 On the Prowl – The Panther Pulse
Sep 14, 2026
|
|
|
Hello, Panther Families!
Another wonderful week is in the books at El Portal! Our campus continues to be filled with learning, laughter, and opportunities for our Panthers to grow. This week, our teachers participated in Math Labs alongside the Orange County Department of Education, collaborating and exploring instructional practices that help our students become confident mathematical thinkers and problem solvers.
As we continue to focus on our September character trait of Resilience, we are reminding our Panthers that learning isn't always about getting the right answer the first time. It's about trying, thinking, persevering, and having the courage to try again!
Thank you for your continued partnership in making El Portal a place where every Panther belongs, learns, and thrives!
|
|
9/21 Monday
- Monday Motivation Assembly
- Wear El Portal Spirit Gear
- Early Dismissal
9/22 Tuesday
- Young Engineers Club- 3:00
- UCI Vision Screening TK/2nd/5th
9/23 Wednesday
- Recorders and Band Grades 3-6
9/24 Thursday
- Music and Movement Grades TK - 3rd
- PTA Meeting-Zoom 7:30pm
9/25 Friday:
|
|
Distribution Window: September 21 – October 2
Panther Families,
Our district has adjusted the progress report timeline as we work through a few technical challenges with our new grading and report card platform, Aeries.
Teachers will have September 21 through October 2 to send progress reports home. Please note that you may receive your child's progress report at any time during this window.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this transition and work to ensure that progress reports accurately reflect your child's learning and growth.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our Panthers!
|
|
We have lots of fun things happening with PTA!
Our next PTA Association Meeting is this Thursday, September 24 at 7:30 PM via Zoom. All PTA members are welcome to join us — we’d love to see you there!
Our Harvest Hustle Fun Run is going strong, and we are officially at 81% of our fundraising goal! Thank you so much to all of our Panther families who have donated, shared, and helped us get this far!
- Monday, September 28: Pie in the Face Challenge during Motivational Monday!
- Wednesday, September 30: Pajama Day! Our Panthers earned it!
- Friday, October 9: Harvest Hustle Fun Run Day AND the final day of fundraising! There’s still plenty of time to donate, share your student’s page, and help us finish strong.
And we have one more BIG goal… If we can make it to $30,000, Kona Ice is coming to El Portal for the WHOLE SCHOOL!
Trunk or Treat sign-ups are NOW OPEN! Our Trunk or Treat will be Friday, October 16 from 5:00–6:30 PM. If you’d like to decorate a trunk and join in the fun, you can find our SignUpGenius in our Instagram bio! Our 6th graders will also be selling concessions during the event, so come hungry!
Ditch the Kitchen! A BIG thank you to everyone who came out to McDonald’s last Thursday to support El Portal! We appreciate everyone who grabbed dinner and helped support our school. Our next Ditch the Kitchen night is Wednesday, October 7 from 5:00–8:00 PM at Shakey’s Pizza! We hope to see everyone there — and don’t forget to grab your Pizza Pass!
Thank you, Panther families, for continuing to show up and support our school! We have so many fun things coming up!
Lorie McGill
PTA President
El Portal Elementary School
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Character Education and Patriotism
|
Character Education at Home: Resilience
Small Steps, Big Growth!
As we continue focusing on our September character trait of Resilience, this week we are encouraging our Panthers to celebrate progress, not just perfection!
Every new skill takes practice, and every mistake is an opportunity to learn. Whether it's mastering a math concept, learning to ride a bike, or navigating a friendship, resilience helps us grow stronger with each attempt.
 Try It at Home!
This week, ask your Panther:
“What is something you can do today that you couldn't do a month ago?”
Talk about the practice, patience, and perseverance it took to get there. Remind your child that even the smallest steps forward are worth celebrating!
Panthers don't have to be perfect to make progress. They just have to keep growing! 
|
Panther Traffic Talk
Keeping Our Panthers Safe & Traffic Moving
|
|
 This Week, Let’s Talk… Stay in Your Car & Exit on the RIGHT Side!
|
Panther Families,
This week, we want to highlight TWO very important safety reminders for our morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up traffic lines. Keeping our Panthers safe requires everyone's cooperation!
 1. Drivers Must Remain in Their Vehicles
To keep our traffic lines moving safely and efficiently, drivers must remain in their vehicles during drop-off and pick-up. If you need to get out of your car to assist your child, please park in a designated parking space and walk your child to or from campus.
 2. Students MUST Enter and Exit on the PASSENGER SIDE ONLY!
This is especially important for the safety of our youngest Panthers! Students should NEVER enter or exit a vehicle from the driver's side while in the traffic line. Our little ones can be difficult for other drivers to see, and stepping into the traffic lane puts them at serious risk.
Our wonderful Student Safety Patrol and staff members are there to help open and close doors on the passenger side to ensure students can safely enter and exit their vehicles.
Please share these important reminders with grandparents, relatives, friends, and anyone else who may drop off or pick up your child. We want every person driving through our traffic circle to understand and follow the same safety procedures.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our Panthers safe!
|
Looking Ahead
Coming Soon
9/21-10/2 Progress Reports
9/22 UCI Vision Screening
10/7 LifeTouch Fall Make Up Pictures
10/9 Fun Run- TK/K Early Birds
10/16 Trunk or Treat
|
|
|
|
|
|
