Hello wonderful Panther Lake families and community,
It is that time of the year when we start getting even busier at school! We are busy planning for spring events and even looking ahead to our end of year celebrations. Our scholars are doing incredible work and we are excited for the celebrations ahead!
Scholars will continue visiting the lost and found next week to see if they find any of their personal items. As a reminder, we will be donating any unclaimed items to Ukraine. Please let us know if you would like to visit the lost and found.
Read Across America is coming!
We would love for you to come in and read with your child or to share a book or story with the whole class.
Please contact your child’s teacher to arrange this.
Monday 2/27 Activity: Morning assembly kick off with our school mascot, Shadow.
Tuesday 2/28 Activity: Teachers may switch classrooms to read to other classes or grade levels.
Wednesday 3/1 Activity: Wacky hat day. Scholars will be creating bookmarks in their classroom and other literacy activities.
Thursday 3/2 Activity: Wear red for the love of reading and heart health.
Friday 3/3 Activity: PJ, blanket, pillow day. Scholars can get cozy and read. Please check in with your child’s teacher(s) if you would like to schedule a time to read with your child or read a story to the whole class.
We truly appreciate your partnership in ensuring our school is the best place to learn for every scholar.
Thank you for your continued support!
In partnership,
Tabatha Ritch
(Principal)
253-945-3634
253-391-7444 (Cell - Text okay)
and
Emily Smith
(Assistant Principal)
253-945-3608
253-391-6251 (Cell - Text okay)
All 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders Invited to Join Battle of the Books!
Battle of the Books is an extracurricular activity for third, fourth and fifth graders that centers on reading. Students read from a set list of books, form teams, attend practices, and compete in our school’s Battle of the Books. The winning team will go on to the district Battle of the Books. Practices will be held in the library during afternoon recess.
Practice dates are on Wednesdays on the following dates: 2/22, 3/8, & 3/22
Complete Finn’s Mission TODAY!
Dear Families – Our Kids Heart Challenge is off to a great start and we are learning how to keep our hearts and minds healthy! We are encouraging all families at the school to learn the steps to Hands-Only CPR through Finn’s Mission. Be part of the movement and join the 1.8 million families across the nation learning Hands-Only CPR this year! So far, 26 students have signed up and 2 families have learned Hands-Only CPR! Thank you for supporting our school and the American Heart Association in their mission to save lives!
Next Steps:
- If you have not registered for our team yet, consider registering today at http://www2.heart.org/goto/pantherlakeelementary or download the Kids Heart Challenge app!
- If you have already registered, THANK YOU! Send 10 emails or e-cards to family and friends today (pre-written templates are in your KHC HQ!)
- Start FINN’S MISSION and learn the steps to Hands-Only CPR. When your student completes Finn’s Mission, they will earn an XL Finn the Shark Keychain!
School Goal: 200 students registered
pecial School Incentives:
• When the first 25 students signed up, Mr. Jackson will get silly stringed! UNLOCKED!!!
• When we get 50 students signed up, Mr. Jackson will get silly stringed again! Can we Unlock this week?!
• If we can get 200 students signed up, Ms. Rich will get silly stringed!
When you raise $50 you will earn a Be The Torch wristband, 4 Heart Heroes, and a Mystery Gift!!
Is your class on the leaderboard below? Register today and help your class take the lead!
Family Empowerment for 21st Century Learners
If you would like more information or to register for this even, please visit www.fwps.org/FamilyAcademy
Seeking Members!
President- Renee Metanoia
Vice President- Katie Finch
Secretary- Jason O'Daniel
Treasurer- Glyn Jenkins (5th grade teacher/admin intern)
PTA is still in need of members to support family event planning and building up our Panther Lake community.
If you would like to join our PTA, please reach out to Mr. Sanchez or any of our board members.
To report absences:
- Call Mrs. Hagen at 253-945-3603 or office 253-945-3600, email: bhagen@fwps.org
- Report on ParentVue, preferable before school starts at 9:10am (before teacher submit absences)
*If absences are not reported before 10:15am, parents will get a district automated absence callout* to remind them to call students absence in.
TIP: If students go to a medical appointment and misses school, you can provide a doctor's note so the absence can be excused as “medical” which will not count as an absent for BECCA.
**If you have a question about BECCA, our state school attendance law, please feel free to email or call me for more information.**
Prearranged absence: Form attached needs to be completed when student is out for more than 2 days BEFORE missing school. This applies for vacations or extended absences.
*parent will complete the top portion, then teacher will complete their section, parent and student will sign and final step will be completed from our principal, Mrs. Ritch.*
Tardy hours 9:10-9:40am
Absence is after 9:40am
If students are late and check in after 9:40am and it is under an unexcused reason, parents will get the auto absence callout.
- PLEASE put a reason down when students are coming in late or leaving early, if there is no reason written down, then the attendance code will not be accurate and it will be automatically coded as unexcused.
If you have any attendance questions, please contact Data Secretary Bonnie Hagen 253-945-3603 bhagen@fwps.org