PHS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friday, April 9th

It’s what’s for lunch:  BBQ Sandwich, Cole Slaw, French Fries, Fruit  & Milk

STUDENT MEALS FREE OF CHARGE!  Update: Now through the end of the school year May 2021!  (Breakfast and Lunch).  However, there is a charge for extra milk or extra ala carte items. 

-GENERAL NEWS-

At the Special Board Meeting on April 4, 2021, the Pocahontas Board of Education voted to change the current mask wearing policy following Governor Asa Hutchinson’s announcement on March 31, 2021, to lift the statewide mask mandate effective immediately. Beginning Monday, April 5, 2021, wearing a mask will be an option and not a requirement in the Pocahontas School District. Wearing a mask is an individual choice for families, staff, and students. The change from mandatory to optional mask wearing will be observed in all classrooms, lunchrooms, hallways, and buses.We expect that acceptance and understanding will be demonstrated to those who choose to continue to wear a mask just as we expect the same for those who choose not to wear a mask. 

Schools are still responsible for responding to confirmed cases within the school district, and identifying close contacts/quarantines. Under this updated guidance, there are factors that change prior rules for quarantine.

 ○ Schools with mask mandates that promote proper mask wearing may now exempt individuals from being identified as close contacts in K-12 schools if both the confirmed and exposed individuals are properly masked. 

○ Schools without a mask mandate will follow traditional quarantine guidelines. 

○ A fully vaccinated individual does not need to stay at home following close contact exposure to a test-confirmed individual if certain conditions are met 

○ Individuals who previously have had COVID-19 and recovered and are within 3 months of their original diagnosis may not have to quarantine. 

The Board wants to make it clear that all other COVID-19 safety practices that have been in place will continue. The only safety protocol being addressed by their decision is masks. Masks may still be required at events in other districts in which we are guests. If this is the case, we are expected to follow the rules of the district in which we are visiting.

PROM INFORMATION & DETAILS

There will be a SENIORS only dinner at 5 p.m. at the Rendezvous downtown for those that want to attend. It is free and tickets are not needed.  Just be sure to fill out the form listed below.   

 

ALL SENIORS NEED TO FILL OUT THE  FORM ON THE LINK BELOW SO WE KNOW HOW MANY ARE PARTICIPATING IN EACH EVENT.  IF YOU DO NOT FILL OUT FORM YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A GIFT FROM THE JUNIOR CLASS OR BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE ABOVE EVENTS. This may seem harsh but we have to create seating charts and know how many chairs and how far to seat everyone, so please do as we have asked.   

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM BY APRIL 12.  NO EXCEPTIONS!        https://forms.gle/3NzPKC21fKmU...

There will be a senior walk at the courthouse at 7 p.m.  If it rains it will be moved to M.D. Williams, we will be limited on the number of guests. If it is at the courthouse it will not be limited but we will still have to social distance from other families.   Seniors will not have to wear a mask as long as they are 6ft apart, so if at all possible we will try to spread you out.  It will depend on the number of seniors participating in the walk.  

 

There will also be a senior slideshow that will be posted on Facebook and a thumb drive will be put in each of your gift bags and hopefully the parents will be able to show it at the dance. If you want to be in the slide show we need your pictures sent to the email below (Melanie Inman)  by April 12.  You may have up to 10 pictures.  If you have group pictures of events throughout  your school years you may add a note and they will be at the end of the slide show.  WE WILL NOT TAKE ACCEPT ANY PICTURES AFTER APRIL 12 and you have to email them, they cannot be hard copies.  THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS MADE.  

Send pictures to: melanie.inman@pocahontaspsd.com 

Following the senior walk, senior class parents are hosting a nontraditional Prom at the Rendezvous Event Center in downtown Pocahontas.  It will begin at 7:30 or after senior walk ends and will last until 10:00 p.m.  This is for Seniors, Juniors and their dates and there is no charge. This is a parent sponsored event and is not affiliated with the school or any of the staff. 

ALSO, PLEASE BE CHECKING YOUR EMAIL DAILY FOR UPDATES ON THESE EVENTS.  

2021 Yearbooks on Sale-  pre-order for $45.00.  Purchase at school with cash/check payable to Pocahontas High School.   

2020 Chieftain Yearbooks are available for $45. E-mail Ms. Crutcher for more info.   

4th Nine Weeks Learning:  Please remember to make changes in your learning status you must notify the office prior to change.  The fourth nine weeks began Monday, March 15th 

~~~If you are virtual and want to return to onsite, please email dianna.johnson@pocahontaspsd.com or call the office 870-892-4573 ext 4002. 

~~~If you are onsite and wish to go virtual, a parent must call the office  at 870-892-4573 ext. 4002 so that we can discuss the expectations of a virtual student in regards to attendance, grades and internet access.  

Students: Please remember that you need to sign in at the office if you arrive after the 8:00 a.m. tardy bell and you must ALWAYS sign out in the office if you check out before the end of the day! 

***Students please remember in the morning before school you are only to be in the front of the building or in the cafeteria.  At 7:40, students are to go to their classes and are not to be gathering in other areas on campus  and to abide social distancing guidelines.  

HAC has a new URL address…   http://hac20.esp.k12.ar.us  

Make sure that you are not trying to use an old bookmark, icon, or favorite. If you have one of those, delete it and redo them so they have the new (tac20) instead of (tac40) address. If you had the tab/website open before changes were made, you will need to refresh to get to the new site so just close the browser/tab and reopen it.  Your password should work with the new address but there is also a link to reset.  Your new password or an access code will be sent to your email address. This applies for students and parents.  Parents must have an email address listed in order to get into HAC.  For parents who do not have an email address listed, please call the office and we will put your email address into the system so you can access HAC.  

    

In an effort to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus within our staff and student body we are asking all parents/guardians, and all employees to notify our designated Point of Contact immediately when the following occurs: 

  • Someone in the household has tested positive for COVID-19.

  • Someone in the household has been identified as a Close Contact to a positive case of COVID-19 and is requiring quarantine and/or recommended to be tested for COVID-19.

  • Students attending on-site and employees who are being tested for COVID-19.  If symptomatic, students/staff should remain in quarantine pending results of their COVID-19 test.

Please call Marlo Wardlow at 870-810-7409.  Please leave a voicemail if there is no answer.  You can email general questions or updated information to marlo.wardlow@pocahontaspsd.com  

 Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  Together we can help keep our Pocahontas School District family safe, healthy and ready to learn during this unique time.

ATTENTION:  If you are under quarantine or test positive for Covid, you may not attend any school events on campus.

Just a reminder: We cannot accept outside deliveries (flowers/gifts). Lunch/food deliveries are also not allowed.  Students who normally bring lunch will be required to eat in the cafeteria should they forget their lunch. There is a doorbell on the front door in which we will interact with parents, counselors, visitors, etc since we cannot allow you into the building. 

Students please remember only water in clear plastic bottles are allowed in classrooms.  No other drinks are allowed.   

Student Parking:

~~If you drive and park on campus, you should have a parking hang tag.  $3.00 to purchase

~~Do not back into parking spots- You must pull through.

~~Due to the low volume of students parking on campus, sophomores can park in junior parking (the parking lot next to the business building). 

~~Once you arrive on campus, you are not to sit in your vehicle.  You need to exit your vehicle and come into the building.  

Virtual Student Parking:

~~If you come onto campus during the school day for athletics or band, you need a parking pass.  You also are to park on the high school campus and not at the junior high.  

STUDENT PARKING:  Due to the low volume of students parking on campus, sophomores can park in junior parking (the parking lot beside the business building.)  

After school tutoring will be held from 3:30-4:30. Math will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and all other subjects will be on Wednesday. There will be a virtual tutoring option through google meet for virtual students. On campus students will be expected to attend in-person tutoring. Any student who is currently interested in tutoring, or thinks they will be interested at any time throughout the year, should join the PHS Math Tutoring google classroom, using code 3dwagss and the PHS Literacy Tutoring google classroom using code wycakwu. Any virtual students interested in tutoring must join the google classroom to have access to the meet codes. Just like your regular classes, tutoring will have a different meet code each day. For tutoring questions, please email Mrs. Murray at melodie.murray@pocahontaspsd.com. 

-DAILY NEWS-

😄🎉😎 35 Days until Summer 😀🎉😎

***Are you interested in playing Tennis…. Any boy or girl that will be in grades 9-12 that would like to play tennis next year please contact Coach Eddington.  Either go by in person (Room 313 at jr high) or send him an email at       dustin.eddington@pocahontaspsd.com.

Swim Team: Please turn in your swim stuff - towel, parka, warm up pants, warm up jacket, and backpack/bag.  Turn in to the high school office or to Sara Frazier at Alma Spikes.

CHEERLEADERS:  PHS cheer uniforms and warm ups need to be turned in ASAP. Please make sure they are in a bag with your name on it. You can leave them in the complex by the cheer desk or take them to Mrs. Nead.

10th and 11th graders!!

Are you interested in BRTC's CTC Program (formerly TOPSS) next year??  If so, please complete the CTC Program Interest Form at this link https://forms.gle/TB5TMRKkYQfrg4Ae8 as soon as possible. 

BRTC Summer Class Schedule & Application! Mrs. Hampton has emailed each student information and applications for any BRTC courses (online or on BRTC campus).  Registration will open on April 5th and forms are due back to Mrs. Hampton by May 21st. 

Friday, April 9th

Baseball- Batesville @ HOME V/JV @ 4:30… release @ 3:00

Saturday, April 10th

Senior High State Chess 

Senior All-Star Quiz Bowl  

State Odyssey of the Mind  

 

-SENIOR NEWS-

Seniors!  Mrs. Stewart has sent you an email for your  Senior Graduation Plan that is due April 17th. This is a requirement to graduate!!  Please take the 5 minutes and complete the form as soon as possible.  Do not forget to put any scholarships AND the amounts for us to recognize you at the Senior Awards Ceremony.    https://forms.gle/ZWiBF1xCLA12PvM76

 

SENIOR PORTRAIT BANNERS:  Project Graduation will be doing Senior portrait banners for the Class of '21.  However, they MUST send a picture to Elizabeth Ballard at  elizabethb04@yahoo.com.  Anyone who has not  sent a picture should do so ASAP.  It is also important to note that however you list your name is how it will be printed.  Some want middle names, others don't and  that is fine.  List it how you want it printed on the banner.  There is NO CHARGE to seniors or their parents, however, donations are being accepted to help cover the cost.  

 

~~Seniors to send transcripts/test scores when applying for college, complete this PHS Transcript/Scores Release Request in Google Drive.  Fill out information completely and Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Hampton will send the documents for you.  See the Shot Record Release Form attachment from Mrs. Stewart to get your shot records sent as well. Return shot record release forms to tracy.gholson@pochahontaspsd.com or the PHS nurse's office.

 

 -COUNSELOR & CAREER COACH NEWS-

Stephanie Hampton, PHS Counselor- stephanie.hampton@pochahontaspsd.com  (870) 892-4573 ext. 4004

Lindsay Stewart, PHS Career Coach - lindsay.stewart@pocahontaspsd.com   (870) 892-4573 ext. 4013 

 

Seniors, don't forget to regularly check out our PHS Counselor & Career Coach page for upcoming scholarship deadlines.  You can find the scholarships page by clicking on seniors>financial aid>scholarship/contestsScroll down the page to see the list of scholarships by deadline to apply.

Sidenote:  If you come across a page that says "you don't have permission to view" or a bad link, please let Mrs. Hampton know.    :)  

 

ALL STUDENTS:  Please visit the PHS Counselor and Career Coach Webpage for regularly updated information! You can also find this link on the Pocahontas School District Website>Schools>Pocahontas High School>Menu>Staff>Stephanie Hampton or Lindsay Stewart.  PARENTS:  If you would also like access to the PHS Counselor and Career Coach Webpage, please click on this link and request access or send an email to Mrs. Hampton or Mrs. Stewart requesting access.

SENIORS & PARENTS:  This link will take you to a 6-minute financial aid mini workshop (Zoom webinar) titled Paying for College: Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes Parents Make. View the full-hour webinar here: Beat the High Cost of College!   

***Mrs. Stewart has 20 copies of the ACT workbook by Mastery Prep available to check out in her office in the library. This would be a great resource if you are registered to take the April 17th ACT test. 

______________________________________________________________________

ACT Test Dates:   Registration Deadline

April 17th March 12th 

June 12th May 7th

July 17th June 18th 

  • These tests are taken at an off-site location (most PHS students choose to take it at BRTC) on various dates.

  • All 11th grade students will have the opportunity to take a free ACT test in February of their junior year at the high school.  Juniors do NOT have to register for this test!

  • Students in the 11th or 12th grade who qualify for free and/or reduced lunches, may receive an ACT Fee Waiver code! Students, request an ACT waiver code here.

____________________________________________________________________________________

-UPCOMING EVENTS-

April 14th- Athletic physicals will be held today starting at 8:00 a.m. in the athletic complex.  Doctors and nurses will be providing free physicals for athletes in grades 7th-12th.  Athletes will go to the complex during their athletic period.  For those who do not have an athletic period, they should come afterschool to get their physicals.  DO NOT MISS an academic class to attend! A physical form will be given to coaches and handed out to athletes that will need to be filled out and signed by a parent.  Forms must be brought with the athlete to the physical assessment so doctor’s can sign off.  

April 20th & 22nd- SEGP Conferences with parents 3:45 - 7:00 p.m.  Advisors will schedule meetings with parents via telephone or Google Meet unless Covid guidelines change.  

Graduation Requirements and Scheduling Information

BRTC Course Information

 

April 24th -  PROM 

5:00 p.m. - Senior only Dinner at the Rendezvous downtown. 

7:00 p.m. - Senior walk at the courthouse.  

7:30 p.m. - Parent sponsored event at the Rendezvous starting once senior walk is over.

April 28th & 29th-  Aspire testing for Sophomores… time and location TBA

May 10th- Athletic Banquet @ 6:00 in the MD Williams Gym. 

May 11th- PHS Senior Awards @ 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the MD Williams Gym

 -ATHLETIC EVENTS-

-REDSKIN  BASEBALL-

April 13th- Brookland (DH) AWAY  V @ 4:00… release @ 1:40

April 16th- Nettleton @ HOME V/JV@ 4:30… release @ 3:00

April 20th- Valley View (DH) @ HOME V @ 4:00… release @ 2:45

April 22nd- Marked Tree @ HOME V/JV @ 4:30… release @ 3:00

April 27th- Blytheville (DH) AWAY V @ 4:00… release @ 1:00

May 5th thru 8th- Regional Tournament

May 12th thru 15th- State Tournament

-LADY REDSKINS SOFTBALL-

April 13th- Brookland (DH) AWAY @ 4:00/6:00… release @ 1:30

April 16th- Corning (DH) AWAY @ 4:00/6:00… release @ 2:30

April 20th- Valley View (DH) HOME @ 4:00/6:00… release @ 3:00

April 27th- Blytheville (DH) AWAY @ 4:00/6:00… release @ 1:00

April 30th- Batesville (V/JV) HOME @ 4:00… release @ 3:00

May 6th thru 8th- Regionals Tournament - TBA

May 13th thru15th- State Tournament - TBA

-TRACK-

April 13th - Pioneer Jr High Relays @ Batesville

April 15th - Sara Low Sr High Relays @ Batesville… dismiss @ 1:30

April 19th - Sr High Bomber Relays @ Mt.  Home

April 20th - 4A-3 Jr High Conference @ HOME

April 27th - 4A-3 Sr High Conference @ HOME