The Panther Post

Dear Pleasant Hill Staff, Students, & Families,

As we welcome November and the season of Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on the many reasons to be grateful for our Pleasant Hill community. Each day, I am reminded that the heart of our school is the people who make it such a special place to learn, grow, and belong.

On behalf of the Board of Education and Administration, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our teachers, staff, parents, and guardians for the countless ways you support our students and our mission. Your dedication, encouragement, and partnership make a meaningful difference in the lives of our Panthers. Thank you for helping make Pleasant Hill a place where students feel supported, valued, and inspired.

As we move through this month, I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the people, experiences, and opportunities for which we are thankful. Practicing gratitude reminds us to slow down, recognize the good around us, and appreciate the connections that make our lives meaningful.

Here are a few simple ways to practice gratitude:

💛 Express Gratitude

Take a moment to thank someone for something they have done. Let them know how their kindness, encouragement, or support has made a difference. A simple thank-you can brighten someone's entire day.

🧡 Do an Act of Kindness

Look for opportunities to make someone else's day a little brighter. Offer a helping hand, share a kind word, or do something thoughtful for someone who may need a little extra encouragement.

🤎 Practice Mindfulness

Slow down and appreciate the little moments that often mean the most. Enjoy time with family, the beauty of the changing seasons, a favorite meal, or the simple joy of being together.

As we celebrate this season of gratitude, I hope you find time to rest, reconnect, and cherish the moments that matter most. Thank you for being an important part of our Pleasant Hill family.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful November and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Yours in Education~

Dr. Lisa Weaver

Superintendent

Our Pleasant Hill Student Council has been busy making a difference both in our school and throughout the community! From planning an exciting school-wide Spirit Week to volunteering their time with Santa Bill’s Hospital Helpers, our student leaders are finding meaningful ways to bring people together and give back. They also recently attended their first Pleasant Hill Board of Education meeting, providing them with an opportunity to learn more about district leadership and the important work that takes place to support our school.

We are so thankful for Ms. Carter’s leadership and the dedication of our Student Council members. Their enthusiasm, willingness to serve, and commitment to making Pleasant Hill a better place for everyone are wonderful examples of Panther pride in action!

We are looking for volunteers for upcoming extracurricular activities! Please click this LINK to access the sign up today. Those of you that have a child participating as an athlete on the basketball team or cheer squad, we ask that you volunteer for at least ONE game. In order to host games at our school, we need to have volunteers to sell concessions, so our volunteers are very important. THANK YOU!

The Pleasant Hill Art Club is in full swing! Led by Ms. Naugle and Mrs. Jen Hawk, the club meets twice a month and currently has approximately 30 students in grades 4–8 participating. Students are enjoying opportunities to explore their creativity, experiment with new art techniques, and share ideas in a fun and supportive environment. The Art Club provides a wonderful opportunity for students to express themselves, build confidence, and connect with peers who share a love of art. We are excited to see the creativity and amazing artwork our Panthers continue to bring to life!

The Limestone Community High School Student Council is collecting canned foods for their annual Thanksgiving baskets to help those families in need that attend the Limestone feeder elementary schools. We are asking if you can to send in non-perishable food donations to your child's classroom no later than November 17. The classroom with the highest number of donations will WIN A CLASSROOM PARTY of their choice (pizza, gondolas, ice cream, etc.)!!! Thanks so much for your generosity!

As we move into Quarter 2, please review and help your child(ren) with the following from the Handbook:

TOPS

BOTTOMS

Please find this information on page 8-9, and any additional information at the LINK HERE

At Pleasant Hill, we believe that supporting the mental health and well-being of our students is an essential part of helping them succeed. Once again this year, Pleasant Hill administered the Maro Mental Health Screener to students in grades 3–8 as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the whole child.

The Maro screener is designed to help identify students who may be experiencing mental health concerns and could benefit from additional support. By providing students with an opportunity to share how they are feeling, the screener helps our student support team better understand their needs and identify opportunities for early intervention.

It is important to remember that a mental health screener is not a diagnosis. Rather, it is one tool that helps us recognize when a student may need additional support, encouragement, or resources. When concerns are identified, our team can follow up and work with families to help connect students with appropriate supports.

At Pleasant Hill, we remain committed to creating a safe, caring, and supportive environment where every student feels valued, heard, and supported—academically, socially, and emotionally.

• THANKS so much to all the parents/guardians who participated in student led conferences. Students were thrilled to be able to share their progress with you. We appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to invest in your child's education. If you have not yet met virtually with your child's teacher, please be sure to send the teacher a quick email or call the school to set up a conference time. Our goal is to meet with 100% of families.
• Just a reminder that the doors open at 7:30 AM daily. When students arrive, they head down to breakfast right away. It is very important that students arrive on time each and every day so they can eat breakfast and do not miss any learning experiences in the classroom.

Flu Season is here!

Have you gotten your flu shot?

Have you taken your children for theirs? It's not too late!

Prevention by getting a vaccine is key for protecting yourself, your children, your extended family and your community.

Here is a link to the Health Dept to get information and locate a vaccine clinic nearest you: https://www.pcchd.org/218/Seasonal-Flu

POLICY REMINDERS FROM THE HANDBOOK:

ILLNESS

Should a student become ill during the day, the school nurse will contact the parent. At no time should a student contact the parent from any phone (e.g. their cell phone) without permission. Parents must come into the foyer to sign out the student after meeting with the school nurse.

If your child becomes ill during the day with any of the following symptoms, he/she will be sent home:

• Fever of 100.4℉ or higher or chills

• New Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• New loss of taste or smell

• New moderate to severe headache

• Severe fatigue from unknown cause

• Muscle/Body aches from unknown cause

• Red swollen eyes with drainage

We’re excited to announce that Pleasant Hill students will once again have the opportunity to participate in our Girl Scout Lunch Bunch! During these special lunchtime gatherings, students will connect with peers, learn valuable skills, and explore fun activities inspired by the Girl Scout program—all in a relaxed and supportive environment. We look forward to fostering friendship, leadership, and creativity through this new initiative.

November 15 is about saying Thank You to the Pleasant Hill school board. Our board members spend multiple hours each month on district work, attending meetings, responding to concerns, and taking on other responsibilities most will never hear or read about.

I want to personally thank all seven members of the Pleasant Hill District #69 School Board for their service to the district, our students, and the Pleasant Hill community.

Sarah Hayden-President

Blake Tuley-Vice President

Mike Kocher-Secretary

Robin Floyd

Alynceia Boyce

Paul Carson

Linda Hickman

• November 2-Girls Basketball Game @ Concordia 5:00- Happy Birthday Ms. Parks
• November 3-ELECTION DAY! Boys Basketball Game @ Oak Grove 5:00-Happy Birthday Corey (2nd grade)
• November 4-Early Dismissal @ 1:30-Girls Basketball Game @ PH vs. Pekin Rankin 5:00- Happy Birthday Declan (2nd grade) & William (4th grade)
• November 5-Boys Basketball Game @ PH vs. Peoria Heights 5:00-Happy Birthday Ms. Carter
• November 6-Art Club 2:45-4:15
• November 9-Girls Basketball Game @ PH vs. Oak Grove 5:00-Happy Birthday Jordan (2nd grade)
• November 10-Boys Basketball Game @ Pleasant Valley 4:30-Girls Basketball Practice 2:45-4:30-Happy Birthday Gabriel (5th grade)
• November 11-Happy Veterans Day-Early Dismissal @ 1:30-Boys Basketball Practice 1:30-3:30
• November 12-Boys Basketball Game @ Pleasant Valley 4:30-Girls Basketball Game @ PH vs. Oak Grove (8th Grade Night) 5:00
• November 12-Boys Basketball Game @ Bartonville 5:00-Girls Basketball Game @ PH vs. Monroe 5:00
• November 13-Progress Reports Sent Home-Art Club 2:45-4:15
• November 14-Happy Birthday Oscar (3rd grade)
• November 15-Board Member Appreciation Day
• November 16- Girls Basketball Game @ Hollis 5:00-Happy Birthday Mrs. Pennington, Ra'Mera (5th grade) & Tylasjah (2nd grade)
• November 17-Boys Basketball Game @ PH vs. Monroe 5:00-Board of Education Meeting 6:00
• November 18-Boys Basketball Game @ PH vs. Beverly Manor 5:00-Happy Birthday Marcos (K) & Xander (ECE)
• November 19-Girls Basketball Game @ Southside Christian Academy 5:00
• November 20-27-No School-Thanksgiving Break
• November 21-Progress Reports Sent Home
• November 22-Happy Birthday Jayden (6th grade)
• November 24-Happy Birthday Tommy (8th grade)
• November 27-Happy Birthday Avaia (8th grade)
• November 30-Return to School

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