Pine Hills spotlight: Lighthouse school emphasizes leadership, attendance gains

Principal Megan D’Alessandro and Pine Hills staff presented the school’s academic and leadership work to the board, highlighting student‑led assemblies, Leader in Me lighthouse activities and efforts to lower chronic absenteeism.

D’Alessandro said the school had 357 students in grades K–5 and reviewed demographic breakdowns the presentation listed: 12% Asian, 34% Black, 24% Hispanic, 8% multiracial and 17% white. Pine Hills reported 17% of students in the co‑teach strand and 29% classified as English language learners.

Staff described the school’s goal structure: monthly student‑led leadership assemblies tied to the Leader in Me “8 habits,” weekly tracking of attendance and IXL progress measures, and a school‑wide target that every student meet their NWEA growth goal. Teachers and students explained that monthly assemblies include student presentations and goal updates to motivate progress toward those targets.

Attendance and family engagement

The staff reported a year‑to‑date chronic absenteeism rate of 29% and said the week‑to‑date rate had been as low as 10.45% as the school’s attendance team meets weekly to identify barriers and supports for students. The presentation also flagged family engagement items — strong PTA participation, a successful Black History Month performance and an invitation to Leadership Day on Thursday, June 5.

Student voice and service learning

Students on video described service learning projects: food donations, buddy‑bench fundraising and care packages for people experiencing housing instability. Staff said the projects are tied to social‑emotional learning and leadership practice.

Provenance: The Pine Hills presentation and student videos were presented early in the meeting during district highlights and the Pine Hills school spotlight segment.