Morton Ranch Elementary
eNews: September 6, 2023
MRE Theme for 2023-2024
Reaching New Heights
This year's theme is full of galaxies, stars and planets! We are "Reaching New Heights" this year!
Please use hashtag #MREReachingNewHeights when sharing on your social media platforms.
We invite our families to join in on the space theme!
BELL SCHEDULE (Horario de campana)
MAVS MATRIX 2023-2024
Check out our new MAVS MATRIX!
M- I will make good decisions
A- I will act responsibly
V- I will value hard work (with appropriate voice levels)
S- I will show kindness
*our students recite MAVS expectations during morning announcements!
We review behavior expectations for various locations throughout the school: cafeteria, hallway, bus, restrooms, playground and classroom settings.
We will continue to share the matrix with students and families so that we can use common language such as voice levels, "space bubbles" and the MAVS acronym. We hope this will help students, teachers, and parents reinforce positive behavior on the Ranch!
Morton Ranch Elementary
Website: https://www.katyisd.org/campus/MRE/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 2502 North Mason Road, Katy, TX, USA
Phone: 281-234-0330
Twitter (X): @MREMavs
Returning families-have you completed the annual update for your child?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) school nutrition program known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) enables all students at CEP eligible campuses to receive FREE breakfast and lunch meals throughout the 2022-23 school year. MRE is one of the Katy ISD campuses that have met USDA eligibility for the CEP free meals program for the 2023-2024 school year! All MRE students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch each day.
While families at CEP campuses no longer have to apply for Free and Reduced lunch, it is critical that EVERY family completes the annual update, so the campus will continue to qualify for free meals and so that applicable fees may be waived (more at the secondary level). Parents/Guardians with families that are returning to MRE will receive messages reminding them to complete the update.
Destination Imagination News:
Teams are Now Forming for Destination Imagination (DI) for this 23-24 Academic School Year.
● Does your child like to be creative? Like to build things? Like to act
or dance or sing? Like to imagine?
● Then Destination Imagination may be for your child! DI is for any student of any age in grades 1-5.
● Destination Imagination fosters creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, team work, and leadership skills.
Your child does NOT need to be in the Challenge program to participate in Destination Imagination!
For more information on Destination Imagination, check out the Website: https://www.destinationimagination.org/
September 14: Visit booth at Back in the Saddle Night
September 18: Parent Info Meeting-Zoom at 4:00pm https://katyisd-org.zoom.us/j/88013374702
September 25: Team formation meeting in the library 4:00 PM
For more information, please contact Sue Wilson at suewilson@katyisd.org
Wellness for Growth Foundation invites you to participate in their program.
Classes are in Spanish and are designed for parents with children in ESL or Bilingual programs.
Classes begin soon. Please view the flyer for more information.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In an effort to continue to improve the efficiency and safety of our car rider line, we would like to take this opportunity to review guidelines for car riders.
Morning Arrival:
Encourage your child to be prepared to quickly exit your vehicle as you stop.
Children should always exit your vehicle on the passenger side. This is a huge safety concern for us.
Please adjust car seats so your children can exit/enter on the passenger side.
When the vehicle in front of you begins unloading, you should also begin to unload.
Please remain in the line and wait for the cars in front of you to exit.
During arrival, for safety reasons, parents may not drop children in the parking lot or walk them to the front door.
Afternoon Dismissal:
Hang the car tag in the car each day when you come to pick up your child.
Tags should not be removed until the child has been loaded into the car.
Parents will procede through parent drive and follow the directions of MRE staff members.
During dismissal, for safety reasons, parents may not pick up children at the front door.
Please refrain from using your cell phone in the school zone AT ALL TIMES. This is for the safety of all children and it is a state law.
We understand the safety of your child is important (car seat, booster seat, seat belt, etc.), however, please do not get out of your car while in the car loading zone to buckle in your child. Please pull up to the designated cone, turn your hazard lights on, and quickly and safely buckle in your child.
Please stay calm and wait your turn.
In the absence of the school generated car rider tag, parents must park and come inside the office with a picture ID to receive a new card and check out their child.
Refer to the map (posted below) for the car rider routes for all grade levels.
Lori Maurer
Principal
A message from the principal about telecommunication devices at MRE
First, I’d like to make all our parents aware that MRE is a one-to-one campus with regards to technology. What this means is that each student is provided either an iPad or Chromebook for use during the school day for instruction led by their teacher. Therefore, there is no need for students to bring their own devices to campus. We do recognize that many parents provide their students with telecommunication devices for safety communication before and after school. It has been brought to my attention by many teachers on multiple grade levels that telecommunication devices have increasingly become a distraction to instruction during the school day.
The Board-approved Discipline Management Plan and Student code of Conduct states:
Elementary students in Pre-K, K, and 1st grade shall not possess a telecommunication device during the instructional day (8:00 am to 4:00 pm), while riding to/from school on District transportation, during tutorials or detention, or while participating in a school-sponsored extracurricular activity on or off school property. For example, an elementary student performing at a PTA meeting or on a field trip to the zoo may not be in possession of a telecommunication device; however, an elementary student could possess a telecommunication device at an event open to the public (in which the student is not performing) such as at a carnival or a sporting event.
Elementary students in grades 2-5 may possess telecommunication devices; however, these devices are only to be used for instructional purposes under the direction of a teacher. These devices should be turned off and not visible at all other times during the school day on school property, including on school transportation.
If you choose to send your child with a telecommunication device to school, the teacher will collect that device at the beginning of each day and return it to the student before dismissal.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
As academic standards continue to increase, it is important for our students to be instructionally focused during the school day. We appreciate you partnering with us in this effort.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH- PAJAMA DAY FUNDRAISER FOR STUDENTS
Teddy Cop and Morton Ranch Elementary will be celebrating National Pajama and Teddy Bear Day on September 8th. Katy ISD’s Teddy Cop Program helps bring happiness to our special needs children. If you would like to participate, your $1.00 donation will allow you to wear your favorite PJs to school on Friday.
Note to Parents: Please make sure pajamas are appropriate for school and the weather. Be sure to have an extra set of clothes inside your child's backpack.
Students should bring their donations on PJ Day!
Save the Date for "Back in the Saddle" at Morton Ranch Elementary
"BACK IN THE SADDLE" NIGHT (OPEN HOUSE at MRE)
Who: Parents of PreK - 5th Grade Mavericks
What: Curriculum/Info Overview for your Grade Level
When: Thursday, September 14th
4:45 - Doors Open (Enter Through GYM)
4:55-5:25- Session 1 in your child's homeroom
*Classroom teachers will lead a presentation about grade level curriculum and information.
5:30-5:55- Specials/PTA Session in the GYM
*All staff & families meet in gym for information
6:00-6:30- Session 2 in your child's homeroom
*Classroom teachers will lead a presentation about grade level curriculum and information.
All families will receive our Title I School Parent Compact and the Parent/Family Engagement Policy.
Mark your calendars! We will have picture day on September 15th!
September 22nd- No School for Students
LUNCH VISITORS AT MRE---ALL VISITORS MUST CHECK IN AT THE FRONT OFFICE
Pre-K and Kindergarten lunch visitors can begin coming to campus on Monday, October 2nd.
1st through 5th grade lunch visitors can begin coming to campus for lunch on Monday, September 11th.
This allows time for our students to become familiar with our school, schedules and routines.
NO PHOTOS OR VIDEO ALLOWED DURING YOUR LUNCH VISIT IN THE CAFETERIA. THANK YOU!
Love and Logic Parenting Classes will be offered at multiple campuses during the Fall semester of 2023. Participation options are listed in the chart below.
Katy ISD families may register to attend any session.
- Dates and registration for Love and Logic courses will also be posted on the Professional Learning website.
- Families who wish to participate in Love and Logic courses must pay $10 for the cost of the workbooks using Pay N' Go. Love and Logic Facilitators will arrange for parents to pick up materials.
- A minimum of 10 participants is required for each session.
- If a minimum number of participants is not met, registered participants will be directed to an alternate session.
STUDENTS & PARENTS ARE INVITED, & ENCOURAGED, TO ATTEND COLLEGE & CAREER NIGHT
Now is the time to focus on the future, especially college goals.
Whether you are in elementary school, junior high school or high school, there is so much you can do to be informed, get ahead and be prepared.
All students (of all grade levels) and parents are invited, and encouraged, to attend Katy ISD’s College & Career Night.
Wednesday, October the 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Leonard Merrell Center located at:
6301 S. Stadium Lane
Katy, TX 77494
- The Katy ISD Legacy Parent Academy is a series of informational sessions designed to assist parents by raising awareness on various social-emotional and academic topics that impact our students and our campuses district-wide. Academy participants will gain factual knowledge pertinent to each topic while also learning strategies and proven techniques to assist in supporting students.
Updates from Art
Please welcome Michelle Allen, our new art teacher! We are so excited to have Ms.Allen here at the Ranch! She will join Ms.Vanpelt in the art department at MRE. We know that they will inspire our Mavs to become amazing artists!
Updates from P.E.
Your child has P.E. class every other day at MRE
Please make sure they wear the appropriate shoes (rubber soles, closed-toed, and closed heel). Crocs, sandals, and boots are not safe while in P.E.
Coming soon...CATCH KICK OFF WEEK!
Starting September 25th, we will be celebrating our CATCH Kick Off week. The Coordinated Approach to Child Health Program (or CATCH) aims to raise awareness for healthy eating choices and create a school environment that encourages healthy eating and physical activity. Each day, students are invited to wear a different color to represent each food group and talk about how they benefit our body and help us live a healthy lifestyle.
Help us show our love for healthy eating by coloring the school each day!
Monday wear ORANGE to represent Grains.
Tuesday wear BLUE to represent Dairy.
Wednesday wear RED to represent Fruits.
Thursday wear GREEN to represent Vegetables.
Friday wear PURPLE to represent Proteins and being a healthy Maverick!
Updates from Music
- Performing Ensembles begin rehearsals on September 18th.
- Stampede will begin at 6:45 a.m.
- Corral will begin at 3:25-4:25.
- This is for 5th grade students only.
Please be on the lookout for the information packet that is being sent home with students.
Need to change your child's transportation?
SMART TAG SYSTEM *NEW*
Dear Parents, The SMART tag™ system helps increase safety and security for students riding on a school bus, leveraging technology to improve student management and communications on school buses. SMART tag™ monitors the location of each tablet-equipped school bus, including student loading and unloading, providing real-time information to the Transportation Department, and you, the parent. Click the flyer below for more information.
CLINIC/HEALTH INFORMATION
Estimados padres,
Aprender, comer y usar el baño puede ser complicado para los jóvenes estudiantes. Por favor envíe los siguientes artículos para que podamos estar preparados para una situación complicada en la escuela. ¡Gracias!
YMCA After School Program at MRE
YMCA After School programs are more than child care. They offer structured activities that are age appropriate while encouraging a fun and active way to extend learning from the classroom. Housed in MORTON RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, children learn skills for their future like building confidence and social awareness with a comprehensive curriculum that covers STEM, literacy, arts & humanities, social and emotional well-being, physical fitness, empathy, service learning and more.
Click the flyer below for more information.