McElwain Elementary Newsletter

Stay connected with McElwain Elementary! Weekly newsletters will be sent via "Smore" link every Friday.

Email: kaleenakroman@katyisd.org

Location: 6631 Greenwood Orchard Drive, Katy TX 77493

Phone: 281.234.4800

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588790715223

It was a special edition of "Owl News" morning announcements today as I had the exciting opportunity to announce the winners of our 26-27 5th Grade Yearbook Cover Contest! I am SO impressed by the incredible artistic talent of our owls! Choosing just five winners was no easy task, and I am thrilled that their amazing artwork will be featured in this year’s yearbook for our entire PMCE community to enjoy! You should be incredibly proud of your creativity and hard work!

If you haven't ordered your child's yearbook for this school year, don't worry! There is still time! Please see below for ordering details!

Each month, we will recognize the class in each grade level with the highest percentage of student attendance. The winning class will earn some serious bragging rights—along with our Present and Proud class banner to proudly display outside their classroom for the entire month! Students in the winning class will also have the opportunity to sign the back of the banner before passing it on to the next attendance champions in their grade level.

Congratulations to our September Present & Proud classes!

Who will claim the banner next? 🏆 The competition is ON!

And this is just the beginning! We’ll be adding additional attendance incentives and celebrations throughout the year to recognize our students for making school attendance a priority. Let’s show up, stay engaged, and be PRESENT AND PROUD!

If your child must be absent, please notify the school by completing our Student Absence Reporting Form using the link below. Reporting absences promptly helps us maintain accurate attendance records and ensures we can provide the appropriate support for your child.

Make your child’s birthday extra special with a Birthday Marquee Celebration! For just $20, your child’s name will be proudly displayed on our campus marquee to help us celebrate their special day with the entire McElwain community! It’s a fun way to make your child feel extra special and celebrated as they arrive at school on their birthday! Sign up today and let’s give them a birthday shout-out they’ll never forget!

Celebrate your child's birthday while supporting our library!

PMCE will host an Emergent Bilingual parent meeting on 10/20/2026 from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. You will learn more about the EB Program and have the opportunity to ask questions.

We will be celebrating Unity Day and wearing ORANGE on October 21, 2026.

We will be honoring all Veterans on November 11th, 2026. Veterans and 4th grade parents are invited to attend. Please see the flier below to RSVP for a RAPTOR badge or if you would like to submit a photo of a Veteran for the performance.

Our Curriculum Night will be on November 12th, 2026 at HEB! We look forward to seeing our owls participate in this event! Please see the flyer for time and address.

Parents, we will be using Remind to send notifications when there are situations like severe weather dismissal or other important news that is timely in nature.

PMCE​​​ is pleased to welcome parents to enjoy lunch with your child. All lunch visitors must check in at the front office and receive a RAPTOR visitor pass to wear while on campus. Please be sure that you have a valid government-issued photo ID in order to visit. Due to space and safety concerns, lunch visitors are limited to parents/step-parents/guardians, non-school-aged siblings and grandparents (accompanied by a parent or with written permission from a parent), or campus mentors. You may note your written permission for a grandparent to visit unaccompanied by filling out the Parent Permission for Elementary Lunch Visitors Form and turning it in to the PMCE Front Office.

Visits are limited to the 30-minute lunch period. Due to space limitations at the elementary level, no exceptions to the list of approved visitors can be made. Lunch visitors do not in​clude aunts, uncles, friends or neighbors. In addition, lunch visitors are limited to two (2) guests per student per day, including younger siblings. Unusual circumstances may be approved in advance by the principal or assistant principal.

Friendly Reminder: Only one visit per month is allowed for lunch visitors. Please remember that small Children are counted as 1 person(visitor).

​In order to get you checked in as quickly as possible, we ask that you let us know you plan to visit for lunch by signing up on the SignUp Genius for your child’s grade level by 9 a.m. the day of your visit.

All lunch visitors are asked to follow our lunch visitor expectations:

• Lunch visits are limited to the 30-minute lunch period.

• Please proceed directly to the cafeteria after you have checked in. Your child will greet you at the visitor table.

• Lunch visitors should stay at the visitor table. Please do not walk around the lunch room.

• Other students are not permitted to join your family at the visitor table.

• If you plan to bring in lunch for your child, please know that you are not permitted to bring lunch for other students.

• Photos should be taken of your child only. Please do not take photos of other students.

• Please say goodbye to your child at the cafeteria door and return to the front office to exit the campus at the end of the 30-minute lunch period.

• You can return to the cafeteria through the front office after checking in if you are visiting your other child at a different lunch time.

October Sign Up Genius Lunch Visitor Links:

Kindergarten 12:05-12:35 October 2026

1st Grade 12:40-1:10 October 2026

2nd Grade 1:15-1:45 October 2026

3rd Grade 10:55-11:25 October 2026

4th Grade 11:30-12:00 October 2026

5th Grade 10:20-10:50 October 2026

Please bring your child's lunch/lunch box to the vestibule and label with the following:

• Student Name
• Teacher Name and Grade Level

Thank you!!!

In accordance with Texas Education Code 28.004 and Senate Bill 9, 5th grade students will receive instruction on the required health TEKS specific to abuse prevention and violence prevention.

Under Texas statute, parents/guardians must provide consent for their student to participate in the lessons that address the topics of abuse prevention and violence prevention.

On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, parents/guardians will receive information via email on how to view associated lessons and record their decision for student participation in these lessons.

Below are the windows for both the parent consent and when lessons will be taught:

Parent Consent Window: September 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026

Instruction Window: November 3, 2026 - December 17, 2026

The Department of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction provides a wide range of support for elementary schools within Katy ISD. The district curriculum is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).Parents please use the self-enroll link below:

https://katyisd.instructure.com/enroll/MGEXXD

Katy ISD’s Partners in Education invites you to support families who could use a little extra help during the winter break through our Food for Families campaign. Campuses identify students in need, and with support from the community, Partners in Education will provide grocery gift cards and a heartfelt note. Each gift is delivered by a campus staff member, reminding students that their Katy ISD family cares.

Help us turn a gift card into something more:
Donate to Katy ISD Food for Families by Thursday, December 10 through Katy ISD Pay N’ Go or by check payable to Katy ISD Food for Families and mailed to:

Partners in Education
Katy ISD ESC
6301 S. Stadium Lane
Katy, TX 77494

Digital Citizenship Week will be from 10/19/2026 to 10/23/2026. During this week we will learn about online safety when using electronic devices.

Katy ISD will be hosting a Parent Only conference for Parents and Guardians of immigrant, ESL, and Emergent Bilingual Students. This conference will provide information on supporting your student at home and school.

Nelson Junior High is hosting their 2nd annual "Haunt the Halls" FREE event. There will be games, read alouds, and a trick-or treat! The event will be on 10/24/2026 from 2:00-4:00pm.

Katy ISD is grateful for the thousands of volunteers who make a difference in our schools each year. To help maintain a safe and secure environment for our students and staff, all volunteers serving on or off campus during or outside the instructional day are required to register annually through the district's Raptor volunteer management system. A valid government-issued photo ID and email address are required to complete registration. Your information will remain confidential and will not be shared outside of the volunteer program, except for applicants who register as a Community Volunteer (not a parent, grandparent, or guardian of a current Katy ISD student) or as a KEYS Mentor.

For these volunteer roles, the information required to complete a background check will be shared only with our authorized background screening provider, JDP. Once registered and approved, volunteers can:

• Sign up as a campus volunteer by completing the volunteer recruitment form provided by their campus organization(s) or by contacting the campus volunteer coordinator.
• Track volunteer hours through their volunteer profile for every Katy ISD campus where they serve.
• Quickly and easily submit individual off-campus volunteer hours.

Volunteer Application – English

Volunteer Application – Spanish

Volunteer Portal – Log Your Hours

Be a part of something that makes a difference! When you join the Peter McElwain PTA, you're helping create amazing opportunities for our students, support our teachers, and strengthen our school community.

No volunteering is required to become a member. Your memberships alone helps fund educational programs, family events, teacher appreciation, campus improvements, and so much more! Whether you're a parent, grandparent, family member, teacher, staff member, or community supporter, there's a place for you in our PTA family! Every membership gives our school a stronger voice and helps us continue making McElwain the best place for our Owls to learn and grow.

Join TODAY--because together, we can make every child's future brighter! Join HERE!

Celebrate Your Student!

Show your student how proud you are by creating a special yearbook ad! Add your favorite photos and a meaningful message to create a personalized keepsake they’ll treasure for years to come.

Ads are available in 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2-page sizes, with prices starting at $25.

Order by February 11, 2027.