PCHS Pirate News

September 9, 2024

Pirate Families,

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us on August 28 for our Back-to-School Night. It was wonderful to see so many parents exploring our halls and connecting with our teachers. This event was an important first step in fostering the partnerships essential for a successful school year.

If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry! There will be plenty of other opportunities throughout the year to visit and experience the exciting things happening at PCHS.

In this newsletter, you'll find important updates on upcoming events, including Homecoming, Senior Parent Night, the Fall Musical, and our Professional Learning Day on September 16. We look forward to seeing you at these and other future events!

Thank you,

- Mr. Kiel Giese

Principal, Platte County High School

Sep. 16: No School, Professional Learning Day

Sep. 18: Senior Parent Night, 7:15 PM

Sep. 19: Class Officer Elections

Sep. 24: Jostens meets with Senior Class, 11 am

Oct. 3: PCHS Fall Parent/Teacher Evening Conferences, 3:30-7:00 pm

Oct. 4: Senior Grad. Product Order Day, during lunch

Oct. 7-11: Homecoming Spirit Week

Oct. 10: Senior Grad. Product Order Day #2, during lunch

Oct. 11: Homecoming, 3-hour Early Dismissal

Oct. 11: Parade, 3 pm, 4th Street; Football Game 7 pm

Oct. 14: No School, Professional Learning Day

Oct. 18: End of 1st Quarter

Oct. 25: Report Cards are Available

Oct. 31: No School, Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences, 7:30 am-3:30 pm

Nov. 1: No School

Nov. 4: Picture Retakes, 7:30 am-12:00 pm

Click here to view the full calendar on our website.

Regular attendance not only benefits academic performance but also helps students build essential life skills, such as responsibility, time management, and resilience. When students are present in class, they have more opportunities to engage with their peers, participate in class discussions, and seek help from teachers when needed.

We understand that there are times when absences are unavoidable due to illness or family emergencies. In those instances, we encourage you to communicate with us so that we can support your student’s continued learning.

Let’s work together to ensure that every student at Platte County High School has the opportunity to thrive. By prioritizing regular attendance, we can help our students achieve their full potential.

PASS is a safe place for high school students to be able to work quietly and get help from certified staff.

WHEN? Tuesdays and Thursdays.

WHERE? Paxton Center, main level - Large Group 1

TIME? 3:00-5:00

Activity Bus is available at 5:00 - check the website for the modified routes.

STUDENTS: If you want to develop leadership skills, improve communication skills, and learn teamwork, consider running for office. Make a difference in your school!

On Monday, September 16, school will not be in session for our first Professional Learning Days (PLD) of the 2024-25 school year.

Professional Learning Days are designed to establish sustained and uninterrupted time for teachers to work together and collaborate to improve student learning and achievement. This time allows educators to examine and respond to the four basic fundamental questions of a Professional Learning Community:

• What is it we want students to learn?
• How will we know when each student has achieved the learning?
• How will we respond when a student is not learning?
• How will we respond when we know a child has mastered the learning?

For more information on PCR-3's Professional Learning Community, visit the PLC page on the District's website.

Parents are encouraged to opt-in for text notification PLC Day reminders by texting "YES" to 67587 (standard text messaging fees apply). All no school and early release days are also listed on the District calendar.

Platte County School District is reaching out to our parents and community members to gather feedback that will inform the development of our updated Strategic Plan for 2025-30. Please complete the short five-question survey linked below by September 15. Thank you for your feedback!

Senior Parent Night will be September 18 from 6:30-8:30 pm at PCHS in the new building. This event will begin with optional post-high school planning sessions that will be offered from 6:30-7 pm. These sessions will be on Understanding Financial Aid, Job Training Opportunities with GreatJobs KC, and Q+A session with our Military Recruiters! Our main information session will start at 7:15 pm, and will cover important senior dates, graduation requirements, Jostens information, and more! There will also be an opportunity to stock up on PCHS gear at the Pirate Store!

This is the spot for Senior Information and Dates.

• Sep. 18 - Senior Parent Night, 7:15 PM
• Sep. 24 - Jostens meets with all Seniors - Cap/Gown and Announcements Order Packets distributed, 11:00 am
• Oct. 4 - Jostens Order Day, during lunch shifts
• Oct. 10 - Jostens Order Day, during lunch shifts (this was changed from the 11th since it is a 3-hour early dismissal for Homecoming)

Students who plan to drive this year will need to apply online. You will need to upload an image of the student's license, and insurance card on the vehicle.

Once the form is complete, you will see the link for payment.

PARKING APPLICATION

Payment is completed in the same place you pay for class dues and fees.

platte.revtrak.net

Platte County's Homecoming festivities run October 7-12. This year's theme is "Homecoming 2024: GAME ON." Click here for the week's spirit days and festivities.

This year's theme is "Homecoming 2024: GAME ON." Click here for the week's spirit days and festivities.

PCHS Student Council is also partnering with Glory Days Threads for an official Homecoming tee. Click here to order yours! The pre-sale will run until September 15. All orders will be delivered to PCR-3 schools on October 9. A portion of the proceeds from every shirt sold will be donated back to PCHS Student Council.

Additional information for parade entries will be sent soon.

• Homecoming Spirit Week Flier
• Homecoming T-shirt Orders

This year our theatre department will present — MAMMA MIA!

Here are our show dates :

Wednesday November 13, 7pm

Thursday November 14, 7pm

Saturday November 16, 2pm

Saturday November 16, 7pm

*There is no Friday show this year*

CLICK HERE for tickets.

(On sale in late September)

Our teens are in the time of their lives where they’re trying new things, making new friends, and taking risks! During adolescence, youth need adults to guide them towards healthy, safe exploration and away from harmful risks like vaping. The brain is still developing until about age 25, making teens especially vulnerable to nicotine and cannabis addiction. Learn how we can prevent teen vaping, and encourage safe risk taking, at ParentUpKC.com/drug-topics/Vaping, and see the attached flier for additional information.

Food Trucks plus Vendors in downtown Platte City.

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

FREE ENTRY!

Parents can use Parent Portal (www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/parents/parent_portal) to keep up to date on grades and assignments (for students in grades 6-12), and attendance. New parents who did not receive their new PowerSchool Access ID and Password at registration days can either pick theirs up at future back-to-school nights (PCHS, PCMS, Platte Purchase) or call the school office.

• Click here to create an account and login. Students will be able to login to Student Portal using their school email address and password.
• Click here for an Initial Guide to Parent Portal.

Order your 2024-25 Yearbook at yearbookforever.com.

**The price has increased to $70 .

We are now using LINQ CONNECT for meal payment and account management.

Please create a new account - with student's ID - and you will be able to add money to their balance, as well as control limits, block a la carte, and transfer funds between your students when you need to.

Returning students will use their same pin number as last year.
New students will be assigned 4-digit pin number
Middle School/High School will use Student ID

• High School doors are open from 7:00 am - 3:00 pm. School begins at 7:30 am.
• No outside food or drink delivered or dropped off for the students. (see the handbook)
• Student Check-In and Out is only through the main doors - at the Welcome Center. This is for students tardy to school, or checking in/out for appointments, etc.
• Please CALL AHEAD if your student needs to be dismissed. This gives us time to prepare a pass so the teacher knows they need to leave class and check out at the welcome center. It takes a longer time to reach classes that are outside (Band, PE, etc.)

See the flyer below for information about tickets, schedules, registering online and uploading the student's physical, etc.

Pirate Activities Website

Activities Calendar

Click here for clubs and organizations offered at PCHS.

Please see the classes available through our Community Ed Program at the Northland Career Center.

The Announcements button above is linked to our live document that is updated as soon as new events come up. Please check often so you do not miss anything!

👉Students can save this in their Google Drive and access it at least weekly.

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.

September's #PiratesROCK trait is Pride: a feeling of self-respect and worth.

Join PTSA and support students and staff!

PTSA Membership Form

Meetings are every 2nd Wednesday, 6:00 pm, at Mid-Continent Library.

• President - Jennifer Ball - ptsapchs@gmail.com
• VP - Melanie Doll - ddoll1@att.net
• Treasurer - Jill Talbot - jrtalbot23@gmail.com
• & Robin Herron - herron.robin@pcr3schools.org

The Board of the Platte County High School Booster Club

• President: Heather Duncan farm2epa@gmail.com
• Vice President: Kim Macias-Lewis kimmacias@hotmail.com
• Treasurer: Kate Harmon harmons42@yahoo.com and
  Robin Herron herron.robin@pcr3schools.org
• Secretary: Keri Dillingham kerilucas@hotmail.com

Website: http://www.pchsboosterclub.com/ (Links to everything there!)

Twitter: @PirateBoosterPC

Signup Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084BACA92EA1FB6-booster4

Email: pcpirateboosterclub@gmail.com

The PCR-3 Treasure Chest is a stocked resource center providing food, milk, and toiletries for PCR-3 students and families in need. Qualifying families will receive a weekly form via email to sign up or can call 816-858-7001 for assistance.

Families will receive an email with approval to come to the Treasure Chest on Wednesdays from 4-6pm at the new Treasure Chest site (south side of Paxton building*).

*NEW Location