For Thursday, August 22
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
Our 400+ freshmen were awesome at Orientation on Monday! They were engaged and excited and respectful as they worked with 84 committed Link Leaders who gave so much of their time to help make the transition to high school friendlier and easier. Student leadership has always been a key to our health and success at PC.
I was sharing with my running partner how truly wonderful it was to see the hundreds and hundreds of families and students strolling through Centennial Park, visiting with coaches, connecting with teachers, sharing stories about the summer and looking forward to the year ahead. On a personal level, I am just so blessed to have had dozens and dozens of former students who are now PC parents. You know us: our strengths and our human frailties. And you trust us with the most important aspects of your lives: your kids. I am humbled, and all of us are so excited -- and deeply grateful.
We shared a number of resources, but in case you missed anything, take a look:
Our Welcome Guide
And seniors and senior families, we will talk about the Senior Guide next week!
Help us welcome the staff back to school in style with a grand back-to-school welcome on Thursday, September 5
Can you provide a TREAT to make the 2024-25 School Year SWEET? There are approximately 120 staff members who enjoy the food & goodies.
Please drop off donations at the Welcome Center no later than the morning of September 5th, at 7 Feel free to contact Noralyn with questions or concerns prior to September 5th. Click this link for more information and ideas on what we need.
Label the donated food PTO Welcome Back. Make sure to grab any dishes, etc. at the end of the school day. We like to provide several gluten- and dairy-free options.
Thank you for helping us make the return to school special for all of our teachers and staff.
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 throughout the school year that you want to count toward the award must be turned in to Mr. Brown in the Study Lab or main office 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 Friday, September 13. No summer hours will be accepted after this date. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Brown in the Study Lab (Room 1133) or email rbrown@portageps.org.
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, 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. Plus, if you have any questions about the school-issued Chromebooks, take a look right here first. Thanks!
And, if you weren’t able to make it to the Code of Conduct meeting on that day, we will have two more opportunities next week; one at 7:10 a.m. and one at 7 p.m. both on Tuesday, August 27th in the Community Room at Portage Central High School. High schoolers; you only have to attend one Code of Conduct meeting with a parent/guardian for your entire high school career.
Please review our schedule for…
Monday, August 26, our first day of school
On our first half-day of school, all students will get information about school policies and upcoming events in their Enrollment Rooms. Students report to these Enrollment Rooms at the start of the school day. Enrollment Room classroom numbers and teachers for each PC student will be posted around the Welcome Center and Main Lobby area. Off-campus classes do not meet on August 26. Students with an off-campus class(es) will go to the Commons on August 26 during that off-campus 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:
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; and if that medication is a controlled substance, it must be dropped off by a parent or guardian. Please complete the appropriate Medication Authorization Form by grade level found below, which must be completed before any medication can be administered at school.
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. 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
Off-Campus lunch passes
All students in grades 9 through 12 with parent/guardian permission are eligible to apply for a lunch pass for $2 per month. Eligibility for this pass is tied to good 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. All students with family permission are eligible to purchase a pass for August/September. 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
