For Thursday, September 10
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
Freshman families…
Please review the presentation delivered by our assistant principals to your freshmen this week
This week, in your freshman’s science class, our assistant principals visited and shared some of the specific details that make high school different than middle school. Ms. Salisbury and Mrs. Kaylor focused, too, on the differences in expectations that exist between the spheres in which we spend our time (at home, at school, at school activities, with friends, and at work). Most importantly, they emphasized the values and expectations that we as Mustangs commit to at Portage Central High School. It is important to all of us that our school is a community in which students are safe, have a sense of belonging, and care for one another. Click here to see the content of that presentation.
It’s good to have you back
We had our first visit from our drug-detection dogs and their handlers from Interquest, with whom we have been working for nearly 20 years! Back then we used to find a lot of stuff that never should be on a school campus; yes, those were hard years. But for the past 12-15 years, we find a lot of things – that are totally appropriate: from empty cans to be returned to Meijer to prescription medication in a closed bottle in a closed glove box in a car. All of this paid for by fundraising done by PC colleagues and students – and we are so grateful.
Turn in your summer community-service sheets tomorrow!
Summer Community Service hours are due by tomorrow, Friday, September 11, at 3:00 pm to be counted towards the Community Service Award for the 2025-2026 school year. Please submit them to Mr. Brown in the Study Lab (Room 1133) or the Main Office.
Just a reminder…
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!
The Corral is open for business!
The store is open this week during A and B lunches; grab your PC apparel and a delicious slushie. In addition, the school store will be open at all home football games, located near the front entrance of the football field. If you are unable to visit the store, all PC spirit wear is also available through our Online Store: https://pcschoolstore.ludus.com. For updates on new merchandise and store information, please follow us on Instagram (@pchsschoolstore).
Construction on Centre is still… a lot…
… but the work on Westnedge is coming to a close; here is the latest news.
Just some reminders…
What to expect with student pictures!
Our students had their photos taken by Strawbridge Studios, our district’s photography service provider, during the first week of school. Soon you will be able to review your student’s image gallery by entering their last name and unique code in Strawbridge’s code lookup tool. You can expect to receive your student’s unique code directly from Strawbridge within about 10 days of Picture Day. Have questions? Contact Strawbridge 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 the first week of school, 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.
Seniors and your families, please don’t forget…
Jostens cap and gown orders
Cap and gown orders can still be placed online via the Jostens website. Please contact Josten’s representative Jim Ross at 269-217-6936 if you have any questions. Thanks!
Start your Holiday shopping with us!
PC Activities Craft Show: Saturday, November 7 from 9 am - 3 pm
The PCHS Activities Craft, Arts, and Gifts Show will be held on this day. Get your Holiday shopping done early!!! And, 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 Craft Show Application Thanks so much!
Parchment accounts for the Class of 2027
Seniors should have received an email, on their school email account, this week that contains important information on how to set up a Parchment account. Parchment accounts are used to send student transcripts to colleges, trade schools and universities. Many employers also use this service for education verifications. If your student has already set up their account, great! If not, please remind them to complete this important step. If you have questions regarding transcripts or Parchment please feel free to contact the PC registrar, Nicole Gutshall, at ngutshall@portageps.org
Some of our goals for the year ahead
You know us: you know what we value as a school-community, and you understand what we are trying to do, for all our kids. We fail sometimes; we recognize that too… and we work to get better, healthier. If you ever would like to know more about our goals and some of the ways we work to accomplish them, click right here – and let me know your thoughts. Anytime. That is how we will get better at our collective work for future generations of kids.
Tutoring information
We just wanted to make you aware that we have tutoring opportunities at Portage Central. If you are interested in being a tutor, which could be during your seminar or after school, here is the link: Tutors for the 26-27 School Year. Students do receive service hours for tutoring. If you have any questions, please contact Nikki Smith, Activities Director, at nsmith@portageps.org.
And join us for Homecoming on Friday, October 2nd!
Homecoming week is from September 28-October 2. The parade will be on Friday, October 2nd. More information is coming as our Student Council finalizes all the details for our Fall Homecoming. Students, the Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday, October 3rd, from 8 to 11 pm in the Commons. Make sure to have your ID and $10.00.
Wednesday, October 7 is Count Day!
Count Day attendance directly impacts the funding our district receives from the state to support our schools and students. We appreciate families making every effort to have students at school and on time, and to schedule appointments outside the school day if at all possible.
Thank you for your support!
Human Growth and Development information
The Portage Board of Education has established a health program for our students as provided by Public Act 335. Part of this program offers instruction related to Human Growth and Development (HGD) as designated by Public Act 226. The curriculum is very specific as to the content that is taught. Our teachers only teach the topics listed in the approved curriculum using the materials approved by the HGD Advisory Board.
The State laws governing Health Education require parent notification and the option to review the curriculum. Described below are the means provided by the Portage Public Schools to assist parents and/or legal guardians in exercising their parental options under the legislative guidelines.
If you hit this link, you will find a summary of what will be covered during the HGD Unit. Instruction relating to Reproductive Health is typically delivered towards the end of the academic quarter. For further information regarding the schedule of HGD instruction, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
If parents and/or legal guardians wish to review the materials/learning objectives, they may do so by visiting their child's school. Parents may also request to observe the instruction their child will receive. Parents may use the form below if they wish to have their child excused from any portion of the reproductive health curriculum. If you choose to opt your child out of HGD instruction, the exclusion form should be returned to your child’s building principal within one week of receiving this communication.
We intend to assist parents/guardians in every way possible in understanding their child’s education program. Please feel free to contact your child’s classroom teacher or me for any further information.
Sincerely,
Michael Pascoe
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
A reminder about eligibility for athletics and activities
We will begin running eligibility on the evening of Tuesday, September 22nd, if the new system allows, so we encourage all student athletes, actors, competitors, and parents/guardians to be checking Skyward. Remember that communication is very important, so check with your teachers if you have a question about your grades. Also, remember that game and performance day attendance is taken, so a student must be at school all day on those days unless they have a pre-arranged absence. And on that note…
Code of Conduct Meetings
If you were unable to attend the Code of Conduct meetings offered on August 24th, no worries. If your child’s name comes up as not having attended a meeting, we will send you an email with the Code of Conduct slides, which we ask you to read with your student, and then fill out the form verifying you have done so. Then, return it to Nikki Smith, nsmith@portageps.org or drop it off to her attention in the Main Office. All students/families involved with activities and athletics must verify that they understand the Code of Conduct. If you have any questions about eligibility or the Code of Conduct, please contact the Activities Director, Nikki Smith, nsmith@portageps.org, or the Athletic Director, Tim Knox, tknox@portageps.org.
Link Crew Meeting on Tuesday, September 15th, during 1st hour
The first official Link Crew meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 15th, during 1st hour. 9th graders should report to their first hour class and will be dismissed via the announcements to the Auditorium. They should leave their cell phones in their locker for the first hour, since they are not allowed at the meeting.. Freshmen will receive a reminder from their Link Crew Leader in the next few days of what group they are in. We had an amazing Freshman Orientation and are excited for this new school year. Thanks, Mrs. Smith :)
Want to help at West Middle and get some community-service hours?
West Middle School Athletic events are starting up and we need you and you need volunteer hours. Check out this SignUpGenius for football & volleyball game help:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044AAFAA2DA3F94-58271737-wmsathletic
Join Google Classroom with the code: ipf6yhry or email bmoon@portageps.org to stay up to date on all volunteer opportunities.
Continue to be glad and grateful for a great start to the year,
Eric Alburtus
And if you want even more PC news…