Panther Post

• September 22nd: Open House 4:30pm-6:00pm
• September 28th: Parent Advisory/Coffee with the Principal 7:30-8:30am
• September 28th: Early Release- Dismissal time 2:10pm
• September 30th: Spirit Assemblies (K-2 1:45-2:30) (3-5 2:45-3:30)

This week, we will be kicking of our Spirit Days!

These are days we have schoolwide spirit around spirit wear and repeat every week.

Mondays: Sports wear! Wear your favorite team or favorite sports wear to show that Panther Spirit!

Wednesdays: Panther Pride Wear! Wear your Panther Lake shirt or our school colors (black and blue) to show off that Panther Pride!

Fridays: Future Friday! Keep yourself focused on your future by sporting your favorite college!

Hello wonderful Panther Lake families and community,

Our first FULL week of school is in the books! The 2022-2023 is officially in full swing. Thank you so much for your partnership and support as we launched into this 2022-2023 school year. The momentum and positive energy in the classrooms is spreading rapidly around the school and we are excited for what this school year will bring!

Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15th kicked off our Community Culture focus as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. During these Community Culture focus times, we take time to celebrate the diverse culture of our scholars and our community, sharing facts and engaging in holistic learning with our scholars. We would also like to invite our families to share how your family celebrates your heritage with us so we can incorporate our families' celebrations in our school as well! Please reach out to Mr. Sanchez with opportunities to celebrate your family!

Open House

Please join us for Open House from 4:30pm-6:00pm in person at school. We will be serving light snacks and refreshments, beginning with the Principal's Message in the gym at 4:30pm. Families will then have the opportunity to rotate through their child's classrooms as teachers will be delivering 30 minute info sessions beginning at 5:00 and concluding at 6:00pm. We hope to see you there!

Parent Advisory/Coffee with the Principal

On Wednesday, September 28th, we will come together in the library for coffee and pastries. This time is a time for us to elevate the voice of our parents to improve our school for our community and our scholars! Please join us at 7:30am!

Spirit Assemblies

On the last Friday of every month, we invite our families in for our Panther Pride Spirit Assemblies. At these assemblies, we celebrate:

• Teacher Nominated Proud Panthers: Every teacher nominates two scholars from their classroom. One scholar for academics (scholars meeting grade level standards and/or scholars showing growth in their classroom effort) and one scholar for leadership (demonstrating school expectations and/or our monthly character trait/habit focus).
• Athlete, Musician, Bookworm, Artist, and PAWSitive Panther of the Month: This award is selected by our specialists (PE, Music, Library, Lit Art, and SEL).
• Attendance: We recognize classes with 95% or more attendance as a whole! These classes will get an extra recess the following Monday.
• Golden Trash Can: One class is selected by our custodial crew to receive the Golden Trash Can. This award goes to the classroom that remained clean and tidy for the month. The trash can is filled with treats and goodies for a classroom party!
• Panther Spirit Award: At the end of the assembly, we select a class who was showing the most spirit during the assembly, cheering on their peers, and modeling assembly expectations. All classes are eligible to receive Class PAWS during assemblies!

After School Program FREE Trial

Right At School, Panther Lake's trusted after school program provider, is offering first-time families a Free Trial Week, October 3–7. We encourage you to try out their programs for free – no risk, no commitment. With daily homework support, hands-on learning activities, fitness games, and lots of social time with friends, Right At School offers a meaningful after school enrichment experience that you and your children are bound to enjoy. Learn more and register for your free trial today! Check out our Community Corner below for more information!

Thank you again for your continued partnership! We truly appreciate every one of our Panther Lake families!

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)

Join a group of dedicated parents & guardians to plan events such as bookfairs, movie nights, BINGO, & Walk-A-Thon for the benefit of all children at Panther Lake. Meetings are once a month

All families are welcome to attend/join our Parent Advisory to the Principal. We offer two meetings per month to ensure all families have an opportunity to attend and provide voice to our school improvement efforts. On the second Wednesday of every month, we meet via Zoom from 6:30pm-7:30pm. We also meet in person on the 4th Wednesday of every month for coffee from 7:30am-8:30am.

Provide perspective and feedback for building & classroom positive recognition efforts for all children at Panther Lake. You will also be introduced to data monitoring to see how our school can ensure positive growth through proactive practices to help ensure that children feel safe & supported through learning moments throughout the school day. Meetings are once a month

Join a team of teachers & parents to help build our community through engagement in education. Your feedback & perspective are valuable in ensuring that we are partnering together for the academic benefit of every child at Panther Lake. Meetings are once a month

Join our school day to support your child or all children in the classroom, outside at recess or during lunch. We love our Panther Lake V.I.P.'s and are so happy to welcome volunteers back at Panther Lake. Please come to the office to pick up your Washington State Patrol form to begin the process. All volunteers must have proof of vaccination.

Do you speak, read & write in another language? Do you enjoy helping advocate & connecting with other families that speak the same native language as you? Then you would be a great addition to our community to welcome, support and connect with other families at Panther Lake.

Hey Panther Lake Families!

We have some exciting news to share about our on-site after school provider, Right At School.

Right At School is offering an After School Free Trial Week, October 3–7, for families who have not previously enrolled in the program. To learn more about this offer and register for your free trial, please visit their website. The attached flyer includes additional information.[JB1]

START YOUR FREE TRIAL

With daily homework support, hands-on learning activities, fitness games, and lots of social time with friends, Right At School offers a meaningful after school enrichment experience that you and your children are bound to enjoy. We encourage you to give the program a try October 3–7!

In partnership,

Principal Ritch