PCHS Pirate News

March 14, 2025

Pirate Families,

March has been an exciting month at Platte County High School, filled with opportunities for our students to grow, explore, and celebrate the diverse community we are proud to be a part of.

On March 11, we hosted our College & Career Readiness Day, providing students with valuable career exploration experiences. Many students took key assessments such as the ACT, Accuplacer, and ASVAB, helping them take important steps toward their futures. Events like these equip our students with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about life after high school.

On March 12, we had the privilege of welcoming Mr. Shawn Chiddix, our School Board President, to PCHS. It was an honor to showcase the incredible work happening within our classrooms and hallways. His visit was a great reminder of the strong support we have from our district leadership in fostering student success.

On March 13, we celebrated another successful Diversity Fair! This annual event highlights the many backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives that make up our school community. Our students took center stage, sharing their stories, traditions, and experiences. It was a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from embracing and learning from one another.

We are so proud of our students and the meaningful experiences they continue to engage in. Thank you, parents, for your ongoing support in making PCHS a place where every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

- Dr. Kiel Giese

Principal, Platte County High School

March 14: Report Cards Go Home

Mar. 19: Additional Grad Product Delivery Day, 7:00 am

Mar. 20: School Board Mtg., 6:30 pm

Mar. 24-28: NO SCHOOL, Spring Break

Apr. 3: CPR Certification for Seniors

Apr. 10: CPR Certification for Seniors

Apr. 14: SCHOOL IN SESSION - Make Up Day
Apr. 16: Spring Athletic Signing, Pirate Field House, 6:00 pm

Apr. 17: CPR Certification for Seniors

Apr. 23: EOC Testing begins

Click here to view the full calendar on our website.

The Board approved the following make up day plan to address our 10 inclement weather days to date this school year:

• January 7, 8, 9, and 10, and February 5, 2025 - Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Days (do not need to be made up)
• February 12, 2025 - To be made up on Monday, April 14, 2025 (previously a no school day)
• 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 hope that you are enjoying the beautiful Spring weather that is slowly, but surely, coming back to Missouri. Due to the recent snow days and weather-related disruptions, the Platte County High School NAVIGATE Elective is extending its deadline for those who are interested in applying. The new application deadline is Friday, April 4th at 11:59 pm.

We understand these challenging weather conditions may have affected your ability to submit applications on time, and we want to ensure all students have the opportunity to apply to and participate in this elective. Please make sure to follow the three-step process by the new deadline!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to tessmer.victoria@pcr3schools.org!

• NEW! N.A.V.I.G.A.T.E. Website
• NEW! N.A.V.I.G.A.T.E. Introduction Presentation
• NEW! N.A.V.I.G.A.T.E. Pirate Learning Time Video

For parents of Sophomores & Juniors:

Is your child thinking about the Northland Career Center for next year? Applications are now open! Please check out the program's website to learn about opportunities and then ensure your child has completed the application, if they are interested. Have questions? Please contact your child's school counselor.

Northland Career Center Website

Northland Career Center Application

How do I qualify?

• US Citizen

• Signed A+ Agreement

• Attend A+ High School for 2 years

• Simple graduating GPA 2.5 or higher

• 95% Cumulative Attendance

• Achieve proficient or advanced on Algebra EOC or 17 on math ACT

• Complete and document 50 Peer Helping hours with our teachers

• No illegal drug or alcohol use, no more than 6 days of OSS

• Apply for FAFSA https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

• For more information: https://mcckc.edu/financialaid/aplus/

https://dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants/aplusscholarship.php

Parents of existing students currently in grades PreK-7 interested in K-8 Summer School: You can now enroll for 2025 Summer School via the Forms on PowerSchool Parent Portal (via a browser or the app). Please complete by May 9, 2025.

Summer School will be held May 30-June 27 at the following locations. Click here for more information about summer school.

• Barry Elementary: For all K-5th grade southern attendance area students (Pathfinder and Barry Elementaries)
• Compass Elementary: For all K-5th grade northern attendance area students (Compass and Siegrist Elementaries)
• PCMS: For all 6th-8th students, and 9th-12 grade students

*Incoming Kindergarten students can complete summer school enrollment after completing their regular school year enrollment (Kindergarten Kickoffs will be held April 15). New Student Enrollment for 2025-26 school year will be available soon.

**Information about enrolling in the High School summer school program will be available in April.

This is the spot for Senior Information and Dates.

• Class of 2025 IMPORTANT DATES
• Keep sending pictures for senior slideshow (1 baby, 1 current)
  *Scan and send the pictures to pchssenior2025@gmail.com
• Mar. 19 - Pick up Grad Announcements and Cap/Gown, 7 AM
• Apr 4 - Deadline for sending in pictures for slideshow
• Apr. 26 - Prom
• May 5-9 - Seniors Last Week!
  
• May 5 - Begin Checkout Process
• May 9 - Scholarships & Awards, 9 am
• May 9 - Senior Send-Off Assembly
• May 16 - Ser. Breakfast/Grad Rehearsal/Grad Walks
• May 18 - Graduation, 2 pm, Hy-Vee Arena

Senior Scholarships:

Scholarships for senior students can be found on our Local Scholarship page! New scholarships open every day, so we encourage students to check back often for new opportunities. Students and families with questions, or community groups wishing to offer a scholarship can reach out to Ms. Mikyla Murphy at murphy.mikyla@pcr3schools.org

SCHOLARSHIPS

Located at the Central Platte Fire Headquarters, 201 Main Street, Platte City

There will be 20+ Vendors, Scavenger hunt with prizes, fun photo opportunities, and vendor raffle prizes.

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.

March's #PiratesROCK trait is INTEGRITY: having a sincere heart, honest nature

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