Memorial Parkway Elementary School
Week of October 26, 2020
Parent Update- #MPE2getherWeGrow
For General Information about MPE call 281-237-5850
School Starts at 7:55 am and ends at 3:05 pm
Building Opens at 7:35 (New)
Office Hours are 7:35 am (NEW)- 4:20 pm
From the Principal
We really appreciate your patience with the return of more of our Panthers last week. We collected data on arrival, and as a result we are changing our building hours. Starting on Monday, October 26, we will be ready to welcome our Panthers into the building at 7:35 am. So please come early and beat the traffic so your child can get to class on time. Please remember, the car rider line closes at 7:55 am. After 7:55 am, you will need to bring your child to the front office to check them into school. Here is a link to the revised arrival and dismissal processes.
We are in a COVID-19 mitigation phase, and the way we can keep our children and staff safe is to wear our masks. We need your help by sending your child to school everyday with a clean, well fitted mask that stays securely on their face. In addition, please help them get used to wearing the mask as much as possible. In addition, please remind them to sit and stay in their assigned seats at lunch, in their assigned place in lines when moving through the building, and following their teacher's reminders to follow all protocols.
Parents, we really need your help to make sure you are doing your part to keep everyone at MPE safe. If your child has any of the COVID-19 symptoms, please do not send them to school. For more information for COVID-19 symptoms, please go to http://www.katyisd.org/returntoschool/Pages/SafetyProtocols.aspx#campus for more information.
Thank you for working with us to keep your child and staff safe at school!
Your Proud Principal,
Dr. Martinez
Exciting Information from the MPE PTA
In just 2 weeks, MPE PTA will kick off our PANTHER POUNCE DANCE-A-THON on NOVEMBER 9! Our goal is to raise $10,000 for repainting the map in front of the school and the Texas Reads One Book Program and to strengthen our school community. This year more than ever, we need additional funds to provide an excellent educational experience for all of our students. We completely understand if your family is not in a position to financially support the school right now. You can still be involved by simply SHARING about our fundraiser with friends and extended family online at funrun.com. Sharing IS supporting! All students will participate in the PANTHER POUNCE DANCE-A-THON, regardless of financial participation. We will also be following our school safety guidelines to ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone.
We appreciate your support more than you know. More details to come as we get closer to kickoff!
Key dates to remember:
Donating Opens on funrun.com – 11/2
Kickoff Day- 11/9
Event Day – 11/19
Happy Birthday to our Panthers for the Week of October 26th-November 1st
GT Screening
Gifted and Talented Screening
1st - 4th Grades: To have your child screened for GT services, complete an Elementary Parent Checklist which is available to pick up in the front office or may be printed from Quick Links on the GT website at katyisd.org. Checklists must be turned in by October 30, 2020. No late checklists are accepted. Students who qualify for Challenge after screening will begin services the following school year.
Online checklists are available at the links below in English and Spanish:
Events for the Week of October 26-30th
Sunday, October 25
- Happy Birthday Ms. Marquez and Ms. Elizondo
- Red Ribbon Week
- "Vote for my Future" Wear Red, White, and Blue
- Picture Day-Bring your SMILES!
- KVA Students please come to the gym from 4-6 to have picture taken, sign up for a time slot
- "Too Bright for Drugs!" Wear Neon and Sunglasses
- PTA Hungry Howies Spirit Night
- Happy Birthday Ms. Brown
Wednesday- October 28
- Happy Wednesday!
- "Your Choices are the Key to Your Dreams!" Wear Pajamas with regular shoes (No Slippers)
- Happy Birthday Ms. Hernandez
Thursday-October 29
- Wear Purple for Empathy
- PTA Fundraiser Kickoff Lunch and Presentation for MPE Teachers and Staff
- "From Head to Toe, I'm Drug Free!" Wear Hats/Crazy Hair & Socks
- Happy Birthday Ms. Zientek
Friday-October 30
- Character Day-"Say No to Drugs and Yes to Books!" Wear costume of a book character
- Happy Birthday Ms. Paez and Ms. F. Rivas
- 50th Day of School
- GT Checklists due
Saturday - October 31
- Happy Halloween
- Happy Birthday Ms. Jones
Events for the Week of November 2nd-6th
Sunday, November 1st
- Daylight Savings Time Ends
- Set clocks backwards 1 hour at 2:00 am
Monday-November 2nd
- Wear favorite College/University/Military/Technical Shirt to School
- Panther Day 3
- PTA Dance Fundraiser Begins
- Happy Birthday Ms. Hobartsch!
Tuesday-November 3rd
- Election Day
- Panther Day 4
- Happy Birthday Ms. Lorenzo!
- Panther Day 5
- Happy Birthday Ms. Scoriatto de Gonzalez and Ms. Pano!
Thursday-November 5th
- Panther Day 6
- Wear Teal shirt for Character Strong Trait "Gratitude"
- Virtual Coffee with MPE Administrative Team; 8:30-9:30 am, pre-registration required
- Happy Birthday Ms. D. Lopez!
Friday-November 6th
- Student Holiday- No School
- Parent Conference/Campus Planning Day for Teachers and Staff
- Happy Birthday Ms. Araujo!
Character Strong - Purposeful People - Trait of the Month for October - Empathy
Empathy Family Letter / Carta de empatía familiar
Character Strong - Purposeful People - Trait of the Month for November - Gratitude
Veterans Day - Poster Project to Honor All Who Serve
School Celebration November 11, 2020
The US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Day National Committee encourage all Americans to honor those who have served and sacrificed for the cause of liberty. By teaching our students about the significance of Veterans Day, we honor and remember those men and women whose selfless sacrifices ensure the freedoms we have today.
Memorial Parkway Elementary Veterans Day Committee is asking for MPE students to participate in a school-wide project to honor veterans. If you would like to create a poster to honor a veteran, please see the details below.
Veterans Day Posters
DUE: Wednesday, November 6, 2019
*Size: any size from 8 1⁄2” x 11” to no bigger than half of a standard size poster board (11” x 14”).
*Color: red, white or blue poster boards
*Picture: A picture of your veteran is a wonderful addition to your poster. Please make sure the picture is a copy and not valuable. Posters will be displayed for the entire school to see.
Information to include on the poster:
Veteran’s Name
Branch of Service
Years of Service
Home State
Additional Information (Rank, Unit, etc,)
MPE Student’s name, grade and homeroom teacher
Need to Pay for a Lost ID?
If your child has lost their school ID, parents can purchase a new ID for the students with the Katy ISD Pay N Go application. We are not accepting cash payments at this time.
ALL payments have to be submitted through Pay and Go. Just sign into Pay and Go, find our school name and select the form.
Free Meals to All Katy ISD Students starting on Monday, September 21st
Free Meals Starting September 21st
Through an extended waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Katy ISD is providing free meals to all students beginning, Monday, September 21. On-campus and virtual students can receive breakfast and lunch at no cost through Dec. 31, or pending available funds through USDA and TDA.
All students are eligible for one breakfast and one lunch per day per federal guidance. For example, if the student eats breakfast and lunch at school, the student is not eligible to pick up meals at the Grab ‘N Go sites.
On-Campus Students
Students attending on-campus instruction are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost beginning Sept. 21.
Parents may add funds to their student’s meal account for a la carte purchases and in preparation for when the USDA waiver ends in their student’s Pay N’ Go Account.
Once this waiver expires, the District will switch back to the School Lunch and Breakfast Program. Free and reduced meal applications must still be submitted for the 2020-2021 school year to determine benefits after the waiver ends. Visit schoolcafe.com/KatyISD to apply online.
Katy Virtual Academy Students
Free curbside meals, breakfast and lunch, are available to students participating in virtual learning, as well as children 18 and under, who are not enrolled in Katy ISD.
Participants are able to pick up breakfast and lunch meals, curbside from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are packaged to be heated and eaten at home. Meals are to be picked up a day prior to the intended use. A breakfast and lunch picked up on Tuesday evening, for example, would be consumed Wednesday morning/ afternoon. Pick up is available at these sites:
- Morton Ranch HS
- Mayde Creek HS
- Cinco Ranch HS
Please remember, the Texas Department of Agriculture policy now requires parents picking up meals without a child present to present documentation for each child. (Accepted documentation is official letter/email/electronic school application, student report card, student ID card, attendance records with student’s names, or a birth certificate. Only one form is required.) You can find your Student’s ID number in the Home Access Center, by selecting the ‘Registration’ icon. Under Demographics, you will see your student’s ID displayed. Click here for more information.
Additional KVA Information
- KVA Menus:
- KVA Heating Instructions for Meal Items:
- KVA Menu Nutritionals:
- Allergen Chart
Food Safety:
The Katy ISD Nutrition and Food Service Department is here to ensure every child continues to have access to safe, nutritious school meals whether that child is attending Katy Virtual Academy or attending school in-person. School meals play an important role in fueling healthy minds and bodies. For more information on school meal safety click on this link: Safe, Nutritious School Meals: Something You Can Count on for 2020-21
Meal Payment Information:
Payment for meals is encouraged to be cashless through the Pay N' Go App.
Cash and checks for meal payment will be accepted curbside and change will be deposited on the student’s account.
Students’ positive and negative cafeteria account balances from last year have rolled forward to the current school year.
What Makes a Meal?
The federal Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 requires students paying the set meal price to take menu components that meet the meal pattern. The meal pattern consists of FIVE components: meat/meat alternate, grain, fruit, vegetable and milk.
If the minimum number of components for each meal are not chosen by the student, a la carte charges will be charged.
Breakfast:
● Must choose at least three of the four offered items to make a meal.
● Must choose one fruit or a juice as one of the items to receive the meal price.
Lunch:
● Must choose at least three of the five offered components to make a meal.
● Must choose at least a half cup of fruit or vegetable to receive the meal price.
Regarding Student Meal Account Balances
If your student(s) will be returning in August to Katy ISD, their current cafeteria balance will roll forward to next school year.
Has your family experienced a change in economic status?
You may qualify for meal benefits! Click Meal Applications to apply today.
From Our School Counselor-Ms. Paez
Hello MPE Parents and Students,
I hope this finds you healthy and safe at home. I am sending resources that can be helpful for all. Please review those resources, which you can also find in the Katy ISD website.
Services for Students Experiencing Homelessness:
If you have lost housing due to economic hardship, complete the Student Residency Questionnaire to determine if you are eligible for services through the McKinney-Vento Act. Email the completed form to SRQ@katyisd.org and the District Homeless Liaison will contact you to discuss eligibility. More information on this act is available here and on the District webpage at http://www.katyisd.org/dept/fpef/Pages/Homeless.aspx.
I am available from Monday-Friday from 7:30-3:30.
Feeling Stressed and Need Someone to Talk to?
The MHSL is not a crisis line, but a help line designed to support families and individuals who may be experiencing mental health stress related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In addition to a listening ear, the Mental Health Support Line will provide callers with access to mental health support, guidance, and will connect callers to agency and community resources as needed. Individuals can access a Mental Health Professional Monday through Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, by calling 713-558-3777. The Mental Health Support Line is offered at no cost in English and Spanish.
http://www.katyisd.org/campus/MPE/Documents/MHSL%20Flyer_Rev2%20copy.pdf
Alejandra Páez
MPE Counselor
Phone (281) 237-5898
Phone (281) 829-8685
From the Nurse
Greetings from the Clinic!
Illness prevention:
- Handwashing (soap and water is best; hand sanitizer is second best)
- Cover your cough/sneeze
- STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK (fever > 100F, vomiting, diarrhea)
Please report all absences to the attendance clerk. A parent note must accompany child's return to school. A doctor's note is required for absences of 5 consecutive days or more.
Be on the lookout for Notification of Immunizations forms which are sent home/emailed at the end of each month for vaccines due the following month.
If your child has recently turned 4 years old, please send the proof of immunizations to the clinic. Most students need additional vaccines before going to kindergarten.
Immunization records can be submitted via fax, email or by sending a copy to school with your student.
Please keep the campus nurse update on any changes to your student's medical information and keep your contact information updated with the registrar.
Please send an extra set of clothing (including socks, underwear, and shoes) in your child's backpack.
Information on medication administration at school, forms for medication administration at school, immunization requirements, and other up to date health service department information can be found on the Katy ISD website Health Services Page.
Helpful Number to Have on Hand-Poison Control Centers – 1-800-222-1222
Flow Chart - Can my child go to school?
Contact Information:
Brandy Zammit-Guidroz, M.S.N., R.N.
brandylzammitguidroz@katyisd.org
p: 281-237-5875 f: 281-644-1561
Janett Rubio De Asaad, C. A.
janettrubiodeasaad@katyisd.org
281-237-1419
From our School Librarian - Ms. Palestina
Hi, everyone!
I’m Ms. Palestina, the new librarian! I’ve been working at MPE for the past 10 years and I’m excited see you all in the library very soon! But first…some important information:
- Bring your iPad or Chromebook with charger to school everyday.
- If you don’t have a device click here: Device Request Form.
Thank you for your patience!
Ms. Palestina
281-237-4658
Katy ISD Library Resources
MPE PTA Reflections Contest! Calling all writers, dancers, photographers and artists!
Parent Newsletter:
Our MPE PTA is hosting the Reflections contest again this year! If your child loves to draw, paint, dance, write, or take pictures, this is the contest for them! The entry deadline is Friday, November 13th. We would love to make this our biggest year yet! More information about the contest rules can be found here:
https://bit.ly/37A7bcB
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Nuestro MPE PTA está organizando el concurso Reflections nuevamente este año! Si a su hijo le encanta dibujar, pintar, bailar, escribir o tomar fotografías, ¡este es el concurso para ellos! La fecha límite de inscripción es el viernes 13 de noviembre. ¡Nos encantaría hacer de este nuestro año más importante hasta ahora! Puede encontrar más información sobre las reglas del concurso aquí:
https://bit.ly/37A7bcB
Let's Stay Connected!
MPE Facebook
MPE Twitter
MPE Instagram
MPE Campus WebSite
PTA Facebook
About Us
Established: 1978
School Mascot: Panthers - "Parkway Panther"
School Colors: Black and Gold
MPE fosters an environment where individual differences are accepted and valued. The school houses various district-wide special programs including ECSE, Bilingual Education, Two-way Immersion Program and the Auditory Impaired Program. Due to the nature of the various special language programs at MPE we often have been referred to as the first Trilingual Campus in Katy ISD.
Email: doreenAmartinez@katyisd.org
Website: http://www.katyisd.org/campus/mpe
Location: 21603 Park Tree Lane, Katy, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 237-5850
Facebook: facebook.com/MPElementarySchool
Twitter: @MPElemSchool