Tiger Update
Information about Pickerington High School Central 12/13/25
Message from Mr. Parker
Tiger Nation! đ
Quarter 2: Week 9 â
Tiger Nation, weâve navigated to the last week of the first semesterâwow! For some, the journey has flown by at lightning speed; for others, it may have felt like a slow sail. No matter how it felt, weâve reached this important waypoint! This is the final stretch to take full advantage of every opportunity to improve your grades⌠donât drop anchor early. Make every moment count.
This week, our focus has been on the attribute of FOCUS, and one quote truly stood out:
âObstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.â
â Hannah More, Writer & Educator
As we navigate these final days, I challenge everyone to keep your eyes on the goal. Stay locked in, keep your compasses steady, and sail strong through this final week. The momentum you build now will carry you forward into the next leg of our journey.
With sails set in the right direction and full steam ahead, letâs chart a course through these last days before a well-deserved two-week break. Keep going, keep believing, and keep workingâI have no doubt you will Reach Your Full Potential (RYFP).
Sail on, Tiger Nation! đ¨
As always,
Tigers T.I.E.
(Trust, Integrity, & Empathy)
Mr. Parker
Important Dates (Snowy Days!!!)
December 16th: Orchestra Concert - PAC at 7:00 PM
December 17th - 6pm - 8pm: PLSD Night of Engagement (at Event Center @ Violet Woods)
December 19th: Last Day of the 2nd Grading Period / Volleyball Tournament! - See Mr. Rininger in Rm. 508 for information (below) (We will operate on PM Survey Schedule - see below)
December 22nd - January 2nd: No School. Holiday Break
Please Complete Annual Update
Each school year, Parents/Guardians are asked to review and submit the required âBack to School Formsâ for their student(s). This process is called the Annual Update. Some of the forms include:
Emergency Medical Authorization
Student Handbook Acknowledgement
Device Agreement
Technology Protection Plan
Field Trip Authorization Form
Who may complete the Annual Update?
Only the primary contact; Parent/Guardian may complete these forms. Students are not able to complete these forms.
To begin, log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal and complete the Annual Update. For step-by-step-directions click the following link review and update your studentâs information. Most information will already be pre-populated; please review carefully, and update your studentâs information to ensure itâs accurate.
IMPORTANT: If you have not completed and submitted the Annual Update for the 2025-2026 School year, please do so as soon as possible. It is vital that the district has updated medical and emergency contact information for your student. Students cannot go on field trips until this information is completed.
Change of Address?
Please visit the Residency tab to access the Pickerington Schools Change of Address Form. PLEASE NOTE: THIS MUST BE DONE THROUGH THE WELCOME CENTER. IT CANNOT BE DONE THROUGH THE ANNUAL UPDATE.
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.
A lot of information, coming soon!
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
How to see your School Counselor:
Please use your counselor's link below to request a meeting
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
Be sure to apply soon, the priority window is open Dec. 4 - Feb. 11!
OST Fall Testing:
Those students who need to take one or more OSTs have been notified via email of the tests they need to take. We start testing on Dec. 2 and running through Dec. 19th.
OST Testing Dates
December 15-19: Make-ups for all missed exams
Senior Meetings
PHSC Senior Meeting Presentation
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.
College Credit Plus
PHSC CCP Liaison-Jennifer Dashner (jennifer_dashner@pld.us). Please reach out with any questions.
MTC: Marion Technical College Spring 2026 Offerings. Please email Cal Morris morrisc@mtc.com from your MTC email account and CC: Mrs. Dashner to add courses. Registration has closed for online sections for MTC Spring Semester.
CSCC: Columbus State Community College Spring 2026 Course Offerings. Please complete the CCP Registration form and email it to Mrs. Dashner for the spring semester. The last day to register is December 19, 2025 by 2:30PM for CSCC Spring Semester.
If you are taking courses through another college partner, please review their registration procedures on their respective websites.
Junior ACT
PHSC ACT for Juniors Information
Students in AP Classes - this DOES NOT apply to Pre-AP courses
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 Counselorâs 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:
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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 PHSCâs (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)
Harmony Hit a High Note!
Your talent, hard work, and passion truly shined on stage, creating a memorable evening for everyone in attendance. Thank you for representing PHSC with excellence and making Tiger Nation proudâbravo to all involved! #TIE #TrustIntegrityEmpathy #TigerUp
A Big Shout-Out to Our Amazing PHSC Staff!
A huge thank-you and shout-out to our incredible staff for all you do each and every day for our students and school community. Your dedication, teamwork, and heart do not go unnoticed!
And it looks like Santa made a special stop at PHSCâleaving some festive swag under and around the Christmas tree just for you! đ We hope it brings a little extra holiday cheer and lets you know how much you are appreciated.#TIE #TrustIntegrityEmpathy #TigerUp
Pinning Down the First Win!
Congratulations to our very first PHSC Girls Wrestling team on earning their first-ever victory with a win against Logan High School on Thursday! This historic milestone is a testament to your hard work, determination, and courage as trailblazers for PHSC athletics.
Tiger Nation is proud of youâkeep making history and setting the standard!#TIE #TrustIntegrityEmpathy #TigerUp
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:
â Missing just two days a month adds up to 20 days a year.
â That's 30 hours of math and 60 hours of reading and writing missed over the school year.
â 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:
Cellphones / PCDs Information (see updated PCD info from our Superintendent above)
As your Principal, like many of you, I have been following the news and updates over the past several months regarding personal communication devices and their effect on student engagement and overall well-being. As you may know, Senate Bill 158 (SB 158) is currently being considered in Ohio, which proposes a near-complete ban on cell phone use in schools. However, House Bill 250 (HB 250) is the current law, under which we have operated this past year.
(Click the image to see the classroom phone caddies)
Our plan for cell phones last year was for students to power them down and put them away. When students were able to consistently adhere to this plan, our educators observed a profound increase in positive student engagement, academic performance, and improved behavior at school. Unfortunately, maintaining this consistency proved challenging. As long as the devices were on their person, students were tempted to interact with their phones. The incessant notifications students receive were too powerful of a pull to ignore. Shortly into the school year, this led to teachers constantly addressing the issue with students, administration confiscating phones, and, most detrimentally, students missing out on valuable instructional time and becoming agitated due to the overwhelming urge to interact with their devices. Our teachers who sustained student engagement and growth successfully moved to the approach of having students turn in their phones at the start of class, engaging in the lesson throughout class, and collecting their phone at the end of class.
After a year of trial and error, we have decided to move to a practice of students powering down and placing their personal communication devices (cell phones) in classroom-provided phone caddies during each class period. This includes classrooms, restrooms, and study halls. If your student brings their phone to school, procedurally, they will put their phone in the teacher's phone caddy upon entering the room. This shift will be an adjustment for our students as they are used to keeping their device on them in the classroom.
During transition times and during lunch, students will have the opportunity to earn the use of their phones; however, the classroom space will be a "no-phone-zone". The purpose of this approach is to enhance the academic and social experience for ALL of our students and staff. School districts and high schools that have moved to this approach have reported higher student engagement, improved academic performance, and an improved learning environment with fewer behavioral incidents.
Upon entering class, if students are found with their phone out and do not place their phone in the caddy, it will be confiscated immediately by an administrator (unless there are documented medical reasons on file with the school nurse or administration). Upon entering the classroom and throughout the class period, if student's phones are not out and not visible, they are in compliance. This practice will take effect at the start of the school year. On the first occasion students will be able to retrieve their phone at the end of the day. On the second offense a parent will need to pick up the phone. If there is a 3rd offense a meeting will be held with the family to discuss how we will move forward.
We know and understand that this will require a strong partnership with our families. We ask for your support in discussing this adjustment with your students before the school year begins, helping them understand the reasons behind this change and supporting the school in its implementation.
Thank you in advance for your support with this important initiative!
As Always,
TigersT.I.E.
(Trust, Integrity, & Empathy)
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 hallsâcreating 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)
