Melissa Ridge Education Center

It was Fire Safety Week! Our little learners met real firefighters 🚒, explored fire safety tips, and learned how to stay safe at home and school. Here a few reminders:

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip is a couple of weeks away and the kiddos are ready! We can’t wait to explore the pumpkin patch together. Be sure to send back those permission forms so your child can join in the fun!

Parent-Teacher conferences are just around the corner. Be on the lookout for signup forms to book your time. It’s a great chance to connect, celebrate your child’s progress, and set goals for the rest of the year!

Homecoming Spirit Week is kicking off this week! We’re inviting the kids to show off their school spirit with fun, themed dress-up days.

As always, thank you for being such a big part of our MREC community. Let’s make this week unforgettable!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful week!

Kimberly Cole

Principal

A core belief of The Zones of Regulation is that all Zones are okay. We routinely experience several of the Zones across a day. It’s critically important that we don’t convey the message that the Green Zone is the only acceptable Zone to be in. Acknowledge, accept, and support these feelings, never make anyone feel like the Green Zone is the norm.

ClassDojo is a communication platform that allows parents to stay connected with their child's school. Parents can use it to see their child's classwork, photos, videos, and announcements, and receive feedback from teachers.

The upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences will be a chance to discuss the School-Parent Compact, which outlines shared responsibilities for student success. Your participation shapes how schools and families work together to support your child's educational growth and success. At the meeting, you will review your child's progress, set academic goals, and discuss strategies for reinforcing learning at home. Please check out the newsletter in the following weeks for tips on how to prepare for conferences and what to expect during the conferences. We can't wait to see you again. Sign up information will go home soon!

Talk with your child before the conference. Children should understand why the conference is taking place (is it due to a problem or is it a routine meeting held for all parents) and be assured that parents are seeking ways to help and learn about what their children are doing in school. Find out if your child has any specific concerns about schoolwork or relationships with classmates.

Acquire the handbook for students. If your district, school, or classroom has a handbook for students, be sure to obtain a copy well ahead of the conference and review it. In particular look for listings of expectations for behavior and attendance so that you might anticipate what questions the teacher may ask of you. Also, try to assemble a list of questions you may want to ask the teacher if you are unsure of material in the handbook.

Be familiar with your child’s homework assignments. If your child has homework be familiar with the assignments and how your child has been performing. Is the work getting done? Does your child seem to understand the assignments? Does the work seem too easy or too difficult?

Prepare a list of questions you want to ask your child’s teacher. Is my child meeting expectations for learning and behavior? How has my child performed on daily class assignments, on tests, on homework assignments? How does my child compare to others in basic skills? Does my child follow school rules or does my child exhibit any behavior problems? If my child is struggling in any area, what has been tried to improve performance? Does my child pay attention in class? What else can be done at home or at school? What are my child’s strengths? Are there any concerns about my child’s health, or adjustment? Are there materials or resources that you would recommend? How does my child get along with other students?

Be ready to collaborate. Assume the teacher has your child’s best interests in mind, and respond calmly and tactfully. Indicate that you are most concerned with solving the problem and helping your child succeed. Offer to meet further to discuss the problem and to work out a solution. Remember that teachers are often as afraid to deliver bad news as parents are to hear it.

Listen carefully. It is perfectly acceptable to take notes. This is particularly helpful if one parent or other involved relative cannot attend. It can also help you remember details so that you can ask questions later.

Offer your perspective. Many times teachers will ask you about your child’s activities at home and your views of your child’s strengths and areas where help might be needed. Even if the teacher does not ask, speak up and provide your observations and any concerns.

You want to hear good news about your child. Ask directly, “What does my child do well?” Remember that teachers often hear only negative comments, too. Be sure to try to offer a compliment, a thank you to let the teacher know you appreciate what they are trying to do to help your child-even when what the teacher is trying to do may not be working.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. If you do not understand something or feel your concerns are not being addressed, then ask the teacher. Ask what test scores mean and what the results mean for your child. Stop and ask for an explanation of unfamiliar terms or programs. Not understanding can quickly lead to misunderstanding.

We’re gearing up for an exciting trip to the Pumpkin Patch! The students are going to love exploring, picking pumpkins, and enjoying some fall fun together.

Important reminders:

• Please complete the transportation and permission forms as soon as possible so your child can join in on the fun!
• If you’d like to volunteer and attend the field trip with us, make sure to submit your volunteer/background forms right away! (Please visit link below.)

We can't wait for this fall adventure, and we know your little ones are going to have a blast! Thank you for helping us make this trip safe and memorable.

October

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Filipino American History Month

14 - NO School (Fair Day) / Indigenous People's Day / Columbus Day

14 - Homecoming Week begins

15 - Hispanic Heritage Month Ends

18 - End of 1st 9 Weeks

21 - NO School (Parent Conference Day)

24 - Team A Field Trip

25 - Team B Field Trip

31 - Mad Scientists Day

November

1 - NO School (Staff Development Day)

Melissa High School is excited to present Hollywood Homecoming, a week of themed dress-up days, Oct. 15-18, designed to celebrate school spirit in style! Students are encouraged to participate by dressing according to each day's theme as we roll out the red carpet and create an unforgettable Homecoming experience. While we encourage creativity, we ask that all students ensure their outfits align with the school’s dress code. We look forward to a fun-filled week where students can showcase their creativity and Cardinal pride.

Sit With Us meetings provide parents/guardians with an opportunity to come together and discuss ideas, concerns, and potential solutions regarding matters at Melissa Schools. The philosophy of Sit With Us is that Melissa parents are Cardinal Champions who see the best for not only their students but for all students. If it matters to one Cardinal, it matters to all Cardinals. Those who are interested in joining Sit With Us are encouraged to attend the next meeting scheduled at their student's school. Visit the Sit With Us for a list of upcoming dates.

Melissa Schools will be closed districtwide for Fair Day on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. We look forward to seeing our Cardinals back at school on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. To learn more about the State Fair of Texas, visit https://bigtex.com

We invite all Melissa Cardinals, including students, staff, alumni, and family, to join us in celebrating Homecoming Week from October 15-18, 2024! Community events will include a parade, an outdoor pep rally, and the Homecoming football game. For an overview of this year’s Homecoming festivities, visit www.melissaisd.org/homecoming.

The Melissa Cardinal boys and girls basketball teams will kick off the 2024-2025 season on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, with Melissa Madness! Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. in the Melissa High School Gym. An introduction to this year’s boys and girls varsity basketball teams, Melissa Madness is a chance for young Cardinals to meet-and-greet players and will feature a live DJ, games and prizes, a performance from the Melissa Cardinal cheerleaders, and a scrimmage from both basketball teams. Admission is free. We invite the community to come out and enjoy this fun, family event.

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.