PCHS Pirate News

April 30, 2025

Pirate Families,

As we move into the final stretch of the school year, we have entered our End-of-Course (EOC) testing window. Students will be testing in the areas of Biology, English II, Government, Algebra I and, possibly, Algebra II. These assessments not only reflect the hard work and learning that has taken place throughout the year, but also help us continue to grow as a school by identifying areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

We know that testing can bring added pressure, so we are committed to supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally during this time. We encourage your student to get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, and approach each test with confidence. Remind them that this is simply one part of their overall learning journey and we are proud of the growth they have made this year.

Parents of 2025 Graduates, there is a section below to keep you in the loop as we quickly approach their last day of school (May 9) and Graduation. If there is anything you need from us or a question you may have, please feel free to let us know.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we can help our students finish strong!

- Dr. Kiel Giese

Principal, Platte County High School

May 1-9: End of Course (EOC) Exams continue

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 begins

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 7: PCHS Spring Choir Concert, 7 pm

May 8: PCHS Spring Band Concert, 7 pm

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

August 19: First Day of School 2025-26 School Year

Click here to view the full calendar on our website.

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

Use QR code (image is also linked) to submit questions to the panel.

Next week (5/5-5/9) we will be on a Block Schedule except for Friday.

Monday & Wednesday - Wednesday Block

Tuesday & Thursday - Thursday Block

Friday - 1-7

Remaining Makeup Days:

• 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.

We'll be keeping our community informed of our construction timeline for each of our bond projects. Updates will be posted monthly on our website here.

Click here for a bond projects construction timeline.

Parents of existing Kindergarten through 11th grade students: On April 17, you should have received an email to complete re-enrollment for your returning student. If you haven't already done so, please complete online re-enrollment forms and electronic proof of residency by Tuesday, May 27, via your PowerSchool Parent Portal Account and clicking on the "Returning Student Registration 2025-26" link via the left-hand navigation. If you need assistance, please contact your child's school.

Please note: This must be done via a browser, not on the Parent Portal app. If using your phone, please turn your phone horizontally.

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.

This is the spot for Senior Information and Dates.

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

**By May 11th, all Senior grades should be turned in. Please check your grades to be sure everything looks correct!

**There is a SENIOR EXIT SURVEY that ALL Seniors must take before checking out next week.

It is be administered via their student email. This is a final survey from LIFETRACK that will help measure our graduates' success.
Seniors can complete this survey during PLT.

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

There will be a MAKEUP day next week for those seniors who have not completed this mandatory training yet. TBA.

• 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
• 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, 1:50 pm
• 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 and some student 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

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.

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.

Thursday, May 29 will be our last day of school, and will be a 3-hour early dismissal for students.

Click here for a link to next school year's calendar.

Students entered their course requests through SchooLinks for the 25-26 school year in February. If changes for the 25-26 year are requested prior to the first week of school, they will be completed based on the following needs:

• Schedules that need to be amended based upon limitations from programs or courses students have been accepted to (NCC, NCAPS, audition based courses, etc...)
• Incomplete schedules due to conflicts in the master schedule
• Seniors who have requested part-time status (students are encouraged to submit their part time request by May 23, 2025) Students and parents are strongly encouraged to review the part-time criteria and considerations.

Changes that are requested based on changes in interest since submitting requests in February will be reviewed when students submit a course change request form in August per our schedule change process guidelines.

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.

May's #PiratesROCK trait is RESPECT: being considerate of others, property, rules, & authority.

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