Principal's Message

Welcome to the home of the Merced Elementary School Panthers! We are one of eight elementary schools in the West Covina Unified School District located in the beautiful San Gabriel Valley of southern California. We are proud to be a National Blue Ribbon School, which is largely due to the tremendous effort of our talented and dedicated staff. We know how important these first years of school are for your child, and you can be assured that we do everything possible to help him/her succeed.

Take some time to become familiar with our website, and see for yourself how simple it is to find answers to your questions, whether it be about the lunch program, our enrichment activities, or how to contact a staff member. We consider you to be an important part of our educational team, and we encourage you to get involved.

Welcome All!

Mrs. Dominguez and Panther Welcome Students Back

Boss's Day

College Day - A House Divided!

Principal and Student Dress for College Day

Panther Visit

Each week Principal Dominguez sends out a Parent Panther Weekly.

The highlights are shared below. Click on the monthly tabs to be taken to the Presentations.

Tabs

August

August 15, 2021

As a parent of four boys, when I saw this quote it made me stop and reflect upon those specific times of the day and how my interactions with my children can make a difference in their day, the following day, and their lives. Our lives are filled with so much. So many commitments, obligations, and factors we cannot always control. Sometimes with all that goes on in our lives, these precious minutes get away from us. These small moments, these connections can mean everything.

August 22, 2021

If your Panthers are in need of a way to calm their mind and body, try these breathing exercises. Or try them before school! It's a great way to clear their mind and be ready to learn!

August 29, 2021

As you contemplate the quote and video below, I’d like you to ask your young Panthers, what they see in different situations. Give them scenarios and ask how can we turn our perception of that “weed” into a “wish”. Let’s teach our young Panthers that the world is theirs to make what they wish it to be. They have the power to control their own reaction and actions to the world around them. They decide how the world looks and whether they see Weeds or WISHES! Have a wonderful week Panther Family!

September

September 5, 2021

Take a moment to watch the cute video and read the inspirational quote above with your young Panthers. Discuss some takeaways they have after watching the video. Remind our young Panthers that dreams only become realities when we have the courage to go after them and the determination to put in the hard work to make them come true.

September 12, 2021

Take a moment to watch and discuss the video and quote below with your Panther(s). Ask them, what does it mean to have perseverance? Have they every given up and why did they give up? What could’ve happened if they had not given up? And lastly, how do they plan to persevere this week at school? Help our young Panthers realize that success most often isn’t instantaneous. Rather, it’s many attempts and failures over time until we get it right. Or, until the moment is right for our dream/goal to come to light.
Have a wonderful week everyone!

This year we are working to implement school-wide behavior expectations and build a culture of Merced Panther Pride! Panthers Will Show their P.A.W.S! Look for our school chant in the coming weeks. Ask your Panther to tell you about showing their P.A.W.S!

September 19, 2021

Take a moment to watch the animation short above with your Panther(s). Read the quote with them. How might this quote and the animation short relate to one another. Continue to connect with your Panthers through thoughtful conversation and shared moments of laughter, understanding, and love. Keep up the great work parents and caregivers! Let us work together to build our young Panther up! Have an amazing week everyone!

Quote: If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

(To the Tune/Cadence of "Everywhere We Go!")

September 26, 2021

October

October 3, 2021

October 10, 2021

October 17, 2021

Throughout the pandemic we longed for the connection and presence of others around us. Our kiddos had digital playdates and activities, and were limited in their interactions with their friends and peers. The pandemic brought about a new hurdle and question...Would our students be social-emotionally prepared to meet behavior expectations when they returned? Would they know how to play well with others, keep their hands to themselves, and be a part of a school community. With a year and a half away from the setting (school) in which to practice and actively learn these behavior expectations, we have found that many of our students are struggling with this social-emotional aspect of school. As educators we are committed to not only teaching the academic skills needed for success, but we know the explicit teaching of behavior expectations is also needed for a well-rounded student and education. As with any skill, these behavior expectations develop over time, are not always met to perfection, and need constant reinforcement.

Checkout our Panther Chant Video above to hear about how we SHOW our PANTHER P.A.W.S.
Review our Behavior Expectation Matrix for the Playground above for some examples of what we are looking for on the playground.
As we build our P.A.W.S we will teach and reinforce our Behavior Expectations for every area of our school.

We thank you Panther Families, for your support and reinforcement of these expectations at home as well.
We are stronger and better together!

Students show their PAWS on the playground

October 24, 2021

Video Link to "Surprising Health Benefits of Laughter"

"Laughter with a friend is the BEST kind of laughing there is."

Take a moment to reflect with your Panther on the video and quote above. Laughter is key to our lives and the success we experience!

October 31, 2021

Link to Video of "The Mindset of a Champion"