Hello wonderful Panther Lake families and community,
This week was another full week of learning for all our Panthers.
We have some critical calls for partnership for all our families as we have seen an increase in concerning behaviors:
- FIGHTING: Fighting in any shape or form, to include play fighting, is subject to major office referrals and discipline up to, and including suspension. We do not tolerate any hands on scholars or adults at Panther Lake.
- SKIPPING CLASS: We have seen scholars starting to elope, or leave without permission, during instructional time. This is extremely concerning as safety is our highest priority. Should your scholar continue needing support with staying in class, we may ask for your presence for part of or all day to ensure your scholar's safety at school.
- DERAGATORY/VULGAR LANGUAGE: We understand there are various levels of expectations regarding language and what is acceptable and what isn't. At Panther Lake, we do not tolerate any language that is demeaning, derogatory, and vulgar. We expect our scholars to utilize academic language as much as they can, to include expressing big feelings in moments of frustration. Scholars continuing to struggle with language will receive disciplinary consequences to include lunch and recess detention for multiple days and lost of privilege (Kids Night Out and/or Field Trip eligibility).
- ATTENDANCE/TARDIES: Your scholar's attendance at school is imperative to their success. Missing two days per month is equivalent to missing over 10% of the school year (20 days). Every minute in the classroom counts. School starts at 9:10 every morning and we expect scholars to be in the gym, on time, ready to learn before the 9:10am bell. Several extra-curricular school activities include attendance and tardies in eligibility requirements. We have some scholars arriving to eat breakfast at 9:05 which does not allow enough time for your scholar to be prepared for class. If your scholar is eating breakfast at school, please ensure your scholar is at school by 9:50am to allow for time to eat.
- WEAPONS/THREATS: Any weapons of any kind, to include toys, are NOT TOLERATED AT SCHOOL and will result in school suspension. Threats of harm of ANY KIND and to ANY LEVEL can result in a formal investigation and may include disciplinary action multiple day suspensions.
- SOCIAL MEDIA: Please remember, anything that happens outside of school is not subject to school discipline and protocol. However, should anything outside of school disrupt or interrupt the learning environment CAN result in disciplinary action. We are seeing "group chats" on SnapChat, Discord, and more causing significant concerns in our school.
These are incredibly serious and we are asking for your partnership in supporting your scholar at school. My priority is for every scholar to feel safe and welcome at school. We respect every family's diverse background, cultural, and home discipline and we want to ensure scholars understand the expectations at school. We truly appreciate your partnership and attention to these concerns.
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)
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 9:15-9:40am
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