For Thursday, January 23
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
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 12!
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 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium – starts all of those conversations. Hit this link right here to look at a draft of the program, and keep reading future editions Mustang Minutes for more information!
We are so excited to meet you!
Because of the snow days this week...
IB Parent Informational Night moved to Wednesday, January 29th
We are fortunate to have been an International Baccalaureate school for over 25 years now. This program focuses on critical thinking, research skills and service as a part of the learning process. We consistently hear back from our alumni that our IB Program provides outstanding preparation for college. Most colleges and universities also award credit and/or advanced placement based on how well a student does on their exams. We value the program, not just because it helps our kids get into the schools that they want, but it helps them be successful once they are there. If you have an 8th, 9th, or 10th grade student and are interested in finding out more, please join us at our IB Parent Informational Night, Wednesday, January 29th at 7 p.m. in the PC Community Room.
Thanks for your patience with this date change!
Yearbook Club Photo Day is Friday, February 14
Students, mark your calendars for this important event! If you are part of a PC club or activity (i.e. Fiber Arts Club, Outdoor Adventure Club, PCTV, IB Diploma candidate, KAMSC student, Link Crew Leader, etc.), get ready to be called down to the auditorium lobby sometime on February 14 to get your group photo taken for the 2025 yearbook. Got questions? Reach out to yearbook adviser Ann Alburtus at aalburtus@portageps.org.
IB Extended Essay Night
Please join us on Sunday, February 23rd at 7 p.m. as our IB Diploma students present their Extended Essay research projects. Guests will have the opportunity to select which sessions they would like to attend as our students give mini “TED Talks” on the research that they have been carrying out for the past year. This is always a fun evening with lots of interesting discussions. (And snacks! Our Foods and Nutrition classes always make a wonderful spread of food to enjoy between sessions!) We are so proud of our students and hope you will join us!
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)
Thank you to our local businesses who support us in so many ways!
I have no idea where we would be without them. There are so many services we provide – from Thanksgiving dinners to gas cards for kids who need help getting to work – that only happen with the support of local businesses.
So over the next few weeks we will continue to publicly thank these businesses here in Mustang Minutes and elsewhere on campus. And if there is any way you can show your thanks as well, we would appreciate it!
Our next Count Day for the district is coming up on Wednesday, Feb. 12
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 12. In addition, please encourage students who drive to school to arrive on time that day. Thank you for your help with this!
Winter Homecoming is the Week of February 17-21, but it is a little different this year
Please be aware of these upcoming dates:
February 14th: Dress up in Pink & Red Day
7th hour Pep Assembly
Homecoming Court introduced at the 7 p.m. men’s basketball game
February 17: Get Up and Go Day: come to school in your pajamas; relaxed clothing
February 18: Fan Day: wear merchandise of your favorite actor, musician, athlete, etc.
February 19: Ski Day: wear hats, mittens, etc.
February 20: Throwback Thursday: what did you wear when you were a child, etc.?
February 21: PC Spirit Day
The Winter Homecoming Dance will now be on Saturday, February 22nd, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the PC Commons. Tickets are $10 each. It is a semi-formal, and the theme is Casino Night. Court winners will be announced at the dance, and pictures will be taken and shared with them.
Excited to start the second half of our year,
Eric Alburtus
And if you want even more PC news…