PCM High School

PCM High School’s purpose is to develop self-sufficient citizens who are ready for the next stages of life. We will facilitate and foster student growth academically, socially, and emotionally through inclusive and rigorous curriculum. Our students will graduate with an understanding of who they are individually as the best version of themselves and make lasting contributions in their communities.

At PCM High School we firmly believe that attendance is one of the most important factors in determining student academic, behavioral and social/emotional success. Please make all efforts to get your child to school and if they are unable to attend, notify the office when your student will be absent. Please note that federal chronic absenteeism is determined by both excused and unexcused absences. If your student will be absent for a medical reason, it is extremely important that you provide a doctor's note for their absence.

According to Iowa Senate File 2435, chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% of the grading period. PCM will follow the state-mandated tier system listed below when responding to chronic absenteeism and truancy.

Tier 1

• The student has been absent for 10% of instructional time. (8 days first semester, 8.9 days second semester)

• The district will mail a certified letter to parents.

• The district will contact the county attorney.

Tier 2

• The student has been absent 15% of instructional time. (12 days first semester, 13.35 days second semester)

• Law requires students and families attend a school engagement meeting with school officials at which an absenteeism plan is developed.

Tier 3

• The student has been absent 20% of instructional time. (16 days first semester, 17.8 days second semester)

• The student is considered truant.

• The county attorney determines any legal ramifications.

Picture day at the high school is October 14th. Look for an envelope to come home with your student in the next week for ordering!

• The Des Moines Chapter of the Midwest Auto Care Alliance (MWACA)

• Will be hosting a networking and panel discussion event so that students seeking a career in the automotive service industry have an opportunity to meet and learn from local independent shop owners, managers, service advisors,technicians, and parts suppliers.

• Date:October 8th at 6p.m.-8p.m.

• Location: DMACC Bld. 5 Room 124C, 2006 S Ankeny Blvd, Ankney, IA. Registration: link.mwaca.org/desmoinescareerpanel

• Financial Aid Night for Juniors/Seniors and their families

• Juniors/Seniors (and Their Parents): Information about Paying for College. Do you know how to apply for college financial aid? Do you have questions about how to fill out the forms or when to file them? Find out during a free presentation on How to Pay for College for high school juniors and their parents, offered by ICAN ® (Iowa College Access Network).

• Date: October 15th at 6p.m-7p.m.

• Locations: PCM High School: Media Center

Parent-teacher conferences will be held on October 15th and 17th from 3-7pm.

Teachers will be reaching out to parents via email if they are requesting a meeting with a parent and student. We will then open up the sign-up to all other parents. Please be on the look-out for an email from your student's teachers in the next week or so. If you do not receive an email, then feel free to sign up for conference times when we release the sign-up document.

We are also asking that parents bring their student(s) to the conference. Student-led conferences are a powerful way for students to advocate for their own learning and for parents to see what learning looks like in the classroom.

10/14: Picture Day

10/15 & 10/17: Parent Teacher Conferences

10/17: End of 1st quarter

10/18: No School (Professional Development Day)

It is the policy of the PCM Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator, Mr. Jeremy Swink, 7-12 Activities Director, PO Box 490, Prairie City, IA, 515-994-8222, jswink@pcmschools.org.