Panther Post

• October 12th: Early Release
• October 12th: Parent Advisory via Zoom 6:30-7:30pm
• October 20th: Washington Great Shake Out (Earthquake Drill)
• October 26th: Early Release
• October 26th: Coffee with the Principal 7:30-8:30am
• November 9th and 10th: Scholar-Led Conferences (no school)
• November 11th: Veterans Day (no school)

Don't forget Spirit Wear Days!

Mondays: Sports wear! Wear your favorite team or favorite sports wear to show that Panther Spirit!

Wednesdays: Panther Pride Wear! Wear your Panther Lake shirt or our school colors (black and blue) to show off that Panther Pride!

Fridays: Future Friday! Keep yourself focused on your future by sporting your favorite college!

Hello wonderful Panther Lake families and community,

It has been a busy week of learning at Panther Lake Elementary and we are taking full advantage of the beautiful weather we are having this first week of October!

Breakfast at School

Please remind your scholar to go to breakfast as soon as they arrive to ensure they are in class on time. Currently, we have scholars choosing to socialize with friends and do not go to breakfast until right before the school bell rings. Scholars who are not in line in the morning assembly for teachers to take attendance are considered tardy (there are exceptions and situations occasionally arise). The expectation is all scholars are in the morning gym for our assembly to begin at 9:10am.

Progressive Discipline

Scholars are growing everyday as they learn to resolve conflict and positively interact with one another. Anytime your scholar is referred to the principals' office for behavior, we will reach out to you for partnership and support. Scholars may engage in a recess reteach of school expectations for one recess or multiple recess. The consequence is aligned with the behavior. There will be times where we may ask for you to join your scholar at school for additional support as we do not believe in sending scholars home- We want your scholar at school with us! We know the day can make it extremely difficult to take our calls. If we are reaching out, it is because we are in need of your support. We appreciate your partnership in supporting your scholar at school.

Kids Night Out

In the weeks to come, you will receive more information about Panther Lake's new Kids Night Out events! Kids Night Out is an event for scholars to attend once a month after school. Scholars who attend school 95% or more of the time for the month will receive a special invitation to Kids Night Out. This evening event is three hours and affords your scholar an opportunity to hang out with their friends on a Friday night in school with supervision and fun activities. This celebration also gives our families three hours of time on a Friday night- We know you support your scholar with getting them to school everyday! Stay tuned for more information.

Thank you again for your continued partnership! We truly appreciate every one of our Panther Lake families!

Tabatha Ritch

(Principal)

tritch@fwps.org

253-945-3634

253-391-7444 (Cell - Text okay)

and

Emily Smith

(Assistant Principal)

emsmith@fwps.org

253-945-3608

253-391-6251 (Cell - Text okay)

This year, our scholars will be engaging in intentional work around Leader in Me. These foundational lessons will support each scholar with seeing their own leadership abilities and shifting the way they see themselves as scholars.

Each week this month, we will focus on different core paradigms, or way we see things:

1. Leadership: Everyone can be a leader.

2. Potential: Everyone has genius.

3. Change: Change starts with me.

4. Motivation: Empower students to lead their own learning.

5. Education: Educators and families partner to develop the whole person.

The term "leadership" encompasses many of the skills that parents, business leaders, and educators have identified as important for children to thrive as adults. Throughout this month, we will discuss our current paradigm (how we currently see ourselves and the world around us) and work towards shifting our paradigms to see ourselves as leaders and see opportunities to help others.

This week, you can engage your scholar in conversation around paradigms and leadership! Take a look at our "Cheat Sheet" for parents:

1. Leaders help others: Who do you know that helps other people?

2. Leaders lead at home too! Sometimes, leadership at home looks like helping our caring adults with chores around the house. How do you show up as a leader at home?

Join a group of dedicated parents & guardians to plan events such as book fairs, movie nights, BINGO, & Walk-A-Thon for the benefit of all children at Panther Lake. Meetings are once a month

All families are welcome to attend/join our Parent Advisory to the Principal. We offer two meetings per month to ensure all families have an opportunity to attend and provide voice to our school improvement efforts. On the second Wednesday of every month, we meet via Zoom from 6:30pm-7:30pm. We also meet in person on the 4th Wednesday of every month for coffee from 7:30am-8:30am.

Provide perspective and feedback for building & classroom positive recognition efforts for all children at Panther Lake. You will also be introduced to data monitoring to see how our school can ensure positive growth through proactive practices to help ensure that children feel safe & supported through learning moments throughout the school day. Meetings are once a month

Join a team of teachers & parents to help build our community through engagement in education. Your feedback & perspective are valuable in ensuring that we are partnering together for the academic benefit of every child at Panther Lake. Meetings are once a month

Join our school day to support your child or all children in the classroom, outside at recess or during lunch. We love our Panther Lake V.I.P.'s and are so happy to welcome volunteers back at Panther Lake. Please come to the office to pick up your Washington State Patrol form to begin the process. All volunteers must have proof of vaccination.

Do you speak, read & write in another language? Do you enjoy helping advocate & connecting with other families that speak the same native language as you? Then you would be a great addition to our community to welcome, support and connect with other families at Panther Lake.

Does your scholar want to dance? Have you been looking for preschool or after school programs? Maybe you have a scholar who just wants to learn the discipline of martial arts? Or maybe you need some adult time away to get health and relax! Our Federal Way Community Center has programs available for all kids and adults in Federal Way! Check out their website here!