This article is intended to inform the PCHS community about changes on deck for the 2022-23 and the rationale for them so all can prepare accordingly!
2022-23 PCHS Daily Schedule Update
After 2 years, we have decided to move away from the block schedule. This decision was not made lightly. It was informed by a broad array of stakeholders, including the PCHS staff, our Building Leadership Team, student and parent survey input in the late fall, our partners across the county, our colleagues at the district office, and anecdotal feedback and observations. Our recently revised PCHS Vision: Connected. Empowered. Prepared. was the overarching driver of this decision.
- Connected: Shifting away from the block schedule will allow for a more consistent day-to-day schedule and greater frequency of touchpoints between teacher and student. We will be much better aligned with our county and dual enrollment partners to minimize scheduling conflicts for our 100+ students who engage in out-of-district CTE programs and college coursework. And we've still found a way to protect time for Seminar (1-hour/week, instead of 3) to continue prioritizing student well-being, academic success, and our annual rituals that contribute to the healthy school climate we desire.
- Empowered: We think students will be better set up for success by seeing their teachers every day and having more frequent transitions, at least for now. We will be aligned with Pathfinder with this move and in a position to work collaboratively 6-12th to chart a more intentional 6-12th path forward in 23-24 and beyond.
- Prepared: Our Math, World Language, & Music Departments feel strongly that daily practice is essential for growth and development in their content areas. We want to honor that. The impact of an absence is reduced when classes meet each day, and we have more instructional minutes with students overall to ensure they are prepared to succeed in the path of their choosing after high school.
We are hopeful that this shift in the coming school year feels thoughtful and intentional to you, as it does for us. Here is a look at the 22-23 weekly schedule:
22-23 Student Handbook Revisions in Progress
The Rationale for Student Handbook Revisions
At Pinckney Community High School, we are committed to preparing students to thrive in whatever it is they want to do after high school. We aim to do this through meaningful learning experiences in an environment where every student is known and valued. To achieve such a place, it must be supported by policies and structures that help teach our students the habits that will set them up for success: organization, digital citizenship, healthy boundaries, and professionalism. The handbook revisions below aim to do just that. These handbook revisions are also a hopeful move beyond the past two years of uncertainty and change, which required great flexibility. Moving forward, these simple and clear expectations will help clear the path for every student to become the best version of themselves.
Brief Overview of 2022-23 Student Handbook Revisions
Lockers & Backpacks - Students will be assigned lockers for their belongings including backpacks and cell phones. No backpacks in the classroom.
Cell Phones - Cell phones should be left in your locker. They must be turned off in all instructional settings (classrooms, labs, outdoor classrooms, etc.) unless a teacher has directed otherwise. School personnel reserve the right to confiscate cell phones when they interfere with instruction. Cell phones may be used before and after school hours, during hall passing in between classes, and/or during lunchtime.
Dress Code - At Pinckney Community High School, our school is a professional learning environment. We believe that a student’s attire and mindset are directly related and a student who is professionally and appropriately attired for school is also more apt to treat their education as a professional endeavor and is suited to do their best work. As a result, it is our intent to support our students as they progress by maintaining expectations for professional and appropriate school attire.
1. Undergarments must not be visible.
2. Shirts and/or tops must not expose the midriff area in the front, back, or side
3. All tops must have straps or sleeves.
4. No see-through or clothing that exposes private parts.
5. Hoods may not be worn on the head in the school building
6. Shirts, pants, and shorts must be school appropriate.
7. Any attire that is deemed inappropriate by the school administration, ie alcohol, drugs, gangs, sexually suggestive, discriminatory, etc.
We know these handbook revisions will require significant adaptation for some, yet we as school staff, led by our Building Leadership Team, agree these moves are essential for tending to the learning environment we are striving to create.
We will continue to add new information to this article as we have it.
Thanks,
Mrs. McBride & Mrs. Woods