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9th Grade Parent/Guardian Mtg

HIGH SCHOOL

2026-2027

Portage Northern

August 24, 2026

11AM

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JASON MESSENGER:

H.S. PRINCIPAL

PNHS ADMINISTRATION

DYLAN PATTERSON:

ASST. PRINCIPAL

10TH/12TH GRADE

KATELIN LOPEZ

ASST. PRINCIPAL

9TH/11TH GRADE

JIM SWINEHART:

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR/

ASST. PRINCIPAL

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PACK

strong

Accountability

Give it your ALL, always! Never Give Up!

Physical & Mental Toughness

Commitment

Knowledge

We Do What We Say We Are Going To Do.

Make A Commitment,

Make It Public,

Make It Happen!

Keep Learning, Keep Growing, Keep Going.

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Mrs. Katelin Lopez, Assistant Principal

    • Behavioral Needs
    • Discipline
    • Attendance
    • Lunch pass, parking pass
    • School engagement and Positive Behavior Support

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The students’ counselor will be the primary point of contact for students’ social emotional needs.

1ST FLOOR GRADE LEVEL OFFICE

(9TH & 11TH GRADES)

Ms. Cierra Lang, Secretary

(269) 323-5562

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Mr. Dylan Patterson, Assistant Principal

    • Behavioral Needs
    • Discipline
    • Attendance
    • Lunch pass, parking pass
    • School engagement and Positive Behavior Support

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The students’ counselor will be the primary point of contact for students’ social emotional needs.

3RD FLOOR GRADE LEVEL OFFICE

(10TH & 12TH GRADES)

Mrs. Trace Clemens, Secretary

(269) 323-5471

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Mr. Jim Swinehart, Athletic Director & Assistant Principal

    • Coordination of all athletic events
    • Coach Supervision/Oversight
    • Fundraising Coordinator
    • Athlete Academic Eligibility/Discipline
    • Assistant Principal duties and support as needed.

ATHLETIC OFFICE

Mrs. Sara Dutka, Secretary

(269) 323-5561

(2ND FLOOR INSIDE MAIN OFFICE)

    • Athletic Facilities Scheduling/Coordination
    • Budget and Eligibility
      • Forensics
      • Musical/Drama

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COUNSELING

SHARI SMITH

LAST NAMES: A-D

(269) 323-5527

SSMITH@PORTAGEPS.ORG

KRISTA HOVESTADT

LAST NAMES: E-K

(269) 323-5420

KHOVESTADT@PORTAGEPS.ORG

AMY DIMAGGIO

LAST NAMES: L-RI

(269) 323-5472

ADIMAGGIO@PORTAGEPS.ORG

NICK STAWOWY

LAST NAMES: RJ-Z

(269) 323-5424

NSTAWOWY@PORTAGEPS.ORG

BEKKI EWASKOWITZ

REGISTRAR

(269) 323-5475

REWASKOWITZ@PORTAGEPS.ORG

BELLA HACK

ADMIN. ASSISTANT

(269) 323-5464

IHACK@PORTAGEPS.ORG

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COUNSELING

OFFICE

    • COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING
      • VIA INDIVIDUAL AND CLASS MEETINGS.

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    • ACADEMIC
      • MONITORING REQUIRED CLASSES AND GRADUATION CREDITS, AUDITING GRADES WEEKLY, ACCESS TO ACADEMIC HELP.

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    • INDIVIDUAL AND PERSONAL COUNSELING
      • WE ARE HERE TO LISTEN AND PROVIDE SUPPORT. WE PROVIDE OUTSIDE RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL HELP, WHEN NEEDED.

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HOW WE COMMUNICATE

WITH YOU

    • Website https://portageps.org/o/nhs

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    • GLIC (Grade Level Information Center) on website above

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    • Teacher/Skyward emails, phone calls, PPS app/website, social media (as a secondary measure)

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    • Skyward attendance calls (only for unexcused absences)

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    • Daily announcements via email + website ~10:30am

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    • Huskie Tracks - Monthly

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    • Q Student (by Skyward) Family Access (website and mobile)

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    • Download the PPS App!

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    • PN Parents Compass Parent Group

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WHAT IS THE GLIC?

STEP 1-GO TO PORTAGEPS.ORG/NHS

STEP 3-

CLICK ON THE DESIRED SECTION FOR INFORMATION OR USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION

STEP 2

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AUG. 25

DATES TO REMEMBER

    • OPEN HOUSE 6:30-8PM

(MEET IN AUD AT 6:30)

    • LINK CREW TAILGATE 6PM
    • 1ST HOME FOOTBALL 7PM

(VS MONA SHORES)

AUG. 27

AUG. 31

    • FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

(HALF DAY DISMISSAL 10:55AM)

    • PICTURE DAY
    • LABOR DAY RECESS/NO SCHOOL

SEPT. 1

SEPT. 4-7

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JENNY DOEPKER, PRESIDENT

pnpcompass@gmail.com

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    • Academics/Discipline:
      • Teacher, Counselor, Assistant Principal Lopez

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    • Athletics:
      • Coach, Athletic Director

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    • Attendance:
      • Grade Level Admin Assistant: Ms. Lang

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    • Behavior and Social-Emotional Support(s):
      • Assistant Principal Lopez

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    • Course Selection and Educational Support(s):
      • Counselor, Assistant Principal Lopez

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HOW TO CONNECT WITH US...

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    • Arriving Late or Leaving Early - Grade Level Secretary

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      • 1st Floor Office:
        • Ms. Cierra Lang (269) 323-5562 (please call by 10am)

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    • Dropping something off for your student - Main Office, sign in system.

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    • Students can enter the building at 7:20am

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    • Students must be working with a staff member, sports team,

or leave the building by 2:50pm

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    • Guests enter ONLY thru main office and must sign in.

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STUDENT

ATTENDANCE

9TH GRADE

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    • Bring your students schedule or use mobile skyward app.

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    • A brief Welcome and Information meeting will begin promptly at 6:30pm in the NHS Auditorium. No food or drink is permitted in the Auditorium.

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    • Families are then free to move throughout the building, meet teachers, check student lockers, purchase lunch passes, athletic passes, parking passes, etc.

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    • Stop by the Concession Stand in the Igloo on your way out of the building and enjoy an icy treat!

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Tuesday, August 25th, 2026

OPEN HOUSE

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WELCOME

TO PNHS!