The Panther Post
October 2025 Monthly Newsletter
Superintendent Updates
Happy Fall Pleasant Hill Families!
October is always an exciting month at Pleasant Hill. The energy from the start of the year is in full swing, and students are settling into routines, exploring new learning opportunities, and building strong connections with their teachers and peers.
One of the highlights of the fall season is our upcoming Student-Led Conferences. These conferences give students the chance to take ownership of their learning by sharing their progress, goals, and reflections with you. This format not only strengthens communication between school and home but also helps students develop important life skills such as self-reflection, goal setting, and responsibility.
We encourage you to attend your child’s conference and celebrate the progress they’ve made so far this school year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see their learning through their own eyes and to partner with us in supporting their growth.
As always, thank you for your continued support of Pleasant Hill. Your involvement makes a tremendous difference in the success of our students. I look forward to seeing many of you during conference week and to sharing in the pride our students have in their accomplishments.
Yours in Education,
Dr. Lisa Weaver
Superintendent
Congratulations to Our STAR Students of the Month
Hayden Wolf-Pre-Kindergarten
Jordan Butler-8th Grade
Family Engagement Opportunities
Limestone Township, Alpha Park Public Library, and the YMCA would like to invite you to join our second annual Walk & Roll to School Day October 1, 2025! PH will have a tent in front of the school with giveaways & information. As kids walk, bike, and roll into school they can learn about safety and pick up some cool swag. All parents/guardians are encouraged to walk with kids or lead a walk/bike train that day. Come join in the fun!
The first Monday in October has been declared bring your parent to school day in the state of Illinois. We invite you to come in to Pleasant Hill on Monday, October 6 for an afternoon of fun! See details below!
Book Blast Success
THANKS to all who helped in making Book Blast 2025 a huge success. We appreciate all those who donated to help our students and classrooms earn both books and prizes and understand the importance of reading and literacy. A huge shoutout goes to Mrs. Dimmitt for spearheading Book Blast. We SO appreciate you!
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Bullying is unfair and one-sided treatment of a peer that happens when they are being continuously hurt, frightened, threatened or being left out on purpose. In an effort to prevent bullying, schools, as well as other agencies such as The Center for Prevention of Abuse, are uniting communities around the world to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.
In an effort to come together – in schools, communities, and online – and send one large ORANGE message of support, hope, and unity to show that we are together against bullying and united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion...we ask that all parents, staff, and students wear ORANGE on Wednesday, October 22nd for UNITY DAY. This will show our community that we stand united against bullying! To learn more about unity day or would like more information on bullying prevention, please visit the following website!
PHS Spirit Wear
Notes from the Nurse
MEDICAL RECORDS NEEDED:
Kindergarten: IL SCHOOL PHYSICAL EXAM (with updated immunizations), DENTAL EXAM, and VISION EYE Exam. DUE BY OCTOBER 15th!
2nd grade: DENTAL EXAM DUE BY MAY 15th but get theses done ASAP.
6th grade: IL SCHOOL PHYSICAL EXAM (with updated immunizations) and DENTAL Exam DUE BY OCTOBER 15th!
If your student is new to Pleasant Hill, please remember that you only have 30 days to get all of their Health records into the office. This includes physical exam, immunization records, dental exam and eye exam.
Please get these exams complete ASAP! Thank you!
It's time to FALL into Healthy Sleep Habits!
We have had several VERY sleepy kiddos coming to school. Please make sure your student is getting plenty of sleep! Sleep is the key to staying healthy and being able to learn! Check the chart below to see when your child should be going to bed.
Is screen time before bed bad for my child? Simply, YES, VERY!!! Studies have shown that screen time doesn't only keep your child awake before bed, it makes it harder for child to fall asleep and stay asleep!
Please help your child and their teachers by making sure ALL electronics are out of your child's room or turned off at least ONE hour before bed. Thanks for your help!
Calling All Volunteers
We are in need of volunteers for our extra-curricular events. Some jobs we need assistance with include keeping score, taking money at the admission gate, running the clock, or working at the concession stand for both girls and boys basketball games.
If your child is participating in a sport, we ask that you volunteer for at least TWO games to help us out. For example, if your girl is playing girls basketball, then you could volunteer at the boys basketball games so you can still cheer your girl on at her game.
It is so important we have volunteers to help out with these events so we can continue to host them. We truly appreciate any help you can give.
Click the LINK to get signed up today!
Important Reminders
- Our Pleasant Hill teachers and staff are here 💙💛🖤 to support your questions regarding our students! They have an expectation to respond to all family calls/emails within 24 hours, due to their top priority being teaching and supporting great behaviors in the classroom. Please be sure when sending questions and requests to staff to keep this in mind, in case the response is not immediate. If you have information that needs a faster response due to emergency, please call the Main Office and we can assist you.
- Please make every effort to have your child at school by 7:45 each morning. It is important for students to be at school on time each and every day to get the most out of all learning experiences!
- It is very important that students dismissal procedures are kept consistent each day at school. When serving 175 students, we cannot take phone calls during the day to adjust dismissal procedures on a regular basis. If a change needs to be made for some reason, please be sure to send in a written note so we can make that change.
- Don't forget if your child is sick and going to be absent for the day, you will need to call the school office at 637.6829 to let us know..
- Pleasant Hill utilizes the official Pleasant Hill APP, rooms, and social media daily to help families stay informed about important upcoming events and learning experiences taking place in classrooms. Please be sure to download the app, sign up for rooms, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @PHillPanthers
- Boys basketball for 6th-8th grade students will begin on October 21st. If students would like to participate, they will need an updated sports physical on file with the school nurse. Coach Weaver will host a mandatory parent meeting for all interested students and their parents on October 21st at 4:30.
- Cheerleading for 6th-8th grade students will begin on October 21st. If students would like to participate, they will need an updated sports physical on file with the school nurse. Coach Comfort will host a mandatory parent/cheerleader meeting on October 21 from 2:45-3:15.
FREE Cartwheel Mental Health Services for PH Students
We believe every kid deserves to thrive, which is why we’re so excited to announce our partnership with Cartwheel Care. Cartwheel is the trusted mental health partner to schools, providing rapid access to care for students, including therapy and medication evaluation and management. An astounding 92% of students report they feel better after working with Cartwheel.
This partnership also includes access to parent guidance, family therapy, and staff therapy, all virtually and with no waitlists. Their licensed therapists and child psychiatrists are diverse, culturally sensitive, and committed to affordable care for everyone—including those covered by Medicaid. For more information, visit www.cartwheel.org.
Upcoming Events
October 1-Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
October 2-Custodian Appreciation Day-Thanks for all you do Larry, & Rasheed! Happy Birthday Allasia (2nd grade)
- October 4-Happy Birthday Ramyiah (7th grade) & Esteban (8th grade)
- October 6-STEP INTO SCHOOL (Bring Your Parent to School Day) 1:30
- October 7-Girls Basketball Game AT PH vs. Limestone Walters 5:00-Happy Birthday Ms. Mathewson, Michael (7th grade) & I'Yanah (3rd grade)
- October 8-End of First Quarter-Student Led Conferences 4:00-7:00-Happy Birthday Ian (6th grade)
- October 9-Start of Second Quarter-Progress Reports-Student Led Conferences 4:00-7:00-Happy Birthday Enrique (5th grade)
- October 10 No School
- October 13-Happy Birthday Mrs. Skauge, Maylie (K) & James (K)
- October 13-17-Fall Break-No School-Happy Birthday Brantley (6th grade)
- October 20-Return to School-Happy Birthday Jermani (4th grade) & Zayden (K)
- October 21-Boys Basketball Practice Begins 2:45-4:30-Mandatory Parent Meeting 4:30-Girls Basketball Game AT Pleasant Valley 4:30-Board of Education Meeting 6:00
- October 22-Unity Day - Wear Orange with Uniform bottoms Boys Basketball Practice 2:45-4:30-Girls Basketball Game @ Bartonville Grade School 5:00
- October 23-Boys Basketball Practice 2:45-4:30
- October 24- Happy Birthday Brystin (4th grade) Art Club starts 2:45-4:00
- October 25-Happy Birthday Thalia (5th grade)
- October 27-Happy Birthday Miliano (4th grade)-Girls Basketball Game @ South Pekin 4:30
- October 28-Boys Basketball Practice-2:45-4:30
- October 29-Boys Basketball Practice 2:45-4:30-Girls Basketball Game AT Washington Beverly Manor 4:30
- October 30-Happy Birthday Valentina (1st grade)
- October 31-Wear Orange & Black Shirts with Uniform Bottoms-Happy Halloween! Happy Birthday Mr. Crider & Le'Tisha (4th grade)-EARLY DISMISSAL @ 11:30
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