November 17, 2023

Inclement Weather Planning

Please visit the Winter Weather Information page on the Parents Tab of the District website for information on recess and clothing considerations (there will be no outdoor recess when the wind chill is at 20 degrees or below), cancellations, two-hour delayed starts, how the District will notify families, and Y-Club info.

In the event of school cancellation or delayed start, PCR-3 will get that information out as early as possible through automated phone calls and text messages, the District website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the District Hotline (816-858-2752), and local media.

PCR-3 will implement traditional inclement weather days (no school and no virtual learning), until we reach a threshold that would push the school year past Memorial Day. We will make those days up per our academic calendar, and if we go past the planned make up days for inclement weather, we will implement our Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Days.

Parents: To opt in to receive texts, please text the word "YES" to 67587.

Board of Education Member Filing

Persons wishing to file as candidates for election to the Board of Education of the Platte County R-3 School District must file (in accordance with Board Policy BBB) at the District Education Center located at 998 Platte Falls Road, Platte City, Missouri, 64079.

Filing opens on December 5, 2023, and will be open for all candidates at 8:00 am. Candidate filing will continue via the schedule below until its conclusion on December 26, 2023 at 5:00 pm. To make an appointment, contact Danielle Nickell at nickelld@platteco.k12.mo.us or 816-858-5420.

• December 5, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm
• December 6-8, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm
• December 11-15, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm
• December 18-21, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm
• December 22, 2023, By Appointment Only
• December 26, 2023, 3:00pm to 5:00pm

There are two, 3-year terms to be elected at the General Municipal Election on April 2, 2024. Seats currently held by the following board members (in alphabetical order) are up for election: Doug Doll and Karen Bryant.

Click here for more information about serving on the board.

We Value Your Input: Parent Survey Open until Dec. 3

We are conducting our annual parent survey and ThoughtExchange 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.

If you have not already completed the survey, we ask that you complete the survey by clicking here. We will close the survey on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Thank you in advance for your feedback!

Highway 92 Recruiting Event -

Dec. 9 at T-Shotz

There’s a place for you in education! Three exceptional school districts along the Highway 92 corridor are coming together for a special recruitment event, and we want YOU to be a part of it! Platte County, Smithville, and Kearney School District are all actively seeking passionate individuals to join our teams. We’re accepting applications for teaching openings for the upcoming school year. Paraprofessional, substitute, custodian, and maintenance roles are available now! Join us December 9, between 10am and 1pm at T-Shotz, 660 NW Metro North Dr.

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: Safety Team Recognized for Intruder Response Training

For the Pirate Pride portion of the November meeting, the Board of Education recognized the safety team consisting of Zachary White, Mike Kwiatkowski, and Chase Hurst, who completed a comprehensive ALICE Violent Intruder Training and subsequently developed a training program that was delivered to all Platte County School District staff prior to the start of the school year.  

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 November board meeting, Siegrist Elementary specials staff members (Anna Burnett, Julia Burrows, Tyler Crawford, Lori Mann, Dana Neal, Robin Skaggs, and Sara Stapleton) were recognized for their student focus, collaboration, and visionary leadership for their joint efforts in ensuring a healthy sense of belonging among Siegrist Elementary students.

Community Survey Results Presented

In October and November 2023, a telephone survey was conducted with 300 randomly selected registered voters in the Platte County R-3 School District to learn their views on the District's performance, and on ideas being considered for a potential ballot issue. Following the phone survey, a similar online version of the survey has been made available to District residents. Click here for the online survey; this survey closes at the end of today, November 17.

At the November Board meeting, a summary of the phone survey results were presented. Respondents were asked to rate the performance of the District in several areas. In every case, majorities rated the District as excellent or good, and 64% of respondents graded the district at an A or B. Respondents were told that Platte County School District is considering a proposal to waive what is called the Prop C rollback, and noted that approving this proposal adds about 31 cents to the tax rate collected by the district. In response, fewer than half (46.3%) of respondents said they would favor this proposal. With knowledge that these projects would be provided with no increase to the overall tax levy, more than 70% of the total sample supported the Prop C rollback proposal.

Teaching and Learning System Key Process Update

At the November meeting, Dr. Alicia Casey and Dr. Jennifer Beutel, presented a key process update on the District's Teaching and Learning System. Updates regarding staff collaboration, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development were provided in alignment with key actions of the Teaching and Learning System. Specific process action updates include continuation, development and implementation of:

• Comprehensive Teaching & Learning System that produces programs of excellence
• Comprehensive curriculum revision and implementation plan to ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum
• Comprehensive assessment system for monitoring the teaching and learning system
• Comprehensive behavior management framework to ensure success for learning
• Meaningful, relevant, and high-quality professional development in alignment with the Teaching & Learning System using educational best practice

Platte City Holiday Lighting - Nov. 22

Come join the community at the Platte City Holiday Lighting Celebration on Wednesday November 22, downtown Platte City, starting at 5:30 p.m. October and November character/leadership students will be recognized at the event and PCHS's Concert Choir and Barry Elementary's 5th Grade Choir will be performing! See flier for details.

PCHS FCCLA Merry & Active Kits

It's that time of year when the elves come to visit! Let FCCLA take the stress of planning activities away with completely prepared "Elf Kits" and/or holiday activities. There are 4 kit options: 1) A family pack of Holiday Activities, 2) 14 Elf Activities, 3) 24 Elf Activities, and 4) Activities over winter break.

See flier for details and click here for the order form. Sale ends today, November 17.

PCHS Dance Team Mother/Son Bash - Dec.

The PCHS Treasures Dance Team is inviting all boys in grades K-5 to invite their mom (grandma, aunt, guardian, etc.) for the 2023 Mother & Son Bash! See flier for details and sign up here.

PCHS Science Club Wreath Fundraiser

PCHS Science Club is hosting a fall and winter wreath fundraiser to support their butterfly waystation and other club activities! See flier for details and click here to place a wreath order.

November 22-24: No School, Thanksgiving Break

December 14: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)

December 20: 1st Semester Ends, 3-hour early Dismissal

December 21-January 2: No School, Winter Break

January 12: Professional Learning Day, No School, Report Cards Go Home

January 15: No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 18: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm, (reconvene from closed session which begins at 5:30pm)