PCH Community Update

PCH Community,

Via the PA on Tuesday, I shared with students the three principles I had on my classroom wall when I was a social studies teacher: Take Care of Yourself, Take Care of Each Other and Take Care of This Place. It has been a challenging week on so many levels, but throughout I have witnessed example after example of Central High students, staff and parents taking care of themselves and taking care of each other, which is the essence of community. Thank you for your ongoing support!

This edition is being shared early so that everyone can be fully present with their loved ones over the weekend. When you have a few moments, please take time to review the information below, which includes...

• NHS will be hosting the Rolling Rams on Tuesday, February 24. Details below.
• NHS will be hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, February 25. Details below.
• Central High's MPA will be meeting on Wednesday, February 25. Details below.
• KISS Week will be Monday, March 2 - Saturday, March 7. Details below.
• Almost, Maine, Central High's winter play, has new dates and a new location. Details below.
• Project Graduation 2027 is hosting our annual trivia night. Registration is now open; sponsorships are needed!

Several other standing items are listed below, as well. The next Update will be shared on Sunday, March 1, 2026. As a reminder, PCH Community Update is the school newsletter shared with students and parents throughout the school year. For much of the content, students are the primary audience. Parents, please encourage your student to regularly check their Parkway email account to review new updates. Thank you for your support and, as always, Go Colts!

Sincerely,

Tim McCarthy

Principal, PCH

Below are important dates for the weeks and months to come, as well as a PDF of Central High's 2025-2026 Academic Calendar.

The daily schedule for the week of February 23 is:

• Monday, February 23: ALL (Purple) Day
• Tuesday, February 24: ODD (Red) Day
• Wednesday, February 25: EVEN (Blue) Day

• Thursday, February 26: ODD (Red) Day
• Friday, February 27: EVEN (Blue) Day

The daily schedule for the week of March 2 is:

• Monday, March 2: ALL (Purple) Day
• Tuesday, March 3: ODD (Red) Day
• Wednesday, March 4: EVEN (Blue) Day

• Thursday, March 5: ODD (Red) Day
• Friday, March 6: EVEN (Blue) Day

Important Dates:

• Tuesday, February 24: NHS & Rolling Rams
• Wednesday, February 25: NHS Sponsored Blood Drive
• Wednesday, February 25: PCH PTO Board Meeting, 5 pm
• Thursday, February 26: Parkway Spirit of Excellence
• Monday, March 2: KISS Week Begins
• Wednesday, March 4: Mr. PCH Pageant, 6:30 pm
• Saturday, March 7: Dance Marathon
• Tuesday, March 10: ACT Day --- Modified Schedule, Dismissal at 11:35 am
• Friday, March 13: E-HD (Light Blue) Day --- No Ac Lab, Dismissal at 11:35 am
• Saturday, March 14: Spring Break Begins

To download the academic calendar, click on the attached PDF.

The next meeting of Central High's Music Parents Association will be held on February 25, 2026 at 7:00 pm in the orchestra room at PCHS. All parents of choir, band, and orchestra students are welcome to attend.

KISS (Keeping In School Spirit) Week is March 2nd through March 7th. The week includes lots of fun activities, such as spirit days, the Mr. PCH Pageant, and Dance Marathon. Throughout the week, our Mr. PCH contestants will be competing for the coveted title of Mr. PCH and raising money for Children's Miracle Network. All the details of the week are below…

Spirit Days

Monday - Hawaiian Day

Tuesday - BBQ Dads vs. Soccer Moms

Wednesday - Teacher/Student Swap

Thursday - Throwback Thursday

Friday - PCH Spirit/Bleedout

Mr. PCH Pageant

We have 20 contestants competing to be named Mr. PCH. One part of their score comes from the pageant on Wednesday, March 4th from 6:30-8pm in the lower commons. Our contestants will be participating in a group dance, clubwear, individual talents, and a lip sync competition. Entertainment is guaranteed! The Mr. PCH Pageant is free to attend and all are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!

Parkway's annual ACT Day is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, with dismissal scheduled for 11:35 am. Closer to the date, specific details will be sent to each class.

Please review the separate email sent on Sunday for grade level specific information.

One important note for JUNIORS: On Friday, February 20, during Ac Lab: Mod 1, you will be required to complete the registration for the official ACT. Add that to your calendar; details to follow.

Learn more about exciting and fulfilling job opportunities, many of which require training instead of a traditional 4-year degree. Exhibits will include regional representatives from key career pathways, including:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Construction
• Culinary & Hospitality
• Healthcare
• Information Technology
• Public Safety
• Transportation & Logistics

Click HERE for more information.

New Location: Parkway South High School

New Dates: Friday, March 27 (7:00pm) and Saturday, March 28 (2:00pm)

Welcome to Almost, Maine, where love falls from the sky....literally. On one freezing night at 8:50pm under the northern lights, the residents of Almost meet old crushes, face breakups, literally FALL in love, or carry their broken heart on their sleeve. The play celebrates how truly funny, awkward, and heartbreaking being in love can be.

Please support the PCH Project Graduation Class of 2027 and enjoy some friendly competition as well!Register here: https://givebutter.com/c/mjJySb

• Saturday, March 28, 2026
• Doors Open at 6:00 pm
• $25 per player
• Tables hold 8 players
• Register as an individual or a whole table

Bring your own food (please no pork or shellfish) & drinks - but leave the dessert at home and participate in our dessert raffle!

Looking for trivia round sponsors, please fill out this form if it is a way your business or family would like to support our fundraising efforts, round sponsorship is $200: https://forms.gle/1c5vkCCpENJJNsew7

Thank you for your support!

Project Graduation (PG) is one of the many wonderful traditions at Central High. PG is a parent sponsored lock-in following graduation. This event helps ensure our students have a safe graduation experience and a great time on their last night together as a class. The reality is that an event such as this requires a significant amount of money. To raise the necessary funds, parent volunteers from each class form a core committee during the ninth grade year. The committee works from the freshman year through the lock-in to raise funds and plan the after graduation lock-in for their class. Each Project Graduation Core Committee falls under the umbrella of the Central High Parent Teacher Organization.

Over the years, a few events have become central to the fundraising efforts of each PG Core Committee. A Homecoming Tailgate, held during the week of homecoming, is sponsored by the PG Core Committee for seniors. During the second semester, a trivia night is hosted by the PG committee for juniors. In addition, PG committees sponsor various other fundraisers throughout the year as part of their effort to provide a safe and memorable after graduation experience for their class. Thank you, in advance, for your support of our PG committees and their work on behalf of our students.

• Is your current 11th grade student 16 years old or older?

• Does your 16-year-old (or older) have their meningococcal vaccine (MCV4/MenACWY), which is required for students entering 12th grade? All students in the state of Missouri must have the MCV4 vaccine after they turn 16 years of age.

• This vaccination is required to begin class on the first day of school, August 25, 2026.

• Did you know that you can call your child’s doctor and request this vaccination with your yearly well-exam or physical?

• You can also get this vaccination for your child at one of the St. Louis County Health Departments at low or no cost.

Click HERE for the health department’s walk-in hours, locations, website, and phone numbers.

Once your child has received their vaccination, please email the updated immunization record to Nurse Littmann at jlittmann@parkwayschools.net or fax it to 314-415-5922. If we have not yet received a copy of the updated immunization record, you will remain on the notification list.

For more information about the meningitis vaccine, click HERE!

Thank you for helping us prepare your child for their 2026-2027 Senior Year at Parkway Central High School! If you have any questions, please call Nurse Littmann at 314-415-7930.

Do you need help finding the right college? Are you overwhelmed by the process of applying? Are you worried about college costs? Is college even the right path for you?

In addition to our Post-Secondary Counselor (Mrs. Prange), Parkway Central families can seek guidance and assistance from Mentors 4 College, a local, non-profit organization. Their services, which include 1:1 mentoring opportunities, monthly webinars, and college essay-writing workshops, are FREE for all! Families are encouraged to sign up as early as freshman year! Check out the Mentors 4 College website to learn more about their resources and sign up today to start learning and developing a plan to reach your goals.

Order today at yearbookordercenter.com

For Parkway high school students interested in international travel, there are typically several different options. Some trips are dependent upon enrollment in a specific class, while most are open to students interested in a specific itinerary. Several of the currently planned trips are being organized by Central High teachers. To review student travel opportunities, click HERE.

PCH athletic passes are now on sale for the 2025-2026 school year. Passes, both individual and family, are good only at home events fo the following events:

• varsity football
• varsity soccer (boys & girls)
• volleyball (boys & girls, all levels)
• basketball (boys & girls, all levels)

PCH athletic passes are NOT validy for away events, tournaments, or postseason play. Scan the QR code below for pricing information and to purchase a pass.

In times of need, the Parkway Food Pantry is here to help!

Did you know that Parkway has its own food pantry, located at Northeast Middle School? The Parkway Food Pantry is a charitable organization that serves Parkway students, families, and employees. We are a community that supports one another and is here to serve.

More families are reaching out to the pantry for support right now.

We can support you
If your family needs assistance, please use this link to sign up for our next food distribution day on Tuesday, November 18. Please help us prepare by letting us know you're coming! Your information will be kept confidential and used only for planning our distributions.

To learn more about food pantry assistance, visit our website. You can also find a list of other food pantries in our community here.

You can support the Pantry
The Pantry is funded by monetary and food donations from our community. The Pantry needs donations, especially as we anticipate an increase in need in the coming month.

If you would like to support the pantry through a food drive, you can sign up here or contact Parkway Pantry Partners at parkwaypantrypartners@gmail.com.

If your family or organization is in a season of giving, please consider a donation using our PayPal donation link.

For more information on the Parkway Food Pantry, visit our website.

The Parkway School District participates in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This allows families the opportunity to apply for Free and Reduced Price Meal Benefits. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility.To apply, click on the picture to the left.

To find your bus stop, click on the picture to the right.

Class of 2026 (Seniors) and Class of 2027 (Juniors)

All senior and junior students parking on campus are expected to have their school issued parking pass displayed in their vehicle. Failure to do so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in fines and / or other consequences. Thank you for your cooperation.

Class of 2028 (Sophomores)

UPDATE: Sophomores will NOT be eligible to park on campus for the second semester during school hours. This year, Central High's student parking lots are at capacity due to the number of parking passes issued to senior and junior drivers.

Background Info: In previous years, space was available in the student parking lots to allow some sophomores to park at school during the school day beginning in the second semester. Availability varies year to year based on the size of the senior and junior classes and the number of seniors and juniors wanting to drive to school. This year, we simply have more seniors and juniors who have been issued school parking passes.

Class of 2029 (Freshmen)

Freshmen students are not eligible to park on campus during the school day --- no exceptions! Doing so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in disciplinary consequences. As you plan for the school year, please make appropriate transportation arrangements.

The first official practice day for fall athletics is Monday, August 11, 2025. Any student wanting to join a sport or activity (band, choir, orchestra) must complete the registration process for the 2025-2026 school year. This process is online as we are switching to a new system called FinalForms (previously PRIVIT). This system will house all your important documents. It is a new process for Central High, but we are extremely excited about this new platform. Attached is some information on FinalForms.

These forms must be completed prior to participating in a sport or activity.

To that end, we are asking the parents/guardians and the students planning to play sports or participate in activities to create accounts in FinalForms and register your student(s). Please see the attached document for links and assistance in registering.

Central High's PTO leadership board for the 2025-2026 school year is:

Kia Davis - President

Steven Shane - Vice President

Sonya Land - Treasurer

Stephanie Harvey - Secretary

Thank you to these individuals for their service to the PCH community! For more PTO information, click HERE.

Students and Parents: Please review this section whether you are riding the bus to school, dropping off your student, or driving yourself.

Officer Chris Kaatmann, Central High's new school resource officer, and Mr. DePriest Ammons, Central High's daytime custodian, will be directing traffic in the morning to assist with dropoff. Please follow their directions.

• Buses will dropoff students in the North Parking Lot. Students will exit the bus and enter through Door 40, the back entrance to the athletic wing.
• Parent Drivers may enter campus through the main entrance or via Stadium Drive. You will then be directed to the front of school via the main driveway (do not enter the North Lot). Use the lane to the far RIGHT of the median and along the curb. Pull forward as much as possible, then let your student out. Please go slow and yield to students crossing from the main lot. Student should enter through Door #1 - Main Entrance.
• Student Drivers may arrive on campus through the main entrance or via Stadium Drive. You will then be directed to the front of school via the main driveway (do not enter the North Lot). Use the lane to the far LEFT of the median, then proceed to either the Main Lot or the East Lot. Please go slow and yield to students crossing from the main lot. Student should enter school through Door #1 - Main Entrance.

Students and parents, please review the daily building procedures below.

• The building opens to students at 07:00 am.
• In the morning, students are expected to enter through Door #1 - Main Entrance (student drivers and students being dropped off) or Door #40 - Back Athletic Entrance (bus riders).
• Breakfast is available from 07:00 am - 07:30 am.
• Classes begin at 07:35 am. Students are expected to be in their assigned room by 07:35 am. For the first few days of school, we will work with students as some adjust to a new building and all to a new schedule.
• The internal set of doors at the main entrance will be locked at 07:35 am. Students tardy to school will check in inside the vestibule. Students will be issued a pass, then report to class.
• All visitors, includng parents, are expected to enter through the main entrance and check in using vestibule.
• Visitors cleared to enter the main building are expected to wear their school issued visitor badge for the duration of their visit to PCH.
• Students dismissed during the school day (e.g. for an appointment with a parent) are expected to exit the building through the main entrance.
• During school hours (07:00 am - 02:30 am), deliveries for students from outside entities, including, but not limited to food delivery services, are not allowed. Parents may continue to drop off items for students (e.g. lunch), when necessary.

Students and Parents: Please review this section whether you are riding the bus home, picking up your student, or driving yourself.

• Buses will line up on the front driveway using lanes to the RIGHT of the median for dismissal. Students riding the bus home should exit school through the main entrance or the theater entrance, then board their bus. School staff will be available to help students find their bus, especially for the first two weeks of the school year. Buses release at 02:37 pm, seven minutes after the dismissal bell.
• Parent Drivers picking up students at dismissal may wait on the front, main driveway in the near lane to the LEFT of the median or on the SOUTH bound lane of Stadium Drive. Please do not park and wait in the North Lot. Go slow and yield to students.
• Student Drivers should exit school through the main entrance or the theater entrance, then walk cautiously to their vehicle. As you exit the Main Lot or the East Lot, please be patient and follow the directives of the adult releasing buses and vehicles. Go slow and yield to students.

Dr. Tim McCarthy

Principal

Email: tmccarthy@parkwayschools.net
Website: https://www.parkwayschools.net/Domain/31
Location: 369 N Woods Mill Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Phone: (314)415-7900
Instagram: pchprincipal

Pictured from left to right: Matt Belding, Patrick Ward, Amy Grich, Tim McCarthy, Shruti Upadhyay, Brian Guilfoyle and Casey Holland.

Tim McCarthy, Principal

• Email: tmccarthy@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: Kim Orf
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7902

Casey Holland, Assistant Principal - Class of 2026

• Email: cholland1@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: Karena Gantner (kgantner@parkwayschools.net)
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7904

Shruti Upadhyay, Assistant Principal - Class of 2027

• Email: supadhyay@parkwayschools.net

• Administrative Assistant: Christine Schmitt
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7906

Patrick Ward, Assistant Principal - Class of 2028

• Email: pward2@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: Melissa Duperrett
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7910

Amy Grich, Assistant Principal - Class of 2029

• Email: agrich@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: Jordan Berry (jberry1@parkwayschools.net)
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7908

Matthew Belding, Special Education Coordinator

• Email: mbelding@parkwayschools.net
• Office Telephone: 314-415-5972

Brian Guilfoyle, Director of Athletics & Activities

• Email: bguilfoyle@parkwayschools.net
• Administrative Assistant: Tina Uihlein (tuihlein@parkwayschools.net)
• Office Telephone: 314-415-7936