IN West Jefferson Hills Fall 2019 | Page 48

Pleasant Hills Middle School DAN COMO, PRINCIPAL Sixth Grade Students Begin Transition to Middle School On Monday, August 19, Pleasant Hills Middle School staff welcomed our incoming sixth grade students along with their parents for Sixth Grade Open House and Orientation. The program is specifically designed to address student and parent concerns about transitioning to the middle school setting. PHMS teachers and staff were on hand to introduce the students to “all things middle school”. Students had the opportunity to run through their schedules, meet their new teachers and classmates, and learn about course and school expectations. We look forward to getting to know our new middle school students and witnessing the many things they will accomplish over the next three years. New for 2019‑20, CHILL Room and New Staff WJHSD and PHMS continue to seek ways to improve the learning experience for our students. Through a partnership with Jefferson Counseling Services and Dr. William Davies, PHMS will implement the CHILL Project to provide a dedicated mindfulness center with a full-time dedicated CHILL specialist at the middle school every day for students. The CHILL Project is a comprehensive mindfulness-informed, skill-building program that serves the needs of the entire school community, including teachers, students and family. By engaging the entire school community, the CHILL Project looks to increase the wellbeing of all members, ultimately leading to greater resiliency, student success, teacher contentment, involved caregivers, and a compassionate learning community that promotes healing and wellness. This holistic approach will help our students ultimately become better students and better learners. 46 WEST JEFFERSON HILLS