PCMS Weekly Update

Okay Pirates, we have made it through the first week and what a great week it has been! It is so rewarding to see how quickly our students are remembering the routines or following in line if they are new to our school. Lunches have been running smoothly and a-la-cart will be available very soon, which is always a hit! This week classes spent a lot of time building those important relationships, establishing routines and procedures for learning. Here at Platte City Middle School, we have high expectations for learning in our classrooms and it starts with establishing those high functioning classrooms this first week. We can't wait to see what this year brings from these great kids we have walking our halls!

It’s great to be back! Have a wonderful weekend and GO PIRATES!!

~Your principals,

Dr. Chris Miller, principal

Dr. Emily Miller, assistant principal

Reminder about the Dress Code Policy -The Board of Education expects student dress and grooming to be neat, clean, and in good taste so that each student may share in promoting a positive, healthy, and safe atmosphere within the school district.

However, student dress and grooming will be the responsibility of the individual and parents/guardians, within the following guidelines:

Allowed

• Tops: All Shirts(t-shirts, sweaters, tank tops, sweatshirts, etc.) must cover the belly button and cover private parts/undergarments.

• Bottoms: All pants ( jeans, ripped jeans, sweatpants, shorts, skirts, dresses, leggings, yoga pants, etc.) must cover private parts/undergarments.

• Hats and head coverings: If headwear negatively impacts the school environment, teachers and/or administrators will have the right to have students remove them.

• Shoes/sandals- must be worn at all times

Not Allowed

• No sheer or mesh clothing, undershirts/tanks are considered undergarments.

• Any clothing that promotes, displays, or symbolizes statements of hate, discrimination, violence/weapons, illegal activity, profanity, sexual innuendos, alcohol/tobacco/ drugs, weapons, or threatens health and safety

• Wearing or carrying a blanket

If out of the dress code or when, in the judgment of the principal, a student's appearance or mode of dress does not comply with the above criteria, the student may be required to make modifications.

Note: Additional dress guidelines may be imposed upon students participating in certain extracurricular activities.

As we gear up for our first home football game at Platte County High School tonight, we want to remind students and families of the expectations at Pirate Stadium. Elementary and MIDDLE SCHOOL students need to be accompanied by an adult to enter Pirate Stadium. There will be a section where our middle school students can sit with their friends at the south end of the stadium. This week, the high school shared the following expectations for all students and guests entering Pirate Stadium. We will review these expectations with our middle schoolers next week:

1. Ok to sit or stand in the bleachers - not ok to gather anywhere else around the stadium
2. No changing seats
3. No jumping over rows
4. Hands to yourself at all times
5. Stairs must be clear at all times
6. Ok to use the restroom/concession stand but must return to your seat immediately- no hanging out behind the bleachers
7. Throwing anything will result in removal
8. We must keep the stairs at the south end of the stadium free at all times for fans entering/exiting.

We want our students and guests to be there, be loud, be proud and cheer on their Pirates, but in a way that respects all in attendance. Parents, thank you for your help with this and GO PIRATES!

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!

Devices were handed out this week! Students were able to take their devices home for the remainder of this week, whether or not they are registered for Apple Device Insurance.

Beginning Monday, August 31, students who would like to take their device home must be registered for Apple Device Insurance. We highly encourage families to enroll, as insurance provides important protection for your student’s device and can significantly reduce the cost of repairs or replacement.

If you currently qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch, the $30 insurance fee is waived—but you still must complete the registration process.

To register, log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and select Forms. Look for the 2026–2027 Platte County Schools Device Insurance Payment form.

Please see the FAQ page below for more information about student devices and Apple Device Insurance.

Deadline to Register: October 1

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office. We’re happy to help!

Picture Day is Tuesday, September 1st!

If you’d like to order pictures, bring your order form on Picture Day with cash or a check made out to Reed Photography.

• These photos will also be used for student ID cards and the yearbook.

  👉 Please note the following important information:

  • Color background options are not available for online orders

  • Add-ons can only be purchased with a portrait package

  • If you have more than one student at PCMS, you must submit a separate order and payment for each child

We’re excited to welcome families to our 7th/8th Grade Back to School Night!

• 7th & 8th Grade: Tuesday, September 1 · 6:00–7:30 PM

Please have your child bring the class schedule they received at registration (or a picture of it on your phone). You’ll be following their schedule and visiting each of their classes throughout the evening.

Please arrive on time! We’ll be following a set schedule for the evening, with specific times to visit each class. Arriving late may mean missing part of a class, so please plan ahead and be ready to begin right at the scheduled start time.

We can’t wait to see you and kick off a great school year together!

• Select the More icon at the bottom of your Dashboard.
• Tap Forms.
• Choose Platte County School District Parent/Student Handbook.

• Sign in to PowerSchool Parent Portal.
• From the left menu, select Forms.
• Choose Platte County School District Parent/Student Handbook.

It’s time to order Music Shirts for the 2026–27 school year!

Please complete the form below to order a shirt. Orders will be accepted through September 11.

All 6th grade students will need a Music Shirt because every 6th grader will participate in either Band or Choir. The $15 shirt fee was added to your student’s PowerSchool account last week, and payment will be handled through PowerSchool.

Our Music Shirts are worn for Band and Choir concerts.

Already have a shirt?
If your 6th grader already has a Music Shirt from an older sibling, please email tomlinson.kristie@pcr3schools.org so we can remove the $15 fee from your student’s PowerSchool account.

7th & 8th Grade Students:
If your student needs a new Music Shirt, please complete the form below. A $15 charge will be added to your student’s PowerSchool account.

Students who participate in both Band and Choir only need one Music Shirt.

Need help with payment?
If your family needs a scholarship or assistance with the cost of a Music Shirt, please contact Kristie Tomlinson at tomlinson.kristie@pcr3schools.org. We are happy to help make sure every student has what they need to participate.

Please complete BOTH the form below and make payment through PowerSchool by September 11th.

The PCMS PTO shop will be live today!! We’re running a bit behind schedule, but promise it will be worth the wait!! So many fun fleece and winter options will be available! Order through 9/10!

At the beginning of each school year, we ask parents and guardians to complete our Resource Checklist.

The Resource Checklist is a brief questionnaire and serves as your School Social Worker’s primary tool to help connect families with support services. It also provides an opportunity for you to let us know if you’re interested in giving back to the school community.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our PCMS School Social Worker, Mrs. Katie Powers, at 816-858-2036 ext. 3016 or powers.katie@pcr3schools.org.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete this important form!

As we begin the new school year, we want to remind families that Platte County School District continues to be cell phone free during the school day.

Students are expected to keep their personal cell phones and other personal devices put away during the school day. This helps us create a more focused learning environment where students can engage in learning, build relationships, and be present with those around them.

We appreciate your support in helping us continue to make this policy successful! Thank you for reminding your student to leave their phone put away throughout the school day.

Learn more about our Cell Phone Free plan, including what devices are included and how we support students with this change.

On Monday, September 21, school will not be in session for our first Professional Learning Community (PLC) day of the 2026-27 school year.

PLC days are designed to establish sustained and uninterrupted time for teachers to work together and collaborate to improve student learning and achievement. This time allows educators to examine and respond to the four basic fundamental questions of a Professional Learning Community:

• What is it we want students to learn?
• How will we know when each student has achieved the learning?
• How will we respond when a student is not learning?
• How will we respond when we know a child has mastered the learning?

For more information on PCR-3's Professional Learning Community, visit the PLC page on the District's website.

Aug 31

• First Cheer Practice

Sept 1

• Fall Picture Day
• 7th/8th Grade Back to School Night, 6 - 7:30 pm

Sept 2

• Football Pictures (Full Team Picture & 8th Grade Individual Pictures)

Sept 3

• Football Pictures (7th Grade Individual Pictures)

Sept 7

• No School - Labor Day

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

Email: tomlinson.kristie@pcr3schools.org
Website: http://www.pcms.plattecountyschooldistrict.com
Location: 900 Pirate Drive, Platte City, MO, 64079
Phone: (816)858-2036
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plattecitymiddleschool/