Panther Update - 10.11.26
October 11, 2026
Greetings Panther Families,
This is a message from your proud principal, Mrs. Kinard, and the school leaders at Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Elementary. We strongly encourage you to access the digital version of this announcement, available on our school website and social media. It contains additional important information that you and your students need to know.
Panther Families, we have made it to the final week of the first quarter! 🐾💙 It is hard to believe how quickly these first nine weeks have passed. Our Panthers have been working hard, learning, growing, and showing what it means to MAKE TODAY MATTER!
As we prepare to wrap up the first quarter and enjoy a well-deserved Fall Break, we have several important schedule reminders and exciting things coming up. Here's what you need to know!
📅 Important Schedule Reminders – Fall Break
Please take note of these important dates and make arrangements for your Panther as needed:
Wednesday, October 14 – Early Release Day for Students
Thursday, October 15 – Fall Break | No School
Friday, October 16 – Fall Break | No School
Monday, October 19 – Teacher Workday | No School for Students
Tuesday, October 20 – Students Return to School | Second Quarter Begins
Please remember that students will have an early release on Wednesday. Families should make the necessary arrangements for afternoon transportation and childcare. Students will be dimissed at 1:00 pm. We hope all of our Panther families enjoy a safe, restful, and relaxing Fall Break!
Wrapping Up the First Quarter – Let's Finish Strong!
Panthers, we are almost at the finish line for the first quarter!
This is a great opportunity to celebrate how much our students have learned and grown since the first day of school. Every new skill mastered, every challenge overcome, and every positive choice matters!
As we finish these final days of the quarter, let's continue to focus on great attendance, positive behavior, and doing our personal best.
Parents, take a moment this week to ask your child what they are most proud of accomplishing during the first quarter. Celebrate their hard work and encourage them to set a new goal for the second quarter.
Let's finish the first quarter PANTHER STRONG! 💙🐾
📚 Scholastic Book Fair – October 20–23
Get ready, Panthers! Our Book Fair is coming October 20–23!
We are excited to give our students an opportunity to explore books, discover new interests, and build their love of reading.
Reading is one of the most important ways we can support student learning, and we hope our Panthers will find books that spark their curiosity and imagination!
Families, please mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 20, through Friday, October 23.
Let's get our Panthers excited about reading! 📖💙
Book Fair Hub: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/elizabethduncankoontzelem
🐾 Second Quarter – A Fresh Start!
When students return on Tuesday, October 20, we will officially begin the second quarter!
A new quarter means new opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve our goals. We encourage every Panther to return refreshed, focused, and ready to give their best effort.
As we begin the second quarter, let's continue working together to make sure our students:
Show up – Attend school regularly and arrive on time.
Work hard – Give their best effort in every classroom.
Show their PAWS – Practice Respect, Always Do Your Best, Work Together, and Show Responsibility.
Keep growing – Set goals, celebrate progress, and never give up!
Every Panther. Every Day. MAKE TODAY MATTER!
Fall Break Family Tip
Fall Break is a wonderful opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy time together as a family!
While students are away from school, we encourage families to keep learning fun and simple. Read a favorite book together, visit the library, play a board game, or spend time outdoors.
A little reading each day can make a BIG difference in keeping those literacy skills growing!
Ask Your Panther...
As we close out the first quarter, try asking your child:
🐾 What is something you learned this quarter that you are really proud of?
🐾 What was your favorite memory from the first nine weeks of school?
🐾 What is one goal you want to accomplish during the second quarter?
These conversations help students reflect on their progress and understand that learning is about growing, improving, and always doing their best!
Thank you, Panther Families, for your continued partnership, encouragement, and support! We appreciate all you do to help our students succeed.
Enjoy your Fall Break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday, October 20, ready for an amazing second quarter! Let's finish strong, Panthers! SHOW YOUR PAWS and MAKE TODAY MATTER! 💙🐾
Mrs. Leslie Kinard
Proud Principal
Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Elementary School
Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and ready to learn. Please remind your child to follow our PAWS expectations, keep their hands and feet to themselves, use kind words, and ask an adult for help when problems arise.
We do not tolerate bullying or fighting. RSS defines bullying as repeated, unwanted, aggressive behavior involving a real or perceived imbalance of power. Students who do not follow behavior expectations will receive appropriate consequences based on the RSS Student Code of Conduct.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep Koontz safe and positive for every Panther!
