Indian Insight

July 28, 2026

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! It is my pleasure to serve as the principal of Pacific High School. I have worked for Meramec Valley R-III School District for 19 years. This will be my 12th year in administration and my 3rd year here as Pacific High School Principal.

We had an outstanding 2025–2026 school year and look forward to building on that momentum as we head into the upcoming year. Our students continue to grow both academically and in character, becoming well-rounded individuals who are prepared to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Our maintenance & custodial team has been hard at work beautifying the school and preparing for the return of our students. We also have several exciting updates underway, including remodeling the auxiliary gym, adding a turf infield for the softball and baseball teams, and removing the lockers in the main hallway.

In my roles as a parent, teacher, coach, administrator, and community member, the relationships I’ve built with families have always been what I value most. It’s often what I tell others I enjoy most about being the principal of Pacific High School, and I look forward to continuing that tradition of collaboration and partnership.

Please see the important dates at the bottom of this newsletter and we hope to see you at our Welcome Back on August 11th!

Enjoy the last four weeks of summer!

Keith Orris

Pacific High School Principal

9th & 10th Grade Administrator

11th & 12th Grade Administrator

Athletic & Activities

Arrow Academy

The annual online student information update for the 2026-2027 school year was emailed to families in July. We will have a table set-up during the welcome days to assist with registration as needed. Additionally, Free/Reduced Meal Applications will be available on Infinite Campus and paper copies available at the welcome back. Parent Portal

Missouri Senate Bill 68 requires all public schools in the state to restrict student use of

personal electronic communication devices (such as cell phones and smart watches)

throughout the school day. In the law it includes instructional time, passing periods, breaks, and meal times. The only exceptions allowed are in emergency situations, when device use is

specifically outlined in a student’s IEP or 504 Plan for medical reasons, or if determined by staff

for educational purposes.

At Pacific High School, we are fortunate to provide each student with a school-issued device,

and we are committed to creating a focused, distraction-free learning environment. As such,

students are not permitted to use cell phones at any time from 7:25 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. while on

district property. Cell phones may not be used during class, in the hallways, at lunch, or at any

other time during the school day. Phones may not be used as calculators or to listen to music.

Students who bring a phone to school must have it turned off and stored in their backpacks.

Phones should not be visible to staff during the school day. If a student needs to contact a

parent or guardian, they must do so through the main office.

Additionally, students are not allowed to use wireless Bluetooth earbuds or headphones during

the school day. With teacher permission, students may use wired earbuds or headphones that

connect directly to their school-issued Chromebook.

Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the school’s Code of

Conduct. The school is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of any personal electronic

device, whether it is in the student’s possession or has been confiscated by staff. It is the

student’s responsibility to secure their belongings at all times. Instruction will not be interrupted

to recover or search for missing devices.

7.2 Use of Devices (Cell Phones, Walkie-Talkies, Wireless Earbuds, Stereos, Radios, Video Cameras, Laser Pointers, Etc.) at Inappropriate Times or When They Become a Disturbance to the Educational Process

FIRST OFFENSE: The device is given to the teacher and the student can pick it up from the office at the end of the day.

SECOND OFFENSE: The device is given to the teacher, and the student can pick it up from the office at the end of the day, and one hour detention.

THIRD OFFENSE: The device is given to the teacher, and the student can pick it up from the office at the end of the day, and four power lunch detentions.

FOURTH OFFENSE: The device is given to the teacher, the parent will need to pick up the phone from school, and one day of ISS. Each additional offense will be an additional day of ISS. (e.g., Fifth Offense will be two days of ISS with parent pick up of the device).

*It should be noted that refusal to surrender a cell phone or other electronic device when directed to do so by a school staff member, teacher, or administrator is a violation of the PHS Student Handbook as Student Insubordination, and will receive further consequences as outlined in the Code of Conduct.

First Week of School:

We continue to request that students arrive to school in the manner they plan on using for the school year. If your student will be a bus rider we encourage them to ride the bus to and from school on the first day. Students and bus drivers need to get into the routine of those normal procedures starting on day one.

There is a district bus route procedure in place to help keep students safe after dismissal. All bus transportation requests must run though the transportation department.

MVR-III uses the BusRight Parent App to communicate bus routes and times with parents. BusRight is a FREE parent app to allow parents to, in real-time, follow their child’s bus route to and from school, receive notifications when the bus begins and ends its route, view the expected arrival time at your child’s designated bus stop, and receive communication from the Transportation Department.

To access BusRight, please follow these simple steps:

1. Download the App: Download the BusRight app from your mobile device's app store.

2. Create an Account: Use your Infinite Campus email address to create a login.

3. Track Your Student: Begin tracking your child's bus routes immediately.

If you have issues creating your account, you will need to verify with your school building office that you are listed as the primary guardian in Infinite Campus. Find out more on BusRight on the District website under Transportation.

It is the goal of the Meramec Valley R-III School District to provide a safe environment for students. The district recognizes that rules regarding dismissal of students are a necessary part of the district’s safety program.

All visitors must enter the school through the office doors with state identification. Students who are going to be picked up before the end of the school day will be released through the office only. The cutoff for early pick-up and changes to dismissal is 2:15 with the exception of an emergency.

Important Health Information

• Dental Safari will be at PHS on December 1 this year to provide dental services to students.

• The Franklin County Health Department will also be holding an on-site student vaccination clinic at PHS on September 24 at 9:00 a.m. The student vaccine requirements for participation are attached.

• Please ensure that all students have up-to-date vaccination records or appropriate exemption forms on file by October 1 to avoid school exclusion. Many seniors may be missing their required second meningococcal vaccine.

• If you have any questions, please contact nurse Cara.

• Additionally, all medications, including over-the-counter medications, must be distributed through the nurse's office.

Studies show that a healthy breakfast gives children a head start to a successful day. Breakfast is $2.45 & lunch is $3.80 per day. MVR-III asks ALL families to complete the meal application to ensure continued funding to support ALL students in our district. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Periodic notices will be sent home regarding meal account balance.

Parents can pay through Infinite Campus with a credit card or send in cash or check with their student to turn into Mrs. Emht.

The Bridge Foundation Back-to-School Bash, serving MVR-III families, will be held Saturday, August 2nd, in the Pacific High School Cafeteria from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. The Bash was created to provide under-resourced MVR-III families with a little extra support before they start school. The event will supply each student with a backpack, hygiene supplies, basic school supplies (based on the student's grade level), a new pair of shoes, and additional resources (while supplies last).

Families are asked to complete the 2026-2027 Free/Reduced Meal Application on-site for the items. The information needed to complete the application includes SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case numbers, the social security number of the primary adult household member, and household income. Food Service workers will be available to assist with the application process.

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the Back to School Welcome with their students. Depending upon arrival time, specific student needs, and the volume of students, the process will be approximately 1 hour. Please allow ample time to complete this process. If you are unable to attend the designated registration date/time for your student, you may attend any day after the assigned date and time.

Back to School Welcome details:

Yearbook pictures will be taken during the back-to-school welcome. Student attire must meet school dress code guidelines for the picture. When choosing what to wear for your school picture or shopping for back-to-school clothing, please keep the following in mind: Student dress is the responsibility of parents and students. A student’s attire should not suggest an indifferent or frivolous attitude toward school life, attract undue attention to the student, or be perceived by school personnel as a possible threat to school safety. Styles and types of clothing change occasionally; the school recognizes this fact and updates the dress code policy when appropriate. Appropriate dress for the school setting will be determined by school personnel. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with all dress code procedures, which can be found online. Student Handbook

Seniors who have not already had their senior photos with Wagner will need to bring the following clothing items to registration for their yearbook and composite picture: Boys should bring a plain white t-shirt to wear under the tuxedo top. Girls should bring a spaghetti strap or cami top to wear under the drape. Drapes and tuxedo tops will be provided by the Wagner photographers.

Students will only be issued a locker upon request. They must complete a locker request form on the day of registration. Students will receive their locker assignments at the start of school. Students must use the school-issued lock and never share their combination. Lockers are not to be shared.

Payments for meals and other accountabilities may be made at the Back to School Welcome. During the school year, the payment procedure for school meals requires students to pay for lunches before/after school or during lunch with the school secretary. Parents may pay with a credit card online through the Parent Portal. Receipts are given as a record of all deposits. Students must make every effort to keep their account balances in good standing. The Meramec Valley R-III School District offers a free and reduced meal program for students of families who are financially eligible. Many families are eligible for the free and reduced meal program, but a form must be completed and returned to determine eligibility for the program. Paper copies of this form will be available during the Back-To-School Welcome.

Parking permission slips and passes will be available for purchase on this day. The cost is $40 for an upper or Gold Card lot and $20 for a field lot (lower lots). The form must be completed, and money must be collected to receive your parking tag. You may be fined and disciplined if you are caught parking on the lot without a current school-issued tag.

If a physician’s orders indicate so, medication may be given at school, it must be brought to the nurse’s office by a parent/guardian or another responsible adult. Students are not allowed to bring any medications to school. The school nurse must dispense all medications. She will be onsite during registration if you have any questions or concerns.

Students can pick up a copy of their schedule at registration. At that time, any student with an error in their schedule can meet with their Counselor.

PHS, a 1:1 computer school, will provide Chromebooks to all incoming high school students. These will be distributed in 1st hour on the 1st day of school. Parents/Guardians will have the opportunity to purchase Chromebook insurance during registration. The open enrollment period extends until October 1st. The cost of insurance is $20.00 per student. PHS strongly recommends purchasing Chromebook insurance to protect against accidental damage and repair costs. In the event of a denied insurance claim or opting out of district insurance, the financial responsibility for repairs or replacement will fall entirely on the student's guardian. Please see the attached handbook with details about the insurance and signature page on 3,4, & 11.

If you purchased a yearbook during the 2025-2026 school year, you can pick it up at the welcome event.

Any student wishing to participate in athletics must have a physical examination, health insurance, and register online before the first practice date. To register, click here. Registration opened on July 1st. Athletic practice/tryouts for Fall sports begin on Monday, August 10th.

~ Please see the full Student Handbook in the link below ~

In the case of inclement weather or other emergency situations, an announcement of changes will be made through our Communication Notification System. MVR-III utilizes this tool to enhance ongoing communication with parents and staff through voice call, text, mobile app notifications, social media, and the district website live feed. In cases of school cancelation, news channels 2, 4, and 5 will also have the information.

This system allows school administrators to keep parents updated quickly and efficiently with personalized messages that help them stay actively involved in their child’s education. Patrons can use the free mobile app to get rapid notifications and access a variety of school-related information.

Be sure to:

• ALLOW Notifications

• Select SETTINGS to choose the school(s) you want to follow

Infinite Campus offers a secure and intuitive online portal that allows you to access your child's grades, attendance records, and assignments. This feature will enable you to stay up-to-date on their academic progress. Parents and students have access to the Campus Portal, a confidential and secure website that allows users to log in and view information about progress in school.

How do I begin using my Parent Portal?

Mobile applications are available for both iOS and Android devices. Download to access information about your child's education anytime, anywhere. You will have the convenience of monitoring their progress and staying connected even while on the go.

How can I learn more about using Infinite Campus?

Infinite Campus created a Study Guide site, which provides step-by-step walk-throughs, screenshots, and videos of how to do most common activities within the portal. Check it out for the best way to find the information you need!

If you have additional questions regarding Infinite Campus or Campus Portal, please contact your child's school office.

Download the Eventlink app to see the High School calendar and athletic schedule.

8/1 - Back to School Bash - 9:00 - 10:30 AM

8/11 - Senior Welcome Back - 8:00 - 10:00 AM

8/11 - Junior Welcome Back - 10:00 - 12:00 PM

8/11 - Sophomore Welcome Back - 1:00 - 3:00 PM

8/11 - Freshman Welcome Back - 3:00 - 5:00 PM

8/12 - Make-up Welcome Back - 9:00 - 11:00 AM

8/18 - 4-Rivers Student and Parent Meeting - 4:30 PM

8/18 - Freshman Orientation - 5:00 PM

8/18 - Freshman Open House - 5:30 PM

8/18 - Sophomore - Senior Open House - 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

8/24 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

9/7 - Labor Day - No School

9/18 - Bridging the Future - Halftime of PHS Football

10/2 - Early Release - Homecoming Parade

10/2- Homecoming Football - 7:00 PM

10/3- Homecoming Dance - 7:00 PM

10/5 - 10/9 - Parent Teacher Conferences

Email: korris@mvr3.k12.mo.us
Website: https://www.mvr3.k12.mo.us/o/phs
Location: 425 Indian Warpath Drive, Pacific, MO, USA
Phone: (636) 271-1414
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHSINDIANPRIDE/