LCES Panther Cub Communication #17
November 24-27th, 2025
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LCES Families,
Thank you so much for joining us for our Thanksgiving lunch on Thursday. It was truly heart-warming to see our gym filled with smiling faces, meaningful conversations, and a sense of togetherness that made the day feel extra special.
As we enter this season of gratitude, we are especially thankful for the partnership we share with you. Your collaboration, support, and involvement make a tremendous difference in helping our students grow and succeed. We are grateful for the trust you place in us and for the many ways you contribute to our school community.
During the break, we encourage our students to enjoy time with family, rest, recharge, and, of course, spend a little time reading. A good book is a wonderful way to keep curiosity alive while relaxing.
Lake County School District will be closed from Friday, November 21 through Friday, November 28. We look forward to seeing students on Monday, December 1. Have a great holiday!
With gratitude,
Brandi Lovely, PK-2 Principal
LCES Important Dates (PK – 2nd)
November 24-28: No School, Thanksgiving Break
December 4: K-2 Community Meeting led by Kinder for HOWL of Responsibility, 2nd Grade
December 8-11: K-2 DIBELS literacy benchmark testing
December 11: PK-2 Family Fun Night Winter Festival 6:00-7:30
December 11: K-2 Dollar Day- finger puppets
December 15-18: Holiday Spirit Week (flier)
December 18: PK Trail 100 Celebrations with Santa (times to be announced soon)
December 18: K-2 Panther Day during Specials, cookie decorating
December 19-January 4: No School, Winter Break
Helpful Link: Lake County School District Calendar
K-2 Specifics
DIBELS Testing: During the week of December 8-11, kindergarten through second grade students will take the DIBELS literacy benchmark assessment for middle of year. We are excited to see student literacy growth as the result of continuous focus on literacy skills including specific, targeted interventions for every child. This test is important to gauge the effectiveness of our instruction and interventions and we encourage you to talk with your child about doing their very best.
IXL Challenge: We are excited to begin a raffle for IXL usage during the weeks of November 24-30 and December 1-7. Each student who uses IXL and practices ‘recommended skills’ for at least 60 minutes, will be entered into a raffle drawing for a pizza gift certificate! This platform is research based and proven to have a strong impact on student academic achievement. Please encourage your child to use IXL throughout the week and reach out if you have any questions about how to login.
Interested in more literacy resources? Check out this website from CDE: https://www.readlearnleadco.org/
HOWLs Challenge: Our quarter 2 HOWLs challenge is well underway and we are excited to have lunch with the principals for those winners in December! Remind your students to continue showing our HOWLs each and every day: collaboration, respect, responsibility, craftsmanship, compassion, perseverance, curiosity, creativity.
Attendance:
Congratulations to our Nov 10th-Nov 20th pizza attendance challenge winner! We hope your family enjoys some delicious pizza and thank you for having zero absences for the last 2 weeks of school! Remember to use the attendance tracking calendar at home with your student to help your student keep on track for all of the fun challenges and prizes we have regarding attendance this year.See details about our semester 1 attendance challenge in the fliers section below!
K-2 Project Dream
Updated Contact Information:
LCES Project Dream has updated contact information due to a leave of absence for our Site Supervisor, Raquel. If you are need to contact Project Dream at LCES, please use the following methods:
- For day-of changes to your afterschool plan, please contact Zee Almeida before 2:30 pm: 719-486-6890 zalmeida@lakecountyschools.net. This is the best way to communicate changes.
- To reach a Project Dream staff member during programs in the case of an emergency (3:15pm to 6:00pm Monday -Thursday, 7:45am to 3:30pm Friday) please call the LCES Project Dream cell phone: 719-293-5363. Please leave a text message if we do not answer.
- If you are unable to reach anyone in a true emergency, please call Mike Adler at 719-427-7003
- For changes in registration (add days, reduce days), please email Raquel Contreras at rcontreras@lakecountyschools.net
Healthy School Meals for All Election Results
Propositions MM and LL were passed by voters in the recent election, which allows the Healthy School Meals for All program to raise and retain additional funding. This means there will be no changes to our breakfast and lunch program this year. All students will continue to have access to a free, nutritious breakfast and lunch each school day.
Even though meals are free for all students, we ask that families continue to provide household income information by completing the Federal Economic Data Survey (FEDS Form). This information helps schools receive full federal funding, which directly supports meal programs, after school programs and other nutrition initiatives. Please contact Leslee Torsell ltorsell@lakecountyschools.net or Mary Jelf mjelf@lakecountyschools.net for more information on how to complete the FEDS form.
Las propuestas MM y LL fueron aprobadas por los votantes en las recientes elecciones, lo que permite al programa “Comidas escolares saludables para todos” recaudar y conservar fondos adicionales. Esto significa que no habrá cambios en nuestro desayuno y almuerzo programa este año. Todos los estudiantes seguirán teniendo acceso a un desayuno y almuerzo gratuito y nutritivo cada día escolar.
Aunque las comidas son gratuitas para todos los estudiantes, pedimos a las familias que sigan proporcionando información sobre los ingresos familiares rellenando el Federal Economic Data Survey (FEDS Form). Esta información ayuda a las escuelas a recibir financiación federal completa, que apoya directamente los programas de comidas, los programas extraescolares y otras iniciativas nutricionales. Póngase en contacto con Leslee Torsell ltorsell@lakecountyschools.net o Mary Jelf mjelf@lakecountyschools.net para obtener más información sobre cómo completar el FEDS Form.
The Center Specifics
Dear Center Families,
It was so great to our families enjoying Thanksgiving lunch together. Turkey is yummy!
As a reminder, we are closed next week for Fall Break, we will resume programming on Monday December 1.
Wishing you all a wonderful week with your families, Happy Thanksgiving!
Tanya Lenhard, Director
719-486-6928 (work); 719-293-1055 (cell)
tdlenhard@lakecountyschools.net
From the Assistant Director
Hello Families,
Have a great Thanksgiving Break!
If you are in need of winter clothing for your child please reach out to me or your classroom teacher. Winter clothing is starting to come in, and we will pass out requesting clothing after break.
If you have any questions, please free to contact me:
Marissa Martinez
Assistant Preschool Director
719-486-6927
mamartinez@lakecountyschools.netMenus
Menus can be found in your child’s yellow folder at the end of each month or in our main entrance vestibules!
Fliers
