PCHS Community,

This week marked the completion of a major round of state testing—a unique and important time in our school year. It’s been inspiring to see our students approach each test with focus and determination, truly taking pride in doing their best. We’re also incredibly grateful to our staff, whose dedication and attention to detail make the complex process of testing coordination and administration run smoothly.

While state tests provide valuable insight into college and career readiness, we know they are just one part of a much bigger picture. Our students are so much more than a score, and their talents, growth, and character can't be measured by a single assessment. Still, we take the preparation and execution of these moments seriously—and it’s clear our students do, too.

Enjoy the weekend, Pirates—you’ve earned it!

Mrs. McBride & Mr. McMurray

Testing Dates & Logistics

Wednesday, April 16

What to Bring on Testing Day(s)

• FULLY CHARGED CHROMEBOOK & CHARGER (except for the WorkKeys for 11th graders)
• Water bottle
• Snack (for during breaks)
• Sharpened pencil
• *Calculators: The SAT and PSAT have one embedded in it, but if you prefer your own, you can bring it. The ACT WorkKeys for 11th graders on 4/10: all math problems can be solved without one, but you may bring one if you choose.
• ***Students MUST be prepared to turn in their cell phone at the start of testing if they bring it with them. Absolutely NO phones can be in the testing environment INCLUDING use during breaks per Michigan Merit Exam rules.

Starting the week of April 21, the southeast (staff lot) and northeast (athletic lot) parking lots will be closed for resurfacing. Thank you for your flexibility while these improvements are made and for being prepared to have a few more cars in the mix in the southwest and northwest (stadium) lots!

In recent years, a new high school tradition has emerged called "water wars." This is not a Pinckney-specific thing. It spans many high school communities across the nation. It typically occurs during the final weeks of school before graduation and is usually upperclassmen. We want to clarify that this is not a school-sponsored event. While the game has great potential to be fun and harmless (and we hope that's how it plays out!), it can also result in risky behavior and in some cases has drawn the attention of police departments due to concerns about safety or potential misuse of water guns. Please ask your student about it and whether they are partaking, and discuss good decision-making. We understand the event to be launching on Monday, April 14. Thank you. :)

Contact Tennille Sharp at tsharp@pinckneypirates.org to get connected with the planning committee or message the "2025 PCHS Senior All Nighter" Facebook page! This annual event is an entirely parent-planned event with guidance provided by PCHS. Thank you for considering joining the fun!

Consider purchasing and donating something off of the Senior All-Nighter Amazon Wishlist!! -- https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2PLVBTDBIHY2O

Our Junior Class has been working hard to fundraise and prepare for a beautiful event at another new venue!

This week's Positivity Project focus is Other People Matter - Identifying & Appreciating the Good in Others. Check out the P2 weekly family letter on identifying and appreciating the good in others which includes tools to practice and encourage this character trait at home.

THANK YOU for the mint and gum donations which served as great treats during breaks on testing days.

On deck:

• Preparing for May 5-9 Teacher Appreciation Week activities! So far, we're looking forward to providing our staff a coffee truck on Friday, gift card drawings across the week (or month depending on contributions!), and a catered lunch early in the week. Keep your eyes out for a sign-up to contribute gift cards!

Review the March PTO meeting minutes here, and consider joining us for the next meeting on Tuesday, April 15 at 6pm in the Pirate Union.

We recognize a student and staff member each week, nominated by the school community based on how fellow Pirates are exemplifying Positivity Project traits and identified by our Leadership & Link Crew class. Our Student of the Week is also recognized as a part of the Livingston Daily's spotlight, published digitally on Fridays and in print on Sundays.

On Fridays, students spend an hour in what we call Seminar. The purpose of Seminar is to ensure every student has at least one go-to adult mentor at PCHS focused on their well-being, academic success, and connection to a healthy school climate.

Decision Day is a fun annual tradition where we recognize and celebrate our Seniors' post-high school plans, whether they include college, the trades, the military, the workforce, or beyond. Seniors will be treated to pizza, cake, photo opps, and goodies to celebrate during lunch!

• 5/14: 5th & 6th Hour Exams (regular schedule for all students)
• 5/15: 3rd & 4th Hour Exams (regular schedule for 9th-11th, seniors leave after 4th/lunch)
• 5/16: 1st & 2nd Hour Exams (adjusted bell schedule w/ no Seminar, seniors pick up cap & gown in Commons after 2nd hour, and head out!)

Pick up a form in the Main Office or order online.

Updated event calendar

Agenda from 3/8/25 Senior Meeting

For those college-bound students anxiously awaiting the BIG news...see the link below for information about what it means to be "Deferred" or "Waitlisted" by your university of choice in the event this is the news you receive in the coming weeks.

Many Seniors have not yet ordered their cap & gown for graduation. This is a requirement for graduation. To order one, go to Jostens.com. You and your student should be receiving reminder emails from our Josten's rep, Janice Traub, which includes additional information. If you have questions, please reach out to Poppy Elliott in our Main Office. Thanks!

Members of the PCHS National Honor Society are available to provide tutoring support for interested Pirates. If your student is interested in tutoring, please fill out the form below.

At PCHS, if a student exceeds 10 absences in a semester in a course, they must make up the time missed in order to earn the credit for that course on their transcript - a must for graduation from high school! It is very important to be at school consistently to be successful academically. Please pay close attention to your student's attendance detail in MiStar and proactively support them to stay within that 10 absence maximum per semester. If a student has a hold on their credit due to absences, it will read as an "H" on their transcript.

Mr. McMurray, our Assistant Principal, offers "Mr. Mac's Academy" on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:30-4:30pm. This is a consistent opportunity to make-up hours due to excessive absences. To attend Mr. Mac's Academy, a student must sign up in advance at the front desk of the Main Office with Mrs. Lasure.

• April 16: MSTEP (11th only, regular school day for everyone else. 11th goes to class after testing finished)
• April 18: No School - Good Friday
• May 2: 2nd Semester Progress Report 3
• May 3: Prom
• Weeks of May 5 and May 12: AP Testing
• May 14-16: Senior Exams
• May 16: Seniors' Last Day of School
• May 26: No School - Memorial Day
• May 29: Senior Graduation Rehearsal, Clap-Out & BBQ, and Senior All-Nighter
• June 1: PCHS Graduation @ Pirate Stadium
• June 4-6: 2nd Semester Exams
• June 6: Half Day - Last Day of the 2024-25 School Year

District-Wide Calendars: https://www.pinckneypirates.org/page/calendars

Get your tickets to any and all games here!

https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10053

Follow along for all athletic tryouts, registration, schedules, and updates at https://pinckneyathletics.bigteams.com/

Looking for Pirate Athletics gear?

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/michigan/pinckney/pinckney-high-school

Looking for Pinckney Community Education programs?

https://pinckney.ce.eleyo.com/

Counseling Office: (810) 225.5603

Counseling Website: https://www.pinckneypirates.org/o/pchs (Select the Counseling drop-down menu.)

Counseling Secretary

Mrs. Jennifer Duncan

jduncan@pinckneypirates.org
810.225.5603, fax 810.225.5610

School Counselors

Ms. Amy Robinson MA, LLPC, SCL
School Counselor (A-Le)
arobinson@pinckneypirates.org

Ms. Nicole Braun MA, SCL
School Counselor (Lf-Z)
nbraun@pinckneypirates.org

PCHS Mental Health Specialists

Ms. Lynn Watkins, MA, LPC, SCL, NCC
Social/Emotional Mental Health Specialist
lwatkins@pinckneypirates.org
810.225.5607

Learn more about Ms. Watkins and 31n mental health services provided through LESA here.

Mrs. Sandra Parker
Social Worker Project SUCCESS Counselor, Youth-Led Prevention Facilitator, and Community Outreach Coordinator
sparker@pinckneypirates.org
810.225.6534

Advise MI College Adviser

Ms. Clarice Farina
cfarina@pinckneypirates.org

https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/next-steps-after-submitting-fafsa?fbclid=IwY2xjawGz5oNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRKka6i0n9aFLMyihglbBo-37k7BpSXh1zj9IIoxjUtLcSRXCwzW-Dgh0w_aem_lWOVH_9pVbYxw0CBaFY4vw&sfnsn=mo

Seniors and Families,

Here are some especially helpful resources as you navigate your next steps during College Application season (some of these are also linked within the Senior Presentation that was shared via email with Class of 2025 students and families on Friday, September 20th):

Common App

• Common App (the primary college application platform; apply to MANY colleges through this single application)
• Common App: 1st year student resources
• Common App: Essay Prompts (& Tips!)

MI College Access Network

• MCAN College Fee Waivers
• MCAN College Average GPA (& SAT) Requirements
• MCAN (Michigan College Access Network) offers a plethora of different resources for guiding students during the college application process!

And more

• Michigan's Public Universities Guide to Admissions 2023-24

• PCHS PIRATE PATH CALENDAR - lots of College Rep Visit options, Campus Open House dates, Financial Aid webinars, and more!
• Create your FSA ID to apply for FAFSA, which is now open for all high school Senior students! Get your FAFSA completed early and easily!

  
  

  Typically, the parent and the student will each have their own sections of the FAFSA to complete using their own FSA ID. Click here to see which parent(s) need to be involved in the FAFSA process.

  NOTE: Some students may be considered independent on the FAFSA and will not be asked to include parent information on the application. Determine dependency status here.

  
  

• Apply for scholarships. Please check out the scholarship list on the high school website as it is updated daily.

Best wishes for many "acceptance" notices ahead!

Find out more about discounted community college and register for a webinar!

Through school, family, and community connections, the PCHS Career Development Program empowers students to discover and develop meaningful career paths, ensuring they are prepared to step into the next chapter of their lives with confidence.

Come explore local career opportunities at the Youth Employment Fair on April 23rd, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM!

No matter the industry, businesses offer a variety of roles that span different career clusters. For example, you might find a business management opportunity at a manufacturing company! You never know what you'll discover!

Employers - including Trinity Health, LaFontaine, Moeller Aerospace, Michigan CAT, Chestnut Development, and many more - are hiring for summer jobs, part-time and full-time positions, apprenticeships, internships, and job shadows. Whether you're still in high school, graduating soon, or already a graduate, there are opportunities waiting for you.

All students who pre-register and attend will be entered for a chance to win a $50 gas card. Additionally, all attendees will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize sponsored by some of our employers! Previous prizes have included a TV, AirPods, and a JBL Speaker!

Students can pre-register here and preview the current list of employers. Be sure to check back daily as more companies continue to sign up!

This grief resources document includes a variety of links to support parents and students.

You’re not alone…Parenting is hard

Coaching and resources for Parents…

DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE OR PARENTING? CONSIDER MEETING WITH A PARENTING COACH…

FREE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:

• Weekly calls with a coach

• Ask a therapist

• Guided, step-by-step resources

• Access to on-demand videos on various topics

• Confidential help

• Find hope, connect today at parentguidance.org

…50% of parents worry their child is struggling, but don’t know what to do.

…32% of parents feel their child is unhappy.

…An estimated 10-20% of adolescents globally experience mental health conditions

See documents linked below.

Pinckney Community Schools is hiring!

https://pinckneypirates.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
Right now:
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Aide

Starting the 25-26 School Year:
Farley Elementary Principal (replacing Yvonne Taylor, a wonderful long-time leader who is retiring)

Math Teacher
Additional teaching positions starting the 25-26 school year will be posted soon.

If you are passionate about creating a learning and work environment where every student and adult feels connected to one another, empowered to lead, and prepared to do whatever they want to do next, join us!

Feel free to share employment opportunities with us and will place them here for future newsletters!

If you don't already, follow us on:

• Instagram at @pinckneyhighschool
• Facebook at Pinckney Community High School.

• 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) may exit the building during school hours, and only through the 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 required to have a parking pass if parking in the PCHS lot during the school day. Make sure you've paid for your pass in the Main Office!
• PCHS Morning Announcement Request Form
• PCS Secondary Student Handbook
• PCS Transportation Code of Conduct
• Have a tech issue? Submit a helpdesk ticket at: helpdesk.pinckneypirates.org

• Attendance Hotline: 810-225-5510 / hs-attendance@pinckneypirates.org

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