LCES Panther Cub Communication #35
Week of May 6-May 9, 2024
Para traducir al español, desplácese hasta el final y haga clic en la bandera .
Hello Families,
It was once again a great week as we go into our last 23 days of school with students. Be sure to check the important dates section at the end of our newsletter and mark your calendars! We will continue to update you and include fliers on the many fun activities as we wrap up the school year. Please always reach out to the front office if you have any questions about the events to come.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national event to bring attention to the importance of mental health, provide support, and end the stigma around mental health. At Lake County Elementary School we also want to teach our youngest learners the importance of mental health, how to care for our mental health, and to give them an age appropriate understanding of what Mental Health even means.
Throughout the entire month of May, we will be learning about Mental Health. The students will get a lesson on mental health, as well as a guest speaker, and other fun events to celebrate and learn about our brain and mental health.
In preparation, every Monday will be “Mental Health Monday.” Kids and staff will be encouraged to show support by wearing green. There will be fun and simple little acknowledgments for participating by wearing green! All students will be receiving a green Mental Health ribbon sticker on Monday May 13th to wear for that Monday!
Look for more information to come in next week’s parent communication as well as information being sent home with your student at the end of next week.
Please reach out to Mrs. Christy Trujillo with any questions.


Upcoming Music Concert & Open House


We are still accepting applications for preschool for the 24-25 school year. Thanks for sharing with anyone in the community who you know has a child turning 3 by October 1, 2024.


Save the Date:




Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or celebrations you would like to share.
Katie Pongrekun
Principal, LCES
kpongrekun@lakecountyschools.net
| Staff of the Week Highlight! |
Each week this year in family communication, we will be highlighting a staff member in the building. If you want, please feel free to send emails, handwritten notes, or letters of encouragement to that staff member.
Mrs. Ritacco- STEM Teacher
Mrs. Ritacco was born in San Bernardino, California and raised in Grand Island, Nebraska. She has worked on and off for LCSD for 20 years. She loves to go to car shows and growing up she was a talented jockey competing in horse races. Mrs. Ritacco loves to spend time outside and says the outdoors is her haven. She isn’t much of a traveler but likes exploring places she can drive to. Mrs. Ritacco’s hobbies include gardening, paddle boarding, and foraging. She also enjoys going high lake fishing.
Thank you for all you do, Mrs. Ritacco!
Send Mrs. Ritacco an encouraging note to critacco@lakecountyschools.net
| K-2 Specifics |
DIBELS 8 Testing: This week students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade will be taking their End of Year DIBELS 8 assessment. This will help show up how much students have grown in their literacy skills throughout the school year. Please ensure that your child is here this week in order to participate in the testing. Please reach out to Clare Mulcey, Literacy Specialist, or Katie Pongrekun, Principal with any questions.
| Preschool Specifics |
If your child will be enrolling in The Center for the 204-2025 school, and will turn four by October 1, 2024 or is 3 and has an Individual Education Plan(IEP) please use this link to complete your application for Universal Preschool Program. For any questions or support please reach out to Marissa Martinez 719-486-6890. https://upk.colorado.gov/
| Important Dates PK-2 |
| May 6-9 | K-2 DIBELS end of year reading assessmentsTeacher Appreciation Week |
| May 9 | LCES Music Concert/Open House 6:00-7:30pm |
| May 16 | LCSD Art Show @ LCES 5:00-7:00pmKindergarten Fieldwork at the Fish Hatchery (leave 8:45am, return 2:45pm) |
| May 27 | NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day |
| May 30 | K-2 Community Meeting celebrating the HOWL of creativity. The meeting will be led by our specials team. 8:00am, LCES gym |
| June 3 | K-2 Earth Day Event with HS Club FFROGS: Fight for the Restoration of Green Spaces Club, LCES field |
| June 4 | PK Expedition with GOL in the forest behind the cafeteria (schedule to come) |
| June 5 | PK-2 Field Day (schedule to come) |
| June 6 | K-2 Dollar DayFirst Grade Fieldwork at Hayden Meadows (leave 8:45am, return 2:30pm) |
| June 10 | PK-2 Teddy Bear Picnic during lunch |
| June 11 | Second Grade Fieldwork at Hayden Meadows (leave 8:45am, return 2:30pm)6:00-7:00 Ice Cream Social for students entering kindergarten in 2024-2025 school year |
| June 12 | K-2 Academic and specials awards in the gym, classroom awards to follow, 1:00pm |
| June 13 | Last Day of School! PK Graduation (event details TBD)1:00 K-2 HOWLs reward, Pie in the Face, LCES field |
Public Library Schedule:
| May 7, 2024 | 10:40-11:10 | Noemi & Donna |
| May 8,2024 | 8:20-8:50 | Frattolin |
| 10:10-10:40 | Kuel | |
| 2:15-2:45 | Compean | |
| May 14, 2024 | 10:40-11:10 | Nancy & Katie |
| May 15,2024 | 8:20-8:50 | Regan |
| 10:05-10:35 | Duncan | |
| 1:40-2:10 | Kissell | |
| May 21, 2024 | 10:40-11:10 | Jazmin & Dulce |
| May 22,2024 | 8:20-8:50 | Saunders |
| 10:40-11:10 | Rapke | |
| 1:40-2:10 | Lenhard | |
| May 29,2024 | 8:20-8:50 | Frattolin |
| 10:10-10:40 | Kuel | |
| 2:15-2:45 | Compean | |
| June 5, 2024 | 8:20-8:50 | Regan |
| 10:05-10:35 | Duncan | |
| 1:40-2:10 | Kissell |
LCES Menus:
| Project Dream Information |
The last day of Project Dream programs for the school year will be June 7th!
You can find the full Project Dream calendar here.
If you ever have any questions or concerns about Project Dream, please reach out to Raquel Contreras, our LCES Site Supervisor (719-293-5363 or rcontreras@lakecountyschools.net).
Project Dream El Camioncito programs will be paused until further notice. We will be in touch when El Camioncito is back in your neighborhood!
| Community News |
| Fliers |

