For Thursday, May 14
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
Saddle up with Maverick!
This cuddly Mustang plush is full of wild spirit, soft snuggles, and championship charm. Whether for game day, gifts, or everyday adventures, Maverick is ready to ride home with you! Get yours today for $20 cash or card at the Welcome Center, Activities Office or Athletic Office.
Thank you, yearbook staff, for…
Prom pictures!
Two of our Roundup yearbook staff members gave their Saturday evening to take pictures of their classmates Saturday night, to keep the good memories going. Help yourself to any pictures you like by hitting this link:
Prom photos - courtesy of our PC Roundup yearbook staff
And Underclassmen Awards Photos!
The yearbook staff also took a few photos after the May 1 Underclassmen Awards ceremonies. Feel free to access and use any of the photos they are sharing by clicking on this link: Photos of April 30, 2026 Underclassmen Awards Receptions
Last call!
Yearbook Distribution Day is tomorrow – Friday, May 15
The yearbook staff sold over 925 books this year, and books are scheduled to be passed out during seventh hour on this day. If a student is not going to be at school on May 15, the student may pick their book up from their first-hour teacher on Monday, May 18. The yearbook staff will deliver unclaimed books to first-hour teachers before Monday, May 18. There will be no early distribution of books before seventh hour on May 15. Got questions? Reach out to Ann Alburtus at aaburtus@portageps.org.
Got an instrument that you might consider donating?
The WMS and CMS bands need your support. Due to our growing band program and rising costs, we are in need of your old musical instruments. We have many families that can no longer afford to rent an instrument from the music stores. Do you have a flute, clarinet, trumpet or trombone in storage? We will gladly take it off your hands. Bring it to donation boxes available in City Hall or in front of the CHS main office from May 11-June 1. Click right here to get more information! Your donation will make a huge difference in the lives of our middle school band students. Thank you for your support!
Thinking about playing football? Great – we are meeting next Tuesday!
Join us at the Great Expectations play and parent meeting on Tuesday, May 19. Hit this link for more details.
Just a reminder for Seniors and your families, this is your…
What we talked about at our Senior Meeting yesterday
The focus will be on the Mustang RideOut and Graduation. These slides will help focus our conversation. (Thanks, too, to the students and parents who read this ahead of time and found my mistakes! We all benefit from good editors.) Got questions? Let me know as soon as you can, so you have everything you need for our last days together!
Did you know that the Portage Central PTO is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization?
A tax deductible contribution can be mailed with a check payable to: PCHS PTO -- 8135 S. Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002 or visit: https://pto-general-fund-donation.cheddarup.com to make on online contribution (transaction fees apply).
Does your employer offer a matching gifts program for charitable donations? If so, please consider maximizing your contribution to the PTO. For questions about the PTO’s tax-exempt status and all donation related questions, please contact our treasurer at pchsptotreasurer@gmail.com.
Taking home medications for the summer, and other news from our school nurse
Hello, my name is Cara Laforest and I am the Registered Nurse at Lake Center Elementary, Central Elementary, Central Middle, and Central High. With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, I wanted to send out a reminder that all medications kept at the school, prescription and non-prescription, will need to be picked up at the end of the year by a parent or guardian. Any medication remaining after the last day of school will be properly disposed of. If you need more time or want to set a time to pick up your child’s medication, please reach out to me at claforest@portageps.org.
As a reminder for next fall, all medication administered at school requires a medication consent form signed by a physician no earlier than July 1 of that school year. Medications will not be accepted without a completed medication consent form. If your child has allergies, asthma, diabetes, or seizures, an Emergency Action Plan is also required. Updated medication consent forms and other medical forms are available on the Portage Public Schools website. PLEASE NOTE: All medication consent forms, emergency actions plans, and medical management forms are due August 24th, 2026 which is one week before the start of the school year.
Thank you all for trusting me to care for your child/children throughout the school year. I hope you all have a safe and fun filled summer. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
~ Cara Laforest – 269.323.5667
Want to get community-service hours over the summer?
Cool! Let’s do them here at PC!
We have been blessed to have a lot of kids help out here over the summer over the past 20+ years, doing a wide variety of things, from watering trees to cleaning to creating cool projects to welcome our students back in August. If you are ever interested, drop me an email anytime – ealburtus@portageps.org – and we can get some fun work done together. Thanks for considering it!
Students, don’t forget to clean out your lockers by Friday, June 5 at 10 am
We wash out all the lockers over the summer. Anything left in lockers after that Friday morning at 10 am will either be thrown away or donated to a local charity. So please take everything with you for the summer. Thanks!
Just a reminder, as we plan for Graduation…
Graduation and security
Graduation is an incredible experience. Our kids have worked countless hours over the past years to build their own success and the success of others. Moms and dads, colleagues and community members, friends and families have supported all our graduates so they could have the strength and commitment to arrive at Graduation Day on Friday, May 29 at 6:30 pm at the Wings Event Center. The folks at Wings are great hosts, and the place is huge so you can invite anyone you like! We are so grateful.
We are committed to making Graduation a special celebration. We are also committed to doing everything we can to ensure safety. When you arrive, you will notice that the Wings staff will be using metal detectors at the two entrances through which we will all enter: the main entrance for all guests, and the back entrance for our graduates. The Wings staff are well trained to help guests move through the process as thoughtfully and briskly as is appropriate. As you prepare to attend, we ask that you bring only necessary items, which include cell phones and cameras. We ask that the following items remain at home or in your car:
oversized bags or purses
selfie sticks, iPads, and laptops
laser-light pointers, noise makers (like air horns), and large signs
food or beverages, including any cans or bottles, and coolers
any type of weapon
illegal drugs or substances
Too, we would so appreciate it if you could share this information with any of your friends and family who are attending as well. Thanks!
Back by popular demand…
Buy a brick for McCamley-Knight or Mustang Field, or a tile for the new pool!
So many families and community members purchased bricks at the new McCamley-Knight and Mustang Fields and tiles at the new pool — to leave their mark in these spaces where so many great kids, parents, families, and community members celebrated and where so many more will celebrate decades into the future.
This sale continues until Graduation Day this spring. So if you are considering a brick at the new McCamley-Knight or Mustang Field, click here. If you would like a tile at the new pool, click here. Thank you — again and again — for all that you have done.
With respect and appreciation, as always,
Eric Alburtus
And if you want even more PC news…