November 19, 2021
PCR-3 Announces Dr. Jay Harris as Next Superintendent. Dr. Jay Harris will become the next Superintendent of the Platte County School District and will officially begin serving in this capacity on July 1, 2022. He succeeds Dr. Mike Reik, who announced his retirement from the District for the end of June, after serving 13 years as Superintendent, and 21 years at PCR-3. Dr. Harris has served as PCR-3’s Executive Director of Operations since 2016, and has been in public education for 30 years. Click here to read the announcement.
DISTRICT CELEBRATIONS AND NOTICES
Fall Activities Recap
PCHS activities had another very successful fall season with many teams competing in post-season play! Since our last newsletter, activities shared the following updates:

Cheerleading: Both JV and Varsity placed 2nd at Regionals and will be competing at state on December 12.
Softball: Finished 21-10 and brought home the 3rd place trophy at state.
Football: Finished 9-3, district runner up.
Volleyball: Finished 24-10, district runner up.
Boys Soccer: Finished 20-4, district runner up.
Boys Swimming: Finished 17th as a team at state, with freshman Palmer Keith medaling and setting two new school records.
Cross Country: Boys finished 9th and
Girls 13th at state, Sisely Mitchell earned 11th place medal and became the 2nd fastest girl in PCXC history.
Vocal Music: 8 All-State Choir members: Natalie Shepherd, Annabelle Sweet, Lauren Talley, Brennan Edmunds, Austin Vanek, Brock Vignery, Lukas Lockett and Lucas Williams
Band: PCR-3 received 56 high school honors and 23 middle school honors for All-District Band.
New Middle School #2 Breaks Ground
Platte County School District's New Middle School #2 project officially broke ground on November 17, 2021, during an afternoon ceremony at the project site.

The groundbreaking included PCR-3's 8th grade cheerleaders, Pathfinder Elementary Girl Scouts, Mayor Quinton Lucas, Councilman Dan Fowler, Barry School student Jack Dillingham, District leadership, the design and construction teams from Hollis & Miller Architects and McCown Gordon Construction, and several patrons. Progress updates will be posted monthly under the Strategic Plan channel of the District website here.

The overall project completion is targeted for May of 2023 to open for the 2023-24 school year. The District will soon be requesting public input and engaging a committee to recommend a name for the new school.

Please Complete the PCR-3 Parent Survey by Dec. 3
We are conducting our annual parent survey to gather feedback on strengths of the District, as well as areas to consider for growth. Your input is important and will be considered when making future decisions.

We will close the survey and Thought Exchange on Friday, December 3, 2021. Thank you in advance for your feedback!
PCR-3 Community Advisory:
First Meeting December 8
We had nearly 75 community members apply for the PCR-3 Community Advisory. These volunteers will have an ongoing role to review the District’s progress toward its Comprehensive Strategic Improvement Plan (CSIP) goals, as well as to provide input regarding the District's general operation and specific issues impacting education activities and programs.

The first general membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 6:30pm at Platte City Middle School.
Accepting Hall of Fame Nominations Until December 1
Do you know of a special volunteer, former teacher/employee, or someone who has contributed significantly to the enhancement of the Platte County R-3 School District or has had outstanding accomplishments after graduating from PCHS? If so, now is the time to recognize those special individuals. The PCHS Booster Club is now taking applications for the 2021-22 Hall of Fame through December 1, 2021. You can pick up an application at the high school office, or access the online nomination form here. The Hall of Fame will induct new members in 2022.
PCR-3 Celebrates Veterans Day
Across our District, we honored our local military family in various ways: assemblies with patriotic band and choir performances as well as inspiring speeches and history lessons; artwork, thank you cards, and refreshments made especially for veterans close to our students; welcoming our veterans for arrival, celebrations, and into our classrooms to share their experiences; and congratulating our newest members of our military family - PCHS students enlisting after graduation. Thank you to all of our honored guests, and thank you to all who have served, are serving, and will serve! Click here to see photos.
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Pirate Pride: PCHS Counseling Program
For the Pirate Pride portion of the November meeting, the Board recognized members of PCHS's School Counselors for their efforts leading their department to become a Nationally Recognized Missouri Program. PCHS is the 8th school and the second high school in Missouri to be recognized since the program began. Congrats! 
SCHIVIR Me Timbers Staff Recognition
Each month, PCR-3 recognizes staff members who are living our vision, mission, and values, by presenting the "SCHIVIR Me Timbers" award. SCHIVIR is an acronym for our values:
  • Student Focus
  • Collaboration
  • High Expectations
  • Integrity
  • Visionary Leadership
  • Innovation
  • Results Orientation

At the November board meeting, Darrick Hale, Teacher at Platte City Middle School, was recognized for his student focus. Darrick provides excellent service and attention not only to the students he works with in providing academic interventions, but to his fellow co-workers. Dr. Miller described Darrick's attitude toward his position, "He treats it as a 'get-to job' not a 'got-to-job."
2021 Bond Program Update
Each month, project managers for our 2021 Bond Program projects, will provide an update on construction projects taking place throughout the District. At the November meeting, Matt St. Louis with Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, reviewed construction progress on the PCHS Rebuild Phase One project.
The push has started to get areas at the PCHS Phase I project enclosed for winter. Roofing prep at the classroom wing and exterior walls are underway. The steel frame has started for the common areas. The gymnasium complex precast wall panels are set, and concrete slabs are being poured throughout the building. Irrigation and sod has been installed at the new baseball field ahead of the field turf next month. As fencing and concessions area finish this winter, the field will be ready for action this coming season. Overall, crews are on schedule to finish the project as planned by December of 2022. Click here to see a time lapse video of the project.
COVID-19 Health, Safety, and Mitigation Strategies
Following reports of our community and District COVID-19 data, the Board of Education voted to extend the current mask requirement for all persons within all District facilities to December 20, 2021.
Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Development Key Process Update
At the November meeting, Dr. Alicia Casey, presented a key process update on the District's Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Development. Updates were provided relevant to the systematic continuous improvement of teaching and learning. Specific process action updates were provided in the following areas:
  • Curriculum: Writing, Implementation & Monitoring Process; 4 Lens Resource Evaluation & Selection
  • Instruction: Improvement Teams, Relevant & Engaging Instruction and Experiences, English Language Arts Teaching & Learning, Math Teaching & Learning, Instructional Technology, Initial Planning of Real-World Learning K-12
  • Assessment: Grade/Course Common Unit Assessments, Comprehensive Assessment Venue
  • Professional Development: Academic Senate, Job-embedded Professional Development, Meaningful, Safe & Caring Classroom Experience
COMMUNITY EVENTS/INFORMATION
PCHS Dance Mother/Son Bash - Nov. 20
The PCHS Treasures Dance Team is inviting all boys in grades K-6 to invite their mom (grandma, aunt, guardian, etc.) for the 2021 Mother & Son Bash!

PCHD Vaccination Clinics - Nov. 20 & Dec. 15
Platte County Health Department is hosting a pediatric COVID vaccine clinic for children between 5-11 years old at Congress Middle School on Nov. 20 with openings for walk-ins from 2:15-3pm for PCR-3, West Platte and North Platte residents. This will be first come/first serve, while supplies last.
Platte City Holiday Lighting - Nov. 24
Come join the community at the Platte City Holiday Lighting Celebration on Wednesday November 24, downtown Platte City, starting at 5:30 p.m. October and November character/leadership students will be recognized during the event and PCHS's Concert Choir will be performing! See flier for details.
Giving Tuesday Painting Party - Nov. 30
Join fellow artists for a Giving Tuesday Painting Party on November 30, a fundraiser for Platte City Friends of the Arts. Registration deadline is Nov. 19. Sign up here and see flier for details.
Middle School Winter Guard Clinics - Nov. 29-Dec. 1
All 7th and 8th graders are invited to join the ALL NEW Middle School Winter Guard team. No experience required, dance experience welcomed. Clinics will be held November 29, 30, and December 1 from 6:30-8:30pm in the PCMS Gym. See flier for details.
Friends of the Arts Holiday Song & Dance - Dec. 5
Platte City Friends of the Arts presents Holiday Song & Dance with the Platte City Community Band, Harper Haus Music Co, and Beatniks Dance & Tumble on Sunday, December 5 at 3pm at PCHS's Wilson Auditorium. See flier for details.
UPCOMING DISTRICT DATES
November 24-26: No School, Thanksgiving Break
December 8: PLC Day, 2-hour early dismissal
December 16: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)
December 22: 1st Semester Ends; 3-hour early dismissal/Teacher Work Day
December 23-January 3: No School, Winter Break
January 4: Classes Resume, 2nd Semester Begins
Thank you to our Pirates ROCK Stars!
Thank you to all our Pirates ROCK Star business partners who support character education in our schools! And thank you to our District-wide Pirates ROCK Star partner, Tradition Home Group.

Vision: Building Learners of Tomorrow...

Mission: To prepare individual learners for success in life, 
the Platte County School District provides meaningful experiences in a safe and caring environment.

Values: Student Focus, Collaboration, High Expectations, Integrity, Visionary Leadership, Innovation, Results Orientation