PCHS & PCMS "Eagle UPDATE"

2020 Football Homecoming Spirit Days: Oct. 13-16

Tuesday: TV/Movie character (dress like your favorite TV/Movie character)

Wednesday: Twin Day

Thursday: Throwback Thursday (dress from any past decade)

Friday: Green and White Day

I went to Hurley Schools from kindergarten to my senior year.

I graduated from high school in 2002, with my bachelors in Computer Information Systems in May 2006, and my Masters in 2008. I have always wanted to be a teacher since I can remember. My mother helped me in that field by becoming a teacher my 4th grade year. She did not start college until I started Kindergarten. I also enjoy helping students learn new material and creating practical applications for them to use later on in life.

I love being outdoors, working in my garden, decorating for the different holidays or seasons, tending to my plants and flowers, enjoy getting lost in a good book, and designing and creating different things, being crafty, sewing, and crocheting .

I am married to husband James and we have our son Alex. Alex is almost 9 years old.

A little-known fact or quirk about me is that I learned to drive a 5 speed at 8 years old.

What makes me laugh is my son acting like his Papa that he never met. I also enjoy memes.

I have enjoyed all gifts from my students, it showed me that I had made a difference for them at some point of me teaching them.

This message is from Senior Class sponsor, Ms. DeOrnellis. Parents, please consult and give input to your Senior so that we can make Grad 2021 the BEST ever! Graduation is planned for May 23, 2021 at 6:00 pm. Our two options for venue are the football stadium or the gym.

Seniors, the following information is the Google Classroom code and the same information we covered in our meeting this morning. If you missed the meeting because you were at Scott Tech or are out today, and you find you have any questions, please shoot me an email or come see me when you return to school.

Google Classroom Code: 5gtv3kq

Submit nominations for the following things by 3:30 pm on 10/16:

• Class Flower
• Class Song (must be school appropriate)
• Class Motto/Quote (must include credit to the person who said it)
• Class Colors
• Graduation Gown color (must be Green, White, Black, or any combination of the three)

Nominations can be submitted using the form that was passed out during the meeting (these can also be found in the office), or by sending an email to hdeornellis@pcschools.net.

You do not have to submit a nomination for all things, but if you wish to, you are welcome to.

Voting will occur during the week of 10/19 and will close on 10/23 at 3:30 pm

We will vote using Google Forms. The link to the form will be posted on Google Classroom and shared with you through email. If you do not vote by the deadline, your vote will not be counted.

Other things that were discussed were:

• Be sure to complete your FAFSA. This is required for college.
• Turn in your 4 Baby Pictures to Mrs. Townlian by October 30th either in a labeled envelope or by email at jtownlian@pcschools.net
• Senior Quotes are due to Mrs. Townlian by December 16th via email
• Senior Pictures are due to Mrs. Townlian by February 5th either in a labeled envelope or by email at jtownlian@pcschools.net

Due to the COVID-19 situation, our annual Book Fair is "virtual" this year.

What you need to know about Pierce City’s Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI)

What is AMI and AMI-X? Alternative Methods of Instruction is Pierce City School District’s virtual learning program utilized in the event of a school closure. When school is closed due to inclement weather, we will implement AMI. When school is closed due to COVID-19, we will implement AMI-X. AMI and AMI-X utilize the same instruction.

When will AMI be used? The first two days the entire District is closed due to COVID-19 or weather (such as snow and ice), there will be no online instruction. We will begin our Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) on the third day of closure.

Will AMI be used if a class or building is instructed to quarantine at home? In the event we are instructed to close a single class or building due to COVID-19 quarantine, AMI would begin immediately. The two-day grace period is utilized in the event of a District-wide closure.

Why is the District implementing AMI? Pierce City strives for excellence and AMI allows us to continue that tradition. We believe the best instruction happens within the classroom and extended/multiple closures have a negative impact on instruction and the learning that takes place. Our goal is to continue our learning virtually when necessary to eliminate the interruption to instruction.

Why begin AMI on the second day of district-wide closure? The first two days provide our staff and families time to plan.

Will the District be more likely to close for a weather day if AMI is available? No. Pierce City School District understands weather closures are difficult for many of our families. We will continue to make weather related decisions as we have done utilizing forecasts, National Weather Service conference calls, driving roads, etc.

Will the instruction be similar to spring 2020? Last spring gave us a foundation to build upon for AMI. We learned a tremendous amount. From this point forward, our AMI will be much more closely aligned with our classroom instruction and level of rigor.

Will participation be required or optional? From this point forward, AMI will be required. Students will be expected to engage in the instruction and complete any assignments. Attendance will be counted based on the work completed by the student.

What if we do not have internet capabilities? We have a limited supply of wifi hotspots for families needing internet access. The parking lot at between the high school and the football field can also be utilized for wifi access.

How is this program different from the other educational options? Only students enrolled in in-person learning participate in AMI. This program is an extension of the classroom with students having the same teachers as when they are in-person. Pierce City School District will utilize AMI beginning the second day of district-wide school closure. Families choosing online instruction as their educational option through MOCAP will have teachers and curriculum from the MOCAP vendor they choose.

Students in Mr. Melin's Advanced Animal Science class gave some TLC to a student's ailing calf.

This year it will be more important than ever that students complete the FAFSA as soon as possible!!

Link to FAFSA website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Here is what you will need to complete the FAFSA application:

• Your Social Security number (it’s important that you enter it correctly on the FAFSA form!)
• Your parents’ Social Security numbers if you are a dependent student
• Your driver’s license number if you have one
• Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen

• Federal tax information or tax returns including IRS W-2 information, for you (and your spouse, if you are married), and for your parents if you are a dependent student:

  IRS 1040
• Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits, for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student
• Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you live); and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student

Free help is available! You do not have to pay to get help or submit your FAFSA form. Submit your FAFSA form free online at fafsa.gov. Federal Student Aid provides free help online at fafsa.gov or you can call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). TTY users (hearing impaired) can call 1-800-730-8913.

Our goal is to make sure you are informed about ALL of the happenings in the Pierce City R-6 School District!

Email: communications@pcschools.net
Website: http://www.pcschools.net
Location: 300 North Myrtle Street, Pierce City, MO, USA
Phone: (417) 476-2515
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/816134329127989/
Twitter: @PierceCity_R6