Pike Central High School
SEPTEMBER
Message from Principal Gaffney
WELCOME BACK CHARGERS!! We are so excited for the return of our seniors, underclassmen, and the incoming Class of 2028 for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The purpose of this newsletter is to help us communicate with students, families, and the community. As you may have heard there are a few changes to school policy and procedures this year to improve safety, health, and instruction of your student.
The first change for the 2024-2025 school year pertains to personal communication devices. Our policy at the school has changed, students will no longer be allowed to be in possession of cell phones, smart watches, tablets, or other personal communication devices during the school day. These devices must remain powered off and locked in a vehicle or locker. Removing phones from the educational environment gives students back many needed opportunities for development.
The next change for the 2024-2025 school year has to do with the state standard on attendance. The Indiana Department of Education has introduced a statewide attendance initiative, setting a benchmark of 94% attendance to better prepare students for the workforce. In alignment with this initiative, Pike Central High School will implement a range of strategies and consequences to support students in meeting this expectation. Under Indiana law, schools are required to offer 180 days of instruction annually. Therefore, missing more than 10 days of school will result in attendance falling below the 94% threshold. The school will update its student handbook to reflect this new standard and ensure compliance with state guidelines.
We believe that these changes to our policies this year will create a better learning environment for your students. We will continue to strive to make Pike Central High School a welcoming, engaging, and supportive school. A new school year is an exciting time. Fresh beginnings, new classes, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and the challenge of new classes all these add to those butterflies we all feel on the first day. Whether is it the first day of your senior year or the first day of high school the feelings are mutual. I challenge our students to enjoy every second, and soak it all in. Seniors you will only have 180 more days, make the most of them. Go Chargers!
π BECAUSE I SAID I WOULD! π
π Great Moments from the first month!
School builder: "Take A Step Forward"
On the first day of school, students and staff gathered in the gymnasium to reflect on the past and commit to the future. Together, we shared the challenges we had faced, symbolized by stepping forward as a collective. This powerful experience fostered a sense of unity and served as an excellent community-building moment for all involved.
24-25 Cheerleaders
The Pike Central High School Cheerleaders led the charge on the first day of school, energizing both students and staff with their spirit and enthusiasm. Their leadership set a positive tone for the school year, bringing the community together with pride and excitement.
Because I Said I Would- Student Pledges
Students and staff publicly displayed their goals, creating a shared commitment to accountability throughout the school year. This collective effort encourages everyone to support and motivate each other in achieving personal and academic success.
PC Broadcasting at Elmer Buchta Technology Center
The Broadcasting Class conducted interviews with members of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at the Buchta Technology Center. This provided students with valuable hands-on experience while fostering connections between the school and the local business community.
Painting Senior Parking Spots
These are wonderful memories for both our students and their families. The designs are truly remarkable, adding a special touch to the experience.
Measurement Project
Real-life skills are being learned both inside and outside the classrooms. If you're in need of assistance with a special project, look no furtherβour students are ready to put their skills to work!
π Upcoming Events
September 18th: Sports Picture Day
September 23rd: Flex Day (No School for Students!)
September 23-27th: College Go Week
September 25th: Powder Puff Football Game
October 4th: End of 1st Quarter
October 4th: Fall Homecoming
October 8th: PSAT
October 9th: Parent Teacher Conference (No School for Students!)
October 14-18th: No School (FALL BREAK!)
πβ½ππΎ Update from Athletics
Season Passes
Adult Pass: $80 each
Student Pass: $60 each
Senior Citizen: $60 each
Family Pass: Purchase 2 Adult Passes, then you can purchase Student Passes at $20 each. (one student pass per child in immediate family)
Adult Passes and Student Passes are different. Students will not be allowed to use the Adult Pass to enter the gates.
π¨Passes must be shown at EVERY event, every time!π¨
Interested in earning a season pass?
Contact the athletic department to find out how!
π₯ Update from the Nurse
Welcome Back!
- Just a friendly reminder for any new students and returning seniors, state required immunizations need to be scheduled or completed to begin the school year.
- Annual update will be available in homerooms, these forms need to be completed and signed by a parent. This form includes a consent to treat- this is required to be seen in the nurse's office outside of anything emergent.
- Religious and medical exemption forms, if applicable, are available in the school nurse office or at the link below.
π Update from the Guidance Department
π Update from the Attendance Office
Goal of 94% Attendance will be mandatory by Indiana Department of Education in the near future
Students have a MAXIMUM of 10 absences per semester (excused and unexcused combined).
- It doesn't matter if an absence is excused or unexcused. Both represent lost time in the classroom and a lost opportunity for your child to learn.
- Being absent from school 2 days a month = 20 days of lost instructional time for the school year. 20 days a year = 140 class periods and lessons missed.
- Tardies and Absences are going to result in:
- Detention
- Thursday School
- Loss of Driving Privilege
Attendance is an important skill that will help your child graduate, do well in college, and do well work. Every minute of every day counts. Everyone at Pike Central High School is here to help your child succeed in every way. Success starts with showing up!
π Say Hello to our new hires at PCHS!
Nina Geiling- FACS
Victoria Killion- Spanish
Ginger Christie- Guidance Counselor
Katie Layou- Physical Education & Health
Dayne Morris- Special Education
ππ½ Important Reminders
Daily Schedule
HR 8:20-8:45
Pd 1 8:50-9:35
Pd 2 9:40-10:25
Pd 3 10:30-11:15
Pd 4 Lunch A 11:20-11:45/ Lunch B 11:50-12:15/ Lunch C 12:20-12:45
Pd 5 12:50-1:35
Pd 6 1:40-2:25
Pd 7 2:30-3:15
Clubs & Organizations
GET INVOLVED! Here are the clubs offered at PCHS:
Academic Teams, BPA, Chat with a Charger, Digital Marketing, FCA, FCCLA, FFA, Graduation Committee, Green Racing Team, JAG, Key Club, National Honors Society, Performing Arts, Precision Machining, Prom Steering Committee, Riley Dance Marathon Exec Board, Robotics, SADD, Spanish Club, Spectrum Alliance, Welding, Yearbook
Dress Code
A student shall be considered to be appropriately dressed and groomed except in cases where dress and/or grooming shall be considered by school authorities to be unsafe, unhealthy, and/or disruptive to the educational process. A couple of key points to remember:
- No hats or hoods to be worn inside the building.
- Shirts, blouses, and tops must have sleeves. Shirts and blouses with low-cut necks are not permitted. Halters, see-through blouses, midriff, shoulder shirts or blouses, spaghetti straps, tank tops with large arm holes ARE NOT ALLOWED.
- Skirts, shorts, culottes, or skorts must NOT be shorter than 2" above the knee when standing.
- Holes in jeans are allowed at 2" above the knee and below. Any hole or skin showing 2" above the knee is prohibited.
- Clothing exhibiting suggestive dual meaning, violence, obscene words or messages, or any drug references is not allowed.
Parking Priveleges
Any student who intends to drive a motor vehicle to school must have that vehicle registered in the office. Registration forms must be completed and turned in to the main office. A $1.65 fee will be charged for registering a vehicle.
- Driving to school is a PRIVELEGE. Any student who does not exhibit proper safety and driving habits may lose driving privilege's.
- All vehicles driven to school must display their parking permit.
- In order to have a permit to drive and park at Pike Central, students must abide by school rules and be willing to submit to vehicle searches if there is reasonable cause that something dangerous or illegal is contained in the vehicle.
PCHS Administration Contact Information
Pike Central High School
Principal: Mr. Daniel A. Gaffney
Asst. Principal: Mr. Hunter Elliott
Main Office: Mrs. Sharon Deputy
Athletic Director: Mr. Dustin Powell
Athletic Secretary: Mrs. Kathy Kixmiller
Website: https://pchs.pcsc.k12.in.us/
Location: 1810 IN-56, Petersburg, IN 47567
Phone: (812)354-8478
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pikecentralhs/
Twitter: @PCHSChargers