Pathfinder Press

A Few Minutes Can Make a Big Difference

Absences are not the only way students miss valuable learning time. Arriving late or leaving early can also add up quickly.

Our building opens at 8:30 a.m., giving students 15 minutes to enter the building, get settled, connect with classmates, and prepare for the day. Our tardy bell rings at 8:45 a.m., when instruction begins.

Consider how quickly missed minutes can accumulate:

• Arriving 10 minutes late once a week adds up to nearly six hours of missed instruction during the school year.

• Arriving 15 minutes late twice a week adds up to more than two full school days of missed instruction.

• Missing two days each month can total approximately 18 days, which equals an entire month of missed instruction by the end of the year.

Morning routines and opening activities help students feel prepared and connected. When students arrive by 8:30, they can begin the day calmly and confidently instead of feeling rushed or trying to catch up. If mornings are challenging, we are always here to help. Don't hesitate to reach out to your teacher, our counselor, Ms. Lund or myself and we would be happy to help support you and your student.

Thank you for helping your child arrive on time and ready to learn!

Dr. Tim Reves

Principal

• September 14- PTA Meeting 5:30 PM
• September 15-30- Major Saver Fundraiser Campaign
• September 21- NO SCHOOL - Professional Learning Day

• September 22 - Pathfinder Family Night 5-7 PM

Join us for Pathfinder Family Night on Tuesday, September 22, from 5–7 PM!

Come connect with your student’s teacher, get a closer look at their classroom, and learn more about ways you can support your student’s learning at home. We’ll share helpful tools and resources you can use throughout the school year.

And because family night is better with pizza, Mainstreet Credit Union is providing dinner for our Pathfinder families!

We hope to see you there!

All parents are asked to review the 2026-27 Elementary School Parent/Student Handbook with their student and complete the acknowledgement form in the PowerSchool Parent Portal by September 25, 2026. The handbook can be found on Parent Portal or on our website here.

If using the PowerSchool mobile app:

• Select the More icon at the bottom of your Dashboard.
• Tap Forms.
• Choose Platte County School District Parent/Student Handbook.

If using a desktop browser:

• Sign in to PowerSchool Parent Portal.
• From the left menu, select Forms.
• Choose Platte County School District Parent/Student Handbook.

Support Platte County High School by purchasing your custom Yard Signs. This is a great way to show support and school spirit! You can customize your sign with up to three different plaques. All orders are due by Friday, September 18th, at midnight. Please contact kasner.hannah@pcr3schools.org with any questions.

We’re excited to welcome lunch visitors beginning September 8! With our larger student body and limited seating, we’ve made a few changes to help make lunch visits run smoothly.

Please note: Lunch visitors will be scheduled on different days for different grade levels. Each grade has assigned visitor days, so please be sure to check the schedule below before signing up. Visitors may only come on their student’s designated day.

A few important reminders:

• Sign-up is required, and seating is limited.
• Each student may have no more than two visitors.
• When possible, please make alternate care arrangements for non-school-age children, as seating is limited.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we adjust to our larger student body. We’re excited to welcome you to Pathfinder and share lunchtime with our students!

📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays | 4:00–5:15 PM

📆 September 14–November 5
📝 Registration closes September 13

Spots are limited, so don’t miss out! Lace up and join the fun! 💜

Parents can deposit money for meal transactions via you PowerSchool Parent Portal with no additional fees. You can also send cash or checks to school with your child. We are unable to process debit/credit card payments in the office.

We’re excited for another amazing year of sports, friendships, inclusion, and FUN! To participate as a Special Olympics athlete, students must:

• Be enrolled in the Platte County R-3 School District
• Be 8 years or older
• Meet Special Olympics Missouri eligibility requirements by having an intellectual disability or closely related developmental disability that impacts general learning and adaptive skills such as self-care, independent living, recreation, work, or self-direction.

Think your student might qualify or want to learn more? Check out the flier and join us for the parent/registration meeting on September 16. We can’t wait for another great year with our PCR-3 Unified family!

Join us for Military Appreciation Night at the September 18 home football game vs. Smithville! We have a variety of activities planned to recognize our community's current and former military members. Wear your red, white, and blue, or Pirate Orange, and don’t miss the 180th Airlift Squadron C-130 flyover during the National Anthem. Be in your seats before kickoff!

• Pirates vs. Smithville Warriors, September 18, Pirate Stadium, kickoff at 7pm
• Digital tickets to the game

The PCHS Pirate Store will have limited-edition USA/Camo apparel available in person at the game only—not online! Choose from 3 shirts and 2 hats, all $25 each.

Military members can receive a 10% discount with a Military ID, and while supplies last, each purchase includes a free USA/Camo game swag item (up to 5 items).

Platte County School District's Homecoming festivities run September 28-October 3. This year's theme is "The Magic Lives On," - a Disney theme. Visit this event page for information on Homecoming activities, including spirit week information, the Homecoming Victory Supper, parade, and football game.

• PCHS Pirate Store has a limited supply of HOCO T-Shirts for sale ($25 each)

• You may also order online -- ALL HOCO ORDERS ARE DUE BY 9/18 at midnight so we have enough time to get your ordered delivered to you for 10/2 Homecoming. Hoodies, crewnecks, long sleeves, and t-shirts all available online (t-shirts only in person and limited supply)

It is our goal to help support all of our Platte County families who may need assistance paying negative lunch balances. Now you can help by contributing to our negative meal balance fund. Thank you for considering a donation to help families pay down meal debt. Every contribution makes a real difference for families in our community. Feel free to pass this information along to any community organization that may be interested in assisting with this fund.

Platte County School District is Cell Phone Free during the school day to support focused learning, respectful interactions, and a safe, welcoming school environment. The plan is in alignment with Missouri legislation (Senate Bill 68) and means students will keep their personal devices put away during the school day so they can fully engage in learning and social connections. Learn more about what this means, what devices are included, and how we support students by clicking here.

All tickets for PCR-3 athletic events are digital. Fans can purchase tickets online through GoFan or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple Pay and Google Pay. A regular season game is $7 for adults and $5 for students. PCHS students and fans aged 55 and older are admitted free with a valid ID.

Device insurance for student devices has moved to a new system for the 2026-27 school year. Families who wish to participate must enroll by October 1 through your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.

• Enrollment Cost: $30 per student device
• Free/Reduced Meal Students: $0 enrollment cost
• How to Enroll: Log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and complete the Insurance Form under "Forms." Via the PowerSchool app, go to "More," then "Forms." The $30 enrollment fee will be collected within the form.

Insurance can significantly reduce the cost of repairs or replacement. With insurance, the cost for a standard repair is $40, while lost or stolen devices have a $100 replacement fee. Without insurance, families are responsible for the increased repair or replacement costs. Visit the One-to-One Learning page of our website for additional Student Device FAQs and responsibilities.

Replacement costs without insurance:

• K-2: $400
• Grades 3-8: $475
• Grades 9-12: $500

Additional fees apply: Case replacement ($40 with insurance/$110 without), Apple-certified charger replacement ($40 with or without insurance), and cleaning fee for sticker removal ($20 with or without insurance).

Questions? Please contact us at the school for assistance.

Safety is our District's top priority. PCR-3 has a system of safety and security measures in place, including trained security staff, secure entryways, ongoing monitoring, and partnership with local law enforcement.

We remind parents, staff, and students that school safety is the responsibility of the entire school community. Please follow the principle of "see something, say something." If anyone (student, parent, staff member, community member) sees or hears anything of concern, please contact the District office at (816) 858-5420 so that those concerns can be investigated. You and your child can also easily report tips on bullying, harassment, or any safety issue you're concerned about through our online Safe Schools Alert system. Every tip is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action. Each building's website has the Safe Schools icon located within the “quick links” bar on the homepage.

Parents can use Parent Portal (www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/parents/parent_portal) to keep up to date on grades and assignments (for students in grades 6-12), attendance, and make meal and fee payments (Go to "Balances" once logged into Parent Portal).

• Click here for Guide to Parent Portal.
  

New parents who have not received their PowerSchool Access ID and Password should contact our school for assistance.

Join the Pathfinder PTA as we kick off an exciting 2026–2027 school year! PTA supports our students and staff in so many ways, including school events, classroom and student activities, celebrations, and special experiences throughout the year. Your membership helps make these opportunities possible!

Stay connected by visiting pathfinderpta.com and following us on Facebook for the latest updates. Join the PTA by scanning the QR code below, and don’t forget to check out our PTA Spirit Wear! Orders are due September 9, and a portion of each purchase goes directly back to support Pathfinder.

YOU BELONG IN PTA!!

Kindergarten girls in the Platte County School District are invited to join Girl Scout Troop #8351.

• When: Mondays at 6:00 PM - every 3 weeks beginning September 28th
• Where: Platte City Mid-Continent Public Library
• Cost: Annual memberships are $65, financial assistance available
• Learn more and sign up online: mygs.girlscouts.org

For further questions, contact Madison Brandt, derrymadison@aol.com, Phone: (913) 909-6855

Calling all Pirate Dancers K-5th grade! The PCHS Treasures Dance Team is hosting a Mini Treasures Clinic on October 6. Participants are then invited to perform on October 9 at Pirate Stadium!

See details below and use the sign up form to register.

Mini Treasures Camp Rock Dance Clinic: Come dance with PCHS TREASURES Dance Team!

• Clinic: October 6th, 5:30-7:30pm at PCHS North Gym
• Performance: October 9th, 6pm at Pirate Stadium
• Cost: $35, includes t-shirt & bow
• Questions: Treasurespchs@gmail.com

Based on the Pawn to King curriculum of the Kansas City Chess Club, students will learn strategy, tactics, chess etiquette, and move on to higher-level skills!

Sessions will include a chess lesson, skill work and an opportunity for practice play, which is a fun way to practice skills learned in the lesson and prepare for tournament chess.

All levels welcome from absolute beginner to more advanced!

Please note - No buses will be available after class. Students must have a parent or guardian scheduled to pick up student(s) at the end of class.

Hello Pirate Families! If you or your family is experiencing hardship or needing any resources, please fill out the google form and our school social worker will get back with you as soon as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact our School Social Worker, Ms. Lisle if you have any questions.

PCHS Cheer is sponsoring their 40th annual “Super Saturday" cheer clinic on Saturday, September 12 for grades PreK-8th at PCHS. Participants are invited to perform at the September 30 Victory Supper during Homecoming week. Click here for additional event details and registration.

The PCR-3 Treasure Chest is a stocked resource center providing food, milk, and toiletries for PCR-3 students and families in need. Qualifying families will receive a weekly form via email to sign up or can call 816-858-7001 for assistance.

Families will receive an email with approval to come to the Treasure Chest on Wednesdays from 4-6pm at the new Treasure Chest site (south side of Paxton building).

Each year, Pathfinder Elementary partners with Boost KC to provide students with access to clothing and shoes. This program is free of cost to you and you don't need to qualify to receive this service. If your student(s) need clothing, hats, gloves, shoes, etc., please reach out to our school social worker, Ms. Lisle via email or phone: 816-436-6670, lisle.madisyn@pcr3schools.org by September 15th!

All transportation changes need to be made by calling the office (816-436-6670). We will not take your child's word for any transportation change. All changes need to be made prior to 3:00 pm each day.

Families arriving after 8:45 a.m. will need to park and accompany their student into the main office to complete the check-in process. For your student’s safety, please do not drop students off at the curb after 8:45 a.m. Thank you for your cooperation!

Planning a family getaway? Please consider traveling during one of our multi-day breaks!

Every school day provides valuable learning, friendships, and experiences. Missing just two days each month adds up to chronic absenteeism and can impact long-term academic success. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to read proficiently by third grade, stay on track through middle school, and graduate from high school. Whenever possible, schedule vacations and appointments during school breaks. Check out our vacation planner here!

• LABOR DAY: 3 days - Sept. 5-7
• PLD WEEKEND: 3 days - Sept. 19-21
• LONG WEEKEND: 4 days - Oct. 30-Nov. 2
• THANKSGIVING BREAK: 5 days - Nov. 25-29
• WINTER BREAK: 17 days - Dec. 19-Jan. 4
• MLK WEEKEND: 3 days - Jan. 16-18
• PLD + PRESIDENTS DAY : 4 days - Feb. 12-15
• SPRING BREAK + PLD: 10 days - Mar. 27-Apr. 5

A district communication medium is our School Messenger system that we use for phone calls and text notifications. As with any school district, PCR-3 must often contact hundreds of parents quickly for sudden changes in schedules due to emergencies, cancellation, or just important announcements.

If you have provided a cell phone number, parents can opt in to receive text alerts and messages. Simply text "YES" to 67587 (standard text messaging fees apply). New families should have received an opt-in text this week.

We want families to stay connected to all Pathfinder information. In addition, we invite you to visit our social media and platforms below.

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Visit our Website

Location: 1951 NW 87th Terrace, KCMO, MO, United States
Phone: 816-436-6670

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