Parent Newsletter

As the school year gets under way, students are beginning to find their rhythm, settling into daily routines that balance academics, extracurriculars, and social activities. Teachers are noticing a positive shift in classroom dynamics, with students becoming more engaged and comfortable in their learning environments. This period of adjustment is crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the year, as students build the habits and skills that will carry them through the challenges and achievements ahead. Thank you for all your help in making this a wonderful start to the school year!

Mark your calendars! There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 2nd (Labor Day) and Monday, September 16th (Professional Learning Day for Teachers & Staff).

7:25 am- Doors open & breakfast begins

7:37 am- 3 minute warning bell

7:40 am- Students should be in class and ready to learn

2:50 pm- Dismissal begins

Mrs. Rust's class conducted a fun, engaging experiment about culture.

Students were separated into two tribes, Alpha and Beta. They had a set of norms to learn and follow. The home tribe had to learn the other tribe's cultural norms in order to play a game with one another. Dr. Hoffecker, Mrs. Snodell, and Mr. Mike joined in the fun!

Students in Mr. Cerutti’s 8th grade Algebra class took advantage of the fresh air in our outdoor flexible seating area.

Dr. Adams, our enthusiastic assistant principal, recently joined Mrs. DeBiaso and Mrs. Fugett's class for a special moment, taking a selfie with the students.

• August 30:
• Pirates ROCK Kickoff/Community Tailgate, 5-6:30pm, Price Chopper, Platte City
  
• PTSA Spirit Wear Store closes Friday at midnight (more information below)
• Volleyball Practice, 3-5 (PPMS Gym)
• Cross Country Practice, 3-4:30 (PPMS)
• September 2:
• Labor Day- NO SCHOOL
• September 3:
• Football Practice, 3-5 (PPMS)
• Volleyball Practice, 3-5 (PPMS Gym)
• Cross Country Practice, 3-4:30 (PPMS)
• September 4:
• Football Practice, 3-5 (PPMS)
• Volleyball Practice, 3-5 (PPMS Gym)
• Cross Country Practice, 3-4:30 (PPMS)
• September 5:
• Football Practice, 3-5 (PPMS)
• Volleyball Practice, 3-5 (PPMS Gym)
• Cross Country Practice, 3-4:30 (PPMS)
• September 6:
• NJHS- First meeting of the year! 7 am (library)
• Football Practice, 3-5 (PPMS)
• Volleyball Practice, 3-5 (PPMS Gym)
• Cross Country Practice, 3-4:30 (PPMS)
• September 16:
• Professional Learning Day- NO SCHOOL

If you or your child are planning to attend a Platte Country R-3 athletic event, please note that all tickets are digital this year. Middle school students are not allowed to be dropped off, and they must be accompanied by a supervising adult. They must remain in the PPMS cheering section (next to the HS section). Please read below for more information.

Digital Tickets

All Platte County R-3 athletic event tickets are now digital only. We no longer accept cash at the gate. Fans will purchase tickets online through GoFan or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. Prices remain the same; a regular season game is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Below is our link to our digital tickets; please share this with any of your friends and family members that plan on attending our events and tell them to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines.

Digital Ticket Link:

PCHS Digital Tickets

Please note:

PCR-3 staff members are admitted free to home and away regular season events by showing their staff ID at the gate. Please have your ID ready to show the gate workers.

PCHS students and fans aged 55 and older are admitted free with a valid ID to regular season events.

Everyone (including PCR-3 staff, PCHS students, and senior citizens) must purchase a ticket to any tournament or post season event.

Middle School/Elementary Attendance at PCR-3 Events

All middle school and elementary students (ages 6 and up) must purchase a digital ticket and must be accompanied by a supervising adult to attend PCR-3 athletic events. Middle school and elementary students are not allowed to be dropped off. If they do not have a supervising adult, they will not be allowed to attend.

There will be a section where our middle school students can sit with their friends at the south end of the stadium. This week, the high school shared the following expectations for all students and guests entering Pirate Stadium.

1. Ok to sit or stand in the bleachers - not ok to gather anywhere else around the stadium

2. No changing seats

3. No jumping over rows

4. Hands to yourself at all times

5. Stairs must be clear at all times

6. Ok to use the restroom/concession stand but must return to your seat immediately- no hanging out behind the bleachers

7. Throwing anything will result in removal

8. We must keep the stairs at the south end of the stadium free at all times for fans entering/exiting.

We want our students and guests to be there, be loud, be proud and cheer on their Pirates, but in a way that respects all in attendance. Thank for your help with this and GO PIRATES!

Live Streaming

Most of our PCHS athletic events will be streamed on PCR3 Activities Youtube. Please share this link with friends and family members who are unable to attend in person.

On Friday, August 30, we kick off our 19th year of our Pirates ROCK character education program! To celebrate, wear your orange and black on Friday, join the community from 5-6:30pm at Price Chopper in Platte City for a tailgate, and enjoy free popcorn at the first home football game! See attached flier for details.

Be sure to get your Platte Purchase gear! The store will close TODAY at midnight!

PPMS Choirs are ordering shirts to show off their pride for the choir program! If you would like one, they are $15. Please fill out this google form! The last day for orders is Monday, Sept. 9!

https://forms.gle/FoEebRcyX5vJdZtD6

The link will remain open until Friday, August 30th! The starting price is $16 each (prices increase for some larger sizes).

PCHS Cheerleading is sponsoring their 38th annual “Super Saturday" cheer clinic on Saturday, September 14. Participants are invited to perform at the October 9 Victory Supper during Homecoming week. See flier for details and click here to pre-register.

Below you will find information about how to create an observer account on Canvas. The first picture is information for parents. Once it asks for a "pairing code" simply follow the student instructions on the second picture below to get the code. The observer role allows parents/guardians to see what is going on in their student's courses. With effective parent/guardian involvement, we can help drive student success!

If your child participated in PCR-3's Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) testing or End-of-Course (EOC) testing in the Spring of 2024, assessment results are now available.

2023-24 Students in Grades 3-11 (now in Grades 4-12): Hard copy results will be coming home with your child next Friday, August 30.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) publishes a Guide to Interpreting Results that provides additional details about the content of the Individual Student Reports. Please see the guide linked here: MAP Grade-Level Assessment Spring 2023-24 Guide.

Please keep in mind these assessments are only one piece of information your child’s teacher looks at to determine how your child is performing. The Platte County R-3 School District uses multiple methods to frequently monitor student achievement and provide a more complete picture of your student’s progress towards grade level proficiency on the Missouri Learning Standards.

Pirates ROCK Character Trait: PRIDE (September)

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.

September's #PiratesROCK trait is PRIDE: a feeling of self respect & worth.

Leader in Me connections to PRIDE:

Habit 1: Be Proactive - You are in charge of you.

Habit 6: Synergize - Work together to do better.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw - Take care of yourself.

Character Strong connections to PRIDE:

Self-awareness

Social Awareness

Commitment

Humility

Below is our updated guide to access Parent Portal. There is also information about logging into Canvas as an “Observer” to see what is going on in your student’s courses.

6th graders received their Chromebooks on Wednesday, August 21st.

Students in grades 6-12 are strongly encouraged to enroll in Chromebook insurance.

PCR-3 has partnered with One2One Risk Solutions to provide accident protection for our one-to-one technology initiative. Click here for information about this protection program.

Steps to Enroll Your Student's Device

1. Find your student's ID number by logging into Parent Portal here, then selecting "Student Details" under "Student Information" in the left-hand menu. Your student's ID number is a 10-digit number displayed on the top left.
2. Visit www.one2onerisk.com and select "Enroll my Device."
3. Select Missouri, then Platte County R-3 School District, and then your child's school.
4. Enter your student's ID number and complete the information, acknowledgment, and payment.

Interested in joining PTSA? Membership is only $7 for each adult or student member. PTSA organizes school dances, staff appreciation week food & prizes, 8th grade end of year celebrations, classroom and student club requests and so much more!

The spirit wear store will be open the entire month of August! No shipping costs included! Click the button below to find your Pirate gear! You do not need to be a member to order!

Who's ready to RUN, COMPETE, and HAVE FUN?!!! The first cross country practice will take place on Wednesday, August 21. Open to all 7th and 8th graders from beginning to experienced runners.

Please look over the informational flyer to make sure you have completed all the necessary requirements so you are ready to participate on the first day.

The button below will direct you to parent resource information located on the Platte County website.

• Our doors are open from 7:25 am - 3:00 pm. School begins at 7:40 am. School ends at 2:50.
• No outside food or drink delivered or dropped off for the students.
• Student Check-In and Out is only through the Front Entrance. This is for students tardy to school, or checking in/out for appointments, etc.

During the school year, Monday, Tuesday and Friday will be a 7-period day with 50-minute classes. On Wednesday and Thursdays, students will be rotating through 90-minute classes. Wednesday will be hours 1, 3 ,5 & 7 (odd days) and Thursday will be hours 2, 4, 6 (even days) with a flexible schedule time at the end of the day.

Each day will begin with an Advisory period where we will focus on character education and organization through the use of a 3-ring binder (see the school supply lists) and a planner. Please pay particular attention to the supply lists as students will be expected to carry a 3-ring binder (with their supplies) and their planner (which we will provide) to each and every one of their classes. Our goal is to help them to organize their life a bit to be more successful, prepared, and productive in their learning.

To ease the transition back, we will have a 7-period day, every day, the first week of school and transition to the block schedule the second week of school.

Breakfast will be served every morning starting when students come in at 7:25. We ask that students eat only in the Commons and not take their trays anywhere else in the school.

Monday, Tuesday, Friday Lunch Schedule:

6th Grade: 11:43-12:06

7th Grade: 12:08-12:31

8th Grade: 12:36-12:59

Wednesday and Thursday Lunch Schedule:

6th Grade: 11:10-11:35

7th Grade: 11:40-12:05

8th Grade: 12:10-12:35

Breakfast and Lunch prices have slightly increased for the 24-25 school year. Please visit the FOOD SERVICES web page for more information about the cost of meals, menus and Free/Reduced meal applications.

For the new 24-25 school year, there is also a change to our Online Meal Payment System.

To get started, simply download the brand-new LINQ Connect app from Google Play or the

Apple Store or visit LINQConnect.com.

Once you're in the LINQ Connect portal, you'll discover a world of possibilities.

• Set up one-time or recurring payments for your student's meals

• Effortlessly view past transactions

• Establish spending limits

• Transfer funds between students

• Receive handy low balance notifications

Get ahead of the game and make the upcoming school year a breeze by utilizing the

convenience of LINQ Connect - the ultimate payment platform for your meal account

needs.

To set up your student's account, you'll need their student ID number, which can be found on your Parent Portal. Parents can still send lunch money with students for their account - Dropbox is located in the FRONT OFFICE.

Parents, please note our middle school cell phone expectations for this school year. Our focus is on student learning, support, and connections. To minimize disruption to the learning environment, phones should not be used during class times (from bell to bell). Cell phones may only be used before or after school, or during passing periods after arriving in class and before the bell rings.

• We are a place where we connect face-to-face, in-person.
• We are a place that sees others, talks to others, and we are with others.
• When we do use our phones, we use them for good (no pictures/videos, don’t speak badly of others).

If you need to reach your student, please call the office at 816-436-1433.

The Board of Education expects student dress and grooming to be neat, clean, and in good taste so that each student may share in promoting a positive, healthy, and safe atmosphere within the school district.

However, student dress and grooming will be the responsibility of the individual and parents/guardians, within the following guidelines:

Allowed

• Tops: All Shirts(t-shirts, sweaters, tank tops, sweatshirts, etc.) must cover the belly button and cover private parts/undergarments.
• Bottoms: All pants ( jeans, ripped jeans, sweatpants, shorts, skirts, dresses, leggings, yoga pants, etc.) must cover private parts/undergarments.
• Hats and head coverings: If headwear negatively impacts the school environment, teachers and/or administrators will have the right to have students remove them.
• Shoes/sandals- must be worn at all times

Not Allowed

• No sheer or mesh clothing, undershirts/tanks are considered undergarments.
• Any clothing that promotes, displays, or symbolizes statements of hate, discrimination, violence/weapons, illegal activity, profanity, sexual innuendos, alcohol/tobacco/ drugs, weapons, or threatens health and safety
• Wearing or carrying a blanket

If out of the dress code or when, in the judgment of the principal, a student's appearance or mode of dress does not comply with the above criteria, the student may be required to make modifications.

Note: Additional dress guidelines may be imposed upon students participating in certain extracurricular activities.

Immunizations

• All students must be compliant with immunizations per the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Per district policy, students who are not compliant, will not be permitted to attend or participate in school or school-related activities including practices.

• Incoming eighth-grade students must be compliant with Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) and the MCV (meningococcal) vaccines prior to the first day of school. These vaccines are typically given starting at age 11. Check with your student’s provider to see if they still need the vaccine, be sure to get a copy of proof of compliance.

• Proof of immunization compliance must be provided to the school nurse.

Medications

• ALL medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be brought to the school by the parent/guardian, and a Medication Administration Form must be completed and signed for each medication. Do NOT send any medications to school with the student. District Medication Policy and printable administration form.

• The school district will not administer any medication that is not regulated by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. Therefore all homeopathic and alternative medicines will not be given at school.

• The health room does NOT stock over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as cough drops, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, antacids, or allergy medications. A parent/guardian may bring an unopened/unexpired bottle of medication (must be children’s medication if under the age of 12) to the health room along with a completed Medication Authorization Form.

• Prescription medications must be brought into school by parent/guardian, have the label attached by the pharmacist/physician, and must have the child's name, medication and dosage, and the physician's name. The parent/guardian must complete the Medication Authorization Form.

• Emergency Medications for common health conditions such as Food Allergies, Bee/Wasp Sting Allergies, Diabetes, Asthma, Seizures, etc. are a necessity and can save your child’s life! Emergency medications MUST be brought to the Health Room prior to or on the first day of school. Emergency medications MUST be accompanied by a current Action Plan signed by your child’s provider. More information can be found here on the district website.

• Students may carry emergency rescue inhalers or epinephrine with a required Permission to Self-Carry Medication form signed by both the physician and parent.

• If you would like to drop off medications prior to the first day of school, please contact the nurse’s office to schedule an appointment.

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).

7th/8th Grade Fall Sports practices start soon or have already started. Please read the following document for all information if your 7th or 8th grade student is interested in Cheer, Cross Country, Football or Volleyball. Also, a physical is required for all of these sports. Please follow the instructions found here for uploading physical forms online.

The District uses text messaging and automated phone calls to notify parents of upcoming events and days off, school closings due to weather, and during emergency situations. Newly enrolled families will automatically receive an opt-in message from 67587. If you missed it, simply text “Yes” to 67587 to receive text messages.

The following business partner contributes goods, services, and financial support toward supporting students and staff at our school! Thank you!

Tradition Home Group:(816) 857-5700

https://livelovekchomes.com/

Email: hoffecker.jessica@pcr3schools.org
Location: Platte Purchase Middle School

9400 N. Platte Purchase Dr., Kansas City, MO 64155
Phone: 816-436-1433 x. 3401
Twitter: @PlattePurchase

Facebook: www.facebook.com/plattepurchasemiddleschool

Instagram: @plattepurchase

Email: adams.jeff@pcr3schools.org
Location:Location: Platte Purchase Middle School

9400 N. Platte Purchase Dr., Kansas City, MO 64155
Phone: 816-436-1433 x. 3402
Twitter: @PlattePurchase

Facebook: www.facebook.com/plattepurchasemiddleschool

Instagram: @plattepurchase