Welcome New Commissioners!

The Pleasant Hill Education Commission extends a warm welcome to its two new commissioners - Matt Rinn and Chris Winder - who were recently appointed by the City Council.

Back-to-School Nights are Around the Corner

Back-to-school night is one of the most popular events held at each of our schools. It is an exciting opportunity for parents to meet their child's teachers, get information on school schedules, homework and grading policies all at one time! Below, find the date and time of your student's back-to-school night:

Gregory Gardens Elementary

Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. - Kindergarten

Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. - Grades 1-5

Hidden Valley Elementary

Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. - 3rd Grade

Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. - K and 2nd Grade

Tuesday, Sept. 10 - 1st Grade at 6 p.m.; 4th Grade at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. - 5th Grade

Pleasant Hill Elementary

Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

Sequoia Elementary

Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Strandwood Elementary

Friday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. - Grades K-1

Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. - Grades 4-5

Thursday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. - Grades 2-3

Valhalla Elementary

Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. - Grades K-1 and 3

Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. - Grades 2, 4-5

Pleasant Hill Middle

Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

Sequoia Middle

Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6:45 p.m.

Valley View Middle

Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.

College Park High School

Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Pleasant Hill Education Initiative

PHEI - In the News

The Pleasant Hill Education Initiative steering committee moved full steam ahead this summer and our community volunteers are eager to get started.

Fingerprinting & TB Testing for Volunteers

PHEI has scheduled a second round of fingerprinting and TB testing at the Pleasant Hill YMCA (350 Civic Drive) on September 17 and 19. Fingerprinting is from 5-8 p.m. and TB testing (and results reading) is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. You must get TB tested on the 17th and return on the 19th to have the test read. To sign up for fingerprinting and/or TB testing, go to www.pleasant-hill.net/phei.

Volunteering at School Sites

Green Team Volunteers

The PHEI Green Team is seeking 20 volunteers to help supervise the organic salad bars in the cafeterias at Gregory Gardens, Strandwood, Valhalla and Valley View. If you're able to help, please sign up here: http://www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us/forms.aspx?FID=126

Additionally, the Green Team will be installing a new composting system and herb spirals at Pleasant Hill Middle School as part of this year's Community Service Day. For more information and to register, please click here: http://pleasanthill.volunteerhub.com/Events/Event/Summary.aspx?EventID=1420083

Reading Readiness

PHEI is working with the school sites to make volunteers available to assist with reading readiness and mentoring in all of the Elementary Schools. Volunteer coordinators, Cindy Rubin and Julia Meneghetti, are currently trying to determine what type of reading program each school will be running and what their needs will be in terms of filling volunteer slots. This program is primarily designed for grades K through 2. Please sign up here: http://www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us/forms.aspx?FID=126

PHEI- In the Queues

The Green Team is pleased to bring you a "Green Movie Night" at the Teen Center on Friday, Sept. 20. Enjoy a free screening of Wall-E and light refreshments, starting at 6 p.m. More details on this flyer.

PHEI Upcoming Events

September 17 and 19 - Fingerprinting and TB Testing at the YMCA

September 20 - Green Movie Night

September 24 - Night of 1000 inventions at the PH Library

September 28 - Green Team on campus on Community Service Day

October 9 - "Navigating Middle School" Parent Education Forum

For more information about the Education Initiative go to www.pleasant-hill.net/phei.

Navigating Middle School Event Provides Parent Education

In just a few days classes will commence, homework will resume and questions will arise for both students and parents. Hear all the buzz about Middle School at our parent education night, "Navigating Middle School" on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Topics will include communication with teachers and staff, discipline, friendships, electives, lunchtime drama, transportation and anything parents want to discuss. There will be administrators, teachers and parents who have been through it available to share their knowledge and experience. Parents of students in grades 4 through 8 are encouraged to attend, but all are welcome.

This valuable event is organized by the Pleasant Hill Education Commission in partnership with the Pleasant Hill Education Initiative and will be held at the Pleasant Hill Middle School cafeteria. Please add Wednesday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. to your calendar and don't miss Navigating Middle School. Ask questions at the event or e-mail them in advance to [email protected].

Community Service Day

The 9th Annual Community Service Day will be held on September 28, 2013. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Park on Gregory Lane. The first 600 volunteers to check in at the park receive a free T-Shirt and everyone gets a free pancake breakfast served up by the Lions Club. Most of the school sites in Pleasant Hill will have a project. To sign up online and register for your school project, go to www.pleasant-hill.net/volunteer.

This event is organized by the Pleasant Hill Civic Action Commission. For more information contact Martin Nelis at [email protected] or phone (925) 671-5229.

District-wide College Fair Planned

Juniors and Seniors from throughout the school district are encouraged to attend the MDUSD College Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Fair is an opportunity for students to meet college reps and get information about colleges and universities in California and across the country. So far, nearly 70 college representatives have signed up to participate. College Fair Flyer.

Attendance Matters

Did you know that our school district loses $52.31 per student per day when students are absent? More important, students who miss school lose out on learning important information that builds the knowledge and skills necessary for future academic achievement.

Mt. Diablo USD's interim Superintendent Dr. John Bernard recently authored an op-ed titled, "Making sure kids stay in school is everyone's business," which appeared in the Aug. 18 edition of the Contra Costa Times. In it, he provides tips for how parents, schools and community leaders can support student attendance. For parents, he suggests:

• Monitoring bedtime to ensure that your child is well rested.
• Helping your children develop a morning routine so they arrive at school on time ready to learn.
• Monitoring study time and provide assistance with homework when necessary.
• Helping your child develop a positive attitude about school, include good study habits, a love of books and reading, and respect for those who lead and teach them.
• Showing an interest in your children's learning to help make school a place where children want to go.

You can read the full article here: http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/ci_23871623/making-sure-kids-stay-school-is-everyones-business?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com

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School Websites

http://cphs.mdusd.org/

http://www.mdusd.org/Schools/Pages/FairOaks.aspx

http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/gregorygardens/

http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/pleasanthillelementary/

http://hiddenvalley.mdusd.org/

http://sequoiak5.schoolfusion.us/

http://strandwood.mdusd.org/

http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/valhalla/

http://plhms-mdusd-ca.schoolloop.com/

http://sequoiamiddle.mdusd.org/

http://valleyview.mdusd.org/