The Panther Post
December 2020 Monthly Newsletter
Holiday Happenings
Wow, what a year 2020 has proven to be. The year has definitely brought with it many unforeseen circumstances and challenges. However, the staff, students, families, and Pleasant Hill community has shown true resilience and perseverance, proving that we can truly handle anything that comes our way.
We successfully managed 15 weeks of in person instruction as a result of implementing mitigation strategies including social distancing, wearing masks, and frequent hand washing. We are so very proud of the staff and students for integrating these mitigation strategies with integrity. Moving to remote instruction was our last resort, when a reduction in staff was made due to illness which made it a necessity for the remainder of the year. We look forward to welcoming back students on January 5th for in person instruction. Please know this situation continues to be a fluid one. At any point in time, the district may need to transition from in person to remote learning, due to staffing issues or because the Governor issues a stay at home order. The district will continue to keep families updated via social media, the district website, as well as School Messenger automated texts and emails.
Although students are engaged in remote learning activities at home, we thought it would be fun to have them get into the holiday spirit and participate in the "15 Days of Christmas!" We will dress up to match the theme of a holiday song each day. Please encourage your child to join in the fun!
Here is the schedule for the "15 Days of Christmas":
November 30-"Christmas Vacation" Wear jeans, sunglasses, hats, & other vacation gear
December 1-"You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" Wear Green or Grinch Attire
December 2-"Little Saint Nick" Wear Your Plaid
December 3- "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" Dress Like Your Favorite Elf to be Santa's Helper
December 4-"Baby It's Cold Outside" Wear Warm & Cozy Clothes-Sweats, Fleece, Etc.
December 7- "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" Wear Tree Rockin' Socks
December 8- "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" Wear Antlers (Red Nose)
December 9- "Here Comes Santa Claus" Wear a Santa Hat & Other Santa Attire
December 10-"White Christmas" Wear White (and Christmas decorations)
December 11- "O Christmas Tree" Dress Up Like a Christmas Tree
December 14- "Winter Wonderland" Wear Pajamas
December 15- "Deck the Halls" Ugly Christmas Sweater
December 16- "Frosty the Snowman" Wear Hats and Scarves
December 17- "Jingle Bells" Wear Bells
December 18-"Blue Christmas" Wear Blue Attire
Let's have fun as we celebrate the holiday season at Pleasant Hill! Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday.
Yours In Education,
Mrs. Lisa Weaver
Superintendent/Principal
2020 Illinois School Report Card
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released our annual School Report Card on October 30, 2020. This is an annual report released by the Illinois State Board of Education that shows how the state, and each school and district, are progressing on a wide range of educational goals. The Report Card offers a complete picture of student and school performance in order to inform and empower families and communities as they support their local schools.
This year, the report card may look a bit different as some information has been excluded. This is due to the fact that as a result of the pandemic, students were engaged in remote learning activities and a federal waiver was granted, allowing ISBE to cancel all state assessments for students during the academic school year. We hope to pick up this year, continuing with state assessments, in order to track students academic progress, which will in turn be reflected on the 2021 annual report card.
Pleasant Hill's designation for the 2019-2020 school year was again Commendable!!!
We at Pleasant Hill Elementary School hold high expectations for all students and believe every student can meet our expectations with the right supports. Thank you for your continued partnership to ensure every child is thriving.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by contacting Superintendent Lisa Weaver or Assistant Principal Jason Pollitt.
Feel free to take a look at Pleasant Hill's 2020 Report Card by clicking the link below:
First Quarter Honor Roll
Notes from the Nurse
It's important now more than ever during this COVID-19 Pandemic to wash our hands!
Did you know that washing your hands several times a day is the #1 way to prevent and stop the spread of germs and stay healthy? Most bacteria and viruses can live on your hands for more than 24hours! A full day? Wow! Time to wash those hands!
Your children learned about handwashing and the proper steps to correctly wash in November! We did a great activity together with Glo-germ "fake glow in the dark germs". Ask them to tell you about it and show you how to wash correctly! Here is a short video that you can watch together to review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCtdIB6Uzk0
FLU SHOTS ~ It's also not too late to get your families flu shots! Call your Doctor, go to your local pharmacy or the Health Department and schedule yours today!
Mental Health Moment ~ How are you holding up? Mindset and your mental health matter! Here are some tips on how to cope during the pandemic. Please reach out if you or anyone in your family is struggling. I am here to listen and help find you resources!
Stay safe and healthy,
Mrs. K. Naugle, BSN, RN, NCSN
School Nurse
Thanksgiving Feast
Alpha Park Library
Reminders
- Don't forget, if an issue arises in the classroom with your child, please encourage your child to speak to their teacher about that issue. The next step of action would be for you as the parent or guardian to have a phone conference or conference with the teacher at school to discuss the issue that is taking place in an attempt to resolve it. If the issue still cannot be resolved, then please reach out to Mr. Pollitt, the Assistant Principal, through email jpollitt@phill69.com or give him a call at 637.6829 and he would be happy to work with you and the teacher to find a way to resolve the issue at hand.
- If you have had a phone number, address, or email change, please call or stop in the office to update that information. This is very important in case we need to make calls to families using our automated School Messenger system. If your information is not updated in our Teacherease system, you will not receive phone calls, text messages, or emails.
Mark Your Calendars
- December 1-18-All Students Will Engage In Remote Learning Activities
- December 15-Board of Education Meeting 6:00 PM
- December 18-Last Day of Second Quarter-Report Cards Sent Home
- December 21-January 4-Winter Break NO SCHOOL
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