The Principal's Letter
Greetings and welcome!
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the beginning of a new academic year.
As a proud Portage Alumni and the principal of Portage High School, I am honored to lead a dedicated team of educators committed to providing high-quality education that empowers students to succeed. Our goal is to inspire our students with the knowledge and skills they need to become confident, compassionate, and responsible individuals in a positive school climate.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the new students and their families who have joined our school community. We understand that starting a new school can be both exciting and challenging, but rest assured that our staff and students are here to support you every step of the way. We encourage you to embrace new opportunities, make new friends, and get involved in the many extracurricular activities, clubs, music programs, and sports available.
I want to emphasize the importance of open communication and home and school partnerships. We can maximize our students' potential when parents and educators work together. We encourage you to stay actively involved in your child’s education by attending our Open House on August 28, participating in Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 14, January 13, and April 14, and attending extracurricular events throughout the school year. Building this strong partnership between home and school is essential for a solid learning foundation.
As we embark on this new academic year, let us remember that education is not just about academic excellence but also about character development, empathy, and resilience. Let us embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Together, we can make this school year a truly memorable and rewarding experience.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Garrigan
Jennifer Jones Garrigan Ed.D.
Principal Portage High School
Portage Community School District
(608)742-8545 ext. 1001
Locker Information
According to the student handbook, "Jackets, hats, backpacks, personal items and outerwear must be left in lockers and are not to be in classrooms." All students will be assigned a locker and a school-issued lock ($6.50). Returning students can reuse their old school-issued locks. (Replacement locks are $6.50.)
All students were issued different lockers for the 2024/25 school year, please check your locker location. Locker information can be found in the student Infinite Campus Portal by clicking "More" and then "Lockers."
The Market
The Market will reopen Tuesday, September 3.
Hours:
School Days
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 2:30-4:00 pm
Friday 12:30-2:00 pm
The Market, located in the PHS Commons, is a no cost grocery store for PCSD students and families that provides a variety of fresh, frozen and shelf stable foods. We also have personal hygiene and household items available. There are no qualifiers for this program and we encourage all of our students and families to use it.
Student Parking Permits
Students driving to school will be required to have a parking permit and park in their assigned spot. The cost for a full-year parking permit is $30 and can be paid in person with cash or check or under "Optional Payments" in Infinite Campus. Please click here for the Parking Permit Form if you did not provide vehicle information during online registration.
Yearbooks
The 2023/24 yearbooks will be available for pick up at Open House Wednesday, August 28 or in the high school office after that date.
2024/25 Yearbooks can be purchased through Infinite Campus under "Optional Payments" with a credit/debit card or in person with cash/check. Yearbooks will be $60 through Open House August 28. Yearbooks purchased after August 28 will be $65.
New Age/Grade Requirements for Wisconsin School Children 2024-2025
Children entering Wisconsin Schools for the 2024-2025 school year have new Age/Grade Requirements for immunizations due by the 30th school day. The purpose of this column is to increase knowledge of the new requirements, learn the options families have, and become what is known as “compliant” with these Wisconsin Department of Health Services rules that schools are charged to enforce, and plan for your child’s need to become compliant. The goal of the Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 252 Communicable Disease is to improve protection from vaccine-preventable diseases across the state.
“Vaccinations are one of the most important methods of protecting our children from diseases and the complications that can occur from these diseases. Vaccinations are especially important for school-aged children because children in school are regularly in close contact with others who may or may not be protected from these diseases.” (Wisconsin Immunization Requirements Booklet 2023-2024).
First, the changes.
-Any student entering 12th grade must have a second dose of meningococcal vaccine that contains protection from menACWY strains, unless the first dose of this menACWY containing vaccine was received on or after age 16 years. Then only one dose is required. The Wisconsin Administrative Rule, Chapter DHS 144, Immunization of Students states “A 2nd dose of mening shall be received between the ages of 16 and 18 years to students who received a first dose of mening between the ages of 11 and 15 years. A second dose is not required for students who received their first dose of mening at age 16 years or older.”
-Any student new to the school or district starting in 2024-2025 with a history of varicella disease (also known as chickenpox disease) must have this history validated by a healthcare provider. The Wisconsin Administrative Rule, Chapter DHS 144, Immunization of Students states “Students who have a reliable history of varicella disease are not required to receive Var. A physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice nurse prescriber, must document a reliable history of varicella disease by indicating on the department's student immunization record form that the student has had varicella disease.”
-Any student entering 7th grade must have one dose of meningococcal vaccine that contains protection from menACWY strains.
Becoming “compliant” has options in Wisconsin.
-Obtain the required immunizations and submit a written record of the full date (mm/dd/yyyy) to the school for each dose of each vaccine a child has received.
-In lieu of written record of receipt of vaccines, “DHS 144.02 (26) … or the results of a laboratory test indicating immunity to the disease.”
-Complete one of three waivers. A waiver for health reasons requires the signature of a physician and parent/legal guardian, “DHS 144.04 Waiver for health reasons. Upon certification by a physician that an immunization required under s. 252.04, Stats., is or may be harmful to the health of a student, the requirements for that immunization shall be waived by the department. Written evidence of any required immunization which the student has previously received shall be submitted to the school or child care center with the waiver form.” A waiver for religious or personal conviction reasons requires the signature of a parent/legal guardian, “DHS 144.05 Waiver for reason of religious or personal conviction. Immunization requirements under s. 252.04, Stats., shall be waived by the department upon presentation of a signed statement by the parent of a minor student or by the adult student which declares an objection to immunization on religious or personal conviction grounds. Written evidence of any required immunization which the student has previously received shall be submitted to the school or child care center with the waiver form.” Any waiver must also include the name of the vaccine and dose that is waived. Waivers do not expire. When new Age/Grade Requirements occur, a new waiver or record of receipt of those new requirements must be submitted to the school/district.
School nurses are a great resource for families. The Portage Community School District is offering school-located vaccine clinics during the 2024-2025 school year to help families access the required immunizations for their children. Families may also choose to see their personal healthcare provider, a pharmacy, or local health department for school required immunizations.
More information about immunizations for school may be found on the district’s website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/district/immunization.cfm. Your Portage Community School District school nurses’ contact information is available on the School Nursing & Health Services link on the website. As the Wisconsin Immunization Program updates forms, they will be linked to the district’s website for ease of access to parents.
**The new requirements apply to all Wisconsin Schools, not solely Portage Community School District. Contact your child’s school for assistance.
Portage HS Band 5th Annual Mattress Sale Fundraiser!
Come get a better night’s sleep AND support the Portage High School Band 4th Annual Mattress Sale Fundraiser!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2023 From 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
We carry quality name brands like Simmons Beautyrest and Wellsville, priced up to 50% below retail. This is ONE DAY only, so we need your help to SPREAD THE WORD by inviting all of your family and friends! Every purchase benefits the Portage Band!!
Senior Class Information
The 2025 Graduation Ceremony is Friday, May 30, 2025 at 7:30 pm.
It's not too early to start thinking about senior photos! Additional photo information will be sent to families at a later date but please keep in mind, all yearbook photos need to be taken in a vertical format.
The Portage Athletic Department is thrilled to once again offer free admission to all 2024-25 home sporting events for high school students. This exciting announcement comes as part of the department's ongoing efforts to make their events accessible and inclusive for the entire community. In addition to the free entry for high schoolers, the department has also decided to extend free admission to elementary and middle school students who are accompanied by an adult chaperone. This family-friendly policy aims to encourage younger students to get involved and support their school's athletic teams.
However, if an elementary or middle school student attends without an adult, they will be required to either pay the standard $5 ticket price or purchase a $30 "admit one" pass that grants access to any Warriors home event, excluding WIAA tournament games. For adult fans and spectators, the $30 admit one pass is also available, providing a convenient and cost-effective option to attend multiple home games throughout the season. These passes can be purchased at the ticket tables during any home event, or in advance starting on August 5th at the high school. To ensure the ticket office is staffed, the department recommends calling 608-742-8545 ext 1012 to confirm Tara's availability. The Portage Athletic Department is thrilled to welcome the community to cheer on the Warriors and looks forward to an exciting 2024-25 season!
Portage High School
Website: https://www.portage.k12.wi.us/schools/high/
Location: 301 East Collins Street, Portage, WI, USA
Phone: 608-742-8545
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortageCSD
Twitter: @PortageCSD