Panther News 9/9/26

Posted Date: 08/12/26 (04:00 PM)

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PANTHER NEWS

Stay positive Panthers....and don't forget to smile!

September 9, 2026

What's happening?

September 11: Parkmead Golf Tournament

September 11: PERC Monthly Meeting. 8:30am - MPR

September 18: Family Movie Night, 6pm

Sept 14 - 25: WCEP Readathon

October 3: Fall Carnival (Volunteers needed)

A colorful graphic announces 'Upcoming Events' in a speech bubble.

Principal's Message

What is up Panthers!?!?

In this weeks newsletter, we're talking football, traffic and golf!

The Parkmead Fantasy Football League is back!

All students (and teachers) are eligible to make a team for the ultimate prize-Principal for the day... If you would like to create your own fantasy football team and compete against other Parkmead students and families, please sign up here. It's fun, free and oh so competitive. Entries must be in by Friday.

The draft day will be online Tuesday September 8th at 6p (you can auto draft if you can't make it).

Get to school on time everyday!

Please remember school starts at 8:10a and 8:55a on Wednesdays. The campus opens up at 7:55 and 8:40a to allow an easier flow of traffic. If you are pulling into the parking lot at 8:10a, you're late. We close the doors and gates when the bell rings because the expectation is that kids are on campus ready to go when school starts. Yes, traffic happens, but traffic is worse from 8:05a-8:10a. Setting your alarm clock 5 minutes early can have a tremendous impact on attendance and your stress level. We wouldn't be late to work everyday would we? Thank you for helping us teach these valuable life lessons to our students.

Parkmead's Golf tournament is just a week away!

Parkmead's annual golf tournament is almost full! We tee off next Friday and if you haven't signed up already, do it before it's too late! Mr. Burstein hasn't swung a golf club in over a year so it might be worth playing just to see that! Register Here.

This is the perfect "practice round" so you're ready for the WCEF Golf Tournament later this spring...

Have a wonderful three day weekend Panthers. Remember, Friday is a half day for all students!

TK/K 8:10-11:30

1st-5th 8:10-12:25

Stay positive Panthers and don't forget to smile!

Mr. Burstein

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy ride bicycles in a park with green grass and trees.

Walk N Roll Success!!!

Every Wednesday walk, bike, or carpool to school and track those miles and earn those charms!

Ready to join the party?

Head over to the

Walk N Roll Website to pre-register, learn more, or sign up for a quick volunteer shift. See you there!

A yellow school bus appears to be in mid-air, tilted at an angle.

Students can get up to 2 free months of bus passes!

Students are eligible for up to 2 months of free bus passes!

Check in with 511 for more information!

Parkmead Elementary Volunteer Clearances: Easy Steps to Get Involved!

Deadline for Driver Forms is September 30

3 additional documents are needed for field trip drivers

WCSD Driver form
Copy of Driver's license
Copy of the POLICY PAGE of your auto insurance showing the limits of liability. ($100,000/$300,000/$100,000)

A colorful advertisement for the Parkmead Yearbook 2026-2027 with ordering instructions against a blue and yellow checkered background.

Poster for Parkmead & Murwood Elementary Schools Golf Fundraiser on September 11, 2026, at Diablo Hills Golf Course.

A flyer inviting people to bring a picture of their pet to lunch at Parkmead School Restaurant during the week of September 14th to 18th.

A colorful birthday illustration featuring balloons, cakes, and the text HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Staff Birthdays - SEPTEMBER

Jill McCauley, TK Para 9/23
Ms. Richards, Resource Teacher 9/25
Morgan McAllister Borade, ELD Teacher, 9/28

PERC News & Events

Parkmead Education Resources Council

Annual Fund Donation

Through your generous donation PERC, our school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), is able to purchase classroom supplies, cover the cost of school field trips, provide teacher appreciation, and much more not covered by the school’s regular budget. Your dollars stay right here and help make Parkmead Elementary a wonderful learning environment and community.

Donations to the Annual Fund can be made through the Parkmead Store. The suggested donation to help meet the fundraising goal is $250 per family, but any amount is deeply appreciated! Your donation is tax deductible (Federal ID 61-1459498), and remember to find out if your employer has a corporate matching gift program.

Peer Family Network

Are you new to Parkmead Elementary? Have you been around awhile?

The Peer Family Network pairs families that are new to Parkmead with experienced ones to share their knowledge of the school and community. The goal is to build connections across our community while helping new families feel welcomed and supported as they transition to a new school.

To participate, please fill in the Peer Family Network Form and we will be in touch.

Illustration of a panther family in front of Parkmead Elementary School, promoting the Peer Family Network.

PERC needs you!

Save the date for the first PERC Monthly Meeting on Friday, Sept. 11 at 8:30 am in Parkmead Elementary’s MPR and on Google Meet. Share your ideas, meet other parents, find volunteer opportunities, and help shape a fun and enriching school year. We meet the second Friday of every month, so mark your calendar. We look forward to seeing you there!

Youth t-shirts available

All students have received their free Parkmead Panther T-shirt. The remaining youth T-shirts are available for $5.00 through the Spirit Wear Store in select sizes. Get them while you can!

Four children sit on a blanket outdoors at night, watching a blank projection screen under a starry sky.

Outdoor Family Movie Night

Bring your outdoor chairs and blankets, Movie Night is on Friday, September 18 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Enjoy dinner before the movie; La Roca Food Truck will be there at 6 pm with food and drinks available for purchase.

A purple Halloween house with glowing yellow windows and a pumpkin in front.

Haunted House - Fall Carnival is Oct. 3 from 3-6pm

Want your child featured on a headstone in the Haunted House? Please email their name and year of birth to Natalie Miller at natalie.miller13@yahoo.com before September 21.

The Haunted House needs to borrow 3 large pop-up tents. If you are able to help, please email Natalie Miller at natalie.miller13@yahoo.com

A festive Halloween Carnival tent with orange and cream stripes, decorated with balloons and pumpkins.

Volunteers Needed - Fall Carnival is Oct. 3 from 3-6pm

The Parkmead Elementary Fall Carnival will be on Saturday, October 3. Join the fun with games, crafts, prizes, the legendary Boo Bakery, and more - but we need volunteers like you to help make it possible! Please complete the Fall Carnival Sign Up or reach out to Becky Jones at communications@parkmeadperc.org for information or with any questions.

PERC on Instagram

We're on Instagram! Follow us at @PERCParkmead

Find information about PERC online: https://linktr.ee/parkmeadperc

WCEF

Walnut Creek Education Foundation

A blue promotional banner for a Read-A-Thon event running from September 14-25, featuring cheerful cartoon children holding up books.

The Read-a-thon is One Week Away!

The 7th annual WCEF Read-a-thon is September 14–25, funding art teachers, music teachers, science lab teachers, middle school elective teachers, and a credentialed librarian serving all elementary schools and WCI.

Read anything, anytime, anywhere - every page and minute counts!

Our goal is 100% participation and $100 raised per student. Grab your favorite book and let’s read for a better tomorrow!

Stay tuned for more information on cool prizes and giveaways…

Dine Outs - Two delicious ways to support our kids in September!

Bar Camino on September 17th - Join us for Third Thursday at Bar Camino. From 4:00 pm to close, they will donate 10% of all dine-in sales to WCEF!

Gotts on September 24th - Dine-in or order your food to go. Mention WCEF and Gotts will also donate 10%!

A promotional flyer for a Dine and Donate event hosted by Bar Camino and the Walnut Creek Education Foundation.

Promotional poster for Gott's Roadside fundraiser on September 24th, featuring a burger, fries, and a drink, with 10% of sales donated to WCEF.

Real Estate Partner Spotlight and Read-a-thon Title Sponsor - Amy Imhoff

A big thank you to Amy Imhoff with Compass for continuing as a Diamond Partner and for sponsoring the WCEF Read-a-thon again this year!

Amy has 20+ years of experience to put behind your real estate needs. And as a proud supporter of education, Amy has committed to donating up to $10,000 to WCEF when she helps Walnut Creek families buy or sell a home this school year! Your real estate journey can directly support local schools!

You can learn more about Amy by visiting her website here.

Attendance

Call or email by 9:00am

If your student is absence for any reason, please don't just tell your teacher. Our attendance clerk, Shelly, must know as well.

Phone number: 925-944-6863 - 24 hrs/7 days (Leave a message)

Email: pmattendance@walnutcreeksd.org Please give reason for the absence.

Please call or email before 9:00am on the day of the student's absence. Available 24/7.

If you are planning to be away, or on vacation, please contact Shelly in the attendance office PRIOR to leaving to set up an Independent Study Contract. The earlier the better so we can prepare!