For Thursday, March 13
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
Juniors taking the SAT, do you need a calculator?
If you'd like to borrow a school-issued calculator for the SAT on April 9th, please fill out the linked form by 3 p.m. on Friday, April 4th. A calculator will be delivered to your testing room on test day for you. Thanks!
Buy your PC swag on sale!
The Portage Central Corral School Store is excited to announce a Clearance Sale on some of our most popular items. This is a perfect opportunity to get some great deals on apparel before the end of the year! We have discounts on T-shirts, quarter-zips, long sleeves, and more. We are open in the commons during lunch and always on our website, https://pcschoolstore.ludus.com/, where you can place pick-up orders. We look forward to seeing you!
Are you interested in earning the Community Service Award?
The deadline is approaching. All community service hours for the 2024-25 school year must be submitted to Mr. Brown in room 1133 (or the Main Office) before we leave for spring break on March 26. Hours completed during spring break can still be turned in but must be submitted by April 10. Only hours completed over spring break will be accepted on April 10 to count toward the 2024-25 Community Service Award. Any hours completed after spring break and this summer will count toward the 2025-26 Community Service Award, so keep up the great work!
In celebration of World Languages Month, we wanted to share what we have learned as colleagues throughout the district have worked to prepare for curriculum improvements ahead. So each week in Mustang Minutes we will share different aspects of learning a new language and what that process can do for our kids.
Portage Public Schools’ vision is to be an exceptional, continuously-improving learning culture with high expectations, committed to all!
And our community recognizes the value of learning other languages
With a 5 being the highest possible rating, you can see that members of the Portage school-community understand the importance of succeeding with a world language.
Parent/Guardian: Increases test scores, helps students better understand their own language, helps with college entrance, helps with future jobs
Student: I believe that it can help students communicate with more people in the world. Even here in Michigan, there are plenty of people that speak languages other than English. Also, I believe that learning a different language can help students with English, by teaching more basic grammar and comparing it to English.
PPS Graduate: It helps support understanding your own language, especially grammar. It also helps open perspective and mindset to other cultures and ways of doing things outside of the U.S. It also opens other opportunities for students; they can travel, they can earn incentive pay in their careers, and they can better understand what is going on globally.
Is your child interested in a trade?
Wayland's Carpenter and Millwright Training Center is offering the opportunity for an open tour on April 17th. The registration link is on the flyer, and it is a free event with lunch.
From the district curriculum office…
A change in awarding credit from classes at the middle schools
Based on guidance from MDE, if your son/daughter earned high school credit in middle school, it will count toward the 26 total credits required toward graduation. This practice will align with MCL 380.1278(b)(2), which states: “If a pupil successfully completes 1 or more of the high school credits required under subsection (1) or under section 1278a(1) or (3) before entering high school, the pupil must be given high school credit for that credit.” Although past practices may have differed, we will now align with MDE’s recommendation.
Guidance
â—Ź Students who successfully completed any PPS course for high school credit in middle school will be granted the high school credit.
â—Ź The credits earned will count toward the 26 credits required for graduation.
● Credits earned in middle school are reflected on the student’s transcript.
â—Ź Credits earned in middle school do not affect the high school grade point average (GPA).
â—Ź This change will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year and impact all students.
For specific questions on how this change might impact your son/daughter, please contact your child’s assigned counselor.
Big Band Bash is Friday, March 21
On Friday, March 21, PC will be hosting Big Band Bash in the Commons. Tickets are $5 each and are available at the door or thru Ludus at this link. This year's BBB will be featuring the Portage Northern HS Jazz Band, Portage Central HS Jazz Band, as well as the WMS/CMS William Short Rock/Jazz Ensemble. Cost of tickets also includes a beverage and dessert. Come and join us for a night of fun and live jazz music!
Proud and grateful for our kids and their leadership,
Eric Alburtus
And if you want even more PC news…