Pathfinder Press

The first four days of school have been amazing. Staff and students have worked hard to create relationships with each other and new friends in class. We continue to work on learning routines and procedures. I would imagine everyone's children are pretty worn out and will be ready for some rest this weekend. I know the PF staff will be.

There's a lot of new learning about school processes and procedures each year at the beginning of the year. This takes a lot of mental energy and can be stressful for everyone during the first couple weeks of school. We are patiently teaching and reteaching and you can help us out at home by reminding your children that it gets easier with practice and each new day is an opportunity to show what we have learned. It is also very helpful if you can also reinforce with students that the adults at school are always helping and that it is important that they follow instructions from all adults. This helps the school run smoothly, keeps everyone safe, and creates an environment where everyone can learn. Learning to do something even when you don't want to or when it is hard is an important skill and when we all reinforce that with students we set them up for success.

We look forward to a great year ahead and are excited to partner with you in your children's education.

Have a great weekend.

Dr. Reves
Principal

• September 1- Kindergarten Teacher Reveal. 9 am
• September 7- NO SCHOOL. Labor Day.
• September 8- Fall Picture Day
• September 14- PTA meeting. 5:30 pm.
• September 15-30- Major Saver Fundraiser.
• September 21- NO SCHOOL. PLD.

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!

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.

We’re excited to welcome Girls on the Run back to Pathfinder! This 8-week program is a fun way for girls to build confidence, friendships, and healthy habits while working toward an exciting goal—the Girls on the Run 5K at Sporting KC!

📅 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! 💜

Families are invited to join us for our Kindergarten Teacher Reveal on Tuesday, September 1 at 9:00 AM! Students should arrive at school and head to class as normal that morning. Later, Kindergarten students will come to the gym with their classmates for the Teacher Reveal. Families attending the event should stop by the check-in table upon arrival before joining us in the gym. Following the reveal, students will return to class with their classmates and will not be dismissed to leave with their families.

Fall Picture Day is coming up on September 8! Pictures will be taken in the morning, so please make sure your student arrives on time so they don’t miss their picture.

Order forms will be sent home with students next week. You can also place your order online using the link below.

Please note: Proofs will not be sent home.

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.

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.

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.

Join us from 5-6:30pm for a Community Tailgate at Platte City's Price Chopper before we cheer on the Platte County Pirates for their first home football game. The game starts at 7pm at Pirate Stadium.

• Show your Pirate Pride: Wear orange and black on Friday, August 28
• Enjoy the entertainment and have some fun! From 5-6 p.m., the PCHS drumline, dance team, cheerleaders, and PCC youth cheerleaders will perform. Get your photo taken with the PC the Parrot Mascot, get your facepainted, get a fun balloon animal, and get some Pirate swag!
• Grab some food before heading to the stadium! Free hot dogs, chips, and water courtesy of Price Chopper, free popcorn courtesy of Nodaway Valley Bank, free temporary tattoos courtesy of Central Bank, and Kona Ice and PTA spirit wear available for purchase.
• Visit the Pirates ROCK Table at the Football Game: Get your free megaphone full of popcorn
• Congratulate our Got Character Seniors: During pregame, our 120! 2026-27 Got Character Seniors will be recognized; these seniors will connect with our elementary and middle schools throughout the year to promote good character and healthy choices.

Pirates ROCK (Raising Outstanding Character Kids) is a program designed to surround our families with examples of strong character traits through school experiences, at home, and reinforced in their community. On Friday, August 28, we kick off our 21st year of Pirates ROCK!

Since 2005, Pirates ROCK (Raising Outstanding Character Kids) has helped shape a strong culture of character across Platte County School District. More than 20 years later and beginning with the 2026-27 school year, we're building on that tradition by aligning Pirates ROCK with our Portrait of a Graduate essential skills.

This evolution creates a more consistent, student-centered approach to character development by focusing on the six essential skills that prepare learners to thrive in school, careers, and life. Students will continue to be recognized for demonstrating outstanding character while developing the competencies that support our mission of ensuring every learner thrives in an ever-changing world with confidence and resilience, all through a consistent framework and shared language as they grow from kindergarten through graduation.

Throughout the year, we'll focus on these essential skills:

• August/September: Effective Communication
• October/November: Self-Awareness
• December/January: Personal Connections
• February: Personal Growth
• March: Problem-Solving
• April: Global Connections

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.

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.

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.

Platte County School District values community input in shaping the future of our schools. We’re kicking off another year of the PCR-3 Community Advisory, a group that reviews progress on our strategic plan and provides input on District operations and educational programs.

All residents, employees, and students are welcome to join. Current members will be contacted about continuing. If interested, new members should apply by September 1. The first general membership meeting is October 6.

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!!

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).

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

In order for our staff to establish lunchroom processes with our students, the first day parents can attend lunch with students is September 8, 2026. There will be a sign up capping the number of adult visitors each day per grade level. Keep your eye out for that Sign Up, coming soon in an upcoming edition of the Pathfinder Press!

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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