Kindergarten Kickoff: April 22

Children who have turned five years of age before August 1, 2026, are eligible for kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year and are invited to our Kindergarten Kickoff in our elementaries on April 22:

• Pathfinder Elementary, April 22, 5:30-6:30pm (1951 NW 87th Terrace, Kansas City)
• Barry Elementary, April 22, 5-6pm (2001 NW 87th Terrace, Kansas City)
• Siegrist Elementary, April 22, Two sessions, 5-5:45pm and 6-6:45pm, (1701 Branch Street, Platte City)
• Compass Elementary, April 22, Two sessions, 5:15-6:15pm (last names A-L); 6:30-7:30pm (M-Z), (401 Kentucky Avenue, Platte City)

Families are encouraged to use our school locator tool or boundary map on the District website, or call the District office at 816-858-5420 for confirmation of attendance area, then complete the New Student Enrollment forms for the 2026-27 school year. Families with current Great Beginnings students entering kindergarten will complete returning student enrollment forms at a later date. If you know of a family with a child entering kindergarten, please pass this information along.

Real World Learning Showcase

Our community is invited to see the amazing Real World Learning experiences happening across our District at our Real World Learning Showcase on April 28, 6-8pm in PCHS's Pirate Fieldhouse. Hear from every school and celebrate how our learners are applying knowledge in creative, authentic, and impactful ways. Don’t miss this chance to experience student learning in action! Light appetizers will be provided by PCHS ProStart students. Register here to let us know you're coming.

Summer School 2026: High School and Driver's Ed Enrollment Now Open

K-12 Summer School will be held June 1-29 at the following locations:

• Pathfinder Elementary: For all K-5th grade southern attendance area students (Pathfinder and Barry Elementaries)
• Siegrist Elementary: For all K-5th grade northern attendance area students (Compass and Siegrist Elementaries)
• PCMS: For all 6th-8th grade students, and 9th-12th grade students

You can now enroll for 2026 Summer School via the Forms on PowerSchool Parent Portal (via a browser or the app). Please complete by May 15, 2026. 

*Incoming Kindergarten students can complete summer school enrollment after their regular school year enrollment is processed.

Last Day of School: May 22

The last day of school for the 2025-26 school year is Friday, May 22, a three-hour early dismissal. Although the District utilized three inclement weather days this year, we exceeded state requirements for instructional days and hours. As a result, the Board of Education has approved waiving the need to make up those days.

Re-Enrollment Timeline Update

For Families with Returning Students: Beginning this year, PCR-3 will shift its annual student re-enrollment process from April to July. This change helps streamline back-to-school preparation and better aligns with other important forms, such as free and reduced-price meal applications, which become available July 1.

Families can expect re-enrollment information and instructions to be shared this summer. If your student will not be returning to PCR-3 for the upcoming school year, please contact your school’s front office to let them know.

Pathfinder Elementary Welcomes New Principals

Dr. Tim Reves will serve as Principal and Kari Lund will serve at Pathfinder Elementary's Assistant Principal beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Both bring a wealth of experience, a passion for student success, and a commitment to creating a supportive, engaging environment where every learner can grow and thrive. Please join us in welcoming new leadership to Pathfinder Elementary.

Click here to read about our new administrators starting in 2026-27.

Pirate Pride: "Brewed with a Purpose" and "Won't You Be My Neighbor"

For the Pirate Pride portion of the April meeting, the Board recognized extraordinary student groups from three of our elementaries. "Brewed with a Purpose" is a team of students and teachers who run Compass Elementary's coffee cart, funded through our partnership with Unified Champion Schools and Special Olympics.

Students and staff from Barry Elementary, Siegrist Elementary, and the District transportation department and office came together through the “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” project to collect 95 meal kits and 142 birthday kits for the Platte County Health Department’s Mobile Food Pantry, supporting local families in need. Both initiatives highlight the power of student leadership, community partnership, and meaningful service in making a positive impact.

Extraordinary Educators: Staff Recognition

Each month, PCR-3 will recognize staff members who are bringing our Strategic Plan to life by exemplifying one or more of the following strategies: providing meaningful experiences; creating safe, respectful environments; fostering a culture of innovation and excellence; and building collaborative community partnerships.

At the April meeting we recognized Kim McGinness and Joyce Born, for their extraordinary partnership and collaboration. For 18 years, they have worked side by side as teacher and paraprofessional for our 4-year-old PreK students in Great Beginnings, creating meaningful, high-quality experiences for our youngest learners.

2025 Bond Issue Project Update

Newkirk Novak project managers reviewed construction progress of the PCHS Phase 2 project. Multiple areas of the project are making great progress. On level 1 of the classroom wing, sheetrock finishing is currently underway and interior framing is actively being installed in the media center and stagecraft area. In-wall mechanical and electrical work on level 2 is nearing completion. Meanwhile, exterior masonry continues to go up and the air barrier is continuing through band and vocal wing.

NWDC Project Update

JE Dunn project managers reviewed construction progress of the Northland Workforce Development Center. As the main building structure is complete, recent progress has shifted to installing the exterior wall, as well as erecting the Expo Center structure. We are preparing to begin roofing the 2-story portion of the building and the install interior overhead piping and electrical systems. Outside of the building footprint, we will begin subgrade preparation and curbs for the west parking and CDL lots.

Middle School and High School Building Improvement Plan Updates

Leadership teams from Platte Purchase Middle School, Platte City Middle School, and Platte County High School along with Dr. Aaron Duff, Director of Secondary Education, provided the Board with middle school strategic plan and high school strategic plan updates at the April meeting.

Internship Program Update

At the April meeting, Dr. Hawar Khalandi, along with student representatives, provided an update on PCHS's new high school internship program. The program is creating opportunities for students to explore their interests and begin shaping a personalized path for their future. Through real-world experiences, students are gaining valuable insight into potential careers while building confidence and clarity about what comes next, reflecting PCR-3's commitment to helping every student find purpose and direction beyond graduation.

We are grateful to our business partners for providing meaningful internship opportunities this year. Students gained experience across a wide range of fields, including placements with Incite Design, Central Platte Fire District, FlyG Aviation, Backyard Bird Center, the Platte City Sheriff’s Department, and Peacock Pediatrics, reflecting the diverse interests and career pathways of our students. If interested in becoming a partner for future opportunities, contact the District office.

First Impact Safe Driving Event- April 23

Teens ages 15-19 have the highest crash risk and are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash, especially in the first 30-90 days of driving. PCHS is hosting

First Impact, a FREE program that helps parents and teens understand these risks and provides tools to coach and support safer driving, reducing crashes by 20-40%. Parents and teens are invited to join us on April 23, 6pm at Wilson Auditorium. The program is free, but registration is required.

Dance Team Tryouts - April 27-30

PCHS Dance Team Tryouts

Auditions for the 2026-27 PCHS Treasures Dance Team are April 27-30. Current 8th-11th graders interested in trying out should sign up here. See flier for details.

Pirates ROCK End-of-Year Event - May 1

Aloha Great Character! The Pirates ROCK End-of-Year Celebration and Sharpen the Saw Challenge Course will be at Barry-Platte Park on Friday, May 1. Course is open from 5-7pm, with the character recognition ceremony at 6pm. Pre-register here and see flier for details.

PCHS Art Exhibition - May 2-7

Join us for the 2026 Art Exhibition at Platte County High School, showcasing the incredible talents of our student artists from May 2-7, with an opening reception on May 2 from 1-3pm. See flier for details.

Community Band Concert - May 3

The Platte City Community Band invites you to their upcoming Pops Concert, Sunday, May 3 at 3pm in the PCMS gymnasium, featuring PCHS musicians from Harper Haus Music. Free Admission - sponsored by the Platte City Friends of the Arts. See flier for details.

Pirates Cheerleading Club Registration begins May 4

Pirates Cheerleading Club registration for the 2026-27 season begins May 4. See flier and visit www.pirates-cheerleading-club.com for more information.

JV Cheer Tryouts - May 4-7

Clinics: May 4-6 from 3:30-5:30pm; Tryouts: May 7 beginning at 3:30pm. Both clinics and tryouts are in the PCHS north gym. This is open to current 8th, 9th, and 10th graders. See flier for details.

Evening of Jazz - May 8

'An Evening of Jazz' is an annual fundraiser for the PCHS Jazz Band. The PCHS New Cafeteria will be transformed into a Jazz Club. It's the perfect night out! Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Purchase tickets online. See flier for details.

Mother's Day 5K - May 9

Equal Start invites you to participate in the annual Northland Mother's Day 5K! The event raises funds for school supplies for eligible children.

See flier for details and register online.

April 22: Kindergarten Kickoff

April 28: Community Advisory Meeting/Real World Learning Showcase, 6pm, PCHS

May 1: Pirates ROCK End-of-Year Celebration, 5-7pm, Barry-Platte Park

May 16: NCC Graduation

May 17: PCHS Graduation

May 21: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)

May 22: Last Day of School, 3-hour early dismissal

June 1: First Day of Summer 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 2025-26: United Fiber.

The mission of the Platte County School District is to ensure our learners thrive in an ever-changing world with confidence and resilience, prepared to pursue their unique futures.