Parent Newsletter

Honoring Our Heroes: Veterans Day Ceremony at PPMS

The National Junior Honor Society proudly hosted a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor the bravery and sacrifices of our veterans. The event was filled with meaningful moments, from wonderful performances by the PPMS Honor Choir and Band to a moving presentation by the Missouri Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard! We were especially grateful to hear from a veteran guest speaker, Gerald L. Bryant Sr. US Army Lieutenant Colonel Retired, whose words inspired all of us. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and helped make this ceremony a memorable tribute to our veterans. We are grateful for your service and dedication to our country. ❤️💙 #VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans

• November 11:
• Veterans Day!
• PTSA Meeting, 6 PM (Virtual- PTSA FB will post a link on Monday)
• MS Cheer Practice, 3:00-5 PM (PPMS)
• PPMS Boys Basketball, 3-5 PM (PPMS)
• PPMS Girls Basketball, 3-5 PM (Barry)
• MS Wrestling, 3:15-5:15 PM (PCHS)
• Academic Lab, 2:50-4:00 PM (PPMS)
• November 12:
• Picture Retake Day! Please see details below.
• PPMS Boys Basketball, 3-5 PM (PPMS)
• PPMS Girls Basketball, 3-5 PM (Barry)
• MS Wrestling, 3:15-5:15 PM (PCHS)
• Science Olympiad, 2:50-3:50 PM (PPMS)
• PACE, 3-4 PM (PPMS)
• November 13:
• MS Cheer Practice, 3:00-5 PM (PPMS)
• PPMS Boys Basketball, 3-5 PM (PPMS)
• PPMS Girls Basketball, 3-5 PM (Barry)
• MS Wrestling, 3:15-5:15 PM (PCHS)
• November 14:
• STEP Tryouts, 3-5 PM (PPMS)
• PPMS Boys Basketball, 3-5 PM (PPMS)
• PPMS Girls Basketball, 3-5 PM (Barry)
• MS Wrestling, 3:15-5:15 PM (PCHS)
• Science Olympiad, 2:50-3:50 PM (PPMS)
• PACE, 3-4 PM (PPMS)
• November 15:
• PPMS Boys Basketball, 3-5 PM (PPMS)
• PPMS Girls Basketball, 3-5 PM (Barry)
• MS Wrestling, 3:15-5:15 PM (PCHS)

November 12: Picture Retake Day

November 14: STEP Tryouts, 3-5 PM (PPMS)

November 22: Chromebook Insurance Deadline!

November 27-29: NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break

Students started their first week of PACE!

Students in cooking whipped up some delicious snacks in Cooking 101 class! 🎉 Students made buffalo chicken dip and football rice krispie treats! 🍽️ We can’t wait to see the amazing dishes they’ll be whipping up and the skills they’ll develop along the way. Go, Platte Purchase chefs! 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

Students also started board and digital gaming! Students will participate in console gaming, as well as handheld, computer gaming, and board games. Game On, Pirates!

Please remain mindful and alert of the crosswalk area outside of the school to help ensure the safety of all students. During busy drop-off and pick-up times, the crosswalk can become crowded, with children crossing in groups and often being less aware of potential hazards. Being cautious in this area not only sets a positive example but plays a vital role in protecting students as they transition to and from school.

Picture retakes are scheduled for November 12th. If students have already had their Fall Picture taken, please bring your original picture packages back to get a retake replacement. Any student who did not get their picture taken on the original picture day can order with cash or check on or before picture day using the form below. All checks MUST be made out to Reed Portrait Group. Orders may also be placed with a credit card by calling RPG @ 816-436-5550.

Chromebook Insurance Registration Deadline: November 22, 2024

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

At PCR3, we believe that students learn at different rates, times and in different ways. In order to support our Principles of Learning, students have the opportunity to receive additional time and support in content areas where they are struggling or where the student wants to improve.

Academic Lab will be held from 2:50 - 4:00 on Monday afternoons. Students must be signed up by a parent to attend prior to the start time of Academic Lab. Signups will be capped at 20 students. No bus will be available, so please make sure student's have a ride home at 4.

If you have any questions about Academic Lab, please direct them to Coach Brizendine (brizendine.dakota@pcr3schools.org) and/or Dr. Hoffecker (hoffecker.jessica@pcr3schools.org).

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK: Please Complete the Parent Survey by Dec. 2

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

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.

We are getting started with winter sports! This week, boys and girls basketball, wrestling, and archery teams all had practice and tryouts. We're looking forward to watching them compete this season!

Our district and building expectations are that staff respond to parent communication 24-48 hours (during school workdays) to parent communication. If you have sent emails or phone calls that are not getting a response during that time frame, please reach out to our admin team, Dr. Hoffecker or Dr. Adams (hoffecker.jessica@pcr3schools.org and adams.jeff@pcr3schools.org). Sometimes we've found that it might be a simple typo in the email address that is prohibiting that communication, so please reach out quickly so we can help troubleshoot any issues. Our partnership and communication is important and we want to support the necessary communication between our families and our staff.

Pirates R.O.C.K. (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.

The CharacterDare is a heart workout, inviting students and adults to practice kindness, patience, and respect with themselves and others. These school-wide challenges encourage staff and students to put character into action, fostering personal growth and positively impacting school culture.

This Week's CharacterDare is: Supportive Space (see below).

We invite families to join us in these challenges and look forward to the positive impact they will have on everyone.

• All tickets for PCR-3 athletic events are now digital. Fans will purchase tickets online through GoFan (click here) or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. Fans unable to make the game, can watch a live stream on our PCR-3 Activities YouTube Channel.
• All middle school and elementary age students must be accompanied by a supervising adult to attend PCHS athletic events. Middle school students are not allowed to be dropped off. If they do not have a supervising adult, they will not be allowed to attend.

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.

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).

The District uses text messaging and automated phone calls to notify parents of upcoming events and days off, school closings due to weather, and during emergency situations. If you haven't yet opted in to receive texts and wish to do so, please text the word "YES" to 67587 (standard text messaging fees apply).

Platte Purchase Middle School is seeking a second (or third) business partner to support our Pirates ROCK character education program! Your $500/year sponsorship includes:

• Participation in monthly character recognition events
• Logo and link in building parent and staff e-newsletters
• Logo and link on Pirates ROCK webpage
• Partnership status for flier/community event promotion on Community Events webpage and social media
• 18” x 24” poster displayed in building front office/entrance and additional poster and window cling offered for business to display
• Exclusive event table at annual staff Convocation in August
• Invitation to participate in other school-wide events

For more information or to sign up for this important program, contact Laura Hulett, Dr. Jessica Hoffecker, or Dr. Jeff Adams.

The following business partner contributes goods, services, and financial support toward supporting students and staff at our school! Thank you!

Tradition Home Group:(816) 857-5700

https://livelovekchomes.com/

Farmers Insurance Alisha Elliott Agency: (816) 841-9494

https://agents.farmers.com/mo/kansas-city/alisha-elliott/

Email: hoffecker.jessica@pcr3schools.org
Location: Platte Purchase Middle School

9400 N. Platte Purchase Dr., Kansas City, MO 64155
Phone: 816-436-1433 x. 3401
Twitter: @PlattePurchase

Facebook: www.facebook.com/plattepurchasemiddleschool

Instagram: @plattepurchase

Email: adams.jeff@pcr3schools.org
Location:Location: Platte Purchase Middle School

9400 N. Platte Purchase Dr., Kansas City, MO 64155
Phone: 816-436-1433 x. 3402
Twitter: @PlattePurchase

Facebook: www.facebook.com/plattepurchasemiddleschool

Instagram: @plattepurchase