Newsletter to PHHS Families

Brief Message From the Principal

Dear Pirate Families,

I hope you and your family enjoyed a restful and joyful Christmas break. As we welcome students back to Pleasant Hope High School, we are eager to begin the second semester and start 2026 with positivity and purpose.

The start of a new semester offers students a valuable opportunity to set fresh goals, refocus on learning, and build momentum for the rest of the school year. Regular school attendance remains one of the most critical factors in student success. Students who are present each day are better equipped to stay on track academically, develop positive relationships, and fully engage in classroom activities.

We encourage families to make attendance a priority and support students in establishing consistent routines as we return to school. While we recognize that illnesses and unavoidable circumstances may occur, being present as often as possible is essential for academic achievement, personal growth, and preparation for future responsibilities beyond high school.

Our staff is excited to welcome students back and to continue working together to support their success. We remain committed to providing a positive learning environment where every student can thrive, and we value your partnership in making the second semester a strong and successful one.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Pleasant Hope High School. We look forward to a wonderful start to 2026 and a rewarding second semester.

Sincerely,

Jered Brown
Principal
Pleasant Hope High School

Beyond academics, consistent attendance fosters essential skills like time management, responsibility, and organization—qualities that are vital for success in higher education and the workplace.

Pleasant Hope R-6 Attendance Policy

Attendance and Absence Procedures S-115-S

Expectations for Attendance

Attendance is essential for learning. By law, all children must attend school from the

age of 7 until the age of 17. Parents/guardians are accountable for the attendance of

their child. The District will inform parents/guardians of their student’s absence and

support families when attendance becomes a concern. It is the responsibility of the

student to make up work due to an absence. Students who wish to participate in

school-sponsored activities must attend school the entire day on which the activity

occurs, unless the principal has pre-approved the absence based upon special

circumstances. The administration makes the final determination regarding whether an

absence is verified or unverified.

If a student’s attendance drops below 90%, the parent will be notified by a school official

via letter or phone call.

Excessive unexcused absences may be reported to the Department of Social Services, or

to the county prosecutor’s office.

Verified Absences

Parents or students must provide proper notification and documentation to the school

showing the absence was unavoidable for an absence to be verified. It is the

responsibility of the student to make up work with teacher support when a student’s

absence is verified. The timelines for turning in make-up work will be determined by

the teacher.

Parents must report a student’s absence as soon as possible on the day of the absence,

but no later than 8:15 a.m. The school will contact parents who do not report a student’s

absence by the designated time. When a student is released early from school to a

parent or guardian, it constitutes an absence. In general, prior notification is required

when a student is dismissed early and the student must be checked out through the

office. The administration may request documentation to determine whether an

absence is verified. Verified absences are allowed for:

● Illness of the student

● Medical appointments that cannot be scheduled outside the school day

● Serious illness or death of a family member

● Religious observances

● School-sponsored activities (e.g., field trips, athletics, competitions, etc.)

● Court appearances or other legal situations beyond the control of the family

● Emergency situations as approved by the principal

● Visits from a parent or guardian on active military duty who is on leave from, will

be immediately deployed, or immediately returned with notification and approval

of the principal

● Suspensions

● An absence which has been requested and approved in advance by the principal

due to exceptional circumstances. In these situations, make-up work should be

requested in advance of the absence and any tests, projects, or in-class

assignments will be made up at the direction of the teacher.

Unverified Absences

Absence for reasons other than the categories of verifiable reasons, or that does not have

the proper documentation for a verified absence as determined by the principal, will be

considered unverified. Excessive, unverified absences will result in written notice from

the principal to the parents/guardians. The principal may request a parent/guardian

conference to discuss attendance concerns and a collaborative plan may be developed to

remove barriers to attendance. When attendance remains problematic, the school may

contact the appropriate agencies and/or authorities for assistance.

We are excited to share important information about our upcoming ACT preparation opportunities and test dates for the spring semester. This year, Pleasant Hope School will be offering ACT prep and testing access for all sophomores, juniors, and seniors. While participation in the ACT preparation sessions is required for all sophomores, the February 14th ACT test is not required for sophomores to take. Juniors and seniors are strongly encouraged to participate in both the preparation and the testing opportunity.

The ACT is an essential assessment that can open doors to college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and career pathways. Preparing early allows students to build confidence and develop the academic skills needed for long-term success.

Students will need to register for the ACT on either December 16, 2025, or at the Registration Session on January 7, 2026.

Students who are not using a free or reduced lunch waiver will need a credit or debit card to complete their registration.
Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch may receive an ACT fee waiver, allowing them to test at no cost. The regular ACT test fee is $68.

As part of our preparation process, all participating students will take a practice ACT test on January 16, 2026. This practice test is an important opportunity for students to experience the testing environment, identify strengths, and determine areas for improvement before the official February test date.

We are also pleased to offer several incentives for students who participate in and complete all required ACT preparation sessions. These include gift cards and achievement certificates for strong performance. Students who earn an ACT composite score of 20 or higher will receive gift card incentives. Students who score a 30 or higher will receive a $100 gift card. Students who score a 25 or higher will receive a $50 gift card. Students who score 20 or higher will receive a $10 gift card/

Listed below is a detailed schedule for the ACT preparation sessions. We encourage all families to support their student’s involvement, as these opportunities can play a significant role in shaping their educational future.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the school office.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your student’s success.

School Board Meeting Thursday, January 8⋅6:00 – 9:00pm
Pleasant Hope HS Boys & Girls Basketball Tournament Monday, January 12 Daily, until Jan 17, 2026
Senior Absentee and Retake Pictures Friday, January 16
All-District Band Rehearsal and Concert Saturday, January 17
PHR6 Snow Make-up Day (12/2/25) Monday, January 26