The Panther Print - Week of March 23, 2026

Posted Date: 03/23/26 (08:00 AM)

The Panther Print

A NEWSLETTER FOR THE PANTHER LAKE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Principal's Message

Dear Panther Lake Families,

Welcome back! I hope your family had a wonderful and restful spring break filled with time to recharge and make special memories together. We are excited to see our students return to school, refreshed and ready to finish the year strong.

As we begin the final quarter, this is an especially important time for our students. The last few weeks of school are filled with meaningful learning opportunities, and every day counts. Our teachers are focused on reinforcing key skills, building confidence, and ensuring that each child is well-prepared for the upcoming state assessments, which will take place during the first week of May.

You can support your child during this important time by:

Ensuring they attend school every day and arrive on time
Encouraging a good night’s sleep and healthy routines
Providing a quiet space and time for reading or practicing skills at home
Offering words of encouragement to help them feel confident and capable

We believe in every one of our students and know they are capable of great success. With your partnership and support, we are confident they will finish the year strong and demonstrate all they have learned.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community. Let’s make this last quarter our best one yet!

Respectfully,

Dr. Christine Szymanski

Principal, Panther Lake Elementary

The Panther Lake Principal - A woman with brown hair smiles at the camera against a blue background.

A young student with a paintbrush in hand adds color to a vibrant abstract background, celebrating "March is Arts in Our Schools Month."

A diverse group of teenagers sit together on steps, smiling and talking, with a graphic about vaping prevention overlaid.

March is National Social Work Month, highlighted by a white handprint with a heart inside.

Visit Our Website

Heritage Night

Poster announcing 'Nuestra Tercera Noche de Herencia' on April 9, 2026, featuring diverse children in traditional attire and flags from around the world.

A vibrant poster announces 'Nossa Terceira Herança Noite' (Our Third Heritage Night) with diverse children in traditional attire holding the Earth.

Families, please fill out this form to indicate your interest in participating in our 3rd Annual Heritage Night on Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 6:00 PM-7:30 PM. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 2.

Interest Form Link Here

Panda Express Spirit Night

Flyer for a Panda Express fundraiser benefiting Panther Lake Elementary on April 10, 2026.

Coming in April

The image announces 'April is Autism Acceptance Month' with a colorful infinity symbol and diverse hand outlines.

April is National Arab American Heritage Month, celebrated with decorative geometric patterns.

OCPS Celebrates Earth Day April 22 with hands holding the Earth.

A smiling school bus driver waves from the driver's seat, celebrating School Bus Driver Appreciation Day on April 28.

Spring FAST Schedule

Panther Lake Elementary FAST Testing Schedule with dates for various grades and subjects in 2026.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration for the upcoming 2026/2027 school year starts next Tuesday, 1/20/26! Click below for the OCPS registration packet to register now.

OCPS Registration Packet Link

Panther Lake Elementary School announces Kindergarten registration with information about yard signs and contact details.

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

Family Sponsorships

A graphic thanks 2025-2026 Family Sponsors of Panther Lake Elementary PTO, listing sponsor names.

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

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 2025-2026 PTO Family Sponsors

2026-2027 PTO Board Nominations

Join the PTO Board! We're now accepting nominations for the 2026-2027 school year through March 23. Nominees will be announced at the March PTO General Meeting and voting will take place at the April PTO General Meeting. If you are interested in serving in a board role next year, please email secretary@pantherlakepto.org with your position of interest, brief bio, and your student/s' grade to be considered.

See More Details Here