Student Device Insurance - Enrollment Extended until October 29

Families who wish to participate in device insurance must enroll by October 29 through your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.

• Enrollment Cost: $30 per student device
• Free/Reduced Meal Students: $0 enrollment cost
• How to Enroll: Log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and complete the Insurance Form under "Forms." Via the PowerSchool app, go to "More," then "Forms." The $30 enrollment fee will be collected within the form.

Insurance can significantly reduce the cost of repairs or replacement.

Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences are a very important time for parents to discuss their student's progress with teachers, as research has shown that parental involvement is one of the most important factors in a student's success in school. Please see the remaining schedule below (buildings and teachers will be communicating specifics for reserving time slots).

• October 21: Middle Schools Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7pm
• October 28: PreK-5th Grade Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4:30-8pm
• October 29: No School; All Schools Parent/Teacher Conferences 
• 7:30am-3pm (6th-12th grades)
• 8:30am-4pm (PreK-5th Grades)

Hall of Fame Nominations Due Dec. 1

Do you know of a special volunteer, former teacher/employee, or someone who has contributed significantly to the enhancement of the Platte County R-3 School District or has had outstanding accomplishments after graduating from PCHS? If so, now is the time to recognize those special individuals.

• Click here for a list of Hall of Fame members
• Click here to complete an online nomination form

Take Home a Piece of Pirate History!

As Platte County High School prepares to open Phase 2 of its rebuild in January 2027, we’re giving generations of Pirate memorabilia, from championship trophies and banners to plaques and other keepsakes, a chance to find a new home. Additional items will be added to the collection in the coming weeks, so check back often! The online auction is now open, with proceeds benefiting the Platte County Education Foundation for future senior scholarships. Celebrate our past while investing in the future of Platte County students! While these items will find new homes with Pirate alumni and supporters, state, conference, and district championships will continue to be celebrated at PCHS, with new banners displayed in Pirate Fieldhouse.

Pirate Pride: Flyover Pilots

For the Pirate Pride portion of the October meeting, the Board of Education recognized the guardsmen responsible for the Military Appreciation Night flyover on September 18. The flyover was conducted by the 180th Airlift Squadron of the 139th Airlift Wing from Rosecrans Air National Guard Base. Special thanks to pilots Major Albert Selanders and Major Riley Coats for their efforts in coordinating and executing the C-130 pregame flyover over Pirate Stadium. Major Coats mentioned that flyovers at high school football games are rare, but hope to continue this tradition as a recruitment tool for the Air National Guard.

Extraordinary Educators

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 October meeting, we recognized Jen Nixon and Cambrie Hoglund, Reading Improvement Teachers at Compass Elementary, for their outstanding work supporting student growth and literacy instruction. Jen and Cambrie analyze i-Ready assessment data, coordinate targeted interventions, and help ensure students in kindergarten through fifth grade receive the support they need to grow as readers. They also collaborate with teachers to interpret data and strengthen literacy instruction across the building.

We also recognized the entire PCR-3 Transportation Department, led by Director JT Thomas and Assistant Director Kim Schwichtenberg, who delivered a strong start to the school year despite a shortened timeline for developing bus routes and an intense heat wave during the opening weeks. Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, the team had routes finalized and communicated to families weeks before the first day while managing a busy schedule of athletic and activity trips.

2025 Bond Issue Project Update

Project managers from Newkirk Novak reviewed construction progress of our 2025 Bond Projects.

PCHS Phase 2: Finishing touches continue throughout the building as the project moves toward completion. Final cleaning is complete in the classroom wing, while signage and flooring are installed in the media center and main entrance. Display cases in these areas are expected to be completed in the coming weeks. In the art wing, casework is in place, floors have been polished, and plumbing fixtures and countertops are being installed. In the band and vocal wing, sound panels are going up, the large ceiling clouds are installed, and flooring is scheduled to begin in the next couple of weeks. Save the Date: Ribbon Cutting & Open House, December 3, 5:30pm. We look forward to welcoming the community!

NWDC Project Update

Project managers from JE Dunn reviewed construction progress of the Northland Workforce Development Center. The remaining base asphalt has been installed in all parking lots, and crews are now focused on completing as much of the site concrete as possible before winter arrives. Seasonal landscaping is also underway, with seeding and the planting of trees and other greenery in progress. Around the building, exterior finish systems continue to be installed. Inside, much of the second floor has received its first coat of paint, with ceiling grid installation following closely behind. Preparations are also underway for the installation of floor and wall tile on the second level.

Enrollment Update Shared with the Board

Dr. Jessica Dain, Deputy Superintendent, provided the Board an enrollment summary by building, grade, and cohort for the 2026-27 school year. Preliminary enrollment totals show the District serving 4,215 students in kindergarten through 12th grade (down 12 students from last year's September count date). Early Childhood enrollment has grown from 66 students in 2024-25 to 121 students this year, reflecting continued growth in the District’s early learning program. Several grade levels also experienced enrollment increases compared with last year, including second grade, which grew by 32 students, and fifth grade, which grew by 35 students. At the secondary level, this year’s junior class increased by 45 students. Overall, the preliminary September count includes 4,336 students from PreK through 12th grade, providing important information as the District plans for student needs and future programming.

Financing Approved to Complete Northland Workforce Development Center

The Board of Education has approved approximately $14.3 million in Certificates of Participation (COPs) to help complete the Northland Workforce Development Center without delaying construction while pledged private donations are collected over the next several years.

The project has already received significant outside investment, including $37 million from the State of Missouri, $25.5 million from the City of Kansas City, and $9.8 from various other local public and private donors. This financing allows construction to move forward now, helping the District avoid potential increases in construction, equipment, and labor costs.

The COPs are designed to serve as temporary, or bridge financing, with interest repayment beginning in 2027 and plans to redeem bonds on the call date of April 1, 2032. The District intends to redeem the bonds on the call date of 4/1/32 providing they raise the funds. Pledged private donations and related investment earnings are intended to pay off the financing over time. Using the District’s strong AA- credit rating will help keep borrowing costs as low as practical. The goal is to complete this important workforce development resource now while using pledged donations to ultimately retire the financing. Assuming donations are received as anticipated, the financing is designed to have no net impact on the District’s budget.

Academic Achievement Results Summary

At the October meeting, Dr. Hawar Khalandi, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning, presented the 2026 Academic Achievement Results Summary. This annual update outlined results from the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) and End-of-Course (EOC) exams administered in the spring of 2026. Dr. Khalandi highlighted the following key takeaways from PCR-3’s state assessment results summary:

• PCR-3 scored above the state average in every MAP grade level and EOC course.
• The District’s MAP Performance Index is above 400 in all four content areas, which is the state’s Target level.
• Advanced Placement (AP) participation nearly doubled since 2022, and 74.7% of AP students scored a 3 or higher.
• The College and Career Readiness (CCR) assessment rate rose from 48.4% to 73.3% in one year. That earned the district the maximum points for this measure on the state’s Annual Performance Report.
• 92% of students have earned at least one Market Value Asset (an industry valued and recognized skill acquired in high school that creates a more seamless transition from school to postsecondary education and/or the workplace), up from 39% in 2022-23.
• District attendance rose to 86.4%, up 2.1 points from last year.
• Early literacy, numeracy, and Grade 5 math remain areas of focus, along with closing gaps for student groups (students with Individualized Education Plans, English Learners, and Free/Reduced Price Meals).

Community Band Concert - Oct. 18

The Platte City Community Band "Celebrates" Sunday, October 18 at 3pm at PCMS's Gymnasium. Free Admission - sponsored by the Platte City Friends of the Arts.

See flier for details.

YMCA's Trunk N Treat - Oct. 23

Join the community for a "Hollywood Walk of Fame" at Platte City YMCA's Trunk N Treat - October 23 from 4:30-6:30pm. See flier for details.

MPA Yuletide Market - Nov. 7

The 12th annual Yuletide Market is scheduled for 9am to 2pm on Saturday, November 7 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.

PCHS Fall Musical - Nov 11, 12, 14

Mark your calendars for the PCHS Fall Musical: Guys and Dolls! November 11 & 12 at 7pm; November 154 at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are on sale online for $10. You will be prompted to enter a code.

PCHS Phase 2 Ribbon Cutting & Open House - Dec. 3

Along with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners and Incite Design Studio, the District will be hosting a ribbon cutting and open house of Phase 2 of the PCHS Rebuild project on Thursday, December 3 from 5:30-7:30pm. Please enter through the new main entrance! This event is open to the community and tours and refreshments will be provided following the ribbon cutting at 5:30pm. Come tour our new completed high school which will be open for second semester!

October 16: End of 1st Quarter, 3-hour early dismissal

October 21: Middle School Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 23: Report Cards Go Home

October 28: PreK-5th Grade Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 29: No School, All Schools Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 30: No School

November 2: No School, Professional Learning Day

November 19: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)

November 25-27: No School, Thanksgiving Break

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-level Pirates ROCK Star, Pro Carwash. If you are interested in becoming a partner, please contact Laura Hulett.

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.