Melissa Ridge Education Center

What an incredible treat to enjoy a couple of snow days this week! We hope you and your little ones took full advantage of the winter wonderland, building snowmen, making snow angels, and sipping warm cocoa. We’d love to see how your family made the most of the snow! Feel free to share your favorite pictures with us. (They might just make it onto our school's social media pages 😀.)

We’re excited to welcome students back on Monday, January 13, refreshed and ready to jump back into learning, laughter, and discovery. As we settle back into our routine, please remember the importance of our morning arrival procedures:

• Doors Open at 7:00 am and school begins at 7:30 am: Arrive on time to ensure a smooth start to the day.
• Safety First: Follow staff directions to keep our drop-off process efficient and safe.
• Be Prepared: Help your child have their backpack, and jackets on, unbuckled, and ready to go.

We’re also thrilled to invite you to our Family Engagement Night on Thursday, January 30! It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the amazing things happening at our school. Stay tuned for more details—it’s an evening you won’t want to miss!

We can’t wait to see all of our Pre-K friends back in action on Monday. Let’s continue to make the rest of this school year one to remember!

Warm regards,

Kimberly Cole
Principal

This week we are beginning a new them in our classroom, “Creative Me”. Children love to watch construction work. They are fascinated by big machines. This week, children will explore construction. They will learn the names of construction vehicles and how they are used. They will also be introduced to the different stages (steps) in building.

This week’s Family Connections activities can be found at:
https://portal2.frogstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/prek2/familyconn/ENG-FC-T5-W1.pdf

This week’s storybook, “What Will It Be?” can be found at: https://portal2.frogstreet.com/ebook/?bookname=FS20108_What-Will-It-Be_eBook.

We’re so excited to continue exploring with your little one!

Sincerely,

PreK Teachers

WALK-UP

• Parents MUST park at Cardinal Stadium. Please remember to park at the stadium. This helps keep our parking lot clear and safe for buses and staff members. Your cooperation in this is greatly appreciated!
• Parents will escort their student to the SGC gym where MREC staff members will receive students at 7:00 am.
• Ensure that you are saying bye to your child in the "Hug and Go Zone" (Please do not go beyond the tree)
• Please be cognizant of others while on Cardinal Drive. During the morning hours, there is more traffic than usual.

CARPOOL LINE

• The carpool line will begin at 7:15 a.m.
• Please pull all the way forward when directed by staff on duty.
• Ensure that your child is ready to exit the car when you stop.
• Drivers MUST remain in the vehicle.
• Staff members will open the car door.
• Carpool will close at 7:30 a.m.
• Students arriving after 7:30 a.m. will enter with a parent through the front office.

January

13 - Melissa Public Library visits MREC

15 - Smiles in School

20 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (No School)

30 - Hot Cocoa & Counting! (Title I Family Curriculum Night)

February 14th is Valentine's Day! We will be focusing on the friendships we have made at school. Our class will have a friendship celebration, including passing out Friendship Notes and/or Valentine's Cards. Please work with your little Cardinal on making a Friendship / Valentine's Day box as a family project. Together you will gather the supplies needed to create a box to hold their notes and cards. A shoebox or tissue box is the perfect size. Make sure to talk about your friends and ask your students about the friends they have made at school. Please check Class DoJo for details and updates from your child's teacher.

We will be offering a Smiles in School clinic to all Pre-K and ECSE students on Wednesday, January 15th. The clinic is provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The dental team will set up in the library and provide free oral exams, fluoride and sealants to students who consent to treatment.

After thoughtful consideration and discussion, Melissa ISD has updated its policy regarding parent notes for student absences. Effective immediately, families may now submit up to five (5) parent notes per school year to excuse absences, an increase from the previous limit of three (3) per school year. For more information, visit the following link: www.melissaisd.org/article/1947734

We are grateful for the dedication and leadership of our Melissa ISD School Board. Their unwavering commitment to student success and continuous improvement is integral to our district's growth. Thank you for all you do! To learn more about their recent achievements, including their professional development and self-appraisal process, visit www.melissaisd.org/article/1935340. Thank you, Board of Trustees, for all you do for our Cardinals!

At Melissa ISD, our students, staff, and families are at the heart of everything we do. As we head into 2025, we’re excited to share updates on new schools and facilities that will empower all students to reach their full potential. Our commitment to integrity drives us to create lasting spaces that meet the needs of our growing community. Learn more at www.melissaisd.org/move

Melissa ISD is excited to announce the launch of Tip411, a new tool designed to enhance safety and communication in our district. Tip411 allows students, parents, and community members to anonymously report safety concerns. Tips can be submitted via text using designated keywords, through our online reporting webpage, or by using the Tip411 app. For more information or to submit an anonymous report, visit our website at www.melissaisd.org/tip411.

The Melissa High School Boys and Girls Basketball programs invite students in grades K-6 to join the MLK Future Cards Basketball Camp on Monday, Jan. 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Melissa High School Gym for the boys and at the Melissa Middle School Gym for the girls. Campers will receive basketball training, a team poster, and an MLK Future Cards Camp shirt. Additionally, campers wearing their shirt to the Varsity Boys & Girls Basketball home games on Friday, Jan. 24, at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. will be recognized at halftime. The cost is $40 per camper. For more information and to register, visit www.melissaisd.org/camp.

In accordance with Texas law, school districts are required to provide parents and guardians with information on safe firearm storage. This is part of an effort to reduce gun-related incidents, particularly suicides and unintentional shootings.

In Texas, 55% of firearm-related deaths in 2020 were suicides, and restricting access to firearms is critical in preventing these tragedies. It is unlawful to store a firearm in a manner that allows children to access it, and violations can lead to criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to significant fines and jail time.

Parents are encouraged to store guns unloaded in locked containers, with ammunition kept separately, to help ensure the safety of their households. More information is available through resources like the Texas Department of Public Safety at SafeGunStorageTexas.com.

Read Letter to Parents
Safe Gun Storage Overview (English & Spanish)
Talking To Your Kids (English & Spanish)

The Melissa ISD academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year, as recommended by the District Site-Based Decision Committee, has been approved by the Board of Trustees. To access the school calendar, visit www.melissaisd.org/calendar.

Our new Community News Folder is designed to help local businesses and organizations share family-friendly programs, fundraisers, events, and activities with the community. The folder is updated regularly, so don't forget to check back often. This week, you'll find details on exciting events like performances of The Nutcracker, Selfies with Santa, and the Santa's Helpers 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run. If you'd like to feature your business or organization's events in the Community News Folder, please visit our Community Connections webpage for more information.

Come cheer on our Cardinal athletic teams and show them your support! All our teams have had a tremendous start to their seasons, showcasing the strength and dedication of our student-athletes. Pack the stands with Cardinal spirit and have some fun with these game-day dress-up themes for both varsity boys and girls basketball.

Stay informed about what's going on at our campuses and upcoming events by following us on social media. Melissa ISD can be found on Facebook and Instagram, and each campus has its own Facebook page. Melissa High School also has a dedicated Instagram account. Don't miss out—follow us today.