.

Good afternoon,

As we mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we pause to remember the lives lost, the families forever affected, and the courage of the first responders and ordinary citizens who acted with extraordinary bravery. For many of our students, September 11 is history rather than a lived memory. As a school community, we have a responsibility to help them understand its significance while reflecting on the values of service, compassion, unity, and resilience that emerged in its aftermath.

Those values remain important as we begin a new school year together. Our students have not missed a beat and are settling into their classes, athletic teams, and opportunities in the arts. The energy throughout the building has been positive, focused, and encouraging.

Our phone-free school day has also been a welcome change. Students are more present with one another, and the difference is especially noticeable during lunch. Hearing students talk, laugh, and connect with their friends is a wonderful sound and a reminder of the importance of creating space for genuine human connection.

Thank you to our students, staff, and families for helping us begin the year so successfully. I look forward to carrying this positive momentum into the weeks ahead.

Brenda Erhardt

PMHS Principal

September

15th: PSAT registration and payment deadline

16th: Parent Back-to-School Night 6- 8 pm (bring your child's schedule)

18th: Early Release

The late bus will begin on September 15th on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for students who are staying after for a club, activity, or extra help.

Come and work in a friendly and supportive environment where you can make a meaningful difference in students' lives. Great hours and great benefits with room to grow! No prior experience necessary.

1). The Hilldale Cemetery: Volunteers are needed to aid in the cleanup of the cemetery to ready it for the Wreaths Across America Program in December. The cleanup is medium to heavy work, clearing away summer growth so that the wreaths can be placed in December. If you are up for a challenge, love the outdoors, and exercise, this is your type of community service.

Your contact person is Tammy Dobrosielski, and she can be reached through email at tdobrosielski@prsd.org

Please consider volunteering for this worthy cause.

If you are interested in further information about the cemetery and its connection to Wreaths Across America, you can go to www.hilldalewreaths.com

2). Back to School Night: Volunteers are needed to help direct families at our Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 16th

Where: Middle-High School

Time: 6-8:00 pm

Wear a Pentucket shirt

RSVP to Mrs. Erhardt at berhardt@prsd.org

3). Hall of Fame: Principal Erhardt needs volunteers for the Hall of Fame event.

Students will greet guests and give them a name tag.
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm, Friday, September 25th.
Where: Middle-High School Dining Commons. Your contact person is Principal Erhardt - please email her (berhardt@prsd.org) if you are able and willing to help on the 25th so that she can have an accurate head count.

4) Merrimac 150th Celebration: Volunteers needed

Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Merrimac 150th celebration is coming up on September 26, and we are looking for volunteers to help on-site on the day of the event. Here is the link for volunteer sign-up:
Mobilesignupgenius.com
Lauren Santagate is the contact person for additional information. She can be reached through email at lauren.santagate@gmail.com

5) The Jeanne Geiger Walk Against Domestic Violence: Volunteers needed

Sunday, October 4, 2026

The annual Walk Against Domestic Violence will take place on Sunday, October 4, beginning at Waterfront Park in Newburyport. The Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center is asking for 8-10 students to help out as route guides and cheering folks on at the finish. The volunteers would need to arrive at Waterfront Park at 9:15 am and plan on helping until about 11:30. They can check in with Heather Wiles at the volunteer table to receive their assignments and instructions. Please wear comfortable shoes and plan to walk to their assignments along the 3-mile route.

Heather Wiles contact information is hwiles@jeannegeiger.org

Classes

7:35 - First class begins. Please be here prior to school starting!

2:15 - Last class ends

Drop off/Pick up

Drop off begins at 7:00 a.m.

(It is a very busy time, please allow an extra 15 mins. in the am!)

Pick up begins at 2:15 p.m.

Safety reminders

For the safety of all students and families, it is never okay to pass another vehicle while in the drop off lane. This includes situations where you have already picked up your child and are ready to leave. You must remain in the queue until the vehicle in front of you begins to move.

For BOTH pick-up/drop off lanes, students must exit/enter car on curb side only.

Please see pictures below showing the traffic patterns.

We will not be accepting forgotten items to school during the day (school projects, sports equipment, school lunches, water bottles. etc.)

When items are dropped off, the Main Office must contact the classroom and call the student down to retrieve them. These interruptions are a significant distraction to teachers, students, and the overall learning environment. Additionally, the Main Office cannot guarantee that dropped-off items will be delivered to students.

If a student forgets something they need for an after-school activity or commitment, arrangements will need to be made once the school day has ended.

Whenever possible, please enter your child’s dismissal in the Infinite Campus portal at least one day in advance.

If the dismissal is entered in the portal, your child does not need to bring a separate dismissal note to the office. If you are unable to enter the dismissal in Infinite Campus, your child must bring a written note to the main office before 7:30 a.m. on the day of the dismissal. The note should include the reason for the dismissal and the dismissal time.

For an absence or dismissal to be excused for a medical, dental, orthodontic, or similar appointment, documentation from the provider must be submitted to the school within 48 hours.

We strongly discourage same-day or on-demand dismissal requests because they disrupt the school day and may be difficult to process promptly.

Please log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and review your child's Health Form. This form contains health information currently on file with the school, including information such as allergies, medications, and authorization to administer medication.

Please review all information carefully and take the appropriate action:

• If all information is current and no changes are needed: Please electronically sign the form in Infinite Campus to confirm that you have reviewed the information and that it is accurate.

• If any information needs to be added, changed, or corrected: Please do not electronically sign the form. Instead, print the form, make the necessary updates, and have your child return the updated form to the nurse at their school. The school nurse will update the information in Infinite Campus.

It is important that we have accurate and up-to-date health information for your child. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the nurse at your child's school.

Upcoming School Committee Meetings:

September 15th

October 13th

November 17th

December 15th

January 12th

February 2nd

February 23rd

March 2nd or March 9th

April 13th

May 11th

June 8th

All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. and are held in the Middle-High School.

Please check the PRSD website for Agendas and further information.

Upcoming School Council Meetings: Meeting Time 6:45am-7:15am

The School Council Meets the second Thursday of each month. Please see the PRMHS website for agendas