For Thursday, January 25
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
Just a reminder about the changed exam schedule after Tuesday’s snow day
Friday, Jan. 26 No school
Monday, Jan. 29 Exams for 3th and 4th hours, with high-school students dismissed at 11:50
7:40-9:40 a.m. 3rd Hour Exam
9:50-11:50 a.m. 4th Hour Exam
12:15 p.m. Neighborhood Buses depart
2:50 Regular Buses Depart
Tuesday, Jan. 30 The first day of the second semester
Don’t forget! Go to enrollment room at the start of the day on Tuesday, January 30
On the first day of each semester, students go directly to an "enrollment room" at the start of the school day. These room assignments will be posted throughout the building on Tuesday morning so students know where to go. Important announcements are shared, policies are reviewed, and students will receive a printed copy of their second semester schedule. For more information about what we share in our enrollment room, check out this page of the GLIC.
Here is the revised overall plan, with a bunch of reminders, just to make sure we are all on the same page. Thanks again for your patience with this schedule change.
Reminders from Mrs. Thrash in the Attendance Office as we start a new semester…
Medically-waived absences
I've been getting lots of questions from families regarding why, if they call in for attendance for a doctor appointment, dentist appointment, or illness, they are not a medically-waived absence. Whenever, you, a parent or guardian, calls in to report your child's absence, it is always considered excused. However, if we receive documentation of the student's illness/appointment from a certified healthcare provider, we are able to change the excused absence to a medically-waived, non-totaling absence. We can accept almost any kind of official documentation from the healthcare provider: an appointment card, a note from the office, a screenshot of the appointment reminder from the healthcare office. Email me at jthrash@portageps.org or your student can turn in a paper copy to the attendance office.
And a quick reminder, too, about early dismissals
Any student who needs to leave school early must have an early dismissal pass that they hand to our staff on the way out of the building to leave school. In order to get that pass, a family member must contact Attendance Secretary Jody Thrash in advance of the dismissal at (269) 323-5259 or jthrash@portageps.org.
If you have more questions about our attendance and tardy policies, hit the GLIC or ask our Attendance Secretary Jody Thrash (jthrash@portageps.org)
Our next Count Day for the district is coming up on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
This day is important because it determines our school's funding. We want every student to be counted! Having all of our students here on that day ensures that PC receives the needed state funding so that we all can do our important work, together. With that in mind, we ask that you please avoid scheduling any non-critical, out-of-school appointments for your student on Wednesday, February 14. In addition, please encourage students who drive to school to arrive on time that day. Thank you for your help with this!
Creating a great class schedule is really important to start your PC education off right…
That’s why it will be great to see you at the 8th Grade Family Night on February 21
There are a lot of important decisions that families need to make to prepare their 8th-grade daughters and sons so they are ready to make the jump to high school. This event – coming up on Wednesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the gym – starts all of those conversations. More information will go out about this in upcoming issues of the Mustang Minutes. Thanks -- and we can't wait to meet you!
Just a reminder…
Mean Girls - the Musical is coming to the PC stage!
The musical, Mean Girls, opens on Friday, February 9th at 7:30 p.m. Additional shows are February 10th, 16th and 17th at 7:30 p.m. and 2 matinees on February 10th and 18th at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for students and go on sale this Monday, January 22nd @ 9 a.m. Here is the link to buy tickets. Mean Girl Tickets There will be a student show on Wednesday, February 14th (Valentine’s Day) @ 7 p.m. Tickets for this performance are $5 for students.
And as we move into next week, don’t forget about Winter Homecoming…
Winter Homecoming Week
Monday, January 29: Monochrome Day
Tuesday, January 30: Jersey Day
Wednesday, January 31: Country or Country Club Day
Thursday, February 1: Spirit Day and Pep Assembly
Friday, February 2nd, there is no school for students, but the Homecoming Court will be presented at the basketball game that night. And the dance is on Saturday, February 3rd from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. We look forward to seeing you there.
Looking forward to the second semester,
Eric Alburtus
And if you want even more PC news…