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”!

Happy, joyful December, Luce Road Family! We have just wrapped up Week 16, with students learning how to be problem solvers and show empathy. Below you will see all the excitement and fun as our Cubs take chances, make mistakes, and get messy with their learning.

As we move into this next week of school, we will keep focusing on gratitude, kindness, and community. These qualities help our students grow in empathy, because when children practice being thankful, kind, and connected to others, they start to notice and care about how the people around them feel. All month long, we are learning about empathy, which means understanding and connecting to the feelings of others.

You can expect to see more moments where students are practicing thankfulness in their classrooms, helping others, and participating in activities that celebrate giving, not just getting. All of this work helps our Cubs learn to look beyond themselves, care about how others feel, and choose kind and thoughtful actions.

Thank you for the many ways you support your children and our school. We are grateful for each family, each student, and each staff member who helps our Cubs learn, grow, and ROAR with respect, responsibility, and kindness every day. We are proud of the caring, curious, and confident learners they are becoming, and we are excited for the joy and connection the next three weeks will bring.

Where Little Panther Cubs Begin Big Journeys

Warmly,
Mr. Ernest Conerly
Principal and Program Director

• Talk about feelings together and name them so children learn to notice how others might feel too.
• Model empathy by showing kindness, saying sorry, and checking in when someone is upset.
• Ask simple questions like “How do you think they felt” or “What could we do to help” after stories or real life moments.
• Celebrate small caring actions at home like sharing, helping, and comforting so kids see that empathy matters.

Alma Public Schools was awarded 12 additional seats for 4 year students looking to start preschool. The enrollment process has begun! Please let us know if you know someone still interested in enrolling their child into a stellar preschool program! Please reach out to gsrppreschool@almaschools.net for help with enrollment. We will need the following:

Income Verification (pay stubs, W-2s etc)

PowerSchool Enrollment (General Forms and Enrollment forms 1-12)

State paperwork

Birth Certificate

Proof of Residency

Immunization Record or Waiver

Come join your kindergartener make their own gingerbread house!

All adults need to have a completed background check form to attend. If you did not complete a background check for Fall festival here is the link: https://www.almaschools.net/o/aps/page/guidelines-for-chaperones-and-voll

Please email your student's teacher with any questions!

Visit the Kinney Lodge Christmas House

321 N. Kinney, Mt. Pleasant, MI

Kinney Lodge Christmas House hours of operation

They will be open from 5 PM to 10 PM every day until January 1st, spreading cheer and warmth to all.

Their cookie shop, Santa, and The Grinch will be open and out from 6 PM to 8 PM on the dates listed below. Join them for a free cookie, a hot chocolate, and many other special surprises, as they come together to make this season brighter for all.

Friday, November 28th

Saturday, November 29th

Thursday, December 4th

Friday, December 5th

Thursday, December 11th

Friday, December 12th

Thursday, December 18th

Friday, December 19th

To see more information visit their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kinney.lodge.christmas.house

Building Community, One Tasty Snack at a Time!

With the colder weather settling in, our childcare students have been enjoying active play inside the gym instead of heading outdoors. The kids have had a great time riding scooters, playing movement games, and staying warm while still getting plenty of energy out. We’re grateful to have a safe, fun indoor space that keeps everyone moving during the chilly months!

Our preschoolers had a wonderful time getting creative this week as they painted their very own snowmen. They explored colors, practiced fine-motor skills, and proudly showed off their winter artwork. We love seeing their imaginations come to life!

Our Kindergarten and Young Fives students had a blast sledding on the hill behind the school this week! The fresh snow made for the perfect winter fun, and the kids enjoyed the chance to get outside, work those gross motor skills, and share lots of laughter with friends. It was a wonderful way to embrace the season!

Stop 🖐️ (hand out like a stop sign)

Tuck 🐢 (hug yourself and curl in like a turtle)

Breathe 😮‍💨 (3 slow belly breaths)

Think 🤔 (finger to brain, “what could I do instead?”)

🎶Tucker the Turtle song🎶

Tune of Dem Bones

Tucker the turtle is angry

Tucker the turtle is angry

Turker the turtle is angry

Calm down tucker

Calm down

Tucker the turtle will stop first

Tuck in his shell and breath deep

3 deep breathes he does take

Breathe tucker breathe

Tucker the turtle pops back out

Tucker the turtle has calmed down

Now he finds a so-lu-tion

Hooray tucker hooray

The Lost and Found is overflowing. Please take a moment to look through it and reclaim any missing items your student might have missed placed.

🧥 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! 🐾

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!

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!

Click HERE or the picture to register!

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.