March 24, 2014

Common Core Night for 6-12 Grades

Due to the overwhelming interest in our K-5 Common Core Night, and at the request of parents, the Education Commission and the Pleasant Hill Library are organizing a 6-12-grade Common Core Night on Tuesday, March 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Library. This event will also feature teacher presenters in all four of the academic disciplines sharing their practice with parents and demonstrating how parents can support their 6-12th-grader at home.

MDUSD Seeks Input on How to Spend Public Funds

The meeting at College Park has been changed to Thursday, April 3rd at 6:30 p.m. 

Local Control Funding Formula, or LCFF funds districts more fairly than in the past by creating a base funded on a per pupil basis that is the same across the state. It adds on more funds for grades K-3 and 9-12, transportation, and the Targeted Instructional Improvement Grant (TIIG). In addition to making funding more fair, our state government relaxed many rules making it easier for districts and schools to use those funds but they must demonstrate improved achievement for all students.

To assist districts with figuring out how to use LCFF funds to best serve students, and to make sure the three groups of students get the support they need, districts must create a Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). The District is holding a series of meetings at each of the six High Schools to solicit input and feedback on the LCAP. 

You can also provide input by sending an email to [email protected]. In case you want to know more, there is additional information about LCFF and LCAP on the district website under Strategic Plan/LCAP. Please make sure your voice is heard!

Commissioner Awards at PH Elementary Event

Two members of the Education Commission received PTA awards at the 75th annual Pleasant Hill Elementary Founders Night celebration on February 27th. 

Mary Gray received the Golden Oak Service Award from Mayor Tim Flaherty. This prestigious award is given to recognize an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the welfare of children and youth in a school or community.

Joann Jacobs received the Very Special Person Award, presented by fellow commissioner, Kelly St. Germain. This award is given to recognize an individual or organization for their service to PTA.

Citywide Science Fair at the Pleasant Hill Library  

On Tuesday March 4th nearly 200 children and families flocked to the Pleasant Hill Library for the first citywide Science Fair.  Over 30 students - representing every public school in town - presented their projects which explored concepts from botany and bacteriology to electricity and magnetism.

Every student presenter received a certificate from signed by the Mayor Flaherty and a free pass to the Lawrence Hall of Science, which was in attendance, running a hands-on engineering challenge.  The Lindsay Wildlife also shared and exhibition of skulls, pelts, wings, and full animal specimens that participants could touch.

A representative from Doorstep Farmers set up an M.I.T.-developed 'Makey Makey' that let youth play the piano on a keyboard of sweet potatoes, or turn those tubers into a video game controller.  The science fair was another successful partnership between the Pleasant Hill Education Initiative and the Library as they seek to expand educational opportunities for every child in the city 

 Pleasant Hill Community Foundation Accepting Community Grant Applications