For Thursday, August 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
Just a reminder…
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 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. 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 at the Welcome Center. The electronic permission form was emailed directly to the parent and guardian email addresses listed in Skyward last week. Questions? Direct them to your assistant principal, and thanks!
Want to park at school? Then get your parking pass at the same time!
If you are one of the 100 students who purchased a parking pass at Open House or on the first day of school, please stop by the Welcome Center to pick up your free PC sticker. If you haven't bought a permit yet and plan to park in the school lots, make sure to get yours by Friday, Sept. 13. Register on the GLIC, then bring your proof of insurance, driver's license, and $20 to the Welcome Center. As always, these fees go toward supporting student events like Graduation, so thanks for your help and support!
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.
Want to get involved with the PTO? There are a few ways to help!
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 a.m. Hit this link for more info.
Join us at our meetings the 2nd Monday of the month at 5:30 pm in the staff kitchen
Follow our Facebook Page (Portage Central High School PTO)
Donate items for future appreciation events. The awesome PTO parents will keep you in the loop with future issues of Mustang Minutes.
Thanks for your help and support!
We shared a lot of information with all our kids on Monday morning
We start every year making sure all our students have the information they need to navigate our wonderful and at-times awkward home well. Click the GLIC to find and read through the information we shared with students during “Enrollment Room” on the first day of school, including information we shared about the school cell phone policy. Here, too, is a link to our cell phone policy FAQ that we have updated to address new questions that came up in the past week.
Freshman families…
Please review the presentation delivered by our assistant principals to your freshmen this week
This week, in your freshman’s history class, our assistant principals visited and shared some of the specific details that make high school different than middle school. Ms. Salisbury and Mrs. Kaylor focused, too, on the differences in expectations that exist between the spheres in which we spend our time (at home, at school, at school activities, with friends, and at work). Most importantly, they emphasized the values and expectations that we as Mustangs commit to at Portage Central High School. It is important to all of us that our school is a community in which students are safe and have a sense of belonging. Click here to see the content of that presentation.
And we also met with senior, juniors and sophomores in class meetings
Wow – it was great to meet with classes today. They were awesome: they had energy, they were respectful and happy, and they were ready to get moving into this school year. They give me far more than I can ever give in return – and I am so grateful.
Take a look to see what we talked about.
Tutoring opportunities
Now that the school year has started, we wanted to share with you our tutoring opportunities. If you are interested in being a tutor and earning service hours for that work, please fill out this form To Be a Tutor. If you are in need of a tutor to help you with a difficult class, please fill this form 2024-2025 Request for a Tutor. Once you fill out either one of these forms, Mrs. Imus, the Activities Assistant, will reach out to you with all the information you will need.
Want to order your student’s pictures?
On Wednesday, students had their photos taken by Strawbridge Studios, our district’s new photography service. Just hit this link for more information on ordering. A proof of your student’s photo will be shared with you in the upcoming weeks. Have questions? Contact Strawbridge at 1-866-624-6229 or customerservice@strawbridge.net.
More reminders about lunches? I know I need them…
Meals are free this year again, and we still need your help
Although school meals are free to all students this year, meal benefit applications are still important to our district. Benefit applications can lead to additional state and federal funding for school services and supplies like academic intervention staff, counselors, social workers, school nurses, technology, and professional learning. If you qualified for free or reduced lunch based on income last year, or if you think you may qualify this year, please consider filling out the confidential application; it only takes a few minutes to complete. Families are encouraged to apply online at https://portage.familyportal.cloud/benefits/onlyapplying
Wondering about what constitutes a free meal? See the graphics from our food service team.
Just one last reminder…
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. Summer hours will not 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.
Grateful for a great first week,
Eric
And if you want even more PC news…