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JNE'S Friday Newsletter

Friday, January 9th

JNE'S FridayNewsletterFriday, January 9th

JNE's Weekly Campus Update JNE's Weekly Campus Update

Principal's Message Principal's Message

Dear Longhorn Families,


It may have been a short week, but it was full of Longhorn energy. We loved having our students back on campus and used these two days to reset routines, revisit expectations, and make sure everyone is ready for a strong spring semester.


Our admin and counseling team also had the chance to visit with students during our grade-level assemblies to kick off this semester’s HERD plans. We shared some exciting updates, and students left with new ways to show their PRIDE and earn HERD Bucks. We encourage you to ask your child about the assembly and see what they’re able to share — in fact, students can earn HERD Bucks just by talking with a family member about what they learned!

(Click here for more details: 👉 HERD THAT! )


As always, we’re grateful for your support. Be sure to check out the Campus Flyers section below — we’ve included the presentation from today’s HERD assembly in case you’d like to review it together at home.


We’ve also made a few updates to our January calendar, including finalized Service Sentinel field trip dates for 3rd and 4th grade. Families will hear more about these exciting trips directly from teachers soon.


Upcoming Events

Tuesday, January 13th- 4th Grade Field Trip- Group 1

Wednesday, January 14th- 4th Grade Field Trip- Group 2

Wednesday, January 14th- 5th Grade Field Trip to Bowie Middle School

Thursday, January 15th- 5th Grade Parent Informational Session at Bowie Middle School

Friday, January 16th- Festive Friday

Friday, January 16th- Campus Spelling Bee


Monday, January 19th- Staff/Student Holiday

Wednesday, January 21st- JNE PTO General Assembly @ 9:30am

Thursday, January 22nd- 4th Grade Service Sentinel Field Trip Group 1

Friday, January 23rd- 4th Grade Service Sentinel Field Trip Group 2

Friday, January 23rd- 3rd Grade Service Sentinel Field Trip Group 1

Items in our Newsletter Include:

  • Campus Flyers
  • Lunch Visitors Announcement
  • Campus Reminders
  • Attendance Information
  • FBISD Whole Child Health
  • Fort Bend Education Foundation Announcements
  • Staff Contact Information


We will send an updated newsletter with our January Student Activity calendar before students return.


Sincerely,

The JNE Admin Team

🌟 STRONGER TOGETHER LEARNING CHALLENGE 🌟

Students can earn a Golden HERD Buck by completing their learning challenge by January 31!

Grades K–1
📘 Complete 10 DreamBox lessons


Grades 2–5
📘 Complete 10 DreamBox lessons and
🧠 Answer 30 IXL skill questions

✔️ Work may be completed at school or at home
🔑 Students log in through Clever or may ask their teacher for help

💛 Stronger Together — when we practice consistently, we grow as learners!

JNE Student/Parent Handbook
Parent Guide: Navigating Your Journey Through Secondary Schools (Grade 5)

Campus Flyers Campus Flyers

Campus HERD Presentation- NEW!

January Outclass Calendar- NEW!

JNE 5th Grade Middle School Transition Information- NEW!

Yearbook Photo Submission Request

FBISD's Download the Stopfinder App today- letter

FBISD Medication Policy

Have you 'HERD?' Have you 'HERD?'

🎉 Ask Your Longhorn About the HERD Assembly!

This week, our students attended a grade level HERD assembly led by our admin and counseling team. We reviewed our expectations and shared exciting updates about ways students can show their Longhorn PRIDE this semester.


We’d love for you to ask your child about what they learned — especially about our HERD system and how they can earn HERD Bucks. To encourage those conversations at home, students can earn 5 HERD Bucks just for talking with a family member and sharing something they took away from the assembly! After your conversation, we’d love for you to share what your Longhorn told you by completing the form below — students will earn 5 HERD Bucks for participating!


You can view the presentation we shared with students by clicking below or in the Campus Flyers section.

Campus HERD Presentation
'HERD That' Challenge Submission Form
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NEW: Enter an Absence Request in Skyward

Dear JNE Families.

FBISD has introduced an easier and more convenient way for parents to submit student absence notes! Soon, the district will begin to limit the number of absence emails sent directly to campus attendance inboxes.

Parents and guardians can now submit absence requests directly through Skyward Family Access under their student’s profile.

To submit and upload an absence in Skyward:

  1. Log in to your student’s Skyward Family Access account.
  2. Select your student’s profile.
  3. Click on the Attendance tab.
  4. Choose Absence Requests.
  5. Click the green “+ Add Absence Request” button and follow the prompts.
  6. Upload your doctor’s note or parent note (if applicable).

Once your absence is submitted, the campus attendance team will review and confirm your request.

We hope this new feature makes it easier for families to ensure student attendance records are up-to-date and accurate. Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Warm regards,

JNE Attendance Team

Job Aide: Family Access Absence Request

Premier Opportunity: Service Sentinels Premier Opportunity: Service Sentinels

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We are excited to offer Service Sentinels, part of the Fort Bend ISD Premier Opportunities, right here at James C. Neill Elementary! This is more than a service project—it’s a chance for our students to become true agents of change in our community.


Service Sentinels encourages students to propose community service projects that meet real needs in our community. It’s an opportunity for them to learn collaboration, compassion, and humility while putting their ideas into action.

Examples include:

  • Tours or partnerships with local agencies (police department, conservation sites)

  • Environmental or community clean-up projects

  • Service-focused initiatives tied to student interest and local needs


Why It Matters

Service Sentinels isn’t just about “doing good”—it’s about growing as citizens, learning to see needs around us and taking initiative to make a difference. It gives students authentic roles and voice, and helps them develop leadership skills in a real-world context.


It also aligns with the district’s vision to infuse deeper experiential learning into our curriculum. It’s also a great way to fuse service with learning and deepen our culture of care at Neill.


We can’t wait to see our Longhorns shine as Service Sentinels!

Supporting Service Sentinels at Home
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January GT Parent Newsletter January GT Parent Newsletter

Celebrating Gifted

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Multilingual Programs Newsletter- Winter Edition Multilingual Programs Newsletter- Winter Edition

Multilingual Programs Newsletter

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Student Activity Calendar Student Activity Calendar

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m6b3OBsVJWV6Uyk4IECLBql0PCjWvZ8N/view?usp=sharing
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Celebrating our January Staff Birthdays! 🎂

This month, we’re celebrating the Longhorn teachers who are marking another trip around the sun in January! We’re so grateful for the passion, care, and dedication they bring to our students each day. Join us in wishing them a happy birthday when you see them around campus!

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JNE PTO Flyers JNE PTO Flyers

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Lunch Visitor Sign Up Lunch Visitor Sign Up

Lunch Visitor Sign Up
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Lunch Visitors

Neill Elementary School will be inviting parents or guardians to join their children for lunch. Only one guest per student will be allowed into the cafeteria. We strongly encourage parents to sign up only one time per week if space allows.


Due to space constraints with large grade level enrollment, as well as to ensure the safety and security of all students, staff and visitors, we will ask that lunch guest sign up to join us ahead of time. Each week in our Friday Newsletter, we will post the link to a sign up genius for the upcoming week.


Lunch Visitor Sign Up Link


– We will not host 5th grade lunch visitors on Wednesday, January 14th due to the 5th grade field trip to Bowie Middle School.
– We will not host any lunch visitors on Friday, January 16th as our Campus Spelling Bee will take place in the cafeteria on that day.


Please remember to bring a photo id with you to campus as this is required to be signed in to campus as a visitor.


We thank you for supporting us as our current practice is set in the interest of safety and fairness to everyone who would like to enjoy lunch with their child.


Lunch Times for the 2025-2026 School Year:

Kindergarten- 10:00am-10:30am

First Grade- 10:45am-11:15am

Second Grade- 11:20am-11:50am

Third Grade- 12:00pm-12:30pm

Fourth Grade- 1:15pm-1:45pm

Fifth Grade- 12:35pm-1:05pm


Dietary Restrictions through the Child Nutrition Department

The Child Nutrition Department can offer dietary accommodations for students at no extra cost for students or families when it is medically necessary. The request forms must be signed by a physician or recognized medical authority and submitted to the Child Nutrition Department by:

Fax: 281-634-1862 attn: Dietitian

OR by email: DLCNDSpecialDiet@fortbendisd.com

A new Request for Dietary Accommodations form does not need to be submitted each school year unless there are any changes.

Link to Request Form

Lunch Visitor Sign Up

JNE Reminders for First Time Lunch Guests

  • Lunchtime guests will be signed in to visit in the cafeteria only.
  • Please be on time for lunch so that you and your student are able to enjoy the full lunch time together. Thank you for exiting the building through the front doors at the end of lunch.
  • Guests can only join a student for lunch if they are an approved emergency contact in Skyward Family Access.
  • Guest must have a photo ID to be allowed onto campus.
  • Visitors may only bring food for their child.
  • Families who need an allergy-free seat during lunch may leave a note in the comment section of the sign-up genius.
  • Please exit the cafeteria at our 5-minute remaining mark to help us prepare for our next lunch and to allow students time to rejoin their class and prepare to return to their classroom.
  • We will not be able to host lunch visitors during state testing or special events on campus.

District Diversity Calendar & Days of Fasting

Fort Bend ISD is happy to serve a community with families from all around the world. We are proud to be culturally diverse and celebrate our unique traits as a community of compassionate citizens.


We recognize that fasting practices occur throughout the calendar year. As a school community we are sensitive to and accommodate students and staff observers who express they are fasting.


If your family would like the campus to be aware of your student's wish to fast, please send an email to your child's classroom teacher so that we can be aware of any needs that may occur during an observance. Our partnership with our school community is important to us and we thank our families for their communication with the campus regarding special occasions and observances that may impact the instructional day.

Campus Reminders Campus Reminders

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Attendance Information

Neill Elementary School recognizes the value and importance of school attendance and encourages regular attendance to help our students be successful through the school year. Please email the attendance office within five days of the student’s recorded absence explaining the reason for the absence or the absence will be marked as unexcused. You may send an email to attendancejne@fortbendisd.gov.

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Become an UPLIFT Mentor for the 2025—26 School Year

Fort Bend ISD is looking for mentors for the 2025—26 school year!

If you are a member of our community or part of the FBISD staff and are interested in making a meaningful impact in a student’s life, we invite you to fill out the UPLIFT Mentor Interest Form.

What to expect:

  • Meet with your mentee once a week for 30-45 minutes
  • Read books and provide support at elementary level
  • Provide support at secondary level

Questions? collaborativecommunities@fortbendisd.gov

Clinic Reminders Clinic Reminders

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Clinic Reminders

Clothing reminders:

  • We kindly ask that all families place a change of clothes for ALL students, as well as extra shoes for little ones– soiled, torn, accidents, spills etc. happen to everyone.
  • Please consider to donating gently used black girls stretch pants in various sizes especially larger;
  • Please consider to donating some gently used ELASTIC waist boy gym shorts and sweat pants (now that it is winter) in larger sizes


Health Reminders:

  • If your child is ill – keep them home.
  • Parents please medicate or treat for allergy symptoms at home.


Contact Reminders:

  • Please make sure the clinic has the most up-to-date contact information for parents, guardians and emergency contacts.
  • Please add the clinic phone number to your contact list so urgent phone calls do not come up as SPAM – 281-327-3768.
FBISD Medication Policy

Birthday Treats Birthday Treats

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Birthday Treats

Students will be allowed to celebrate their birthday at the end of the day, by bringing individually packaged store-bought food products, provided by the parent or grandparent. Treats may be distributed to classmates on or near (i.e. bring treats on Monday when the birthdate was on a weekend) the student’s birthdate.


Prior to sending any treats, we ask that you contact your child’s teacher to discuss the date you will send treats. The nutritional label must be attached to your store-bought item. A parent or guardian must bring them into the building and fill out the proper form which is submitted to FBISD’s Child Nutrition office.


Parents or grandparents of a student at Neill may provide one birthday treat per child to share with the student’s homeroom class only. This may be in the form of ONE individually wrapped edible or ONE small tangible item (such as a pencil) with the value of the individual item not to exceed $5.00.


We require single serving items, which must be pre-packaged and individually wrapped, such as mini- cupcakes, cookies, brownies, or Krispy treats.


We respectfully request no cakes, drinks, balloons, flowers, donuts, stuffed animals, or goody bags. To preserve instructional time, additional party favors ARE NOT permitted. Birthday treat time is not a “party” but a simple, quick recognition of the child’s special day.

Please keep in mind that we have several students with food allergies. For this reason, products containing peanuts or manufactured on equipment that processes peanuts are prohibited. No nuts please, due to allergies.

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Neill Elementary Parking Lot is a Hands- Free Zone as per Texas Transportation Code 545.425

Use of a wireless communication device is prohibited in a school zone unless the driver is using a hands-free device or the vehicle is stopped, according to Texas Transportation Code. Statewide, drivers face $200 tickets if caught using cell phones in school zones while the car is in motion

FBISD Whole Child Health FBISD Whole Child Health

FBISD Whole Child Health Website

Staff Contact Information Staff Contact Information

Principal: Margaret Murphy

Margaret.Murphy@fortbendisd.gov

Assistant Principal: Felicia Holmes (Grades K, 1st, 4th)

Felicia.Holmes@fortbendisd.gov

Assistant Principal: Natacha Isaac-Bonaventure (Grades 2, 3, 5)

Natacha.Isaac@fortbendisd.gov

Executive Assistant: Vickie Zellers

Victoria.Zellers@fortbendisd.gov

Registrar: Jamie Fish

Jamie.Fish@fortbendisd.gov

Front Office Receptionist: Michelle Munoz

Michelle.Munoz@fortbendisd.gov

Counselor: Janelle Moses (Grades K, 3, 4)

Janelle.Moses@fortbendisd.gov

Counselor: Jordan Massey (Grades 1, 2, 5)

Jordan.Massey@fortbendisd.gov

Campus Compliance Coordinator (Special Education, 504, STAAR): Bobbi Threatt

Roberta.Threatt@fortbendisd.gov

Nurse: Vesna Scarborough

Vesna.Scarborough@fortbendisd.gov

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James C. Neill Elementary School

Email: margaret.murphy@fortbendisd.gov
Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/jne
Location: 3830 Harvest Corner Drive, Richmond, TX, USA
Phone: 281-327-3760
Twitter: @JNE_Longhorns

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