December 20, 2024

Future Freshman Session and All High School Expo Night - January 22

PCHS is hosting an Expo for 8-11th grade families in conjunction with their 8th grade student/parent night on January 22.  

• Clubs, Activities, and Electives Expo: 5:30-8pm, in the cafeteria
• New Course and Weighted Course Information Session: 6pm, in the auditorium
• 8th Grade Student/Parent Information Session: 6:30pm, in the auditorium

The purpose of this night is to meet teachers and learn about academics and curriculum offerings at the high school as well as attend our electives expo where families can learn more about elective courses, clubs, and activities.

FUTURE FRESHMEN: We encourage both the student (current 8th graders) and parent(s) to attend, so that all can receive the information about courses offered at Platte County High School. This will greatly assist you and your student in the planning process and in course selection for the 2025-26 school year. If you would like more information, please contact your student's counselor: Kim Schank or Whitney Edman, Platte City Middle School Counselors, or Amanda Griffin, Platte Purchase Middle School Counselor.

Winter Weather/School Closure Information

Click here for information on school cancellations/modifications due to inclement weather, how the District will notify parents, as well as recess, Y Club information, and information on Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Days. 

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). 

Board of Education Member Filing

Persons wishing to file as candidates for election to the Board of Education of the Platte County R-3 School District must file (in accordance with Board Policy BBB) at the District Education Center located at 998 Platte Falls Road, Platte City, Missouri, 64079.

Filing opened on December 10, 2024, and will continue via the schedule below until its conclusion on December 31, 2024 at 5:00 pm. To make an appointment, contact Danielle Nickell at nickell.danielle@pcr3schools.org or 816-858-5420.

• December 16-20, 2024, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
• December 30, 2024, By Appointment Only
• December 31, 2024, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

There are two, 3-year terms to be elected at the General Municipal Election on April 8, 2025. Seats currently held by the following board members (in alphabetical order) are up for election: Shawn Chiddix and Mike Matousek.

Click here for more information about serving on the board.

Please Share Your Input on these Key Topics: Technology and Early Learning

Technology Survey For All Parents/Guardians: The District is conducting a technology audit and is gathering feedback from key stakeholders (students, staff, and families) on technology use. Please complete the short survey linked below by January 13.

Early Learning Survey For Parents/Guardians of Pre-Kindergarten Children: The District is working on an expansion plan for our early learning programs and need your input so we can gauge interest and inform our next steps. Please complete the short survey linked below by January 13.

PCHS Seniors: Apply for Platte County Education Foundation Scholarships by March 1

The Platte County Education Foundation will award multiple, $1,000 college and trade school scholarships to PCHS seniors, based on the following categories: Academic, Financial Need, Community Service, and Entering Education. Applications (linked here) are due no later than March 1, 2025. When completing an application through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, students may become eligible for other local scholarships. Additional scholarship opportunities can be found via PCHS's Counseling Center here.

Platte Purchase Trail Complete

We are excited to announce that the Platte Purchase Trail Project, thanks to a Platte County Parks and Recreation Outreach Grant, is now complete! The north trail, stretching approximately 1.3 miles, is paved with asphalt, while the south trail, measuring .8 miles, is a mulched path. These trails connect two neighborhoods adjacent to Platte Purchase Middle School, creating a trail system around the school grounds. This new addition will provide valuable resources for our middle school cross country team, track team, and physical education classes. Not only will the trail system serve our students and staff, but it is also open to the public, promoting both education and recreation within our community. Click here to see a video of the completed trail.

Pirate Pride: Football State Champions

For the Pirate Pride portion of the December meeting, the Board of Education recognized the PCHS Football Team for their incredible, undefeated season, culminating with 49-14 win over Helias at Mizzou's Faurot Field on December 7, to earn the Class 5 State Championship trophy.

Platte City Mayor Steve Hoeger also delivered a proclamation to the team, celebrating the team's achievement and the community's pride, declaring the week of December 16-20, "Pirate Week."

District Receives Clean Audit

Each year, an independent auditor is engaged to audit the Districts financial statements. Brad Steele, Westbrook and Co., P.C. reported that his team found Platte County School District's FY24 financial statements to be fairly presented in all material respects. The auditors issued unmodified opinion and no material weaknesses were identified. View the audit report here. 

Community Survey Results Presented

In November 2024, a telephone survey was conducted with 300 randomly selected registered voters in the Platte County R-3 School District to learn their views on the District's performance, and on ideas being considered for a potential ballot issue. Following the phone survey, a similar online version of the survey was made available to District residents.

At the December Board meeting, a summary of the phone survey results was presented. Respondents were asked to rate the performance of the District in several areas. In every case, majorities rated the District as excellent or good, and 67% of respondents graded the district at an A or B. Respondents were told that Platte County School District is considering a bond proposal for completing the second phase of PCHS improvements and upgrades at other buildings. In response, 55.6% of respondents said they would favor this proposal. With knowledge that these projects would be provided with zero rate change to the overall tax levy, more than 72% of the total sample supported the bond proposal.

Board Approves Resolution for April 2025 Question

At the December meeting, the Board approved the resolution to hold a special election in the Platte County R-3 School District, with the general municipal election on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Voters in the Platte County R-3 School District will be asked to consider a Zero Rate Change Bond Issue.

If approved by voters, this approximately $62 million bond issue would fund the following projects identified in the District’s Long-Range Facility Plan:

• Completing Phase 2 of rebuilding Platte County High School, creating a consolidated high school building with all classrooms and programs under one roof
• Constructing site amenities at Platte Purchase Middle School activities complex
• Constructing playground facilities at Pathfinder Elementary
• Expanding parking and improving traffic flow and safety at Compass Elementary

2025-26 Academic Calendar Draft

Teachers, support staff, and parents on the calendar committee developed a proposed academic calendar for the 2025-26 school year. The draft was formulated based on required student hours, teacher contract days, historical parent and staff survey data, parent and staff feedback, as well as consideration of the alignment with other Northland districts from a programming perspective. Based on feedback, the draft calendar is fairly similar to this year’s calendar and has the first day of school on August 19, the last day of school on May 22, and has again included fall parent/teacher conferences to include one separate evening for PreK-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th grade and one full day for all grades. A three-hour early dismissal was added at the end of 1st and 3rd quarters to allow staff to have a work day to complete end of quarter items. Public review of the draft calendar occurs from December 20, 2024 to January 6, 2025. Comments may be emailed to Danielle Nickell. Final revisions will be made and the Board will vote on approval of the final proposed calendar at the January board meeting.

Teaching and Learning Key Process: Tiered Support Update

At the December meeting, Dr. Alicia Casey, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning, presented a key process update on the District's Teaching and Learning System focused on Tiered Support. Updates were provided relevant to the provision of student support services for both intervention and enrichment across all student levels. Progress data and process improvement actions related to special education, reading/math improvement, early learning, English learners, and gifted education were shared in alignment with increasing student achievement and a sense of belonging for all learners.

Special Olympics Shirts - Sale Ends Dec. 20

Support our Platte County Special Olympics team in style by grabbing a T-shirt, crewneck sweatshirt, or hoodie! Sales end December 20. Your order will be delivered to your school building or shipped by early January. Click here to order yours.

Sound Express Featured on KSHB's Sounds of the Holiday

Tune in over winter break to see PCHS's Sound Express sharing their talents with the Kansas City area! KSHB 41's Sounds of the Holiday will air on the following dates/times:

• Dec. 25, 5-7am
• Dec. 28, 1-3pm
• Dec. 29, 11am-1pm

Kids and Teen Events at Platte City Mid-Continent Public Library

Mid-Continent Public Library's Platte City Branch is hosting various teen and kids book groups and programs. See fliers linked below.

• Kids Book Groups - Jan. 11 and Feb. 8
• Teen Book Groups - Jan. 11 and Feb. 8
• Kids STEAM Activities - Jan. 14
• Teen Hangout - Feb. 11

PCHS Career Fair - Feb. 27

PCHS is hosing a career fair specifically geared towards senior and junior students looking for employment opportunities. The fair will be February 27 from 9-10:30am in PCHS's North Gym. Interested businesses should sign up to attend using this link, or by emailing Mikyla Murphy at murphy.mikyla@pcr3schools.org. 

See flier for details.

December 20: End of 1st Semester, 3-Hour Early Dismissal

December 23-January 3: No School, Winter Break

January 6: No School, Staff Back to School Day

January 7: Classes Resume, 2nd Semester Begins

January 16: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)

January 17: Report Cards Go Home

January 20: No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Thank you to our Pirates ROCK Stars!

Thank you to all our Pirates ROCK Star business partners who support character education in our schools including our District-wide Pirates ROCK Star business partner for 2024-25: Farmers Insurance - Weaver Hamman Agency.