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School Start Time Survey

Orange County Public Schools invites all families, employees and community members to participate in the School Start Times Survey to help the district decide whether to change school start times for high schools and elementary schools. Your participation is important because it ensures all our families’ voices are heard in this process.

Florida Statute mandates that school districts set middle and high school start times later in the morning, unless the district can provide a report including how their students, employees, families and community members feel about the change.

Research stresses the importance of middle and high school students getting enough sleep, and moving high school start times to later in the morning may help. Under the proposed change, elementary schools would start earlier than middle schools and high schools.

Please take a moment to answer the questions to this survey.

Click here to complete the survey.

2 days ago

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The Panther Print - Week of November 17, 2025

Posted Date: 11/16/25 (6:00 PM)
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The Panther Lake Elementary School logo features a cougar cub and school name.

The Panther Print

A NEWSLETTER FOR THE PANTHER LAKE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Principal's Message

Dear Panther Lake Families,

As the temperatures drop a bit and we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to take a moment on behalf of the entire staff to express our deepest gratitude for your continued partnership and support. Your commitment to your children’s education and your incredible involvement in our school community is truly what makes Panther Lake Elementary such a special place to learn and grow. We see the positive impact of your efforts every single day, and we are so thankful for the trust you place in us. Please note that the Thanksgiving break for students will be from Monday, November 24, through Friday, November 28. We wish all of our families a joy-filled and restful break. May you have time to relax, connect with loved ones, and reflect on all the good things in your lives. We hope you create wonderful new memories and enjoy this special time together.

We look forward to welcoming all of our students, our wonderful Panthers, back to school, refreshed and ready to learn, on Monday, December 1.
Warmly,

Dr. Christine Szymanski
Principal, Panther Lake Elementary
The Panther Lake Principal - A woman with brown hair smiles at the camera against a blue background.
 
Thanksgiving graphic with food imagery and the words 'Happy Thanksgiving'.
Visit Our Website
 

Surprise Visit

A Marine in uniform interacts with students in a brightly lit classroom.
Last week, 4th grade student Valentina Oliveira Nunez Trevisan was surprised in class by her older brother who came home for a brief visit from the Marines. 
 

Horizon High School Collaboration

Students sit at long tables in a brightly lit cafeteria.
Students listen to a presentation in a school cafeteria.
Students watch a presentation about folding the American flag in a school cafeteria.
A group of students carefully hold and fold an American flag.
Horizon HS JROTC Hawk Battalion marched to our school last week to demonstrate proper flag folding and explain what each of the 13 folds represent in our flag to our safety patrol students. 
A group of performers sing to an audience of children in a school setting.
Two performers with flags stand before an audience of students in a school setting.
Students listen to a musical performance in a school cafeteria.
Three musicians play violins for an audience of students in a large room.
Horizon High School's Musical Department (Orchestra, Chorus, Band & Color Guard) stopped by last week to present to our 4th grade students during specials.
 

National School Psychology Awareness Week

Two women, the school psychologist and the principal, smile and pose for a photo in a hallway.
This week is National School Psychology Awareness Week! Thank you to our School Psychologist Erin Rogers for all of the hard work she does for our students and families! 
 

Red Ribbon Week

A group of students in red shirts smile for a photo.
A group of elementary students and their teacher pose for a photo in their classroom.
A teacher and students pose together in a classroom, all wearing red.
A group of students smile and pose on a playground structure.
A group of students in red clothing pose for a photo in a classroom.
A teacher and students pose together in a classroom, smiling for the camera.
A teacher and a group of students pose for a photo in a colorful classroom.
A group of students and a teacher pose in a classroom, smiling.
A group of children sit in a circle, showing off their colorful socks.
A group of students and a teacher pose for a photo in a classroom during Red Ribbon Week.
A group of smiling elementary school girls pose for a photo outside.
Two girl students smile brightly, posing for a photo outdoors.
A special thank you to all of our students and families who participated in Red Ribbon Week! 
 

FAST Testing

Panther Lake Elementary Winter FAST Testing Schedule displayed on a blue background.
 

Yearbook

An advertisement for the 2025-2026 Panther Lake Elementary School yearbook, with online ordering instructions.
The 2025-2026 yearbook is now on sale! Use the link below to order!
Order Here
 

PTO

The Panther Lake Elementary PTO logo features a cougar cub inside a blue circle.
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
 

Family Sponsorships

Promotional graphic for Panther Lake Elementary PTO, encouraging family sponsorships.
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
 

Corporate Sponsorships

An advertisement for corporate sponsorships with the Panther Lake Elementary PTO.
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.
Become a Sponsor
 

Thank You to Our Diamond and Platinum Sponsors - We appreciate your support!

A thank you graphic from Panther Lake Elementary PTO to its Diamond and Platinum sponsors.
 

Upcoming PTO Meetings

A 'Save the Date' flyer for Panther Lake Elementary PTO meetings, with dates and times listed.
Mark your calendar for our 2025-2026 PTO General Meetings. We'd love to see you there! 
 

Coming Soon: Wonderland Holiday Gift Shoppe

The Wonderland Gift Shoppes logo is above text that reads, "Our Holiday Shop is almost here!"
Our Wonderland Holiday Gift Shoppe will take place the week of December 8, during school hours. Be on the lookout for more details and volunteer opportunities coming soon!
 

SAC Schedule

An informational graphic for the Panther Lake Elementary School Advisory Council.
The Panther Lake Elementary school logo features a cartoon cougar cub.

10151 Summerlake Groves St | Winter Garden, FL 34787-4169

Phone +1 407-554-1940 I pantherlake_es@ocps.net

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