May 10, 2024

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Hello PCMS Families!

Welcome to the sunshine, the reason so many of us moved out here from Portland! (Sorry, Bendites.)

We had a great week. Our 6th graders studied water quality at Mirror Pond. Our 8th graders finished their state science tests. And our track stars competed at the final regular meet of the season.

We recently reviewed our YouthTruth survey data. In a total of 16 categories, we improved in 14, including a 29-point gain in School Safety, a 17-point gain in Staff Culture, and a 14-point gain in Family Engagement. We also scored in the top quartile, nationally, for Student Belonging.

Our weak points are students feeling academically challenged and staff getting relevant professional development. We’re working as a staff to build on our strengths and redress our weaknesses.

This includes more discussion about how we use iPads. How can we use iPads to make kids think more? Engagement, rigor, and critical thinking are not natural byproducts of convenience culture. We shouldn’t be using a tool merely for convenience.

Any tool we introduce MUST help our students a) engage with teachers, peers, and content, b) think deeply about solutions to complex problems, and c) produce work aligned to grade-level state standards.

Our instructional leadership team continues to wrestle with ideas about professional development for their colleagues. Doctors, firefighters, and police officers deserve and attend career-long professional development that helps them improve. Our teachers deserve the same treatment. As principal, I’m committed to making this better for our teaching force.

Sean

A Huge Thank You!

Due to you, our Pacific Crest Community Organization (PCCO, same at PTA), the PCMS staff enjoyed a wonderful week of appreciation. We want to thank our PCCO board for organizing and spoiling us with coffee and pastries at the beginning of the week, delicious bundt cakes, a mid-week snack buffet and today’s catered lunch from Longboard Louies.

REMINDER! Important Message | Student Early Release

We are still getting a lot of last minute calls from folks who want immediate action when needing to pull their student early for one reason or another, so here is another reminder. Help us help you! If your student needs to be released from school early, it is critical that you contact the Attendance Office at least 30 minutes before you need your student released. Email [email protected] or call 541-355-7820 and leave a message. Rest assured your message will get picked up within several minutes and a note will be delivered to your student. No need to call any other line. If you call any other line, you will be transferred to the attendance message line. We thank for your understanding of this process.

If you require your student to be released within 30 minutes, please visit the attendance window to make your request. Thank you.

Math Bypass Test for 6th & 7th Graders

Is your student excelling in math or has your child talked about wanting more of a challenge in math?  Maybe the class teacher has indicated your child should take a placement level test for math next year? This FAQ is designed to answer most of the questions that parents have regarding this process. 

This assessment will be given at PCMS on June 4th. It will be given the first part of their day while iPads are still fully charged. PCMS will coordinate the testing, so you do not need to do anything but be sure that your student’s iPad is charged the night before. The assessment will take your student approximately 60-120  minutes

*** Please register your student HERE to take the assessment on June 4th at PCMS. Registration will close on Friday, May 24th 

Are you caring for a child in 4th – 10th grade?

Deschutes County Health Services is looking for your feedback to help us provide information and programs around topics like substance use and mental health. Take our anonymous 20-minute survey! The first 85 participants will receive a $15 gift card. Survey link (available in English and Spanish): https://bit.ly/3VS0gVu. 

2024 Summer Meals

Click here for English and Spanish informational flyers.

Calendar of Events | Mark your Calendar

  • May 27 | Memorial Day | School Holiday
  • May 29 | 8th Grade Science Fair | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
  • May 30 | 5th Grade Family Night | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
  • May 31 | Last Day to Log Sparrow Community Service Hours
  • June 12 | School in Session all day | 8:50 AM – 3:45 PM
  • June 14 | 8th Grade Promotion to High School | Leaving the Nest
  • June 18 | Last Day of School w/field Day Activities (OPTIONAL for 8th graders)| Released at 2:15 PM

Helpful Links

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