The Panther Post
February 2021 Monthly Newsletter
Optimistic Household
Pleasant Hill has partnered with the Regional Office of Education and Shawn Achor, bestselling author, speaker, and renowned Harvard expert in the field of positive psychology, to launch the Optimistic Household, a series of six interactive modules to foster learning and social emotional well being. During these unprecedented times, the social-emotional well-being of our individuals is of utmost importance. By launching Optimistic Household, District 69 aims to spark positivity, optimism and hope for our students, staff and their families.
Please take a few minutes to watch the video below, where Shawn Achor shares information about his program. After watching Shawn, please feel free to visit our district website at www.phill69.com where you can access Optimistic Household FREE of charge!
5 Essentials Survey
The 5Essentials is a comprehensive, evidence-based tool designed to drive improvement in schools. This system - which includes a diagnostic survey, scoring, reporting, and training - is an x-ray for schools and districts that identifies areas of strength and those in need of support. Equipped with this tool, school leadership will be better positioned to drive improvement efforts.
The 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers is made up of 22 measures and approximately 120 questions. Over twenty years of research conducted by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research in Chicago Public Schools found that schools strong on at least three of the five essentials were ten times more likely to show improvements in learning gains in reading and math than schools weak in three of the five essentials.
The parent survey supplement is comprised of approximately 26 questions and will appear in its own section within the 5Essentials Report. The responses from the parent survey do not affect a school’s performance on the 5Essentials and are meant to complement the teacher and student data.
The survey will be available to staff, students, and families beginning FEBRUARY 3. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey and give the district valuable feedback to made any necessary improvements. Your help is greatly appreciated.
The parent survey can be accessed using the following link:
The Dot
Notes from the Nurse
FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL HEART HEALTH MONTH!!!
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Heart health remains a top public health priority. Protecting your heart is more important than ever during COVID-19.
It's very important to make your Mental Health a priority! It is proven that the brain-heart connection is significant. The healthier you keep your heart and body, the healthier your mind!!
Stress and anxiety are at all time highs right now and can manifest in many different ways – from grief, lack of energy, loss of interest in favorite activities or being unmotivated to eat healthy and get active.
That can be troubling as stress and anxiety impact your blood pressure in the short and long term. Eating an unhealthy diet or skipping workouts can ultimately lead to a higher risk of heart disease or complications.
Make your mental health a priority and gain physical benefits:
- Exercise 20-30 minutes, 5 days a week.
- Eat healthy.
- Limit alcohol and caffeine.
- Connect with friends and family members virtually.
- Talk to a mental health professional.
- Try a meditation app to refocus.
- Sweat out stress by cleaning your house
~Mrs. K. Naugle, BSN, RN, NCSN
Pleasant Hill District Nurse
Let's turn PH red!
Mindset and Mental Health Matter!
The heart-brain connection is real!
Sports Updates
IDPH created a new guideline that requires spectators to be a minimum of 30 feet away from the court. Due to the size of the gym at Pleasant Hill, this will not allow us to accommodate ANY spectators for boys or girls basketball games. We will be streaming the games live via the school's facebook page. Please join us in cheering on the #phillpanthers virtually as they compete this season.
Another guideline from the IDPH and IESA requires all athletes to wear masks both during practice and during competitive games. Please remind your child of the importance of wearing his/her mask while engaged in sports for the health and safety of all involved.
We are thankful our students have an opportunity to engage in athletic activities this year, even though these contests may look different from previous years.
Important Notes & Reminders
- Don't forget to sign up for your VIRTUAL student led conference by responding to the communication your child's teacher sent out. Conferences will be held on Wednesday, February 10 and Thursday, February 11 from 4:00-7:00 PM.
- There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, February 12 or Monday, February 15.
- Just a reminder that students will have outdoor recess if the real feel temperature is 20 degrees or above. Please be sure to send your children to school dressed appropriately to go outdoors for recess, which would include coats, hats, scarves and gloves or mittens. We encourage all students to get outdoors to enjoy ten minutes of fresh air during recess. Students will only be allowed to stay indoors for recess if they have a doctor's note for a medical condition.
- Remember in case of inclement weather, students will not come to school. Instead we will utilize e-Learning days. The district will inform you that e-learning days are taking place through local news channels, an automated School Messenger phone call, as well as through the school website, Facebook and Twitter page.
- Yearbooks are currently for sale. Each yearbook costs $12.00. Order forms were sent home last week with students. Please be sure to get your order in as soon as possible. Don't forget to include your payment with your order form. The deadline to order yearbooks is February 19.
- We have had several inquiries in regards to Valentines Day celebrations this year. Teachers will be having their own unique celebrations in their classrooms. However, due to the fact that we have been so successful with our mitigation strategies, we will NOT be allowing students to bring in treats or exchange valentines cards. We feel this is in the best interest of the health and safety of all students.
Mark Your Calendars
- February 1-Boys Basketball Practice 3:00-4:30
- February 2-Boys Basketball Practice 3:00-4:30
- February 3-8th Grade Students Visit LCHS-Boys Basketball Practice 3:00-4:30
- February 9-Boys Basketball Game at Limestone Walters 5:00
- February 10 & 11-Virtual Student Led Conferences 4:00-7:00
- February 11-Boys Basketball Game at PH VS. Monroe 5:00
- February 12-NO SCHOOL
- February 15-NO SCHOOL-President's Day
- February 16-Boys Basketball Game at Oak Grove 4:30-Board of Education Meeting 6:00
- February 17-Boys Basketball Game at PH VS. Hollis 5:00
- February 19-Last Day to Order Yearbooks $12.00 Each
- February 23-Boys Basketball Game at PH VS. Bartonville 5:00
- February 25-Boys Basketball Game at Norwood 4:30
- February 26-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