PDCMS Panther Tales

DSUSD is working with Ophelia to connect with former program participants within our school community—including parents and family members! If you or someone in your family previously participated in Ophelia, we would love to hear from you. Pleaseuse QR code above so we can connect you with Ophelia and share opportunities to become involved.

We’re excited to introduce two new ways to connect in Panther Tales! Through a Panther’s Eyes invites students to share their perspectives through our Weekly Student Question. A different question will be posted each week using the same link, so check back and let your voice be heard! Panther Applause is open to everyone—staff, parents, students, and community members—to recognize someone who has made a difference through kindness, support, or school spirit. Help us celebrate the people and perspectives that make PDCMS special!

Panther families, help your student ride safely and confidently! The City of Palm Desert, in partnership with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, is hosting a FREE E-Bike Safety Course on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Palm Desert Civic Center, 43900 San Pablo Avenue. Open to all ages, the course will cover rules of the road, safe riding tips, and best practices. Appointments are available at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Participants must sign a waiver and will receive a certificate of completion. To schedule an appointment, call 760-393-3260 or email vdelatorre@riversidesheriff.org.

• October 21st - Chipotle Dine Out Fundraiser
• October 23rd - Color Dash

Calling all Panther writers! PDCMS students in grades 6–8 are invited to share their voices in the 2026 Wisdom Writers “This I Believe” essay contest, beginning October 19. This is an opportunity to express the beliefs, experiences, and values that make you who you are! Prizes include $250 for first place, $150 for second place, and $100 for third place, with separate categories for sixth grade and combined seventh and eighth grades. See the flyer for registration information, and contact Ms. Davis or Dr. Coffey with questions. We can’t wait to hear what our Panthers believe!

Take a night off from cooking and support our Panthers! Join us for a Chipotle Dine-Out benefiting PDCMS Renaissance on Wednesday, October 21, from 4–8 p.m. at 72333 Highway 111, Suite A, in Palm Desert. Chipotle will donate 25% of qualifying event sales to our school’s Renaissance program. Simply show the flyer when ordering in the restaurant, or order online for pickup during the fundraiser using code J3M98KY. Delivery orders and gift card purchases do not qualify.

Thank you, Panther families, for making a difference!

Please review the schedule below and mark your calendar for your varsity athlete’s home and away games.

October is Optimistic October! This month’s Action for Happiness calendar encourages our Panther families to build hope and positivity through small daily actions, such as noticing what’s going well, celebrating progress, and taking steps toward meaningful goals. Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring challenges, it means recognizing that things can improve and finding a helpful way forward. We invite you to explore the calendar together and try a daily activity as a family. Let’s encourage one another and look for the good this October!

Support Band Boosters by visiting the student store!

Get ready for a colorful day, Panthers! Our Color Dash is coming October 23, when students will enjoy a fun walk/run around the PDCMS field, passing through stations filled with vibrant colored powder. Thanks to your generous support of the August Rush fundraiser, every student will receive a T-shirt to wear at the event! Parent volunteers are needed for sprinkler, color, and hydration stations, as well as setup and cleanup. Please scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up, and remember to bring towels for your student after the event. Thank you for helping make this a memorable day for our Panthers!

Calling all Panther readers and writers! On Wednesday, November 18, 2026, bestselling author and Carnegie Medal winner Ruta Sepetys will visit for a special author event featuring lunch and a writing workshop. The $50 ticket includes the opportunity to ask questions, enjoy lunch with the author, participate in her workshop, and receive three signed books: The Bletchley Riddle, I Must Betray You, and your choice of the novel or graphic novel edition of Between Shades of Gray. Students in all grades are welcome, but space is limited! Online ticket sales are open October 1– November 8.

Panther parents and guardians, we invite you to join our monthly PTO meetings at 9:00 a.m., generally held on the first Friday of each month! Come connect with other families, share ideas, and learn how you can help support our students and school community. Our next meeting is Friday, November 6. Please see the attached calendar for upcoming dates. Dates and times are subject to change. We look forward to seeing you there!

Email pdcmspto@gmail.com for any questions!

Parents and guardians who would like to prepay for their student’s cafeteria meals may add funds to their account through EZSchoolPay. Simply create an account or log in, add your student, and securely deposit funds using a credit or debit card. You can also view meal transactions and monitor your student’s account balance online.

DSUSD is offering upcoming parenting workshops designed to support and empower parents and caregivers with practical tools they can use at home. These programs focus on strengthening family connections, improving communication and healthy conflict resolution, building parenting confidence, and developing effective strategies for navigating the challenges of raising children and teens. The Parent Project also emphasizes practical parenting strategies and building confidence. We encourage our Panther families to take advantage of these valuable opportunities to learn, connect, and grow together! 💙🐾

The Desert Sands Educational Foundation proudly sponsors the DSUSD Shout-Out employee recognition program (formerly Recognize IT), honoring the extraordinary efforts of our team members who make a difference every day for students, their colleagues, and the community!