March 2nd - 29th
2025-2026

News from the Nest - Family Edition
💌 Principal’s Message
Dear Cardinal Families,
Happy March! 🌷✨
This newsletter includes important information and events for the entire month of March, so please take a few moments to read through it and save it for reference.
March is an exciting and important month at Menchaca ECC. Our students are showing incredible academic growth, and we have several special events that highlight the strength of our Cardinal community.
We will observe Spring Break from March 9–13. I hope your family enjoys time to rest and recharge. Even during the break, I encourage you to continue reading daily and practicing numbers at home — just 10–15 minutes a day helps keep our little learners growing.
Later this month, we are also honored to welcome visitors as part of the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award process. Our students and staff have been working hard, and we are excited to showcase the amazing learning happening inside our classrooms every day.
When we return from Spring Break, attendance and daily routines will be especially important as we head into the final stretch of the school year. Thank you for partnering with us and trusting us with your children.
Together, we will continue Rockin’ the Nest and helping our Cardinals soar! ❤️🐦
With gratitude,
Tanya Mares, Principal
📚🎉 Read Across America Week
March 2nd - 6th
We are excited to celebrate Read Across America Week at Menchaca ECC!
This special week is dedicated to building a love of reading in our youngest learners. Throughout the week, students will enjoy:
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Guest readers
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Fun literacy-themed dress-up days
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Special story times
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Classroom reading celebrations
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Activities that promote early literacy skills
At Menchaca ECC, we believe that strong readers become strong learners. Developing a love for books at an early age builds vocabulary, imagination, comprehension skills, and confidence.
💡 How Families Can Participate at Home:
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Read together for at least 15 minutes each night.
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Let your child “read” the pictures and retell the story.
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Visit your local library.
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Ask your child about their favorite book from the week.
Reading together creates memories that last a lifetime and supports your child’s academic growth in powerful ways.
Let’s make this week full of stories, imagination, and Cardinal pride as we continue Rockin’ the Nest through literacy! ❤️📖
🌷 Spring Break – March 9–13
A Little Rest + A Little Practice = Big Growth!
Spring Break is a wonderful time for our Cardinal families to relax, recharge, and enjoy time together. At the early childhood level, routines matter — so a little practice during the break helps our students return confident and ready to learn.
Here are simple, grade-level ways to support learning at home:
❤️ PK3 Families
Focus on playful learning!
Practice recognizing the first letter in your child’s name.
Sing the alphabet song together.
Count toys, snacks, or steps from 1–10.
Read simple picture books and ask, “What do you see?”
Even 5–10 minutes of playful practice makes a difference at this age.
🧡 PK4 Families
Build confidence with early skills!
Practice recognizing and naming letters.
Count to 20 together.
Identify and represent numbers 0–10 using small objects (beans, cereal, toys).
Ask your child to retell a story in their own words.
Keep it light, fun, and encouraging!
💛 Kindergarten Families
Keep those academic muscles strong!
Read daily and practice sight words.
Blend simple CVC words (cat, dog, sun).
Practice addition and subtraction within 10.
Encourage writing — even short sentences or labeling pictures.
Kindergarteners are building independence, so letting them “teach you” what they know is powerful.
🌼 Before We Leave for Break
Communicate any travel plans with your teacher.
Maintain bedtime routines as much as possible.
Talk positively about returning to school after the break.
We can’t wait to welcome our Cardinals back on March 16 refreshed and ready to finish the year strong!
Together, we will continue Rockin’ the Nest — even during Spring Break! ❤️🐦
🌸 Menchaca ECC Spring Market Day is Coming! 🌸
Join us on Saturday, March 21st for our Menchaca Market Day!
This event can also be seen as a community rummage sale, making it the perfect opportunity for some spring cleaning. Clean out those closets, toy bins, and storage spaces — and turn gently used items into extra cash while supporting your school community!
Families are encouraged to participate as:
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🛒 Shoppers
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🏷️ Vendors
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🧸 Rummage Sale Sellers
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🍪 Small Business Owners
Vendor parking spots are available for $25 per space. Whether you’re selling handmade items, baked goods, boutique items, or hosting a simple garage-sale style table — we welcome you!
This is a wonderful way to:
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Support local families and small businesses
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Engage with our community
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Raise school spirit
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Spend time together outside the classroom
Water and sodas will be sold exclusively by Menchaca ECC.
Let’s make this a big, successful community event! We would love to see many of our Cardinal families participating — not just attending.
Spring cleaning + community connection = a perfect Saturday at Menchaca ECC! ❤️🐦
📖 Literacy & Math Spotlight
Our Cardinals are building strong foundations every day:
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Recognizing letters and sounds
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Counting and representing numbers
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Reading sight words (Kinder)
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Strengthening early problem-solving skills
Small daily practice at home makes a big difference.
⭐ H-E-B Excellence in Education Visit
We are proud to share that Menchaca ECC has been selected as a finalist in the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards (Early Childhood Division) process.
Later this month, representatives will visit our campus to see firsthand the incredible teaching and learning happening here.
This recognition reflects:
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The dedication of our teachers and staff
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The academic growth of our students
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The strong partnership we have with our families
Thank you for your continued support. You are a vital part of what makes Menchaca ECC so special.
Notes from the Nurse
March is National Nutrition Month! Good nutrition includes planning balanced meals with lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting processed foods, added sugars, and excess sodium.
Preschool and kindergarten ages are perfect for introducing children to basic nutrition education. The best way to teach and encourage healthy eating habits is to involve your child in shopping for and preparing meals with you! Cooking is a valuable life skill that teaches children about nutrition and food safety, building math, science, literacy and fine motor skills, and making long-lasting memories in the process. For more information on cooking with your child, visit https://www.eatright.org/food/home-food-safety/safe-cooking-and-prep/teaching-kids-to-cook
Remember, children are more likely to adopt healthy eating habits if they see adults doing the same!
🚗 Morning Drop-Off Reminder – Let’s Keep It Fair & Safe
Cardinal Families,
We know mornings can feel rushed. Everyone has somewhere to be — work, appointments, older siblings to drop off — and we truly understand the pressure of getting everyone where they need to go on time.
To keep our drop-off process safe, smooth, and fair for all families, we are asking everyone to please follow our campus expectation:
All families must enter through the north gate where the designated staging area is located.
Our officers do their very best to open gates at the scheduled time each morning. However, we have recently had situations where families are entering through the gate that requires a pass and positioning themselves in the drop-off area ahead of parents who have been patiently waiting in the staging line.
This creates frustration and disrupts the flow of our system.
Our staff works quickly and efficiently to help your little ones out of their vehicles so everyone can get on their way without unnecessary delays. The system only works when everyone follows the same procedure.
We kindly ask that you please be mindful, respectful, and considerate of other families by adhering to our campus drop-off expectations. When we all follow the same process, it ensures fairness and keeps our students safe.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us model patience and respect for our children each morning.
Together, we keep the Nest running smoothly. ❤️🐦
🎓 Kindergarten “Soaring from the Nest” Ceremony
Our Kindergarten Cardinals are getting ready to Soar from the Nest! ❤️🖤
This special ceremony is more than just a promotion — it is a celebration of an incredible year of growth. Over the past months, our students have built friendships, learned to read and write, strengthened their math skills, practiced kindness, and developed confidence as learners.
We have watched them arrive as little Cardinals eager to learn, and now they are ready to take flight into 1st grade with pride and excitement.
The “Soaring from the Nest” Ceremony honors their hard work, perseverance, and accomplishments. It is a joyful moment for families, teachers, and our entire Menchaca community to celebrate how far they have come.
We are incredibly proud of our Kindergarten students and grateful for the partnership we share with you. Thank you for trusting us with your child’s early learning journey.
They came to us as little learners… and now they are soaring from the nest.
📅 Ceremony Dates & Times
All ceremonies will take place in the Menchaca ECC Cafeteria.
🗓 Tuesday, May 12
8:00 am
- Gomez
- Rodriguez
- Alonzo
10:30 am
- Guerra
- Urbina
- Vela
🗓 Wednesday, May 13
8:00 am
- Collier
- Lopez
- Lerma
10:30 am
- Valle
- Griffith
- M Zavala
🗓 Thursday, May 14
8:00 am
- Villanueva
- M Castano
- Vontur
- Reyes
10:30 am
- J Ramos
- Taylor
- Combee
- Farias
🎓 Cap & Gown Information
Families may choose to purchase caps and gowns for the ceremony through our online vendor.
👉 Ordering Information:
https://graduationportal.com/menchaca_early_childhood_center/shop/home
🗓 Orders must be placed by April 15th.
📦 Caps and gowns will arrive to our campus by May 6th.
🎓 Cap and gown color should be matte red.
When placing your order, we strongly recommend that families carefully review the sizing chart. Gown sizes are based on your child’s height, so please measure your little one and select the appropriate size to ensure a proper fit for the ceremony and pictures.
Students will also be provided loaner caps and gowns for the ceremony if families choose not to purchase one.
We are excited to see our Kindergarten Cardinals dressed and ready to soar! 🎓✨
✨ Decorating Caps & Stoles
Families are welcome to decorate their child’s cap and/or stole to make it special and meaningful!
However, please keep the following in mind:
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Decorations must allow students to safely wear the cap on their head throughout the ceremony and during pictures.
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Caps should remain secure and comfortable.
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Teachers and staff are not responsible for repairing or replacing decorations if items fall off.
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Please avoid heavy or oversized decorations that may fall during the ceremony.
We want our students to shine — while also ensuring a smooth and joyful celebration for everyone.
🏫 Campus Event Expectations
To ensure a safe and organized event for all families:
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All visitors must check in through the front office with a valid photo ID.
No weapons and/or VAPES allowed on school premises (includes all pocketknives)
No large bags or balloons allowed inside the cafeteria
Strollers will not be allowed to block audience walkways
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Only adults listed on the student’s check-out list may sign out a student.
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Students will not be checked out until all classes in that ceremony group are completed.
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One adult will be allowed to sign out the student from the classroom.
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Photo opportunities will be available in the Cafeteria Courtyard after the ceremony.
We ask that families remain seated during the ceremony except when instructed, and help us maintain a respectful environment so every child’s special moment can be celebrated.
📘 Order Your Menchaca ECC Yearbook!
Our Menchaca Early Childhood Center Yearbook is now available for purchase! This yearbook is a special keepsake filled with memories from the school year, including classroom moments, campus events, and snapshots of our little Cardinals learning and growing together.
📄 How to Order:
Please see the attached Yearbook Order Flyer included with this newsletter for pricing and ordering details.
📅 Important Reminder:
Orders must be submitted by the deadline listed on the flyer to ensure your child receives a yearbook.
Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to capture and cherish your child’s school memories!
Field Trip Information
We are excited for our upcoming spring field trips! If you would like to chaperone and help supervise a group of students (in addition to your own child), a background check will be required. The great news is that once you complete this background check, you’ll also be cleared to volunteer at our campus for future events.
If you are attending the field trip but will only be with your own child at a public venue, a background check is not required.
Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
Morning Drop-Off
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Have your child ready to exit the vehicle (backpack on, good-byes said, buckles unfastened when you enter the unloading zone).
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Our staff will assist your child safely to the sidewalk—please remain in your vehicle to keep the line moving.
Afternoon Pick-Up
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Please stay in your vehicle; staff will bring your child to you.
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Use our designated buckle-up areas to pull forward and secure car seats and seat belts before leaving campus.
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Thank you for being patient and respectful with staff and other drivers—we promise to move as quickly as little legs can go.
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Bus Transportation Information
Did you know you can track your child's school bus in real time! 🚌📍
Parents and Guardians, we'd like to remind you of a helpful tool to make your mornings and afternoons a little easier! You can track your child's school bus live to see exactly where it is at any moment.
It's simple:
- Visit: https://sites.google.com/southsideisd.org/transportationdepartment/samsara-gps-bus-links
- Click on your child's Bus Route button.
- Instantly view your child's bus location in real time.
No more wondering if the bus is around the corner or still on its way -- you'll have latest updates at your fingertips!
Stay Connected with Menchaca on ClassDojo!
At Menchaca, we use ClassDojo to share important campus updates, reminders, and news.
Teachers also use ClassDojo to communicate directly with families about classroom events and announcements.If you have not already joined, we kindly ask that you connect with your child’s teacher on ClassDojo. This will ensure you receive all important information from both the classroom and the campus.
Thank you for staying connected and supporting your child’s success! ❤️
👕 Weekly Spirit Days – 2025-2026
We’re introducing weekly theme days to boost campus spirit and showcase our unity:
Let’s make our building colorful, spirited, and fun all week long!
School Hours & Attendance
School Day: 7:10 AM – 2:50 PM
Attendance is a key factor in student success—even in Pre-K and Kindergarten. Every day counts! When students are present, they build routines, strengthen friendships, and develop a love for learning.
Students who miss even two days a month can quickly fall behind.
Establishing strong attendance habits now prepares our little ones for lifelong success.
Together, we can build a culture where every day matters!
March Attendance Incentive
Campus Calendar
Parental Consent for School Health-Related Services
Per Senate Bill 12, Texas school districts must have written parent/guardian consent before providing any non-emergency health-related services at school or during school-sponsored activities. Only lifesaving care may be given without consent.
Health-related services may include:
First aid and illness/injury care
Vital sign checks (e.g., temperature, blood pressure)
Vision/hearing screenings
Diabetes and concussion response
Medication administration
Health education, lice/spinal screenings, and more
Services may be provided by nurses or trained school staff (e.g., teachers, coaches, counselors). If you decline consent on this form, your child will not receive care for non-life-threatening issues and must be picked up immediately if ill or injured.
Parental Consent for School Counseling Services
In accordance with Senate Bill 12, Southside ISD must notify parents of available school counseling services and allow them to opt out before services are provided. Consent through this form applies for the 2025–2026 school year unless rescinded by the parent/guardian.
School counseling services include academic advising, early mental health prevention, emotional and social skill-building, grief and trauma support, positive behavior and youth development, and promoting a safe, supportive school climate. These services are outlined in board policies FFEA, FFEB, and FFB.
This form seeks consent for general mental health–related services only. Separate consent will always be obtained for small group or individual counseling.
Stay Connected
Front Office: (210) 882-1610
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Website: https://southsideisd.org/mecc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SISDMenchaca
ClassDojo: Check messages and announcements daily
Thank you for sharing your little Cardinals with us. We’re honored to partner with you for a year full of growth, joy, and learning. Rockin’ the Nest—together! 🐦🎸