Melissa Ridge Education Center

We’re so excited for Family Engagement Night happening this week! It’s going to be a wonderful evening filled with fun, learning, and connection.

Event Information:

Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Location: Gym, Cafeteria, Classrooms

This special event is all about celebrating the partnership between school and home, and we’ve planned activities for the whole family to enjoy! Plus, we’ll have a few surprises to make the night extra special, so please see the information below for more details about this event.

Why Should I Attend?

• Build stronger connections with your child’s teacher and classmates.

• Discover tips and resources to support your child’s learning at home.

• Spend quality time as a family while making lasting memories!

We can’t wait to see all of our MREC families there! It won’t be the same without you! If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to reach out to us.

Let’s make this Family Engagement Night unforgettable!

Kimberly Cole
Principal

We are thrilled to remind you about our Family Engagement Night happening this week! It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn, and enjoy some quality time together as a school family.

Here’s what you need to know:

Date: Thursday, January 30th
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM

Location: Start in the Gym

Schedule:

• 5:00 – 5:30 PM: Welcome and opening session in the gym.

• 5:30 – 6:30 PM: Families will be divided into two groups:

• Group 1: Enjoy pizza in the cafeteria.

• Group 2: Visit classrooms for fun, hands-on activities with your child.

• Groups will switch halfway through (5:30) to ensure everyone enjoys both activities!

This is a perfect chance to meet other families, see what your little ones have been working on, and participate in engaging activities.

We can’t wait to see you there! If you have any questions or need more details, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your partnership in making this year amazing for our MREC Cardinals!

See you all soon!

MREC Staff

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

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

30 - Hot Cocoa & Counting! (Title I Family Curriculum Night) 5:30-6:30pm

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Hosted by the Melissa Booster Club, the Daddy-Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday, February 8, at the MHS Student Union Building, with two time options: 4:00–6:00 p.m. or 7:00–9:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per couple, plus $10 for each additional child. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://melissaboosterclub.org/ddd

Holocaust Remembrance Week, established by the Texas Legislature through SB 1828 in 2019, is observed in schools to provide age-appropriate education about the Holocaust and inspire students to uphold human dignity while working to prevent future atrocities. Reflecting on the resilience of survivors and the importance of empathy, we honor the past to create a more compassionate future.

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.

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.