PCHS Pirate News

November 14, 2024

Pirate Families,

I hope you and your loved ones had a meaningful Veterans Day. At Platte County High School, we took time to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans during our annual Veterans Day Assembly. It was a powerful reminder of the courage and dedication demonstrated by those who have served, and I’m proud of our students for the respect and gratitude they showed during the assembly in recognizing this important day.

In case you missed it, PCHS was featured on the TODAY Show in the segment, “Friday Morning Lights”. It was an amazing opportunity to showcase many of the great things that our students, staff, and community have to offer. Many of you were present and may have even made it on camera! As early as it was, we really appreciate all of you showing up and continuing to support our school.

As we continue through the school year, I am grateful for the support you show to our students, staff, and community. Together, we can instill the values of respect, gratitude, and service that help shape our students into responsible and compassionate citizens.

Thank you for being part of the PCHS family and for all you do to support your student’s success.

Thank you,

- Mr. Kiel Giese

Principal, Platte County High School

Nov. 13: Fall Musical, 7:00 pm

Nov. 14: Fall Musical, 7:00 pm

Nov. 16: Fall Musical, 2 pm & 7 pm

Nov. 21: School Board Meeting, 6:30 pm (at PPMS)

Nov. 25-26: Winter Play Auditions

Nov. 27-29: No School, Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 2: No School, Professional Learning Community Day

Dec. 4: FAFSA Completion Event

Dec. 5: Diversity Fair

Dec. 12: Choir Winter Concert, 7:00 pm

Dec. 13: Mother /Son Bash - K-5 (Dance Team Spons.) 6:00 pm, PCMS

Dec. 17: Semester Grad. Celebration, 3:00 pm, Wilson

Dec. 17: Band Winter Concert, 7:00 pm

Dec. 19: School Board Meeting, 6:30 pm

Dec. 20: 1st Semester Ends, 3-hour early dismissal

Dec. 23-Jan. 6: No School, Winter Break

Click here to view the full calendar on our website.

Pirates, we are excited to host St. Pius in the Class 5 District 8 Championship game tonight at Pirate Stadium!

Please note the important reminders and spectator information/maps included in this email.

Tickets

• DIGITAL TICKETS ONLY FOR EVERYONE - NO PASSES ACCEPTED

• This includes PCHS students, PCR-3 faculty, and senior citizens

• WE ARE EXPECTING A LARGE CROWD SO PLEASE PURCHASE TICKETS AHEAD OF TIME USING THE FOLLOWING LINK:

• MSHSAA Digital Tickets

• Live stream may be purchased on MSHSAA.tv.

Spectator Information / Maps

Due to expecting a large crowd we are opening up a SRO / Lawn Chair Seating area at the north end of the track. Spectators must stay outside the fence at all times.

MORE INFO HERE

PARKING/SEATING MAPS

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

• Wednesday, December 11, 8-noon
• Thursday, February 6, 8-noon
• Wednesday, April 2, 8-noon

More details along with sign-ups will be provided soon.

Platte County School District is conducting its annual parent 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.

If you have not already completed the survey, we ask that you complete the survey by clicking on the link below by December 2. The survey should take approximately fifteen minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your feedback!

Parent Survey Link

Our AVID elective (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a dynamic program that equips students with essential skills like organization, study habits, collaboration, and effective communication, setting them up for success in college and beyond while fostering confidence and resilience. We encourage students, staff, and Platte County community members to explore our new AVID Elective website for more information on the benefits of the program and the streamlined application process. Together, we can support our Pirates in achieving their aspirations.

If students are interested in joining the AVID Elective at semester, the AVID Application deadline is December 6, 2024 @ 11:59 pm. Please contact Victoria Tessmer with any questions at 816-858-2822 x 1143.

This is the spot for Senior Information and Dates.

• SENIOR NAME VERIFICATION form - Parents, please complete this form so we know how you want your graduate's name printed on their diploma.
• Class of 2025 IMPORTANT DATES
• December 17: Semester Grad Celebration, 3-4 pm, Wilson auditorium

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.

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.

This year our theatre department will present — MAMMA MIA!

Remaining Show Dates:

Saturday November 16, 2pm - ALMOST SOLD OUT!

Saturday November 16, 7pm - ALMOST SOLD OUT!

CLICK HERE for tickets!

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.

• 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)
• Student Check-In and Out is only through the main doors - at the Welcome Center. This is for students tardy to school, or checking in/out for appointments, etc.
• 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. 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 at the Welcome Center when they have been called out. They MUST check out properly before leaving.

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.

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

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