For Thursday, February 5
Hit the GLIC!
The Grade-Level Information Center has information that is relevant for each class.
An index and archive for this year’s weekly Mustang Minutes
Our Daily Announcements to our students
Thinking, planning and getting ready for this spring’s SAT, PSAT
A lot has changed over the past half dozen years in so many areas of our lives – and the SAT is one of them. The tests that can be so important for the college-application process, that we took as parents 20+ years ago, are very, very different from what our kids experience today – and what our kids will take this spring is likely very different from what some of their old siblings took even a handful of years ago.
For one thing, the SAT is fully online these days. Too, for nearly 20 years we had an awesome and free way for kids to get a lot of practice. College Board (the makers of the SAT) has added hurdles to our kids’ ability to use those resources, for a variety of reasons. (If you want to hear the longer story anytime, let me know.)
So we are working on new processes for our kids, and colleagues will be working particularly with our juniors to support their success on these assessments. This presentation is part of our work together. So in the next few weeks, can I ask for some help?
Take a look at the presentation, created by our colleagues, just to get a sense of things.
Ask your daughter or son to do the same.
Set aside some time for her or him to work on the exercises and practice tests, just to see what the test feels like and to see the other ways they can prepare.
The more our kids try these resources out, the more comfortable they feel. And when they are comfortable, they tend to perform better.
To be clear, the SAT is not the end-all, be-all; our kids show their huge range of talents and abilities in an enormous variety of ways – and we are grateful. And if a student does well on the SAT, some additional doors can open – financially, in their choices of colleagues and universities, in their power to make the best decisions for themselves. So thank you for any support and help you can give to all our kids.
It's official!
Semester one transcripts have been posted to all student and family Skyward accounts!
Your student’s current transcript, along with all previous report cards and transcripts, can be found under the "Portfolio" tab in Skyward.
Senior parents, if your student needs a copy of their mid-year grades for college please have them submit a 'send now' request in Parchment ASAP. Not all colleges require a copy of mid-year grades so they can check with the college to see if they are needed for admission.
Got questions on your student’s transcript or Parchment.com? Please reach out to your student’s counselor or our registrar Nicole Gutshall at ngutshall@portageps.org"
We are so excited to meet you!
Please join us at the 8th Grade Family Night on February 24!
There are a lot of important decisions that families need to make to prepare their 8th-grade daughters and sons so they are ready to make the jump to high school. This event – coming up on Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30 pm in the auditorium – starts all of those conversations. Hit this link right here to look at the program for the evening; it is full of information about each of our departments and classes that we offer. And hit this link to see a rough draft of the presentation. The more you read now, the more you will be prepared for the decisions ahead. We all want all our kids to start high school off well – and this event is a big part of that effort. Thanks for joining us!
And we will have our school store, The Corral, open on 8th Grade Parent Night!
Come in and browse, and pick up some Mustang merch, and be the first ones in the class with new PC gear! Be sure to bring cash or check, as the store is not yet able to accept credit cards.
And even more from the Corral!
We’re happy to share that the Corral, PCHS's school store, is now fully stocked with a wide variety of apparel and merchandise. Whether you’re looking for a PC warm hat or a school spirit shirt, we have plenty of great options available. Order online and pick up your order at the Welcome Center. Be sure to follow our Instagram - @pchsschoolstore to stay updated on new items, store hours, and upcoming events. Go Mustangs!
One Choice: Protecting Futures (an Opioid education series)
Becky Savage, will be visiting Portage Central High School on March 9th. Her presentation to our 11th and 12th graders is scheduled during our 2nd hour (8:20-9:30 am). The morning schedule will be adjusted slightly to accommodate the visit.
We would like to invite you to hear Becky speak on the evening of March 11 at 6:30 pm in our auditorium. This event is free and open to the community and includes a county-wide resource expo in the Commons.
Support will be available during and after all of our events for anyone who wants to talk, needs support, or just wants more information.
Connecting with the PTO
The PTO is planning the rest of the school year and we need YOUR voice. Our next meeting is around the corner; we'd love to have you stop in, Monday, February 9 at 5:30 pm (location: staff kitchen, in the Main Office).
We are a small, friendly group looking for fresh ideas and more helping hands. This is also a great way to stay "in the loop" and hear school updates. The PTO could use a few helpers for spring conference dinners and May staff appreciation. Meetings last under an hour.
Can't make the meeting? Please reach out to Cassandra, Board President, at pchsptopresident@gmail.com. And make sure to like and follow the PTO on Facebook
Club Photo Day is on Its Way!
Monday, February 9 is Yearbook Club Photo Day! Check out the schedule to see what clubs and activities will be called down for group photos throughout the day. And, make sure you're at school on Monday to represent the fun extracurriculars you're a part of. Got questions? Email Mrs. Alburtus at aalburtus@portageps.org.
Join PC’s first clay target trap club!
This spring, PC students will have the opportunity to join the first clay target trap club. There will be a student/parent meeting on February 10 at 6 pm in the Community Room for anyone interested in learning more. This meeting will provide all the information needed to become part of the club. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Shearer in the athletic office.
Great Student Council Homecoming Dance photos
We were so lucky to have an awesome parent photographer at our Winter Homecoming! She took so many wonderful pictures for the students, capturing all the fun and memories from the dance. Anyone who snapped pictures with her can now view them from this link: lynneeabrownphotography- Portage-Central-Winter-Formal-2026. Be sure to check it out!
Just a reminder, because you don’t want to miss this!
Newsies on the PC stage!
Performances are Friday, February 6th and Friday, February 13th at 7:30 pm. Saturday, February 7th and February 14th at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. And, Sunday, February 8th and 15th at 2 pm. There is a student performance on Thursday, February 12th. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for students. Here is the link to purchase tickets at the PCHS Box Office. Come out and enjoy the magic!!!
Free prom dresses!
The Cinderella Project of Kalamazoo 2026 Dress Giveaway Event will be held Friday, March 27 at the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Program and Training Center in Kalamazoo. The event is open to any high school student in need of a dress for prom! (No geographic restrictions or proof of need is required.) Appointments are required for all participants, and appointment booking begins on March 1, 2026. Take a look at this link – https://dresslikeyou.com/prom/cinderella-project/ – for more information!
Our next Count Day for the district is coming up on Wednesday, Feb. 11
This day is important because it determines our school's funding. We want every student to be counted! Having all of our students here on that day ensures that PC receives the needed state funding so that we all can do our important work, together. With that in mind, we ask that you please avoid scheduling any non-critical, out-of-school appointments for your student on Wednesday, February 11. In addition, please encourage students who drive to school to arrive on time that day. Thank you for your help with this!
Pre-Festival Band Concert - Feb. 19 at 7 pm in the Auditorium
The PC Pre-Festival Band Concert is on Thursday, February 19, at 7 pm in the Auditorium. This concert features performances from the PC Winds & Percussion, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band prior to their performances at MSBOA District 11 Band Festival at the end of February. There will also be a special performance by the Western Michigan University Wind Symphony! We hope to see you there!
From the counseling office…
Scheduling classes for next school year
The PC counselors have begun scheduling the 2026-27 school year. This process means the counselors are out of their offices and are meeting with students in our classes for several hours each week now through the beginning of March.
Here is how the scheduling process unfolds:
1. The counselors schedule one grade level at a time. We start with a classroom presentation in each of our English classes.
2. The scheduling presentations will be sent home in the Skyward messaging systems, after the English presentations for each grade level. This information can also be found on each grade-level GLIC.
3. The following week, after the grade-level presentations, the counselors work with students one-on-one to assist with course requests.
4. Course request confirmations, for the entire high school, will be sent out in late March for parents to approve.
We would appreciate your patience with this important process. We are looking forward to meeting individually with your children!
District guidelines for school enrollment
Portage Public Schools and the District Board of Education have developed guidelines with the
expectation that students are to enroll in school, based on the location of their permanent residence
(i.e., where the student regularly resides and spends the night under the supervision of a parent or
legal guardian). The Board of Education approves attendance boundaries after considering
recommendations made by the District’s administration. The District strives to provide a consistent set of high-quality programs and services at each school site so that every student’s academic needs can be appropriately addressed, under normal circumstances, at any school within the District’s
boundaries.
If you or anyone you know has any questions about school transfer, both within and outside our district, please hit this link to get more information. Thanks!
Excited to see our kids in “Newsies,”
Eric Alburtus
And if you want even more PC news…