PCH Community Update

PCH Community,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! This past Friday, the wonderful group of Central High student leaders pictured above helped welcome all of our new students to PCH. Their energy was matched by the enthusiasm and excitment brought by the newest members of Central High, especially the class of 2029! We are excited for our first day tomorrow! As you prepare for tomorrow, a few important reminders...

• Please read the sections in this Update on Heat Advisory & Parkway Cell Phone & Device Policy.
• To new students, please bring with you tomorrow the printed copy of your course schedule that you received on Friday.
• For returning students, if you need a printed copy of your schedule please go to the tables set up near your grade level office.
• If you have a concern with your course schedule, please review that section below.
• All students should bring their district issued Chromebook charged and ready to use.
• Please review the section with Technology Updates.
• If you are a new parent and you were unable to attend our meeting on Thursday, August 7, that presentation is HERE for your reference.

This edition of PCH Community Update also includes information on other important topics, including:

• Calendar Reminders
• Heat Advisory
• Parkway Cell Phone & Device Policy
• Student Course Schedule Concerns
• Technology Updates
• School Supplies
• Free & Reduced Meal Program
• Find Your Bus Stop
• Student Parking for 2025-2026
• PTO Fundraiser
• School PIcture Day
• PG 2026: Homecoming Tailgate
• 2024-2025 Yearbooks
• FinalForms: A New System
• Class of 2026: Important Update
• Parents: PTO Leadership Board
• Morning Arrival Procedures
• Daily Building Procedures
• Afternoon Dismissal Procedures
• Multiple Standing Items
• Central High Administrators

The next Update will be shared on Sunday, August 24, 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 August 18 is:

• Monday, August 18: ALL (Purple) Day
• Tuesday, August 19: ODD (Red) Day
• Wednesday, August 20: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: No Travel
  
• Thursday, August 21: ODD (Red) Day
• Friday, August 22: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: No Travel, Class Meetings

The daily schedule for the week of August 25 is:

• Monday, August 25: ALL (Purple) Day
• Tuesday, August 26: ODD (Red) Day
• Wednesday, August 27: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: Module 2 Travel Only
  
• Thursday, August 28: ODD (Red) Day
• Friday, August 39: EVEN (Blue) Day --- Ac Lab: Module 2 Travel Only

Important Dates:

• Monday, August 18: First Day of School!
• Monday, August 25: School Picture Day for Grades 9 - 11
• Thursday, August 28: Open House for Parents, 06:30 pm
  
• Monday, September 1: No School --- Labor Day
• Wednesday, September 10: Even - Half Day, Dismissal at 11:35 am (No Ac Lab / Lunch)
• Monday, September 16: Homecoming Week Begins
• Friday, September 19: Homecoming Football Game, 7 pm
• Saturday, September 20: Homecoming Dance, 7:30 pm
• Wednesday, October 8: Even - Half Day, Dismissal at 11:35 am (No Ac Lab / Lunch)
• Thursday, October 9: Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:00 pm - 8:00 p
• Friday, October 17: Even - Half Day, Dismissal at 11:35 am (No Ac Lab / Lunch, End of Term 1)
• Monday, October 20: No School --- Fall Break
• Wednesday, October 22: PSAT Test
• Monday, October 27: PCH Day of Service

To download the academic calendar, click on the two month calendar above or the attached PDF.

Earlier this afternoon, you received a message from Dr. Melissa Schneider, Parkway's superintendent. I want to reiterate the importance of students wearing comfortable clothing during school, which may include an additional layer; some classrooms in the building may be chilly due to the AC. Also, if at all possible, encourage your student to bring a refillable water bottle, especially if they will be taking the bus home. As is always the case during periods of excessive heat, we will monitor the heat index throughout the day and adjust outside activities, as needed, during and after school!

Several times in the past month, Parkway School District has shared information regarding the district's new policy for student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the school day. The updated policy was in response to legislation passed in Missouri in early July. If you have not already done so, please take several moments to review that information HERE. The bottom line is this: cell phones and other personal electronic devices (i.e. smartwatches, laptops, iPads, tablets and wireless headphones) are expected to be off and away from 7:35 am - 2:30 pm, including class time, passing periods, and lunch shifts.

For the first week of school, Central High will have a "soft" rollout of the new policy. Our focus will be on ensuring all students are informed about the change and understand expectations moving forward. I will make a PA announcement at the start of second block tomorrow, teachers will review expectations with their classes throughout the week, and grade level administrators will review expectations again with students during class meetings on Friday. Full implementation of the policy and guidelines, including consequences in line with district guidelines, will begin on Monday, August 25, 2025.

Students, I recognize that, for many, this new policy provokes many thoughts and strong emotions. At home, my youngest daughter is starting her senior year in high school; she has already shared with me many of the sentiments that I am sure align with your own. I am empathetic to the challenges of this change! With that said, I also hope that you will take several moments to consider why this change is happening. States and school districts across the country are simply responding to a growing body of research that indicates that personal electronic devices in schools, especially cell phones, negatively impact student learning in multiple ways. I know you may not like the new policy, but I ask for your support and cooperation with its implementation.

Parents, I recognize this will be a significant change for you, as well. As I mentioned, my youngest will be a senior in high school, while my oldest is starting her second year in college. For the last several years, my wife and I texted our daughters during the school day to remind them of an important item on their to do list, wish them luck on a test, or provide guidance to a situation they were navigating. I always felt guilty when one of them would respond, "I'm in class!" I thought to myself, "I'm a high school principal; I should know better!" The new policy will be a change for us too, but given the rationale behind it, I ask for your support and cooperation, as well. As a reminder, if you need to communicate with your student during the school day, you have a couple of options:

• Send them an email to their Parkway email account, which they can check using their district issued Chromebook.
• Contact their gradel leve office; at the bottom of every PCH Community Update are the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of our grade level administrators and their assistants.

At the bottom of the graphic above is a green check mark above each of these three goals: improved mental health, focused learning, stronger relationships. I honestly believe that after we adjust to the new policy and settle into the school year, we will experience positive gains in all three areas. Thank you, in advance, for your support and cooperation!

Tim McCarthy

Principal, PCH

Students, if you have a concern with your first semester course schedule that is inline with one of the priorities listed below, please report to the Counseling Classroom (door closest to math bathrooms) on Monday during the block of the conflict.

Priorities for Monday, August 18:

• I am a new student to Central High and still need a schedule.
• I am a senior missing a requirement for graduation.
• I am missing one semester of a year long class.
• I have been placed in the wrong level of a course.
  
• I have an empty block in 1st semester. (Note: 2nd semester can be resolved later)
• I am enrolled in a class I have already taken and passed.
• I have a class for which I do not meet the prerequisite requirements.

If your course schedule concern is not inline with one of the priorities listed above, but you would still like to review options with your counselor, please follow the schedule you have for Monday and then check in with your counselor on Tuesday, August 19.

As a reminder, Central High's school counselors are assigned to students based on the student's last name.

A - E: Lelia Flagg -- lflagg@parkwayschools.net

F - La: Jenny Lange -- jlange1@parkwayschools.net

Lb - Ro: Paul Hussmann -- phussmann@parkwayschools.net

Ru - Z: Priscilla Greenwood -- pgreenwood@parkwayschools.net

Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

Recent technology improvements to enhance student privacy and data security require us to be proactive on the first few days of school with getting students logged in to their Parkway accounts. We also had a district-wide phishing email that affected some of our students over the summer, resulting in some student passwords needing to be reset. In an effort to cause the least amount of disruption to student learning, your library technology team will be working to fix any technology access issues. The library will be open Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. to troubleshoot with any student before classes begin.

In addition, Parkway is moving to a single sign on system called MyParkway (operated by ClassLink) over the next couple of weeks, so as things are in this transition period, we appreciate your patience!

For returning students; if you remember your old Google password from last year, try using it to log in to your Chromebook.

If any student needs a password reset, please come to the library. Mr. Riddick, Ms. Lyons, and Ms. Watson all are able to reset student passwords.

Thank you for your help and patience!

Central High does not utilize a supply list. For the first day of school, students are encouraged to bring general school supplies along with their charged, district issued Chromebook. During the first few days of school, teachers will share any additional supplies needed for their course.

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)

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.

Picture Day for grades 9-11 is almost here! This is your opportunity to capture a special school memory of your child and receive high-quality portraits you’ll treasure for years to come.

Parkway Central High School
Picture Day: Monday, August 25, 2025
Pre-Order Online: www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com
Pre-Order Password: 5C6Z2W9V
Direct link:
https://wagner.portraitpics.co/api/v2/keys/lookup/wagner?key=5C6Z2W9V

When families participate in Picture Day, your purchase directly helps provide our school with safety and security tools, student recognition programs, and other valuable photography services.

To ensure your child is photographed and included in these school resources:

• Pre-order online using the link and password above

• Send your child ready for photos on Picture Day

Students will get their pictures taken during their English class.

Thank you for supporting our school and helping us make Picture Day a success. We look forward to seeing those smiling faces on Monday, August 25, 2025!

Sincerely,

Christine Stricker

Journalism Teacher, PCH

Central High is hosting our annual Open House for all PCH parents Thursday, August 28, 2024. This is a great opportunity to go through your student’s schedule, meet their teachers, and learn a bit more about your student’s coursework for the upcoming year. The evening will begin in Gym A at 6:30 pm with classroom sessions starting at 7:00 pm. The schedule for the evening is outlined below. Please bring a copy of your student’s schedule, including Academic Lab. Parents, we hope you can join us!

06:30 pm: Large Group Session, Gym A

06:50 pm: Transition to Block 1

07:00 pm - 07:05 pm: Block 1

07:10 pm - 07:15 pm: Block 2

07:20 pm - 07:25 pm: Block 3

07:30 pm - 07:35 pm: Block 4 (Ac Lab)

07:40 pm - 07:45 pm: Block 5

07:50 pm - 07:55 pm: Block 6

08:00 pm - 08:05 pm: Block 7

08:10 pm - 08:15 pm: Block 8

Yearbooks for the 2024-2025 school year are available for pick up from Ms. Stricker's classroom (Room 950).

If you purchased home shipping, your student's book will arrive directly at the address you noted in your order, so your student will not pick up their book at school.

Questions: Contact Mrs. Stricker at cstricker@parkwayschools.net

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.

Class of 2026 Students and Families,

Graduation for Central High's class of 2026 will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 7:00 pm at The Family Arena.

This has been Central High's traditional date for graduation for the last several years, however, earlier versions of the calendar stated the date was tentative while we awaited confirmation from The Family Arena. We have received that confirmation and the most recent version of the calendar has been updated.

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

Kia Davis - President

Stephen 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: Carla Zeisler
• 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