PCMS Weekly Update

Our 3-hour early release marks the end of first quarter, time is flying! Teachers will be finalizing grades today and Progress Reports will be emailed home next Friday, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox. We are also cruising through our APEX Fundraiser with a lot of fun activities and incentives for our classes. Thank you to everyone who has donated and helped our PTO, our students, and our school! We have about one more week to go and appreciate your support!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are also right around the corner. All conferences are by appointment (either in-person or virtual), and you’ll find details below on how to sign up. Next week is also our final Pastries with Pirates with our 8th grade students! We look forward to welcoming our 8th grade families on Wednesday morning.

Have a beautiful fall 🍁weekend and GO PIRATES!!

~Your principals,

Dr. Chris Miller, principal

Dr. Emily Miller, assistant principal

Fall Sports are going strong! Here’s a quick recap of their week.

Football: This week the Pirates C Team played on Tuesday against a tough Smithville team and lost 36-0. On Thursday, the A & B Teams travelled to Grain Valley on a cold, rainy night and lost both games. A lost 28-0 and B lost another thriller 26-20. Next week the C Team will play their final game at Platte Purchase at 4:00. The A & B play a makeup game at Walden on Monday, and then their final game is Thursday.

Volleyball: Monday, A, B, and C teams swept Raytown Central, all winning in 2 sets! Wednesday, A and B teams defeated Congress Middle School in 2 sets. C team fought hard at home against Campbell Middle School, falling in 2 sets.

This Week's CharacterDare is: Be the Crowd (see below).

Ask your students how they’re doing with their CharacterDare each week, and consider joining them in taking on these CharacterDares yourself! Modeling these character-building challenges can make them even more meaningful for our students.

It’s almost that time of the year for our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences. This year they will be on Wednesday, October 21 from 3:30-7:30 pm and Thursday, October 29 from 7:30 am-3 pm. You will have the option to schedule a virtual or in-person conference - all conferences will be scheduled in 10-15 minute sessions so please do not plan on stopping by for an unscheduled conference as all times will likely be taken. Please sign up with the teachers you would like to meet with by clicking below. If you have any questions regarding conference sign-ups, please contact your child’s teacher(s) or call our office.

Our annual APEX Color Battle is well underway, and we’re excited about the opportunity to make this year’s fundraiser our most successful one yet! This event is not only a whole lot of fun for our students, but it also makes a BIG impact on our school.

Thanks to past APEX fundraisers, we’ve been able to add privacy screens to our front and back doors, brand-new gym mats, and “Red One,” our beloved golf cart! 🛺 These additions have helped improve our school’s safety and security while enhancing our environment for students and staff. We are so grateful for our PTO and the incredible support of our school community!

Now, we need YOU! 🙌 As we reach the halfway point, we need everyone’s help spreading the word and promoting our fundraiser. Please share the fundraiser with friends, family, and anyone who would love to support our school. Every share, donation, and bit of encouragement helps us reach our goal!

We’re also still looking for a few parent volunteers to help make Color Battle event day a success. If you can spare some time to lend a hand, we would truly appreciate it! Please sign up below to volunteer.

Let’s rally together, spread the word, and finish strong! Thank you for helping make a difference for our students and school!

Our after-school tutoring program, Homework Harbor, will kick off on October 20th. Homework Harbor takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3–4pm! Homework Harbor gives our Pirates a place after school to work on homework, get extra help, or retake a test if needed. If you’d like your child to attend, please sign them up each week using the form below.

At PCMS, we have a long-standing tradition of welcoming our extended Pirate families to enjoy breakfast with their middle school students. We are happy to announce we will be again hosting our 8th Grade Pastries with Pirates breakfast on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 a.m. 8th-grade students are encouraged to invite special family member(s) to join them. This could be grandparents, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, or any other significant person in the student's life. We’re looking forward to seeing you on the 21st!

7th Grade Parents: On Monday, October 26th and Tuesday, October 27th the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) will be at PCMS to speak to 7th grade on the topic “Healthy Relationships.”

MOCSA’s Healthy Relationships explores how all types of relationships need to be equal and healthy, including friendships. This presentation discusses how everyone has different boundaries and how to understand each person’s. This presentation also explores what healthy vs. unhealthy relationships are and what to do if we feel like we are in an unhealthy relationship. Finally, we discuss and practice intervention skills as well as identifying safe adults that we could talk to should we need help.

If you do NOT want your child to attend this presentation, please complete the form below by Friday, October 23rd.

Get ready for an exciting winter sports season! Wrestling practices will begin on October 26, and boys’ and girls’ basketball practices/tryouts will begin on November 3.

We’re looking forward to a great season filled with teamwork, hard work, and school spirit!

Please check out the links below for more information about each sport, including schedules and other important details. If your student is interested in wrestling, please fill out the form below.

Let’s get ready for a great season! 💪

It’s time for tricks, treats, and all things Halloween! 👻🎃

Students and staff are invited to join in the fun by wearing their Halloween costumes to school on Wednesday, October 28! Dressing up is completely optional, but we can’t wait to see everyone’s Halloween spirit!

Please review our Halloween Costume Do’s & Don’ts before choosing a costume:

• Follow the dress code. Keep costumes covered, safe, and appropriate.
• Wear clothes under your costume so you’re ready for PE and other activities.
• Keep it school-appropriate. No guns or weapons!
• No face coverings, masks, or face paint. We need to know who you are at all times!
• No inflatable costumes.
• No props. Please leave all costume accessories and props at home.
• Don’t be disruptive. Costumes that interrupt learning will need to be removed.
• Have questions? Ask the Millers if you’re unsure whether your costume is appropriate!

We look forward to a fun-filled day of Halloween spirit at PCMS! Have fun, be creative, and let’s make it a spooktacular day! 🧡🖤👻

Device insurance for student devices has moved to a new system for the 2026-27 school year. Families who wish to participate must enroll by October 29 through your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.

• Enrollment Cost: $30 per student device
• Free/Reduced Meal Students: $0 enrollment cost
• How to Enroll: Log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and complete the Insurance Form under "Forms." Via the PowerSchool app, go to "More," then "Forms." The $30 enrollment fee will be collected within the form.

Visit the One-to-One Learning page of our website for additional Student Device FAQs and responsibilities.

Students and families are invited to learn about an exciting educational travel opportunity with Dr. Sarah Majors, Mrs. Coleen Johnson, Mrs. Kela Crowell and EF Tours! Experience new cultures, explore historic landmarks and vibrant cities, and make memories while learning beyond the classroom.

Join us Thursday, October 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Forum Room at Platte City Middle School. We’ll discuss the planned itinerary, educational benefits, what’s included, safety, costs, and payment options.

Registration is required, and a parent or guardian must attend the information meeting. Can’t attend? Please still RSVP as “Interested” or select “No, but send info” on the registration form so Dr. Majors can send you information after the meeting.

RSVP here: https://rsvp.eftours.com/atfbbra

The 12th annual Yuletide Market is scheduled for 9am to 2pm on Saturday, November 7 at Platte City Middle School to benefit the PCHS Music Parents Association. The Yuletide Market features local crafters, artisans, and direct sales consultants.

Oct 19

• Volleyball A/B Teams vs. Platte Purchase Middle School @ Home, 4 pm
• Football A/B Teams @ Lakeview Middles School, 4 pm

Oct 20

• First Day of Homework Harbor, 3 pm
• Football C Team vs. Pleasant Hill Middle School @ Platte Purchase Middle School, 4 pm

Oct 21

• 8th Grade Pastries with Pirates, 7 am
• Volleyball A/B/C Teams @ Smithville Middle School, 4 pm
• Parent Teacher Conferences, 3:30 - 7 pm

Oct 22

• APEX Color Battle

• First Wrestling Practice

Oct 27

• Choir Fall Concert, 7 pm

Oct 29

• NO SCHOOL
• Parent Teacher Conferences, 7:30 am - 3 pm

Oct 30

• NO SCHOOL

Nov 2

• NO SCHOOL, PLD 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/