PHS NEWSLETTER
May/Summer 2024
The Principal's Letter
Welcome to the final month of the 2023-2024 school year. I would like to congratulate our graduating class of 2024 on their academic achievements and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
May is a month filled with excitement as we celebrate the culmination of another successful academic year. From prom to award ceremonies, final concerts, and athletic competitions, these events are a part of our school's tradition and a platform for us to come together as a school community and celebrate our collective achievements. I strongly encourage all students to participate fully in these events and make the most of our time together this school year.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone in our school community—students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators. Your support and dedication have been critical to our success this year. Together, we have built a welcoming community where every student can grow and thrive. I am incredibly proud of our school community and am honored to serve as the principal of Portage High School.
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, let us continue to support one another, celebrate our achievements, and finish strong. I wish you all a wonderful month of May and a safe, happy, and restful summer break.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Garrigan
Dates to Remember
Thursday, May 2
- 7:00 pm Local Scholarship/Awards Night
Saturday, May 4
- 8:00 pm Prom
Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10
- Staff Appreciation Week
Wednesday, May 8
- 4:00 pm FBLA Awards Ceremony
Thursday, May 9
- 7:00 pm Band Concert
Friday, May 10
- Financial Reality Fair
Monday, May 13
- 6:30 pm Board of Education Meeting
- 7:00 pm Choir Concert
Wednesday, May 15
- HOSA Blood Drive
Sunday, May 19
- 2:00 - 4:00 pm Jazz Cabaret
Friday, May 24
- Senior "Walk the Halls"
Monday, May 27
- No School - Memorial Day
Thursday, May 30
- Senior Picnic at Devil's Lake
Wednesday, June 5
- Last Day of School for Seniors
Thursday, June 6
- 9:00 am Graduation Practice
Friday, June 7
- Last Day of School (Early Release)
- 7:30 pm Graduation
May Early Release Dates: 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/23*, 5/24 (Friday, 5/31 is a full day of school.)
June Early Release Date: 6/7
*Please note the additional Early Release day on Thursday 5/23.
Upcoming Dates
Monday, June 10 - Friday, July 26
- Credit Recovery Summer School
July
- Online Registration Opens (The only fees available at this time will be parking & yearbook. Hall lock fees for new students and freshmen will be assessed in August before Open House. Course fees will be assessed a couple of weeks into each term to allow for schedule changes.)
Tuesday, July 16
- Middle School/High School Registration 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (You only need to come if you are unable to register online. Galley Studios will be here.)
Wednesday, August 28
- High School Open House 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm (2023/24 Yearbooks will be available, move into your locker, meet teachers, have pictures taken by Galley Studios, etc.)
Tuesday, September 3
- First Day of School for Freshmen and New Students
Wednesday, September 4
- First Day of School for All Students
Academic Students of the Week
2024-2025 Virtual School Enrollment News
We are glad to offer a virtual option for our students again next year thanks to a continued partnership with Kiel’s Between The Lakes Virtual Academy (K-8) and Kiel’s eSchool (9-12). Families interested in enrolling their students virtually for the upcoming school year will need to complete the linked application (1 application for each student). All applications are due back to the school by Monday, May 6. Once received, families will be contacted for an interview to be completed before June 14 so the family can complete online registration. The agreement attached to the application will be reviewed at this time in case there are any questions you have about participating in this virtual option.
Between The Lakes Virtual Academy (k-8)
Credit Recovery Summer School
Interested in enrolling your student in Credit recovery Summer School? Please click here for details~ Summer School 2024.
Senior Class Information
Please click here for Graduation Ticket Requests by Friday, May 31. Tickets will not be needed if the ceremony is held outside. We will take requests for special seating for both an indoor and outdoor ceremony. Please see the form for details. (If you are unable to access the form, current students can access it from their school-issued Chromebooks. You can also call 742-8545 ext. 1007 to make ticket requests.) Technology permitting, the ceremony will be live-streamed whether it is indoors or out.
Graduation Ceremony Participation Attendance Requirement
According to the Student Handbook, participation in the graduation ceremony and class trip shall be reserved for those senior students who have attended school at least 90% of the school days/class periods in the second semester of their senior year.
Graduation Cap Decorations
Students are able to appropriately decorate the tops of their caps allowing for individual expression. Additional embellishments such as personal gown stoles, medals, pins, and similar items are not permitted.
The 2024 Graduation Ceremony is Friday, June 7 at 7:30 pm.
Come See Some Phenomenal Student Art at PCA!
Portage Center for the Arts will be hosting PHS art students this month starting on Friday, May 3. The art show displays the best pieces of the year and gives PHS art students a chance to shine! The show runs until May 31. Opening reception is Friday, May 3 from 4-6pm.
Gallery hours:
Wednesday 1-6PM
Thursday 1-6PM
Friday 1-6PM
Saturday 10AM-3PM
Don’t forget to sign the guest book while you’re there!
Financial Reality Fair
There is a Financial Reality Fair on Friday, May 10 from 8 a.m. to noon in the gym for all juniors and seniors who took Personal Finance this year.
The Reality Fair simulates what life is like for a month of a high school graduate. Students will be informed that day if they are married and/or have children, pets, etc. The income students use will be based on the future career they researched in Personal Finance class. Students will receive a paycheck to deposit at the "bank" and then will go to various booths to make payments for housing, vehicle, student loans (if necessary), credit card bill, household goods, etc. The goal is to stay within their budget based on their income. The simulation will take about an hour in the gym and then students will report back to class.
If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Warren at warrenj@portage.k12.wi.us.
Badger Conference Art Show
10 PHS art students have been selected to show their artwork in the Badger Conference Art Show.
April 22-May 4
Closing reception May 4, 12-1
This year's show is being presented at the
Oregon High School Gallery
456 N. Perry Pkwy, Oregon WI, 53575
(608) 835-4300
Open Tues-Sat 8:30am-4pm (regular school hours), or by appointment
FBLA
On April 7-9 Portage FBLA attended the 70th WI FBLA State Leadership Conference in Green Bay.
We are proud of the Portage FBLAers who represented our school district. We had 15 of our finest Warriors battling to be Wisconsin's best. We finished the day with Chloe Schultz & Alana Brandsma being named State Champions in American Enterprise Project. Also qualifying for Nationals summer will be Madison Maass and Nora Egan for placing 4th in Local Chapter Annual Business Report!
Congrats also go out to our National alternates Jesse McElroy, Evan Kraucyk & Anuj Janardhanam for placing 5th in Marketing!
Orlando 2024 for the National Leadership Conference this summer will be an exciting trip and a great way to cap off an amazing year.
German Club celebrated National Pretzel Day with a fun and informative Kahoot followed by creatively designed adornments!
The last day of the Market this school year is Friday, May 24!
From the District Nurse
Your Vision and Novelty & Cosmetic Makeup
Warm weather celebrations are right around the corner. Here are safe novelty and cosmetic makeup tips you can begin to incorporate to protect your vision.
Tip #1: Do not use expired makeup products.
Similar to food, makeup does have an expiration date. The longer makeup sits, the greater its chances of forming bacteria or growing fungi. All makeup products have an expiration date on the back of their packaging.
Eye makeup, including eyeliner and mascara, should be replaced every 4-6 months. Eye shadow has a longer shelf life and should be replaced every year. If makeup has an odor, make the safe choice, and dispose of it.
Tip #2: Do not share makeup with others.
Sharing makeup is a sure way to transfer germs. Your makeup should remain your makeup only.
Consider face painting with novelty makeup as well. Cross-contamination can be avoided by using single use or disposable applicators that are not ‘dipped’ into the makeup once the applicator touches someone’s skin. A community container of face paint novelty makeup should be avoided by placing a small amount on a plate and using disposable applicators for one student only. If someone is using brushes on more than one person, this is considered cross-contamination.
Tip #3: Wash your makeup off immediately.
Throw a specific product away if you notice any irritations forming in or around your eyes. Only use products intended for use on the face. Avoid things like glitter that can end up in the eye.
Tip #4: Try the makeup on another area of skin first before using on your face.
If you are decorating your skin with something you have never used before, you might try a dab of it on your arm for a couple of days to check for an allergic reaction before you put it on your face. This is an especially smart thing to do if you tend to have allergies.
Tip #5: Always wash your makeup off before going to bed.
Eye makeup, especially, should be removed before going to sleep. Any makeup not removed can get into your eyes causing irritation. Be safe and remove all makeup before going to bed.
References:
U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Novelty Makeup
U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Eye Cosmetic Safety
Summer Opportunities for High School Students
Athletics
Athletics Website
Link to formal invitation:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sE1ZkN-zcfdojBij0lVs8pvYUUSKQusBwAQ08h9p2bc/edit?usp=sharing
Summer Strength and Conditioning Schedule.
Monday-Thursday starting June 10, 2024 and ending August 1, 2024
High School Boys: 7AM - 8:30AM
Middle and High School Girls: 8:45AM - 10AM
Middle School Boys: 10:15AM - 11AM
June 10-14
June 17-20
June 24-27
July 1-4 - NO CLASSES
July 8-11
July 15-18
July 22-24
July 29-August 1
Must be signed up to attend: 2024 Sign ups
Fall Athletics Meeting - August 7th @ 6pm in the high school commons. For all athletes and parents/guardians.
Portage High School
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/schools/high/
Location: 301 East Collins Street, Portage, WI, USA
Phone: 608-742-8545
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortageCSD
Twitter: @PortageCSD