News from the Nest
Menchaca Early Childhood Center: Aug 26 - 30, 2024
Dear Menchaca Families,
We’ve had another fantastic week here at MECC, and we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our incredible staff! Not only are they committed to providing quality education throughout the day, but they’ve also been tirelessly assisting with student dismissal in the extreme heat. Their efforts deserve our deepest appreciation!
A special shoutout goes to Arlo Scott and her family for their generous donation of water and Gatorade. These contributions have helped keep our staff hydrated and energized during these challenging temperatures. If you’d like to support your school staff by donating water, Gatorade, or other beverages or snacks, feel free to drop them off at the front office or during morning drop-off by the gym. Your generosity means the world to us! Thank you for your continued support and for helping make our school community the best in Southside ISD.
Regards,
MECC Leadership Team
Monday (8/26):
Hats Off to a Great Year!
Wear a fun hat.
Tuesday (8/27):
Together Everyone Achieves More!
Wear your favorite team attire.
Wednesday (8/28):
Our School Knocks Our Socks Off!
Crazy sock day.
Thursday (8/29):
A Magical Place to Learn
Wear your Disney attire,
Friday (8/30):
Ready to Sleep In!
Pajama Day.
- Morning Drop Off & Breakfast begins at 6:35 A.M.
- Drop-off gates close each morning at 7:10 A.M.
- Students who arrive after 7:10 A.M. are tardy.
- Students must be in class at the 10:00 A.M. attendance bell in order to be marked present.
- Changes to your child’s dismissal routine should be communicated to the front office and your child's teacher no later than 1:00 P.M.
- Student sign-out from the office ends each day at 1:45 PM to prepare for dismissal.
- Dismissal begins at 2:30 P.M. Students must be picked up no later than 3:00 P.M.
The first weeks of school are a test of our immune system. Many children have never been in school or are new to all the normal illnesses for children. Please assist us in keeping all of our Cardinals healthy by maintaining a good sleep schedule, practicing healthy hygiene, and eating a nutritious diet at home. Students should be kept at home when they have a fever 100° or greater or have diarrhea &/or are vomiting.
This week I have started the vision screenings for our PK4 and Kindergarten students. If you receive a vision referral for your child, but do not have vision insurance to get the professional eye exam, please reach out to me. I have resources available for you. Our school screenings are a good starting point, but the American Optometric Association recommends at least one comprehensive eye exam between the ages of 3 and 5 to check for any conditions that could have long-term effects and then yearly comprehensive eye exams. Undetected and untreated vision problems can elicit some of the very same signs and symptoms commonly attributed to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. A yearly comprehensive eye exam can help make the right diagnosis for your child's needs.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child's health, you can reach our nurse at: heather.siebert@southsideisd.org
Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences.
Two state laws—one dealing with the required presence of school-aged children in school, e.g., compulsory attendance, the other with how a child’s attendance affects the award of a student’s final grade or course credit—are of special interest to students and parents.
Documentation after an Absence (All Grade Levels)
When a student is absent from school, the student must bring a note signed by the parent that describes the reason for the absence. NOTE: Unless the absence is for a statutorily allowed reason under compulsory attendance laws, the district is not required to excuse any absence, even if the parent provides a note explaining the absence.
Doctors Note After an Extended Absence
Within 3 days of returning to school, a student absent for more than 3 consecutive days because of a personal illness must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the student’s extended absence from school. Otherwise, the student’s absence may be considered unexcused and, if so, would be considered to be in violation of compulsory attendance laws.
For questions regarding your child's attendance, please contact our PEIMS/Attendance Clerks:
lupita.cabrera@southsideisd.org or meranda.zapata@southsideisd.org
Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024
- Here's what you need to know:
- Order forms will be sent home with your child next week.
- All students will take a picture, regardless of purchase.
- Students are allowed "free dress" on picture day.
- Order online now at:
(Picture Day ID# EVTR4H9RT )
For all Menchaca bus riders, it is the parent/guardians' responsibility to be at the bus stop to receive their child.
If a parent/guardian is not present, the child will be returned to the campus. Failure to comply with district bus policies could lead to the loss of bus riding privileges.
You don't ever have to miss the bus again! Use the Southside ISD GPS System to track your child's bus by clicking here
For routing information, please contact the Southside ISD Transportation Dept. at 210-882-1624
