Bear Bulletin

We are so excited to welcome our Lincoln Bears back for another amazing year! Our staff has been working hard to prepare for a year full of special moments, positive relationships, and high levels of learning for every student, every day. We can’t wait to see you at Meet the Teacher on Tuesday and on the first day of school Thursday—it’s going to be a great year!

Meet the Teacher – Tuesday, August 12

• A–M: 4:45–5:30 PM

• N–Z: 5:45–6:30 PM

• Exception: Mrs. Forrer’s class will meet Monday for a special introduction to the service animal working in their classroom (families have been contacted directly).

• Sensory-friendly options are available—please call the front office to schedule.

What to Expect at Meet the Teacher:

• Pick up your car rider tag (a must if your child will be a car rider at any point this year).

• Learn about transportation, school meals, before/after school care, and community programs.

• Bring and drop off school supplies if you purchased your own. Pre-ordered supplies will already be in classrooms.

• This is a come-and-go event—stay as long or as little as you need.

Before You Come:

• Make sure your annual enrollment is completed in Skyward.

• If attending under an affidavit, please update it before Meet the Teacher so your child is assigned to a class.

We can’t wait to greet you and kick off another incredible school year together!

The first day of school holds many emotions for our students and their grown-ups. Some are anxious, and others are excited. Some are both! Rest assured, our staff is ready and eager to greet our students with open arms and warm smiles on Thursday, August 14. Our doors will open at 7:50 a.m. The tardy bell rings at 8:15. Parents may walk their children to the classroom door on both Thursday and Friday.

Parents will need a visitor badge from the front office before entering the main hallway of the building. Parents are highly encouraged to scan their ID at the school on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday so they can be preprinted for pick-up on the first day of school. You may also scan your ID to preprint your badge at Meet the Teacher. Your ID must be shown again to pick up the badge on the first day of school. Anyone who doesn't scan their ID at the school prior to the first day will need to wait in line on the first day to get a badge. This line can be very long and may limit the amount of time you have to walk your child to class. On Friday, anyone who chooses to walk their child to class will get a badge from the front desk as usual.

After this first week, students will walk to class by themselves. We always have staff stationed in the hallways to help students get where they need to be.

On Thursday, we will have our third annual Tears and Cheers event in the Library from 8:00-8:30, hosted by our PTO. This is an opportunity for parents to take a moment after they drop their children off at their classroom doors and spend a few minutes with other grown-ups going through the same thing. You can laugh, cry, or just take some time to connect with other parents.

Finally, we ask for your patience these first couple of weeks of school. As we welcome new families, it typically takes time for everyone to learn procedures and for us to fine tune the procedures for maximum safety and efficiency. The first few days of school, our focus is always to welcome kids, keep them safe, get to know them, feed them, and get them home to you. Thank you for your understanding as we get this school year rolling!

Please read through each bullet point.

Goal: Ensure all students get home safely.

• Be sure to watch and follow directions from staff members for student safety.
• Refrain from any cell phone usage in the car rider line. Be alert and watch for pedestrians.
• Have your car rider tag displayed in your front window for staff to easily see. If you do not have a car rider tag, you will be asked to park and walk into the building to sign out your child.
• When walking across the driveway, use the crosswalk and wait for staff direction to cross for your safety and the safety of others.
• All car riders will enter through the main entrance to the school from Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive (by the marquee).
• Maintain a single line in the right hand lane until directed by staff to form a double lane (around 3:15).
• We will be loading students into cars from both lanes. Students will be loaded into the passenger side of the cars only. This ensures that we are able to clearly see when all cars are loaded and are ready to move, ensuring everyone’s safety.
• Remain in your car at all times.
• No cars will be released until students at each cone are loaded safely in their cars.
• Once through the loading area, cars will return to a single line and follow the drive to the car rider exit on Car Rider Line Road.
• Once at Car Rider Line Road, cars may turn left or right.
• · Options for exit:
• Turn RIGHT on Car Rider Line Road and then LEFT at the Community Center Road stop sign. This will take you to FM 1097. (This is the recommended route.)
• Turn LEFT on Car Rider Line Road and then RIGHT onto MLK Drive. This will eventually take you to FM 1097.
• Turn RIGHT on Car Rider Line Road and the RIGHT at the Community Center Road stop sign. This will take you back to MLK Dr. but may lead to congestion at the intersection. Be prepared to wait if you go this way.
• In the event that you must pick up your child for an emergency after 3:15, park in the south parking lot by the cafeteria and walk to the front office door to sign you child out. This should only be used for emergency situations.

As our staff teach students our lunch procedures and give them opportunities to practice, we will be having closed campus for lunches the first couple of weeks of school. We will begin welcoming lunch visitors the week of Tuesday, 9/2. If you have any questions, please reach out to either Mrs. Ashlock or Mrs. Miller.

We are thrilled about the upcoming school year and are eager to welcome parents and community members as partners in the educational experience. To volunteer on campus—whether in classrooms, at events, field trips, or special programs—you’ll need to complete the Montgomery ISD Volunteer Services Form and the Authorization for Criminal History Background Check (DPS/DPS Computerized Criminal History verification). These forms are required each school year and help ensure a safe environment for all our students. Once submitted to your campus secretary, your confidential background check will be processed through the MISD Administrative Services Center. Only one application per volunteer is needed—regardless of how many schools you're assisting. You’ll be notified once you’re cleared to begin. We appreciate your interest in supporting our schools and thank you for investing your time and talents to enrich our learning community

Click here for more information.

We want to remind parents that students are not permitted to use cell phones, smartwatches, or other personal communication devices during the school day. This is not just a campus rule—it is now state law. On August 1, 2025, Texas House Bill 1481 was signed into law, banning the use of personal devices by students on school property during instructional hours. This includes any device capable of sending or receiving calls, texts, or data.

The purpose of this law is to reduce distractions, improve student focus, and create a safer, more productive learning environment. Montgomery ISD already implemented a similar policy last year, known as “Away for the Day,” which aligns with this new legislation. You can read more about the district’s policy here: MISD Away for the Day.

We ask for your partnership in ensuring students leave these devices powered off and stowed away from bell to bell. Thank you for helping us keep classrooms focused on learning!

As part of our continued efforts to keep our campuses as safe and secure as possible, we want to share a quick update regarding building access.

Like in years past, all exterior doors on campus will remain locked throughout the school day to help ensure a safe environment for our students and staff. This year, we’re adding one additional layer of precaution: the main entrance door leading into the secured vestibule at all Montgomery ISD campuses will also remain locked. Visitors will now be buzzed in by the front receptionist before entering the secured vestibule area.

We know this may feel like an extra step, but we truly appreciate your patience and cooperation. Every precaution we take is done with the safety of our students and staff in mind and ensuring a secure school environment is something we take very seriously.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and understanding. We’re grateful to partner with you in keeping our schools safe, welcoming, and focused on learning.

Please take a few minutes to read the letter linked below for important information from Nurse Meeler.

This year, we are excited to welcome Thor, a trained service dog, to one of our Pre-K classrooms. Thor will be assisting a student as part of their daily learning environment. His presence has been carefully planned in coordination with the student’s family, district and campus administrators, and our support staff to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of everyone in the classroom.

Here are a few important things to know:

• Thor is a certified, highly trained service animal who provides specific support for the student he assists.

• Students will be taught how to behave appropriately around him, understanding that Thor is not a classroom pet. They will be instructed not to pet, feed, or distract him while he is working.

• Thor will only be in designated areas relevant to the student he supports and will not have unrestricted access to the school.

• All hygiene, safety, and allergy considerations have been addressed to prevent disruptions to learning.

• Our staff will receive guidance to ensure a smooth introduction and ongoing positive experience for everyone.

If your child has any medical concerns, allergies, or fears related to dogs, please contact us so we can plan accordingly and work with you to find the best solution.

We appreciate your support as we create an inclusive environment where every student’s needs are met. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at 936-276-4710.

One of our campus goals is to build more parent involvement on our campus. As parents, you know your child best. We want to partner with you to consistently make our school better. Below are several opportunities where you can be involved or provide feedback.

• Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) - Our PTO is an organization of parents that works to support our students and staff in a variety of ways. They recently purchased some toys and games that students can play with during recess. They also bring in special programs and activities for our students and find ways to show appreciation to our staff. We encourage all families to join. For more information, you can contact our PTO at mylespto@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook (@myLESPTO).
  
• Parent Feedback Form - Any time you want to share your thoughts, you can email, call, or make an appointment to visit. Another way you can provide input is to simply complete our parent feedback form at any time. Your responses are anonymous unless you choose to include your name and/or contact information.

Celebrate your child’s birthday and raise money for our LES activity fund. These funds are used to pay for field trips and special activities for our students and staff.

You can have your child’s first name and initial of last name (i.e. Kerri A.) displayed on our marquee and/or our internal hallway monitors for the week of his/her birthday for a small donation to our activity fund. If you choose to have their birthday recognition on the hallway monitors, you have the option to include a picture of your child for an additional $5 donation. If you child has a summer birthday, we can recognize their half-birthday.

Cash donations only, please. Use the form attached below to place your order. Please have your form and payment submitted two weeks prior to your child's birthday or half-birthday to ensure it is posted in a timely manner.

💛 Thank you, sponsors! 💛
We are so appreciative of the amazing sponsors who provided breakfast, lunch, and snacks for our staff during back-to-school training. Your generosity fueled our bodies, lifted our spirits, and helped us start the year strong! 🐻✨

School Hours:

• Doors open at 7:50
• Tardy bell rings, and class begins at 8:15. (This is the time students are expected to be in their seats in the classroom.)
• School day ends at 3:40

We are working hard to maximize each and every minute our students are here. School announcements begin at 8:10. Students who arrive after 8:15 are considered tardy and will need to be walked into the front door of the building and signed in by a parent or guardian. If your child needs to leave early, they may be checked out through the front office by a parent or guardian.

Changes in transportation need to be made prior to 2:00 in order to allow time for the messages to be communicated with the appropriate staff member. To request a change of transportation, either

1. Send a note with your child,
2. Email LincolnElementaryTransit@misd.org with the note and a copy of your driver's license, or
3. Come to the school with a copy of your driver's license.

Lincoln Elementary is a Pre-K through 5th grade campus in Montgomery ISD that opened in the fall of 2018. We are dedicated to collaboration that focuses on ensuring high levels of learning for every student, every day, in a safe and supportive environment.

Email: kerri.ashlock@misd.org
Website: https://lincolnes.misd.org/
Location: 700 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Montgomery, TX, USA
Phone: (936) 276-4700
Facebook: facebook.com/MISDLincoln
Twitter: @lincoln_MISD