Tiger Update
Information about Pickerington High School Central 2/14/26
Message from Mr. Parker
Tiger Nation! 🐅
Quarter 3: Week 7 ⚓
Happy Valentine's Day!
It has been a fantastic week as our school continues hitting our stride in the classroom! The halls are buzzing with energy, focus, and purpose as students and staff chart a course toward academic excellence. Our learning momentum is strong, and it’s inspiring to see everyone navigating their path with determination.
This week also brought plenty to celebrate. Student achievements—both academic and athletic—continue to roll in, showcasing the hard work, dedication, and talent of our Tigers. We honored our seniors during various Senior Nights across winter sports, highlighting the leadership and legacy they leave behind.
A special shout out to our PTSO for the carnation sale last Thursday and Friday! The buzz in the building was beautiful as students and staff took turns honoring each other with carnations, spreading positivity and Tiger pride. The Student Council’s Compliment Box has been another big hit, keeping the love and encouragement flowing across our halls. I love seeing all the care, kindness, and community spirit in the air as we power past Valentine’s Day and sail through February.
By staying united and locked in as one crew, we will continue to ride these waves of excellence together, ensuring our students RYFP: Reach Your Full Potential.
Sail on, Tiger Nation! 💨
As Always,
Tigers T.I.E.
(Trust, Integrity, & Empathy)
Mr. Parker
Important Dates (Sunny Days Not Far Way!!!)
February 13th: Graduation RSVP for seniors due. Please use your school email to RSVP. See the Senior Corner and submit the google form.
February 16th: President's Day - No School
February 17th & 18th: No School for Students (Professional Learning for staff)
February 19th: Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:30 pm - 7:00 pm)
February 19th - 23rd: Counselor Registration Days (AM Survey Bell Schedule)
February 23rd: High School Information Night (for incoming Freshmen/Sophomores) to prepare for the 2026-27 school year @ Central - 6pm - 8pm
February 24th: School-wide Intruder Drill (AM Survey Bell Schedule)
February 24th: Central vs. North Basketball at Central (Rescheduled) — Ticket sales are closed. Tickets purchased for the original date will be honored on 2/24. Additional ticket information will be shared closer to game time.
Keep up to date:
The Senior Corner of the newsletter contains all of the important information for our students in the Class of 2026. Be sure to check it out every week to make sure you don't miss the fun.
Updated Information:
* Please note that this document is FLUID. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check frequently and see Mrs. Melton with any questions.
Graduation RSVP & Staff Selection
* This form is REQUIRED for ALL GRADUATES.
* We need to know a). if the student is intending to attend graduation and b). if so - who they would like to hand them their diploma.
*Please note: the Staff is NOT required to attend graduation
** If a Student does NOT fill this form out, they will automatically be placed with either Mr. Parker or Mrs. Wells.
Class of 2026 Baby Photo Submission Form
* The baby photo will be used with their cap & gown photo at graduation
* ONE picture per student. Any student with more than one photo submitted will default to the first picture that was sent in.
PHSC Administrators and Important Message from School Counselors
Administrators: Roshawn Parker, Principal
HB410 / Attendance - Carly Wells, Lead Assistant Principal
A-Gi - Michael Yinger, Assistant Principal
Gl-Or - Lazaro Fuentes, Assistant Principal
Os-Z - Joseph Cooper, Assistant Principal
PHSC School Counselor Weekly Update: 2/14/2026
How to see your School Counselor:
Please use your counselor's link below to request a meeting
26-27 Scheduling:
We will begin the registration process for the next school year next week. The Counseling Team will deliver two days of presentations for our current high school students on 2/19 and 2/20. These presentations will cover (but are not limited to) graduation requirements and how to request courses.
Beginning 2/25, counselors will meet one-on-one with all assigned students through their Social Studies classes. If a student does not have an assigned Social Studies class, their counselor will call them down at another time to meet.
Also on 2/19, the PHSC Scheduling HUB (your one-stop shop for all things scheduling) will be released. In the meantime, here are a few resources to help you stay on top of scheduling:
High School Scheduling Timeline
While you are waiting to meet with your counselor, use the days leading up to that conversation to talk with your teachers about classes for next year. They can help you think through your options and provide recommendations on what courses you should consider taking.
EFCTS Application:
Sophomores! The EFCTS application has opened up. Please use this link to submit your application: EFCTS Application
If you need help filling out the application, please use this guide to help you through the application: EFCTS Steps to Apply
You can still apply, but the priority deadline has passed. Please still get your application in if you are interested.
College Applications and Transcript Requests
Important Information about deadlines: It is important to be aware of your application deadlines. PHSC requires no less than 10 school days to fulfill all transcript, scholarship, and letters of recommendation requests for college materials.
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is open!!!.
Prior to October 1, students/parents can set up their FAFSA ID. The FSA ID is required for completing the FAFSA. Students/Parents, make sure to meet the FAFSA deadlines. The deadlines are different for each college/university.
Ex. (Students are strongly encouraged to verify information on college websites, as the dates listed below are subject to change)
Bowling Green State University's FAFSA deadline is February 15, 2026.
The University of Cincinnati FAFSA deadline is February 1, 2026.
FAFSA Application Quick Guide provided by SchooLinks.
Junior ACT
Free ACT Testing for Juniors
This link PHSC ACT for Juniors Information has the newsletter which contains information regarding the free ACT exam offered to all Juniors that attend Pickerington High School Central. Included, you will find information relevant to the PLSD administered ACT exam for current Juniors.
PHSC ACT for Juniors Information
Students in AP Classes - this DOES NOT apply to Pre-AP courses
AP Fees were posted this week, with the expectation that exams are paid by April 24. If you feel you/your student should qualify for free or reduced exam fees, you must complete the form linked below. It will be reviewed by our finance office, and if you qualify your fees will be reduced/removed. Important note - late cancellation/late order fees of $40 are not covered by free/reduced fees.
In order to be considered for free/reduced testing fees, please complete the Educational Benefit Form as soon as possible. Per our finance office: "the form must be filed with the district in order for families to overtly share household income, household size, and state benefits with the district to be eligible for a fee waiver... This form must be filed annually, only applies to the year of application, and cannot be used in retro or future years."
To be considered - please complete the form linked above (by clicking on "apply for benefits" on the page) no later than April 1, so it can be processed in time to be applied to the student's IC and College Board accounts.
Please check out our PHSC AP Google Site for any information regarding AP exams and logistics. This site will be updated and sent out rather than an email or document. The ordering deadline is passed. If you wish to order a late exam or cancel an existing order please reach out to Ms. Hoffman (ashlee_hoffman@plsd.us); there will be a $40 late order/cancellation fee.
Fairfield County Workforce Development Center
No update this week
Career Center Students:
Mr. Peirano and Ms. Hoffman are the counselors who work with Eastland and Fairfield Career Centers, respectively. We will make in-person visits to each career center on a regular basis to keep you connected with Central events and happenings. We will also send weekly homeschool updates via your EFCTS email and Remind101 texts. Please use the information below to join our Remind texts as a parent or student:
Eastland: Text @phscecc to 81010
Fairfield: Text @phscfcc to 81010
Satellite: Text @phscsat to 81010
Please join the School Counselor’s Google Classrooms:
The Counseling office will be keeping you informed of important information regarding your future plans and events, and deadlines that the School Counselors work with. If you have not already done so, please join our Google Classroom to stay informed:
Class of 2026 rugnepm
Class of 2027 6plgntd
Class of 2028 437pgrk
Class of 2029 75rgh2hy
See Important Message from our PTSO
Please join our PTSO!! See attached information on how to join.
NCAA Initial Eligibility Information
Student-athletes continuing their athletic career at the collegiate level need to ensure they are taking the correct high school courses and meeting NCAA initial eligibility requirements. Please do not wait to ensure you are meeting the requirements.
NCAA Guide for College-Bound Student-Athletes 2025-2026
Find PHSC’s (or other high schools attended) Approved High School Courses
NCAA Initial Eligibility for College-Bound Student-Athletes Presentation
If you have questions, please contact
PHSC Contact: Jennifer Dashner (jennifer_dashner@plsd.us)
Fastbreak Finish
Girls Basketball - Seven Seniors. One Pride.
Gabrielle Plair • Marlie Howell • Ameera Jenkins • Blossom Wallace • Meliah Ellis • Peyton Gambacorta • London Johnson
Tiger Lore: 1,000 and Counting
Congratulations to London Johnson on scoring her 1,000th career point for our PHSC Tigers! What an incredible milestone and a lasting way to etch your name into Tiger lore. We are proud of you! 🐯
Petals of Appreciation
Vibrant carnations and happy hearts! Thanks to our PTO for spreading joy across PHSC. 💐
Blooming with Pride
A Colorful Celebration
Stay in the Game Attendance Initiative!
We are proud to partner with The Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, in collaboration with the Columbus Crew, to launch a new initiative to improve student attendance: "Stay in the Game! Keep Learning Every Day!"
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we understand the importance of daily attendance for our students' academic and social-emotional growth. Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up quickly:
● Missing just two days a month adds up to 20 days a year.
● That's 30 hours of math and 60 hours of reading and writing missed over the school year.
● These absences can add up to more than one full year of missed school by graduation!
During September, schools will host activities to encourage attendance:
Initiative Updates for the 2025-26 School Year: Electronic Hall Pass Procedure
Maximizing Learning Time Together!
As your Principal, I am writing to clarify a crucial change regarding personal communication devices (cell phones) for the upcoming school year, driven by our experience with student engagement and well-being. Last year's trial demonstrated that while our students thrive when phones are put away, having the devices physically present led to overwhelming distraction, consistent compliance issues, and detrimental loss of instructional time. Therefore, to enhance the academic and social experience for all students, we are implementing a new protocol: students are required to power down their phones and place them in classroom-provided phone caddies upon entering all classrooms, restrooms, and study halls—creating a clear "no-phone-zone."
Students may earn the privilege of using their phones during transition times and lunch. If a student is found with a phone out and not in the caddy, it will be immediately confiscated by an administrator (unless medical documentation is on file), leading to escalating consequences. We know this requires a strong partnership, and we ask for your support in discussing this adjustment with your student to ensure a successful, focused school year.
Introducing Our New Electronic Hall Pass System
To help us manage and monitor hallway activity during learning periods, we're transitioning to an Electronic Hall Pass system. This new system will let us track who's in the hallway and how often. While most students use passes responsibly, this will help us identify and address any patterns of overuse, ensuring our hallways remain clear for safety and focus.
Parents, you'll be able to see when your student is out on a pass directly through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Please make sure your portal access is up-to-date so you can easily track this with us!
Our main goal is to significantly limit non-essential time out of the classroom and truly protect this valuable instructional time. Of course, we'll always accommodate students with documented medical needs requiring more frequent access. Our overall approach will be to encourage students to "stay in class" as much as possible, focusing on their learning.
We truly believe that by reducing disruptions and keeping students focused in the classroom (especially with our new cell phone procedure!), we'll see increased engagement, better communication, and ultimately boosted student achievement for everyone.
Thank you so much for your partnership and support in this important effort!
As Always,
TigersT.I.E.
(Trust, Integrity, & Empathy)
