The Panther Print - Week of April 20, 2026

Posted Date: 04/19/26 (06:00 PM)

The Panther Print

A NEWSLETTER FOR THE PANTHER LAKE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Principal's Message

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

Dear Panther Lake Families,

Can you believe we are already approaching the home stretch of the school year? As we enter this final chapter, I want to share some important information regarding our upcoming FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) state exams. Our testing window is scheduled to begin on Tuesday May 5.

The Final Countdown

Believe it or not, there are only 10 school days left until we begin! Our classrooms are buzzing with energy as our students and teachers work hard to cross the finish line strong.

To ensure every student feels confident and ready, our teachers are currently facilitating targeted review lessons. These sessions are designed to:

Refresh key concepts learned throughout the year.
Practice test-taking strategies to reduce "testing jitters."
Clarify any last-minute questions students may have.

Why Attendance Matters

Because these review lessons are happening daily, consistent attendance is more important than ever. Every day a student is in class is another day they gain valuable practice and encouragement from their peers and teachers. We want every child to have the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned! You are our best partners in student success. Over the next two weeks, you can support your child by:

Ensuring they arrive at school on time each morning.
Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine so they are well-rested.
Offering words of encouragement—remind them that they are prepared and we are proud of their hard work!

We are so impressed by the growth our students have shown this year. Let’s work together to make these final 10 days count!

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

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

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.

Visit Our Website

Spirit of Excellence

A young girl proudly holds a trophy while standing next to an adult woman on a stage.

A young girl named Ana Paula Medina Silva is recognized on stage at Panther Lake Elementary.

A young girl in a black outfit with rose embellishments holds a certificate from Orange County Public Schools.

A diverse group of five people stand on a stage, smiling and holding awards.

Last evening we celebrated 4th grader Ana Medina Silva who was recognized as our 2026 Spirit of Excellence winner! OCPS Spirit of Excellence awards recognize English language learners and World Language Scholars for academic excellence and overcoming obstacles.

Earth Day in the PLE Cafeteria

Earth Day Celebration graphic with a heart-shaped Earth, plants, and cookies.

Celebrate Earth Day in the Cafeteria! Join us in the cafeteria on Wednesday, April 22 for a special menu that is as fun as it is tasty! We’re serving up Dino-shaped chicken nuggets and a delicious Earth Choco Dessert – a sweet treat inspired by the planet we all share. And here’s the coolest part: each dessert comes with a fresh sprig of mint that you can use to grow your own plant using a recycled milk carton.

Aladdin Kids

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming school production of Aladdin Kids, starring Panther Lake’s very own talented third, fourth, and fifth graders! Our students have been working hard to bring this fun and magical story to life, and we would love for you to join us for this special event.

The play will be held on two nights: April 29 and 30th at 6:00 PM.

Come support our young performers and enjoy an evening of music, adventure, and creativity.

Tickets are available at the following link:

Buy Your Tickets

We hope to see you there!

Chess Club

A group of children and two adults stand in front of Panther Lake Elementary.

A young girl smiles while holding a large white chess queen trophy outdoors.

A group of smiling children pose with two adults, holding large chess pieces outdoors.

We are so proud of our chess club who participate in our district chess tournament this past weekend!

Our school won 5th place in the K-2 Division! Mariah Verrone (2nd Grade) won 2nd place in the K-2 Division, and Ethan Artis (5th grade) won 6th place in the 3-5 Division.

A special thank you to Mrs. Feth & Mr. Lamey for being our sponsors for this club!

Parent Survey

A hand holds a smartphone displaying a QR code and the text 'SCAN ME' for the Spring 2026 Family Stakeholder Survey.

Please take a moment to complete this very quick parent survey!

Complete Survey

End of Year Ceremony Dates

End of the Year Award Ceremony Dates for May 2026, listing ceremonies for grades K-5.

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 has started! 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.

Invitation to Incoming Kindergarten Parent Night at Panther Lake Elementary on Monday, April 20th at 6 PM in the cafeteria.

Poster for Panther Lake Incoming Kindergarten Night 2026 with a cartoon panther illustration.

Save the date for Panther Lake Elementary Kindergarten Orientation on July 29, 2026, at 10 AM.

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