The Wolves Weekly Update

Dear Pleasant Hill Community,

This was not the start to the school year any of us expected. This past week brought difficult moments for our students, staff, families, and community, but it also reminded us just how much people care for one another in Pleasant Hill.

Families: Thank you for your patience, understanding, and compassion.

Staff: Thank you for continuing to put students first while navigating your own emotions.

And finally, thank you to our neighboring communities, administrators, counselors, and first responders. The support you demonstrated in the moments we needed it most will not be forgotten.

As we move forward together, we will continue to take care of one another while returning to the routines, relationships, and learning that make our schools such an important part of our community.

With gratitude,

Kylee Orr

Superintendent

💙 🐺 💛 Our School. One Purpose. 💙 🐺 💛

It was good to have our students back in the classroom on Thursday and to begin settling back into the routines of a new school year.

The pictures below give you a glimpse of what that looked like across our schools this week. Students tackled an ELA escape room, practiced teamwork and communication, tried yoga in PE, helped take care of our school grounds, learned new routines and even turned the discovery of a tiny tree frog into an unexpected science lesson! There were also plenty of opportunities to build relationships, practice good manners, follow the rules—and, of course, enjoy a little downtime with friends.

It is good to have our Wolves back! 💙🐺💛

As students get back into the swing of school, our teachers are also working to find out exactly where each student is starting the year academically. Our Title teachers have been working alongside classroom teachers to help assess students' beginning-of-year literacy and math skills.

These assessments give teachers a starting point by helping us identify skills students already have, areas that may need a quick refresher, and students who may benefit from additional instruction or support. It is normal for some skills to be a little rusty after summer, and we often see them return quickly once students are back into their school routines.

How Can Families Help?

You don't need worksheets or hours of extra practice at home. Small, consistent opportunities to use academic skills in everyday life can make a big difference.

• PK–2: Read together every day, practice letters and sounds, count everyday objects, play rhyming or word games, and let your child tell you about their day.

• Grades 3–5: Encourage 15–20 minutes of reading, practice basic math facts, play cards or games that involve numbers and strategy, and ask your child to explain something they learned at school.

• Grades 6–8: Encourage regular reading, help students develop homework and organization routines, involve them in real-life math like cooking or comparing prices, and ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer.

• Grades 9–12: Encourage students to read about things that interest them, talk about current events, practice budgeting and other real-world math, stay organized with assignments and deadlines, and talk with them about how what they're learning connects to college, careers, and life after high school.

Most importantly, show an interest in what your child is learning. One of the simplest questions you can ask at any age is: “Tell me something you learned today that you didn't know yesterday.”

We'll use what we learn from our beginning-of-year assessments to meet students where they are and help them keep moving forward throughout the year.

Monday

🧁 Muffin & Fruit

🌭 Corn Dog & Green Beans

🥐 Pop-Tart & Fruit

🍗 Chicken Patty & Carrots

🧇 Waffles & Fruit

🍝 Spaghetti & Salad

🍕 Breakfast Pizza & Fruit

🌯 Burrito & Corn

🥣 Cereal & Fruit

🍔 Hamburger & Oven Fries

🥛 Juice and milk are served with breakfast. Fruit and milk are served with lunch each day.

Monday, Aug. 24

🥎 JH Softball vs. St. Francis/Holy Ghost — Home, 4:30 PM

🏈 HS JV Football @ Unity — 6:30 PM

Tuesday, Aug. 25

🥎 JH Softball @ St. Johns — 4:30 PM

🏐 HS Volleyball vs. Triopia — Home, 6:00 PM

Wednesday, Aug. 26

🏃 HS Cross Country @ Macomb — 4:00 PM

🏐 HS Volleyball vs. Payson — Home, 6:00 PM

Thursday, Aug. 27

🥎 JH Softball vs. Calhoun — Home, 4:30 PM

Friday, Aug. 28

🏈 HS Varsity Football @ Brown County — 7:00 PM

Saturday, Aug. 29

🏈 JH Football @ Routt — 8:30 AM

🏐 HS Volleyball @ Quincy — 9:00 AM

Many of you probably recognize Willis Woods, the wooded area located on our school grounds. The area has a connection to Pleasant Hill's industrial arts program and has been part of our campus for many years.

Today, Willis Woods is showing its age. The area has become overgrown, there are trees that need attention, and it hasn't been used to its full potential in quite some time.

One of my aspirations is to bring Willis Woods back to life. I would love to see the area cleaned up and the health of the trees evaluated while preserving the character and history that make it special. Even more exciting is thinking about what the space could become for our students—an outdoor classroom, a place for science and environmental learning, a setting for hands-on projects, or simply a beautiful part of our campus that students and our community can enjoy again.

Before we look too far ahead, though, I'd also like to learn more about its past. Do you know the story of Willis Woods? Who was Willis? When were the trees planted? Were you one of the students who worked there through the industrial arts program? Do you have old pictures or memories of the area?

If you know part of the story, please reach out. I'd love for preserving the history of Willis Woods to be part of imagining its future. I can't wait to hear what you remember about Willis Woods!