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PCHS Updates

Friday, March 21, 2025

PCHS UpdatesFriday, March 21, 2025

A Note from the PCHS Admin Team

PCHS Community,


It's Spring Break time!! We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Spring Break no matter what you're up to over it! Parents - We encourage you to discuss Spring Break safety and decision-making with your student(s) especially if they are headed off on a trip with a group of peers. Discuss making good choices, including about their digital footprint. Remind them not to post anything online that they wouldn't mind the rest of the world seeing for the rest of their lives!


We adults are looking forward to a break too, knowing its importance for coming back on March 31 renewed for diving into the final stretch of the school year, which is always some of the most fun!


See everyone after break. :)


Mrs. McBride & Mr. McMurray

2025-2026 Course Selection Deadlines 2025-2026 Course Selection Deadlines

At this point, just about all of our 8th-11th graders have entered their course requests into MiStar for the 2025-26 school year and have met 1:1 with their counselor to ensure the requests line up with graduation requirements and postsecondary plans.


One final deadline - May 1: Dual Enrollment application process must be completed for fall 2025 enrollment (view the Dual Enrollment presentation for additional information)


Dual Enrollment influences a school's staffing and master schedule. This deadlines ensure we have a clear picture of our course offering and staffing needs with enough time to schedule and staff accordingly for the coming school year.


All relevant forms can be found in the Counseling Office!

April 2025 State Testing - Resources & Information April 2025 State Testing - Resources & Information

Student Guides to Support Standardized Test Preparation

  • SAT Student Guide
  • PSAT 10 Student Guide
  • PSAT 8/9 Student Guide


State Testing Dates

  • April 9: SAT & PSAT 9 (No School for 10th & 12th Graders)
  • April 10: PSAT 10 & WorkKeys (No School for 9th Graders; Virtual Day for 12th - Senior Exit Survey Completion = attendance)
  • April 16: MSTEP (11th Grade only, regular school day for everyone else)


On April 9 and 10, once testing is complete, students may leave for the day. If no transportation, a student can work on classwork in the Commons until busses arrive at 2:30pm. Lunch will be provided as usual on these days.

This Week's Positivity Project Focus This Week's Positivity Project Focus

We did not have Seminar this week due to the Friday half day, therefore we did not have a new Positivity Project focus.


Last week's Positivity Project foci was HUMILITY. Check out the P2 weekly family letter on humility which includes tools to practice and encourage this character trait at home.


I lieu of a new trait focus this week, below is The Positivity Project's 5 Elements to Build Positive Relationships.

PCHS PTO Happenings PCHS PTO Happenings

Thank you to every family who contributed during the PTO sponsored "Donuts for Essentials" donation drive over the first 2 weeks of March. Hundreds of items were donated! Congratulations to Mrs. Bogardus's Seminar for winning the PTO-sponsored donut party today after collecting a whopping 120 items! They enjoyed some Pinckney Bakery donuts today in celebration.


On deck: Preparing for May 5-9 Teacher Appreciation Week activities! So far, we're looking forward to providing our staff a coffee truck on Friday, gift card drawings across the week (or month depending on contributions!), and possibly a catered lunch early in the week.


Review the March PTO meeting minutes here, and consider joining us for the next meeting on Tuesday, April 15 at 6pm in the Pirate Union.

PCHS Student & Staff Member of the Week PCHS Student & Staff Member of the Week

We recognize a student and staff member each week, nominated by the school community based on how fellow Pirates are exemplifying Positivity Project traits and identified by our Leadership & Link Crew class. Our Student of the Week is also recognized as a part of the Livingston Daily's spotlight, published digitally on Fridays and in print on Sundays.

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Nolan Carruthers

Nolan Carruthers is our Student of the Week for exemplifying teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. As a captain of both the varsity football and baseball teams, he is a dedicated athlete who strives to be the best player and teammate. A record-breaker on the football field and an all-state centerfielder, Nolan’s talent speaks for itself. Beyond sports, he is a supportive friend and a courageous young man who continuously works to improve himself. His hard work and determination extend beyond the field, as one of his teachers recently noted his impressive shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset—an accomplishment that speaks to his resilience and drive. He’s a natural leader, but what stands out most is the way he interacts with and inspires our younger athletes. With his talent, strong work ethic, and positive attitude, there are no limits to what Nolan can achieve when he puts his mind to it.
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Mrs. Heather Holdridge

Our Staff Member of the Week is Mrs. Heather Holdridge, a shining example of kindness, connection, and purpose. She is deeply dedicated to her students, providing unwavering support not only to those on her caseload but to every student she encounters. Many students in co-taught classes seek her out, finding in her a caring and trustworthy adult who offers hope and optimism. As the handler of our beloved therapy dog, Jack, she brings comfort and joy to our school community. Beyond her work with students, Mrs. Holdridge is an inspiration, demonstrating perseverance through her commitment to training for and running half and full marathons. She is not only a mentor but also a source of fun and positivity, making our school a better place every day.

What We Did in Seminar This Week What We Did in Seminar This Week

No Seminar due to the half day.


On Fridays, students spend an hour in what we call Seminar. The purpose of Seminar is to ensure every student has at least one go-to adult mentor at PCHS focused on their well-being, academic success, and connection to a healthy school climate.

You Matter Week - 3/31-4/4 You Matter Week - 3/31-4/4

Upon our return from Spring Break, Student Government will be leading our annual You Matter Week. Each day will focus on a different aspect of mental health awareness, with informative morning announcements, symbolic tokens as students enter the building in the morning, lunch table conversation opportunities, and the spirit week below.


Thank you to StuGo for ensuring we keep the conversation going about student well-being and for helping everyone to be aware of the resources and support available in times of need.

🎓 SENIOR CLASS CORNER! 🎓 🎓 SENIOR CLASS CORNER! 🎓

Senior Exams & Last Day of School Schedule

  • 5/14: 5th & 6th Hour Exams (regular schedule for all students)
  • 5/15: 3rd & 4th Hour Exams (regular schedule for 9th-11th, seniors leave after 4th/lunch)
  • 5/16: 1st & 2nd Hour Exams (adjusted bell schedule w/ no Seminar, seniors pick up cap & gown in Commons after 2nd hour, and head out!)

Order Your Senior Yard Signs!

Pick up a form in the Main Office or order online.

Updated event calendar

24-25 PCHS Senior Event Calendar

24-25 PCHS Senior Event Calendar

PCHS 24-25 Senior Event Calendar Save the Dates! Event Date Time Location No School for Seniors - SAT & PSAT Testing BUT MUST COMPLETE SENIOR EXIT SURVEY FOR 4/10 ATTENDANCE 4/9 & 4/10 Complete Senior Exit Survey by Noon on 4/10 Google Form Sent by Counseling Office / Admin on 4...

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Agenda from 3/8/25 Senior Meeting

Annual PCHS Senior Meeting - March

Annual PCHS Senior Meeting - March

PCHS Senior Meeting Friday, March 7, 2025 During Seminar Senior Event Calendar - Mrs. McBride College Advising - Ms. Farina (cfarina@pinckneypirates.org) Everyone attending a college or university should fill out a 25-26 FAFSA Community college now costs about half as much as before for Livi...

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Interested in helping to coordinate or contributing to the Senior All Nighter?

Contact Tennille Sharp at tsharp@pinckneypirates.org to get connected with the planning committee or message the "2025 PCHS Senior All Nighter" Facebook page! This annual event is an entirely parent-planned event with guidance provided by PCHS. Thank you for considering joining the fun!


Consider purchasing and donating something off of the Senior All-Nighter Amazon Wishlist!! -- https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2PLVBTDBIHY2O

What does "deferred" or "waitlisted" mean?

For those college-bound students anxiously awaiting the BIG news...see the link below for information about what it means to be "Deferred" or "Waitlisted" by your university of choice in the event this is the news you receive in the coming weeks.

Why did I get wait-listed or deferred?

Why did I get wait-listed or deferred?

Being wait-listed or deferred from colleges puts you in admissions purgatory. Not being accepted and not being rejected can be frustrating and confusing. Let's first try to understand why you're there. Every year, colleges and universities have a group of students who are qualified to gain admission, yet these institutions are unsure if they have space available to enroll these students.

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ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN NOW!

Many Seniors have not yet ordered their cap & gown for graduation. This is a requirement for graduation. To order one, go to Jostens.com. You and your student should be receiving reminder emails from our Josten's rep, Janice Traub, which includes additional information. If you have questions, please reach out to Poppy Elliott in our Main Office. Thanks!

National Honor Society Tutoring Program National Honor Society Tutoring Program

Members of the PCHS National Honor Society are available to provide tutoring support for interested Pirates. If your student is interested in tutoring, please fill out the form below.

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Attendance, Earning Credits, & Mr. Mac's Academy Attendance, Earning Credits, & Mr. Mac's Academy

At PCHS, if a student exceeds 10 absences in a semester in a course, they must make up the time missed in order to earn the credit for that course on their transcript - a must for graduation from high school! It is very important to be at school consistently to be successful academically. Please pay close attention to your student's attendance detail in MiStar and proactively support them to stay within that 10 absence maximum per semester. If a student has a hold on their credit due to absences, it will read as an "H" on their transcript.


Mr. McMurray, our Assistant Principal, offers "Mr. Mac's Academy" on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:30-4:30pm. This is a consistent opportunity to make-up hours due to excessive absences. To attend Mr. Mac's Academy, a student must sign up in advance at the front desk of the Main Office with Mrs. Lasure.

PCHS Weekly Bell Schedule PCHS Weekly Bell Schedule

Important Dates Important Dates

  • March 24-28: Spring Break
  • April 9: SAT & PSAT 9 (No School for 10th & 12th Graders)
  • April 10: PSAT 10 & WorkKeys (No School for 9th; Virtual Day for 12th - Senior Exit Survey Completion = attendance)
  • April 16: MSTEP (11th only, regular school day for everyone else)
  • April 18: No School - Good Friday
  • May 2: 2nd Semester Progress Report 3
  • May 3: Prom
  • Weeks of May 5 and May 12: AP Testing
  • May 16: Seniors' Last Day of School
  • May 26: No School - Memorial Day
  • May 29: Senior Graduation Rehearsal, Clap-Out & BBQ
  • June 1: PCHS Graduation @ Pirate Stadium
  • June 4-5: 2nd Semester Final Assessments
  • June 6: Half Day - Last Day of the 2024-25 School Year


District-Wide Calendars: https://www.pinckneypirates.org/page/calendars

Pirate Athletics & Community Ed Pirate Athletics & Community Ed

Get your tickets to any and all games here!

https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10053


Follow along for all athletic tryouts, registration, schedules, and updates at https://pinckneyathletics.bigteams.com/


Looking for Pirate Athletics gear?

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/michigan/pinckney/pinckney-high-school


Looking for Pinckney Community Education programs?

https://pinckney.ce.eleyo.com/

Counselors' Corner Counselors' Corner

In this area, you will find relevant opportunities for building your college and career awareness and ensuring you have access to all of the information and PCHS team members necessary to make your post-secondary plans a reality!


Counseling Office: (810) 225.5603

Counseling Website: https://www.pinckneypirates.org/o/pchs (Select the Counseling drop-down menu.)


Counseling Secretary

Mrs. Jennifer Duncan

jduncan@pinckneypirates.org
810.225.5603, fax 810.225.5610


School Counselors

Ms. Amy Robinson MA, LLPC, SCL
School Counselor (A-Le)
arobinson@pinckneypirates.org


Ms. Nicole Braun MA, SCL
School Counselor (Lf-Z)
nbraun@pinckneypirates.org


PCHS Mental Health Specialists

Ms. Lynn Watkins, MA, LPC, SCL, NCC
Social/Emotional Mental Health Specialist
lwatkins@pinckneypirates.org
810.225.5607

Learn more about Ms. Watkins and 31n mental health services provided through LESA here.


Mrs. Sandra Parker
Social Worker Project SUCCESS Counselor, Youth-Led Prevention Facilitator, and Community Outreach Coordinator
sparker@pinckneypirates.org
810.225.6534


Advise MI College Adviser

Ms. Clarice Farina
cfarina@pinckneypirates.org

College Readiness @ PCHS College Readiness @ PCHS

I Submitted My FAFSA...Now What?

https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/next-steps-after-submitting-fafsa?fbclid=IwY2xjawGz5oNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRKka6i0n9aFLMyihglbBo-37k7BpSXh1zj9IIoxjUtLcSRXCwzW-Dgh0w_aem_lWOVH_9pVbYxw0CBaFY4vw&sfnsn=mo

Federal Student Aid

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Seniors and Families,

Here are some especially helpful resources as you navigate your next steps during College Application season (some of these are also linked within the Senior Presentation that was shared via email with Class of 2025 students and families on Friday, September 20th):


Common App


  • Common App (the primary college application platform; apply to MANY colleges through this single application)
  • Common App: 1st year student resources
  • Common App: Essay Prompts (& Tips!)


MI College Access Network


  • MCAN College Fee Waivers
  • MCAN College Average GPA (& SAT) Requirements
  • MCAN (Michigan College Access Network) offers a plethora of different resources for guiding students during the college application process!


And more


  • Michigan's Public Universities Guide to Admissions 2023-24
  • PCHS PIRATE PATH CALENDAR - lots of College Rep Visit options, Campus Open House dates, Financial Aid webinars, and more!
  • Create your FSA ID to apply for FAFSA, which is now open for all high school Senior students! Get your FAFSA completed early and easily!


    Typically, the parent and the student will each have their own sections of the FAFSA to complete using their own FSA ID. Click here to see which parent(s) need to be involved in the FAFSA process.

    NOTE: Some students may be considered independent on the FAFSA and will not be asked to include parent information on the application. Determine dependency status here.


  • Apply for scholarships. Please check out the scholarship list on the high school website as it is updated daily.


Best wishes for many "acceptance" notices ahead!

Find out more about discounted community college and register for a webinar!

Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Find the path that's right for you! Interested in earning a skill certificate or associate degree? Or are you interested in starting at a community college and transferring to a university? The Community College Guarantee through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship could be for you!

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Career Development @ PCHS Career Development @ PCHS

Through school, family, and community connections, the PCHS Career Development Program empowers students to discover and develop meaningful career paths, ensuring they are prepared to step into the next chapter of their lives with confidence.

Every spring, Livingston ESA hosts the Youth Employment Fair for students ages 16–24. This event aims to introduce students to career ladders and opportunities they can access as entry-level employees, allowing them to grow with a company or career as they continue their education. Some businesses will be looking to hire, while others will showcase the diverse career paths available within the county.

Career Development Resources

Career Development Resources

A postsecondary credit agreement means a formal agreement, between secondary and postsecondary education institutions or systems, that grant students transcripted postsecondary credit. Learn more about Postsecondary Credit Agreements The Michigan Career Development Model (MI CDM) is designed to provide all students (K-12) in the Michigan educational system with the necessary knowledge and skills for success in a career of their choice and lifelong learning.

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Michigan Hot 50

Michigan Hot 50

Michigan Hot 50 Job Outlook through 2032 This publication highlights Michigan's high-demand, high-wage careers that show a favorable mix of projected long-term job growth, projected annual job openings, and median wages through 2032. Michigan Hot 50 Job Outlook through 2032

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Community Resources Community Resources

Local Resources - Livingston County, MI

Local Resources - Livingston County, MI

Livingston County Administration Building 304 E. Grand River Ave. Howell, MI 48843

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Grief Resources

This grief resources document includes a variety of links to support parents and students.

You’re not alone…Parenting is hard

Coaching and resources for Parents…


DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE OR PARENTING? CONSIDER MEETING WITH A PARENTING COACH…


FREE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:

  • Weekly calls with a coach

  • Ask a therapist

  • Guided, step-by-step resources

  • Access to on-demand videos on various topics

  • Confidential help

  • Find hope, connect today at parentguidance.org


…50% of parents worry their child is struggling, but don’t know what to do.

…32% of parents feel their child is unhappy.

…An estimated 10-20% of adolescents globally experience mental health conditions

Local Food Resources

See documents linked below.

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2024 Food Programs and Pantries.pdf
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Mobile Pantries.pdf
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PRODUCECARTS.pdf
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Local Opportunities Local Opportunities

LivCo Parent Summit

Get ready! In just two weeks, our partners at LESA will host their inaugural Parent Summit and Wellness Fair on Saturday, April 5th, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Parker Middle School in Howell. This event is a fantastic opportunity for parents to dive into some of the most relevant topics we face today, including anxiety, mental health, and managing technology use.

The summit will feature a lineup of TED Talk-style sessions led by experts, such as:


- Horacio Sanchez: Children Born Into Technology Have a Different Brain
- Justin Bruno: Raising Tomorrow’s Thinkers in an AI-Powered World
- Katey McPherson: Parenting in a Tech World
- Steve Barker: How to Have Hope in the Midst of Fear and Anxiety in Parenting

In addition to the sessions, a Wellness Fair will be available, offering a wide range of resources for parents to explore. For more details about the presentations and resources, scan the QR code on the flyer below. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights and tools to support your family!

Local Employment Opportunities

Pinckney Community Schools is hiring!

https://pinckneypirates.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
Right now:
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Aide

Starting the 25-26 School Year:
Farley Elementary Principal (replacing Yvonne Taylor, a wonderful long-time leader who is retiring)

Math Teacher
Additional teaching positions starting the 25-26 school year will be posted soon.

If you are passionate about creating a learning and work environment where every student and adult feels connected to one another, empowered to lead, and prepared to do whatever they want to do next, join us!


Feel free to share employment opportunities with us and will place them here for future newsletters!

PCHS on Social Media PCHS on Social Media

If you don't already, follow us on:


  • Instagram at @pinckneyhighschool
  • Facebook at Pinckney Community High School.


We do our best to use these platforms for important announcements, newsworthy events, and fun things that keep parents and students connected to PCHS.

Managerial Reminders Managerial Reminders

  • Full-Day Schedule: 7:30am-2:30pm
  • Half-Day Schedule: 7:30am-10:55am
  • Friday Early Release Schedule: 7:30am-1:09pm
  • PCHS is a closed campus. Only those approved to leave the building (i.e. for CTE, Dual Enrollment, Co-Op) may exit the building during school hours, and only through the South entrance. This is in service of ensuring all students are safely where they should be!
  • If running late to school, students need to park in the Main Entrance lot (South side) in order to sign in at the Main Office. The North doors will be locked after 7:45am.
  • Students are required to have a parking pass if parking in the PCHS lot during the school day. Make sure you've paid for your pass in the Main Office!
  • PCHS Morning Announcement Request Form
  • PCS Secondary Student Handbook
  • PCS Transportation Code of Conduct
  • Have a tech issue? Submit a helpdesk ticket at: helpdesk.pinckneypirates.org
  • Attendance Hotline: 810-225-5510 / hs-attendance@pinckneypirates.org

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Pinckney Community High School

Email: jmcbride@pinckneypirates.org
Website: www.pinckneypirates.org
Location: 10255 Dexter-Pinckney Road, Pinckney, MI, USA
Phone: 8102255500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinckneyhigh
Twitter: @PinckneyHigh

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