Tiger Update
Information about Pickerington High School Central 1/24/26
Message from Mr. Parker
Tiger Nation! 🐅
Quarter 3: Week 4 ⚓
Charting a Course for Excellence
As we move into week four, it’s been encouraging to see how many students are rising to the challenge of keeping their phones stowed away for the entire day. While it hasn’t been easy, the growth has been noticeable, and many students are showing increased responsibility and focus. Please continue to encourage this effort with your students (these habits matter and are making a difference as we keep our ship moving forward!)
The energy in the building remains strong as we enter one of our busier stretches of the year. Classes are in full swing, instruction continues to be solid, and our crew is settling into a productive rhythm as we navigate the weeks ahead. We have so many things to highlight and look forward to as a learning community.
On the horizon, we are excited for our Black History Month performances, which students have been preparing for since September of 2025. Their dedication and hard work will soon be on full display. In addition, OST Tutoring begins next week, giving students the opportunity to continue strengthening their skills and showcase all they’ve been learning when testing arrives in early April. Our Competition Cheer Team is also headed to Nationals soon! Let’s be sure to send them off loud and proud!
However, our next stop as a community is the Central vs. North Basketball game on Tuesday, January 27 (weather permitting). This is always a special event and a great opportunity to model our core values of Trust, Integrity, and Empathy. We look forward to our teams and families demonstrating positive sportsmanship and celebrating together as our community pride and togetherness are on full display. (See ticket info below)
Let’s continue to stay focused and pull together as one crew. By doing so, we will chart a strong course in our relentless pursuit of excellence, ensuring our students RYFP: Reach Your Full Potential.
Sail on, Tiger Nation! 💨
As Always,
Tigers T.I.E.
(Trust, Integrity, & Empathy)
Mr. Parker
Important Dates (Snowy Days!!!)
January 27th: Central vs. North Basketball at Central - ticket information is available below in the Athletic Corner.
January 28th: Building-wide Digital Citizenship Lessons - AM Survey Bell Schedule (see below)
February 3rd: Competition Cheer Send Off to Nationals - Recognized at halftime of home boys basketball game.
February 4th: Competition Cheer Send Off to Nationals - Performance for community in the Main Gym - 8:00 pm.
February 4th: BHM performing for the Junior High Students (Day show)
February 5th & 6th: BHM School Day Shows (There will be attendance, academic, and behavioral requirements for students to attend the day shows).
February 6th & 7th: BHM Community Night Shows (All are welcome).
February 23rd: High School Information Night (for incoming Freshmen/Sophomores) to prepare for the 2026-27 school year @ Central - 6pm - 8pm
Keep up to date:
The Senior Corner of the newsletter contains all of the important information for our students in the Class of 2026. Be sure to check it out every week to make sure you don't miss the fun.
Updated Information:
* Please note that this document is FLUID. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check frequently and see Mrs. Melton with any questions.
Graduation RSVP & Staff Selection
* This form is REQUIRED for ALL GRADUATES.
* We need to know a). if the student is intending to attend graduation and b). if so - who they would like to hand them their diploma.
*Please note: the Staff is NOT required to attend graduation
** If a Student does NOT fill this form out, they will automatically be placed with either Mr. Parker or Mrs. Wells.
Class of 2026 Baby Photo Submission Form
* The baby photo will be used with their cap & gown photo at graduation
* ONE picture per student. Any student with more than one photo submitted will default to the first picture that was sent in.
*January 20th Class Meeting - 3rd period in the PAC
PHSC Administrators and Important Message from School Counselors
Administrators: Roshawn Parker, Principal
HB410 / Attendance - Carly Wells, Lead Assistant Principal
A-Gi - Michael Yinger, Assistant Principal
Gl-Or - Lazaro Fuentes, Assistant Principal
Os-Z - Joseph Cooper, Assistant Principal
PHSC School Counselor Weekly Update: 1/19/2026
How to see your School Counselor:
Please use your counselor's link below to request a meeting
College Credit Plus
PHSC CCP Liaison-Jennifer Dashner (jennifer_dashner@pld.us). Please reach out with any questions.
Current CCP Students
MTC: 2/18/26-Last day to drop a 1st Half Session Class with a "W" on your transcript
CSCC: 3/30/26-Last day to drop full-term classes
If you are taking courses through another college partner, please review their drop deadlines on their respective websites.
Questions about CCP for next year (26/27SY)?
CCP Information (including the presentation from the parent/student meeting as well as the declaration of intent to participate for the 26/27SY).
- Review the PLSD CCP Website (link above).
- Declaration of Intent to participate in CCP is due by April 1 for participation in the 26/27SY
- Apply to the college you plan to take your CCP classes (refer to the college's CCP Website)
Office House for students with Mrs. Dashner for questions
Location: The Alumni Hall of Fame Area (if you are coming from class, have a pass from your teacher)
Monday, 1/26: 2nd-3rd periods
Tuesday, 1/27: 7th-8th periods
Wednesday, 1/28: 7th-8th periods
Thursday, 1/29: 4th & 5th periods
Friday, 1/30: 2nd-3rd periods
Franklin University: Now offering a 100% online Undergraduate Medical Assistant Certificate.
This is best suited for seniors due to the certification exam. Students who successfully complete the 17-credit hour certificate program will be eligible to sit for national certification exams- either the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Students are also able to use the credits earned in the Medical Assistant certificate towards a B.S. Exercise Science, B.S. Healthcare Administration or B.S Public Health at Franklin University if they want to continue on to earn a degree.
Interested in Summer CCP?
- Have you filled out the declaration of intent?
- Have you applied to the college and scheduled the required placement testing, if applicable?
MTC Summer CCP Course Offerings: Email Cal Morris (morrisc@mtc.edu) from your MTC email and CC: Jennifer Dashner your course requests
CSCC Summer CCP: not available yet
CSCC- Beginning Summer 2026 high school students (rising seniors) have the possibility to enroll in the NURC 1001 course, which provides STNA/ CNA certification. Please make sure to follow the process for Health Records at CSCC, which includes multiple steps . Details can be found on the attached PDF about applying. Students are still required to fill out the declaration of intent as well as apply to the college before the deadline.
EFCTS Application:
Sophomores! The EFCTS application has opened up. Please use this link to submit your application: EFCTS Application
If you need help filling out the application, please use this guide to help you through the application: EFCTS Steps to Apply
Be sure to apply soon, the priority window is open Dec. 4 - Feb. 11!
College Applications and Transcript Requests
Important Information about deadlines: It is important to be aware of your application deadlines. PHSC requires no less than 10 school days to fulfill all transcript, scholarship, and letters of recommendation requests for college materials.
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is open!!!.
Prior to October 1, students/parents can set up their FAFSA ID. The FSA ID is required for completing the FAFSA. Students/Parents, make sure to meet the FAFSA deadlines. The deadlines are different for each college/university.
Ex. (Students are strongly encouraged to verify information on college websites, as the dates listed below are subject to change)
Bowling Green State University's FAFSA deadline is February 15, 2026.
The University of Cincinnati FAFSA deadline is February 1, 2026.
FAFSA Application Quick Guide provided by SchooLinks.
Junior ACT
Free ACT Testing for Juniors
This link PHSC ACT for Juniors Information has the newsletter which contains information regarding the free ACT exam offered to all Juniors that attend Pickerington High School Central. Included, you will find information relevant to the PLSD administered ACT exam for current Juniors.
PHSC ACT for Juniors Information
Students in AP Classes - this DOES NOT apply to Pre-AP courses
AP Fees were posted this week, with the expectation that exams are paid by April 24. If you feel you/your student should qualify for free or reduced exam fees, you must complete the form linked below. It will be reviewed by our finance office, and if you qualify your fees will be reduced/removed. Important note - late cancellation/late order fees of $40 are not covered by free/reduced fees.
In order to be considered for free/reduced testing fees, please complete the Educational Benefit Form as soon as possible. Per our finance office: "the form must be filed with the district in order for families to overtly share household income, household size, and state benefits with the district to be eligible for a fee waiver... This form must be filed annually, only applies to the year of application, and cannot be used in retro or future years."
To be considered - please complete the form linked above (by clicking on "apply for benefits" on the page) no later than April 1, so it can be processed in time to be applied to the student's IC and College Board accounts.
Please check out our PHSC AP Google Site for any information regarding AP exams and logistics. This site will be updated and sent out rather than an email or document. The ordering deadline is passed. If you wish to order a late exam or cancel an existing order please reach out to Ms. Hoffman (ashlee_hoffman@plsd.us); there will be a $40 late order/cancellation fee.
Fairfield County Workforce Development Center
No update this week
Career Center Students:
Mr. Peirano and Ms. Hoffman are the counselors who work with Eastland and Fairfield Career Centers, respectively. We will make in-person visits to each career center on a regular basis to keep you connected with Central events and happenings. We will also send weekly homeschool updates via your EFCTS email and Remind101 texts. Please use the information below to join our Remind texts as a parent or student:
Eastland: Text @phscecc to 81010
Fairfield: Text @phscfcc to 81010
Satellite: Text @phscsat to 81010
Please join the School Counselor’s Google Classrooms:
The Counseling office will be keeping you informed of important information regarding your future plans and events, and deadlines that the School Counselors work with. If you have not already done so, please join our Google Classroom to stay informed:
Class of 2026 rugnepm
Class of 2027 6plgntd
Class of 2028 437pgrk
Class of 2029 75rgh2hy
See Important Message from our PTSO
Please join our PTSO!! See attached information on how to join.
The next PHSC PTSO Meeting will be held on Tuesday January 13th at 6pm in the Media Room.
See you there!
NCAA Initial Eligibility Information
Student-athletes continuing their athletic career at the collegiate level need to ensure they are taking the correct high school courses and meeting NCAA initial eligibility requirements. Please do not wait to ensure you are meeting the requirements.
NCAA Guide for College-Bound Student-Athletes 2025-2026
Find PHSC’s (or other high schools attended) Approved High School Courses
NCAA Initial Eligibility for College-Bound Student-Athletes Presentation
If you have questions, please contact
PHSC Contact: Jennifer Dashner (jennifer_dashner@plsd.us)
Stay in the Game Attendance Initiative!
We are proud to partner with The Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, in collaboration with the Columbus Crew, to launch a new initiative to improve student attendance: "Stay in the Game! Keep Learning Every Day!"
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we understand the importance of daily attendance for our students' academic and social-emotional growth. Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up quickly:
● Missing just two days a month adds up to 20 days a year.
● That's 30 hours of math and 60 hours of reading and writing missed over the school year.
● These absences can add up to more than one full year of missed school by graduation!
During September, schools will host activities to encourage attendance:
Initiative Updates for the 2025-26 School Year: Electronic Hall Pass Procedure
Maximizing Learning Time Together!
As your Principal, I am writing to clarify a crucial change regarding personal communication devices (cell phones) for the upcoming school year, driven by our experience with student engagement and well-being. Last year's trial demonstrated that while our students thrive when phones are put away, having the devices physically present led to overwhelming distraction, consistent compliance issues, and detrimental loss of instructional time. Therefore, to enhance the academic and social experience for all students, we are implementing a new protocol: students are required to power down their phones and place them in classroom-provided phone caddies upon entering all classrooms, restrooms, and study halls—creating a clear "no-phone-zone."
Students may earn the privilege of using their phones during transition times and lunch. If a student is found with a phone out and not in the caddy, it will be immediately confiscated by an administrator (unless medical documentation is on file), leading to escalating consequences. We know this requires a strong partnership, and we ask for your support in discussing this adjustment with your student to ensure a successful, focused school year.
Introducing Our New Electronic Hall Pass System
To help us manage and monitor hallway activity during learning periods, we're transitioning to an Electronic Hall Pass system. This new system will let us track who's in the hallway and how often. While most students use passes responsibly, this will help us identify and address any patterns of overuse, ensuring our hallways remain clear for safety and focus.
Parents, you'll be able to see when your student is out on a pass directly through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Please make sure your portal access is up-to-date so you can easily track this with us!
Our main goal is to significantly limit non-essential time out of the classroom and truly protect this valuable instructional time. Of course, we'll always accommodate students with documented medical needs requiring more frequent access. Our overall approach will be to encourage students to "stay in class" as much as possible, focusing on their learning.
We truly believe that by reducing disruptions and keeping students focused in the classroom (especially with our new cell phone procedure!), we'll see increased engagement, better communication, and ultimately boosted student achievement for everyone.
Thank you so much for your partnership and support in this important effort!
As Always,
TigersT.I.E.
(Trust, Integrity, & Empathy)
