilities of being a student. A Student Ambassador is someone that will represent our school with pride and help build community within our school. Spots are very limited. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Pegler here. Please click for More Info & Application!
STUCO (6th, 7th, & 8th graders)
Student Council members are leaders at PCMS. This includes being attentive and involved in class meetings and at STUCO-lead events. STUCO members are expected to demonstrate leadership skills by being good role models for their peers and promote school spirit and pride. We will have five representatives from each grade level and four officers from the 8th grade. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Edman or Mrs. Singer. Please click for More Information & Application!
Middle School Cheer Tryouts *Date Change*
UPDATE: Due to conflicts with MAP testing, there has been a change for 8th-grade cheer tryouts. They will now be held May 10-13 in the PCMS gym. Please contact Coach Panich at panicha@platteco.k12.mo.us with any questions.
Important Message to Parents of 7th Graders
If your student is now over the age of 11, they can receive their Meningococcal (MCV) vaccine and their Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, both of which are required for his/her 8th-grade year per Missouri State Law.
Please check with your child's doctor to see if he/she needs to complete these vaccines. If they have already received them, please provide written proof to us as soon as possible.
***Updated immunization records may be brought to the Health Room at school, faxed to 816.858.3748 or emailed to our nurse, Ginger Bundridge, at bundrig@platteco.k12.mo.us.
Order Your Yearbook by April 21!
If you forgot to order your yearbook, you are in luck! The original deadline was Mar 30, but we want to make sure that no one misses out! Therefore, we are extending the deadline to Wed, Apr 21. Please note that this is a firm deadline. After Apr 21, we will begin taking names on a first come first serve basis to purchase one of the (limited) extras that we will receive.
PCMS Yearbook ID Code: 5014521 ORDER HERE or pick up an order form in the office!
Tuesday, Apr 20
All Students Remote Learning
Track @ Plaza MS, 4pm
Wednesday, Apr 21
PLC Early Release, 12:50pm
Deadline to Order Yearbooks
Dodgeball Tournament, PCMS Gym, 1-2:30pm
Track @ Excelsior Springs HS, 4pm
Tuesday, Apr 27
MAP Testing Begins
Wednesday, Apr 28
Track @ Kearney HS, 4pm
Friday, Apr 30
4th Quarter Progress Reports Go Home
Ambassador & STUCO Applications are Due
Upcoming Community Events / 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!
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/