Pleasant Hill Intermediate School
Principal's Message
Welcome to Pleasant Hill Intermediate School!
Every student is important at the PHIS--Every Student, Every Day! As a staff we are dedicated to meeting the needs of our fifth and sixth grade students. It is our goal to help students reach beyond the obvious while giving each one the support they need to be successful in meeting that challenge.
We are committed to growing our students as readers and writers! Units of Study has been implemented in all ELA classrooms for reading and writing. Units of Study is a proven framework that incorporates the workshop model. This approach to learning immerses students in rich literature with opportunities to learn strategies and skills as well as opportunities to write a variety of text. According to the Units of Study, “Writers Read. For children to write well, they need opportunities to read and hear texts read, and to read as insiders, studying what other authors have done that they, too, could try.”
The following statement, written by one of our ELA teachers, demonstrates the work that happens through UOS:
In ELA, my students were able to show off their personal narrative process stories. One of my students had a paper with so much detail, dialogue, elaboration, thinking, and figurative language that the other students were cheering. The kids read from the computer, asked questions about their stories, and celebrated with each other. We also had a ‘read in’ day with their book club books and for a special treat, they were able to watch a very important clip from Wonder that modeled flashbacks and the character trait, kindness. Wonder was one of their book club books; all of the books had similar themes. I am so proud of the progress that students made from the beginning of the year, through their process pieces, to their post assessment. I love that I can see their thinking when they are writing about their reading. I also love how their stamina has increased. Lots of Happy Tears!!!
In all of our math classrooms, we use Eureka Math Squared. This curriculum helps students gain a deeper understanding of math and connects the why behind how numbers work. Eureka Math Squared engages students to problem solve, strategize, and think critically. It helps students become fluent and literate mathematicians.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is taught in science classes. PLTW-Launch is taught in 5th grade; PLTW Gateway is taught in 6th grade. PLTW is an engaging, hands-on approach that challenges students to solve real-world problems and allows them to explore and discover.
As a staff we are committed to helping students reach their full potential. As principals, we are honored to serve PHIS and our community! Please feel free to contact us at any time. We look forward to an amazing year.
Educationally Yours,
Chandra Arbuckle, Principal
Melissa Franklin, Assistant Principal
We Believe We Can and Will Reach Our Potential!