Melissa Ridge Education Center

Greetings Amazing MREC Families,

As we approach Thanksgiving, we are filled with gratitude for our wonderful Pre-K community. Your support and partnership make our school a truly special place for our Little Cardinals. Thank you for being such an important part of our journey!

We are excited to invite you to join us for our f1st Annual Turkey Trot/Gratitude Walk this week! This is a fantastic opportunity to come together, share smiles, and celebrate the spirit of thankfulness.

We encourage all families to participate and enjoy this event. As part of our gratitude celebration, we also invite you to share a note of thankfulness or gratitude. Whether it’s a few kind words about our school, a message to our teachers, or a reflection on something meaningful in your life, your notes will be displayed during the walk to inspire and uplift everyone.

Please send your notes by Thursday, November 21st, so we can include them in our gratitude display.

We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate all that we are thankful for together. Wishing you and your family a joyful start to the holiday season!

With gratitude,

Kimberly Cole

Principal

MREC will be hosting our 1st Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run and Gratitude Walk and YOU ARE INVITED! Parents are encouraged to join their child on the track for a one mile run/walk. If you are not the running type, please make plans to join us anyway. Spectators are allowed to cheer on the runners from the bleachers.

All students will participate in this event. If you choose to run/walk with your child, the plan is to meet us near the gate closest to the scoreboard. Each student may have 2 family members join them on the track to run/walk. Younger siblings will not be allowed on the track, including those that may be pushed in strollers.

Parent Participation:

Please complete the RSVP form by Tuesday, November 19th. Note that any adult planning to run/walk on the track will need a completed background check and ticket. All background checks should be completed by Wednesday, November 20th. (Online background check form included in the RSVP if needed.) Again, background checks and tickets will be required for all persons that will be on the track with the students.

If you completed a background check previously you will receive a ticket in your child’s backpack. You will NOT be able to enter the field without a background check and ticket. Parents will be allowed to check their student out of school from the stadium.

Event Plans:

Teachers will walk students over to Cardinal Stadium during their assigned Turkey Trot / Gratitude Walk times. Students must walk with their class to and from the stadium and will continue with a regular school day once they return. Parents should report directly to the stadium.

Event Times:

9:00-9:30

• PreK Team A: Kusano, Iverson, Sparks, Marshall, Gonzalez, Templin
• ECSE Full Day: Cowart, Byrnes, Stipp
• ECSE 1/2 Day AM: Rosier, Stephens, Vaughan

9:45-10:15

• PreK Team B: Changanaqui, Wimberly, Irelenborn, Matthews, Lopez, Vidrine

12:30-1:00

• ECSE 1/2 Day PM: Rosier, Stephens, Vaughan

We are so excited to have parents with us for this day! Please make plans to join us as we wobble, run or walk our way to the finish line! If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher.

MREC Staff

Cardinals Fighting Hunger: Students in grades 6-12 are invited to "fill the red bag" for the Fall 2024 Food Drive from Nov. 11-20, 2024, benefiting the First Melissa Christmas Angel Program and the Melissa Community Outreach Food Pantry. Each classroom will have a red reusable grocery bag, where students can donate non-perishable food items to support local families in need. For all the details, including a list of suggested donation items, view the flyer: https://5il.co/27rk2

November

Native American Heritage Month

Family Literacy Month

22 - Turkey Trot

25 - Thanksgiving Break Begins (No School)

December

2 - Students Return

20 - Class Holiday Parties

20 - Early Release Day

23 - Winter Break Begins (No School)

Our new Community News Folder is designed to help local businesses and organizations share family-friendly programs, fundraisers, events, and activities with the community. The folder is updated regularly, so don't forget to check back often. This week, you'll find details on exciting events like performances of The Nutcracker, Selfies with Santa, and the Santa's Helpers 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run. If you'd like to feature your business or organization's events in the Community News Folder, please visit our Community Connections webpage for more information.

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.

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.

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.