Panther Cubs Press

This is how we Take Chances, Make Mistakes and Get Messy! Our little Panther Cubs are learning to ROAR with pride and how “we do school”!

What a wonderful Week 14 it has been at Luce Road. Our classrooms were full of curiosity, laughter, and growing independence as our Cubs continued to learn, explore, and take care of one another. The pictures below show just how bravely our students take chances, make mistakes, and get messy at Luce Road. It has been inspiring to see routines strengthen, friendships deepen, and kindness shine through each day.

As we move into Week 15 and closer to the holiday season, we are leaning into the heart of our social emotional learning work. Across Childcare, GSRP, and Young 5s, students are focusing on Gratitude and being thankful, as well as using Kind Words. They are learning to notice the people who help them, say thank you, and show appreciation through their actions. When our Cubs share toys, take turns, help friends, use kind words, and give hugs or high fives, they are practicing gratitude and helping make Luce Road a warm and welcoming place for everyone.

We are continuing our work with Tucker the Turtle and the Turtle Technique as part of this social emotional focus. Students are practicing how to pause, notice their big feelings, take a deep breath, and calm their bodies before choosing what to do next. Tucker helps our Cubs understand that all feelings are okay and that they can use tools to manage frustration, sadness, or anger in safe and healthy ways. Families can try this at home as well by reminding children to stop, tuck, and breathe when emotions feel extra big.

November is also Homeless Awareness Month, which gives us another way to put kindness into action. Our Coins for a Cause drive is continuing, and every penny collected goes directly toward supporting local shelters and families in need. This is a simple and meaningful way for our Panther Cubs to see that even small acts of giving can make a real difference in someone else’s life.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students learn, grow, and ROAR with respect, responsibility, and kindness each day.

Where Little Panther Cubs Begin Big Journeys

We are so proud of the caring, curious, and confident learners our Cubs are becoming. Week 14 brought us many joyful moments, and Week 15 will bring even more growth, connection, and celebration.

Warmly

Mr. Ernest Conerly
Principal and Program Director

At Panther Cubs Childcare, we are incredibly grateful for the trust our families place in us each day. Your children bring energy, laughter, and joy into our classrooms, and we feel honored to be a part of their early learning journey. Thank you for your continued support, your partnership, and the community we build together. We look forward to many more days of growth, learning, and little moments that make this place feel like family.

Students were given a Turkey and asked to disguise it! Look at the creative ways our Kindergartners dressed them up!

November is Homeless Awareness Month. We are partnering with United Way to participate in Coins for a Cause—a fun, school-wide coin wars challenge that raises both funds and awareness for our local homeless shelters:

• Gratiot County Hope House

• Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH)

• Have Mercy (serving Montcalm & Ionia Counties)

Here is how it works:

• Classrooms collect coins to support local homeless shelters.

• United Way matches funds raised (up to $5,000 per shelter).

• Winning classrooms earn a pizza party!

Last year, classrooms raised more than $11,300 in coins, and over $22,600 total went to local shelters with United Way’s match.

🧥 Dress for the Weather

Please help your child come to school dressed for the changing fall weather. Our Panther Cubs go outside 3 to 4 times a day, and mornings can be chilly.

• Check the weather each morning to help your child dress appropriately.

• Send a jacket or hoodie and closed-toe shoes every day.

• Students are expected to go outside each time, so being prepared helps them stay comfortable and focused.

• Label all items with your child’s name so we can return lost items quickly.

Thank you for helping keep our Cubs comfy, safe, and ready to play all day long! 🐾

We love having our Luce Road families be part of the fun! If you’re interested in volunteering at the school—whether it’s helping in classrooms, assisting with events, or supporting special projects—your time and enthusiasm make a huge difference.

Please reach out to the office or your child’s teacher to learn how you can get involved. Thank you for helping make Luce Road such a warm and supportive community for our students!

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!

As we head into flu season, families who are interested will have the opportunity to get flu shots through our school’s scheduled clinic. Participation is completely optional.

See flyer below for more information.