Mireles Beacon 2025-26

Greetings Mariner Families,

This week our Mariners in Third, Fourth and Fifth Grades will take the Reading-Language Arts STAAR test. They have been working so hard all year and this is their opportunity to show everything that they have learned throughout the year.

It's important for them to be well-rested the night before the test and to arrive on time so they can eat breakfast and begin testing with their peers.

This week is also special because we are celebrating our Children of Military Families with a Spirit Week. (See details in the flyer below).

Lastly we are please to announce that we have been name a Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase School designation for the 5th year in a row. We are so proud that our students and staff are recognized for the campus culture they create through their implementation of Capturing Kids Hearts.

Anchored in Learning,

Ms. Bence

There is a popular Texas syaing that, "If you don't like the weather in Texas, wait 5 minutes." If Texas weather isn't unpredictable enough, our campus AC system likes to join in on the fun upon occasion. One moment it works like a charm, and the next…well, it’s keeping us on our toes.

District technicians constantly monitor the system and continue to make necessary repairs so everything is working correctly. When these issues arise we are making sure our Mariners stay as comfortable as possible. Classes may be relocated when needed, and we have fans going to keep the air moving on warmer days.

In the meantime, we recommend sending your child in layers—because around here, it might feel like winter at 9:00 and summer by lunch! We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and good humor as we navigate this very “Texas” situation together.

April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the strength, resilience, and sacrifice of students whose families serve our country. Being a military child often means experiencing frequent moves, adjusting to new schools and friendships, and navigating long periods of separation from loved ones during deployments. At Mireles Elementary, 137 of our students—22% of our population—are connected to the U.S. military, with 88 students, or 14%, actively connected to a parent or guardian currently serving.

We are showing our support for our Children of Military Families in a variety of ways this month... by Purpling Up on Wednesdays, Month of the Military Child Spirit Week and Military Family Game Night. We would love to highlight and celebrate our military-connected Mariners in the Beacon by sharing their stories. We invite families to send in pictures and brief descriptions of what life is like as a military child so we can better understand both the sacrifices they make in support of their families and the unique opportunities and experiences that shape who they are.

Week of April 13 - April 17, 2026 - Month of the Military Child Spirit Week (see details above)

• Monday April 13, 2026

  • 5:00 -5:30 CCISD School Board Recognition of students with 1st place in Regional Science Fair in CCISD Board Room

  Tuesday April 14, 2026

  • RLA STAAR (Grades 3 - 5) - CLOSED CAMPUS
  Friday April 17, 2026
  • 2nd Grade Field Trip to "The Little Mermaid" at Selena Auditorium

• SCIENCE STAAR (Grade 5)

• 5:30 -6:30 Military Family Game Night in the Mireles Library

• 9:00 - 12:00 CCISD Job Fair (for all positions) in Carroll High School Arena

Tuesday April 28, 2026

• MATH STAAR (Grades 3 - 5)

• 5:00 -8:00 Maritime Festival

• 2nd Grade Field Trip to Museum of Science and Technology (Group 1 of 2)

• 2nd Grade Field Trip to Museum of Science and Technology (Group 2 of 2)
• 3rd Grade Field Trip Agriculture and Industrial Awaareness Day @ Buc Days
• 5:30 -6:30 Walk Around the World Cultural Event in Mireles Library

• 5:30 PTA Meeting & Pre-K Performance

• 9:00 - 12:30 Pre-K, Kinder, 1st and 5th Grade Reading Incentive Field Trip

• 9:00 - 12:30 2nd, 3rd & 4th Grade Reading Incentive Field Trip
• 10:00 - 1:30 5th Grade Field Trip to CC Hooks Game

• 7:00 - 5:00 4th Grade Field Trip to San Antonio Zoo
• 9:00 - 1:00 3rd Grade Field Trip to Museum of Asian Cultures
• 9:30 - 1:30 Safety Patrol End of Year Party @ Funtrackers

• 5th Grade End of Year Party @ Club Estates Pool

Artemis II has landed safely, inspiring our Mariners to do their best on the STAAR test this week. Students who put in the work last week selected from a variety of Rice Crispie Treats. Mireles' Mission STAAR continues to power along just in time for our first assessment this coming week, Reading Language Arts for Grades 3, 4 and 5.

Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch served to all students daily in CCISD! Here is the link to the full Breakfast and Lunch menus for the month of March. Here is the link to the full Breakfast and Lunch menus for the month of April. The Breakfast and Lunch menus for the coming week are available below.

This month, we are focusing on perseverance—the ability to keep going even when learning feels challenging. Throughout the year, our students have been building strong habits that support this, we continuously provide them with opportunities to engage in productive struggle, collaborative learning and in meaningful discussions about their thinking. These skills help students stay engaged, problem-solve, and grow from mistakes.

As we approach STAAR and other end-of-year assessments, these same habits are what empower students to give their best effort. When students learn to stick with a task, explain their thinking, and learn from challenges, they build confidence in their abilities to do well on a test,and in life.

You can support this at home by encouraging your child to keep trying, celebrate effort, and talk about what they are learning—even when it’s hard. Together, we are helping our Mariners develop the resilience they need to succeed today and in the future.

We understand that life happens, and there may be days when getting to school on time is a challenge. However, arriving late on a regular basis can add up more than you might think. Even a few missed minutes each day can mean missing important parts of lessons, which over time can create gaps in learning.

Every minute of the school day matters—not just for your child, but for the flow of the entire class. By helping your child arrive on time, you’re giving them the best chance to build a strong foundation for future learning and success.

The tables below show how those missed minutes can add up over the years. Thank you for partnering with us to make every minute count!

Events like Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day are sponsored by the Mireles Elementary PTA. If you haven't joined yet, today is the last day for your child to earn a Pajama Day Pass.

The Mireles PTA Mission is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. .

There are currently 2 membership incentives that can be earned:

1️⃣ Purchase a membership by 9/30 and your student earns a pajama day!

2️⃣ Classes that reach 100% participation by 10/31 win a pizza party!

Join now at mireles.ptboard.com

Help us recognize awesome student and staff Mariners for the wonderful things that they do by submitting some Positive Gossip. Use the QR Code provided above or click on the photo for the link.

If you would like to join Watchdogs and share these same experiences, information about joining is available towards the end of this issue.

The Corpus Christi ISD Board of Trustees adopted a policy restricting the use of personal communication devices during the school day, following legislation passed by the 89th Texas Legislature.

The policy, approved during the July 28 Board of Trustees Meeting, will require all students to keep devices off and put away throughout the school day. This policy applies to all communication devices capable of sending and receiving data). Devices include but are not limited to cell phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, etc. Detailed information about Texas House Bill 1481 is available on the Texas Legislature’s website. In addition, here is a link to the District's policy adopted on July 28, 2025.

Students who violate district policy or regulations will be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Please review Dress Code expectations. While we have made requirements for shirts less specific, we do still have requrements that must be followed. Currently we are seeing violations of the length policy for both tops and bottoms as well as students with artificial nails. These are both violations of the dress code and will result in infractions when we implement the Student Character Log for Grades 3-5 next week.

School Hours 7:50 - 3:10

To be considered on time, students must be in their classroom at 7:50. It is not enough to have been dropped off or to be in the building.

On Time - 7:50

Tardy - 7:51 - 8:05

Partial Absence begin at 8:06

Partial absences are recorded any time that your child misses 15 or more minutes from the school day. These can occur at the beginning, in the middle or the end of the day.

After a student absence, parents must provide an explanation. We can accept 5 handwritten notes per semester (10 for the entire year). There is no limit to the number of Doctor’s excuses we can except.

If a student is absent for more than 5 consecutive days, you must provide verification of illness as cause for the duration of the absence from a doctor. If this is not provide, the absence will be considered unexcused.

All students enrolled at Mireles are subject to compulsory attendance laws. This includes students attending Pre-K and Kidnergarten. While participating in Pre-K and Kindergarten is not mandated by the state of Texas, once your child is enrolled in Pre-K or Kindergarten, Texas laws require that they attend school.

If a student misses more than 10% of the school year, they are considered chronically absent and subject to the "90% Rule" which states that students must attend 90 percent of their classes or they risk not receiving credit for the classes and will have to repeat the course, attend summer school and/or complete additional work and receive additional instruction to ensure that they are ready for the next grade.

Morning Arrival Procedures

To help keep traffic flowing smoothly and ensure student safety, we organize morning drop-off by the grade level of your youngest child.

If your youngest child is in Pre-K, Kindergarten, or 1st Grade:

• Use the front horseshoe (enter from Bison Dr.).

• All siblings, regardless of grade, will be dropped off here as well.

• Pull forward as far as possible so staff can assist quickly.

• Students may exit from either side of the car if they are at the sidewalk or beside another parked car—never from the center lane.

• Please wait until staff signal before stopping to unload, and remain in your car while staff assist your children.

• Students should be ready to exit when you arrive—dressed, with breakfast finished.

If your youngest child is in 2nd grade or higher:

• Use the back horseshoe behind the outdoor pavilion.

• Students should be able to exit independently; staff will assist if needed.

• The back horseshoe closes at 7:49 a.m. After that, all drop-offs should use the front horseshoe.

Important Safety Reminders:

• Morning supervision begins at 7:30 a.m. If you must drop off earlier, please use the front horseshoe, which has better lighting.

• If you are waiting in the front horsehoe until staff arrives, please use the left hand lane so parents may drive through the right hand lane and drop off children at the curb

• Students should wait near the building and may not use playground equipment, run, or play tag before school for safety reasons.

Thank you for helping us make arrival safe, smooth, and efficient for every Mariner!

Pre-K Students and Siblings

• Pick up at back entrance to Pre-K/Fifth Grade Wing

• Park in back of staff lot. Walk through gate to entrance

• Present number and your children will be brought out.

Car Pick-Up

• Kinder–1st & Older Siblings: Front horseshoe (enter Bison, exit Cimarron).
  • Numbers start at 3:05.
  • Two lanes: Blue (left) loads first, then Grey (right).
  • 16 cars load at a time. Cimarron is right-turn only 2:45–3:45.

• Grades 2–5 & Older Siblings: Rear Bison horseshoe.
  • Show hangtag clearly.
  • Wait in Teal Lane until called.
  • 8 cars load at a time, exit right onto Bison.

On Foot Pick-up

• Wait in designated area once gate opens. (Kinder at front gate; grades 1-5 in grassy area next to playscape)
• Teachers bring students to dismissal area.
• Ensure teacher knows you are taking your child before leaving with them.

Independent Walkers/Bikers (All Grades)

• Dismissed at 3:10 from the front.

• Guided to bike cage or crosswalks, then proceed home without supervision.

Adaptive Education

• Dismiss to parents at Bison Pavilion or load on SPED bus.

Van Pick-Up (After-School Programs)

• Dismiss from 2nd grade exit to vans waiting in staff lot.

• Providers: Turf Sports, Life Martial Arts, Grace Presbyterian, Second Baptist.

SPED/Bilingual Buses

• Staff escort students to the correct bus.

Reminders

• Do not switch lanes once your number is entered.

• Do not park and walk up for car pick-up.

• Changing dismissal location mid-process causes delays.