Earthquake Safety

Welcome to Pleasant Hill Elementary,

Everyone is starting to settle into their daily routine. The classes have already taken the Gates and STAR Reading Tests and the results will be shared with you when they are available. We are not taking the Stanford Achievement Tests this year. The district will be taking the Discovery Education baseline tests to help direct our classroom instruction. These tests help determine the areas of strengths and needs for each individual student. The results will be used by the teachers to direct the students’ learning throughout the year. The students will take these tests again in December or January and then in March before the MAP tests. The data from each test will help the teachers direct instruction for their class. We felt that the periodic testing offered by Discovery Education allows us more flexibility and knowledge in guiding our classroom instruction. We are better able to tailor a student’s education to meet their needs with the use of the on-going data provided to us by Discovery Education.

We have already begun the Fitness Club and Newspaper Club. The Fitness Club under the direction of Mrs. Haines and Mrs. Goad meets every Monday and Tuesday from 3:35-4:15. The students participate in a variety of activities that promote exercise and good health. The club meets until October 12. The club will then begin again in the spring of the year. The Newspaper Club begins its second year at the elementary. Mrs. Halfmann and Mrs. Brundage will be working closely with the students. The students organize, develop, write and produce the newspaper. The newspaper is printed once a month. The Elementary Choir will begin soon under the direction of Mrs. Shaffer. Choir will meet on Thursdays from 3:35-4:15. The choir will perform at various events, assemblies, and at their two concerts throughout the year.

Home and school communication is an important link in a child’s education. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have a question or concern. The end of the first quarter is October 15. Grades, test results and other items will be discussed with each student’s parents at a parent teacher conference the following week. Each individual teacher is scheduling their conferences during the week of October 18-21. Please contact your child’s teacher if you haven’t set up a conference appointment or have forgotten the day or time of the conference. We are asking you to take a short survey after the conference.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our parent volunteers that we have throughout the elementary. Many volunteers have already come in to help in the classrooms and meet the needs of the students and teachers. The teachers have expressed how much they appreciate everything done by our volunteers. Your assistance from preparing materials for the classroom, to working in the classroom, and with students is invaluable. We appreciate all the parent volunteers that we have and would like to thank you once again.

Sincerely,

John A. Stahl,
Pleasant Hill Elementary Principal