Petition to Retain Principal Polhuis at Beaverly Elementary

We, the undersigned members of the Beaverly Elementary School community, respectfully urge School District 57 to retain Principal Polhuis in her current role. In just the last two and a half years, our school has experienced a revolving door of leadership—three different temporary principals since the departure of Mrs. Kettles, whose exit also meant the loss of the school’s beloved therapy dog, Ryker, a source of comfort and emotional support for many students.

Since stepping into this role, Principal Polhuis has brought a much-needed sense of stability, compassion, and vision. She has:

• Led a 13% increase in literacy rates;
• Introduced a new school logo to build identity and pride;
• Launched the “Bruin Bucks” initiative to encourage positive behavior;
• Attended all PAC meetings and been a welcoming, steady presence at in-school and after-school events;
• And perhaps most importantly, she is deeply approachable and open-minded with students, creating a safe space where they feel seen, supported, and heard.

She also helped create “The Den”—a specially designed, calming room where students can go when they feel overwhelmed or overstimulated. This space supports student mental health and emotional regulation, offering a refuge that demonstrates her deep understanding of the whole-child approach to education.

At a time when student mental health is more important than ever, Principal Polhuis creates an environment of trust, encouragement, and emotional care. She recognizes the importance of strong relationships, positive reinforcement, and creating spaces where all students can thrive, both academically and emotionally. 

Beyond academic gains, Mrs. Polhuis fosters a culture of kindness, inclusion, and open communication. She has earned the trust and admiration of students, parents, and staff alike. Her departure would jeopardize the progress we’ve made and the positive environment she’s nurtured.

Mrs. Polhuis’s leadership is helping fill the void left by past disruptions, offering consistency and heart when our community needed it most. Removing Principal Polhuis would jeopardize the trust and momentum we’ve worked hard to rebuild. Mrs. Polhuis has only been with us for one year as our permanent principal, yet her impact in a single year has laid the groundwork for real, lasting growth. But that progress requires time to truly take root. Our children – and our entire school community- need Principal Polhuis to remain with us to carry out her visions for our school community. 

Mrs. Polhuis brings both heart and strategic thinking to her work. Her continued leadership is essential for sustaining progress and restoring much-needed stability to our community. We respectfully ask decision-makers to hear our voices and support the principal in helping our school flourish again.