Mustang Minutes / October 2019

Come see Moon Over USTANG Buffalo! page 3 INUTES October 2019 M The official monthly publication of Portage Central High School minute Portage Central High School • 8135 S. Westnedge Ave. • Portage, MI • 49002 • (269) 323-5200 • www.chs.portageps.org minuteby Thank you, Thank you, Carrabba’s! The PC Football Boosters would like to thank Carrabba’s Italian Grill for supplying all Portage Businesses! the salad and pasta for Our First Night their pre-game pasta Under the Lights was dinners for the football a wonderful success. team every week this And we have so many season. Thank you Portage! to thank for it. Our celebration of And thank you to the community members and businesses gratitude to open the new McCamley who made our “First Night Under the Lights” possible. Field was incredible. Mustang Sponsors Blue Sponsors Gold Sponsors Supporters High School visits Thousands of kids and community Mark & Toni Jones AVB, Inc. by area colleges and members had food and Meyer C. Weiner Great Lakes Orthodontics universities fellowship at the Food Many area colleges Truck Rally, sponsored Rathco Safety Supply, Inc. Kalamazoo Stripping & and universities are by our amazing PTO Derusting coming this fall for parents. Kids had a fun Water Street Coffee Joint presentations to high time with the carnival Portage Printing school students, and games made possible Wester Dental Care Timberland Home these visits start early by our very engaged Inspection in September. Please and hard working visit the Counseling link Student Council. on the PCHS website And more than 8,000 for dates and times, community members and encourage your joined us at the new Your user’s guide for PC students to come down McCamley Field, giving Homework requests: Central High School, school related, but also to the Counseling office us the opportunity to If your student is home Staff Directory, Staff for all pre-arranged and sign up. thank them for what they have done. ill for an extended Web Sites. absences, including And, none of that time, please have your Pre-arranged/Vacation vacations and college KVCC College Night would have been student email his or Homework Requests visits. October 14 from possible without the her teachers directly are available in the If your child has an 6-7:30 p.m. at the financial and other or check the teacher’s Attendance Office with appointment during Texas Township support given to us by Google site to get Ryan Hamet. The 10th the day, please provide Campus. Meet with our local businesses. assignments by visiting day Absence Policy a note so that your representatives from Our ever-present www.portageps.org/ applies not only for all child can come to the more than 80 colleges gratitude goes out to all schools/high, choose absences that are not attendance office to and universities. of them. continued page 5 THE MUSTANG WAY Mustang Minutes / October 2019 2

The‘S PSAT/NMSQT coming for all juniors This year the PSAT/NMSQT will be given to all juniors in Testing Schedule for October 16 - PSAT/NMSQT for all Juniors Portage Central High School on Wednesday, October 16, beginning first thing in the morning at 7:40 a.m. 9th Grade No school in the morning Why are we giving the PSAT/NMSQT to our juniors? Late start for classes (See Below) 1.The PSAT is the best preparation for the SAT, which is now If you have to ride morning bus, you will need the State of Michigan required college-readiness test that will be to stay in PC Commons during testing given in Spring 2020. 2.Students who take this test in 11th grade and meet other 10th Grade No school in the morning program entry requirements may enter National Merit Late start for classes (See Below) Scholarship programs. Some area employers (Pfizer, UPS, Zoetis, If you have to ride morning bus, you will need Macy’s, etc) have scholarships that are associated with this test as to stay in PC Commons during testing well. 3.Results from this test will be used to target instruction for 11th Grade PSAT/NMSQT for all 11th grade students during their junior year. 7:40 a.m. testing begins Other important information •This test will be open only to Juniors, as Freshman and 12th Grade No school in the morning Sophomores will be taking the PSAT 9 and PSAT 10, respectively, Late start for classes (See Below) in Spring 2020. If you have to ride morning bus, you will need •Counseling staff will meet with juniors in early October to get to stay in PC Commons during testing students registered for this important test, give out a study guide and other important information. All Students Classes begin at 11:22 a.m. for all students: •There is only one test date, October 16, so if your student is 11:22 a.m. to 12:47 p.m. 5th Hour not in attendance that day, there is no makeup testing. So please 12:52 p.m. to 1:43 p.m. 6th Hour make plans for your junior to be well-rested, fueled up with a 1:48 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. 7th Hour good breakfast and ready to test! •Juniors who have a morning off-campus EFE/EFA class will NOT attend their EFE/EFA class on October 16. Afternoon EFE/ nationalmerit.org. EFA classes will run as usual. • If your student is a 9th, 10th, or 12th grader, please note-- •Juniors who attend KAMSC---KAMSC will have classes same NO SCHOOL in the morning on Wednesday, October 16. Classes as usual on October 16, but the test will not conclude until 11:20, will begin for all students, 9th-12th, at the beginning of 5th hour, so students may be a few minutes late to class. 11:22 a.m. Please see detailed testing schedule below. •Please also note that buses run on a normal regular schedule on For questions, please email our Test Coordinator Trish King at test day. [email protected] •To learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT, please visit www. An important SAT opportunity for juniors in our seminars In April, all juniors take we also know that students leave their seminar to work seminar one day per week the SAT to fulfill both PPS feel more comfortable with with a teacher on strategy and (the same day every week), we graduation and State of the test and score better when skills needed to improve their ask that you help your son or Michigan requirements. While they practice. That is why scores. Using the resources of daughter come up with a plan we address content and skills we created a new program Khan Academy and the College for how to complete homework necessary for success in college last school year that provides Board, students will be able or studying that would’ve been as part of our classroom direct instruction and targeted to see how they scored on the done that class period. For curriculum, our hope is that practice for the SAT to juniors PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT, juniors not in a seminar this we can do more to help our who are enrolled in a seminar. including the exact questions year, we encourage them to students succeed on this We are encouraged and they missed and how to solve use the resources from Khan important test. motivated by the results we’ve those questions. Using this Academy at https://www. We know that our students seen so far, and are pleased to feedback, students will spend khanacademy.org/sat and to are busy, and finding the time offer this opportunity to our time doing individualized check out the counseling page to take advantage of online students again this year. practice to improve their skills. on the school website for more resources can be tough. But Once per week, juniors will Since juniors will be missing testing information.

WE WORK • LEARN • LEAD • TEACH • CARE • COMMIT • EXCEL ... WE ARE DIVERSE. WE ARE ONE COMMUNITY. WE ARE MUSTANGS Mustang Minutes / October 2019 3

‘S After an incredible season last year...

APlease Come see Moon CORNERhelp your kids know what is in their cars Over Buffalo! We are blessed to work with After one of our most incredible students. successful theatrical seasons Portage Central students, in school history, in which Portage Central High School presents like Portage Central, are Portage Central Theatre nearly not perfect. And they are swept the statewide Sutton great kids: they handle Foster Ovation Awards, we are Ken Ludwig’s themselves consistently with proud to kick off the 2019-2020 thoughtfulness and respect. season with Ken Ludwig’s, My friends sometimes look at Moon Over Buffalo. MOON OVER me funny when I say this, but In the madcap comedy I believe kids today are better tradition of farce, the hilarious human beings then they were Moon Over Buffalo centers on 30-plus years ago - and they are George (Lucas Gilman, 12) and certainly better than I was in Charlotte Hay (Jada Thrash, high school. And they deserve 12), fading stage stars of the a great deal of credit for that; in 1950’s. At the moment, they’re Oct 25 through the face of myriad temptations staring in a traveling repertory and constant social-media theatre company where they Nov 3 bombardment, they make high- perform Cyrano De Bergerac 2019 quality decisions during the and Private Lives in rotation. vast majority of times. Currently playing Buffalo, But sometimes they don’t New York, the duo are on – and that is particularly the brink of a disastrous split worrisome when it comes to caused by George’s dalliance alcohol and drug use. There with a young ingenue, Eileen is nothing new about this (Emory Morse, 11). struggle. I lost two high school At the height of the dramatic friends from alcohol and drug break up, they receive word abuse - and that was more of what could be their last than 30 years ago in a school shot at stardom: famous film of fewer than 200 students. director Frank Capra is coming Far more often than not, our to town to see their matinee. kids make good decisions and If Mr. Capra likes what he don’t bring these items as well sees he may offer George and as cigarettes and vapes, into Charlotte roles in his upcoming 323-5270 school or to school events. movie remake of The Scarlet www.pchsperformingarts.org But, too often they do have Pimpernel, a break that may “Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company these items in their cars in our breathe life into dying careers. student parking lot. Sometimes Unfortunately for George Ethel (Eileen Schuring, 11), directors Ashley Bowen and this is because kids see their and Charlotte, everything that who hates every bone in Liz Honeysett, assisted by the cars as an extension of their could go wrong that night George’s body. The play also professional design team at homes and thus secret and does go wrong, abetted by features actor Parker Mason Portage Central High School. safe. Other times they simply a visit from their daughter (10) playing the Hay’s lawyer Tickets will go on sale October forget the items are in there; Rosalind’s (Riley Cahill, 11) Richard and Andrew Klepser 21 with performances from cars of high schoolers can get clueless fiancé Howard (Gavin (9) portraying young actor Paul October 25-November 3. The pretty messy. And on occasion Thrash, 11) and hilarious who is in love with Rosalind. box office link and all other they don’t even know the uncertainty about which play Moon Over Buffalo features information can be found at items are in their own cars. they’re actually performing, 8 high school actors and over www.pchsperformingarts.org continued page 5 caused by Charlotte’s mother, 20 student technicians lead by THE MUSTANG WAY Mustang Minutes / October 2019 4 Marching Band Fades to Black - and Back The 148 member PCMB features mostly students in grades 10-12 with select 9th grade musicians. With additional non-marching students and a 60-member PC Winds & Percussion ensemble, the total band enrollment peaks at 210 students! The marching band is proud to only compete in the (MSMB) Michigan Scholastic Marching Band circuit, has been a consistent caption winner and Grand Champion and has had 4 Undefeated Seasons the past 5 years. Hundreds of photos are at the band Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/portagecentralbands The directors are Patrick and Rennee Flynn and Allison B. Patrick. The musical program this year is “Fade to Black….and Back” which includes “Nights in White Satin” from the Child” by The Five Stairsteps. All musical Invitational on September 28; Vicksburg Moody Blues; “White Wedding” by Billy arrangements are by Ibe Sodawalla and Invitational on October 5; Stevensville Idol; Will Alderman. Lakeshore Invitational on October 12; and “Creep” by Radiohead; “Paint It Black” Upcoming Michigan Scholastic East Kentwood Invitational on October 19. by the Rolling Stones; and “O-H-H Marching Band Events: Kenowa Hills If you ever have a concern, Now is the best time to here is what to do order a yearbook At Portage Central High member at PCHS by phone or Yearbooks are on sale for yearbook, including Mustang School, we strive to meet the e-mail. $65 -- that’s a discount of Ride Out, Senior Breakfast, needs of all our students. We The phone numbers and almost 20% -- now through Graduation, Grad Bash, and understand the importance e-mail addresses may be Homecoming on October more. A copy of the Senior of communication. At the found on our website at www. 4. After that, from October Book is $12, and it, too, can be same time, we know that portageps.org. Click on the 5 - December 20, the price purchased using the online with 1400 students and 120 high school option, and then will increase to $75. Then, order center. colleagues, conflicts and go to Central High. (Please from December 21 - April 11, Other important dates misunderstandings can note that generally, e-mail yearbooks will be available ●Senior Pictures will be due happen. If you ever have a addresses are designated by for $80. After April 11, the November 8. concern, we ask that you please the first initial of the first name online order center will close. ●Senior Quote submission are let us know. Here is how… + full last name @portageps. When the yearbooks arrive in due November 8. Step 1: Address your concern org) the spring, any unsold copies ●Senior Ads, if you desire directly with that staff If you do not have access will be available for $85. All of to purchase one, are due member. to a computer, our main office these prices include the Spring by November 29. Specific Many times conflicts arise phone number is 323-5200. Our Supplement for free. Make sure information on both senior out of a misunderstanding, so secretaries and office assistants to visit the online order center pictures and senior ads was talking with the people directly will connect you with the at www.yearbookordercenter. given to your child in the involved is the best place to appropriate staff member. com and enter our school code Senior Guide the first week start. In fact, in most cases if Step 2: If the concern is 3604 to purchase your copy of school. An electronic copy you don’t start directly with not addressed by the staff now! of the Senior Guide was also the staff member involved, you member, contact an Assistant We are thrilled to announce emailed out to parents on will be referred back to him or Principal / Athletic Director / that again this year we will be September 6. Information is her as a first step anyway. Be Activities Director offering a Senior Book. This also available on the school’s sure to specifically state your Students with the last name 24-page book will feature those website: https://portageps.org/ concern and ask for assistance. beginning A-K work with Mr. special senior moments never chs/information/yearbook/. You may contact any staff Frink, and he may be contacted before included in the main continued page 5

WE WORK • LEARN • LEAD • TEACH • CARE • COMMIT • EXCEL ... WE ARE DIVERSE. WE ARE ONE COMMUNITY. WE ARE MUSTANGS Mustang Minutes / October 2019 5 A’s corner - PC User’s guide - Continued from page 1 continued from fill out an Early Dismissal to show to his or What should I wear to school? her teacher to be dismissed from class at the We want to remind folks that we believe that page 3 appropriate time. When your child returns student dress is a factor in the establishment Perhaps a friend left controlled to school, he or she must come back to the of an educational atmosphere and reflects the substances in a back seat or Attendance Office to fill out an Admit Slip, quality of the school, of student conduct, and of an older family member left allowing them back into class. Lunch is a part of student work. Please follow these guidelines: a vape in the glove box. Still, 5th hour, so absences for appointments during Dress and Grooming our kids are responsible for lunch will be charged to 5th hour. 1.Hats/headwear/hoods are not to be worn what is in their cars on school The 10th Day Absence Policy remains in place in the building unless needed for legitimate property. and is enforced throughout the school year. religious or medical reasons. As our kids drive in each Please take a moment with your son or daughter 2.No bandanas. day they pass a sign that, for to review the policy. If you have any questions, 3.Footwear is required in the building. the past 20 years, has made please call your student’s assistant principal. 4.Underwear may not be visible. plain that vehicles on school Students with a last name starting with A-K: 5.Clothing is not be permitted which: property are subject to search. Jason Frink at 323-5262. Students with a last a.Advertises or supports drugs, alcohol, and Too, we have visits from our name starting with L- Z: Tama Salisbury at 323- tobacco. drug-detection dogs randomly 5281. b.Includes symbols or messages that are and frequently. So we need Students without a lunch pass may not leave offensive or disruptive due to connections with your help. campus for lunch with anyone but their parent. discrimination based on physical appearance, Sometime soon, join To afford the opportunity for parents to enjoy sexual orientation, social or economic status, your daughter or son and lunch off campus with their child, we ask that ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, age, or look through the car she or parents come into the building to dismiss race. he drives to school. Does their student in person. An absence will not c.Is profane or vulgar. everything in there belong to be charged if a parent comes in person to the d.Is revealing, suggestive or otherwise her or him? Is there anything attendance office to dismiss their child and no distracting. in there that best be left at class time is missed. e.Is strapless, backless, exposes the midriff, or home? A conversation like this We understand that emergencies come up has dropped/large armholes might not be easy. And, it will and you may need to call in an Early Dismissal Backpacks and Purses be much more comfortable ASAP. Please use discretion when calling in an Students may not carry backpacks or bags/ than if I am having that emergency Early Dismissal to minimize class purses with straps to class (other than the gym). conversation after I have had disruptions. The folks in the Attendance Office Students may carry pencil cases, Chromebook to do a car search. will do everything they can to accommodate cases, and “clutch” style purses as long as they Thank you, in advance, for you. are no bigger than a standard 8½ x 11 sheet of your help with this. The more We understand that students will forget things paper, have no visible strap, and can fit in the we can work together, the at home and will call parents to bring them to book rack under student desks. Students with more problems we can stop school. Please have the item clearly marked mobility issues who need to leave class early even before they happen. And, with the student’s name and drop it off at the may have another student leave with them to as always, I am grateful to be Welcome Center. Money should be placed in a help carry their items if needed. working with you during these sealed envelope with the student’s name clearly Please help us keep our focus on learning by important years. written on the front. talking with your son or daughter about what All visitors must sign in at the Welcome they choose to wear to school. Thanks as always PCHS Arts, Crafts Center and get a visitor’s pass. At times this for your support. might seem like an inconvenience. However, our and Gifts Show students’ safety is our number one concern. This long-time tradition will take place Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in our Mustang Commons. We will have scores of great Concerns - continued from page 4 vendors, selling everything by phone at 323-5257. His Mr. Wallace at 323-5256 or After you have spoken with from wonderful handmade arts e-mail address is jfrink@ [email protected] the staff member and an and crafts to great gifts from portageps.org. Unresolved issues with Assistant Principal/Director, national outlets like Pampered Students with the last name Performing Arts or clubs you may then contact Mr. Chef. And while you shop, you beginning L-Z work with Ms. should be brought to Ms. Alburtus when you have a will be supporting our terrific Salisbury, and she may be Smith at 323-5265 or NSmith@ concern. His phone number Mustang Alumni Association, contacted by phone at 323- PortagePS.org is 323-5255. Mr. Alburtus may which in turn then supports 5258. Her e-mail address is Step 3: If the concern is not also be contacted by e-mail at today’s Mustang students. [email protected]. addressed by the staff member [email protected]. Questions? Contact Nikki Unresolved Athletic or the assistant principal, Smith at 269-323 5265 or issues should be brought to contact the principal. [email protected]. THE MUSTANG WAY