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Panther Post

February 5th, 2023

Panther PostFebruary 5th, 2023

Save the date...

  • February 8th: Early Release 2:10pm
  • February 8th: Family Advisory 6:30-7:30pm
  • Feb 8th-10th: CogAt Testing
  • February 14th: Picture Day (tentatively)
  • February 20th: No School- Presidents Day
  • February 22nd: Early Release
  • March 3rd: Kids Night Out INVITE ONLY 6pm-9pm
  • March 8th: Early Release
  • March 10th: No School- District Release


On the Horizon...


  • March 30th and 31st: Scholar Led Conferences/No School
  • April 3rd-April7th: SPRING BREAK

A message from the Principal A message from the Principal

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Hello wonderful Panther Lake families and community,


Thank you to our amazing community, scholars, families, staff, and volunteers for a successful Kids Night Out! We had so much fun celebrating your scholars' hard work and your commitment to school- Attendance matters!

We appreciate your patience as we continue working to improve this experience for our families and scholars. Please take a moment to fill out our Kids Night Out Feedback Survey.


As we work towards improving our school community, our next Kids Night Out (March 3rd) will increase to 95% attendance or better for February. Please remember, your scholar's behavior is also part of eligibility.


We are continuing to see unexpected, unwanted, and unproductive behavior on the bus, in class, at lunch, and at recess. As a school community, we must continue holding our scholars to the highest standards. Panther Lake Elementary is a place for learning and the positive impact we can have on the future of our scholars as a school community is limitless when we partner in these efforts.


Critical Family Partnership NEEDED


Please review our previous Panther Post for more specific information around our school site discipline plan and progressive discipline flow chart.


Every Panther Lake scholar has the right to a conducive learning environment, free from disruption and unsafe behavior. 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. If you would like more information about how we implement Positive Behavior Interventions System, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Glyn Jenkins, our PBIS Committee Lead. Families are welcome to attend our school PBIS meetings held once a month.


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)

Lost and Found Pick-Up ASAP Lost and Found Pick-Up ASAP

Feedback/Suggestions for the Principal
If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions to the principal, please take a moment and complete this form!

Highly Capable Universal Screening & CogAt Testing for 2nd Graders Highly Capable Universal Screening & CogAt Testing for 2nd Graders

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Dear parents and families of Federal Way second grade scholars,


The FWPS Highly Capable Program annually performs a Universal Screening (including assessment and data review) of all second grade scholars for potential identification for Highly Capable services. You do not need to complete a Highly Capable referral for your child to be screened.


All Panther Lake Elementary, second graders will participate in Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) assessment during [test administration information for your school]. If you wish to opt your child out of CogAT assessment, please contact our school office.


The Highly Capable Program provides services to identified scholars (both Math and/or English Language Arts) within the general education classroom at their current home school.

Kids Night Out: February 3rd Kids Night Out: February 3rd

This Week at Panther Lake This Week at Panther Lake

Panther Lake PTA Panther Lake PTA

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Seeking Members!

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.

Family Partnership at Panther Lake Family Partnership at Panther Lake

Volunteers Needed
We are in need of very important partners here at Panther Lake! If you are interested in volunteering, please take a moment to fill out this short survey!

Attendance Matters! Attendance Matters!

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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

Because of YOU Award Because of YOU Award

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!

Because of YOU Nomination Form
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