September 20, 2024

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Sean Keating

Principal’s Hello

Dear Golden Eagle Families,

Happy sunny fall Friday!

This week we exited the building in record time for our first monthly fire drill. Students were calm and compliant and safely moved to our evacuation zones. Next week, we introduce our student clubs.

Next week, please join us at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 26, for Back to School Night! This is a chance to meet your student’s teachers, see the school, and go through your student’s daily schedule.

If you arrive before 6:00, take a moment to find out more about our Pacific Crest Community Organization (PCCO), the non-profit group that runs our annual fundraiser and helps our school with all kinds of things!

We look forward to seeing you! Have an awesome weekend!

Sean

Reminder: Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices

At Pacific Crest Middle School, we support an academic culture that seeks to develop the potential of all learners, to encourage curiosity amongst our student body, and to allow an opportunity for personal and academic growth each day. To that end, our culture does not allow for cell phone or other recreational electronic device use in classrooms or common areas during the school day.

Pacific Crest Middle School rules regarding cell phones can be summarized as follows:

OFF and IN LOCKER  during the school day

  • Students are not permitted to have phones or wireless earbuds during the school day. Phones and other personal devices are to be turned off and stored in students’ lockers for the entire school day, from the morning bell to end-of-day dismissal.
  • OFF – by “off” we mean silent: no buzzing, no ringing, no distraction whatsoever
  • “School day” – from the morning bell to start Advisory until the final bell rings to dismiss students for the day.

Communication: We understand that there are occasional circumstances when families need to communicate with their student during the school day and we offer the following guidelines for that communication to happen:

  • Families can contact the Pacific Crest Office to relay information to their student by calling (541-355-7800. 
  • We ask that families do not try to contact their student by phone or text during the school day.
  • Students are allowed to use our office phone(s) to make contact if needed. 

What happens if the “Off and In Locker” rule is broken? It is important that our expectations are met. Violations of the cell phone rules are handled in this way:

  • 1st offense: Phone is confiscated and locked away safely in the front office until the end of the school day. Student is reminded of expectations regarding cell phone/electronics usage and parents/guardians are notified of the violation.
  • 2nd offense: Parents/guardians are notified of the violation and need to pick up the phone from the school office.
  • 3rd offense: Parents/guardians are notified of the violation and will need to pick up phone from the school office.  Student will be required to turn in their phone to the office every morning. 

Future violation (3+): Any student on their 3rd offense who does not turn their phone in each day will have their phone confiscated, parents/guardians will be notified and will need to pick up the phone from the school office.

A Cell Phone Guide for Parents and Caregivers 

By age 11, about half of children in the U.S. own a smartphone. These devices become a constant companion in the lives of preteens and teens – a source of connection, creativity, and, yes, distraction and potential risk. 

See this parent and caregiver guide from Common Sense Media with tips to help preteens and teens use their phones safely and responsibly.  The guide also includes tips for determining when your kid is ready for a cell phone. 

Teléfonos celulares – Una guía para padres y cuidadores

A los 11 años, aproximadamente la mitad de los niños en Estados Unidos poseen un teléfono inteligente. Estos dispositivos se convierten en un compañero constante en la vida de los preadolescentes y adolescentes: una fuente de conexión, creatividad y, sí, distracción y riesgo potencial.

Consulte esta guía para padres y cuidadores de Common Sense Media (Medios de sentido común) con consejos para ayudar a los preadolescentes y adolescentes a utilizar sus teléfonos de forma segura y responsable.  La guía también incluye consejos para determinar cuándo su hijo está listo para usar un teléfono celular.

Safety 1st! Bus Lane & Crosswalk at NW Lolo Drive

Vehicle entry onto NW Lolo Drive from NW Skyline Ranch Road and Pacific Crest’s bus loop is strictly prohibited throughout the school year. The road and bus loop are specifically designated for arrivals and departures of BLS school buses only. Absolutely no parking on either of these sites. Also, please respect and follow instructions from our crosswalk guard who is there to protect your kids.

Attending Summit High School Football Games

Summit High School is very grateful for the community support of their varsity Football program. Having your middle school student attend a Summit Friday night game is part of that supportive community. With safety as the main concern, Summit is kindly requesting that your student sits with you in the stands/bleachers during the game. Summit appreciates your help with this matter and to follow district-wide rules below when attending future games at any of our schools.

  1. All middle school students must be accompanied by an adult family member in order to enter the game.
  2. Backpacks or skateboards are not allowed in stadiums.
  3. Backpacks and skateboards can not be stored at stadiums so leave them at home.
  4. Outside food or drink is not allowed in stadiums.
  5. Students will be expected to sit in the stadium bleachers.
  6. Students are not allowed to re-enter a stadium once they leave.
  7. You can purchase tickets online.

Communicable Disease Guidance for Schools Update

The OHA/ODE has changed the Communicable Disease Guidance for Schools guidelines this year for students returning after having vomiting or diarrhea. Similar to returning to school after not having a fever for 24 hours, students may now return to school after 24 hours of no vomiting or no diarrhea. This replaces the previous 48 hour guideline.

Note: The district is in the process of updating Health Information and When to Keep Your Student Home page on the BLS website to reflect the new guidelines above, but we felt we needed to pass along this update immediately to our community.

Photo Day is Coming!

Dorian Studios will be onsite, Thursday, September 26, to photograph all students and staff. To order student photo packets online with a credit card, simply click on this flyer or follow instructions below in English or Spanish. If you would rather pay with check, you may pick up an order form at the PCMS main office. If you have any questions, contact Dorian Studio Support or call 1-800-826-3535. Please note: Late orders will be be accepted up to 4 days following photo day with no additional fee.

  • Go to dorianstudio.com and search for Pacific Crest Middle School
  • Select the order button from the appropriate photo day
  • Complete your transaction
  • Visita dorianstudio.com y busca en tu escuela
  • Haga clic en el boton de predio para la fecha correcta de la foto
  • Competa la transaccion

Attendance Does Matter

Every day at school matters. Good attendance is considered 95% or higher (missing fewer than 9 days of school all year). Attending every day helps your child to:

  • Reduce stress
  • Connect with friends and teachers
  • Prevent falling behind in classes

Getting into the habit of daily attendance is important. This habit building starts now. 
Read this letter from Dr. Amy Yillik. The letter covers 5 tips for how to support your child’s attendance, what’s going on at this stage of development, why attendance matters, and where to go for help.

………………………

Asistir todos los días a la escuela es importante. El 95% o más es considerado como buena asistencia (faltar menos de 9 días a la escuela durante todo el año). Asistir todos los días ayuda a su hijo a:

  • Reducir el estrés
  • Conectarse con amigos y profesores
  • Evitar retrasarse en las clases

Adquirir el hábito de la asistencia diaria es importante. Esta construcción de hábitos comienza ahora. Lea esta carta de la Dra. Amy Yillik. La carta cubre 5 consejos sobre cómo apoyar la asistencia de su hijo, ¿Qué está pasando en esta etapa de desarrollo?, Por qué es importante la asistencia, y Dónde buscar ayudará.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Soup and Sandwiches are on the menu for the first staff meal! PCCO is providing dinner for staff on Tuesday, October 29th during Fall conferences. Click here to sign up to donate an item. Please drop off all items between 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on October 29th to the main office. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi McHugh. Thank you!

If you are interested in volunteering at PCMS and are not currently cleared to do so, please go to the BLS Volunteer webpage for all the information you need to become

Mark your Calendar

  • Sept. 26| School Photo Day | All Day
  • Sep. 26 | Back to School Night | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Oct. 10 | 6th Grade Identity Night | 5:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Oct. 25 | Halloween Dance | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Oct. 29 – 31 | Conferences (more to come soon)
  • Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 | No School due to Conferences
  • Nov. 5 | School Photo Retake Day
  • Nov. 11 | No School | Veteran’s Day
  • Nov. 25 – 29 | No School | Thanksgiving Week
  • Dec. 23 – Jan. 3 | No School | Winter Break
  • Jan. 20 | No School | Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Jan. 31 | No School | End of 1st Semester
  • Mar. 23 – 28 | No School | Spring Break
  • Apr. 11 | Spring Fling Dance |4:00 – 6:00
  • Apr. 16 – 17 | Conferences
  • Apr. 16 – 18 | No School due to Conferences
  • May 26 | No School | Memorial Day
  • June 12 | Last Day of School

Helpful Links

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