2 Hour Early Release - 8/30/2018

Pulaski County Public Schools will dismiss two hours early on Thursday, August 30 due to heat in some school buildings in the division.

2 Hour Early Release Schedule

Pulaski Co. Schools will have a (2) two hour early release today, Thursday, August 30 due to high temperatures in classrooms. We will carry on with after school activities. The expectation for all after school activities is that coaches allow more frequent breaks during practice and that student athletes must hydrate during these frequent breaks. As always our sports medicine staff will be at practices and available if any issues arise.Today's heat will be in line with what we have dealt with during August pre-season practices. Activity buses will pick students up at 4PM. Below are details regarding today's practices, etc.

8th Grade Football: Away game at William Fleming  5:30 pm  Bus Departs @ 3:30
JV Football: Home game versus William Fleming  6:00 pm
Varsity Football: Practice immediately after school
Volleyball: Home match versus Carroll Co.  JV @ 5:30, Varsity to Follow
Cross Country: Practice immediately after school
Sideline Cheer (Varsity-JV-MS):  NO PRACTICE TODAY
Competition Cheer: Practice immediately after school
Band:  2 pm - 6 pm  (1.5 hours outside, remainder inside)

2 Hour Early Release Scheulde - 8/29/2018

Pulaski County Public Schools will dismiss two hours early on Wednesday, August 29 due to heat in some school buildings in the division.

2 Hour Early Release Schedule

Pulaski Co. Schools will have a (2) two hour early release today, Wednesday, August 29 due to high temperatures in classrooms. We will carry on with after school activities. The expectation for all after school activities is that coaches allow more frequent breaks during practice and that student athletes must hydrate during these frequent breaks. As always our sports medicine staff will be at practices and available if any issues arise.Today's heat will be in line with what we have dealt with during August pre-season practices. Activity buses will pick students up at 4PM. Below are details regarding today's practices, etc.

8th Grade Football: Practice immediately after school

JV Football: Practice immediately after school

Varsity Football: Practice immediately after school

Volleyball: Practice immediately after school

Cross Country: Practice immediately after school

Sideline Cheer (Varsity-JV): 3:30-5:00 NO MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEER PRACTICE

Competition Cheer: 1:45 - 3:45

Band: NO PRACTICE TODAY

2 Hour Early Release - 8/28/2018

Pulaski County Public Schools will dismiss two hours early on Tuesday, August 28 due to heat in some school buildings in the division.

2 Hour Early Release Schedule

Pulaski Co. Schools will have a (2) two hour early release today, Tuesday, August 28 due to high temperatures in classrooms. We will carry on with after school activities. The expectation for all after school activities is that coaches allow more frequent breaks during practice and that student athletes must hydrate during these frequent breaks. As always our sports medicine staff will be at practices and available if any issues arise.Today's heat will be in line with what we have dealt with during August pre-season practices. Activity buses will pick students up at 4PM. Below are details regarding today's practices, etc.

8th Grade Football: Practice immediately after school

JV Football: Practice immediately after school

Varsity Football: Practice immediately after school

Volleyball: Match Giles @ PC JV @ 5:30, Varsity to Follow

Cross Country: Practice immediately after school

Sideline Cheer (Varsity-JV-Middle School): NO PRACTICE TODAY

Competition Cheer: Practice immediately after school

Band: Practice Immediately after School, WILL PRACTICE INSIDE ONLY

Weekly Update: 8/27/2018

Items of interest for the week of Aug. 27-31: 
            Please visit the PCHS Events & Athletics calendar for more information.

• 8/27, Mon:
• Class Officers & Student Council campaigns continue
• Club Sign-up in the Commons
• English Language (EL) Resource Meeting for PCHS teachers, @3:30/4:00 (2 times available), library
• Building Leadership Team Meeting, @3:30, Cougar Den
• 8/28, Tues:
• Class Officers & Student Council campaigns continue
• Club Sign-up in the Commons
• 8/29, Wed:
• Class Officers & Student Council campaigns continue
• Extension schedule
• 8/30, Thurs:

• Class Officers & Student Council campaigns continue
• Core Team Meeting, @9AM, conference room 1
• 8/31, Fri:
• Election Day: Class Officer & Student Council elections during lunch
• Cougar Crazies' Theme: Black Out at William Fleming High School, 7PM

A fire drill will be conducted this week in order to comply with the Standards of Accreditation, which state that every public school will conduct at least one fire drill per week during the first month of school.

Faculty Professional Development for the week of Aug. 27 - 31

Club Sign-up will begin this week at PCHS. Sign up forms can be found in the Commons on the large Cougar Pride mural.

Second Chance Breakfast (2CB) has resumed, but please note that Second Chance Breakfast will not be offered on days with adjusted schedules (delayed start, early release, assembly  & pep rallies).  Second Chance Breakfast will be offered on Extension Wednesdays

Second Chance Breakfast is offered at the end of first block. Three locations (Commons, green locker bank, & the CTE lobby) will be set-up across campus so that students may quickly step out of class, purchase their food items, and then return to class with their purchases. Second Chance Breakfast will not be offered on days with adjusted schedules (2 hour delay, 2 hour early release, assembly, & pep rallies). 
2CB on Wednesday's is set up as a Grab-n-Go.  There are 7 minutes between classes and students should purchase their food items on the way to their Extension course. 

A huge thank you goes out to PCHS teachers, custodians, and the nutrition staff for making student-centered programs like Second Chance Breakfast a success at PCHS.

Class Officer & Student Council Campaigns continue this week. Students interested in running for class Officer Positions or Student Council must complete an Election Petition form and return it to their class sponsor.  More information will be provided in class meetings on MOnday and Tuesday.  Students should also speak with their class sponsors.

Extension Courses at Pulaski County High School

Extension Courses 

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Greetings Cougar Students & Families,

During the 2018-2019 school year PCHS will implement Extension blocks for all students.  These enrichment style courses will consist of co-teaching teams of 2 teachers, one of whom will hold a core academic endorsement.  Extension instruction may focus upon any theme while adhering to assigned academic SOL objective(s) and “The 5 C’s.” 

Each Extension block will meet every Wednesday for 59 minutes.  These courses will run for 9 weeks, include attendance in PowerTeacher, and students will earn a Pass (P)/ Fail (F) grade.  Club Day will take place on the fifth week of each 9 weeks so that students not participating in a club will remain engaged in their Extension block.  Each Extension will focus on a real-world application of the teaching team’s choosing which aligns with specific SOL objectives and “The Five C’s.”

The Five C’s
Virginia schools are required to ensure that students develop the following competencies known as the “Five C’s”.  The Five C’s describe the knowledge, skills, experiences and attributes that students must attain to be successful in college and/or the work force and to be “life ready” in an economy and a world characterized by rapid change. Pulaski County High School has determined that a life-ready PCHS graduate must:

• Achieve and apply appropriate academic and technical knowledge (content knowledge);
• Demonstrate productive workplace skills, qualities, and behaviors (workplace “soft” skills); 
• Build connections and value interactions with others as a responsible and responsive citizen (community engagement and civic responsibility); and
• Align knowledge, skills and personal interests with career opportunities (career exploration).

Earning a diploma should be about more than passing a prescribed series of courses and tests, and graduates need skills and attributes such as critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration and citizenship, to be successful in life.  The Five C’s as defined by PCHS are:

• Critical thinking: Learning, thought, and analysis that occurs when students are analyzing, evaluating, interpreting, or synthesizing information and applying creative thought to form an argument, solve a problem, or reach a conclusion.
• Creative thinking: A way of looking at problems or situations from a fresh perspective that suggests unorthodox solutions (which may look unsettling at first).
• Communication: Sending and receiving information between two or more people. The person sending the message is referred to as the sender, while the person receiving the information is called the receiver. The information conveyed can include facts, ideas, concepts, opinions, beliefs, attitudes, instructions and even emotions.
• Collaboration: Takes place when members of an inclusive team work together as equals  to assist in achieving mutual goals through shared responsibility for participation and decision making.  Individuals who collaborate share their resources and share accountability for outcomes.
• Citizenship: Process of becoming clear-thinking and enlightened citizens who participate in decisions concerning society. 'Society' is here understood in the special sense of a nation with a circumscribed territory which is recognized as a state.

The faculty and staff at Pulaski County High school are extremely excited to begin these new opportunities with our students.  Parents and guardians are encouraged to speak with their student about the fascinating activities taking place during this courses.  Additionally, do not hesitate to reach out to your student's Extension courses teachers if you have questions or ideas regarding Extension offerings.

Sincerely,

Mike Grim & the PCHS Faculty and Staff

Weekly Update: 8/20/2018

Items of interest for the week of Aug. 20-24: 
            Please visit the PCHS Events & Athletics calendar for more information.

• 8/20, Mon:

• Cougar P.R.I.D.E. lesson for Excellence will be taught during 1st block classes
• Class Meetings:
• 9th Grade @10:20 in the Little Theater
• 12th Grade @11:00 in the Little Theater, student MVC nominations
• Class Officers & Student Council campaigns begin
• 8/21, Tues:
• Class Meetings:
• 10th Grade @10:20 in the Little Theater
• 11th Grade @11:00 in the Little Theater
• Club Sign-up in the Commons
• PCHS New Teacher Chat @3:30
• 8/22, Wed:
• Club Sign-up in the Commons
• Extension classes begin 
• following 1st block
• during class change students should visit 2CB on the way to their Extension
• VTSS Division Leadership Team Meeting @9:00AM, SBO
• Joint Board Meeting @6:30PM, County Information Technology Training Room
• 8/23, Thurs:
• Club Sign-up in the Commons
• Attendance Matters Community Collaboration @6PM, NRCC - Edwards Hall
• 8/24, Fri:

• Handbook Acknowledgement forms are due to the main office
• Last day for Course Change Requests in school counseling office (i.e Add/Drop)
• Club Sign-up in the Commons
• Class Officers & Student Council campaigns continue
• Election Petitions for those running for Class Officer or Student Council are due to class sponsors
• Cougar Crazies' Theme: White Out at Northside High School, 7PM

A fire drill will be conducted this week in order to comply with the Standards of Accreditation, which state that every public school will conduct at least one fire drill per week during the first month of school.

Faculty Professional Development for the week of Aug. 20 - 24

Course Change Request period ends on Friday, August 24. If you are interested in a schedule change for first semester classes, please be sure to submit this form with a parent/guardian signature to your school counselor by the end of the school day on Friday. Course Change Request forms can be picked-up in the school counseling office.

Club Sign-up will begin this week at PCHS. Sign up forms can be found in the Commons on the large Cougar Pride mural.

Second Chance Breakfast (2CB) has resumed, but please note that Second Chance Breakfast will not be offered on days with adjusted schedules (delayed start, early release, assembly  & pep rallies).  Second Chance Breakfast will be offered on Extension Wednesdays

Second Chance Breakfast is offered at the end of first block. Three locations (Commons, green locker bank, & the CTE lobby) will be set-up across campus so that students may quickly step out of class, purchase their food items, and then return to class with their purchases. Second Chance Breakfast will not be offered on days with adjusted schedules (2 hour delay, 2 hour early release, assembly, & pep rallies). 
2CB on Wednesday's is set up as a Grab-n-Go.  There are 7 minutes between classes and students should purchase their food items on the way to their Extension course. 

A huge thank you goes out to PCHS teachers, custodians, and the nutrition staff for making student-centered programs like Second Chance Breakfast a success at PCHS.

Class Officer & Student Council Campaigns begin this week. Students interested in running for class Officer Positions or Student Council must complete an Election Petition form and return it to their class sponsor.  More information will be provided in class meetings on MOnday and Tuesday.  Students should also speak with their class sponsors.

2 Hour Early Release - 8/17/2018

Pulaski County Public Schools will dismiss two hour early on Friday, August 17 due to heat in some school buildings in the division.

2 Hour Early Release Schedule

Pulaski Co. Schools will have a (2) two hour early release today, Friday, August 17 due to high temperatures in classrooms. We will carry on with after school activities. The expectation for all after school activities is that coaches allow more frequent breaks during practice and that student athletes must hydrate during these frequent breaks. As always our sports medicine staff will be at practices and available if any issues arise.Today's heat will be in line with what we have dealt with during August pre-season practices. Activity buses WILL NOT RUN AFTER PRACTICE TODAY. Below are Details regarding today's practices, etc.

8th Grade Football: NO PRACTICE

JV Football: NO PRACTICE

Varsity Football: Benefit Game at Radford 7 pm Bus departs at 5 pm

Volleyball: Practice immediately after school

Cross Country: Practice immediately after school

Sideline Cheer: Benefit Game at Radford 7 pm Bus departs at 5:30 pm

Competition Cheer: NO PRACTICE

Band: NO PRACTICE 

1 Hour Early Release Schedule - 8/16/2018

Pulaski County Public Schools will dismiss one hour early on Thursday, August 16 due to heat in some school buildings in the division.

1 Hour Early Release Schedule

Pulaski Co. Schools will have a (1) one hour early release today, Thursday August 16 due to high temperatures in classrooms. We will carry on with after school activities. The expectation for all after school activities is that coaches allow more frequent breaks during practice and that student athletes must hydrate during these frequent breaks. As always our sports medicine staff will be at practices and available if any issues arise.Today's heat will be in line with what we have dealt with during August pre-season practices. Activity buses will run today at 5:00 pm. Below are Details regarding today's practices, etc.

8th Grade Football: Practice immediately after school

JV Football: Practice immediately after school

Varsity Football: Practice immediately after school

Volleyball: Scrimmage at home versus Fort Chiswell at 5:15 pm

Cross Country: Practice immediately after school

Sideline Cheer: NO PRACTICE TODAY

Competition Cheer: 2:45-4:45 pm

Band: Practice immediately after school (3-4 Inside, 4-6 Outside)

First Day of School - 2018

First Day of School

Welcome back!

The first day of school for all students is Thursday, August 16, 2018.  Pulaski County High School will be running on a FULL DAY schedule (8:28 AM - 3:22 PM).

PCHS Daily Schedule:

All 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students will receive new green schedules in their first block/period classes.
Explanation about schedule colors:

• White paper schedules are obsolete.  These were handed out on schedule pick-up night and in most cases are no longer accurate.
• Green paper schedules are current.
• Yellow paper schedules are schedule changes made by school counseling after schedules were printed on blue. These are the MOST accurate and supersede any of the other schedule colors.
• Please see a teacher if you have questions.

Please take a moment to view the calendar of events for this weekend.

9th Grade Orientation Day - 8/15/2018

Freshman Orientation Day

Welcome, Pulaski County High School Class of 2022!  

Orientation Days in Pulaski County Public Schools were created so that the youngest grade level in each school were given an opportunity to get acclimated to their surrounding without the rest of the school's student body present.   The Freshmen Orientation Day will run on the two-hour early release schedule (8:28 AM - 1:22 PM).  The first day of school for ALL student on Thursday, August 16 will be a FULL day.

The faculty and staff at Pulaski County High School are excited to meet their newest students and are prepared to assist the freshmen class in any way possible as they explore their new home.  The Orientation Day schedule is designed to permit freshmen to meet their teachers and classmates, interpret their course schedule, learn their class locations and the campus layout via tours, attempt to open their locker, identify resources & supports throughout campus, and begin to develop the ideals of Cougar P.R.I.D.E.

9th Grade Orientation Day

8:15 All 1st block teachers with any 9th grade students should be in the Commons and assist students in finding their “table”

8:20-8:40 Introductions of administration team and staff with 1st block 9th graders

8:40 Students are escorted to 1st block by teacher

Sprint Through of all Classes: All teachers are asked to help supervise and guide students during these quick transitions.

8:44-8:49 1st Block
  
8:53-8:58 2nd Block

9:02-9:07 3rd Block (students do not go to lunch, only to their 3rd block class)

9:11-9:16 4th Block

Longer Class Times: Students then return to 1st block to have longer class times, with specific tasks

9:20-10:08 1st Block - Explanation of how lunches are assigned & assist students
in determining their lunch period

10:12-11:00 2nd Block - All teachers take students on a brief tour

11:04-12:30  3rd Block

1st Lunch 11:04-11:29
(CTE, PE classes visit lockers & test combos / SS, Eng, Fine Arts, Cougar Center eat lunch)

2nd Lunch 11:35-12:00
(SS, Eng, Fine Arts classes visit lockers & test combos/ ForLang, Sci, Math eat lunch)

3rd  Lunch 12:05-12:30
(Foreign Lang, Science, Math classes visit lockers & test combos / CTE & PE eat lunch)

12:34-1:22  4th Block  Students will be dismissed via bell from their 4th block class

Weekly Update: 8/13/2018

Pulaski County High School’s teachers have returned to school and are well on their way into gearing up for the coming school year.  Students will arrive this week  with Freshmen Orientation Day on Wednesday, August 15^th and the official first day of school on Thursday, August 16^th.  The first day of school for all students on Thursday, August 16^th is a full day ending at 3:22.

Several student activities have begun practices for the fall season.

The Golden Cougar Band gives a big "push" during their practice session.

Cougar Football is prepared to tackle another season.  photo Dave Gravely

A fire drill will be conducted this week in order to comply with the Standards of Accreditation, which state that every public school will conduct at least one fire drill per week during the first month of school.

The schedule for the next week is below:

(items in bold reflect student events)

• 8/13, Mon: Teacher Work Day [8:15 - 6:00]
• Professional Development Day, 8:30 - 3:30, @PCHS
• Open House & 9th Grade Schedule Pick-up Day, w/ all teachers present, 4:00 - 6:00PM
• 9th Grade Pool Party sponsored by PCPC, 6:30 - 8PM, @Randolph park 
• 8/14, Tues: Teacher Work Day [10:30 - 3:30]
• PE & Mental Heath Curriculum Meeting, @10AM, Main Office
• Student Accommodation Pick-up & Sign-off for classroom teachers, 11AM - 2PM, PCHS Library
• Dual Enrollment Teachers' Meeting, @1:30PM, Cougar Den
• Special Education Dept. Meeting, @2PM, Library
• Department/CLT Meetings, time & location TBD
• 8/15, Wed: 9th Grade Orientation Day
• School day from 8:28 - 1:22 (2 Hour Early Release)
• No Second Chance Breakfast (2CB)
• PCPS Bus Driver & Administration Meet-n-Greet, @3:30PM, Commons
• 8/16, Thurs: First Day of School for ALL Students
• FULL school day from 8:28 – 3:22 
• Second Chance Breakfast (2CB) will be available
• Virginia IEP software training for Administrators, TBA
• 8/17, Fri: Regular School Day

• Full school day (8:28 - 3:22)
• Second Chance Breakfast (2CB) will be available 
• Cougar P.R.I.D.E. Lessons begin
• Varsity Football Benefit Game @ Radford High School, 7PM