For Thursday, February 6
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
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is here!
The show opens this Friday, February 7th @ 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at https://pchsboxoffice.ludus.com/admin/shows.php Adults - $18 and Students - $16
PC students, want to save some money? There will be a student show on Thursday, February 13th @ 7 p.m. Tickets for this performance are $5 for students and cash only at the door.
Thanks for joining us!
Just a reminder from the district’s Technology Department…
Student passwords will change tomorrow evening
We will reset passwords for students in grades 3-12 this Friday, February 7 late in the evening. The new password will be available in Skyward Saturday morning. If your student does not receive their new password over the weekend, teachers are prepared to provide that to them on Monday, February 10.
We apologize in advance for the temporary disruption this will cause students while accessing their accounts. We are committed to following best practices and cybersecurity guidance. The recent increase in phishing attempts and the potential for student data breaches necessitates a password change at this time.
Please review the attached directions if you’d like to assist your student with their new password and update their Chromebook profile over the weekend. Updating the Chromebook profile will help their device connect to the WiFi without interruption once they’re back in school next week. Our Teachers and Building Technicians have been provided with these instructions to assist as needed.
As always, should you have any questions or need any assistance, please reach out to help@portageps.org.
In support,
PPS Technology Department
Just a reminder…
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 13th: Pep Assembly after 7th hour
February 14th: Dress up in Pink & Red Day
Homecoming Court introduced at 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.
We are almost there!
8th Grade Family Night is next week! Next Wednesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. we will meet in our auditorium. You as a family will be making so many important decisions between now and the start of school next year – and the conversations start here in earnest.
Here is a link to our program for the evening, and here is a draft of the presentation that will guide us through the evening’s conversation. Take a look to get some background on what we will be discussing on this important evening. We are excited to see you!
And our school store, The Corral, will open on 8th Grade Parent Night!
Come in, pick up some Mustang apparel, and represent your new school in style. You can save time by browsing online and picking up your order in-store.
Thank you to our local businesses who support us in so many ways!
Hounds and Co. is another one of our Portage businesses who helps us accomplish so much around here. They provide Toby, our counseling dog, with healthy food to keep Toby working happily today and for years into the future – and we are so grateful!
We will continue to publicly thank these businesses here in Mustang Minutes and elsewhere on campus. And if there is any way she 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!
The city of Portage and Black History Month
Take a look at the information, ideas and events that the city of Portage is planning for Black History month! Click here to “discover little known facts and ‘firsts,’ re-discover familiar favorites, and reflect on the incredibly rich heritage of the people and events that encompass the Black American experience.” And take a look right here to participate in a Motown-based karaoke event!
Last Link Crew Meeting of the Year
Monday, February 17th, during 4th hour, is the last Link Crew meeting of the year. It has been a joy to get to know your students, and we very much appreciate all our Link Crew Leaders have done for our 9th graders!!!
Pre-Festival Band Concert - Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium
The PC Pre-Festival Band Concert is on Wednesday, February 19, at 7 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium. This concert features performances from our PC Winds & Percussion, PC Concert and PC Symphonic Bands prior to their performances at MSBOA District 11 Band Festival at the end of February. We hope to see you there!
From the counseling office…
Scheduling classes for next school year
The PC counselors have begun scheduling the 2025-26 school year. This process means the counselors are out of their offices and are meeting with students in our classes for several hours each week now through the beginning of March.
Here is how the scheduling process unfolds:
1. The counselors schedule one grade level at a time. We start with a classroom presentation in each of our English classes.
2. The scheduling presentations will be sent home in the Skyward messaging systems, after the English presentations for each grade level. This information can also be found on each grade-level GLIC.
3. The following week, after the grade-level presentations, the counselors work with students one-on-one to assist with course requests.
4. Course request confirmations, for the entire high school, will be sent out in late March for parents to approve.
We would appreciate your patience with this important process. We are looking forward to meeting individually with your children!
Do you know families who might want to transfer to or within Portage Public Schools?
Then hit this link for more information. And if you have any other thoughts or questions, give me a call – (269)323-5255 – or drop me an email anytime!
Excited to meet with 8th grade students and families next week,
Eric Alburtus
And if you want even more PC news…