PCHS Pirate News

November 25, 2024

Pirate Families,

As we approach Thanksgiving, I’m reflecting on how quickly this first semester has flown by. It feels like we were just beginning the school year, and now we find ourselves heading into Thanksgiving week. This time of year offers a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on the progress and growth we’ve seen in our students and school community.

I want to express my deep gratitude to you, our families, for the partnership and support you provide. Your involvement in your students’ education and your encouragement at home play a vital role in their success. Together, we have created a strong and supportive environment that allows our students to thrive.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in the challenges, but this week reminds us to celebrate the accomplishments and connections that make our school so special. Thank you for being an essential part of our PCHS family and for trusting us to help guide your students on their journey.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, restful, and joyful Thanksgiving holiday.

Thank you,

- Mr. Kiel Giese

Principal, Platte County High School

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. 9: Course Change Request Forms available

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

Jan. 10: Deadline to Change Classes

Click here to view the full calendar on our website.

Please find information on the process for changing a class below.

Schedule Change Process

Schedule Change Form - Semester 2 Deadline - January 10th

We are excited to share a helpful "Canvas How-To" video designed to support parents (and students) in navigating their child’s Canvas account. This guide covers tips on how parents and students can:

• Understand what assignments are due and where to find them.
• View grades and recent feedback.
• Communicate with teachers and access helpful resources.
• Set up and customize an Observer account, including adjusting notifications and using the Canvas Parent App.

With these tools, we aim to strengthen family communication and involvement to help drive student success. You can find logins, guides, and this video linked on our Parent Portal and Canvas landing page here. Should you need assistance in setting up your Observer account, please reach out to your child's advisory teacher or contact our office.

The PCHS Pirate Store Website is Live!
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

School Counselors have met with Juniors to discuss the modification of their Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) in determining course choices for next year. As the ICAP serves as a document for course selection, please review your child's ICAP to approve and support their course selections for the 25-26 school year.

We encourage you to have a conversation with your child and individuals that may assist them in making an informed decision. If you have not seen your child's ICAP, please ask them to show you their ICAP, located in their Google classroom. Official course enrollment is set to begin soon. Once courses are entered into our scheduling system, changes can only be made if they align with the PCHS course change policy.

• Wednesday, December 11, 8-noon - SIGN UP HERE
• 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

The 2025-2026 FAFSA form is now open!

We encourage all of our seniors who plan to go to college or trade school to complete the FAFSA form. The FAFSA determines a student's eligibility for federal student aid, such as grants and loans, but is also a requirement to use the Missouri A+ scholarship! The FAFSA should be completed through the studentaid.gov website, and the Missouri priority deadline is Feb 1st!

If you or your student have any questions about the FAFSA, or would like assistance in completing it, please let me know! We will be having a FAFSA assistance event on Dec 4th from 3-6:30pm. If you are interested in attending please complete this form.

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.

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

All tickets for PCR-3 athletic events are now digital. Fans will purchase tickets online through GoFan or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Prices remain the same; a regular season game is $5 for adults and $3 for students. PCHS students and fans aged 55 and older are admitted free with a valid ID. Click here for a link to purchase all sports passes and individual tickets.

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