Dear Panther Lake Families,

I hope this message finds you enjoying the last days of summer break. We are so excited to welcome you to a brand-new school year here at Panther Lake Elementary! Whether you are joining us for the first time or are a returning member of our school community, we are thrilled to have your family as part of ours.

Our Meet the Teacher event will be held on Thursday, August 7, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is a great opportunity for students to meet their teacher, drop off supplies, and get excited for the year ahead. To help with traffic and provide the best experience for all families, we ask that you attend during the following times:

● Kindergarten through 2nd Grade: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

● 3rd through 5th Grade: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Our first day of school will be Monday, August 11th, and we can't wait to see all our students back in the building ready to learn and grow!

Please note an important change this year:

 

Only kindergarten parents will be permitted to walk their child to class on the first day. This adjustment is part of our updated schoolwide security measures in accordance with Florida law. We understand how special the first day can be, and we appreciate your support in keeping our school safe. Kindergarten parents will need to say goodbyes and exit classrooms by 8:40 AM.

We’re looking forward to a fantastic year of learning, discovery, and connection. Thank you for your partnership as we begin this exciting journey together!

Panther Lake ES recognizes that birthdays are a special day for our students. We must also ensure that party celebrations do not disrupt the learning process and adhere to food and nutrition guidelines. Birthday parties are not permitted at school. However, you may celebrate your child’s special day in one of two ways:

■ Our school cafeteria offers a birthday bites program, where you can purchase a special treat to be delivered to your child’s class during their lunch period. To participate in the birthday bites program, please click below to download the order form!

■ If you choose not to participate in the birthday bites program, you may send small treat bags for each of your child’s classmates that will be distributed at the end of the day to enjoy at home.

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

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!

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! 

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.

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.

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.

Parents, if you are in need of before or after school care, we partner with Champions! Please use the link below for more information.