Hawk Hub - Back to School Update

I’m thrilled to welcome you to our third year at Nelson Junior High — Home of the Hawks! As we enter this new school year, we are proud to reflect on the strong foundation we have built in just two short years! Together, we have already seen great success in academics, culture, and community. In fact, Nelson JH was named a Texas Honor Roll school this past year! This is a great accomplishment honoring our student and staff success.

This year, we are soaring even higher. Our dedicated staff is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where every student can grow, lead, and thrive. Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to build a legacy of excellence at Nelson JH.

You will hear us say "Fly F.I.E.R.C.E" often. This is exactly what we stand for and model at Nelson JH. We teach our students to be Friendly, Intelligent, Engaging, Respectful, Courageous, and Empowering. It is WHO we are as Hawks.

Finally, the "Hawk Hub" (this newsletter) will be sent out each week, on Fridays, as our primary information source to our parents/guardians. Please be on the lookout for this newsletter as it will be emailed, posted on social media, and attached to our website. You will want to keep the Parent Reference Guide (below) close by, as it has all of the links and information you need to be a Hawk parent. Let’s make this year another one to remember!

FLY FIERCE!

Kara Morgan

Principal, NJH

Parents/Guardians

The Annual Student Enrollment Update for returning students will begin the week of July 27. During that time, parents and guardians of returning students will receive an email containing a SnapCode and instructions to update their student’s information for the new school year. If your student is returning to Katy ISD, please wait to receive this email before attempting to complete the enrollment update. Emails will be sent in batches throughout the week of July 27, so delivery times may vary slightly.

Please be sure to complete this prior to the first day of school so that you receive all information from our campus and have updated contacts.

Parents can choose chromebook insurance during the update and will have 30 days to change your selection. Purchasing insurance is highly encouraged.

Nelson JH operates on a 7 period bell schedule which includes targeted Advisory - "Fly Time", three days a week. Fly time will be used for students to take care of Academic Obligations (such as tutorials, make-up work, etc.), Intervention on topics they are struggling with, Extension activities on topics that they excel at, and Enrichment for student choice activities. Students will log into their RTI schedule tile in MyKaty Cloud on Fridays to see where to report to for FLY time on Tues-Thurs.

6th graders may have either A or B lunch.

7th graders may have either B, C, or D lunch.

8th graders may have either C or D lunch

• Texas law prohibits the student use of Personal Communication devices, including cell phones, Smart watches, Meta glasses and wireless headphones. All devices will need to be turned off and put away in student backpacks (not in pockets). Backpacks will be placed in designated areas of classrooms when students arrive to class.

7th Grade Immunization Requirements

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, this is a friendly reminder that all students entering 7th grade are required to have updated immunizations to attend school.

According to state guidelines, all incoming 7th grade students must receive the following vaccines: Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) booster & Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine

These immunizations are required for enrollment and must be completed before the first day of school. Please review your child’s immunization records to ensure these vaccines have been completed.

Once your child has received the required immunizations, please submit an updated copy of their immunization record to the school as soon as possible. Records may be delivered in person or via email to the school nurse, Jaymee Medina. JaymeeAMedina@katyisd.org

For questions regarding immunization requirements, acceptable documentation, or exemptions, please contact the school nurse. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important requirement and for helping us maintain a safe and healthy school environment for all students.

Immunization Clinic Information

All students enrolled in Katy ISD must be in compliance with state required immunizations. Immunization requirements can be found on the Katy ISD Health Services Immunizations page. Texas Vaccine Institute will be offering the following dates and times for any student enrolled in Katy ISD, insured or uninsured, to receive the necessary required immunizations for school entry:

DATES: COMING SOON

LOCATION:
Katy ISD Professional Development Annex
6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy, 7749.
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY

COST:

• 1 vaccine: $15
• 2 vaccines: $25
• 3 vaccines or mor: $35
  Accepting credit/debit cards or cash
  

BRING:
Parent Notification of Immunization Due form completed by your campus nurse.

Personal immunization record and insurance card if you have insurance (if Insured)

For additional information you may contact the Health Services Department at 281-396-2629.

Dear Katy ISD Parents/Guardians and Staff,

As we prepare for the 2026 – 2027 school year, student safety remains Katy ISD's highest priority.

Katy ISD Police, along with local law enforcement, have seen an increase in accidents and injuries involving electric motorcycles, dirt bikes, minibikes, pocket bikes, ATVs, go-karts and other high-powered motorized vehicles operated by children and teens. Many of these vehicles are not designed or legally authorized for student transportation to and from school.

It's important to understand that these vehicles are different from traditional bicycles, standing electric scooters and electric bicycles (e-bikes). Under Texas law, e-bikes have fully operable pedals and meet specific speed requirements, while high-powered electric motorcycles and similar vehicles are subject to different laws and may require registration, insurance and a driver's license.

To help keep students and staff safe, Katy ISD permits traditional bicycles, standing electric scooters, and Texas law-compliant e-bikes on campuses, provided they are operated safely and responsibly.

Electric motorcycles, dirt bikes, minibikes, pocket bikes, ATVs, go-karts and other similar high-powered motorized vehicles are not permitted on school property. High school students who drive a car or street-legal motorcycle to school must have a valid driver's license, current registration and proof of insurance.

Before school begins, we encourage families to review safe riding practices with their children. Working together, we can help students make safe choices and ensure a safe start to the new school year.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools and community safe.

David Rider
Chief of Police
Katy Independent School District

The Pay N’ Go webstore has been updated and simplified to help families quickly access payments for:

• Varsity Athletics
• Junior High Athletics
• Meals
• Events
• Fine Arts Ticketing
• Student Fees, and more.

The Pay N’ Go system allows parents, students and other patrons to make secure online payments with no transaction fees.

The next time you need to make a payment or purchase tickets, visit the updated Pay N’ Go webstore to see the new navigation and quickly find the service you're looking for.

Parents of Bus Riders: If your student is a bus rider, look for the white route number on the side of the bus when tracking their bus this school year! And make sure to download the Smart tag™ app from your mobile Google Play Store or Apple App Store to find your bus route information. The Smart Tag app allows parents to set their preferred notifications, including when their child’s bus is expected to arrive. You can also see when and where your student boards and exits the bus.

Kara Morgan - Principal

Bethaney Aguilar Assistant Principal - Student Support/8th Grade, last names M-Z

Brandy Royal Assistant Principal - 8th Grade, last names A-L

Trae Pollock Assistant Principal - 7th Grade, last names M-Z

Hanna Darensbourg Assistant Principal - 8th Grade, last names A-L

Tim Wolff Assistant Principal - 6th grade, last names M-Z

Dorian Nero Assistant Principal - last names A-L

Julia Martin - Student Support Counselor

Leah Parker Counselor - 6th Grade

Lucy Dorlus Counselor - 7th Grade

Kristen Woods Counselor - 8th Grade