Panther Welcome Morning Family Guide
Panther Welcome Morning
Monday, August 17, 2026 | PK-6 Soft Start: 8:15-9:30 a.m.
SOFT START - WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW
Families may arrive with their child during the family visit window assigned to their grade level. Students do not have to be in their classroom at 8:15 a.m. Some students will arrive earlier; others will arrive with their family during the scheduled visit time. No student will be marked tardy because of the Panther Welcome Morning soft start.
Family Schedule
7:50-8:05 a.m.
Breakfast is served. Students arriving before their family visit may eat breakfast or participate in Walk Club in the Activity Center.
8:20-8:50 a.m.
PK-Grade 2 family visits. Students may arrive with their families during this window.
8:50-8:55 a.m.
PK-2 families depart; transition between family groups.
8:55-9:30 a.m.
Grades 3-6 family visits. Arriving with your child at 8:55 a.m. is expected and is not tardy.
9:30-9:45 a.m.
Final Panther Resource Fair visits and family departure.
10:30-11:00 a.m.
Student Welcome Assembly.
11:30 a.m.
TK-6 dismissal.
Where to Enter
PK-Grade 2 - West Elementary Entrance
* Park in the west crushed-rock lot, south paved lot, or south gravel lot.
* Enter through the West Elementary Entrance.
* Report directly to your child's classroom.
* Visit the Panther Resource Fair before or after the classroom visit.
* Exit the building following your visit.
Grades 3-6 - South Main Entrance
* Park in the west crushed-rock lot, south paved lot, or south gravel lot.
* Enter through the South Main Entrance.
* Report directly to your child's classroom.
* Visit the Panther Resource Fair before or after the classroom visit.
* Exit the building following your visit.
ARRIVAL FLEXIBILITY
The grade-level windows are designed to help manage traffic, not prevent participation. Families should use their assigned window when possible, but families will not be turned away because of arrival timing.
Panther Resource Fair
Cafeteria/Commons | Available during the welcome-morning family windows and briefly afterward.
* Transportation and daily route drivers - meet your driver, confirm route/bus number, and verify pickup/drop-off information.
* OPAA! Food Service - breakfast/lunch information, menus, meal accounts, and meal-program information.
* School Secretary - registration, PowerSchool, contact updates, forms, calendars, and general questions.
* Hershey State Bank - information and permission slips for the in-school savings program.
* School Nurse - medication drop-off, health forms, action plans, immunization/physical questions, and medical updates. Please visit the nurse's office.
* HELP Club - if representatives are available, learn about the Hershey Elementary League Parents organization, events, volunteering, and support for students and staff.
Classroom Visits
* Meet the teacher and see the classroom.
* Drop off school supplies and review classroom information.
* Confirm dismissal plans and classroom communication information.
* Visit another child's classroom if needed.
* Individual conferences should be scheduled for another time.
Preschool Families
* Preschool families participate in the 8:20-8:50 a.m. family window.
* Preschool students enter with their parents, meet the teacher, visit the classroom, and drop off supplies.
* Preschool students leave with their parents after the classroom visit and do not remain for the full TK-6 morning.
Panther Welcome Morning | Family Guide | August 17, 2026