PHS ANNOUNCEMENTS

 Wednesday, May 26th

It’s what’s for lunch:  Meatball Potato Bowls, Green Beans, Hot Roll, Fruit & Milk

STUDENT MEALS FREE OF CHARGE!  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-

Free Online Tutoring for Students at Schoolhouse.world

The Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education is pleased to partner with Schoolhouse.world to provide free online math, Advanced Placement exam, and ACT/SAT prep tutoring for middle-school and high-school students in Arkansas. Schoolhouse.world is a new nonprofit started by Sal Khan, the founder of the Khan Academy, and Shishir Mehrotra, cofounder and CEO of Coda, in an effort to help students during the pandemic. Students who need support in math (pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, statistics), AP exam prep, and ACT/SAT prep can sign up for free tutoring.     Student Flyer  

 

  • Join live sessions in math, exam prep, and more

  • Attend community events like college advice and Q&A’s with Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy

  • Learn from hundreds of tutors anytime, anywhere

As of 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.

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.   

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! 

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-

😄🎉😎 2 Days until Summer 😀🎉😎

Cross Country:  Any student in grades 10-12 for the 2021-22 school year that is interested in running cross country should contact Holly Toney at holly.toney@pocahontaspsd.com

Tennis:  Any student 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.

Track Team:  All track athletes need to turn in track uniforms to Coach Casey 

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. 

Semester Testing Schedule for Juniors and Sophomores

Wednesday, May 26 - 1st, 4th, and 6th periods (make up tests for 3rd and 7th)

Thursday, May 27 - 2nd, 5th periods (make up tests for1st, 4th, 6th)

***All make-up work must be turned in during semester test week. 

 

ALL library books are due!  If you have lost the book please see Mrs. Thielemier for a replacement cost. Please return them to the library, the office or put them in the clear tote out front of the building

Class of 2022 Seniors! An appointment schedule for senior composites has been sent to your email titled “Summer Composite Appointment Schedule”.  Please click on the link in your email and confirm your summer appointment or to reschedule if necessary.  The dates are scheduled for June 9th and June 10th.

Wednesday, May 26th

Semester Testing - 1st, 4th, and 6th periods (make up tests for 3rd and 7th)

Thursday, May 27th

Semester Testing - 2nd, 5th periods (make up tests for1st, 4th, 6th)

Friday, May 28th

❕❕❕❕❕❕  LAST DAY OF SCHOOL  ❕❕❕❕❕❕

Academic awards for 10th & 11th grade students and will be in the office and available for pick up on Friday.  Onsite students will be called to the office and virtual students will be notified by teachers if they are receiving awards and may also be picked up in the office.  

10th and 11th Grade Chromebook/Charger Return

Return date is Friday, May 28th, 1:00 - 3:00 

  • The Technology Team will be set up in the PHS Study Hall for high school returns on the above date and time. 

  • Students need to bring "Charged" chromebook and charger with them

  • Students who were assigned a Hot Spot also need to return these at this time.

***Any student that knows they will not be at school on the assigned dates/times, needs to make arrangements to have their Chromebook and charger returned before then.

***Any student that does not return their assigned Chromebook and/or charger will have a CDN form filed and sent home or mailed to the parents regarding replacement costs. 

***Students that are needing a Chromebook for Summer School or Virtual Summer School will need to return on site on June 4th to checkout their Summer School Chromebook at the PHS Office at 9am. These Chromebooks will need to be returned immediately following the end of Summer School instruction.

Summer BRTC Classes ---

If you are registered for a BRTC online course this summer, reference this email in order to access your account. 

 

Go to https://mybrtc.blackrivertech.org/ and log in with your information in the format below:

 

Username:  firstname.middleinitial.lastname (ex. lindsay.b.stewart)

Password: MMDDYY (ex. 010288)

 

Once you are logged into the BRTC portal, click on the "Moodle" button  

 

 

On the first day of your class, the course you are registered for will be listed on the dashboard. 

Summer I classes begin June 1st.  PAYMENT IS DUE TOMORROW. 

Summer II classes begin July 5th.  Payment is due July 1st.

All Oral Comm classes are ONLINE.  Not in person. 

 

You also need to make sure you are checking your BRTC email regularly.  You can access this at the top of the Moodle dashboard.  This is where your professors will communicate with you and general information from BRTC will be sent. 

 

-UPCOMING EVENTS-

June 9th & 10th- Summer Senior Composite Pictures for Class of 2022… Prestige schedules appointments and should mail each senior a postcard with their appointment time prior to these dates.  Make ups are scheduled for  September 22nd during the school day.   

_____________________________________________________________________

ACT Test Dates:   Registration Deadline

June 12th ------------

July 17th June 18th 

-SENIOR NEWS-

Turn in chromebooks/chargers to tech in the Business Building (last door on the left across from Mrs. Broyles).  Due no later than 5/28. 

 

We do accept cap & gown donations if you know that you will not want to keep yours as a keepsake.  Please turn in to the office or Mrs. Hampton.  

  • Mrs. Hampton will send your final PHS transcript to your college of choice if you have completed the Senior Graduation Plan.

  • If you have taken BRTC classes for concurrent credit, ONLY YOU can send your transcript to your college of choice.  Link:  https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select 

 

Seniors - Sending BRTC Transcripts to Colleges -   Any of you who have taken concurrent credit or CTC courses through BRTC, and plan to continue on to a different college this fall, will need to send your transcript to that college in order to receive credit for those BRTC classes. This is something that only you can do!!!   Follow the link below to order: 

https://tsorder.studentclearin...

 

DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL AFTER GRADUATION so that all of your courses from this semester are on the transcript. 

Transcript processing does require a small fee:

Electronic Transcripts:  $5.25

Mailed Transcripts:  $4.25

Hold for pickup, at BRTC Pocahontas only:  $2.00

 

~~Seniors to send transcripts/test scores to colleges, 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!