Captain's Log

Ahoy, Pirates!

What an eXciting week! Term 4 is under way, diagnostics are wrapping up, final preparations are being made for assessment season, planning and budgeting for the new year are wrapping up, state board recognition, teacher/administrator of the year (TOY/AOY) celebration, and the legislature agreed on a pay raise for teachers and teacher assistants. Now that last week is over, I am looking forward with our children in mind. We have eXciting plans on the horizon for them thanks to your feedback and administrators bringing us ideas through our budget meetings. I look forward to seeing you and our Pirate Learners get the “eye of the tiger” as we bring the 2018-2019 school year to a close. We have had our fair share of bumps along the way as well as so many demonstrations of eXcellence that far outweigh the challenges. Well done, Team Pirates! Well done!!

As we sat anxiously awaiting the results of the TOY/AOY, Maggie Wade, news personality from the Jackson area, talked about two things that stood out to me:

1-Great teachers do not stop; they do not give up; and they do not give in. They do what ever is necessary to ensure their students succeed. They do not point fingers nor make eXcuses; they get the job done. This applies to all of us in every position. Do not stop short of the finish line, do not give up on us or our children, and do not give in to challenges.

2-These are the best days in education and - might I so add - in Pirate Nation. We are on the cusp of doing something far greater for our children. They are not being turned into awesome test takers (although we do our fair share of work in this area); they are being EMPOWERED to be college-career ready critical thinkers and contributing citizens. We must stay the course! Finish strong!

With that, I submit the Captain’s Log. #committedtoeXcellence #eXcellencemarksthespot #finishstrong cje

Teacher & Assistant Teacher Pay Raise: As soon as the Governor signs the final bill, our business office will process the new certified teacher contracts to include the state approved $1500 + a possible $750 district step increase upon availability of funds and board approval in April. Monies will be distributed as defined in the law. Teacher assistant letters of agreement will include acknowledgement of the $1500 as described in the law as well.

PCHS Principal Interviews: We will conduct principal interviews this Wednesday. We are looking for a dynamic leader. Committee members are asked to report 30 minutes prior to the first interview to allow us time to provide instructions and review our eXpectations. We want to thank you in advance for the work you will do.

Pirate Academy: We will have a presenters’ meeting April 4th at 3:30 pm to discuss the details of the mini-conference. The meeting will take place in the media center at the K-8. All presenters are asked to attend.

Department Survey: We have left the department survey out to allow more of you an opportunity to respond. We have had 68 of you respond; thank you for your input. Principals, please click link below to complete the survey. It will take approximately 3-5 minutes.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019DEPTSURVEY

Reminder: Parent and Student Surveys have also been released and are now on our webpage. Please encourage them to participate. Principals may share the link via the school's webpage and social media outlets. When parents and students open our district's webpage, they will notice two white boxes in the upper right-hand corner of the screen; they may click on the appropriate link to complete the survey.

Pirates Read Literacy Campaign Comes to a Close: Thank you for participating in the Pirates Read campaign. Please continue to promote literacy in your classrooms. Make sure books are readily available to students, create time and space in the day/schedule for students to visit our libraries. All students should read when their work is finished.

Medical Analysis Monthly Calendar:

How to dress like a Pirate Professional Educator

STRIVE FOR LESS THAN FIVE DAYS ABSENT

Congratulations!

• PCES is our attendance STAR of the week with 96.19% ADA!
• PCES Team 56 is our grade-level attendance STAR of the week with 100% ADA!
• PCES 2nd grade joins them with 98.63% ADA!

Congratulations, Pirates! Our AP program was recognized by the State Board of Education this past Thursday. Dr. Killebrew, Mrs. Cooper, and Dr. Evers attended and accepted the certificate on the district’s behalf. Students who are empowered can do whatever they set their minds to. Last year’s students had a higher course enrollment and success rate on the assessment with 74% passing with a 3 or higher. Keep up the great work!!

On Wednesday, March 13, three students were taken on a tour of the Hollywood Casino, with an opportunity to job shadow in several departments.

Tyler Henderson, Keshawn Dedeaux-Tops, and Nataly Armenta were selected from a group of six students to take part in the From High School to Career Program. These students met with the human resources department of Hollywood Casino prior to the final visit. During the first visit, they were given an overview of the company. While at the second visit, the Casino representatives spoke to them about “real world” employment, provided an overview of the company, and conducted mock interviews. Upon graduation, two of the students will begin their jobs at Hollywood Casino!!

Hollywood Casino also offers tuition reimbursement for those who want to further their education.

Thank you Ms. Gray and Mrs. McCoy!! Job well done!!

What an awesome performance from our Pirates Present team of actors and actresses! Peter Pan was a student directed and produced effort. We thank Mrs. Turcotte and our Art Department for all you did to make the play the huge success it was! We look forward to more in the future! Thank you, Mrs Turcotte, for making the children’s dream come true and for trusting their vision for the play. #eXcellence

Mrs. Vernon wrote...”I am beyond proud of my kids! After multiple auditions, staying after school for weekly rehearsals, practicing independently, and spending the past two days at Mississippi All-State Honor Choir, my students had their concerts today and showed off all of their hard work! Not only did they represent themselves well but they represented their schools and their school district with absolute perfection. These students were able to attend many concerts, including getting to see the amazing group Voctave live. They’ve been able to work with clinicians and directors from across the US and it has lit a fire in them and furthered their love of music. One of my students was also selected as the soprano soloist in a quartet. I am so thankful that I was able to bring my students and share this amazing experience with them. What an awesome three days we’ve had! Well done kiddos! I’m so proud of you all!” #proudchoirmom #proudchoirdirector #singingpirates #pcsdpiratesingers #pces #pcms

Congratulations, Mrs. Bauer, Mrs. Vernon, and Pirate Singers!! (Photos Below)

This is eXcellence in action!!

Each year, sixteen seniors from across the state are selected as Lindy Callahan Scholar-Athletes.

We are Pirate proud to announce that Andrew Crusan has been named a Lindy Callahan Scholar-Athlete for the class of 2019!! This is a prestigious award presented to an elite group of scholar-athletes. Please join us in congratulating and encouraging this young man on his many accomplishments!!

“The honorees — one boy and one girl from high schools in each of the MHSAA’s eight geographical districts — are chosen for their academic accomplishments as well as their participation in high school athletics and extracurricular activities. The selections are made by a committee made up of MHSAA partners and school administrators.” MHSAA website

Both teams won their last regular season home games to secure home field advantage for the upcoming district games! Awesome job, coaches and team members!

We are excited to report that all three middle school Finance Challenge teams qualified to compete in the State Championship Personal Finance Challenge for the Middle School Division. It is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2019.This is such an honor for you and your students as only 12 teams statewide have qualified for the thisdivision of the state competition. Congratulations to all!

CAR TAG INCENTIVES: For every 10 tags sold, your name will go into a drawing to receive funds to help with a classroom makeover or purchase supplies/materials for your program. (Amount: $1500) We will end this promo at the end of the school year. (Be sure to have your name written on the back of your sales.) Employees who purchase a tag or tags may wear work-appropriate jeans on Fridays with your Pirate Gear. When we reach our goal, the school with the largest number sold will receive a pizza party donated by board members Lizana and O'Dwyer.

Proceeds from the PIRATE PRIDE TAG will go toward classroom innovation grants to help us with our X-STREAM Learning initiative or support athletics and the arts depending on who receives the grants.

Excellence is not only expected; it is required!

Email: cevers@pc.k12.ms.us
Website: www.pc.k12.ms.us
Location: 6457 Kiln Delisle Road, Pass Christian, MS, USA
Phone: 228-216-9184
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/passpiratepride
Twitter: @pcppridealerts