Dear PACT Elementary Families,
What a wonderful start to the 2026–2027 school year! Our hallways are once again filled with laughter, learning, conversations, and the energy that makes PACT such a special place to be. From an incredible summer reading accomplishment to a strong first week of school, we have already seen so many reasons to be proud of our Panthers.
As we begin September, we are excited to continue cultivating a school community where students feel known, challenged, supported, and excited to learn—and where families feel like valued partners in their children's education.
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Our Panthers made an incredible impact with Read 2026! this summer. Our goal was to read 2,026 books, and our students surpassed it by reading an amazing 2,856!
We are so proud of our students for keeping their love of reading growing throughout the summer. To celebrate this accomplishment, our staff is planning a special Reading Celebration in September. Students will partner with another classroom, with older students paired with younger students, and walk together to the Ramsey Parks and Recreation Amphitheater, “The Draw,” to enjoy books, games, and time together.
We are also excited that members of the Ramsey Police Department will be joining us for the celebration. What a wonderful way to celebrate reading, relationships, and our community!
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Our teachers and staff poured tremendous energy, optimism, and excitement into Workshop Week as they prepared for students to return. Our mentor teachers also spent time connecting with and supporting our newest staff members, helping ensure that everyone felt welcomed and ready to begin the year together.
That preparation paid off! Our Open House attendance reached 97% of our students, up from 95% in 2025. Seeing so many students and families in the building before the first day helped make those first-day jitters a little smaller and the smiles a whole lot bigger.
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We continued building that strong family-school connection during our Parent Information Night on Tuesday, September 8, and it was a tremendous success!
It was wonderful to see so many parents and caregivers throughout our building, learning more about what makes PACT Elementary such a special place for children. Families had the opportunity to visit their child's individual classroom, meet their teacher, see the learning environment, and gain a better understanding of what their child's school experience will look like this year.
Teachers shared important information such as classroom routines and expectations, learning goals, curriculum and instruction, communication, homework and practice expectations, assessment practices, and ways families can support learning at home. Parents also had an opportunity to learn more about how teachers will build relationships with students, establish classroom communities, and help children grow both academically and socially.
Perhaps most importantly, the evening gave families a chance to see firsthand the thoughtful environments our teachers have created for their children. When families understand what their children are learning and how they can partner with the school, we create an even stronger foundation for student success.
Thank you to everyone who joined us! Your presence communicates something powerful to your child: “Your school matters to me, and I am part of your learning journey.”
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We are incredibly grateful for our PACT PTO and the many ways they have already supported our school community.
Thank you for providing our kindergarten students with their special PACT T-shirts, welcoming kindergarten parents with treats, and providing our staff with their new “Unleash the Pride” shirts! These thoughtful gestures help create a sense of belonging and excitement from the very beginning of the year.
We look forward to continuing this wonderful partnership throughout the year. When our school and families work together, our Panthers benefit!
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Our first weeks of school were a success, and we couldn't be more proud of our students and staff.
Students were welcomed with joy and spent their first days learning the routines and procedures that help our school run smoothly. Our teachers intentionally balanced structure with relationship-building, ensuring students knew not only what to do but also that they were known, cared for, and welcomed.
Our fourth- and fifth-graders have been learning to navigate the hallways respectfully as they travel to reading and math classes, while our kindergarteners have already become braver and more independent as they find their classrooms in the mornings.
These may seem like small accomplishments, but they are important milestones—and we are celebrating them!
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As we settle into the school year, our teachers are also learning more about each student's current skills, strengths, and areas for growth through our fall assessments.
This information helps us make thoughtful instructional decisions. Teachers use assessment information to determine where students may benefit from additional support, enrichment, intervention, or flexible skill grouping. Most importantly, we use what we learn to ensure students receive instruction that meets them where they are while maintaining the rigor and high expectations they deserve.
We want every Panther to be appropriately challenged, supported, and encouraged to grow.
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Of course, school is also about having fun and building relationships!
Assistant Principal Shane Reinhard and I recently visited classrooms—including all of our kindergarten classrooms—to read the two-voice story Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka.
We shared the reading responsibilities, had some fun with the voices, and used the story as an opportunity to talk with students about what it means to be a good friend. These moments are some of my favorite parts of being a principal because they remind me that relationships are at the heart of everything we do.
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We have only just begun, but already there is so much to celebrate at PACT Elementary. Our students are reading, learning, connecting, becoming more independent, and discovering new ways to let their Panther pride shine.
Our theme this year, Cultivate, reminds us that the very best things don't happen overnight. They grow through consistent care, intentional effort, strong relationships, and a community working together.
And as we Unleash the Pride, we will continue cultivating a place where every student can grow, every teacher can thrive, and every family knows they are an important part of our PACT community.
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Thank you for entrusting your children to us and for partnering with us as we begin another wonderful year together.
With Panther Pride,
Dr. Lara Bronson
PACT Elementary Principal
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