Melissa Ridge Education Center

We’re off to a fantastic start this semester, and we have so many exciting things happening! Here’s a few reminders:

Curriculum Night – January 30th

Mark your calendars! Join us for an engaging Curriculum Night where we’ll share fun math and reading activities you can use at home to support your child’s learning. This is a wonderful opportunity to see what your little Cardinals are exploring in class and get hands-on ideas to continue the learning at home. We can’t wait to see you there! Keep an eye out for more details.

Brrrrr… It’s Cold Outside!

Winter is here, and the upcoming week is going to be extremely cold! Please make sure your little Cardinal is bundled up for the weather. Hats, gloves, warm coats, and boots are a must to keep everyone comfortable when outside. Let’s keep those little hands and tiny toes toasty! We want everyone to stay cozy and healthy!

Thank you for your continued support and for being such an important part of your child’s education. Let’s make this week another amazing one at MREC!

Stay warm,

Kimberly Cole
Principal

Dear Families,

People have created a variety of tools to help them get things done. Some of these tools make work easier, some save time, and some do both. Some tools are used to create works of art and some tools are used to build. This week, children will explore tools people use for both work and play.

This week’s Family Connections activities can be found at:
https://portal2.frogstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/prek2/familyconn/ENG-FC-T5-W2.pdf

This week’s storybook, “Simple Machines” can be found at: https://portal2.frogstreet.com/ebook/?bookname=FS20072_SimpleMachines_eBook.

Looking forward to an exciting week!

Sincerely,

MREC Teachers

WALK-UP

• Parents MUST park at Cardinal Stadium. Please remember to park at the stadium. This helps keep our parking lot clear and safe for buses and staff members. Your cooperation in this is greatly appreciated!
• Parents will escort their student to the SGC gym where MREC staff members will receive students at 7:00 am.
• Ensure that you are saying bye to your child in the "Hug and Go Zone" (Please do not go beyond the tree)
• Please be cognizant of others while on Cardinal Drive. During the morning hours, there is more traffic than usual.

CARPOOL LINE

• The carpool line will begin at 7:15 a.m.
• Please pull all the way forward when directed by staff on duty.
• Ensure that your child is ready to exit the car when you stop.
• Drivers MUST remain in the vehicle.
• Staff members will open the car door.
• Carpool will close at 7:30 a.m.
• Students arriving after 7:30 a.m. will enter with a parent through the front office.

January

20 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (No School)

30 - Hot Cocoa & Counting! (Title I Family Curriculum Night) 5:30-6:30pm

February 14th is Valentine's Day! We will be focusing on the friendships we have made at school. Our class will have a friendship celebration, including passing out Friendship Notes and/or Valentine's Cards. Please work with your little Cardinal on making a Friendship / Valentine's Day box as a family project. Together you will gather the supplies needed to create a box to hold their notes and cards. A shoebox or tissue box is the perfect size. Make sure to talk about your friends and ask your students about the friends they have made at school. Please check Class DoJo for details and updates from your child's teacher.

Melissa Ridge Education Center hosted a Smiles in Schools event on January 15, providing dental care to over 130 students whose parents registered for services. Thanks to the coordination efforts of MREC Nurse Ashley Johnson, students benefited from convenient on-campus services, including cleanings and fluoride treatments. The event, part of the Smiles in Schools initiative, aimed to promote oral health and remove barriers to care, ensuring students can focus on learning with bright and healthy smiles.

Reminder: Melissa ISD will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Students will return to school Tuesday, Jan. 21. We honor the enduring legacy of Dr. King, whose vision of equality, justice, and unity continues to inspire positive change in our world. His work reminds us of the importance of compassion and courage in shaping a better future for all.

After thoughtful consideration and discussion, Melissa ISD has updated its policy regarding parent notes for student absences. Effective immediately, families may now submit up to five (5) parent notes per school year to excuse absences, an increase from the previous limit of three (3) per school year. For more information, visit the following link: www.melissaisd.org/article/1947734

We are grateful for the dedication and leadership of our Melissa ISD School Board. Their unwavering commitment to student success and continuous improvement is integral to our district's growth. Thank you for all you do! To learn more about their recent achievements, including their professional development and self-appraisal process, visit www.melissaisd.org/article/1935340. Thank you, Board of Trustees, for all you do for our Cardinals!

At Melissa ISD, our students, staff, and families are at the heart of everything we do. As we head into 2025, we’re excited to share updates on new schools and facilities that will empower all students to reach their full potential. Our commitment to integrity drives us to create lasting spaces that meet the needs of our growing community. Learn more at www.melissaisd.org/move

Melissa ISD is excited to announce the launch of Tip411, a new tool designed to enhance safety and communication in our district. Tip411 allows students, parents, and community members to anonymously report safety concerns. Tips can be submitted via text using designated keywords, through our online reporting webpage, or by using the Tip411 app. For more information or to submit an anonymous report, visit our website at www.melissaisd.org/tip411.

The Melissa High School Boys and Girls Basketball programs invite students in grades K-6 to join the MLK Future Cards Basketball Camp on Monday, Jan. 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Melissa High School Gym for the boys and at the Melissa Middle School Gym for the girls. Campers will receive basketball training, a team poster, and an MLK Future Cards Camp shirt. Additionally, campers wearing their shirt to the Varsity Boys & Girls Basketball home games on Friday, Jan. 24, at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. will be recognized at halftime. The cost is $40 per camper. For more information and to register, visit www.melissaisd.org/camp.

In accordance with Texas law, school districts are required to provide parents and guardians with information on safe firearm storage. This is part of an effort to reduce gun-related incidents, particularly suicides and unintentional shootings.

In Texas, 55% of firearm-related deaths in 2020 were suicides, and restricting access to firearms is critical in preventing these tragedies. It is unlawful to store a firearm in a manner that allows children to access it, and violations can lead to criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to significant fines and jail time.

Parents are encouraged to store guns unloaded in locked containers, with ammunition kept separately, to help ensure the safety of their households. More information is available through resources like the Texas Department of Public Safety at SafeGunStorageTexas.com.

Read Letter to Parents
Safe Gun Storage Overview (English & Spanish)
Talking To Your Kids (English & Spanish)

The Melissa ISD academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year, as recommended by the District Site-Based Decision Committee, has been approved by the Board of Trustees. To access the school calendar, visit www.melissaisd.org/calendar.

Come cheer on our Cardinal athletic teams and show them your support! All our teams have had a tremendous start to their seasons, showcasing the strength and dedication of our student-athletes. Pack the stands with Cardinal spirit and have some fun with these game-day dress-up themes for both varsity boys and girls basketball.

Hosted by the Melissa Booster Club, the Daddy-Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday, February 8, at the MHS Student Union Building, with two time options: 4:00–6:00 p.m. or 7:00–9:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per couple, plus $10 for each additional child. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://melissaboosterclub.org/ddd

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.

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.