Panther Post

• May 24th: Early Release
• May 26th: Spirit Assemblies (K-2 1:45-2:30) (3-5 2:45-3:30)
• May 29th: NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day
• May 30th: PTA Skate Night 5:30-7:30pm
• June 7th: Kindergarten Moving Up Ceremony 10am tentative
• June 9th: Multicultural Night
• June 14th: Talent Show 2:20pm
• June 14th: 5th Grade Graduation
• June 15th: Field Day
• June 16th: Panther Pride Party
• June 19th: NO SCHOOL Juneteenth

On the Horizon...

• June 21st: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL- Report Cards go home

Dear Panther Lake Elementary Parents and Families,

It was a wonderfully sunny week here at Panther Lake and our scholars are BUSY BUSY with finishing the year strong! Our 5th graders wrapped up SBA testing last week and our 4th graders wrapped up their testing this week. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and are cheering on our 3rd graders as they begin testing this next week.

As we begin looking towards end of year close out and celebration, I want to take a moment to support you with prepping your scholar for their end of year grade level testing (iReady K-5th and SBA for 3rd-5th). Testing can be an exhausting and scary time for our scholar; however, it really should be an exciting time! Encourage your scholar to think of this testing as a "Show us what you know" rather than "did you pass". A good night's rest is imperative to success in school! Please support your scholar with bedtime routines... summer isn't here just yet.

With the heat, scholars are able to bring water bottles to school, so long as they do not distract the learning environment. Our school has air circulation and it can still get pretty warm inside. We want to ensure our scholars are staying hydrated.

Don't forget- WE NEED VOLUNTEERS for Field Day and our upcoming Panther Pride Party!

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)

tritch@fwps.org

253-945-3634

253-391-7444 (Cell - Text okay)

and

Emily Smith

(Assistant Principal)

emsmith@fwps.org

253-945-3608

253-391-6251 (Cell - Text okay)

Moving up to a new grade can be both exciting and intimidating. Children and families often have questions about what is to come next, including academic expectations, how to navigate social norms, and more.

At the next Family Academy event, Supporting Successful Transitions, students and families can get empowered with resources to support various milestone transitions to look ahead to the upcoming school year with confidence. Be sure to attend on Thursday, May 25, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Star Lake Elementary or through Zoom to prepare your child for a smooth transition at every grade level.

Interpreters are available, and families who attend in person can enjoy a hot dinner and free childcare for potty-trained children 5 years and older.

Browse workshops and register at www.fwps.org/RegisterForFamilyAcademy.

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to our amazing PTA for purchasing COLOR CODED recess equipment to support our scholars at recess!

Every year, we have to replace nearly all of our recess equipment due to destruction. To support our new equipment, please discuss expectations of safe play with your scholar. We do not want to have to replace equipment every year!

We are extremely grateful for our amazing Panther Lake PTA!

THANK YOU- THANK YOU- THANK YOU

We are incredibly excited to announce the Panther Lake PTA Board:

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.

Please click the link to sign up as a member: https://mp.gg/lzvya

Feel free to share with your friends, neighbors, and community members.

If you sign up before June 1st, your name will be emblazoned on an inaugural Panther Lake PTA Plaque to celebrate our first year as a reinstated PTA.

We have several fun end of year celebrations planned for our scholars and families. If you would like to volunteer for your scholar's field day or Panther Pride party, please reach out to our office for a volunteer form, or let your scholar's teacher know.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you for your partnership.

To report absences:

1. Call Mrs. Hagen at 253-945-3603 or office 253-945-3600, email: bhagen@fwps.org
2. 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

Has your scholar's teacher gone above and beyond? Is there a staff member at Panther Lake you would like to recognize for their support and help? Would you like to celebrate anyone on the Panther Lake team for the incredible work they do everyday?

You have a chance to nominate any Federal Way Public Schools staff member in the district you believe has positively impacted you, your school, and/or your community with the “Because of You” award. Scholars from the superintendent’s advisory created the awards nomination process.

Nominations will be reviewed and selected by the Superintendent’s Scholar Advisory team and each month educators will be honored. Nominations forms can be completed online, and should be submitted by the end of the month. Stay tuned as we highlight these extraordinary staff members who make a difference each day in our schools!

Please use the link below to nominate your Panther Lake staff member!