The Panther Post

Dear Pleasant Hill Staff, Families, & Community Members~

September is always an exciting month in our school community as routines are established, learning is in full swing, and opportunities for involvement begin to grow. I want to take a moment to share some updates and highlights with you.

• A Strong Start – Our students and staff have settled into the school year with energy and enthusiasm. Classrooms are busy, and we are already seeing excellent examples of teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.

• Upcoming Events – September brings several opportunities for families to connect here at Pleasant Hill School. Please check the calendar below for parent education classes, family engagement nights, and athletic events. Your involvement makes a difference.

• Safety First – We continue to place a high priority on student safety. This month, we will continue to practice emergency drills as part of our Standard Response Protocol. Thank you for talking with your child about the importance of taking these drills seriously.

• Continuous Improvement – Staff are engaged in professional learning focused on student growth and achievement. Together, we are committed to ensuring every student succeeds.

• Thank You – I appreciate the support you give to Pleasant Hill School. Whether you attend events, volunteer, or simply encourage your student at home, your partnership is essential.

As we move through September, let’s continue to work together to make this school year a positive and successful experience for all of our Panthers.

Yours In Education,

Dr. Lisa Weaver

Superintendent

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 HD10, 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, “One Card, Endless Possibilities,” 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 diving into a new hobby, searching for your next great read, brushing up on tech skills, searching for a new job, or helping your child succeed in school, it all starts with a library card. Learn more at alphapark.org/library-card-sign-up-month-september-2025.

• If there is a change in dismissal for your child, 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.
• Just a reminder if you are a parent of a student playing a sport, we ask that you volunteer a minimum of 2 games, whether it be at the concession stand, keeping score in the book, running the clock, or working the admission gate. It is essential we secure parent volunteers in order to host successful sporting events. So, we would love to have any volunteers! Just click on the LINK to sign up!

We’re excited to kick off our Book Blast, a fun event that helps put more books into the hands of our students. During this program, families and friends can contribute toward building each child’s personal library at home. Every dollar raised goes directly toward providing students with new, high-interest books they can keep and enjoy. Look for more details coming home soon on how you can join in the fun and help inspire a love of reading in our school community!

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

It is great to have all of the students back in the building! I missed them all SO much!!! Welcome to all of our new Panther families as well!! I am so excited you are part of our family!

School nursing is my passion and I am committed to doing my best to ensure the health and safety of your student (s)! Here are some highlights of my focus as we begin our year:

Physicals and Immunizations: Thank you to parents/guardians of our Pre-K, Kindergarten and 6th grade students for getting your student ready for school and turning their physicals and immunizations in. If you are new and just starting at Pleasant Hill, you have 30 days to get them in.

Dental Exams: All Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grade students MUST have a dental exam. Please schedule these appointments as soon as possible and turn in the exam form when complete. Also, remember to have your students brush their teeth every morning and before bed every night!

Eye Exams: All Kindergarten students MUST have a vision exam. Please schedule these appointments as soon as possible and turn in the exam form when complete. It is very important to get these exams done early so we know if your student is having any vision problems that can impact learning.

Classroom Education: I have visited each classroom and introduced myself to new students and re-connected with returning students. We talked about ways to have a good healthy start to the school year, including appropriate bed times per age and other healthy bedtime habits. We also talked about proper hand washing and the 7 reasons/times to come see me. We also focused on self care in the classroom for students 3-8.

Students who are Sick: If your student is sick or has been sick in the past 24 hours, please keep them home and call me.

Students MUST BE fever free and vomiting free for a FULL 24 HOURS before they can return to school.

Please feel free to call me at 637-6829 or email me at nurse@phill69.com.

~Kamee Naugle, BSN, RN, NCSN

District Nurse

Thanks to all the families who came out to the Limestone Pool Party & Party on the Playground!!

All school districts are required by the State of Illinois to engage in mandatory safety drills throughout the school year. These drills are reviewed and practiced with our students in developmentally appropriate ways so they can be prepared in the event of a true emergency. Pleasant Hill's safety drills are scheduled for the following dates:

• SHELTER-Severe Weather Drill (1)- August 14
• Bus Evacuation Drill (1)- August 15
• EVACUATE-Fire Drills (3)- August 8, August 28, & September 24 Fire Department Present
• LOCKDOWN-Law Enforcement/Lockdown Drill (1)- September 8-This drill will be done with law enforcement in attendance and is age and developmentally appropriate for all students. It will also include trauma-informed approaches to address the concerns and well-being of students and school personnel. During this time, staff will shut off lights and lock doors. The officers and Dr. Weaver and Mrs. Priller will ensure that all classrooms are secure and students are not visible. If you would like to opt your child OUT of this drill, please email Principal Priller at kpriller@phill69.com.

• September 1-Happy Birthday Romeo (6th Grade) Labor Day-No School
• September 3- Early Dismissal @ 1:30 - Happy Birthday Shaydon (5th Grade)
• September 4-Happy Birthday Mr. Scott
• September 5- 4th and 5th Grade Field Trip to Tanner's Orchard
• September 6-Happy Birthday Daveed (2nd Grade)
• September 8- Active Assailant Drill with Peoria County Sheriff's Office Happy Birthday Allyriqa (1st Grade) & Ms. Tomlins- First Quarter Progress Reports Sent Home
• September 9-Happy Birthday Mrs. Gonzalez
• September 10- Early Dismissal @ 1:30
• September 11-Happy Birthday Ayaan (6th Grade)
• September 13-Happy Birthday Charles (5th Grade), Aikaila (3rd Grade) & Brielle (PK)
• September 15-Happy Birthday David (6th Grade)
• September 16-Happy Birthday Caleb (8th Grade)
• September 17- Early Dismissal @ 1:30
• September 18-Happy Birthday Christian (3rd Grade)
• September 19-School Improvement Day Early Dismissal @ 11:30
• September 22-Picture Retake Day-Girls Basketball Pictures 2:00
• September 23-Happy Birthday Savanah (PK)-Board of Education Meeting/Public Meeting for Budget Hearing 6:00
• September 24-Happy Birthday Micheal (1st Grade)
• September 25-Happy Birthday Ryleigh (K)
• September 26-Happy Birthday Arionna (8th Grade)
• September 27-Early Dismissal @ 1:30-Happy Birthday Roselyn (7th Grade)
• September 30-Happy Birthday Lyric (7th Grade)-Girls Basketball Game vs. Peoria Heights AT PH 5:00

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