The Panther Lake Press I Tips for Back-to-School Success

Posted Date: 07/20/25 (06:00 PM)

The Panther Lake Press

A NEWSLETTER FOR THE PANTHER LAKE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Principal's Message

Dear Panther Lake Families,

I hope you're enjoying a joyful and restful summer break! As we prepare to welcome our students back on Monday, August 11, I wanted to share a few helpful tips to ensure a smooth and successful transition back to school.

Re-establish Routines: Begin adjusting sleep and wake-up schedules a week or two before school starts. A consistent bedtime and morning routine can help your child feel rested and ready to learn.
Encourage Reading & Conversations: A little reading each day—whether independently or together—can help ease the academic transition. Ask questions about what they’re reading or even share stories from your own childhood school experiences!
Talk About the New School Year: Whether your child is excited, nervous, or a little of both, open conversations can help ease their minds. Share the positives of a new grade, new friends, and fun learning ahead.
Gather School Supplies Early: Having materials ready to go helps children feel confident and prepared.
Visit the Classroom: Our Meet the Teacher event will be a great opportunity for your child to connect with their teacher and feel more comfortable with their classroom environment. Please plan to join us on Thursday August 7. To ensure we have plenty of parking available, we have this event divided into two times. Students in grades K-2 should visit their classrooms from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM and students in grades 3-5 should visit their classrooms from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM.
Focus on Positivity: Let your child know that this school year is a fresh start and a chance to grow, explore, and succeed. A positive mindset goes a long way!

We can’t wait to partner with you in making this school year one of growth, excitement, and memorable learning. If you have any questions or need assistance as we approach the first day, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Dr. Christine Szymanski

Principal, Panther Lake Elementary

The principal, a woman with brown hair, smiles at the camera against a blue background.

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School Grade

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For the 3rd year in a row, we are proud to be an "A" school!

Parent Square

Parent Square is here! ParentSquare will be used for communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically syncs with our Student Information System (Skyward) to generate an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. ParentSquare is a safe, secure, and modern approach to communication and collaboration between school and home.
Parents will receive an activation email for their ParentSquare account this week. We HIGHLY encourage parents to create an account as it will have additional capabilities, such as viewing photos, downloading attachments, leaving comments, messaging teachers, signing permission slips and managing their communication settings and preferences!
For more information use the link below.

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Meet the Teacher

Kindergarten Orientation

Supply List

A list of school supplies needed for First Grade, including pencils, paper, and crayons.

A list of school supplies needed for Second Grade, including pencils, crayons, and folders.

A list of school supplies for Third Grade, including pencils, paper, and more.

A list of school supplies needed for Fourth Grade, including pencils, notebooks, and more.

A list of school supplies needed for Fifth Grade, including pencils, notebooks, and more.

First Day of School

First Day of School Transportation

Please determine the method of transportation your child will use for the year. We highly encourage students to arrive to school and go home from school using that method on the first day of school.
Students typically make it home faster if they live within walking distance where they walk or bike. The car rider line could take longer than normal the first few weeks of school.

Virtual Tour

Attention Incoming Kindergarten Parents & Parents New to PLE! Take a virtual tour of our school and procedures using the link below!

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OCPS Food & Nutrition Services

Panther Lake Meal Viewer

PTO

Mission-The PTO at Panther Lake Elementary is the connecting point between parents, school, staff, students and the surrounding communities. Our goal is to provide opportunities for students, families, and school staff to build long-lasting relationships and shared experiences outside the classroom, while supporting work inside the classroom through volunteer opportunities and fundraising activities!

PTO Website

Corporate Sponsorships

Want to get your business out in front of local families, while also supporting our school community? Consider sponsoring the Panther Lake PTO! We have a variety of benefits and marketing opportunities designed to fit your unique needs and budget. Plus, we're a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your sponsorship donation is tax-deductible! Visit the link below to learn more.

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Family Sponsorships

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Support the PTO as a Family Sponsor for the 2025-2026 school year! Family Sponsors receive a free Panther Lake t-shirt (multiple options to choose from) and many additional benefits. Visit our sponsorship page for more details. We appreciate your support!

Become a Sponsor

Spirit Store

The Spiritwear Store is now open for the 2025-2026 school year! New for this year: Proud Panther Parent t-shirts, adult-sized class t-shirts, and softer fabric! Place orders by July 31 for delivery at Meet the Teacher.

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Parent Survey

An announcement encourages parents to share their thoughts on the upcoming school year.

As we prepare for the new school year, we value your feedback to help us best serve the Panther Lake community. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts in our annual PTO parent/guardian survey.

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