PCH Community Update

PCH Community,

At the end of this week, we'll be at the end of Term 1 and at the midpoint of the first semester. Students, with dismissal at 11:35 am on Friday, October 17 and no school on Monday, October 20, you'll have an extended weekend to rest and recharge. Finish the first half of the semester strong this week and enjoy the long weekend!

In the weeks to come, we have a few important due dates to highlight:

• AP Exam registration is due by November 1. Details below.
• Free & Reduced Meal applications are available. Details below.
• Picture Re-Take Day will be held during Ac Lab on Friday, October 24. Details below.
• Senior Yearbook Ads are due Friday, October 24. Details below.
• Seal of Biliteracy sign up is due Saturday, November 15. Details below.
• Student Wellness Program registration is due as soon as possible. Details below.

In addition, Central High is hosting our annual school-wide Day of Service on Monday, October 27. If you are new to Central High, please take a moment to review that segment. Other items included in this edition are...

• Calendar Reminders
• Game Guidelines
• PCH Athletic Passes
• Multiple Standing Items

The next Update will be shared on Sunday, October 26, 2025. As a reminder, PCH Community Update is the school newsletter shared with students and parents throughout the school year. For much of the content, students are the primary audience. Parents, please encourage your student to regularly check their Parkway email account to review new updates. Thank you for your support and, as always, Go Colts!

Sincerely,

Tim McCarthy

Principal, PCH

Below are important dates for the weeks and months to come, as well as a PDF of Central High's 2025-2026 Academic Calendar.

The daily schedule for the week of October 13 is:

• Monday, October 13: ALL (Purple) Day
• Tuesday, October 14: ODD (Red) Day
• Wednesday, October 15: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: Modules 1 & 2
• Thursday, Octobrer 16: ODD (Red) Day
• Friday, October 17: EVEN-HALF (Light Blue) Day --- Dismissal at 11:35 am, No Ac Lab or Lunch

The daily schedule for the week of October 20 is:

• Monday, October 20: No School --- Fall Break
• Tuesday, October 21: ODD (Red) Day
• Wednesday, October 22: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: Modules 1 & 2
• Thursday, Octobrer 9: ODD (Red) Day
• Friday, October 10: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: Modules 1 & 2

Important Dates:

• Friday, October 17: EVEN-HALF (Light Blue) Day, Dismissal at 11:35 am - End of Term 1
• Monday, October 20: No School - Fall Break
• Wednesday, October 22: PSAT Test
• Friday, October 24: Picture Re-Take Day --- During Ac Lab for Grades 9 - 11
• Monday, October 27: PCH Day of Service, Dismissal at 1:30 pm
• Tuesday, November 4: No School --- Professional Development Day for Staff
• Wednesday, November 12: EVEN-HALF (Light Blue) Day, Dismissal at 11:35 am
• Thursday, November 13: Fall Musical, 7:00 pm - PCH Theater
• Friday, November 14: Fall Musical, 7:00 pm - PCH Theater
• Saturday, November 15: Fall Musical, 2:00 pm - PCH Theater
• Thursday, November 20: Fall Band Concert, 7:30 pm
• Monday, November 24: PowderPuff Game, 6:00 pm - PCH Stadium
• Wednesday, November 26: No School - Thanksgiving Break
• Thursday, November 27: No School - Thanksgiving Break
• Friday, November 28: No School - Thanksgiving Break

To download the academic calendar, click on the two month calendar above or the attached PDF.

Each fall, students taking any AP course(s) have the opportunity to register for AP exam(s). AP exams are taken in May of each school year at PCH. Students can earn college credit and/or placement when they score a 3 or higher on an AP exam. Students register for AP exams through a College Board account. The deadline for students to register for AP exams is November 1, 2025. Each AP exam is $100 and exam fees will be added to Infinite Campus after November 1st. See more information here (select "AP Exams").

School Picture Retake / Absentee Day for grades 9-11 is Friday, October 24, 2025 during Ac Lab.

Students who missed the original School Picture Day should plan to attend. Retakes will also be available. Students who plan to attend should obtain a pass from their Ac Lab teacher on Oct. 24.

FOR STUDENTS WANTING A RETAKE: please return the entire portrait package (including the insert sheet) to the photographer on retake day. Feel free to attach a note describing what you’d like done differently.

FOR ABSENT STUDENTS: Use the information below to order your school pictures.

Pre-Order Online: www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com
Pre-Order Password: 5C6Z2W9V
Direct Order Link:
https://wagner.portraitpics.co/api/v2/keys/lookup/wagner?key=5C6Z2W9V

Purchase a Senior Yearbook Ad to honor your graduating senior! Ads for seniors are due Friday, October 24, 2025. See the attached Senior Ad Flyer to see prices and details. Gather your pictures and craft your message, then go to yearbookordercenter.com and to place your order. Don't forget to order your yearbook while you are there. The cost of the ad does not include the cost of the yearbook.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Stricker at cstricker@parkwayschools.net

Order today at yearbookordercenter.com

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in both English and at least one other language, recognized by a gold seal on their diploma and an official stamp on their high school transcript. It serves to validate valuable linguistic and cultural skills for college and career opportunities, celebrating students' abilities in a globalized world and providing them with a competitive edge in the job market. Learn more about Parkway's process here, including the link to the application and the 2025-26 timeline. The deadline to apply is November 15, 2025. Email Ms. Williamson at awilliamson@parkwayschools.net with questions.

Dear Parkway Parents and Guardians,

Your child's success in school and in life depends on their mental and physical health. To support their well-being, we're excited to offer the Student Wellness Program to students at Parkway Central High School on October 29th and 30th. This marks our fifth year of providing this valuable service in the Parkway School District. This free, confidential program is designed to give you valuable insight into your child's emotional health.

How It Works

This voluntary screening uses a nationally recognized tool to help us identify and address any potential emotional challenges your child may be facing.

• The Screening: During a class period, your child will complete a 10–15-minute confidential survey on their school-provided Chromebook. The screening is supervised by our trained mental health professionals and covers topics like anxiety, depression, and a sense of belonging.

• The Follow-Up: If the screening indicates a potential concern, our mental health staff will meet with your child privately to gain a deeper understanding of their needs. This conversation helps determine if additional support is necessary.

• Communication: Regardless of the results, we will contact you. If concerns are identified, we'll arrange a time to discuss the findings and explore next steps for support. If no issues are found, you'll receive a confirmation email with resources on how to reach out if you have questions.

How to Register

To enroll your child, please complete this registration form. This screening is confidential, and the results will not be shared with the school or your child's teachers and counselors without your permission. For more information, including a list of FAQs, please visit the Student Wellness Program website. If you have any questions, you can contact Brian Kuhn at 314-514-5266 or bkuhn@swstl.com.

Sincerely,

Erin C. Schulte, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Counseling and Character Education

Parkway School District

Brian R. Kuhn, MA, LPC

Owner/ President

Student Wellness STL

On Monday, October 27, Central High will hold our 8th school-wide Day of Service! D of S offers a unique and meaningful opportunity for all students and staff to realize our district and school mission of being "capable, curious, caring, and confident learners..." In lieu of classes, students will spend the day with their Ac Lab participating in service work organized by grade level:

• Seniors and juniors will host Central High's Special Olympics Soccer Tournament. Students will serve as buddies with our visiting athletes, as well as carnival workers, game officials, Disney characters, and team mascots.

• Sophomores will participate in off campus service work at a variety of sites in the area. Parents of sophomores: you will need to complete a permission form through the IC parent portal for your student to participate. You will receive an email when that form is ready!

• Freshmen will engage in on campus service learning, which will include information sessions and hands-on projects with several local non-profit organizations.

All students will receive a D of S t-shirt, which they are encouraged to wear for the day. Dismissal will be at 01:30 pm, one hour earlier than normal. Day of Service is weather permitting; if significant rain is in the forecast, Central High will shift to a regular ALL Day schedule with dismissal at 2:30 pm, our regular time. In addition to this general information, grade level specific information will be emailed in the coming weeks.

PCH athletic passes are now on sale for the 2025-2026 school year. Passes, both individual and family, are good only at home events fo the following events:

• varsity football
• varsity soccer (boys & girls)
• volleyball (boys & girls, all levels)
• basketball (boys & girls, all levels)

PCH athletic passes are NOT validy for away events, tournaments, or postseason play. Scan the QR code below for pricing information and to purchase a pass.

The Parkway School District participates in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This allows families the opportunity to apply for Free and Reduced Price Meal Benefits. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility.To apply, click on the picture to the left.

To find your bus stop, click on the picture to the right.

Class of 2026 (Seniors) and Class of 2027 (Juniors)

PCH student parking passes are now available to purchase for eligible senior and junior student. Please refer to the email the email sent on August 5, 2025 at 3 pm. The cost is $85. All students parking on campus are expected to have their school issued parking pass displayed in their vehicle by Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the third day of school. Failure to do so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in fines and / or other consequences. Purchase details will be shared in August. Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation.

Class of 2028 (Sophomores)

Due to space limitations, sophomore students are NOT eligible to park on campus during the school day --- no exceptions! Doing so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in disciplinary consequences. As you plan for the school year, please make appropriate transportation arrangements. Sophomore students may have the opportunity to purchase a parking pass for the second semester if space is available.

Class of 2029 (Freshmen)

Freshmen students are not eligible to park on campus during the school day --- no exceptions! Doing so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in disciplinary consequences. As you plan for the school year, please make appropriate transportation arrangements.

The first official practice day for fall athletics is Monday, August 11, 2025. Any student wanting to join a sport or activity (band, choir, orchestra) must complete the registration process for the 2025-2026 school year. This process is online as we are switching to a new system called FinalForms (previously PRIVIT). This system will house all your important documents. It is a new process for Central High, but we are extremely excited about this new platform. Attached is some information on FinalForms.

These forms must be completed prior to participating in a sport or activity.

To that end, we are asking the parents/guardians and the students planning to play sports or participate in activities to create accounts in FinalForms and register your student(s). Please see the attached document for links and assistance in registering.

Central High's PTO leadership board for the 2025-2026 school year is:

Kia Davis - President

Steven Shane - Vice President

Sonya Land - Treasurer

Stephanie Harvey - Secretary

Thank you to these individuals for their service to the PCH community! For more PTO information, click HERE.

Students and Parents: Please review this section whether you are riding the bus to school, dropping off your student, or driving yourself.

Officer Chris Kaatmann, Central High's new school resource officer, and Mr. DePriest Ammons, Central High's daytime custodian, will be directing traffic in the morning to assist with dropoff. Please follow their directions.

• Buses will dropoff students in the North Parking Lot. Students will exit the bus and enter through Door 40, the back entrance to the athletic wing.
• Parent Drivers may enter campus through the main entrance or via Stadium Drive. You will then be directed to the front of school via the main driveway (do not enter the North Lot). Use the lane to the far RIGHT of the median and along the curb. Pull forward as much as possible, then let your student out. Please go slow and yield to students crossing from the main lot. Student should enter through Door #1 - Main Entrance.
• Student Drivers may arrive on campus through the main entrance or via Stadium Drive. You will then be directed to the front of school via the main driveway (do not enter the North Lot). Use the lane to the far LEFT of the median, then proceed to either the Main Lot or the East Lot. Please go slow and yield to students crossing from the main lot. Student should enter school through Door #1 - Main Entrance.

Students and parents, please review the daily building procedures below.

• The building opens to students at 07:00 am.
• In the morning, students are expected to enter through Door #1 - Main Entrance (student drivers and students being dropped off) or Door #40 - Back Athletic Entrance (bus riders).
• Breakfast is available from 07:00 am - 07:30 am.
• Classes begin at 07:35 am. Students are expected to be in their assigned room by 07:35 am. For the first few days of school, we will work with students as some adjust to a new building and all to a new schedule.
• The internal set of doors at the main entrance will be locked at 07:35 am. Students tardy to school will check in inside the vestibule. Students will be issued a pass, then report to class.
• All visitors, includng parents, are expected to enter through the main entrance and check in using vestibule.
• Visitors cleared to enter the main building are expected to wear their school issued visitor badge for the duration of their visit to PCH.
• Students dismissed during the school day (e.g. for an appointment with a parent) are expected to exit the building through the main entrance.
• During school hours (07:00 am - 02:30 am), deliveries for students from outside entities, including, but not limited to food delivery services, are not allowed. Parents may continue to drop off items for students (e.g. lunch), when necessary.

Students and Parents: Please review this section whether you are riding the bus home, picking up your student, or driving yourself.

• Buses will line up on the front driveway using lanes to the RIGHT of the median for dismissal. Students riding the bus home should exit school through the main entrance or the theater entrance, then board their bus. School staff will be available to help students find their bus, especially for the first two weeks of the school year. Buses release at 02:37 pm, seven minutes after the dismissal bell.
• Parent Drivers picking up students at dismissal may wait on the front, main driveway in the near lane to the LEFT of the median or on the SOUTH bound lane of Stadium Drive. Please do not park and wait in the North Lot. Go slow and yield to students.
• Student Drivers should exit school through the main entrance or the theater entrance, then walk cautiously to their vehicle. As you exit the Main Lot or the East Lot, please be patient and follow the directives of the adult releasing buses and vehicles. Go slow and yield to students.

Dr. Tim McCarthy

Principal

Email: tmccarthy@parkwayschools.net
Website: https://www.parkwayschools.net/Domain/31
Location: 369 N Woods Mill Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Phone: (314)415-7900
Instagram: pchprincipal

Pictured from left to right: Matt Belding, Patrick Ward, Amy Grich, Tim McCarthy, Shruti Upadhyay, Brian Guilfoyle and Casey Holland.

Tim McCarthy, Principal

• Email: tmccarthy@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: Kim Orf
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7902

Casey Holland, Assistant Principal - Class of 2026

• Email: cholland1@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: Karena Gantner (kgantner@parkwayschools.net)
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7904

Shruti Upadhyay, Assistant Principal - Class of 2027

• Email: supadhyay@parkwayschools.net

• Administrative Assistant: Christine Schmitt
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7906

Patrick Ward, Assistant Principal - Class of 2028

• Email: pward2@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: TBD
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7910

Amy Grich, Assistant Principal - Class of 2029

• Email: agrich@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: Jordan Berry (jberry1@parkwayschools.net)
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7908

Matthew Belding, Special Education Coordinator

• Email: mbelding@parkwayschools.net
• Office Telephone: 314-415-5972

Brian Guilfoyle, Director of Athletics & Activities

• Email: bguilfoyle@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: Tina Uihlein (tuihlein@parkwayschools.net)
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7936