Back To School Edition

Dear Palominos Families, & Supporters!

As you know, this week, our campus experienced a breach in safety and security protocols. I understand the concern an incident like this may cause, and I want our families to know that I have taken it very seriously. Since the incident occurred, I have worked tirelessly to review what happened, evaluate our systems and procedures, and take the appropriate corrective steps to prevent a similar situation from occurring again.

While I cannot share confidential details related to an individual incident, please know that it has received my full attention. Necessary follow-up actions have been taken, expectations have been reinforced, and we will continue closely monitoring our safety procedures. The safety of our students and staff is not simply a priority—it is a responsibility I carry with great care every day.

Campus safety is also a shared responsibility. All visitors must enter through the front office, present identification, and receive authorization before entering the building. Please do not enter through other doors or follow someone else into the building, even if the door is open. If you notice anything that concerns you, report it to the front office immediately. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and secure environment for every Palomino.

Transparent Solution-Focused Communication:

Below I have shared direct contacts for our office and administrative assistant, along with my own. We also have multiple bilingual staff members so communication is easier and more supportive for our families. However, during the school day, administrators are often in classrooms, supporting teachers, addressing discipline, and keeping the building safe, so we’re likely not at our desks. Our communication process is outlined below, and it works best when we use it together:

• Start with the source. Email the classroom teacher or the office that handles the issue (attendance, counseling, administrator, etc.).
• Give us 24 hours. We’re often out serving students during the day, but we will follow up. In the event of an emergency, please feel free to reach out to me directly.
• Need more support? Contact the assistant principal, Ms. Callis. See information below.
• Still unresolved? Email me directly at Malissa.Hernandez@lcisd.org so I can help close the loop.

When you reach out, please include the student’s name and ID, grade/teacher, a brief summary of the concern, and the best way/time to reach you to help us respond faster. We do not respond to anonymous Facebook posts; the best way to solve a concern is to bring it to us so we can work together toward a resolution.

Thank you for your partnership and for modeling solution-focused communication. We’re on the same team, and together, we will Expect Excellence and Achieve Greatness!

With Palomino Pride,

M. Hernandez

Expect Excellence. Achieve Greatness.

Main Office:

• (832) 223-2100

Counselor:

• Ms. Ana Morales
• ana.morales02@lcisd.org
• (832) 223-2105

Nurse:

• Nurse Rhonda Smith
• rhonda.smith02@lcisd.org
• (832) 223-2106

• Mr. Ulises Cadena
• ulises.robles@lcisd.org
• (832) 223-2103

Assistant Principal: Ms. Ashley Callis

• acallis@lcisd.org
• (832) 223-2100

Principal: Ms. Malissa Hernandez

• Malissa.Hernandez@lcisd.org
• (832) 223-2103

This week provided an important opportunity to reflect on our practices and make adjustments that strengthen the safety of our students and staff.

Effective Immediately:

• Students must not open any interior or exterior door for any reason
• Signage will be posted throughout the school
• Teachers will review this expectation with students
• A reminder will be shared DAILY during announcements.

If someone needs assistance entering a room or the building, students should immediately notify a staff member.

Thank you for reinforcing this important safety expectation at home as we work together to keep Pink safe.

🎉 Congratulations to Kindergarten for being attendance H.E.R.O.s and earning the highest attendance of all grade levels this week! We also reached our campus attendance goal of 95%—great job, Palominos! Let’s keep up the good work and MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT!

Let's go, Palominos! Be at school each day to see which grade level takes the top spot next week!

Happy Birthday to all of our Palominos with birthdays this week! We hope your special day was filled with lots of smiles, fun, and birthday wishes! 🎉🎂

Please join me for coffee and breakfast treats on Wednesday, September 16, from 8:00–9:00 AM. This will be a great opportunity to connect and share ideas about PTO, campus support, and our goals for the year. I’ll also be happy to answer any questions you may have. I look forward to a meaningful morning of conversation and connection.

Please send pictures of veterans in the family to natalie.rodriguez@lcisd.org by Monday, November 2nd. There will be a short slide show. Pictures should include the following information:

• Student’s name
• Veteran’s name
• Years served
• Place served
• Relation to student

Mr. Fair’s K–2 SLC class continues to build the foundation for a successful school year! Using the Unique Learning System, students practiced classroom routines, procedures, and expectations that help them learn, grow, and succeed each day. Way to go, Palominos!

Our kindergarten Palominos are off to a great start! Be sure to check out the Kindergarten Newsletter for a peek at what students are learning, important reminders, upcoming dates, and ways you can support learning at home.

Our first-grade Palominos are learning and growing each day! Take a look at the First Grade Newsletter for highlights of what students are learning, helpful reminders, upcoming dates, and ideas for supporting learning at home.

Exciting learning is happening in second grade! Check out the Second Grade Newsletter to see what students are working on, stay informed about important reminders and upcoming events, and discover ways to continue the learning at home.

Our third-grade Palominos are working hard and making great progress! Be sure to read the Third Grade Newsletter for a look inside the classroom, important information, upcoming dates, and simple ways families can reinforce learning at home.

Stay connected with all that’s happening in 4th Grade! Families are invited to check out our 4th grade Weekly Learning Updates for monolingual and bilingual for a look at what students are learning, important reminders, upcoming dates, and ways to support learning at home.

Fifth grade is off to a strong start! Visit the Fifth Grade Newsletter for updates on current learning, important reminders, upcoming dates and activities, and helpful ways to support your student’s success at home.

Lamar CISD is launching a district-wide reading challenge for all students and staff beginning September 1! We encourage every Palomino to participate, discover new books, and build a lifelong love of reading. Families, please review the flyer for additional details and help us make reading a priority at school and at home. Together, let’s go All In for Literacy!

Attached is a helpful guide for Schoolcafe. Schoolcafe is used to view campus menus, menu nutritional information, apply for free/reduced meal benefits, and view student balances and transactions. The Schoolcafe guide will help parents set up an account, set automatic payments, and set low balance alerts.

We want to remind you that students are required to wear their ID badges at all times for security and identification purposes. If a student forgets their badge, they will need to purchase a new ID for $5. Please reinforce the importance of keeping their IDs with them daily.

Lamar CISD is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and distraction-free learning environment for all students. Students are expected to follow the district dress code while at school and during school-related activities. The guidelines below provide a quick overview of dress code expectations.

Hoods

• Hoodies and jackets with hoods are permitted; however, hoods may not be worn over the head while on campus.

Student ID Cards

• Student ID cards must be visible and worn on the upper portion of the body at all times.

Shirts

• Shirts must be an appropriate length.
• Shirts must display appropriate words, graphics, and designs.

Bottoms

• Shorts, pants, skirts, and other bottoms must be an appropriate length.

Footwear

• Slippers, house shoes, and shower shoes are not permitted.
• Slides and Crocs are acceptable.

Additional Information

For complete dress code expectations, exceptions, and disciplinary guidelines, please refer to the Lamar CISD Student Handbook.

Completing the Beginning of Year online forms through Skyward Family Access is very easy and will take just a few minutes. Below are your steps for completing these forms:

1. Click on the Family Access login button to the right.
2. Login with your LCISD Family Access credentials.
3. Click on the Beginning of Year Forms link in the Family Access main menu.
4. Complete each step, making changes as necessary, and clicking the “Complete Step X” button at the bottom of each form.
5. Once all forms are complete, click the “Submit Beginning of Year Forms” button on the last page.

To support you in completing these forms online, we have created a short video walking you through each of these steps.

Important deadlines for families requesting bus services:

• Please contact our campus to request any change in your transportation choice after August 22. Please note, any changes after August 22 may take up to five business days to go into effect.

The Versatrans MyStop app is a mobile app that allows parents and guardians to track the real-time location of their child's school bus and provide an estimated arrival time at their assigned bus stop. The MyStop app also sends mobile notifications to parents when the student scans on and off the bus. The Versatrans MyStop app is available for in the Google Play store for Android devices and the App Store for Apple devices. Every student will have a unique username and password to log in.

Follow the instructions below:

1. Download the Versatrans MyStop App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and select:
3. Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, TX
4. Enter your Username: Student ID number.
5. Enter your Password: Student date of birth (MMDDYYYY).
6. Select “Students” to view bus route information when it is active.

For the first two weeks of school there will be NO lunch visitors. Pink Elementary staff will use this time during the first two weeks to teach and practice cafeteria expectations. We will begin welcoming lunch visitors on campus on August 24, 2026.

Memorial Hermann Lamar Clinic schools served: Lamar Consolidated High School, Lamar Junior High School, Wessendorff Middle School, Austin Elementary, Smith Elementary, Hutchinson Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Jane Long Elementary, Juan Seguin Early Childhood Center, Pink Elementary, & Phelan Elementary.

Memorial Hermann Terry Clinic schools served: Terry High School, George Junior High School, Navarro Middle School, Beasley Elementary, Bowie Elementary, Culver Elementary, Meyer Elementary, Ray Elementary, Travis Elementary, Arredondo Elementary, Wright Junior High School and Randle High School

If your student is absent 10 or more days this semester, they may be at risk of not earning credit due to state laws regarding seat time requirements. We will be holding Attendance Review Committee meetings on the dates outlined below to discuss each student's attendance individually.

Please make sure to inform the campus administrators and/or the counselor about any extenuating circumstances affecting your student's attendance. It is important to have documentation for all absences. Student success is our priority, so please do not hesitate to reach out to the campus for support.

We want to ensure you have the most effective way to communicate with your child’s administrator or counselor. Due to our commitment to prioritizing instruction at Pink Elementary School, our administrators are often away from their desks—engaged in classroom observations, providing feedback, on duty, meeting with students, and ensuring the safety and security of our Palominos.

For non-emergencies, please reach out via email for the quickest response. While our administrators and counselor are dedicated to addressing your concerns, please allow up to 24-48 hours for a response.

If you require immediate attention, please contact the campus administrative assistant, using the contact information provided. They will be able to assist you more promptly with urgent matters.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We appreciate your partnership in creating a positive and productive school environment.

Website: https://pink.lcisd.org/
Location: 1001 Collins Rd., Richmond, TX, USA
Phone: 832-223-2100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TLPinkElementary/
Twitter: @pink_elementary

Instagram: @pink.elementary