Panther Cubs Press

Dear Luce Road Families,

Six weeks into the school year, our Panther Cubs are showing us how much they have grown. They are learning to greet one another, follow classroom routines, try new activities, and take care of their friends. Those moments may seem small, but they are the foundation for feeling confident and ready to learn at school.

📚 Stories Come to Life

One of this week’s favorite moments began with Rosie’s Walk. After reading the story, our kindergarten students got to meet Rosie the chicken! Seeing a character from their book come to life gave students plenty to talk about and helped them make a connection between the story and the world around them.

Our students are also experiencing library this week. Time with books gives our Cubs a chance to explore their interests, listen to stories, ask questions, and discover the pleasure of reading.

Across our classrooms, teachers continue to bring literacy and math into the day through stories, songs, games, movement, and hands-on activities. We love seeing students share their ideas and grow more willing to give something new a try.

🎨 Growing Through Play and Connection

Art, music, building, and dramatic play are part of learning at Luce Road. As children create together, they practice expressing themselves, solving problems, and working with others. We see that growth in their conversations, their friendships, and the pride they take in what they make.

Our GSRP Preschool Panther Cubs are settling into their routines and building connections with their classmates and teachers. In our Toddler Care Program and Preschool Experience, Ms. Maici, Ms. Lynnie, Ms. Arden and Ms. Brea are helping our youngest Cubs learn through songs, sensory play, and familiar daily routines. Each new skill and step toward independence is worth celebrating.

🍧 Thank You for Joining Us

Thank you to everyone who came to Popsicles on the Playground! We enjoyed spending time with families and watching our Panther Cubs play together. Opportunities like this help children see the connection between home and school, and they give us another chance to get to know the people who matter most to them.

🍏 Coming Up: Johnny Appleseed Day

Next week, our Cubs will celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day with apple-themed stories and activities. It will be another fun opportunity to explore, ask questions, and learn together.

🧸 Childcare for Alma Families

Luce Road continues to expand childcare options for families, including before and after school care, care on days when school is not in session, and snow day coverage. If you would like to learn more about availability or enrollment, please contact our office.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being part of our school community. We hope you enjoy the photos below and get a glimpse of the learning, play, and friendships that filled week six.

Dr. Ernest Conerly
Principal and Director of Early Childhood Education
Luce Road Early Childhood Learning Center

You will be receiving a document with your students magic code. This code is how you gain access to ROOMS. Which is the communication platform that teachers will use to communicate with you directly and post classroom updates. Please reach to the school if you haven't received your code.

Please communicate directly with the school main office about changes to your Childs transportation home. Staff will change a Childs transportation plans on the direction of a student. Also if you change to PICK UP and normally they ride the bus - please park and come to the pick up line with your ID. As the staff might not know you or you don't have your orange pick up tag.

Please submit all required documents as soon as possible, including your child’s immunization record, birth certificate, proof of residency, and emergency contacts. You may drop them off at the front office during school hours, upload them to the PowerSchool Parent Portal, or email clear scans to Mary Pratt at mpratt@almaschools.net. All documents must be received by Friday, September 11th, at 3:00 p.m. Students will not be able to attend school until all documents are on file after September 11th. Thank you for your prompt attention.

Pick UP Guidance

Please make sure you are calling the school by 1:00 p.m. to make changes to your students transportation routine, whether its a new person picking them up, switching between the CarLine and the Walk up Line, After Care and Bus. We need to know, before we place students in their dismissal lines. Please NOTE a BUS TAG takes priority over any other tags attached to your students back pack. Please make sure your student has the right tag on their backpacks: Letter BUS TAG, Orange WalkUp tag, Yellow Aftercare Tag, Purple DollarRide Tag or GREEN CarLine Tag. Let the office know if we have tag your student wrong.

Parents and guardians, please label your Panther Cub’s belongings, including backpack, coat, lunch box, and water bottle. Our Lost and Found is filling up, and labeled items can be returned quickly. Thank you for your help!

Please make sure you send a change of clothes in for your student. Sometimes accidents happen and it’s helpful for them to have a change of clothes.

Please make sure ALL of your student’s belongings are labeled with their name! If it gets lost, staff will know who to return it to!

Tucker the Turtle is a social-emotional learning strategy and scripted story designed to help young children (ages 2–5) calm down and manage strong emotions like anger, frustration, or disappointment. Students are learning how to do this at school. We are asking for you to partner with us and reinforcing this at home!

We offer before and after school child care for our K-5 students. This program is housed at Luce Road ECLC. Drop off begins at 6am for before school care and pick up for after school care is until 6pm.

Transportation is available in the morning to bus students from Luce Road to their appropriate schools and from their schools to Luce Road for after care.

We still have 10 spots open for our after care program. We have 10 spaces for before care. To sign up please visit: https://forms.gle/jvrUeWdYu1wC4xMV9.

If you have any questions reach out to Kimberly Hamad at khamad@almaschools.net