Melissa Ridge Education Center

We’ve got so many fun activities lined up this month! Next week is Fire Safety Week, where our students will learn all about fire safety and staying safe.

Our Pumpkin Patch Field Trip is coming up soon for our full day PreK students, so don’t forget to submit both your transportation and permission forms. If you’re planning to join us, please complete your volunteer forms ASAP!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner—keep an eye out for sign-up information coming your way soon. It’ll be a great opportunity to connect and discuss your child’s progress.

Also, don’t miss out on our upcoming themed dress-up days for Homecoming Week and Red Ribbon Week. Let’s show our Cardinal spirit!

October is shaping up to be an exciting month, and we’re thrilled to share it with you and your little ones!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful week!

Kimberly Cole

Principal

The Zones of Regulation is a simple and effective tool we use to help children understand and manage their emotions. It's designed to teach self-regulation and emotional control in a way that’s easy for young children to grasp. By understanding and recognizing which “zone” they’re in, children can begin to identify their emotions and use strategies to regulate themselves. It helps them develop emotional awareness and gives them tools to calm down, focus, or ask for help when they need it. We use this in our classrooms to promote emotional growth, and you can reinforce these ideas at home by asking your child, "What zone are you in?" and helping them apply strategies we are teaching.

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

7 - Fire Safety Week begins

8 - Fire Clowns Fire Safety Show

10 - Title I Meeting

14 - NO School (Fair Day) / 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.

Melissa ISD students will celebrate Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 28-31. This year's Red Ribbon Week theme is "Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free!" Students in Pre-K through 5th grade will have themed dress-up days. Check out the graphic to see the theme for each day. For more information about Red Ribbon Week, visit www.redribbon.org

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.

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 Education Foundation (MEF) has launched their annual "Crazy for Cards" fundraising campaign in support of Melissa ISD student scholarships and teacher grants. Members of the community who donate $35 between now and Oct. 26 will receive a "Crazy for Cards" yard sign. Donors who give $200 or more can receive a sign plus meal tickets to the Party on the Patio on Saturday, Oct. 26 at The DougOut Sports Grill. Click on the button below to visit the Melissa Education Foundation website for more details.

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.