Melissa Ridge Education Center

Hello Amazing MREC Families!

We’re so excited for all the fun and learning this month! Our students are loving their enrichment classes, and we have some big events to look forward to! Parent conferences are coming up, and we’ll share the results of the recent CLI Pre-K assessments during this time.

Don't forget, we have a field trip coming soon, so please make sure to complete both permission forms and your volunteer/background forms if you’d like to join us for the fun!

We will have a Retakes and Make-Up Picture Day this week on Wednesday, October 2nd. More details will follow, so you can make sure your little one is picture-perfect for their school portrait!

Thank you for your continued support! We’re making October a month full of growth, fun, and exploration!

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!

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

2 - Picture Retakes

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

Students and staff can participate in themed dress-up days the week of Oct. 15-18!

Students who wish to wear a Homecoming mum to school may do so on Friday, Oct. 18 as long as the mum aligns with the school dress code. Students should follow the Melissa ISD Dress code for Homecoming Week themed dress-up days.

This year's Homecoming Week themed dress-up days for MREC (Pre-K and ECSE) students and staff are listed below.

• 10/14 Monday - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (No School)

• 10/15 Tuesday - Celebrity Day (Movie Star Day)

• 10/16 Wednesday - Boots vs. Blazers (Cowboy vs. Country Club)

• 10/17 Thursday - Throwback Thursday (Decade Day)

• 10/18 Friday - Friday Night Lights (Cardinal Spirit Wear and RED!)

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’s “Crazy for Cardinals” annual fundraising campaign is now underway. You can get your very own “Crazy for Cards” yard sign starting at $35. Proceeds from the campaign support Melissa ISD student scholarships and teacher grants. For more information about the "Crazy for Cards" fundraiser and to donate, visit melissaeducationfoundation.com/crazy4cards

Nominations for the 2024 Melissa Schools Wall of Honor

Nominations for the 2024-2025 Wall of Honor will open on Sept. 20 and close on Oct. 1. The Wall of Honor recognizes former students, former staff, and community members who have positively and significantly impacted the district and society. This ongoing initiative distinguishes altruistic, high-achieving individuals with a significant history. Melissa ISD will celebrate this year’s honoree at the Nov. 1 varsity football game. To learn more and submit a nomination, visit www.melissaisd.org/wallofhonor.

Please remember that during school hours, school facilities are not open to the public. Some facilities are available for use or rental after school hours. To learn more about facility rentals and public use, visit www.melissaisd.org/facility-rentals.

Let's prioritize the safety of our children by remembering to slow down and obey traffic laws and signs, especially in school zones. Be advised that the Melissa ISD Police Department will be helping to keep our campuses safe by enforcing traffic laws. Additionally, please remind the high school drivers in your household to prioritize safety by following traffic laws and exercising caution on their way to and from school.

Parents, if you join us for class parties, field trips, or lunchtime visits, please refrain from posting photos of any students other than your own on personal social media accounts unless you have permission from their families. This helps protect the privacy of all our students during campus events. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

Stay connected with everything happening around the district through our website and app! Parents and students can access helpful information and resources, stay updated on campus activities, and learn more about Melissa ISD. Visit www.melissaisd.org to get started.

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.