PHS ANNOUNCEMENTS

 Monday,  May 16th   

Lunch Menu: Redskin Cafe’ Bacon Cheeseburger, French Fries, Sandwich Salad Cup, Fruit & Milk

*Student meals (Breakfast & Lunch) are free through the end of the  year w/t exception of extra milk or extra  items. 

May Character Trait:  Commitment 

“Commitment is doing the thing you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you.”

-DAILY NEWS-

The weather is warming up… finally!  Students please be mindful of dress code in regards to shorts and skirts. Tops should come to the top of your pants and your midriff should not be showing.   If you are reported and they are deemed too short per policy, you will be asked to change.  On the bright side though…. Only 12 more days for underclassmen! 

REMINDER: Students always be sure to sign in at the office if you come in anytime after the first bell.  You must also always sign out in the office if you leave campus at any time other than the end of the day.  

ABSENCES:  Students should bring notes for absences to the office first thing in the morning the day they return.  Faxed notes come in at the administration office, so please allow a day for delivery to the high school before inquiring about the receipt of faxed notes.  There are often times that faxes are not received due to a transmission error.  Students/parents are encouraged to check with the office or HAC to verify the note has been received/put in attendance.  As students acquire 5 or more absences (excused or unexcused), they will be called to the office so that an administrator can go over the attendance policy, review notes and advise guidance based on the circumstances of their absences.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

AP LATE TESTING - All tests will be given at BRTC in the Richard Gaines Business Technology Building. Dates and times are given below. You will need to arrive around 30 minutes early. Breakfast and snacks will be provided.

May 18th -   AP Chemistry Exam ... 8:00 am - Noon

May 18th -   AP US History Exam ... 8:00 am - Noon

May 19th -   AP Biology Exam ... Noon - 4:00 pm

May 20th -   AP Calculus Exam... 8:00 am - Noon

May 20th -   AP World History ... Noon - 4:00 pm

Seniors with Library Books!  T. Widener  Books are due!  If you no longer have the book, please see Mrs. Wren for replacement cost.  

Senior Check Sheets must be filled out, signed and returned to the office ASAP! 

Mrs. Stewart  has emailed a Google form for your FINAL Transcript release.  This must be completed so we can send the transcript to the college(s) of your choice.  If you do not complete the form, your final transcript will not be sent.  All colleges require your final high school transcript to be on file for fall enrollment  

PHS Student Council class representative petitions are out and located in the bins under the bulletin board across from the office.  They need to be turned in to Mr. Phelps (study hall) by Wednesday, May 18th.  Elections will be held Friday, May 20th! 

Monday, 5/16

Annual SpEd Track & Field Day @ Schoonover Stadium

Tuesday, 5/17

Senior Academic Awards Night @ MD Williams Gym at 7:00… Scholarship recipients will be announced tonight! 

Wednesday, 5/18

Student Council representative petitions due.  Return to Mr. Phelps. 

Thursday, 5/19

Athletic Awards @ MD Williams Gym at 6:00

Friday, 5/20

Student Council representative elections today! 

GRADUATION @ Schoonover Stadium at 8:00 pm. 

-GENERAL NEWS-

"PlayVS NBA 2K22 Spring Invitational Tournament. Open to 9-12 grade students. Competition Dates: May16 - May28, 2022. Free. No cost. For more information or to sign up to play, please contact redskin.esports@pocahontaspsd.com"

 

Esports - ***NEW GAMES!!***  *Redskin Esports is looking for talented gamers for our program. Titles offered are NBA 2K22, Madden22, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Mario Kart 8, Splatoon 2, Rocket League and League of Legends. Must be 13 years old. Must be in 9-12 grades (Varsity) for competitive play against other schools during the school year. We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays afterschool. Year round program. For more information, email redskin.esports@pocahontaspsd.com.

Seniors… The Arkansas Department of Education has released the awards for the Arkansas Challenge, Governors, and Workforce Scholarships.  Please log into your YOUniversal account and accept these as soon as possible.  You may access the YOUniversal login page at this link  https://www.ark.org/adhe_financialaid/Login.aspx 

If you cannot remember your email or password, there is a "forgot username or password" link you can click on to retrieve them.  While in your account, make sure you have selected the correct college that you will be attending in the fall.   

If you log in and your scholarships still says "Eligibility Pending", it is because of one of the following reasons:

  • You do not have an ACT superscore of 19 or 246 ACCUPLACER average OR

  • You have not completed your FAFSA; This must be completed before July 1st or you will not receive any scholarship money from the state

If neither of these are correct, it's possible there is a glitch in the system and something is not populating like it should.  See Mrs. Stewart if that is the case. 

Nurse Camp 2022 - This is a free program held June 22nd -24th for students with an interest in a career in the medical field open to high school students grades 10-12.  Information and applications are in your email from Mrs. Stewart.  Applications due May 25th. 

****High School Navigator is a FREE 2022 Summer Young Scholar Program for Middle or high school students that will address not only computer science but also career opportunities in healthcare and other fields. It has no restriction on any income, GPA, or any other categories. Our preference is for Rising 8th Grade or higher.  

~~Beginning July 10 through August 7, 2022, all sessions will be held online and only on Weekends for 4-6 Hours ( 2-3 hrs. on each weekend day during the afternoon). Our brochure is available on the registration page.

~~Registration for our FREE 2022 Summer Young Scholar Program is now open. In the registration form, we'll collect a list of topics that students are interested in, and we'll do our best to include as many as feasible in the program. Current students from Several Universities will also join to share their experiences about campus, their majors and answer any participant questions.  Last year, over 250 students from across the country enrolled in the program, and all recordings are available on our website.  We are also sharing a monthly newsletter where some more free open opportunities are shared and can help the students. There are no fees for utilizing any of the features on our websites because they are all run by students who want to serve their peers. 

HS Navigator Team   

  HS Navigator Flyer

Reminder - No Phone Zone:  It is illegal and unsafe to talk or manipulate a phone while operating a vehicle in a school zone.  Officers will be on the lookout for this offense and will write citations if seen. 

TUTORING SCHEDULE:  

Math Tutoring will be in the Student Center Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday weekly from 3:30-4:30. We can also help with ACT prep.

Tuesday: Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Huffman

Wednesday: Mrs. Murray and Mr. Steele

Thursday: Mrs. Murray and Mr. Steele

 

Literacy Tutoring will be in the Student Center with Mrs. Bass on Tuesday and Thursday weekly from 3:30-4:30. She can help with anything text-based: Science, History, English, ACT Prep, etc. 

As we get this school year underway please keep school dress code policies in mind:  

1.       Students are not to wear hats, caps, sock hats, sweatbands (head), pajamas, house shoes, hoods of hoodies, blankets, bandanas and/or sunglasses in the buildings. Exceptions must be approved by the principal.

2.       Tops, shirts, blouses (boys and girls) must cover the front, back, and sides of the upper body. Clothing deemed distracting, revealing, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise disruptive is not permitted. This includes: exposed midriffs, halter/tank tops, spaghetti straps, and see-through shirts, tops or blouses even with a camisole worn underneath. Sleeveless top straps must be at least 2 inches in width (short side of a credit card).

3.       Shorts, skirts and dresses must be of sufficient length. Sufficient length is defined as six inches above the knee (length of a dollar bill) or at a length in which the longest finger does not touch skin while the arms rest naturally at one’s side.

4.       Form fitting pants/shorts (i.e. Spandex, leggings, yoga pants, etc.) may be worn under, or as clothing, as long as the top/shirt is no shorter than the acceptable length for shorts, skirts, or dresses.

5.       In clothing with rips, holes, or tears, the rips, holes and tears should be at a level equal to or below the level for skirts, dresses, and/or shorts. See above for the required length.

6.       Pants are to be worn at the waistline, “sagging” is not allowed.

7.       Clothing, accessories (book bags, jewelry, hats, etc.), or body art that displays vulgar, obscene or otherwise inappropriate symbols, language, double-meaning, or makes reference to alcohol, tobacco, or other illegal substances are not permitted.

8.       During the regular school day, students’ athletic attire such as tennis, track, cheerleading, etc. must conform to all other regulations of the dress code.

Parking for students is first come first served.   ALL students who drive and park on campus must purchase a parking pass for $3.00 from the office.  Student parking is the area between the softball and baseball fields, the lot next to the business building  and the row with the curb that is front and back.  Please do not park by the sidewalk in front of the building, the small lot on the side of the business building or next to the cafeteria; those areas are for faculty parking and for visitors.  

Students: At no time should you take food to the bathroom to eat.  Second chance breakfast should be taken back to the classroom and lunch should be eaten in the cafeteria or other designated areas for lunches.  

Attention Band Students:  You are not allowed to eat lunch in the band room.  You may only go to the band room at lunch with written permission and AFTER you have eaten lunch.  

Lunch Group 1:  10:50 - 11:30 - Classes dismissed to lunch listed below:

A. Baltz, Blalock, Bradley, Brooks, Crismon, Crutcher, Hackworth, D. Hall, Henderson, Hudson, Huffman, Lange, A. Lynch, Moffett, Sullinger,  Wardlow, Washburn

Lunch Group 2:  11:50 - 12:30 - Classes dismissed to lunch listed below:

S. Baty, Coach Baty, Coach Brewington, Casillas, Melanie Inman, Kazzee, Murray, Nead, Phelps, Shelton, Stewart, Welch

Covid Point of Contact: If you have any questions or covid related information to report please contact Charla Cusson @ 870-810-7409 (primary #), 870-892-4573 ext. 5035 (secondary #) or by email at Charla.cusson@pocahontaspsd.com   If she is unable to answer your call please leave a voicemail and she will return your call as soon as possible.  

- Please remember if a person is under quarantine or tests positive for covid, you may not attend any school events on campus. 

**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, student/staff should remain in quarantine pending results of their COVID-19 test.

Please call Charla Cusson at 870-810-7409, or email information to     charla.cusson@pocahontaspsd.com

 

As of 2/11/22, after careful consideration and review of Governor Hutchinson’s statement on February 1, 2022, the Pocahontas School District has made the decision to change our Covid-19 guidelines to the following: If an individual tests positive, they will need to isolate for a minimum of five (5) days and they are permitted to return on day six (6) with a mask (worn appropriately at all times) for the remainder of their ten (10) day isolation period. Preschool students who test positive will continue to isolate for ten (10) days. If a student is considered a probable close contact (PCC), their parents will be contacted so they may monitor for symptoms. Should they develop symptoms, they are to stay home and get tested at an appropriate time. Individuals who are considered as possible close contacts (PCC’s), but who do not have symptoms, will no longer be immediately quarantined. This approach aligns with long-standing practices and policies that districts have used when responding to our other contagious diseases. We will continue to focus on mitigation strategies and practices that have worked in our district so far. This will include social distancing, isolating positive cases, and additional cleaning and disinfecting. We will also continue to monitor positive case numbers and update the Board each week in case a change is needed. 

Masks are optional as of 2/11/22 with the exception of circumstances as noted above.  

-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 

 

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.

 

Add Mrs. Stewart on Instagram and/or Facebook for updates on college and careers!  Follow at  brtc_phscareercoach. Install the app to follow photos and videos. https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1nsx0g0qh4g7o&utm_content=mix63fl

https://www.facebook.com/BRTCCareerCoachPHS

 

College Days!!!  Seniors are allowed two college days and Juniors are allowed one college day (during 2nd semester).  Students must meet attendance criteria, meet with the counselor prior to visit, obtain a college day form from the office prior to the visit and provide written verification from the visit to the high school office upon their return to school the following day.  

ACT Test Date

Regular Registration Deadline

Late Registration Deadline

($36 FEE APPLIES)

June 11, 2022

May 6

May 20

July 16, 2022

June 17

June 24

** 2021-2022 ACT cost is $60 (no writing) and $85 (with writing). Juniors or Seniors who receive Free/Reduced lunches qualify for ACT fee waivers.  Please see Mrs. Hampton. 

 

Juniors… If you took the ACT on March 1st at PHS, your scores are now available to view in your act.org account!  Just click on  'MyACT Sign In' at the top right corner of the page.

If you already have an ACT account, or if you linked the March ACT with your previous account (with Mrs. Phelps during 7th hour on the day of testing), you will use that login information.  

  • If you can log in, but your March scores are not there, see Mrs. Hampton.

  • If you have never logged into or created an account, you will use your school email address as your login.  Just click on 'Forgot Password' and enter your PHS email address.  It will email you a link to reset your password. 

DO NOT create a new account! That will create multiple accounts (that will not show all of your scores), and it will require you to contact ACT to request a merge of the two accounts. 

 

Reminder on how to pay for your BRTC concurrent credit classes…

Payment is due the Thursday prior to classes starting therefore:

Summer I (June) due May 26th

Summer II (July) due June 30th

Fall Semester due August 12th

BRTC PAYMENT

●PHS does not handle any payments or money for BRTC courses. 

○Students can pay online through their myBRTC portal with a debit card, credit card, or an electronic check.

■Default Username:  firstname.middleinitial.lastname 

■Default Password:    Date of Birth (MMDDYY)

●Students are responsible for purchasing any required textbooks, online programs, or other materials required for BRTC courses. Check the Book List on BRTC’s Bookstore page before each course begins.

 

-SENIOR NEWS-

Be sure you check your email DAILY.  This is how Mrs. Stewart, Career Coach and Mrs. Hampton, Counselor,  will update you with any important dates and scholarship information.  

 

Seniors - This is a reminder that there are several scholarship opportunities available for you on our PHS Counselor & Career Coach page.  Check our regularly updated PHS Scholarship Spreadsheet to apply for as many as you can. Once the spreadsheet loads, use the scroll bar at the bottom of the page to view scholarships by upcoming deadlines. 

 

FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and YOUniversal (www.scholarships.adhe.edu) are open.  These applications will need to be completed to qualify for ANY state or federal aid. 

FAFSA Checklist

**If you have not used a college day this semester, AND you are not over on absences, you may speak to Mrs. Dianna about a College Day form to possibly attend an appointment with an excused absence. You must do this prior to attending the appointment. 

-UPCOMING EVENTS-

May 24th - Parent & Family Engagement Meeting at 1:30 @ PJHS Cafeteria - see the live feed on the webpage and/or attachment to announcements for details in English, Marshallese and Spanish. 

May 27th - Pocahontas Public Schools will conclude the 2021-2022 school year on Friday, May 27, 2022. Students will return and receive their final report cards in addition to participating in various activities and/or programs at their respective schools. There will be no early dismissal. The staff, administration, and board wish all students an enjoyable summer vacation!