For Thursday, September 3
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
Get this on your calendar now!
Please come to Friday, September 18 for our Elementary Night at the football game!
We will have wonderful community food trucks coming in about 4:30 – so join us for dinner! Here is who is on tap:
Every elementary student will get in free with a paying adult, and elementary students will receive a gift from our Booster Club, as supplies last. Elementary students can also participate in the on-field pre-game tunnel and post-game speeches. Click this link for a flyer with even more information!
We hope to see you all there!
Support PC Bands – Purchase a mattress here at the PC Commons on 9/27
Interested in replacing a mattress in your home - or know someone who does? The Portage Central Band program is holding a mattress fundraiser sale on Sunday, September 27th from 11:00 am-4:00 pm at the CHS Commons. You can help a PC Band student who is going to Orlando, Florida for the band trip receive credit toward their trip if you give their name as a referral. In addition, all customers who have the attached flyer will receive free sheets with purchase of a mattress. If you don’t need a mattress, there are also adjustable bases, premium pillows, and sheets available too. Check out this link for a referral flyer!
Thank you!
And we also met with senior, juniors and sophomores in class meetings
Wow – it was great to meet with classes today. They were awesome: they had energy, they were respectful and happy, and they were ready to get moving into this school year. Every year they give me far more than I can ever give in return – and I am so grateful.
Take a look to see what we talked about.
Mark your calendars…
The 6th Annual PC Marching Invitational is coming on Saturday, Sept. 26th!
Portage Central Bands is excited to host our 5th Annual Scholastic Marching Band Invitational on Saturday, September 26th at McCamley-Knight Field. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens, and children five and under are admitted for free. Bring the whole family, enjoy as many bands as you’d like, and you’ll be supporting your Portage Central Band program with every ticket you purchase and every item you grab at the concessions stand!
More information about the PCMI - General Info can be found on the PC Bands Website. Here is the 2026 Schedule of Performing Bands.
We would LOVE to see you check out this event and watch local bands perform in competition. Our very own Portage Central Marching Band will perform at 7:00 pm. We hope to see all of you on Saturday, September 26th!!
PC Activities Craft Show: Saturday, November 7 from 9 am - 3 pm
The PCHS Activities Craft Show will be held on this day. We still have availability for vendors, so if you are interested, please contact Nikki Smith, Activities Director, nsmith@portageps.org. Or, print and return the application 2026 Arts, Crafts, & Gifts Show Application. Thanks so much!!!
Want to order your student’s pictures?
Today our students had their photos taken by Strawbridge Studios, our district’s photography service provider. Strawbridge will be reaching out to you with more information about ordering, including a proof of your student’s photos, in the coming weeks. Have questions? Contact Strawbridge directly at 1-866-624-6229 or customerservice@strawbridge.net.
Picture retakes coming on Monday, October 12
If our kids were not able to get their pictures taken today, they have one more chance! Too, if a student did not like their picture and would like to have a retake, they can do that on October 12 as well.
Order your 2027 Roundup Yearbook today for $75, the lowest price of the year!
Go to this Yearbook Order Center link to place your order. Yearbooks increase to $80 a copy on October 4. Got questions? Reach out to yearbook adviser Ann Alburtus at aalburtus@portageps.org.
PC Yearbook wants your summer photos for the 2027 yearbook!
Did you travel? Hang out by your pool or on the lake? Volunteer? Condition for sports? Chill with friends and family? Work a summer job? We'd love to see what you did after school got out in June! Students can click on this Summer Fun Photos link to share their summer photos and stories! Got questions? Email yearbook adviser Ann Alburtus at aalburtus@portageps.org.
Final call!
Deadlines for our community-service awards
Every spring, Portage Central recognizes students who consistently commit their time and energy to community service. You can visit the Community Service page for more information and get a copy of the Service form. Any hours served throughout the school year that you want to count toward the award must be turned in to Mr. Brown in the Study Lab or main office within four weeks of the service date, even if the hours are part of an ongoing activity. Any hours completed over the summer must be turned in by 3:00 pm on Friday, September 11. No summer hours will be accepted after this date. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Brown in the Study Lab (Room 1133) or email rbrown@portageps.org
Tensions on social media away from school
There is not a lot of difference between high school kids today and when I was a high schooler. (In fact, I think kids are better today then they were then… or at least better than I was.) But a big difference between today and then is, back then, we had breaks from each other. In the evenings at home, or on the weekend, we did not have to interact, giving us breathing space to have a chance to calm down.
That’s not true for kids today.
With social media and instant messaging, sharp words and unsettling pictures can be shared instantaneously in the heat of the moment, increasing tensions and making great kids feel vulnerable. With that in mind…
Talk with your kids often. Check in on how relationships are going. Ask them if they receive messages online that unsettle them. Good parenting has always needed good communication.
Let us know how we can help. If a message is threatening, please reach out to the police department; they are there to help. Or reach out to me or another colleague here you trust. The more we can work with kids when the problems are small, the better chance we can help them navigate the tensions – and help them learn from them.
And speaking of talking to your students…
Advice from last year’s freshmen to this year’s freshmen
Last year, the class of 2029 9th graders created a list of tips for the 2030 9th graders. It is attached. Tips for Incoming 9th Graders. We encourage you to share it with your students. They have some great insight. Thanks, Nikki Smith, Activities Director
From Athletic Director Tim Knox…
PC athletes, are you thinking about playing at the college level?
We get questions regarding what it takes to be eligible to play sports in college. While this path is certainly not for everyone, it's essential that families understand the requirements for eligibility if this is a goal a student-athlete hopes to attain. Luckily, the NCAA Eligibility Center has made it easy for families to have all the information they need to ensure they are on the right path. Check out https://s3.amazonaws.com/fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/CBSA.pdf and then visit the following website: https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/ and create an account.
Check this out…
Portage Central Athletics gets a new website
Want to see the schedule for your favorite sport, check a score, or view a roster? Visit the new website at events.pcmustangathletics.org. You can also navigate to the athletics page through www.portageps.org. At the top of the page, click the dropdown for SCHOOLS, under High School select Portage Central High School, at the top click MENU, and then select athletics. Come support your Mustangs!
More news about construction out on Westnedge
Click right here to get useful news about the close-to-last steps of construction on Westnedge. I don’t have more information about the work being done on Centre and its completion yet.
PCMS Volleyball volunteers needed
Why: Mr. Fleming is looking for high school volunteers to help run MS volleyball games.
What: Run the score clock at home volleyball games. No experience needed. Free concessions for volunteers!
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30–5:30/6:00 pm
Where: Portage Central Middle School gym
Please fill out this volunteer form:
Just a reminder…
Be sure to move your car out of the West Student Parking lot after 3:30 pm on specific days
Our Portage Central Marching Band uses the surface of the West Student Parking Lot on all Monday and Wednesday evenings for their rehearsal, in addition to the evenings of any home football games. On those nights, we ask for all vehicles to be moved from the lot by 3:30 pm. Any student involved in after-school activities and practices should park in the East Student Parking Lot. If a vehicle is left in the West Student Parking Lot, it will be towed and the owner will be responsible for the cost. Thank you for your help and support of the Portage Central Marching Band!
Happy we are back together,
Eric Alburtus
And if you want even more PC news…