For Thursday, February 29
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
Please join us for the Teacher Talent[less] Show on Monday evening, March 18!
It will be a fun night with lots of laughs as colleagues continue their 20-year tradition of making fun of themselves and raising money for worthwhile causes! This year all the proceeds will go toward a new therapy dog. Phoebe has been such a support for so many students over the years, and her retirement is not too far away. (And a new therapy dog costs about $8,000.) So join us – and do it for you and for Phoebe!
Are you interested in earning the Community Service Award? The deadline approaches…
All community service hours for the 2023-24 school year are due to Mr. Brown in room 1133 (or Main Office) before we all leave for spring break on March 22. Any hours completed over spring break can still be turned in – but no later than April 3. Only hours completed over spring break will be accepted on April 3 to count toward the 2023-24 Community Service Award. Any hours done after spring break, as well as this summer, will go toward the 2024-25 Community Service Award, so keep up the great work!
Blood Drive coming soon!
Portage Central’s March Blood Drive will be taking place on Monday, March 11, through the Versiti Michigan Blood Foundation. You can find more information on Versiti at this link: Versiti information. Students can sign up to donate via the form sent to their school email, parents and students can both sign up here: donor sign up. The process is simple and quick but can make a lifelong difference for someone in need. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to help your community!
A state-required survey coming our way soon
In March we will be administering the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) Survey supported by the Michigan Department of Education. This survey will ask about the health behaviors of 9th and 11th grade students -- it will ask about behavior and attitude related to nutrition; physical activity; injuries; tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; and sexual behaviors.
Students will complete the online survey using their Chromebook in their social studies class. They will not be asked to provide their name or any other identifying information. The survey is voluntary and students can skip any question that they do not wish to answer. In addition, they may stop participating in the survey at any point without penalty.
Please read this Parental Notification Form and fact sheet for more details. If you choose to opt your student(s) out of the survey, please return the form by March 7 to Jill Meyle at jmeyle@portageps.org or have your student(s) drop it off in the main office.
Just a reminder…
Did you get a survey about PC athletics?
If you have a student-athlete at Portage Central, you should have received an email with a survey to get your insight on how we do our best work for all our kids. If you did not receive that email, no worries: email Athletic Secretary Jodi Shearer at jshearer@portageps.org, and she will send that to you right away. Thanks!
One last reminder, to pease consider sharing some…
Feedback on PC Athletics, if you do not have a student-athlete in your family
As you can see above, if you have a student-athlete, you should have received an email asking for your feedback about PC Athletics.
And if you don’t have a student-athlete in your family, we also want your feedback. The role of athletic director for our students and community of Portage Central is an intense one. It requires a great deal of time and thoughtfulness for our wide variety of programs, so that we can provide the experience we aspire to, for our kids. As we look for a new colleague for this role, we would be very grateful if you could share your perspectives and values by responding to this survey by March 7.
Just one last reminder…
Seniors, think about applying for the SophieStrong scholarship
The SophieStrong Memorial Fund at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation is pleased to announce its second ever grant award for student assistance to a 2024 Portage Central High School graduating senior. This financial grant is designed to help a student who is planning on seeking a helping profession such as medicine, nursing, social work, counseling, occupational therapy or physical therapy. Please see Eric Alburtus for any questions.
To apply for the scholarship, a long-form essay is required. Guidelines for the essay follow:
Essay must be typed
Essay should be about 1,000 words. Please do not exceed 1,500 words. Longer essays are not necessarily better essays. It’s the content of the writing that counts, not the word count.
This is a personal essay about you. Please use the first person and don’t be afraid to express yourself. Feel free to be clear and direct about who you are and what you want to accomplish.
This essay should represent your best writing. Spelling, grammar, and style are important.
The application period will be from February 7, 2024 to May 1, 2024
Choose one of the following essay questions:
What are your academic and/or career goals?
Explain the importance of (your major) in today’s society.
If you had the authority to change your community in a positive way, what specific changes would you make?
Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.
People face challenges every day. Some make decisions that force them beyond their comfort levels. Maybe you have a personal political, social or cultural viewpoint that is not shared by the rest of your school, family or community. Did you find the courage to create a better opportunity for yourself or others? Were you able to find the voice to stand up for something you passionately supported? How did you persevere when the odds were against you?
Hopeful for more signs of spring,
Eric Alburtus
And if you want even more PC news…