The Panther Post
September 2026 Monthly Newsletter
Dear Pleasant Hill Families and Panther Community,
There is something special about the beginning of a new school year. The hallways are once again filled with the excitement of our students, classrooms are buzzing with learning, and we are beginning to build the relationships and routines that will shape another great year at Pleasant Hill.
Our theme this year is “Building Our Future Brick by Brick.” This theme is a reminder that the future we want for our students doesn’t happen all at once. It is built one day, one lesson, one relationship, and one opportunity at a time. Each of us has a role in laying those bricks and creating a strong foundation for our students.
As we move into September, here are a few things happening in our Panther Den:
- A Strong Start – Our students and staff have jumped into the school year with energy and enthusiasm. It has been wonderful to see our Panthers learning, making connections, and getting back into the rhythm of school.
- Building Relationships – Strong relationships are at the heart of a successful school. This year, we are being intentional about creating a school environment where every student feels known, valued, supported, and encouraged to be their best.
- Growing Together – Our staff continue to learn and grow together as educators. We are using student data, collaboration, and professional learning to make intentional decisions that help every Panther grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
- Panther Pride & Family Engagement – September brings many opportunities to come together as a school community. We hope you will join us for family events, athletic activities, school celebrations, and other opportunities throughout the year. When families and schools work together, our students benefit.
- Safety & Preparedness – Keeping our students and staff safe continues to be one of our highest priorities. Throughout the year, we will practice emergency procedures and drills so our students and staff are prepared to respond appropriately when needed.
- Building Our Future – Every day at Pleasant Hill, we are laying another brick. A teacher encouraging a student. A family supporting learning at home. A student showing kindness to a classmate. A staff member going the extra mile. A Panther trying something new. All of these moments matter. Together, they are building the foundation for our students' futures.
Thank you for your continued support of Pleasant Hill School. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated staff, supportive families, and a community that cares deeply about our students.
As we continue through this school year, let's remember that great things are built one brick at a time. I am excited to see what we will build together!
Keep building, Panthers! 🐾
With Panther Pride,
Dr. Lisa Weaver
Superintendent
Pleasant Hill School District #69
Last week, we had our first library time with Ms. Kindred from Alpha Park Library. Every other Thursday throughout the school year, she brings the best books from the library and each child is allowed to check out two books to keep in their classrooms. Teachers make time in their schedules for silent reading time. The kids are very excited about their books!
Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month with APL this month! Throughout September, everyone who signs up for a new APL card, renews their expired APL card, or replaces a lost APL card will be entered into the prize drawing for a new Kindle Fire HD8, courtesy of the Friends of Alpha Park Public Library. The library is also waiving the fee to replace library cards during Library Card Sign-Up Month.
Whether you’re new to the district, or just haven’t visited in a while, this is a great opportunity to get your library card and check out all the resources available at APL, including free programs for all ages, board games, movies, online databases, free apps for eBooks and audiobooks, notary services, computers, study rooms, and much, much more!
Another perk of having your library card is that APL is also a Fine Free library, meaning that you're not charged overdue fines when items are returned late (exceptions apply).
This year’s theme for Library Card Sign-Up Month, “A Library Card Hits the Right Note!,” is a reminder that libraries are more than just books, and libraries are for everyone — no matter your age, background, or goals. Whether you're checking out classics or trying something new, composing your future with new skills, finding harmony in a new hobby, or vibing with your community at a free program, your library card is your front-row ticket. Learn more at alphapark.org/library-card-sign-up-month-september-2026.
- If there is a change in dismissal for your child, Ms. Dez in the school office must receive a note by 9:00 AM stating those changes (i.e. If your child is riding the bus home with a friend, you and the parent of the friend will need to write a note stating that change and have your child turn it into the office first thing in the morning). We work hard to keep dismissal procedures consistent for the safety of all students. Therefore, changes should be kept to a minimum. Daily changes to dismissal procedures will NOT be accepted through phone calls, only through hand-written notes. Please make arrangements to pick your child up at the bus stop.
- If your child is absent from school, it is very important that you call the school 309-637-6829 to report the absence. You may be directed to speak with our district nurse, Ms. Naugle, in regards to your child's illness.
- Students must be in uniform each and every day. Just a reminder that jeans, hoodies and jackets are NOT allowed. Students can wear long sleeve polo shirts, long sleeve cardigans, crew neck sweaters/sweatshirts, and/or Panther t-shirts, crew neck sweatshirts, or quarter zip shirts.
Pleasant Hill is committed to supporting the well-being of our students and believe supporting mental health is an important part of overall student health. This school year, we are once again partnering with Cartwheel to provide teletherapy, family check-ins and guidance, and psychiatric care—all with licensed clinicians and no waitlists.
Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, having a hard time staying focused, or just needs someone to talk to, Cartwheel is here to help. Visit www.cartwheel.org/families to learn more.
🧠 A licensed therapist or psychiatrist with no waitlist, within a matter of days.
🖥️ Telehealth sessions from 8am to 8pm, whenever is most convenient.
🗣️ Care in several languages, including English, Spanish, and others.
✅ Completely free care for families who have Medicaid or are uninsured and considered an in-network provider for families with private insurance (standard co-payments and deductibles may apply).
🫶 Individual therapy sessions are available for students in grades 3+ and parent guidance sessions are available at all grade levels, providing families with the right level of support at the right time.
🧠 Learn more about Cartwheel, common mental health signs to look for, and check out these helpful FAQs
September 16, 2026 | 6pm CST
Growing Together: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health This School Year
Linda Price, M.Ed., CAGS
As families head back to school, parents often wonder how to best support their child’s mental health and well-being. Join educational psychologist Linda Price, M.Ed., CAGS, and youth speaker Mallory G. for an uplifting and informative presentation designed to provide practical tools for parents and caregivers.
These assessment scores help our staff check and monitor student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Staff use the assessment results to help drive classroom instruction and set individual goals for students. The assessments assist our teachers in differentiating instruction to meet individual student academic needs.
When it comes to MAP, depending on your child's responses, the assessment adjusts accordingly. The next question is more challenging if your child answers a question correctly. If your child answers incorrectly, the next one question is easier. These results provide in-depth information about your child's knowledge and learning readiness.
If you have any questions regarding the MAP assessment, feel free to reach out to your child's teacher, visit the MAP website, or click on the button below for more information about the MAP assessment.
Now that MAP testing is complete and students are adjusting to their new classes, reading interventions will be starting soon! Ms. Tomlins will notify you this week if your child qualifies for interventions in reading this first quarter. Intervention times give us the opportunity to allow students who need to boost their literacy skills the chance to work in a small group on the exact skills they are struggling with.
Fire Drill
Our Panthers participated in a school-wide fire drill as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our students and staff safe. These drills provide an important opportunity for everyone to practice emergency procedures, follow directions, and know what to do in the event of an actual emergency.
We are proud of how seriously our students and staff approached the drill and appreciate everyone’s cooperation!
Preparedness is another brick in building a safe and successful future—one brick at a time! 🧱🐾
GOLD Circle of Quality
Congratulations to the Bright Futures team at Pleasant Hill for receiving a GOLD Circle of Quality from the monitoring process last spring. This is a huge accomplishment and we are so proud of Ms. Bilgri & Mrs. Pennington!
"The Illinois Department of Early Childhood is pleased to recognize the Circle of Quality that the PH Bright Futures Preschool program has achieved in ExceleRate Illinois, the state’s quality recognition and improvement system for early learning and development programs. ExceleRate unifies all the state’s early learning programs under a common set of standards across multiple settings to provide families with important information about quality early learning programs in their community."
City on a Hill Annual Backpack Giveaway
Anything is Possible with Panther Pride
Email: lweaver@phill69.com
Website: www.phill69.com
Location: Pleasant Hill Elementary School, West Malone Street, Peoria, IL, United States
Phone: 309.637.6829
Facebook: facebook.com/PleasantHillElementarySchool
Twitter: @PHillPanthers