September 20, 2024

Homecoming 2024: GAME ON

Platte County's Homecoming festivities run October 7-12. This year's theme is "Homecoming 2024: GAME ON."  Click here for information on Homecoming activities, including spirit week information, the Homecoming Victory Supper, parade, and football game.

PCHS Student Council is also partnering with Glory Days Threads for an official Homecoming tee. Click here to order yours! The pre-sale will run until September 25. All orders will be delivered to PCR-3 schools on October 9. A portion of the proceeds from every shirt sold will be donated back to PCHS Student Council.

• Homecoming Spirit Week Flier
• Homecoming T-shirt Orders

PCR-3 Community Advisory: Apply by September 30

We are kicking off another year of the PCR-3 Community Advisory by gathering volunteers who will have an ongoing role to review the District’s progress toward its goals, as well as to provide input regarding the District's general operation and specific issues impacting education activities and programs. Any District resident, employee, or student may participate in the ongoing work of this group.

If interested in serving on this advisory, please complete the application linked below by September 30. The first General Membership meeting will be held October 22 (please note date change).

Support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Wear Gold on September 30

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and our District is coming together to show support. On September 30, we encourage all students, staff, and community members to wear gold in honor of those impacted by childhood cancer. Many of our PCR-3 families have been affected by this disease, and by wearing gold, we stand in solidarity with them. Let’s raise awareness and show our support for these brave children and their families as we work towards a future without childhood cancer.

Pirate Pride: Welcome Exchange Students

For the Pirate Pride portion of the September meeting, the Board of Education welcomed six international exchange students at Platte County High School for this year and recognized our host families: Gaia Fontana, from Italy, residing with the Clowser family; Lena Schwartz from Germany, residing with the Restrepo family; Marlene Knieling, from Germany, residing with the Anderson family; Ruixi Zou, from China, residing with the Russell family; Emily Jaeckal, from Germany, residing with the Curtis family; and Anna Aubert, from France, residing with the Groumoutis family.

SCHIVIR Me Timbers Staff Recognition

Each month, PCR-3 recognizes staff members who are living our "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 September board meeting, SCHIVIR recipients for August and September were recognized. The 2024 Summer School Administration team of Blake Seifert, Michelle Howren, Valerie Stambersky, Robert Mueller, Jeff Adams, Ashley Schultz, Lori Mann, Mike Powers, Allison Page, Madeline Hay, Spencer Smith, Emily Miller, and Mindy Wheeler were recognized for their student focus and collaboration in executing a successful program for more than 1,100 students. The Care Team from Pathfinder Elementary, Amy Wazac, Madisyn Lisle, Marci Fine, Lindsey Wolters, Dillon Humphreys, and Jacob Schwandt, were also recognized for their collaboration and student focus in providing responsive intervention in support of students and staff.

Tax Rate Remains Unchanged

After holding a public hearing at the September meeting, the Board of Education voted to set the 2024 property tax rate at $5.0193, remaining unchanged since the 2018-19 school year. The Board voted to levy the operating ceiling for both the general operating levy as well as the capital projects levy and adjust the debt service levy as necessary to maintain the same levy as tax year 2023. PCR-3's total levy remains one of the lowest in the metropolitan area. Tax rates are set in accordance with state law using state auditor calculations to provide budgeted revenue based on assessed personal and real property as determined by the County Assessor's Office.

PCR-3 Proceeds with Additional Debt Reduction Efforts

The Board of Education approved a resolution authorizing the intent to defease a portion of its outstanding Series 2021 general obligation bonds in the amount of $5,245,000. This resolution authorizes the District to use surplus money deposited into the restricted District's Debt Service Fund to pay down future interest and principal approved by patrons in April 2021.

Academic Updates - Universal Screener and Math Acceleration Processes

At the September meeting, Dr. Alicia Casey, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning, provided updates on the District’s math acceleration process and our use of the universal screener, Fastbridge. A universal screener is a group of brief assessments used to determine a student's skill mastery. Fastbridge assessment results play a key role in informing differentiated instruction in our classrooms and ensuring students receive access to additional supports. Math acceleration opportunities are available to students who demonstrate above-grade-level knowledge and skills in mathematics. Placement in 6th grade math follows a rigorous process that considers students' grades, screener scores, state assessment performance, teacher recommendations, and placement test results to determine one of three math pathways.  

Blackout Game Shirts - Order by Oct. 4

PCHS Pirates Blackout Game is Oct. 25! Blackout shirts are available until Oct. 4; order online (click here) or return the order form/payment to your child's school. Pickups will be Oct. 17 from 3-5pm and Oct. 19 from 9-11am. See flier for details.

Community Education Fall Classes

NCC also offers youth programs and evening community education classes for adults. Click here for Before and After School Elementary Programs, and click here to view the Fall 2024 Adult & Community Education class offerings! Click here to enroll.

Youth Wrestling Club Registration Open

Platte County Wrestling Club (for boys and girls ages 5-14) registration is now open. Want to give wrestling a try before registering? Attend an open gym night, Sundays starting September 15. See flier for details. Click here to register.

Parks & Rec Basketball Registration Open

Register for Platte City Parks and Recreation youth basketball for 3rd-6th graders by October 18! See flier for details and visit www.plattecity.org to register.

PCHD Flu Clinics in October

Platte County Health Department is hosting FREE drive-thru Flu Shot clinics on October 2 and 10. See flier for details.

YMCA Trunk N Treat - Oct. 25

Join the community for a "haunted good time" at Platte City YMCA's Trunk N Treat - October 25 from 4:30-6:30pm. See flier for details.

Yuletide Market - Nov. 9

The 10th annual Yuletide Market is scheduled for 9am to 3pm on Saturday, November 9 at Platte City Middle School to benefit the PCHS Music Parents Association. The Yuletide Market features local crafters, artisans, and direct sales consultants. See flier for details.

October 3: PCHS Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7pm

October 11: Homecoming, 3-hour Early Dismissal

October 14: Professional Learning Day, No School

October 18: End of First Quarter

October 23: Middle Schools Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7pm

October 24: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)

October 25: Report Cards Go Home

October 30: Elementaries Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:30-8pm

October 31: No School, All Schools Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 1: No 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 including our District-wide Pirates ROCK Star business partner for 2024-25: Farmers Insurance - Weaver Hamman Agency.