October 20, 2023

SAVE THE DATE: Parent/Teacher Conferences - In-Person & Virtual, November 1 & 2

Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, November 1 and Thursday, November 2. We are offering both in-person and virtual options for conferences. This is a very important time for parents to discuss their student's progress with his/her teachers, as research has shown that parental involvement is one of the most important factors in a student's success in school. Please see the schedule below (buildings and teachers have or will be communicating specifics for reserving time slots).

• Wednesday, November 1, 3:30-7:30pm and Thursday, November 2, 3:30-7:00pm: Platte City Middle School, Platte Purchase Middle School Platte County High School, Northland Career Center
• Wednesday, November 1, 4:30-8:30pm and Thursday, November 2, 4:30-8:00pm: Great Beginnings, Barry Elementary, Compass Elementary, Pathfinder Elementary, Siegrist Elementary

Accepting Hall of Fame Nominations Until Dec. 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 2023-24 Hall of Fame through December 1, 2023.Complete the online nomination form here. The Hall of Fame will induct new members on January 23, 2024.

Pirate Pride: PCMS Character Playbook Event

For the Pirate Pride portion of the October meeting, the Board of Education recognized Platte City Middle School and its student panelists who facilitated the NFL's recent Character Playbook event on September 7. Former NFL linebacker Dhani Jones emceed the event with student panelists (Phin McMain, Emma Schank, Journey Martin, Cooper Miles and Ella Miller) and Chiefs panelists (Shawn Barber, Danan Hughes, and Sheila Sickau). The panel answered questions about core values, managing emotions, and goal-setting and then participated in some interactive small-group activities. Students took away key points in hard work, managing emotions, goal-setting, and more. As part of the event, the NFL took footage at PCMS that will be part of a video shown nationwide in NFL markets for the 2023 NFL season. 

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, and Results Orientation.

At the October board meeting, the paraprofessional team at Compass Elementary, (Michelle Aho, Sara Brouse, Angie Buckwalter, Caitie Frahm, Heather Fuehrer, Cristal Iman, Tarra McGee, Jessica Medina, Susie Meseberg, Janice Stenzel, and Mindy Williams) was recognized for student focus in supporting all students across three District-level programs at Compass Elementary.

Board Approves Increase to Substitute Pay

At the October meeting, the Board approved an increase in substitute pay to improve the District's ability to attract and retain substitutes, and thus fill the available openings each day. The following rate increases will take effect on October 22, 2023. If interested in becoming a substitute, click here.

• Short-term Classroom Substitute from $16.50 to $17.82, or $133.65 per day.
• Long-term Classroom substitute from $20.67 per hour/$155.03 a day to $22.28 per hour/$167.10 per day.
• NEW! Retired Teacher Serving as a Classroom Substitute $25.00 per hour/$187.50 per day.
• Paraprofessional Substitute from $15.00 per hour to $17.82 per hour.
• Administrative Assistant Substitute from $15.00 per hour to $17.71 per hour.
• Nurse - RN Substitute from $21.00 per hour to $29.51 per hour.
• Custodian Substitute from $15.00 per hour to $16.69 per hour.
• Lunch Monitor Substitute from $13.33 per hour to $13.57 per hour.

Teaching and Learning System Academic Achievement Results Summary

At the October meeting, Dr. Alicia Casey presented the 2023 Academic Achievement Results Summary. This update outlined the results from the assessments aligned to the Missouri Assessment Program administered in the Spring of 2023. All school districts in the state of Missouri are required to give specific assessments at the completion of various grade levels or secondary courses. Dr. Casey highlighted the following from PCR-3's state assessment results summary:

• The District continues to perform above the state average in all grades and content areas.  
• The District continues to focus on growth related to student achievement within each content area, across student graduation cohorts, and across achievement levels.
• Student results in mathematics continue to improve related to the revision of processes for student math course placement and assessment alignment.
• MAP Index Score (a state calculation measuring student growth) is increasing, validating student achievement growth.

Platte County School District Joins Success Ready Students Network to Further Real World Learning Efforts

The Board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU), enabling Platte County School District to become part of Missouri's Success Ready Students Network, specifically its Systems Design Zone. PCR-3 is committed to advancing Real World Learning, and this MOU allows our Academic Services Team to engage in ongoing collaborative learning with the state's entire network (beyond our Kauffman Real Work Learning grant partners) regarding our next steps in our work with Real World Learning, assessment, and accountability.

Enrollment Update Shared with the Board

Dr. Devin Doll, Executive Director of Operations, provided the Board an enrollment summary by building and cohort for the 2023-24 school year. Kindergarten through 12th grade enrollment across PCR-3's schools increased by 63 students, or 1.4% from last year's official enrollment.

NCC Haunted Forest - Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28

Go check out the Haunted Forest, 6-9pm on October 20, 21, 27 and 28 at Basswood Resort (5880 Interurban Rd, Platte City) and support our Northland Career Center students! See flier for details.

Parks and Rec Basketball by Oct. 23

Register for Platte City Parks and Recreation youth basketball for 3rd-6th graders by October 23! See flier for details and visit www.plattecityparks.org to register.

YMCA Trunk N Treat - Oct. 27

Join the community for a "haunted good time" at Platte City YMCA's Trunk N Treat - October 27 from 4:30-6:30pm. See flier for details.

PCHS Fall Musical - Nov. 8, 9 & 11

Mark your calendars for the PCHS Fall Musical: The Little Mermaid! November 8 & 9 at 7pm; November 11 at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are on sale for $10 per ticket - only sold online at pchstheatre.com. Limited backstage passes available for $20. You won't want to miss this show! See flier for details.

Yuletide Market - Nov. 11

The 9th annual Yuletide Market is scheduled for 9am to 3pm on Saturday, November 11 at Platte City Middle School to benefit the PCHS Music Parents Association. The Yuletide Market features local crafters, artisans, and direct sales consultants. See flier for details.

October 20: Professional Learning Day, No School

October 20: End of First Quarter

October 27: Report Cards Go Home

November 1 & 2: Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 3: No School

November 6: Professional Learning Day, No School

November 16: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)

November 22-24: No School, Thanksgiving Break