News from the Nest: Menchaca ECC
Week of January 15 - 19, 2024
School Hours: 7:10 AM - 2:30 PM
Main Office Phone: (210) 882-1610
Office Hours: 6:45 AM - 3:30 PM
Principal: Tanya Mares
Student Enrollment: 929
MLK School Holiday - Monday, January 15th
Here's what's happening at MECC this week:
Wednesday (1/17) - Pajama Day
It's another pajama day here at Menchaca! Wear your warmest pajamas.
Thursday (1/18) - Winnie the Pooh Day
Wear something from Winnie the Pooh
Friday (1/19) - National Popcorn Day
Did you know, Americans consume 13 billion quarts of popcorn a year, more than any other country in the world. A majority of the popcorn produced in the world is grown in the United States. Nebraska leads the corn belt in popcorn production.
Bundle Up Cardinals
With the colder temperatures here, please know that our teachers and staff do the very best to make sure that all jackets, hats, gloves and blankets make it back home. With over 900 students at MECC, it is inevitable that some of these items may get misplaced.
You can help make returning lost items easier by labeling everything that your child comes to school with. Thank you for your help and understanding.
Don't forget that the Lost and Found is located in the waiting area of the Main Office.
Notes from the Nurses
Did you know that less than one-third of children ages 3 - 5 have a proper vision exam done?
Behavioral issues and difficulty learning in school can be a sign of vision impairment. The state of Texas requires us to perform vision screenings on all PK4 and Kindergarten students each year.
In the fall / early winter we send out referrals for students who do not pass our school vision screenings. Our goal is to have 100% follow-up with visits to an professional eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist), but we understand that not everyone has the insurance coverage needed for this exam. If your child received a vision referral and you have barriers to an appointment due to insurance, we have multiple resources available to help our littlest Cardinals achieve and succeed.
Our school nurses are available at 210-882-1610 Ext 4059 or
heather.siebert@southsideisd.org
stephanie.guerra@southsideisd.org
Be sure to check out the NEW Nurses' Website: https://sites.google.com/southsideisd.org/menchaca-health-services/upcoming-events
Backpacks Every Day
Backpacks play a huge role in student safety here at Menchaca. The reason that we ask that students bring their backpacks each and every day is because it helps with:
- Identifying students upon their arrival.
- Knowing where students go for dismissal.
- Provides a way for students to take home important items and information.
If you forget your child's backpack, you can always drop it off at the front office. Thanks for your help!
Kids n Careers Photos - Jan 23rd
Menchaca will be offering career photos to encourage our students to dram and see the vision of what they wish to be when they grow up in the future.
Photos will be taken on Tuesday, January 23rd. Please return completed order forms with payment to your child's teacher prior to picture day. For more information, please see the attachment below.
Kindergarten Gifted and Talented Nominations
The Texas State Board of Education defines “gifted and talented student” in Texas Education Code 29.121, Subchapter D. In this subchapter, “gifted and talented student” means a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who:
- Exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area;
- Possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or
- Excels in a specific academic field.
If you believe your Kindergartner exhibits those qualities, please contact your child's Kinder teacher for a GT screening packet. For any additional questions, you can contact our Campus GT Coordinator, Mr. Mendoza, at genaro.mendoza@southsideisd.org
Become MECC Fiesta Royalty!
Students with perfect attendance from January 9th - April 19th will be entered into a drawing to earn their shot to become Fiesta Royalty in our annual MECC Fiesta Parade.
Kinder - King & Queen
PK4 - Prince & Princess
PK3 - Duke & Duchess
Last week our ADA (Average Daily Attendance) was 92.6%!
For questions regarding your child's attendance, please contact our PEIMS Clerks:
Locally Elected, Community Connected
Each January, we honor the community volunteers who serve on their local school boards.
In Texas, school board members are elected by community members who trust them to do what's best for students. This connection ensures that board members are accountable to local voters, attuned to the needs of their communities, and dedicated to a brighter future. Thank you Southside ISD Board of Trustees!