Principal’s Hello
Welcome to the last weekend of summer! We just finished an amazing launch week with our teachers and staff here at PCMS. To top it off, our 8th grade WEB leaders did their final training before welcoming our new 6th graders on Wednesday.
There is a lot of energy and anticipation for next week! We’re psyched! Please keep reading for important updates from our counselors regarding student schedules and a review of school rules from our assistant principal and dean of students.
See you soon!
Sean
Changes to Student Schedules
Our student services department is not taking schedule change requests unless there is an error with your child’s schedule. An error would look like accidentally having two identical classes, etc. Specifically, we do not change student schedules for friends or activities. Many of our students have extracurricular activities and we simply cannot accommodate changing schedules for this. Also, classes are still being balanced and all students should check their schedules on the first day of school. Thank you for your understanding.
First Day of School for our 6th Graders
We are very excited that your child will be attending Pacific Crest Middle School. We look forward to seeing them on Wednesday, September 6th, for their first day of school. Their day will start with an orientation led by our PCMS WEB Leaders to help your 6th grader get off to a great start! District bus transportation is available, and your student must be registered. Click here to find all information regarding bus transportation, bus registration and view pick-up/drop-off times and locations for your student.
- Your student will arrive at school by 8:50 am
- Students will be treated to a free school lunch on this day only.
- After lunch, they will attend their classes for the remainder of the day.
- The day will end at 3:45. Schedule of events for this day is available here.
- Your student is advised not to bring backpacks, purses, or similar items, as the day will involve a lot of physical activity.
- Because the day is active, please ensure that your student wears comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement.
REMINDER! New 7th and 8th Grade Student Orientation
We will be hosting a brief information session for 7th and 8th grade students that are new to Pacific Crest this school year. Join us on Wednesday, September 6th, from 1:00-2:00 pm. During this time, we will hand out schedules, test out lockers, tour the building, and get to meet some of the wonderful 8th grade WEB leaders. Families will need to provide transportation to and from Pacific Crest. If this is something that you would be interested in having your student join, please fill out this form so that we can have an accurate headcount of students. If you have any questions, contact our main office at (541)-355-7804.
Authorization for Medication Administration
Beginning Wednesday, September 6th parents, not students, can bring student medication to the school for us to administer during the school year. Each medication must have a completed Authorization for Medication form which can be downloaded and turned in with medication. All medication must be in the original labeled container. Prescription medication needs to have a legible pharmacy label. Drop off medication with Tami Nielsen in the Attendance Office. If you have questions, call Tami at (541) 355-7020. If your student has a health condition you would like to discuss with our school nurse, please reach out to Oliver Tatum at (541) 355-6922 or [email protected].
Student School Supplies
Pacific Crest Middle School will provide students with essential classroom materials. Students will receive supplies within the first several days of school. Additional supplies will be provided by their teachers as needed in the class. We will be working with students on how to care for their materials to make sure they last all year, please help reinforce this message at home.
Families are welcome to provide additional classroom supplies for their student, if desired and personal items such as backpacks, water bottles, headphones, lunch boxes, etc. If your family needs help securing a personal item, reach out to our FAN advocate, Donna Connet at (541) 355-5684 or [email protected] for support. For specific questions, reach out to Pacific Crest’s main office.
Student Pick-Up & Drop-Off
You may drop your student off as early as 8:35 AM. First period starts at 8:50 AM, but we’d like all students here no later than 8:45 AM. We want everyone to have time to go to their locker to drop off their backpack and get materials for class. Backpacks are not allowed in classrooms.
Tardy Policy
A tardy is when a student enters a classroom after the tardy bell (the bell that starts class). This year, we will also have a 1-minute-warning bell. Students will have plenty of time to get to any classroom on campus, even if they use the restroom and go to their locker. After three tardies, students will be assigned a lunch detention, and we will notify families. Students who continue to show up late will be referred to administration.
Electronic Device Policy
All electronic devices (cell phones, AirPods, gaming tablets, etc.) need to be SILENT AND AWAY ALL DAY. “Silent” means no buzzing, no ringing, no distraction whatsoever. “Away” means that it should not be seen; device needs to be stored in a pocket, locker, bag, etc.
Students may use their iPads during lunch, and they may use their iPad during class time, as long as they are following the teacher’s directions. For example, if, during an art project, the teacher says they may listen to music on the iPad, then the student may do so, but they must use headphones or earbuds.
If students do not follow this policy, we have a series of consequences, which include taking the device for the remainder of the school day. If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call the front office, and we will deliver the message to your student. Likewise, if a student needs to call you at any time, they may get a pass to the front office and call you. We can give them a private space, as well, if this is preferred.
Backpack Policy
Backpacks are not allowed in classrooms. Bags and backpacks must remain in student lockers. Backpacks impede teachers and students from moving around the classroom safely. We must be able to move easily in order to teach and collaborate. Students will have plenty of time to go to their lockers between classes to get the materials they need.
Bathroom Policy
We will allow students to use the bathroom during class. Only 1 student will leave class at a time, with a hall pass. Also, students have 5 minutes to use the restroom and return to class. If a student takes more than 5 minutes, the teacher will have a private discussion with the student to remind them of the policy and to ensure that everything is okay. If a student is using the bathroom everyday, and teachers suspect work avoidance or some other issue, teachers will meet with that student privately to discuss concerns and seek more information. A counselor may also have this conversation with the student.
Official PE Dress Down
Be on the lookout for more information on dressing down from your student’s PE Teacher soon. All students will be required to wear the below described PCMS PE uniform each day they have PE. PE t-shirts cost $8.00 and we suggest you purchase one (or two) as soon as possible by logging into TouchBase.
- PCMS issued PE t-shirt (purchase NOW for $8.00)
- Student supplied athletic bottoms– shorts, sweats, tights, etc. No jeans.
- Student supplied athletic shoes– no crocs, no platform sneakers, no boots, etc.
Volleyball & Cross-country Registrations Still Open
There’s still time to register for our upcoming fall sports, volleyball (7th/8th) and cross-country (6th/7th/8th). Registration ends at 5:00pm Tuesday, September 5th. Practices have already started for volleyball and cross country practices start Thursday, September 7. Registration information is available on the PCMS Athletics webpage.
Next Weeks News from the Nest
- Portrait Day
- Visitors & Volunteering Process
Calendar of Events
- Sept. 6 | First Day of School – Only 6th Grade Students| 8:45am – 3:45pm (see info above)
- Sept. 6 | 7th & 8th Grade New Student Orientation | 1:00pm – 2:00pm (see info above)
- Sept. 7 | School day for all grade levels
- Sept. 28 | School Portrait Day (more info next week)
- Sept. 28 | Back to School Night | 6:00pm – 7:50pm
Helpful Links