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 first week back! Our Panther Cubs returned from break with curiosity, smiles, and a renewed excitement for learning. We spent the week building momentum together through Kindergarten Adventure Camp, and our students did an outstanding job getting back into school routines.

During Adventure Camp, classrooms focused on:

• Reestablishing daily procedures and expectations

• Practicing our ROARS behaviors

• Using Tucker the Turtle calming strategies

• Strengthening problem-solving skills and classroom independence

• Building stamina for learning and transitions throughout the day

These small but meaningful routines help students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn—especially after a long break. Thank you for helping prepare your child for a successful return by adjusting sleep schedules, creating smooth mornings, and sending them ready for the day. It truly makes a difference.

Looking ahead, winter testing will begin next week. Students will be taking the NWEA assessment, and teachers will also be giving both reading and math screeners and benchmark assessments. These tools help us understand where each child is currently performing so we can:

• Plan next steps in instruction

• Provide small-group support where needed

• Challenge students who are ready for enrichment

These assessments are not “high-stakes” tests and are not used for report card grades. Instead, they guide our teaching so we can better support each Panther Cub’s growth.

We appreciate your continued partnership as we move into the new year with focus and excitement. It has been a strong start, and we are looking forward to all the growth, learning, and joyful moments ahead at Luce Road!

Warmest Regards,

Mr. Ernest Conerly

Principal/Program Administrator

Luce Road Early Childhood Learning Center

This month we are introducing our Panther Cub Perseverance Challenge, encouraging students to keep trying even when something feels hard. Perseverance helps children build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a strong learning mindset. Students can “win” the challenge by not giving up, trying again after a mistake, using calm-down strategies, and asking for help when they need it. Our goal is for students to feel proud of their effort and to learn that practice makes our brains stronger.

Hello Luce Road Families, we are collecting information on the work we have been doing with ECPBIS. Please complete the survey below!

Dear Luce Road Panther Cub Families,

We are excited to share that we are launching Panther Paw Power Up, a fun and positive partnership between home and school to encourage and celebrate our Cubs for making great choices. Through this program, school staff recognize and name those great choices, and families reinforce them at home with praise, encouragement, and simple rewards. Over time, students learn that showing their ROARS is part of who they are, not just what they do at school.

What is Panther Paw Power Up and why does it matter?

Panther Paw Power Up is our school wide system for catching students making great choices and recognizing them with Panther Paws when they show their ROARS:

• Respect Others

• Act Responsibly
  

• Stay Safe

It is more than a ticket or a prize. Panther Paw Power Up helps students learn that doing the right thing feels good on the inside. It builds confidence, helps them feel proud of themselves, and supports a calm, kind, and safe school. Over time, children begin to make positive choices because it is who they are, not just because an adult is watching. The school will no longer attach an extrinsic motivator to students collecting Panther Paws!

How can families help?

You play the biggest and most important role in helping Panther Paw Power Up be successful. When students know you are cheering them on, they work harder. They begin to see that home and school are on the same page and believe that showing and following their ROARS is part of who they are.

Here are some ways you can support your Cub at home:

• Talk about ROARS
  Ask your child, “How did you Respect Others, Act Responsibly, or Stay Safe at school today”

• Check in daily
  Ask, “How many Panther Paws did you earn today”
  Celebrate every Paw, big or small.

• Set simple goals or fun challenges
  “Let us see if you can earn three Panther Paws this week for staying safe.”
  “This week, let us focus on Respect Others and see how many Paws you earn for being kind to friends.”

How you can Celebrate and Encourage Success

• Give a high five, a hug, a note in the lunchbox, a sticker at home, or an extra bedtime story when your child meets their goal.

• You may also choose to attach an extrinsic motivator, such as a special treat, toy, or family reward, to celebrate your child’s hard work.

Thank you for all the ways you support your child and our Luce Road community. If you have any questions about Panther Paw Power Up or our PBIS work, please reach out.

Warmest Regards,

Luce Road ECPBIS Team!

🧥 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! 🐾

As we return back to school - Please label your Panther Cub’s belongings, including backpack, coat, lunch box, and water bottle.

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!

Dear Mrs. Lynn,

Luce Road is very sad to see you leaving us. We know that change is never easy, and your presence, leadership, and heart have made a lasting impact on our students, families, and staff. Thank you for all the dedication, patience, and care you have poured into our school community. You will always be a part of Luce Road, and we wish you nothing but success, joy, and fulfillment in your next chapter. You will be greatly missed.

With gratitude,
Luce Road

Making cookies is a fun STEAM experience for our toddlers. They explore science by seeing ingredients change, math by counting and measuring, and engineering by following steps and using tools. Shaping and decorating the cookies adds art, building creativity, language, and teamwork.

We’re excited to share that we are getting ready to open a new child care room at Luce Road designed for children 18–30 months! While we don’t have an official opening date just yet, preparations are underway and we are now accepting pre-registrations.

Tuition Rates:
• $45 per day for 4 days or fewer
• $40 per day for all 5 days

Spots will be limited, so we encourage families to pre-register early. More details, including the opening date, will be shared soon!