PCMS Weekly Update

As we work with kiddos every day on everything from academics to character to organization to manners to all of the things nowadays, one thing we keep in mind is the role that struggle plays in this and why it’s important for our kids to work through. I came across this story this week and thought it was a perfect example of why struggle is a good thing for our kiddos. Here's part of the story:

I have a son and I remember teaching him what it means to be a gentleman. I remember when we were walking into a store and he ran to the door to open it for his mom and attempted to open it by himself. He struggled to open the door because it was a large, heavy, glass door. He managed to pry it open but struggled for a minute to open it all the way. My wife looked at me and asked me to help him. I remember saying, “The struggle is good for him.” By feeling the weight of the door and the struggle of opening it, he got a feel for what it’s like to keep pushing when you’re tempted to quit. In the process, he learned how to overcome a struggle. He walked around the store with his head held high and with a little swagger in his step. Looking back, I discovered 3 reasons why our children need to struggle.

1. Struggles prepare them for the future.

2. Struggles forge their character.

3. Struggles teach them that failure is a part of life.

When our kiddos learn to overcome a struggle today, it gives them confidence to do it again in the future. Good stuff right there! Have a great weekend everyone and GO PIRATES!!

Here’s a quick recap of what we talked about this week in our CharacterStrong sessions - some good stuff right here!

• 6th Grade started to learn about Conflict Resolution. In this session, we wrestled as a class with several everyday interpersonal conflict scenarios presented in videos as a way to share and gain insights into ways to think about and handle conflicts.

• 7th Grade talked about Practicing Empathy. This was the final session about empathy. The first step was noticing how others felt and what was happening to them. The second step was about the importance of caring about others and caring when we can tell others are unhappy or could use some help. And this week, we put together a plan on what we can do at school to act with empathy - putting our words and learning into action!

• 8th Grade focused on Emotions & Values. Early adolescents experience their emotions especially powerfully, and we can all struggle to handle powerful emotions well. In this session, we practiced using our emotion regulation tools to help us work toward our goals.

It was another busy week for our Pirates on the hardwood! Here's a look back at the week and all of the activities that our kids participated in.

• Archery: The PCR3 Archery Program held their I-29 Shootout tournament this last weekend. There was a team from every school in attendance along with several out of town teams. Our Pirates earned a combined team score of 3218, which put PCMS in 1st place in the middle school division! Several of our archers received medals for placing in the top 5!!
• Basketball: Tuesday night, both Boys and Girls B Teams took the W over the South Valley Eagles. Both our Boys and Girls C Teams finished off their seasons with big wins against the Vikings on Thursday night! Good luck to all the A & B Teams next week in their Tournaments!

Thank you to Chantelle James (pictured here with her brother, 7th grader Steven James-Gallimore and our principal, Dr. Miller), a 2009 graduate of PCHS and the proud owner of Fade Up, for her generous donation to cover a portion of our outstanding lunch balances! We call this our "Angel Fund." Thank you to Chantelle and others for your support of our students. This is an amazing community that always puts our kids first! If you'd like to learn more about our Angel Fund, contact the District office at 816-858-5420.

Schools have been in the process of notifying parents of students with negative meal account balances. If your child currently has a negative balance, please clear the funds due ASAP by bringing cash or a check (made out to PCR3) to the school office or by adding funds to your student's meal account online through the K12 payment center. If negative meal balances are not resolved after multiple notifications, the district will turn over the unpaid charges to a collection agency, per board policy. If you think you may qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch, see the information here on how to apply so that your student is covered for future meals.

If you were unable to attend this past week's Curriculum night at the High School, please see the video of the presentation and the slides for your review.

February 13-17 is our Pirates ROCK "Character Warms the Heart" week when we warm up with our good character and great leadership with fun spirit week activities and collect items for our Treasure Chest resource center to help PCR-3 families in need. We're collecting shampoo & conditioner, body wash, deodorant, and cereal this year. Participate in our spirit days and send in any donations to our schools! Reminder: Friday, February 17 there is no school for our District Inservice Day, a great day to send a nice note to a friend or staff member. See flyer for details on our spirit days and come cheer on our Pirates at the Home Basketball games on February 14!

Yearbook forms have been sent home. If you don't have a form...no problem. Put $20 cash or a check made out to PCR-3 in an envelope with the student's first and last name and Pirate Time Teacher on the outside. Have the student turn in to the office.

Pirates R.O.C.K. (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.

January's #PiratesRock trait is Individuality: setting yourself apart from others.

January 23

• Boys A Team Basketball Tournament @ Smithville Middle School (See Information Here), 4 pm

• Girls A Team Basketball Tournament @ Osage Trail Middle School (See Bracket Here), 4 pm

• Boys B Team Basketball Tournament @ Campbell Middle School (See Bracket Here), 4 pm

• Girls B Team Basketball Tournament @ Summit Lakes Middle School (See Information Here), 4 pm

January 24

• Boys A Team Basketball Tournament @ Smithville Middle School (See Information Here), 4 pm

• Girls A Team Basketball Tournament @ Osage Trail Middle School (See Bracket Here), 4 pm

• Boys B Team Basketball Tournament @ Campbell Middle School (See Bracket Here), 4 pm

• Girls B Team Basketball Tournament @ Summit Lakes Middle School (See Information Here), 4 pm

• LEAP Parent Showcase, 5 pm

January 25

• Boys A Team Basketball Tournament @ Smithville Middle School (See Information Here), 4 pm

• Girls A Team Basketball Tournament @ Osage Trail Middle School (See Bracket Here), 4 pm

• Boys B Team Basketball Tournament @ Campbell Middle School (See Bracket Here), 4 pm

• Girls B Team Basketball Tournament @ Summit Lakes Middle School (See Information Here), 4 pm

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January 27

• Archery 5th Annual Hunger Games Tournament, 5 pm

January 28

• Archery 5th Annual Hunger Games Tournament, 7 am

• First Lego League Regional Competition

February 1

• Shrek Jr. Musical Auditions, 3 pm

February 2

• Shrek Jr. Musical Auditions (Call Backs), 3 pm

February 3

• NJHS Meeting, 7:20 am

Email: tomlinsk@platteco.k12.mo.us
Website: http://www.pcms.plattecountyschooldistrict.com
Location: 900 Pirate Drive, Platte City, MO, 64079
Phone: (816)858-2036
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plattecitymiddleschool/