PCS Express - October 2022

PCS Express graphic

Homecoming graphicHOMECOMING WEEK - OCTOBER 24-28
In our continued effort to make Pelham Homecoming a celebration of community and all of our schools, we are planning several events for homecoming week.

In addition to dress-up days, PowderPuff games, the crowning of the PHS Homecoming Queen & King, the varsity football game, and more, the Annual Panther Prowl Parade and Community Pep Rally will take place on Wednesday, October 26.

The parade will commence at 5:30 p.m. and last approximately 30 minutes. The parade route will begin at Pelham High School and proceed down Bearden Road. It will end at Pelham City Park. We anticipate another great parade with a variety of groups from the high school, middle school and Pelham Parks & Recreation participating.

The Pelham City Schools Foundation will sponsor the Community Pep Rally after the parade at the Youth Football Field at Pelham City Park. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include festivities for all ages to show off their Panther Pride (including competition games among our schools and PHS alumni teams!).

NEW THIS YEAR - Concession stands will be open at the Youth Football Field during the Community Pep Rally and Pelham High School SGA is doing a SOCKTOBER event with a goal to collect hundreds of pairs of new socks to distribute to homeless shelters in Birmingham. Anyone who brings a new pair of socks will be entered to win a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card at the end of the pep rally (must be present to win).


Click here to view an overview of the Homecoming Week Activities and more details about the Panther Prowl & Community Pep Rally.

Read more about Homecoming Week in this article from the Pelham Reporter. 


Q&A Mike VickeryQ& A WITH MIKE VICKERY, PANTHERS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
What inspired you to become a high school football coach? My father was a head coach and athletic director the day I was born. Coaching is all I have ever really known. My dad coached multiple sports at the high school and collegiate level. I have always enjoyed being around athletics for many reasons. I saw first hand how many kids were impacted in a positive way by sport and the coaches they were surrounded by. Athletics were always a huge part of our lives. While at the University of Alabama I had the opportunity to spend my senior year working as a student assistant coach under Coach Dabo Swinney. I learned so much from the way he treated his players. I also had the opportunity to work as a Graduate Assistant with the men's basketball team. Being around multiple sports and great coaches at a high level SEC program really changed the way I viewed coaching as a profession.

What's your transition to Pelham been like? 

The transition to Pelham has been awesome! Our kids, staff, administration and community have been very welcoming. Pelham is a special school system and city. Everyone is pulling in the same direction and always puts doing things the right way at the forefront of the decisions that are made. PHS has an awesome culture. It speaks volumes about a school where the adults are excited to show up to work everyday and stay after to support the students in all of their endeavors. I think that defines the Pelham culture.

What is the best part of being a coach?

I absolutely love watching kids attain success from the best seats in the house. Every student-athlete has the ability to better themselves each day. They may not all achieve athletic stardom but every student-athlete that works can achieve so many other goals along the journey. That is fun to watch. We have kids who bench press 340 pounds and some who bench press 95 pounds. The joy you see in the face of the 95 pound bench press athlete when they meet the goal they set for themselves is just as special as the wide receiver that catches four touchdowns in a game. Athletics teaches what is possible through hard work and commitment and that is something we get to witness regularly.
Read more about Coach Vickery and find out about some of the new upgrades at Ned Bearden Stadium in the September edition of The Pelham Pathway.


PHS SGA GraphicPELHAM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION STARTS STRONG IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR 
The Pelham High School Student Government Association (SGA) devoted many hours over the summer to setting a new direction for the student-run organization that represents the PHS student body. With a larger number of representatives, the group re-organized to include a team of three executive officers, 12 class officers, 25 grade-level representatives, and two employee sponsors. The SGA goals include promoting school spirit and student engagement, encouraging good citizenship among students, empowering students to succeed academically, and providing leadership opportunities for students.

In an effort to start the school year strong, the team of officers and representatives held a two-day summit in June and a one-day leadership retreat in July to establish goals, generate ideas, and implement initial plans. In the areas of student engagement and school spirit, the SGA designed spirit shirts for students, teachers, and community to purchase and wear throughout the year. In addition, they have streamlined school spirit days and pep rally themes for the Panther football season and Pelham Homecoming Week and have plans for supporting every sport throughout the school year.

The group holds formal meetings each month to provide a forum for student ideas and concerns, plan events, and further the goals of the organization. In addition, leaders within SGA serve as the principal's student leadership team. The SGA seeks to provide a voice for every student while promoting inclusivity and unity among students and the faculty. Follow @pelham.sga on Instagram for the latest news and events.


Principals MonthNATIONAL PRINCIPALS MONTH
October is National Principals Month, and we want to let Mr. Holden, Mrs. Baxter, Ms. Kiel and Mr. Finch know how much we appreciate their leadership and dedication to making a positive impact on our students, teachers and community!


 


 

Upcoming EventsEVENTS
Panther Pulse
Tuesdays at 6 PM at Zapata Mexican Restaurant
Weekly live radio show featuring Pelham football highlights along with appearances by players, coaches and students representing a variety of activities. Tune in to 93.3 FM The River to catch the Panther Pulse and all the Panther Football games on live radio broadcasts throughout the season.

City of Pelham Music In The Park
Sundays, October 23 & 30 
4:30-6 PM at Pelham City Park
Details here

Pelham Homecoming Week
October 24-28
Show your Panther Spirit throughout the week. Check out activities and dress up days in all of our schools

Panther Prowl Parade & Community Pep Rally 
Wednesday, October 26
The parade will begin at 5:30 PM (On Bearden Road from Pelham High School to Pelham City Park), and the Community Pep Rally will take place at 6:30 PM at the Youth Football Field at Pelham City Park).

Fall Festival at Pelham Ridge Elementary
Friday, October 28

Veterans Day

Friday, November 11

Schools & Offices Closed
Thanksgiving Feasts at Pelham Ridge Elementary  November 15 - Kindergarten & 4th Grade November 16 - 1st Grade & 3rd Grade November 17 - 2nd Grade & 5th Grade
Thanksgiving Break November 21-25 Schools & Offices Closed


school calendar graphicSCHOOL CALENDAR
Click here to view the Pelham City Schools 2022-2023 School Calendar







Connect with UsCONNECT WITH US
Explore our website for information and resources about our schools and school system. Each school also has its own website that can be accessed by clicking the "Select a School" tab at the top of the page. 

News, events, and other important information are also posted on our social media accounts. Like @PelhamCitySchoolsAL on Facebook and follow @PelhamSchools on Twitter and pelham_city_schools on Instagram to connect with us. For sports news, team schedules, and more, visit PelhamHighAthletics.com.