PCH Community Update

PCH Community,

I hope each of you was able to find time to be with those that help your being over the Thanksgiving break. For me, that was time with my family, especially my daughters, one of whom was home from college. I am grateful for the family meals, time in the car driving to and from our family gathering on Thursday, and watching a football game together on Friday. I'm rested and ready to finish the first semester and I hope you are too!

Students, as we transition into the final three weeks of the semester, I encourage you to reflect again on your academic standing. If you are where you want to be in your classes, your challenge is to finish strong! If not, dig in, make a plan, and execute that plan to the best of your abilities. Now more than ever, it's time to TCB --- Take Care of Business! To help you prepare, please review the updated End of First Semester Planning section.

While academics will be at the forefront the next three weeks, we have other events that highlight equally important and complimentary values: mental health awareness, service to others, and a little community fun. Thank you, in advance, for your support and participation!

• Central High's annual Talk 4 Tyler basketball games will be held on December 2. The primary purpose of this event is to raise awareness about mental health challenges and suicide prevents. For more information, please review the section below. Please join us for the basketball games on Tuesday!
• The Parkway Holiday Cup will run from December 8 - December 12. This event brings together the four Parkway high schools in a friendly competition to collect donations and participate in an end of semester spirit week.

These items are also important to note, along with the standing items in this Update:

• The PCH Athletics & Activities newsletter is linked below and highlights accomplishments from the fall season, as well as information for the winter season.
• Class of 2026 students will be required to attend a meeting during Ac Lab on December 3.
• Link Crew will be hosting Cocoa & Cram for freshmen after school on Monday, December 15.
• The PCH Art Show is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16.

The next Update will be shared on Sunday, December 14, 2025. 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 December 1 is:

• Monday, December 1: ALL (Purple) Day
• Tuesday, December 2: ODD (Red) Day
• Wednesday, December 3: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: Modules 1 & 2
• Thursday, December 4: ODD (Red) Day
• Friday, December 5: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: Modules 1 & 2

The daily schedule for the week of December 8 is:

• Monday, December 8: ALL (Purple) Day
• Tuesday, December 9: ODD (Red) Day with Ac Lab
• Wednesday, December 10: E-HD (Light Blue) Day --- No Ac Lab, Dismissal at 11:35 am
• Thursday, December 11: ODD (Red) Day
• Friday, December 12: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: Modules 1 & 2

The daily schedule for the week of December 15 is:

• Monday, December 15: ODD (Red) Day
• Tuesday, December 16: E-FE (Light Blue) Day --- Block 1 Exam, Blocks 2, 6, 8 --- No Ac Lab
• Wednesday, December 17: Final Exam Day --- Block 2 & 3 Exams (Dismissal at 11:35 am)
• Thursday, December 18: Final Exam Day --- Block 5 & 7 Exams (Dismissal at 11:35 am)
• Friday, December 19: Final Exam Day --- Block 6 & 8 Exams (Dismissal at 11:35 am)

Important Dates:

• Tuesday, December 2: Talk 4 Tyler, Hosted by Boys & Girls Basketball
• Wednesday, December 3: Senior Class Meeting, During Academic Lab
• Monday, December 8: Central Area Band Concert, 7:00 pm - PCH Gym A
• Thursday, December 11: Masterworks Concert, 7:30 pm - Logan University, Purser Center
• Monday, December 15: Cocoa & Cram, 02:45 pm - 04:00 pm
• Tuesday, December 16: E-FE Day, Block 1 Exam (followed Blocks 2, 6 & 8, dismissal at 2:30 pm)
• Tuesday, December 16: Central Area Art Show, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, PCH Art Wing
• Saturday, December 20: Winter Break Begins!
• Monday, January 5: Second Semester Begins!

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

Students, as I mentioned above, we have three weeks left in the first semester. For each ofyourclasses, you have seven (7) remaining periods on the calendar before your exam in that class. In addition, four (4) days will have a full or modified Academic Lab, which translates to seven (7) Ac Labs mods for you to utilize. We have two of three remaining chunks:

• First Two Weeks of December: December 1 - 12
• Final Exam Week: December 15 - 19.

The questions I posed in the last Update are still relevant...

• Do I have missing assignments that I can still turn in? If so, make a plan to complete and submit those assignments as soon as possible.
• When do I have tests, papers, and projects due? Make a plan to complete and prepare for those assessments that is proactive and doable.
• How can I use Ac Lab to maximum benefit? Ac Lab mods are scheduled for the following dates: 12/3 (2 mods --- except seniors), 12/5 (2 mods), 12/9 (1 mod, ODD Day), 12/ 12 (2 mods). Remember to sign up for mods by midnight the night before!

The Semester 1 Final Exam schedule for Parkway high schools is HERE, with the dates as follows:

• Tuesday, December 16: Block 1 Exam (followed Blocks 2, 6 & 8, dismissal at 2:30 pm)
• Wednesday, December 17: Block 2 & 3 Exams (dismissal at 11:35 am)
• Thursday, December 18: Block 5 & 7 Exams (dismissal at 11:35 am)
• Friday, December 19: Block 6 & 8 Exams (dismissal at 11:35 am)

All seniors are required to attend a class meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, during Academic Lab (Mods 1 & 2). No Colt Passes will be used on this day.

The first part of the meeting (Mod 1) will be held in theater and will focus on graduation, including...

• Graduation: General Overview
• Cap & Gown: Height and Weight Collected...This info is needed to ensure each student's graduation gown fits correctly.
• Post-Secondary Planning: Reminders

The second part of the meeting (Mod 2) will be held in Gym A and will include...

• Senior Panoramic Picture...A link to view and purchase the senior panoramic picture will be shared with families 2 - 3 weeks after the photo is take.

Parkway Central will participate in the annual Parkway Holiday Cup from December 8-12. Throughout the week, we’ll compete with the other Parkway high schools in school spirit days and community service activities.

One of our main goals this year is to support Covenant House by collecting donations of new, full-sized personal hygiene items. Students can drop off their donations in the upper commons each morning during Holiday Cup week.

Spirit days:

Monday - PJ Day

Tuesday - Twin Day

Wednesday - Winter Character Day

Thursday - Ugly Sweater Day

Friday - School Spirit Day

Let's come together to support this great cause and keep the Parkway Holiday Cup at Parkway Central!

Link Crew is hosting a Cocoa & Cram event for freshmen on Monday, December 15th from 2:45-4 pm in the PCH Library & Social Studies Commons. Link Leaders will be there to help freshmen study and prepare for final exams. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there! Please reach out to the Link Crew sponsor, Ms. Byrd, at jbyrd@parkwayschools.net with any questions.

The PCH Art Department will be holding their All Art Department Art Show on December 16, 2025 from 6:00 pm -8:00 pm. All students who are currently taking an art class will be featured in the show and their art work is impressive: paintings, photos, ceramics, sculptures, digital designs, collages, drawings, designs, etc. Everyone is invited to attend to celebrate and support these budding artists/ designers.

If you have any questions please contact Cara Deffenbaugh in the art dept. cdeffenbaugh@ parkwayschools.net

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.

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.

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.

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

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

PCH student parking passes are now available to purchase for eligible senior and junior student. Please refer to the email the email sent on August 5, 2025 at 3 pm. The cost is $85. All students parking on campus are expected to have their school issued parking pass displayed in their vehicle by Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the third day of school. Failure to do so is a violation of the school's discipline policy and may result in fines and / or other consequences. Purchase details will be shared in August. Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation.

Class of 2028 (Sophomores)

Due to space limitations, sophomore 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. Sophomore students may have the opportunity to purchase a parking pass for the second semester if space is available.

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