PCHS Pirate News

April 15, 2025

Pirate Families,

As we move through April, I want to take a moment to thank our community for the incredible support shown during our recent election. Because of your involvement, we’re now able to move forward with the phase two of PCHS—a milestone that reflects not only growth, but the strength of our shared vision. Our students will be the ones that feel the positive impact, but it is due to your support and involvement and I am humbled to work in a community that is so supportive of our school.

At the same time, we find ourselves nearing the end of the school year, a season of transition and celebration. For our seniors, it’s a time of reflection, making sure we are taking care of the necessary requirements, and preparing to cross an important finish line. It’s a tremendous accomplishment, and we’re excited to honor their journey. Their final day is May 9 and it will be here before you know it! (Senior Parents: Please review the Senior Spot for important and time sensitive information!)

As you read through this update, I hope you feel both reassured and proud—not just of what’s been accomplished, but of what lies ahead for our students and school community.

- Dr. Kiel Giese

Principal, Platte County High School

April is School Library Month

Apr. 16: Spring Athletic Signing, Pirate Field House, 6:00 pm

Apr. 17: CPR Certification for Seniors

Apr. 17: School Board Meeting, 6:30 pm

Apr. 18-19: Spring Play: The WIZARD of OZ

Apr. 22: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Apr. 23: EOC Testing begins

Apr. 23: Administrative Assistants Day

Apr. 24: CPR Certification for Seniors

Apr. 25: Arrive Alive Event

Apr. 26: Jr./Sr. Prom, 8-11

May 1: Decision Day

May 1: School Principal's Day

May 2: Pirates ROCK End-of-Year Celebration, 5-7 pm, Barry-Platte Park

May 5-16: AP Testing (See below for schedule)

May 4-9: Annual Art Exhibition

May 5-9: Seniors' last week!

May 5-9 Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

May 7: School Nurse's Day

May 9: Seniors' Last Day - Send off Assembly, 1:55 pm

May 9: Senior Scholarship & Awards, 9 am, Auditorium

May 9: Evening of Jazz, 7-10 pm, Cafeteria

May 11: Baccalaureate, Class of 25, 6 pm

May 16: Senior Breakfast/ Graduation Rehearsal/ Grad Walks, begins 7:30 am

May 18: Graduation Ceremony, Hy-Vee Arena, 2:00 pm

May 19-23: Makeup AP Testing

May 29: NEW Final Day of School, 3-hr Early Dismissal

Click here to view the full calendar on our website.

Arrive Alive is an event that was created in 2012 to raise awareness and provide education related to distracted driving for Platte County High School students through partnerships with local community responders and resources. Platte County High School hosts Arrive Alive every spring on the Friday before Prom. This year, our event will be held on April 25, 2025.

Read more here.

Opt-out Google Form for the Mock Crash

https://forms.gle/Uno1gbxxZzeF7DgZ6

PCR-3 is hosting a transition fair for students with IEPs and their families to meet with local resources and support organizations.

May 1st, 6:30-8:30 pm

PCHS Cafeteria

Miles of Smiles is a full-service dental program that provides FREE dental care to children in the Northland for those who qualify based on income guidelines. The program will be in our district from April 26th - May 23rd.

Patient Registration forms can be completed online or you can contact the school nurse and ask for a paper copy to be sent home with your student. (forms are linked below)

Please visit the dental clinic website at to fill out the online dental clinic forms. This is for the dental clinic only - no vision clinic will be done at this time.

There's an English and Spanish version of the sign up forms with more on the website below.

Registration form MUST BE completed by May 2, 2025.

Parent Letter

Level Up Kids Main Webpage

(Link to printable registration forms) Printable Registration Form

Interested in being a part of PCHS Treasures Dance Team for the 2025-2026 Season? Fill out the form below and you will be first to receive communication when tryout information is released. This is solely for collecting contacts information for those interested and is not the official application form for auditions.

Dance Team Interest Form

The Board approved the following make up day plan to address our 10 inclement weather days to date this school year:

• January 7, 8, 9, and 10, and February 5, 2025 - Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Days (do not need to be made up)
• February 12, 2025 - To be made up on Monday, April 14, 2025 (previously a no school day)
• February 13, 2025 - To be made up on Tuesday, May 27, 2025
• February 18, 2025 - To be made up on Wednesday, May 28, 2025
• February 19, 2025 - To be made up on Thursday, May 29, 2025, a 3-hour early release
• February 20, 2025 - The Board has waived this day. With this waived day, PCR-3 would still be at the 169-day calendar required to receive full salary funding from the state.

Please note, with this plan, May 23 will now be a full school day. With this make up plan, we are also shifting Summer School Dates to June 2-30, 2025.

Advanced Placement (AP) testing is May 5-16

If your student is taking an AP exam, they will be emailed details about the test prior to the exam date and can also get all necessary information from their AP teacher. Please reach out to Mrs. Ogden or your student's AP class teacher if you have questions"

Click here for specific subject test dates.

MAKEUP AP TESTING is May 19-23.

Enrollment for PCHS 2025 Summer School will be open via the Forms tab on PowerSchool Parent Portal starting April 14 until May 16. PowerSchool forms are available on web browsers and through the PowerSchool app (not via a browser on your smartphone). See images below on where to find these forms on your Parent Portal browser or app.

Click here for details on high school summer school offerings including traditional courses, credit recovery courses, and driver's education. Sign up via Parent Portal starting April 14.

PLEASE NOTE:

• At least 5 students must enroll in a course in order for the class to be offered. Courses will also be capped when full. If this should happen, students will go on a waitlist.
• If a student enrolls in any course and misses TWO FULL DAYS of attendance, they will be dropped from the course and no credit will be received. This is a state of Missouri expectation.
• The deadline to register for PCHS summer school courses is Friday, May 16, 2025, by 4pm.

Starting April 14, parents (and students) can follow the steps below to complete the online summer school enrollment.

This is the spot for Senior Information and Dates.

**Any Graduation items not picked up from Jostens will be in the Front Office!

All Seniors will be participating in CPR Training - Mandatory for graduating.

Mr. Messick and Ms. Yarc have scheduled the seniors to do their training on Thursdays in April. If you have your certification already please show your card to Ms. Yarc in the front office (or email a picture of it) - you do not have to take it at the HS.

• NEW Senior Information Letter - Dates of Importance
• Keep sending in pictures for senior slideshow (1 baby, 1 current) - we still have several that have not sent pictures in! We want ALL of our Seniors to be in the slideshow shown at Graduation.
  *Scan and send the pictures to pchssenior2025@gmail.com
• Apr. 26 - Prom
• May 5-9 - Seniors Last Week!
  
• May 5 - Begin Checkout Process (instructions will be sent)
• May 5-16 - AP Testing - **ANY SENIOR Taking an AP Test will need to return for their scheduled exam(s).
• May 9 - Scholarships & Awards, 9 am
• May 9 - Seniors' Last Day/ Send-Off Assembly
• May 11: Baccalaureate, 6 pm, Wilson Auditorium
• May 16 - Sr. Breakfast/Grad Rehearsal/Grad Walks, 7:30 am - 12:00 pm
• May 18 - Graduation*, 2 pm, Hy-Vee Arena

*NO TICKETS are needed to attend Graduation! Hy-Vee Arena has plenty of seating available.

**Optional **

Our community Faith leaders are putting together a special evening for our graduating class, to celebrate their success and to express gratitude for all the work they have put into their school years.

This optional event is a non-denominational celebration and all seniors and families are invited.

Baccalaureate Ceremony — Sunday, May 11th

Time: 6:00 pm

Location - Wilson Auditorium

*Optional Attire: Full graduation regalia

*Report time- 5:45 pm

Senior Scholarships:

Scholarships for senior students can be found on our Local Scholarship page! New scholarships open every day, so we encourage students to check back often for new opportunities. Students and families with questions, or community groups wishing to offer a scholarship can reach out to Ms. Mikyla Murphy at murphy.mikyla@pcr3schools.org

SCHOLARSHIPS

The PCHS Aspiring Entrepreneur Award is now open for current junior students! The Aspiring Entrepreneur Award is designed to recognize students who have drive, determination, creativity, and work hard to develop their own path to success.

There will be five students awarded with $1,000.00 “seed money” to grow their idea. Two of those five students will win the final award of $10,000.00.

Students do not have to be attending college to apply. The monetary award can be applied to support purchases to grow an aspiring business.

This is open to all current PCHS juniors. The application form, and hand written applications are due April 21st, by 3:00pm.

Students can find the applications, as well as a sign up for Award work sessions in their class of 2026 Google Classroom. Parents or students with questions should contact Ms. Mikyla Murphy at murphy.mikyla@pcr3schools.org, or Mr. Brian Noller, at noller.brian@pcr3schools.org

PCHS will be offering in-house Internships for the first time next year! This will be available only to our current juniors, rising seniors. These internships will take place during 6th and 7th hour, and 1 elective credit will be awarded per semester. To apply the student must meet the following requirements.

• Students must be in the 12th grade
• Excellent attendance and punctuality - A minimum of 90% attendance
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.5
• Two recommendation letters must be submitted with the initial application
• Completion of Internship Interview
• Compliance with any regulations, practices, and procedures of the Platte County Internship Program
• Ability to provide one’s transportation

Date: April 26th (Dance is from 8-11 pm.)

Place: Dan Meiners Studio @ Pennway Place - 2500 West Pennway, KCMO 64108

Theme: Garden of Glamour

Colors: Pink and Green

Online tickets go on sale April 9th! Scan the QR code on the flyer.

**Your Student ID is the ACCESS CODE.

In-Person Ticket Sales - April 23-25, before & after school - Main Hall

The Platte County High School PTSA is once again offering a safe after-prom celebration for all juniors and seniors. It will be held at T-Shotz again this year which includes golf, food, pickleball, games, and an illusionist show. It is a tradition to have a raffle at the event with a variety of prizes to win!!

Saturday, April 26th
T-Shotz
11 pm-2 am

$30/ticket

Students can purchase 2 tickets for themselves and a guest

Tickets can be purchased at the door as well

Link to purchase: After Prom Tickets

The Pirates ROCK End-of-Year Celebration and Sharpen the Saw Challenge Course will be at Barry-Platte Park on Friday, May 2. Course is open from 5-7pm, with the character recognition ceremony at 6pm. Pre-register here and see flier for details.

Complete registration/order by April 16!

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.

You can now shop the PCHS student-run spirit store online. Orders will be filled Monday through Friday when school is in session. Check it out and support our students today!

PCHS Pirate Store

Safety is our District's top priority. PCR-3 has a system of safety and security measures in place, including trained security staff (now at every building following the passage of the Prop C Waiver/Levy Transfer), secure entryways, ongoing monitoring, and partnership with local law enforcement.

We remind parents, staff, and students that school safety is the responsibility of the entire school community. Please follow the principle of "see something, say something." If anyone (student, parent, staff member, community member) sees or hears anything of concern, please contact the District office at (816) 858-5420 so that those concerns can be investigated. You and your child can also easily report tips on bullying, harassment, or any safety issue you're concerned about through our online Safe Schools Alert system. Every tip is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action. Tips may also be submitted anonymously. Each building's website has the Safe Schools icon located within the “quick links” bar on the homepage.

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.

• Attendance Email:
  An option for reporting an absence pchs-attendance@pcr3schools.org
• Phone Attendant Options:
  1: Attendance (Leave a VM, we all receive it in our email)
  2: Athletics/Activities
  3: Front Office for checking balances, or to speak to a counselor or administrator
  4: Nurse
  5: Registrar (records & enrollment)
  0: Welcome Desks for Dismissals
• 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)
• 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 or Paxton Center. It takes a longer time to reach classes that are outside (Band, PE, etc.)
  ***PLEASE NOTE: Students have been forgetting to check out with the Admin. Assistant when they have been called out. They MUST check out properly before leaving.
  Students may now check in/out at Paxton if they are in that building for class.

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.

The Announcements button below 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.

March's #PiratesROCK trait is PERSEVERANCE: giving your best effort regardless of obstacles & rejection

Join PTSA and support students and staff!

PTSA Membership Form

Meetings are every second 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
• Treasurers: 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