PCMS Weekly Update

Well, this was an interesting week to say the least! A couple of good ol’ fashioned snow days, all virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences yesterday, and a Professional Learning Day for teachers today - and don’t forget that there is no school Monday either for President’s Day. There seem to be a lot of starts and stops this winter since we returned from Christmas. Hopefully, things calm down soon! Thank you to everyone who attended our “virtual” Parent-Teacher Conferences yesterday - it certainly was different not having anyone in the school for those. If you could not schedule an appointment and would like to visit with your child’s teacher, please email them to schedule an alternate time.

Happy Valentines Day everyone, stay healthy, and GO PIRATES!!

Here’s a quick recap of our Pirates in action from this past week.

Archery: Archery went to two tournaments this weekend. In the 2nd Annual Whitetail Warrior, team one competed and got first place with a 1575! Both teams went to the 7th Annual Warrior Shoot and team one got first place with 3212 and team two got fifth place with 2829.

Robotics: While the chiefs may not have pulled off the 3-peat, the Robotics team did this past weekend. In the blended (high school and middle school) tournament, We had all teams make the qualification rounds, and second-seed 8778Z made it to the semi-finals round, being beaten by 2 of the PCHS teams. 8778Z got their third Excellence award this season and 8778W got their third Judge's award this season. All teams did very well against mostly high school teams.

Winter Guard: The team debuted more flag choreography on Saturday that we are excited to keep perfecting throughout this week. There were no drops throughout their performance, and the team seemed calmer with the choreography they have had for the whole season. The judges enjoyed the character and effort the students have been putting in towards improving their skills and techniques. They now have half of their show on the floor!

The CharacterDare is a heart workout, inviting students and adults to practice kindness, patience, and respect with themselves and others. These school-wide challenges encourage staff and students to put character into action, fostering personal growth and positively impacting school culture.

This Week's CharacterDare is: Joy Mining (see below).

We invite families to join us in these challenges and look forward to the positive impact they will have on everyone.

8th Grade Parents/Families

The high school counselors visited PCMS this week and spoke to our 8th graders during their Social Studies class. Not only did they discuss 9th grade course options, but they also discussed options available to your student over the course of their high school career.

In order to view the courses your student has selected for 9th grade year, please log in to your SchooLinks account. You can also ask your student to log in to his or her SchooLinks account and show you. On Monday, February 10 you should have received an email from your student with instructions on how to set up a guardian account on SchooLinks. Below is a presentation on how to view your student’s 9th grade course requests via SchooLinks. Students need to select 7 credits for the 2025-2026 academic year by Friday, February 28, 2025.

Students also heard a presentation last week about the N.A.V.I.G.A.T.E. program at the high school. N.A.V.I.G.A.T.E (formerly AVID) is a class offered for elective credit and there is an application. Use the links below to access the presentation and the N.A.V.I.G.A.T.E website where the application can be found. The deadline to submit a N.A.V.I.G.A.T.E application is March 1.

If you have any questions or need assistance throughout this process, please contact your student’s school counselor, Kim Schank (A-K) or Whitney Edman (L-Z).

Have a great weekend!

Kim Schank & Whitney Edman

School Counselors, PCMS

Who: Any PPMS or PCMS 7th or 8th Grade Middle School Students

What: This is a program for both the advanced competitive swimmer and those who wish to try out competitive swimming and are thinking about competing when they get to high school.

When: Start Date: Monday March 3rd. Season will finish on April 25th.

• Practices after school from 3:15–4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday
• We will NOT practice over Spring Break.

Where: Platte County YMCA

Physicals: All athletes MUST have all forms (physical, insurance, concussion signature, activity participation form) on file by Monday February 25th.

Transportation: Bus will be provided to Platte County YMCA from both PPMS and Platte City Middle School. Athletes can change at the YMCA in the locker rooms before practice. Have your rides home planned for 4:50 if they are picking you up from the YMCA. Arrange car-pooling as needed. There will be a bus that can pick up the swimmers after practice @ 4:50 to return to PPMS.

Other General Information:

• Students CAN participate in other activities (theater and Band) during the swim season.
• Athletes MUST have 14 practices before they are allowed to compete (Mandated by MSHSAA)
• Grades: The athlete must have no more than one failing grade for the quarter just prior to the sport or activity.

Supplies: Click the Link below

• Need ALL Black suit: BOYS GIRLS
• Pirate swim cap (will have these for purchase at the pool)
• Competition goggles (Preferably these: Speedo Goggles Vanquisher – PLEASE NOTHING LIKE THIS!!!!)
• Water bottle, towel.

We are partnering with the Platte County Health Department to host an in-school vaccine clinic on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. This clinic is specifically designed for incoming 8th graders, providing a hassle-free way to ensure your child's vaccines are up-to-date.

The in-school clinic is available to Vaccine for Children (VFC) eligible incoming 8th graders (current 7th grade students) including those who are uninsured, underinsured, covered by Medicaid, or identified as Alaskan Native/American Indian. Additionally, children covered by the following insurance plans are eligible: Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna.

To take advantage of this opportunity, please complete the online registration form below.

An order form is now available to fill out on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you are using the app on your phone, please select the "More" icon at the bottom of your Dashboard screen. Then you will select the "Forms" icon to find the "2024-2025 Yearbook Platte City Middle" Form. If you are on a desktop, you will just need to select the "Forms" tab from the Home screen. (see pictures below)

While you are filling out the order form online, you will be able to pay the $20 for the yearbook via debit/credit card. You may also choose the cash/check option, but then will need to send the money with your student to the front office.

Yearbooks will be on sale now through April 11th. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

This spring, the FNA Flag Football League, co-founded by Drew Brees, will be expanding to the Kansas City Northland area. This league is designed for boys and girls from Pre-K through 10th grade and offers a non-contact platform to help kids advance their skills, teamwork, and offseason exercise.

Games will be held at Mark L McHenry Park in the community, making it a convenient and fun way for students to stay active and engaged in youth athletics. The league’s goal is to bring together young athletes in a fun and supportive environment, helping them grow together and progress through the years, ultimately preparing them for future contact football in high school and beyond.

Please see the flyer below for additional information.

This question will be placed on the April 8, 2025 ballot. If approved by voters, the approximately $62 million bond issue would fund the following projects identified in the District’s Long-Range Facility Plan:

• Completing Phase 2 of rebuilding Platte County High School, creating a consolidated high school building with all classrooms and programs under one roof
• Constructing site amenities at Platte Purchase Middle School activities complex
• Constructing playground facilities at Pathfinder Elementary
• Expanding parking and improving traffic flow and safety at Compass Elementary

For more information, click here, or attend an Informational Meeting:

• Monday, March 3, 2025, 6pm, Platte Purchase Middle School
• Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 6pm, Platte County High School

• Archery PC Shootout (3D) Invitational, 8 am
  

Feb 17

• President's Day - No School

Feb 20

• Student Informational Swim Team Meeting
  

Feb 21

• Student Informational Track Team Meeting
• FCA Meeting, 7:10 am
• Archery 3rd Annual NCS 3D Qualifier @ Northland Christian School, 5 pm
  

Feb 22

• 7/8th Gr Winter Guard Competition @ Lee's Summit West High School
  
• Archery 3rd Annual NCS 3D Qualifier @ Northland Christian School, 8 am
  

Feb 24

• 7 Grade Skulls Field Trip
  

Feb 27

• 7 Grade Crossbones Field Trip

Feb 28

• Archery NCS Last Chance Qualifier @ Northland Christian School, 5 pm
  

Mar 1

• Liberty Choir Invitational @ Liberty High School

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.

February's #PiratesROCK trait is SELF CONTROL: displaying your emotions & behaviors in a positive way.

Leader in Me Connections to SELF CONTROL:

• Habit 1: Be Proactive - You are in charge of you.
• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind - Know what you want before you do it.
• Habit 3: Put First Things First - Do the important things first.
• Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood - Listen first, then talk.
• Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw - Take care of yourself.

CharacterStrong Connections to SELF CONTROL:

• Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Patience, Respect, Forgiveness

Email: tomlinson.kristie@pcr3schools.org
Website: http://www.pcms.plattecountyschooldistrict.com
Location: 900 Pirate Drive, Platte City, MO, 64079
Phone: (816)858-2036
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plattecitymiddleschool/