June 21, 2024

Online Re-Enrollment of Returning Students

Parents of returning students: If you haven't already done so, please complete online re-enrollment forms and electronic proof of residency as soon as possible, via your PowerSchool Parent Portal Account and clicking on the "Returning Student Registration 2024-25" link. Approximately 2,250 student forms have yet to be completed. If you need assistance, please contact Laura Hulett at hulettl@platteco.k12.mo.us.

Please note: The re-enrollment forms are not available through the PowerSchool app; they must be accessed via a browser.

Tickets Go Digital This Fall

Starting this fall, all tickets for PCR-3 athletic events will be digital. Fans will purchase tickets online through GoFan or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Prices remain the same; a regular season game is $5 for adults and $3 for students. PCHS students and fans aged 55 and older are admitted free with a valid ID. More information and a link to purchase fall tickets and sports passes will be shared soon.

Y Club Enrollment for 2024-25

The Before and After School Program available to families in the Platte County R-3 School District is Y Club. With Y Club before and after school, children in kindergarten through 5th grade will benefit from homework enrichment, physical activity, and small and large group activities with a focus on building community, youth voice, and leadership. Full-time and part-time Y Club is available at each of our elementary buildings (Barry, Compass, Pathfinder, and Siegrist), along with Y Club on days when school is out of session for inclement weather, seasonal breaks, and other days off (enrollment permitting). Operating hours are each weekday from 6:30 a.m. until school begins, and again after school until 6:00 p.m. Registration is now open. Click here to register.

If you have any questions about the Y Club program, please contact YMCA at (816) 360-3390.

Come Join our Team!

Join our team at PCR-3 and be part of a community dedicated to nurturing young minds! We are currently seeking talented individuals for the following roles: Elementary Special Education Teacher - Autism, High School Special Education Teacher, School Psychologist, Middle School Science Teacher, English Language Learners Teacher, Paraprofessional, Bus Drivers, and more!

Be a part of our community, our family, our team, and our tradition! Visit the Careers section of our website to explore current openings and submit your application today.

Pirate Pride: Teacher Supports District through Specialist Studies

For the Pirate Pride portion of the June meeting, the Board recognized Derek Yost, teacher at Platte County High School, who, as part of his pursuit of his specialist degree, has assisted the District with various projects this school year, including focus groups and research in selecting an improved employee evaluation system, conducting equipment analysis for enhancements to employee wellness spaces, and assisting in various food service and safety/security projects across the District.  

SCHIVIR Me Timbers Staff Recognition

Each month, PCR-3 recognizes staff members who are living our vision, mission, and values, by presenting the "SCHIVIR Me Timbers" award. SCHIVIR is an acronym for our values: Student Focus, Collaboration, High Expectations, Integrity, Visionary Leadership, Innovation, and Results Orientation.

At the June board meeting, Danielle Nickell, Board Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant, was recognized for her collaboration, high expectations, and integrity. Danielle, in her first year at the District, has done an excellent job in serving the Board of Education and school community, and has made a great impact in enhancing the culture of the District office and the District as a whole.

Meal Price Increases for 2024-25 School Year

Each year the District analyzes its school meal program in a variety of areas, including the financial impact on our operating budget. It is PCR-3's intent to operate the school meal program on a "break-even basis;" the District views the school meal program as a self-sustaining service and not a source of revenue. The recommended price changes were based on paid lunch equity formulas from the USDA, historical PCR-3 meal prices, meal price comparisons of surrounding school districts, and supply chain and food service operating cost increases.

At the June meeting, the Board of Education approved a $0.05 increase to breakfast, a $0.10 increase to lunch meal and adult breakfast prices, and a $0.20 increase to adult lunches effective Fall 2024.

• Breakfast (K-12): $2.00 (currently $1.95)
• Lunch (K-5): $2.80 (currently $2.70)
• Lunch (6-12): $2.90 (currently $2.80)
• Breakfast (Adult): $2.15 (currently $2.05)
• Lunch (Adult): $4.05 (currently $3.85)
• Extra Milk: $0.55 (No change)

Science and World Language Curriculum Updates

At the June meeting, the Board approved revisions to the 6-12 Science Curriculum and 6-12 World Language Curriculum, following a collaborative process with PCR-3's Curriculum Council, District Liaisons, and Instructional Coaches. In addition, the World Language Curriculum was designed to support the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Missouri Seal of Biliteracy is an award granted to high school graduates who have demonstrated proficiency in two or more languages. The seal is placed on the diplomas or transcripts of students who meet the criteria set by the state of Missouri.

Activities Program Update

Gabe Middleton, Activities Director, provided the Board with an update on the District's activities/athletics program at the June meeting. Click here to view the presentation.

Northland Career Center Strategic Plan Update

The leadership team from Northland Career Center provided the Board with a career center strategic plan update at the June meeting. Click here to view the presentation.

2024-25 Tentative Budget Approved

The Board of Education approved the 2024-25 tentative budget as submitted. The budget is a fluid document published by the District to provide the Board and the community with insight into the budget process from the early stages of development to eventual approval. The 2024-25 budget includes the following highlights:

• Estimated revenue in all funds of $79,631,807 or 9.13% over the budgeted amount for FY24.
• Estimated expenses in all funds of $79,414,287 or 8.83% over the budgeted amount for FY24
• Significant investment towards staff salary and benefit enhancements to retain, attract, and develop a high quality staff
• Enhancements in safety and security including safety personnel at all locations
• Additional staff to maintain low class sizes and high quality learning experiences for all students
• iPads for Kindergarten students and new Chromebooks for incoming Freshman at PCHS
• More than $2.8 million of identified capital improvements
• Maintaining a healthy fund balance for funds 1 and 2

PCR-3's focus is on continuing high quality learning experiences, caring and supportive learning environments for staff and students, with ongoing school safety enhancements. The budget was created with the best information available at the time of development, and will be completed when the tax rate is set in September and school has started in the fall.

Business Services Key Process Update

Wayne Krueger, Interim Executive Director of Business Services and Brian Noller, incoming Executive Director of Business Services, presented a Key Process Update of the District's Business Services Department.

As part of the District's efforts to proactively and responsibly manage District finances to support student success, the team highlighted the following focus areas for the 2024-25 school year:

• Enhancing operational efficiency of data and practices within the PCR-3 District
• Maintaining the fund balance in the desired range of 18-22% while building our fund 4 balance
• Improving stakeholder perceptions of the District’s fiscal responsibility

Human Resources Key Process Update

The Platte County School District's Human Resources department plays a crucial role in supporting the District's vision, mission, and values by focusing on recruiting, retaining, and developing high-quality staff. Ashley Jones, Executive Director of Human Resources shared with the Board a Key Process Update outlining Human Resources priorities, workforce profile, and strategies for the upcoming school year. Key takeaways include:

• Enhancing personnel processes and improving data management efficiency
• Diversifying the workforce by expanding applicant pools and fostering partnerships with a wide range of teacher preparation programs
• Prioritizing stakeholder needs and strengthening staff retention and development through competitive compensation and benefits, as well as refining evaluation models to better align professional development with both professional growth data and the District's strategic plan

The Human Resources department continues to adapt and improve its processes to ensure the District is well-equipped with exceptional staff to provide a high-quality educational experience for all students.

Platte City Summer Concert Series

Enjoy some music on the Platte County Courthouse lawn in Platte City from 7-9 p.m. on the second Saturday of June, July, and August, sponsored by the Platte City Friends of the Arts. See flier for details.

PCYFL Registration Open

Platte County Youth Football League registration is now open for the 2024 season for incoming Kindergarten through 6th graders! See flier for details and click here to register. Camp will be held July 22-23 at Platte County High School. Register for camp here.

PCHS Robotics Pickleball Fundraiser - July 21

PCHS Robotics is hosting a pickleball fundraiser at Chicken N Pickle on Sunday, July 21. Register your team by July 14 by clicking here.

Summer Reading Program - Jun 1-Aug 24

When readers aged 0-19 complete 20, 40, and 60 days of reading, they will earn a prize book from their local branch, and can be entered into a drawing to win grand prizes. It's not too late to sign up! Sign up for the program here.

PCR-3 Summer Athletic Camps

Several athletic camps are still available this summer for our students. Please see the fliers/registration forms linked below for remaining camps. Note that the grade will be the grade your child is entering in the 2024-25 school year.

• Golf (2024-25 Grades 9-12): July 22-26, 2024
• Swimming (2024-25 Grades 4-9, 9-12): July 8-11, 2024
• Volleyball (2024-25 Grades 7-8): July 16-17, 2024 (Register by May 24)

May 31-June 28: Summer School

June 19: No School, Juneteenth

July 18: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)

August 15: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)

August 20: First Day of School

Thank you to our Pirates ROCK Stars!

Thank you to all our Pirates ROCK Star business partners who support character education in our schools!