Eagle Update 11/9

Posted Date: 11/09/25 (11:24 AM)

View Original Post

Eagle Update

Indian Hills Elementary

Two golden trophies with crown toppers and 'GOAT' logos sit on a white surface.

Dear Eagles,

We have so much to celebrate this week!

✅ Highest Attendance in the District!

Indian Hills earned 2 honors among all elementary schools in the district & the associated traveling GOAT trophies!

Best Attendance for October
Most Improved Attendance for October

Thank you for getting students here on time and ready to learn—attendance is a habit that matters; we are grateful that our community continues to show up in all the best ways.

✅ 3rd Grade Teachers Recognized

At last week’s Salt Lake City School District Board Meeting, our 3rd-grade team was honored for their incredible work and exceptional student growth. Their dedication, collaboration, and love for students shine every day. We are so proud of them!

A group of people stand together, holding certificates in a well-lit room.

✅ Eagles of the Day & Eagles of the Week

We love celebrating students for showing leadership, kindness, and perseverance. Keep an eye on our Instagram and hallways—we have many Eagles soaring (winners highlighted below).

✅ Educator of the Week

Mr. Chase Monteiro is our Educator of the week. He was nominated by multiple peers! Enjoy the front row parking spot, you've earned it!

Thank you for your partnership and continued support. Indian Hills is thriving because of our amazing staff, families, and students.

Yours in the work,

Dr. Pettersson

Upcoming Schoolwide Events & Activities

Monday - 11/10

SCT: School Collaboration Team meeting @ 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday - 11/11

Veteran's Day
6th Grade Hands-On Science
PLC for 5th, 3rd, 2nd, and K
Advanced Academics District Advisory Quarterly Meeting @ 4:00 p.m. (Ms. Hunt is the chair, Dr. P. is the Elementary Principal Rep., and Missy Dawson is our Parent Rep.)

Wednesday - 11/12

SCC: School Community Council Meeting @ 7:00 - 7:50 a.m. in Library - Meeting Notes from October & November Agenda
4th Grade Hands-On Science
Faculty Meeting @2:45 p.m.
PTO Dine-Out @ Shake Shack - Be sure to mention the code word DONATE at check out to earn donations for our school!

Thursday - 11/13

5th Grade Hands-On Science
PLC for 4th, 6th, and 1st
SCC Subcommittee: Advanced Learners @6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Agenda

Friday - 11/14

Music in the Gym

Important Dates: Kim created a 1-page flyer with the important dates for the upcoming year to help us plan ahead Important Dates Flyer

Hey everyone, exciting things are happening at Indian Hills.

On Friday we had our first round of Eagle of the Day and Eagle of the Week. Congrats to all of those students who were recognized this past week. We also won two trophies from the district for our strong attendance record! These are fantastic ways of not only building but strengthening our IHE community.

This week I’ll be working with the upper grades on the following lessons in SEL:

3rd & 4th Grade – Emogemeter : Identify, recognize and name our personal complex emotions. Practice selecting an emotional management strategy. Describe how to select an emotional management strategy for specific situations.

5th Grade – The Pendulum: Analyze positive and negative consequences of expressing our emotions in different settings.

6th Grade - Quest for Questions: Appreciate the questions and perspectives of others. Brainstorm ways we can welcome and talk to new students. Demonstrate respect for differences and similarities between social and cultural groups.

--Counselor Chris

A handwritten note on a red-bordered card praises Kira Lewis for her hard work.

Eagles Soaring Above & Beyond

We are excited to launch a new recognition program to honor students who go above and beyond in the classroom and throughout our school community.

Eagle of the Day:

Each class selects one student each day who demonstrates what it means to be an Indian Hills Eagle—whether it’s tackling challenging learning tasks, showing kindness, leading by example, or being a friend to all. If your student comes home with an Eagle of the Day certificate (the example above is for Kira Lewis in Ms. Mergen's 4th-grade class), we hope you celebrate their hard work and character!

Eagle of the Week:

Each Friday, one student from every grade level is honored as our Eagle of the Week. These students exemplify our values and help make our school a better place.

Eagles of the Week

Kindergarten: Everleigh Bress

1st Grade: Noah Busath

2nd Grade: Matilda Tang

3rd Grade: Johann Marquardt

4th Grade: Fern Gilillard

5th Grade: Ephraim Silvennoinen

6th Grade: Emily Chan

Look for their names at the entrance to our building in the first case.

WE LOVE SEEING OUR EAGLES SHINE! Thank you for sharing them with us.

The words 'THE DIGNITY INDEX' are displayed in white text on a black background.

Dignity Learning in Action

Salt Lake City School District is the first Dignity District in the U.S. Dignity means every person matters - no conditions, no exceptions. It's not about earning approval; its about recognizing our shared worth. When we honor dignity, we create space where everyone feels safe, valued, and free to grow.

Every conversation, every classroom, every moment is a chance to make DIGNITY real.

Together we can build schools where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Hands-On Science is one way our school is equiping students with the skills needed to keep conversations at 5 and up, where dignity thrives.

Level 8 - Dignity: I believe everyone is born with inherent worth. I treat everyone with dignity. I value others' feelings and views, even if we disagree.

Level 7 - Connectedness: I fully engage with others. I am open to admitting mistakes I've made and can change my mind.

Level 6 - Curious: I ask thoughtful questions and make and effort to learn about others' perspectives even if they are different from my own.

Level 5 - Respect: I recognize others have a right to be here. Even when it's difficult, I remember it's their school, too.

Click here for more information about the DIgnity Index, including the descriptions of levels below 5,.

Three children sit on the floor, examining colorful shapes together.

Hands-On Science at IHE

Our school’s continued focus on providing all students with meaningful, hands-on science instruction supports the greater goal of dignity, and here’s how:

Science teaches openness. Students learn to consider new ideas, new perspectives, and new ways of thinking in order to solve problems. Being curious and flexible is part of the process.
Science resolves conflict respectfully. When ideas differ, scientists don’t argue to win—they investigate. Disagreements are handled through discussion, persuasive reasoning, further experimentation, and the careful collection of evidence.
Science teaches students to “disagree without being disagreeable.” As Einstein famously said, “Critical comments should be taken in a friendly spirit.” In science, exploration and respectful dialogue are expected, and everyone’s voice matters.

By learning, questioning, and experimenting together, our students practice dignity every day—treating themselves and others with respect, curiosity, and an open mind.

Click here for more information about our Hands-On Science Program at Indian Hills Elementary.

PTO @ Indian Hills

Enjoy a night out and earn donations for our school.

This month's DINE OUT is Wednesday at Shake Shack. Be sure to mention the code: DONATE at checkout!

Upcoming Dates

11/12 Shake Shack Dine-Out Fundraiser
11/20 PTO Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
11/26-11/30 Holiday Break

If you are interested in volunteering and/or joining the PTO (no membership fee - we want everyone to join), please contact Caitlin Pearson, our PTO President at caitlinbpearson@gmail.com

Have a great week!

Indian Hills PTO

PTO Nov 2025 Newsletter.pdf