PDCMS Panther Tales
Good afternoon, Great people,
Do you remember that classic story from the book, Chicken Soup for the Soul, about the boy and the starfish? After a storm washes thousands of stranded starfish onto the shore, a man notices a young boy picking them up and tossing them back into the ocean, one by one. The man tells him his effort is pointless… the beach stretches for miles and there's no way he can save them all. The boy bends down, scoops up another starfish, flings it past the waves, and simply replies: “It made a difference to that one.”
That story came to mind during Friday’s PDCMS Color Dash.
Our students arrive on campus each day with very different needs, and our mission is always to meet them where they are and give them the support to thrive. Last year, one of our students sat out the Color Dash, choosing a much quieter activity instead. This year, with the encouragement and patience of our incredible staff, that same student jumped all the way in… heading home completely covered in color, beaming from ear to ear!
Our school community is full of “Star Throwers”, people who show up every day to make meaningful moments come alive for our kids. Every single day, that is our charge: “It made a difference to that one."
Be Present, Be Purposeful, Be a Panther...Today is a great day to be a Panther. Don’t forget to be Awesome!
Have a great week,
Principal Austad
Congratulations to PDCMS sixth grader Truman Bohn, who was honored with the Do the Right Thing Award on October 22 at the Palm Springs Police Station!
Truman was nominated by his teacher, Mrs. Tanner, in recognition of his exceptional leadership, compassion, and dedication to serving others. In her nomination, Mrs. Tanner wrote:
“Truman’s remarkable selflessness and character inspire everyone around him, serving as a powerful example of choosing joy and doing the right thing each day.”
A two-time childhood cancer survivor, Truman now serves as the Youth Advisor for the TruLiving Foundation, a nonprofit established by his family to support families facing childhood cancer. Through the foundation’s Kindness Counts campaign, Truman encourages young people to recognize that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference when we come together. Most recently, his efforts helped inspire students at Ford Elementary School to raise nearly $5,000 to support families facing childhood cancer.
Truman continues to bring the Kindness Counts message to schools throughout the Coachella Valley, inspiring hundreds of students to lead with kindness and make a difference in their communities.
Congratulations, Truman! Your Panther family is proud of the positive impact you are making in our community!
🌯 Thank You, Panther Community! 🐾
A big Panther Applause to everyone who supported the PDCMS Renaissance Chipotle Dine-Out fundraiser, which raised $545! Thank you for joining us and helping make this event a success. We appreciate your generosity and the many ways you show up for our Panthers!
Mark you calendars!
- Oct 26th /Oct 30th - Red Ribbon Week (see below for dress out days)
- October 30th - ASB Dance (must have permission slip) See flyer below
- November 1st - Daylight Savings (clocks fall back)
- November 7th - E Bike Safety Course
Panther Voices & Applause: Share, Celebrate, Connect!
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!
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! 💙🐾
Shout Outs
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!