PCHS Community,

This week has been an incredibly difficult one for our school community as we mourn the loss of one of our students. The grief we are feeling is deep and personal, and we want to acknowledge the strength and compassion we’ve seen among students and staff as we support one another. We also recognize that grief looks different for everyone—there is no one-size-fits-all approach to processing loss. With this in mind, our counseling team is continuing to plan supports for the coming week that offer a variety of ways for students and staff to navigate this time in a way that best meets their individual needs. Please know that no one has to go through this alone—we are here for each other.

We wish you a peaceful snow day and mid-winter break, and look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday.

Mrs. McBride & Mr. McMurray

The following students earned a 3.0 or higher 1st Semester. Way to go, Pirates!!

Deputy Gwinn is one of a kind. He is serious, professional, and knowledgeable. He is a prankster with a genuine and kind soul. He takes initiative - he is a problem-finder and solver. He is a calm presence, perspective, and thought partner in times of crisis. From lunch duty to classroom presentations to emergency drill quality control to keeping our school community safe, and so much more in between in the day-to-day, Deputy Gwinn is truly an invaluable member of the PCS team. Thank you, Jeremy!

Check out the timeline of events on deck to support you through an intentional and informed course selection process.

This week's Positivity Project foci are PRUDENCE and PERSEVERANCE (a continuation of last week since we do not have Seminar this week). Check out the P2 weekly family letter for prudence and perseverance which include tools to practice and encourage these character traits at home.

On deck:

• February 27: PTO table at Course Exploration Night
• March 3-13: Donation drive competition in Seminars
• May 5-9: Teacher Appreciation Week activities

Review the January PTO meeting minutes here, and consider joining us for the next meeting on Tuesday, February 18 at 6pm in the Pirate Union.

We recognize a student and staff member each week, nominated by the school community based on how fellow Pirates are exemplifying Positivity Project traits and identified by our Leadership & Link Crew class. Our Student of the Week is also recognized as a part of the Livingston Daily's new spotlight, published digitally on Fridays and in print on Sundays.

On Fridays, students spend an hour in what we call Seminar. The purpose of Seminar is to ensure every student has at least one go-to adult mentor at PCHS focused on their well-being, academic success, and connection to a healthy school climate.

No Seminar this week due to the mid-winter break.

Contact Tennille Sharp at tsharp@pinckneypirates.org to get connected with the planning committee! This annual event is an entirely parent-planned event with guidance provided by PCHS. Thank you for considering joining the fun!

For those college-bound students anxiously awaiting the BIG news...see the link below for information about what it means to be "Deferred" or "Waitlisted" by your university of choice in the event this is the news you receive in the coming weeks.

Many Seniors have not yet ordered their cap & gown for graduation. This is a requirement for graduation. To order one, go to Jostens.com. You and your student should be receiving reminder emails from our Josten's rep, Janice Traub, which includes additional information. If you have questions, please reach out to Poppy Elliott in our Main Office. Thanks!

Members of the PCHS National Honor Society are available to provide tutoring support for interested Pirates. If your student is interested in tutoring, please fill out the form below.

At PCHS, if a student exceeds 10 absences in a semester in a course, they must make up the time missed in order to earn the credit for that course on their transcript - a must for graduation from high school! It is very important to be at school consistently to be successful academically. Please pay close attention to your student's attendance detail in MiStar and proactively support them to stay within that 10 absence maximum per semester. If a student has a hold on their credit due to absences, it will read as an "H" on their transcript.

Mr. McMurray, our Assistant Principal, offers "Mr. Mac's Academy" on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:30-4:30pm. This is a consistent opportunity to make-up hours due to excessive absences. To attend Mr. Mac's Academy, a student must sign up in advance at the front desk of the Main Office with Mrs. Lasure.

• February 14 & February 17: No School - Mid-Winter Break
• February 20: Early College Parent/Student Info Night (For 9th & 10th graders) - 5:30pm @ LESA
• February 22: Annual Pinckney Music Booster Spaghetti Dinner & Business Expo- 1:00-5:00pm
• February 27: Course Exploration Night - 7-8pm in PCHS Commons & CTE Wing
• March 14: 2nd Semester Progress Report 2
• March 21: Half Day
• March 24-28: Spring Break
• April 9: SAT & PSAT 9 (No School for 10th & 12th Graders)
• April 10: PSAT 10 & WorkKeys (No School for 9th; Virtual Day for 12th - Senior Exit Survey Completion = attendance)
• April 16: MSTEP (11th only, regular school day for everyone else)
• April 18: No School - Good Friday
• May 2: 2nd Semester Progress Report 3
• May 3: Prom
• Weeks of May 5 and May 12: AP Testing
• May 16: Seniors' Last Day of School
• May 26: No School - Memorial Day
• May 29: Senior Graduation Rehearsal, Clap-Out & BBQ
• June 1: PCHS Graduation @ Pirate Stadium
• June 4-5: 2nd Semester Final Assessments
• June 6: Half Day - Last Day of the 2024-25 School Year

District-Wide Calendars: https://www.pinckneypirates.org/page/calendars

Get your tickets to any and all games here!

https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10053

Follow along for all athletic tryouts, registration, schedules, and updates at https://pinckneypiratesathletics.com/ is moving to https://pinckneyathletics.bigteams.com/

Looking for Pirate Athletics gear?

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/michigan/pinckney/pinckney-high-school

Looking for Pinckney Community Education programs?

https://pinckney.ce.eleyo.com/

Counseling Office: (810) 225.5603

Counseling Website: https://www.pinckneypirates.org/o/pchs (Select the Counseling drop-down menu.)

Counseling Secretary

Mrs. Jennifer Duncan

jduncan@pinckneypirates.org
810.225.5603, fax 810.225.5610

School Counselors

Ms. Amy Robinson MA, LLPC, SCL
School Counselor (A-Le)
arobinson@pinckneypirates.org

Ms. Nicole Braun MA, SCL
School Counselor (Lf-Z)
nbraun@pinckneypirates.org

PCHS Mental Health Specialists

Ms. Lynn Watkins, MA, LPC, SCL, NCC
Social/Emotional Mental Health Specialist
lwatkins@pinckneypirates.org
810.225.5607

Learn more about Ms. Watkins and 31n mental health services provided through LESA here.

Mrs. Sandra Parker
Social Worker Project SUCCESS Counselor, Youth-Led Prevention Facilitator, and Community Outreach Coordinator
sparker@pinckneypirates.org
810.225.6534

Advise MI College Adviser

Ms. Clarice Farina
cfarina@pinckneypirates.org

https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/next-steps-after-submitting-fafsa?fbclid=IwY2xjawGz5oNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRKka6i0n9aFLMyihglbBo-37k7BpSXh1zj9IIoxjUtLcSRXCwzW-Dgh0w_aem_lWOVH_9pVbYxw0CBaFY4vw&sfnsn=mo

Seniors and Families,

Here are some especially helpful resources as you navigate your next steps during College Application season (some of these are also linked within the Senior Presentation that was shared via email with Class of 2025 students and families on Friday, September 20th):

Common App

• Common App (the primary college application platform; apply to MANY colleges through this single application)
• Common App: 1st year student resources
• Common App: Essay Prompts (& Tips!)

MI College Access Network

• MCAN College Fee Waivers
• MCAN College Average GPA (& SAT) Requirements
• MCAN (Michigan College Access Network) offers a plethora of different resources for guiding students during the college application process!

And more

• Michigan's Public Universities Guide to Admissions 2023-24

• PCHS PIRATE PATH CALENDAR - lots of College Rep Visit options, Campus Open House dates, Financial Aid webinars, and more!
• Create your FSA ID to apply for FAFSA, which is now open for all high school Senior students! Get your FAFSA completed early and easily! On December 11th starting at 6pm, seniors and their parents/guardians are invited to attend a FAFSA completion workshop at PCHS. Remember: the earlier you complete the FAFSA, the more financial aid is available to you.

  Parents and students MUST have FSA IDs created three days prior to this workshop. We will have a Financial Aid expert from a local college with us at PCHS to help. Please RSVP by December 9th!

  
  

  Typically, the parent and the student will each have their own sections of the FAFSA to complete using their own FSA ID. Click here to see which parent(s) need to be involved in the FAFSA process.

  NOTE: Some students may be considered independent on the FAFSA and will not be asked to include parent information on the application. Determine dependency status here.

  
  

• Start applying for scholarships. Please check out the scholarship list on the high school website as it is updated daily.

Best wishes for many "acceptance" notices ahead!

Find out more about discounted community college and register for a webinar!

This grief resources document includes a variety of links to support parents and students.

You’re not alone…Parenting is hard

Coaching and resources for Parents…

DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE OR PARENTING? CONSIDER MEETING WITH A PARENTING COACH…

FREE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:

• Weekly calls with a coach

• Ask a therapist

• Guided, step-by-step resources

• Access to on-demand videos on various topics

• Confidential help

• Find hope, connect today at parentguidance.org

…50% of parents worry their child is struggling, but don’t know what to do.

…32% of parents feel their child is unhappy.

…An estimated 10-20% of adolescents globally experience mental health conditions

See documents linked below.

Link below!

Pinckney Community Schools!

https://pinckneypirates.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

If you know someone who would thrive in a small learning community environment focused on student connection, empowerment, and preparedness for life beyond high school, send them our way.

Feel free to share employment opportunities with us and will place them here for future newsletters!

If you don't already, follow us on:

• Instagram at @pinckneyhighschool
• Facebook at Pinckney Community High School.

• Full-Day Schedule: 7:30am-2:30pm
• Half-Day Schedule: 7:30am-10:55am
• Friday Early Release Schedule: 7:30am-1:09pm
• PCHS is a closed campus. Only those approved to leave the building (i.e. for CTE, Dual Enrollment, Co-Op) may exit the building during school hours, and only through the South entrance. This is in service of ensuring all students are safely where they should be!
• If running late to school, students need to park in the Main Entrance lot (South side) in order to sign in at the Main Office. The North doors will be locked after 7:45am.
• Students are required to have a parking pass if parking in the PCHS lot during the school day. Make sure you've paid for your pass in the Main Office!
• PCHS Morning Announcement Request Form
• PCS Secondary Student Handbook
• PCS Transportation Code of Conduct
• Have a tech issue? Submit a helpdesk ticket at: helpdesk.pinckneypirates.org

• Attendance Hotline: 810-225-5510 / hs-attendance@pinckneypirates.org

Email: jmcbride@pinckneypirates.org
Website: www.pinckneypirates.org
Location: 10255 Dexter-Pinckney Road, Pinckney, MI, USA
Phone: 8102255500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinckneyhigh
Twitter: @PinckneyHigh