PCMS Weekly Update

We began the week with one of our favorite days of the year as we recognized our local military members for their service to our country during our annual Veteran’s Day Assembly. The day is one of the more special days on our calendar and one that we, as a school community, look forward to each year. It’s incredibly humbling to see the kids with their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and neighbors gathering here to celebrate this day in our school. We hope that you found the students' performances enjoyable, as they skillfully led the assembly and showcased their talents in singing and performing!

Have a fantastic weekend and Thanksgiving is just around the corner! GO PIRATES!!

Score of the Lost & Found: 96 after Week 13!! We also have two Stanley cups in the office. Please have your student come in and describe the cup if they think it may be theirs.

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: Circling Back (see below).

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

Our winter sports are practicing and will be in full swing next week with games and meets starting. Our PACE students are having a blast with their after-school activities!

Platte County School District will be offering suicide prevention and awareness training this Fall 2024.

Most of the content is new this year, but is the same format as last year. Students will be watching videos and will complete a google form at the end of the presentation to offer support if needed. Families can view the videos and the content through the link provided in the suicide prevention parent letter attached below.

If you do NOT wish for your child to participate in the SOS program, please complete the form that is linked in the suicide prevention parent letter before November 29th. If we do not hear from you by this date, we will assume that your child has permission to participate in this program.

This holiday season, we’re coming together to make a difference in the lives of families in our community. Join us in our Gift Card and Money Drive to help provide meaningful support.

• Gift Cards: Donated gift cards will go directly to families in need, allowing them to purchase essentials and gifts to brighten their holidays.

• Monetary Donations: Your contributions will be used to pay off student lunch balances, easing financial burdens for families and ensuring every child can focus on learning without worry.

Every donation, big or small, makes a meaningful impact. Let’s bring hope and joy to those who need it most. Together, we can make this holiday season one to remember!

Our 7th Graders will have the opportunity to go on a Field Trip to tour Kauffman Stadium and complete team building activities around the center. The Skulls Team will be going on January 8th and the Crossbones Team will be going on January 10th. They will leave the school at 9:00 am and return to the school around 1:45 pm. There is a $10 admission fee for this field trip and our amazing PTO is paying $5 per student, so parents are responsible for $5.

A permission slip is now available to fill out on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please fill out the form only if you are giving permission for your student to attend. 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 7th Grade Field Trip 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 permission slip, you will be able to pay the $5 for the trip via debit/credit card. You will not be able to submit the online permission slip without payment, so if you are unable to pay via debit/credit card, please contact the office for a physical form to fill out.

If you have any questions, please contact the office.

If you haven’t registered for Chromebook Insurance yet, you have until November 22, 2024 to do so. For more information click here, and to register your Chromebook, click here. The cost for insurance is $30. If your student qualifies for free/reduced lunch, the $30 fee is waived, but you still need to register. Need help? Check out this video for a step-by-step guide, or call our office with any questions!

With Chromebook Insurance:

• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd damage claims: $30 each
• Lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair: $100

Without Chromebook Insurance:

• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd damage claims: $75+ each
• Lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair: $400

Platte County School District is conducting its family survey to gather feedback on strengths of the District, as well as areas to consider for growth. Your input is valued and will be considered when making future decisions.

During Parent/Teacher conferences, we will encourage families to take this survey. You can complete the survey by clicking on the link below or using the QR code. Thank you in advance for your feedback!

*If you have multiple children in the District, and want to complete a separate survey with feedback for each child, click submit and then complete a new survey.

School Messenger is our automated phone calling and text notification system. We use this system to notify parents quickly for sudden changes in schedules due to emergencies, school cancellations, or just important school announcements.

If you aren't receiving the District's text reminders and notifications and would like to opt in to receive these, simply text "YES" to 67587. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Please visit the Winter Weather Information page on the Parents Tab of the District website for information on recess and clothing considerations (there will be no outdoor recess when the wind chill is at 20 degrees or below), cancellations, two-hour delayed starts, how the District will notify families, and Y-Club info.

In the event of school cancellation or delayed start, PCR-3 will get that information out as early as possible through automated phone calls and text messages, the District website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the District Hotline (816-858-2752), and local media. Parents: To opt in to receive texts, please text the word "YES" to 67587.

For the 2024-25 school year, PCR-3 will implement Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Days for the first five canceled school days. These days will not need to be made up. Any additional canceled school days may be waived, or may need to be made up (added to the academic calendar). Click here for details on our Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Days.

Nov 18

• Wrestling Meet @ Home, 4 pm
• 7/8th Gr Winter Guard Clinics @ PCHS, 5:30 pm

Nov 19

• Girls Basketball A/B/C Teams vs Pioneer Ridge Middle @ Home, 4 pm
  
• Boys Basketball A/B/C Teams @ Pioneer Ridge MS, 4:30 pm
  
• 7/8th Gr Winter Guard Auditions @ PCHS, 5:30 pm
  

Nov 20

• Wrestling Meet @ Excelsior Springs Middle School, 4 pm
  
• All-District Jazz Rehearsal @ Central High School, 5 pm
  
• 7/8th Gr Winter Guard Auditions @ PCHS, 5:30 pm
  

Nov 21

• Jazz Band Rehearsal, 7 am
  
• Boys Basketball A/B/C Teams vs Walden Middle School @ Home, 4 pm
  
• Girls Basketball A/B/C Teams @ Walden Middle School, 4 pm
  

Nov 22

• FCA Meeting, 7:10 am

Nov 23

• NWMCDA Middle School Honor Choirs
  
• Robotics Tournament @ KU
  
• All-District Jazz Clinic/Concert @ Northwest Missouri State University
  

Nov 25

• Wrestling Meet @ PCMS
  

Nov 27, 28, 29

• No School - Happy Thanksgiving

Dec 2

• No School - PLD Day

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.

November's #PiratesROCK trait is CITIZENSHIP: providing service and duty to your community.

Leader in Me connections to CITIZENSHIP:

• Habit 1: Be Proactive - You are in charge of you.
• Habit 4: Think Win-Win - Find ways where everyone can win.
• Habit 6: Synergize - Work together to do better.

Character Strong connections to CITIZENSHIP:

• Social Awareness
• Commitment
• Selflessness

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/