PCMS Weekly Update

As we head into the Holiday Season, we know it’s always a busy and crazy time for us as adults! It’s no different here, as we’ve got lots going on with our Pirates! Our winter sports will all be in full swing in the next couple weeks, our music programs are preparing for their winter concerts, and our after-school program, PACE, is full of kiddos. There are lots of opportunities for our students to get involved, meet and make new friends, and make a positive impact on others. Students who are involved in school activities tend to have stronger connections to their school, which in turn helps them achieve more academically and socially. It’s a busy time! But it’s a good busy!

Please join us Monday morning for our annual Veteran’s Day Assembly which begins at 7:45am. All Veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel - family, friend, or neighbor, are invited to join us Monday morning for a celebration of our local Veterans!

Have an amazing weekend and GO PIRATES!!

Score of the Lost & Found: 89 after Week 12!! Thank you to parents for finding your lost items during P/T conferences. I saw many leaving with items. However, our number did not decrease, so we have collected more this week.

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: 1 Minute of Gratitude (see below).

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

Sending the High School Volleyball Team off to State with our Cheers and Signs!

Our winter sports are practicing and will be in full swing in a couple weeks. Congratulations to the Band students who made Northwest Missouri All-District Band. (see below)

Across the District we will be honoring our military service members in various ways for Veterans Day.

Picture retakes are scheduled for November 15th. 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 in the office 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.

Please join us for our PTO Meeting on Wednesday, November 13th at 6:30 pm at The Pizza Shoppe. We look forward to seeing you there.

Our 7th Graders will have the opportunity to go on a Field Trip to tour Kauffman Stadium and complete team building activities around the center. The Skulls Team will be going on January 8th and the Crossbones Team will be going on January 10th. They will leave the school at 9:00 am and return to the school around 1:45 pm. There is a $10 admission fee for this field trip and our amazing PTO is paying $5 per student, so parents are responsible for $5.

A permission slip is now available to fill out on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please fill out the form only if you are giving permission for your student to attend. If you are using the app on your phone, please select the "More" icon at the bottom of your Dashboard screen. Then you will select the "Forms" icon to find the 7th Grade Field Trip Form. If you are on a Desktop, you will just need to select the Forms tab from the Home screen. (see pictures below)

While you are filling out the permission slip, you will be able to pay the $5 for the trip via debit/credit card. You will not be able to submit the online permission slip without payment, so if you are unable to pay via debit/credit card, please contact the office for a physical form to fill out.

If you have any questions, please contact the office.

The 10th annual Yuletide Market is scheduled for 9am to 3pm on Saturday, November 9 at Platte City Middle School to benefit the PCHS Music Parents Association. The Yuletide Market features local crafters, artisans, and direct sales consultants.

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

Platte County School District is conducting its family 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.

During Parent/Teacher conferences, we will encourage families to take this survey. You can complete the survey by clicking on the link below or using the QR code. Thank you in advance for your feedback!

*If you have multiple children in the District, and want to complete a separate survey with feedback for each child, click submit and then complete a new survey.

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.

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.

Nov 11

• Veteran's Day Assembly, Coffee Served at 7:15 am, Assembly at 7:45 am
  
• 7/8 Gr Band-Meyer Music Step-Up Night, 5:30 pm
  

Nov 12

• 7/8th Gr Winter Guard Clinics @ PCHS, 5:30 pm
  

Nov 13

• PTO Meeting @ The Pizza Shoppe, 6: 30 pm

Nov 14

• Jazz Band Rehearsal, 7 am
• 7/8th Gr Winter Guard Clinics @ PCHS, 5:30 pm
  

Nov 15

• Fall Picture Retakes

Nov 18

• Wrestling Meet @ Home, 4 pm
• 7/8th Gr Winter Guard Clinics @ PCHS, 5:30 pm

Nov 19

• Girls Basketball A/B/C Teams vs Pioneer Ridge Middle @ Home, 4 pm
  
• Boys Basketball A/B/C Teams @ Pioneer Ridge MS, 4:30 pm
  
• 7/8th Gr Winter Guard Auditions @ PCHS, 5:30 pm
  

Nov 20

• Wrestling Meet @ Excelsior Springs Middle School, 4 pm
  
• All-District Jazz Rehearsal @ Central High School, 5 pm
  
• 7/8th Gr Winter Guard Auditions @ PCHS, 5:30 pm
  

Nov 21

• Jazz Band Rehearsal, 7 am
  
• Boys Basketball A/B/C Teams vs Walden Middle School @ Home, 4 pm
  
• Girls Basketball A/B/C Teams @ Walden Middle School, 4 pm
  

Nov 22

• FCA Meeting, 7:10 am

Nov 23

• NWMCDA Middle School Honor Choirs
  
• Robotics Tournament @ KU
  
• All-District Jazz Clinic/Concert @ Northwest Missouri State University
  

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.

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

Leader in Me connections to CITIZENSHIP:

• Habit 1: Be Proactive - You are in charge of you.
• Habit 4: Think Win-Win - Find ways where everyone can win.
• Habit 6: Synergize - Work together to do better.

Character Strong connections to CITIZENSHIP:

• Social Awareness
• Commitment
• Selflessness

Email: tomlinson.kristie@pcr3schools.org
Website: http://www.pcms.plattecountyschooldistrict.com
Location: 900 Pirate Drive, Platte City, MO, 64079
Phone: (816)858-2036
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plattecitymiddleschool/