PCHS Pirate News

August 24, 2026

Dear Pirate Families,

We are excited to see all of our Pirates back in the building tomorrow, and welcome our Freshmen (Class of '30) and new students to the district!

For those students needing help finding their classes, their are building maps included below.

Have a great first day!

Thank you,

- Dr. Kiel Giese

Principal, Platte County High School

Aug. 25: First Day of School!

Aug. 28: Pep-Assembly; Community Tailgate (Price Chopper) for 1st Home Football Game

Sep. 2: School Picture Day
Sep. 2: Back to School Night, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm (CHANGE IN TIME)

Sep. 7: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Sep. 10: Fall Sports Media Day

Sep. 14: Senior Parent Meeting, 6:30 pm

Sep. 17: School Board Meeting, 6:30 pm

Sep. 21: NO SCHOOL, Professional Learning Day

Oct. 27: College and Career Readiness Day, 9:30 am -11:30 am (Date Corrected!)

Click here to view the full calendar on our website.

Activities Calendar

Course change forms can be picked up at any Welcome Center or School Counselor office.

Students may get a part time form after consulting with their school counselor.

All forms must be received by 3:00 p.m. on August 28 to be processed. After that date, requests will not be considered.

PCHS will be hosting their College and Career Readiness Day on Tuesday, October 27th from 7:30-12. The following opportunities will be available for students.

Freshmen

Freshmen students will explore three careers from their Program of Study. Presentations and activities will be provided by experts in the field who volunteer their time to share about their field.

Sophomore

Sophomore students will take the ASVAB test. As a Sophomore, this test is not reported to the military for recruiting. Students will receive career suggestions based on their results from the ASVAB. Sophomores will also explore careers through the National Guard with their Guard X experience.

Juniors

Juniors will have the choice of 3 different exams, Accuplacer, ACT, or ASVAB that is reported to the military.

A Google Form will be sent to students the first week of school for students to select the exam they wish to take.

Seniors

Seniors will have field trip opportunities to explore a 4-year university at UMKC, a community college at Maple Woods, and an industry tour. A Google Form will send to students the first week of school for students to select the field trip they wish to take.

If students choose their own college visit or job shadow experience, a student will be counted absent for the day.

With new device distribution happening throughout the morning, and cell phones not allowed passed 7:30 am, students should print or write out their class schedule before the first day. Log in to the portal to view the class schedule.

The office and welcome desks can print a schedule for students who forget.

Device insurance for student devices has moved to a new system for the 2026-27 school year. Families who wish to participate must enroll by October 1 through your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.

• Enrollment Cost: $30 per student device
• Free/Reduced Meal Students: $0 enrollment cost
• How to Enroll: Log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and complete the Insurance Form under "Forms." Via the PowerSchool app, go to "More," then "Forms." The $30 enrollment fee will be collected within the form.

Insurance can significantly reduce the cost of repairs or replacement. With insurance, the cost for a standard repair is $40, while lost or stolen devices have a $100 replacement fee. Without insurance, families are responsible for the increased repair or replacement costs. Visit the One-to-One Learning page of our website for additional Student Device FAQs and responsibilities.

Replacement costs without insurance:

• K-2: $400
• Grades 3-8: $475
• Grades 9-12: $500

Additional fees apply: Case replacement ($40 with insurance/$110 without), Apple-certified charger replacement ($40 with or without insurance), and cleaning fee for sticker removal ($20 with or without insurance).

Questions? Please contact us at the school for assistance.

Class Dues and Course Fees are assessed to student accounts according to the 26-27 Fees Schedule.

All students are assessed $15. class dues each year.

Once the fees are showing in the parent portal, you may pay online. If you haven't signed up for a RevTrak account first, please complete this step before paying fees via the parent portal.

Class Dues and Fees 26-27

It is our goal to help support all of our Platte County families who may need assistance paying negative lunch balances. Now you can help by contributing to our negative meal balance fund. Thank you for considering a donation to help families pay down meal debt. Every contribution makes a real difference for families in our community. Feel free to pass this information along to any community organization that may be interested in assisting with this fund.

Use this link to make a donation:

Negative Meal Balance Fund

REMINDER OF CHANGES
Please see the updated meal pricing below:

• Breakfast (K-12): $2.10 (currently $2.00)
• Lunch (K-5): $3.00 (currently $2.90)
• Lunch (6-12): $3.10 (currently $3.00)
• Lunch (Adult): $4.25 (currently 4.05)
• Extra Milk: $0.60 (currently $0.55)

Check back each edition for updates.

If you missed your senior photo appointment with Reed Portrait Group, please call their studio, located on North Oak, at 816.436.5550. All appointments and information will be through their studio.

SAVE THE DATE!

September 2, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

On September 2, we will open our doors to welcome our students and parents to come and meet the PCHS Staff. The schedule for the night is included below. This is a great night for you to come in and meet your student's teachers! The time will be limited, but it will still provide an opportunity to create an important partnership.

Following a welcome message from the Administration at 6:00 PM in the Wilson Auditorium, you will follow your student's schedule. First hour begins at 6:23 PM!

Enter at the Welcome Center or the Bus Loop doors!

All tickets for PCR-3 athletic events are digital. Fans can purchase tickets online through GoFan or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
(UPDATE for 26-27) A regular season game is $7 for adults and $5 for students. PCHS students and fans aged 55 and older are admitted free with a valid ID. Click here for a link to purchase all sports passes and individual tickets.

Spectator & Ticket Information 2026-2027

Pirate Activities Website

Activities Calendar

First Home Football Game is August 28th. Join us at Price Chopper for a Community Tailgate and performances by the PCHS Drumline, Treasures Dance Team, and Cheer Squad.

Join us from 5:00-6:30 pm for a Community Tailgate at Platte City's Price Chopper before we cheer on the Platte County Pirates for their first home football game. The game starts at 7:00 pm at Pirate Stadium.

• Show your Pirate Pride: Wear orange and black on Friday, August 28
• Enjoy the entertainment and have some fun! From 5-6 p.m., the PCHS drumline, dance team, cheerleaders, and PCC youth cheerleaders will perform. Get your photo taken with the PC the Parrot Mascot, get your face painted, get a fun balloon animal, and get some Pirate swag!
• Grab some food before heading to the stadium! Free hot dogs, chips, and water courtesy of Price Chopper, free popcorn courtesy of Nodaway Valley Bank, free temporary tattoos courtesy of Central Bank, and Kona Ice and PTA spirit wear available for purchase.
• Visit the Pirates ROCK Table at the Football Game: Get your free megaphone full of popcorn
• Congratulate our Got Character Seniors: During pregame, our 120 2026-27 Got Character Seniors will be recognized; these seniors will connect with our elementary and middle schools throughout the year to promote good character and healthy choices.

Parents can use Parent Portal (www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/parents/parent_portal) to keep up to date on grades and assignments (for students in grades 6-12), attendance, and make meal and fee payments (Go to "Balances" once logged into Parent Portal).

• Click here for Guide to Parent Portal.
  

New parents who have not received their PowerSchool Access ID and Password should contact our school for assistance.

Gear Up. Anchor Down. The PCHS Pirate Store is officially open online for the 2026–2027 school year!

Shop the latest student-designed Pirate gear created by our PCHS Business & Marketing students. From T-shirts, sweatshirts and fan gear to hats, water bottles, accessories and more, there’s something for Pirates of every age.

This year’s collections celebrate everything that makes Platte County special—our traditions, our history, our students and the Pirate pride that connects generations.

Student Designed
Pirate Inspired
Made for the Pirate Community

New designs and products will continue to be added throughout the year, so be sure to check back often!

Scan the QR code to shop the Pirate Store online and show your Pirate Pride all year long.

WEBSITE LINK: https://pchs-pirate-store.square.site

Once a Pirate. Always a Pirate.
GEAR UP. ANCHOR DOWN.

Permit Academy is designed to help soon-to-be drivers feel confident and prepared for their Missouri permit exam. This class covers the Missouri Driver’s Guide, rules of the road, defensive driving basics, occupant restraints, road sign recognition, and includes practice written tests.

Classes will be held Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 5:00–9:00 p.m., with both in-person and virtual options available. The cost is $40 per student, with limited in-person seating. Adults may attend virtually only. This course is for students seeking their permit only—no behind-the-wheel driving instruction will take place. In-person classes will be held at the KCPD North Patrol Community Room in Kansas City.

Registration is available online at www.stjoesafetycouncil.org

See image for the Meeting dates for 2026-27.

Email - ptsapchs@gmail.com

Website - https://ptsapchs.wixsite.com/pchs

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PlatteCountyHighSchoolPtsa

Our mission is to encourage, support, and recognize music students; assist directors and staff; promote parent involvement; and strengthen connections between school, home, and community. Together, we build more than music—we build memories!

Becoming a volunteer is easy, and it's a chance to experience behind-the-scenes moments, build lasting friendships, and make a meaningful impact on out music program.

For membership details, volunteer opportunities, and meeting information, visit

pcmpa.org

Join Booster Club!

Get involved! Have fun! Support the Pirates!

Our officers:

• President- Keri Dillingham
• Vice President- Kim Macias-Lewis
• Treasurer- Robin Herron

our website is: http://www.pchsboosterclub.com/

Click the links below to join Booster Club and to volunteer at the concession stands during home games.

• MEMBERSHIP
• SIGN-UP GENIUS TO VOLUNTEER TO WORK CONCESSIONS

For Home Football Games- Booster Club Suite Auction:

Bid on the ultimate game-day experience!

Click on the link below to place a bid on the home football game of your choice.

*BIDDING CLOSES AT NOON ON THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE THE HOME FOOTBALL GAME.

BID HERE:

https://givebutter.com/c/2026-platte-countu-pirate-football-suite-dqrzng

The PCR-3 Treasure Chest is a stocked resource center providing food, milk, and toiletries for PCR-3 students and families in need. Qualifying families will receive a weekly form via email to sign up or can call 816-858-7001 for assistance.

Families will receive an email with approval to come to the Treasure Chest on Wednesdays from 4-6pm at the new Treasure Chest site (south side of Paxton building*).