Indian Insight

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We are so excited to have our students back at PHS for the 25-26 school year. As we settle students into our routines, I want to share some important information with you. PHS is a 1:1 technology school. Each student is provided with a district-issued Chromebook. Students will use these devices throughout PHS daily. During the welcome back, your student was given a copy of our district-approved Chromebook Insurance Form.

Pacific High School strongly encourages purchasing Chromebook insurance to protect against accidental damage and repair costs. You may choose to opt out of the insurance. However, please know that the financial cost for any damage and subsequent repairs will be the responsibility of the student's parent or guardian.

Whether they purchase insurance or opt-out, your student must still return the form with your signature indicating their choice.

Please help us maintain the performance of these devices by reviewing our Acceptable Use Policy guidelines with your student:

• Chromebooks should only be used for educational purposes. Activities such as online gaming, searching inappropriate content, and online chatting are not permitted.

• Students are responsible for the care of their device. They should not share login information or passwords with anyone.

• If there is damage to the device, students should see Mrs. Kelm as soon as possible.

• Repeated misuse or damage to a Chromebook may result in a loss of technology privileges and financial restitution.

• Students must use a district-issued device. Personal electronics such as laptops and tablets are not permitted.

Thank you for helping us ensure our Pacific High School students have access to all of the tools they need to be successful.

The school day begins at 7:30 AM and students will be released at 2:35 PM. Only students involved in a school sponsored activities should be in the building before 7:00 AM or after 2:50 PM.

All juniors are required to take a college and career readiness assessment in the state of Missouri. At Pacific High School, we are fortunate to be able to provide 3 options for our students at Pacific High School.

ACT - You should choose this test if you know you want to go to college.

Work Keys - If you plan to go directly into the workforce after graduation, this is the option for you.

ASVAB - This is the best option for you if you have no idea what you want to do or if you know you would like to pursue joining the military. The results give you great insight into possible careers.

If you have questions please reach out to our senior advisor, Nicole Ingersoll at ningersoll@mvr3.k12.mo.us

***Seniors if you are going to college and would like to take the ACT on our testing day, please talk to Ms. Ingersoll by September 5th.

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.

Our goals as a community will be obtained with strong partnerships between the home and school. Please check out our website: PHS Website, download the free MVR3 App, and like us on Facebook & Instagram.

If your student is missing any vaccinations, you should have received a call, letter or email from the nurse’s office. Please review the attached documents for information about required school vaccinations and an upcoming clinic at Pacific High School. The shot clinic will be held on September 26, 2025 in the morning and permission forms are due on September 5, 2025.

Studies show that a healthy breakfast gives children a head start to a successful day. Breakfast is free for everyone! The cost of lunch is $3.50 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.

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.

Parents are encouraged to download the FREE MVR-III School District mobile app to streamline school communication on the go. Find the Meramec Valley R-III School District app in the Apple App or Google Play Store. Be sure to select notifications from your preferred buildings and enable Push Notifications on your phone settings. Teachers will use the Rooms link inside the MVR-III app to communicate directly with parents.

Rooms makes it easier to stay in touch with teachers and class information from that same app. You can easily switch from district and school information in the app to Rooms, where you can see your student's classes and engage directly with teachers. Rooms can be accessed via the web (at edurooms.com) and from our district app, which is available for free and can be used from both Apple and Android phones. To access Rooms, you will need to create a login and password.

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 activity scheduler app to see the High School calendar and athletic schedule.

9/1 - Labor Day - No School

9/5 - Bridging the Future (halftime of football)

9/11 - College Fair

9/29 - 10/3 - Parent Teacher Conferences

9/30 - Picture Retake Day (Freshman - Juniors) and all staff

10/17 - Early Release - Homecoming Parade

10/17 - Homecoming Football - 7:00 PM

10/18 - Homecoming Dance - 7:00 PM

10/22 - Mega Test Day - ACT/ASVAB/Work Keys for Juniors and select Seniors

Pacific High School Principal

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/