For Thursday, August 24
Hit the GLIC!
The Grade-Level Information Center has information that is relevant for each class.
An index and archive for this year’s weekly Mustang Minutes
Our Daily Announcements to our students
McCamley-Knight dedication and game moved to Friday
Over the last few days, the athletic department has been constantly monitoring the weather forecast, checking the heat index in real-time, and working with our friends at East Lansing and our amazing football officials assigner, Todd Gooding, to build in a contingency plan for the safety of our student-athletes.
Together we decided to postpone tonight’s game and play it tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 25th, at 7:00 p.m. It will still be the First Night at McCamley-Knight Field, and we look forward to a great game, a great community celebration, and an amazing atmosphere for Friday Night Lights. The McCamley-Knight Field Dedication Ceremony will begin promptly at 6:45 p.m.
We were able to secure an officiating crew late last night. For context, the Michigan High School Athletic Association mandates a maximum heat index threshold of 99 degrees. The Thursday forecast is holding steady with a heat index projection above 105 degrees throughout the evening, and of course the safety of our student-athletes, spectators and community is our number-one priority.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Portage Central athletic department and Athletic Director Joe Wallace at jwallace@portageps.org or by phone at 269-323-5256.
With unwavering appreciation for our amazing community,
Joe Wallace
Thank you for visiting with us at Wednesday’s Open House!
It was wonderful to see so many folks join us last night for Open House! It was wonderful to feel the energy in our place, as we talked, connected with friends and teachers – and had ice cream! It was a wonderful way to start the year – and we are really grateful.
City road construction at Westnedge near PC looks to be about done! Yay!
The construction folks from the city of Portage poured some additional concrete on Saturday and early this week, along with some asphalt to fill in some gaps – and all the cones are now gone! If we hear that the construction folks need to come back to do any other fixes, we will let you know. In the meantime, we would continue to appreciate you talking as a family about safe driving at school.
Still leave home early to get to school safely. At the start of the school year, everyone is trying to get back into their routines. And starting our days with a safe commute to school can help all our kids have a calmer day – and a safer one.
Continue to talk with your kids about driving slowly and safely. Our kids are much like we were when we were in high school: still in need of practice to become good drivers. And electronic devices are a distraction that you and I did not have to deal with. The more we are talking openly, and reminding one another the importance of driving thoughtfully, the better.
Thanks a great deal for the open communication, for all our kids’ safety.
Our community-service awards
Every spring, Portage Central recognizes students who consistently commit their time and energy to community service. You can visit the Community Service page for more information and get a copy of the Service form. Any hours served that you want to count toward the award must be turned in to Mr. Brown in the Study Lab within four weeks of the service date, even if the hours are part of an ongoing activity. Any hours completed over the summer must be turned in by September 12. More information can be found on our website or by having a conversation with Mr. Brown in the Study Lab.
Just a quick reminder…
Did you miss Freshman or New Student Orientation?
If your 9th grader or new-to-PPS student was not able to attend Orientation on Monday, August 21, please reach out to Nikki Smith, Activities Director, (nsmith@portageps.org) and she will make sure they make a connection with their Link Crew Leader and have all the information they need. And, take a look at this link to see what we talked about. Plus, if you have any questions about the school-issued Chromebooks, take a look right here first. Thanks!
Please review our schedule for…
August 28, our first day of school
On our first half-day of school, all students will get information about school policies and more in their Enrollment Rooms. Enrollment Room classroom numbers and teachers for each PC student will be posted at the Welcome Center. Off-campus classes do not meet on August 28. Students with an off-campus class(es) will go to the Commons on August 28 during that class period(s) for more important information, including departure/arrival times and transportation.
Enrollment Room: 7:40- 8:35
1st hour 8:40- 8:55
2nd hour 9:00-9:15
3rd hour 9:20-9:35
4th hour 9:40-9:55
5th hour 10:00-10:15
6th hour 10:20 -10:35
7th hour 10:40 -10:55
The information distributed in Enrollment Rooms can also be found on the GLIC. Here are the quick links to those pages:
From our friends at the PPS district office
Medication kept at school
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As the first day of school approaches, we want to remind you that any medication kept at the school, whether prescription or non-prescription (Over-the-Counter medication, ointments, medical creams, etc.), will require a medication consent form filled out and signed by you. For prescription medication, a physician's signature is also required. Please complete the appropriate Medication Authorization Form by grade level found below, which must be completed before any medication can be administered at school. High school students are permitted to keep on their person and self-administer non-prescription medications only once the proper Medication Authorization Form has been completed.
If your child has allergies, asthma, diabetes, or seizures, an Emergency Action Plan is also required. You can obtain these forms from your child's physician, but we have also included generic forms below for your convenience. Please note that these also require a physician's signature. If your child has any other chronic conditions that may require care at school please let your school nurse know.
Some of these changes were made during the 23/24 school year with the addition of three school nurses joining our PPS team. The role of our nurses is to promote health-related habits and provide training and guidance to our school personnel to help ensure compliance with national and local health policies. They are also responsible for supporting student health plans and medication administration at school.
Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all students.
PPS K-8 Medication Authorization Form.pdf
PPS 9-12 Medication Authorization Form.pdf
Diabetes Care Plan Template.pdf
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Care Plan Template.pdf
Seizure Care Plan Template.pdf
And from our friends at the PPS district business office…
Voluntary student accident insurance program
During the school year the Portage Board of Education makes available a voluntary student accident insurance program. Since the District has made this insurance available, an increasing number of parents/guardians have been taking advantage of this inexpensive policy. This fact dictates that as a community service, we will continue to offer this voluntary insurance.
The District offers this program because of trends in rising family health and dental insurance costs, increased deductibles, and co-payments. Furthermore, in an attempt to limit the Districts’ rising insurance costs, this program provides an alternative for claims due to accidental injuries that unfortunately occur on our property. This is the case for both during and after school hours.
Plan information and the enrollment forms are available and respond to diverse family insurance needs. Coverage provided can help decrease the burden of unexpected medical and dental expenses, including those left unpaid due to family insurance deductibles and copayments.
As it relates to middle and high school interscholastic athletics, this voluntary insurance plan also provides coverage for all sports except grades 9 through 12 tackle football. In that the District requires athletic insurance, you should consider this policy for the coverage it will provide you and your child.
Take a look here for documents for the voluntary student accident coverage through First Agency. This insurance can be used for all students whether they participate in athletic sporting events or not. Just use this website: www.1stagency.com and use the search engine to "FIND YOUR SCHOOL.” Or you can call (269) 381-6630 for plan options, payments and coverage information.
Off-Campus lunch passes
All students in grades 9 through 12 with parent permission are eligible to apply for a lunch pass for $2 per month. Eligibility for this pass is tied to attendance and is run monthly. Each month, provided a student has no more than 1 unexcused absence and no more than 3 excused absences in the previous month, they will remain eligible for the lunch pass. Planning a family vacation? See the GLIC for more information about the different types of absences and how they impact lunch pass eligibility. Students may reapply for lunch privileges at the end of each month. The electronic permission form will be emailed to the parent and guardian email addresses listed in Skyward in the coming days. Direct any questions to your assistant principal. Thanks!
Getting even more excited about Monday,
Eric
And if you want even more PC news…