PCHS Community,

It's been a better week, and we are excited for all that Homecoming week is sure to bring next week!

If you've listened to Superintendent Todd's video message today, you know we're experiencing some staffing shortages across the education system. We are not immune to this at PCHS. We are in a current reality where some classes are being covered by substitute teachers before a new teacher is set to start or while we engage in the recruitment and hiring process. Thankfully, this is impacting a small minority of our classrooms, but it has an impact on our students' experience and learning nonetheless and this matters a whole heck of a lot to us. Staffing is of utmost importance to us right now. We are excited to have our new Robotics teacher, Ben Lear, starting this coming Monday, and a returning Social Studies teacher, Jenni Rose joining us October 18! This is great news, and we look forward to sharing more goodness of this kind in the weeks to come.

Read below for all sorts of updates, celebrations, and opportunities.

Enjoy this beautiful fall weather!

Mrs. McBride & Mrs. Woods

Here is the latest:

• Homecoming Parade - Friday, October 7 @ 4:30pm - See details in the flyer below!
• Homecoming Football Game - Friday, October 8 @ 7pm vs. Ypsilanti
• Homecoming Dance - Saturday, October 9 - Outside @ Pirate Stadium from 7-9pm

We've had a great turnout of volunteers so far for the Homecoming Dance, but we still have a few slots to fill. Volunteer or Donate through this Sign-Up Genius!

Hello Pirate Parents,

Tik Tok Challenges.

Those three words used to have me shake my head, thinking who in their right mind would ever try such things?

Now I wonder, do the students engaging in these challenges understand the long term ramifications of their actions?

This first month of school has been riddled with students destroying the building - primarily the boys restrooms - to participate in the September Tik Tok Challenge. The challenge to vandalize and steal from your school.

As if that wasn’t enough, there are going to be more monthly challenges. This is where I am asking for your support and assistance. Please talk to your students about the ramifications of participating in these types of challenges.

Some of the challenges are criminal in nature. Yes, criminal. If your student decides to be part of one of these challenges, they will earn school consequences that could include expulsion proceedings, along with law enforcement involvement and potential serious criminal charges.

We cannot and will not allow for an unsafe environment at school. All participants in negative Tik Tok challenges will earn school consequences and law enforcement will be notified.

Thank you for your support in expecting respect and dignity for all,

April Woods, Principal of Student Services

Expect a communication early next week with specifics about your testing time and location!

We will continue to use the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Covid Guidance (for now). You can view those guidelines here.

All of our teachers are using Google Classroom this year. Google Classrooms will be updated regularly and in a way that students can access resources and assignments from anywhere with the internet.

Every teacher's Google Classroom will be organized in the following ways:

• A daily agenda posted in the Stream (which is the landing page of the Classroom), and potentially in the Classwork area
• Syllabus posted in a Classroom Materials section in Classwork
• Resources and assignments organized in a logical manner in Classwork (i.e. by day, week, unit, or project)

We will be working together as a staff to continue to improve our Google Classroom approach so that students can continue their learning with relative ease if quarantined. Your feedback will continue to be appreciated to inform this process.

A Note Re: Quarantine Attendance

Students in quarantine will have their attendance proactively entered by our Main Office. It will be marked with an "M" with the note of Covid quarantine, so teachers know this is the situation and can support these students accordingly.

A reminder that the best defense against quarantine is vaccination!

Seminar @ PCHS has 3 objectives: student wellness, academic success, and a healthy school climate.

This week in Seminar, students completed the weekly wellness survey and checked MiStar to inform 1:1 check-ins with their Seminar teacher and their priorities during work time. Students voted for their class's "Pirate Crew" representatives for Homecoming. Stugo met to continue fleshing out next week's Homecoming itinerary. And some students dove into Xello to support their ongoing college & career exploration.

Yearbooks and Senior Grad Ads are available for purchase through Jostens.

Order your yearbook today: https://www.yearbooknerds.com/pinckney-high-school-yearbook

Senior Portraits are due November 13th, 2021.

Please see the image below for information on photo dimensions, photo submission, and local photographers.

If you have any questions, please email Yearbook Advisor Lisa St. John after August 30th at lstjohn@pinckneypirates.org

2021-22 PCHS Calendar: Check out the 2021-22 school year calendar here!

• October 6: Powderpuff Game @ 7pm Pirate Stadium
• October 6 & 7: Count Days @ PCHS. Attendance is paramount for school funding!
• October 8: Homecoming Parade @ 4:30, Homecoming Football Game @ 7pm
• October 9: Homecoming Dance - 7:00-9:00pm Outside @ Pirate Stadium
• October 15: Picture Re-Take Day
• October 28: Orchestra Concert @ Tasch
• October 29: End of First Marking Period

Get your tickets to any and all games here! --> https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10053

Pinckney Community Schools: https://pinckneypirates.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx (Come work with us!!)

• Full-Day Schedule: 7:30am-2:30pm
• Half-Day Schedule: 7:30am-10:55am
• Friday Early Release Schedule: 7:30am-1:09pm
• PCHS is a closed campus. Only those approved to leave the building (i.e. for CTE, Dual Enrollment, Co-Op, sign-out) may exit the building during school hours through the North or South entrance. This is in service of ensuring all students are safely where they should be!
• If running late to school, students need to park in the Main Entrance lot (South side) in order to sign in at the Main Office. The North doors will be locked after 7:45am.
• Students are now assigned parking spots as a part of purchasing a parking pass. Make sure you're parking in your spot!
• PCS Transportation Code of Conduct
• 7th-12th Grade PCS 2021-22 Student Handbook

Email: jmcbride@pinckneypirates.org
Website: www.pinckneypirates.org
Location: 10255 Dexter-Pinckney Road, Pinckney, MI, USA
Phone: 8102255500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinckneyhigh
Twitter: @PinckneyHigh