IN West Jefferson Hills Spring 2026 | Page 37

PHMS Students Connect with Marine Band Musician During Virtual Visit
Jumping for Joy and Heart Health: Jefferson Hills Intermediate Students Make Every Skip Count!

Participating for 17 years, Jefferson Hills Intermediate students kicked off the Kids Heart Challenge with an energizing assembly full of fun, fitness, and heart health lessons! They learned how staying active helps keep their hearts strong and how their participation supports the American Heart Association in its mission to save lives.

We also shared how donations help students reach their personal goals while contributing to lifesaving heart research. Every jump, every skip, and every contribution truly makes a difference! That year, the students set an ambitious goal to surpass $ 11,000 in support of the American Heart Association.
From big jumps to even bigger hearts, our Jefferson Hills Intermediate kids got moving, challenged themselves, and made a positive impact in the community. With exciting activities, friendly competitions, and plenty of encouragement, the energy in the school was contagious!
We cheered them on as they set goals, broke records, and showed that healthy hearts and helping hands go hand in hand. The jumping began!
PHMS Students Connect with Marine Band Musician During Virtual Visit

Students at PHMS recently took part in a unique virtual learning experience with Gunnery Sgt. Rebecca Sieff, a horn player with“ The President’ s Own” United States Marine Band. The interactive session offered students an inside look at life as a professional musician in one of the nation’ s most prestigious military ensembles.

A native of Columbia, Maryland, Gunnery Sgt. Sieff joined the Marine Band in November 2016. Since then, she has performed as a member of the Marine Corps’ premier musical organization, representing a tradition of excellence that dates back more than two centuries.
During the“ Meet a Member of the Band” session, students had the opportunity to engage directly with Gunnery Sgt. Sieff and learn about her journey from young music student to accomplished performer with“ The President’ s Own.” She spoke about the dedication, discipline, and artistry required to succeed at the highest levels of musical performance and military service.
Students had the chance to ask questions about her career path, daily responsibilities, and memorable musical experiences. The session provided valuable insight and inspiration for aspiring musicians, highlighting the many possibilities that dedication to music can create.
Pleasant Hills Middle School Brings the Winter Olympics Spirit to School
PHMS staff and students spent the week of February 17 focused on the Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics theme was selected for our school-wide unit. The goal was to make connections across content areas that enabled the students to have real-life learning experiences. Lessons varied from learning about the history of the Olympics, calculating speed, velocity and momentum, seeing how the body reacts to different athletic events, and researching Olympians overcoming adversity just to name a few. Student homerooms competed in a variety of our own Olympic events. Students also participated in a winter sporting event field trip and held a charitable fundraiser to benefit the Special Olympics. It was an exceptional week of celebrating the Olympic spirit, patriotism and teamwork.
West Jefferson Hills School Board Members Honored at Special Evening

The West Jefferson Hills School District recently held an evening to honor the service and dedication of its school board members. Outgoing members were thanked for their years of commitment to the district, while returning and newly elected board members were warmly welcomed.

The celebration was made even more special by the participation of students, teachers, and staff from across the district. Each school contributed in its own unique way, adding personal touches that made the evening a true community affair.
District officials expressed gratitude to the outgoing board members for their service and leadership, noting that their efforts had a lasting impact on the students and community. At the same time, they looked forward to the contributions of returning and newly elected members, emphasizing the importance of fresh perspectives alongside experienced guidance.

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