Behind the Scenes at Pleasant Grove High School

In this episode of Behind the Scenes at PGHS , I’m joined by PGHS CTE Specialist Taffy Lovell to break down what Career & Technical Education (CTE) is and why it matters for every student. We talk about the big benefits of taking CTE classes, especially the advantages of becoming a pathway completer, and how those experiences can open doors after high school. Taffy also explains why CTE pathwa...

In this episode, science teacher and instructional coach Skipper Coates joins us to talk about what parents can do right when grades start to slip . We break down how to stay current in Skyward, what early warning signs to watch for, and how to reach out to teachers in a way that builds a real team around your student. We talk about aligning efforts, finding solutions together, and why teachers ge...

In this episode, Athletic Director Kyle Sanderson joins us as we take a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to run athletics at PGHS. From the number of sports we offer to the nonstop logistics that make each season work. Most of our conversation focuses on the true value of athletics: the connection it gives students, the confidence it builds, and the life lessons it teaches far beyond...

PGHS math chair Amy Smithson joins us to tackle the classic “When am I going to use this?” We dig into why math in high school matters, how parent talk like “I was never good at math” can hold kids back and what to say instead. And finally, the smartest ways to earn college credit (AP, CE, and more).

How does Pleasant Grove High School prepare for the unthinkable? In this episode we talk with School Resource Officer Detective Chris Ruiz about the proactive steps PGHS takes to prevent and respond to potential threats. From locked classroom doors and emergency drills to staff training and officer presence, we break down the safety systems that protect our students every day. A candid look at the...

Getting students to class on time has always been a challenge in high schools. In this episode, we look at how PGHS approaches tardies—our policy, the wins it’s brought, and the bumps along the way. You’ll hear perspectives from both teachers and students on what’s working and what still needs attention.

In this episode we hear from social studies teacher Mr. Newman about a teacher's perspective on attendance. Why is student attendance important? What obstacles do our students face regarding attendance? What can parents do to support student attendance? We discuss all of these questions and more.

In this episode we talk with Mrs. Annie Lavin, a math teacher at PGHS about her perspective on our cell phone policy. We discuss how has it affected teaching and learning in her classroom, common concerns, and how parents and teachers can work together in minimizing the negative impact of cell phones on student learning.

In this episode we talk about information back to school information for parents. Back to school information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SQ1Ej3Htdgn7mPGVlJNeVbBRgXP74x13_v7hRLWrVFQ/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ut1lyj9qpl67