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The Panther Press
September 30, 2022
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September 28, 2023
Greetings Morgan families.
I can hardly believe the 1st nine weeks of school is almost behind us! We are so proud of our Panthers, as they have been working hard to pursue excellence in every way!
Helping our Panthers to reach their full potential is certainly not a job that can be done alone. It takes all of us working together to achieve success with our Panthers. As you know, this year, our school theme is One Team, One Dream. When we are all working together in a collaborative, cohesive, and respectful manner, we can move mountains for our Panthers!
Additionally, this summer, our team took some time to finalize our school mission and vision. Our mission at Morgan Elementary is Everyone, Everyday, Every Student. This means we(staff, parents, and school community) are all working together every single day to positively impact the lives of every single student. Ultimately, our vision is to provide a dynamic and comprehensive educational experience (academic and social-emotional) with every student reaching their full potential.
As the nine weeks come to a close, I want to thank you all for supporting our team with getting the year started and helping our Panthers adjust to school routines. Additionally, take some time to read our district's Promise to Parents and Parent Code of Conduct below. In continuing our partnership, it's important that we have these guidelines at the forefront of our minds while providing the best possible educational experience for our Panthers.
Lastly, class instructional time is critical to the success of students. Over the past few weeks we have noticed a significant increase in student tardies. Instruction starts promptly at 7:15 everyday. Please help us, by getting your Panthers to school on time so that they are ready for instruction and take full advantage of every learning opportunity provided.
Have a wonderful three day weekend.
Dr. Brian Gibson
Principal
Second Assistant Principal
We would like to congratulate Ms. Flo Romero (maria.romero@lcisd.org)on becoming our 2nd Assistant Principal! Ms. Romero is no stranger to Morgan Elementary. She has been serving as our campus reading interventionist for the past two years. She will be serving in both roles until we finalize her replacement.
Mark Your Calendars!
September
29- Ft. Bend County Fair Day- Student/Staff Holiday
October
2-5 - Kindergarten CoGAT Screener
3-Picture Day
6/9- Fall Break
13-Pink Out
13- End 9 Weeks 1
23-27 - Red Ribbon Week
25-Spirit Night
31- Book Character Parade
School and Office Hours
Fair Day
Picture Day
Fall Break
Lost and Found
Pumpkin Patch
Attendance
Student attendance is of vital importance to the child and to the school. Children not present when attendance is taken at 8:15 a.m. are counted absent. When your student is absent from school, the student upon arrival or return to school, and within 5 days of the absence must bring a note signed by the parent, medical professional, or court official giving the date(s) of the absence(s) and describing the reason for the absence. The campus will document in its attendance records for the student whether the absence is considered by the district to be excused or unexcused.
Response to Absences
3 unexcused absences- Attendance letter posted in Skyward
5 unexcused absences- Phone call and letter posted in Skyward
6 unexcused absences- Parent meeting with Attendance Review Committee
8 unexcused absences- Parent meeting with grade-level Administrator
10 unexcused absences- Truancy filed
Our goal is an overall attendance rate of 97% for the school. Through the 1st 7 weeks of school, attendance averages are:
EE- 96%
PK-97%
K-94%
1st Grade- 96%
2nd Grade- 97%
3rd Grade- 96%
4th Grade- 97%
5th Grade- 96%
Overall- 96%
Tardies
If students are not through the 1st set of doors by 7:15 a.m. they are considered tardy. When students arrive tardy or if they are picked up early from school, it results in loss of instructional time. While we realize there are extenuating circumstances, we want to make sure students are not missing out on learning opportunities.
While tardies were recorded during the first 9 weeks, consequences were not assigned, as we gave the school and families time to get into a routine and become accustomed to the earlier start time. Starting the 2nd 9 weeks, consequences will be assigned for tardies:
1st Tardy - Tardy notice
2nd Tardy - Tardy notice
3rd Tardy - Teacher contacts parent/written notice sent home
4th Tardy - Lunch or recess detention and a referral entered in Skyward/Administrator contacts parent
5th Tardy - Lunch or recess detention / a referral entered into Skyward and sent home
6th (plus) Tardy - After school detention/Family Support Specialist visits home OR contacts parent
We will also implement a "No Tardy Party" at the end of the 9 weeks for all students with 0 tardies during the 2nd 9 weeks.
Thank you for your support and dedication to getting our Panthers to school on time!
Promise to Parents
Parent Code of Conduct
AM Car Arrival
- Our goal is to keep the line moving and maximize every available drop off point. We begin at 6:30 and the tardy bell rings at 7:15.
- If you are the first parent in the parking lot in the am, pull all the way forward to Cone 0 to start the line.
- At 7:15, our safety patrol students and staff head to class to begin the day learning
- If you see staff and students are no longer outside, you will need to walk your student into the front office.
Reminders
- All car seats need to be on the right side of the car if your child needs assistance getting out of the vehicle.
- Have your child prepared and ready to exit the vehicle.
- Refrain from being on your cell phone while in the line of moving traffic. Distracted drivers create safety and efficiency issues for the flow of traffic.
- Move all the way forward and maximize all space. If we are signaling you forward, please pull forward.
PM Car Dismissal
- All vehicles must have a car tag in the window. If you need one, please contact the front office.
- Keep the flow of traffic moving and pull to CONE 0, if directed.
- We do not ALLOW parking lot pickups or walkups
We are working with all of our Panthers to remember their cone number and pay attention to their name and number being called. This is a feat, especially for our youngest Panthers.
The dismissal line will cut off at 3:05pm. Anyone entering the line after that time will be asked to park and walk in to get their child.
Buses
- There have been some challenges with bus routes and transportation. We are in close communication daily with transportation and work to correct all errors in the Smart Tag system on a daily basis. We're also following up with you on an individual basis. We can't put a child on the bus until they are in the system and routed.
- We will continue to refine bus transportation.
PK and Kinder Parents: You must be at the bus stop to get your child off the bus. Be at the stop sign a few minutes ahead of time. If not, students are brought back to campus. Multiple bring backs will result in not being able to ride the bus.
Lunch Visitors
Due to growth and space in the cafeteria, parents must make a reservation to have lunch with their child beginning Monday, September 11th. Each grade level will have 12 seats available. Please sign up for the number of seats you need. To allow everyone an opportunity to come and visit, please only sign up once a month.
Counselor's Corner
Early Pick Up and Transportation Changes
If you take your child out of school before dismissal time, you will need to report to the office to sign him/her out. Your child will stay in the classroom until you arrive. If it necessary for someone other than the parent/guardian pick up your child, that person must be signed, dated note with the child. The person picking up your child must show photo identification to the office staff. Accumulated time of early pick-ups is calculated by minutes in lost instruction time. Request to check out your child must be done prior to 1:45 p.m.
Any changes in the normal transportation of your child must be stated in writing with a parent/guardian signature. We ask for everyone's help in not making changes frequently. However, we understand that in rare cases, unexpected changes will need to happen. These can be called in to the front office by 1:45 pm. We are not able to process changes after 1:45 pm. This includes parents that come to the campus without prior notice to pick up their child. Any change in transportation arrangements for any student requires a note to the teacher. Make sure you write your child's first and last name, teacher's name and indicate the date(s) for the change and how the child is going to go home. We ask that the parents not email the change since there maybe times that a teacher is not in attendance or does not have a chance to read their email.
Please note on early release days the latest you can pick up is 11:00 am!
Attendance Incentive
Starting September 5th , we will be implementing a school wide attendance incentive. Homeroom classes will receive a "We're all Here Today" sign for each day the class has 100% attendance. Signs will accumulate throughout the 9 weeks period, and classes will receive rewards based on the number of days the class had everyone in attendance. Please see below for awards
Spirit Shirts and Dress Code
Students at Morgan Elementary are not required to wear uniforms. We follow the Lamar CISD dress code. You may access the handbook to reference dress code guidelines by clicking on the button below.
We are also excited to announce our school spirit days where students and staff wear certain shirts. Check out the picture below for what shirt is worn on the designated days.
Our theme for the 2023-24 school year is One Team One Dream! Use the link below to order your spirit wear.
Friends of Morgan
Follow our Friends of Morgan on Facebook and the website by clicking the buttons below. Friends of Morgan is our Parent Teacher Organization that will support the faculty, students and parents of Morgan Elementary.
Since we are a new school, they are currently working through the process for being able to fundraise to provide amazing opportunities for our Morgan Panther staff and students.
We love volunteers! As we work to build our volunteer base and systems, FOM will be working with the campus to coordinate volunteer activities. More information to come.
Contact Information: friendsofmorgan1@gmail.com
General Traffic Overview
The entrance and exit onto the campus grounds are located right off of 1093, directly in front of the Weston Lakes subdivision.
Four temporary traffic signals will be utilized to control east and west-bound traffic on 1093 and traffic coming to/from Weston Lakes until the permanent ones are installed.
Transportation
All cars, school buses, and daycare vans will turn off 1093 onto Fulshear School Rd.
Once on Fulshear School Rd., daycare vans, busses, and staff will enter at the staff entry/exit point off Fulshear School Rd.
Parent Drop Off
Parents dropping students off during morning arrival/afternoon dismissal will continue to drive up Fulshear School Rd. and turn left onto School Hill Road.
Cars will then go all the way to the end of School Hill Rd. and turn left to enter the “parent entry” as illustrated on the traffic flow map.
Cars will enter the path in a single file line. The path opens into two lanes, and vehicles will need to merge as they get closer to the point of student drop-off in front of the school. (Please see traffic flow map below)
Car Rider Arrival Guidelines
- Our doors open at 6:45 am. Please do not drop off your child before then as we do not want them left unattended.
- Please drive all the way up to the first drop-off point where a staff member/safety patrol student will be ready to receive cars. We ask that your child is ready when it is time to unload. This includes having their Morgan lanyard w/Smart Tag on, water bottle/lunch kit and backpack on.
- For safety reasons, we are not able to unbuckle safety restraints.
- All students will exit the car on the passenger side.
- Please stay in a single-file line and refrain from passing any vehicles.
- For safety reasons, the only place parents/guardians are permitted to drop students off is at the “parent drop off” in the front drive of the school, where staff and safety patrol will be positioned daily to help students exit safely from cars. Please help us keep our students safe by adhering to this guideline.
- The staff and visitor entrance will be coned off beginning at 6:45 am during morning arrival daily. For the safety of everyone, parents are not permitted to park in the front parking lot and walk students up to the front door. The staff and visitor entrance will be coned off at 6:45 am during morning arrival daily. A staff member will be stationed there to assist parents who might need front office assistance.
Car Rider Dismissal Guidelines
- Please remember that the school day ends at 2:40 pm. All cars should be in line by this time so that we can effectively coordinate dismissal.
- Utilizing the same traffic pattern as morning arrival, please enter the car rider line on Fulshear School Rd.
- Please place your car rider tag on your rearview mirror with the number facing out. A staff member will be walking the line, recording your car rider tag number.
- You will pull up to the first available cone and the staff member will match the car rider number on your car tag to the number on the child’s transportation tag. If you are carpooling, you must have the tags of all the students you are picking up. We will not release any students without an official car rider tag.
- If you do not have the car rider tag, you will need to park and come into the building to check your child out in person, making sure you have valid identification.
- Check-out from the office will occur once the car rider line is clear.
- For safety reasons, we are not able to buckle safety restraints.
- Please do not attempt to pass another car while in the car rider line.
- Please stay in a single file line until you exit the driveway.
- If you arrive after all numbers have been inputted into the system, you will be advised to park and check your child out in the office.
Bus Guidelines and Smart Tags
Bus Guidelines
Bus transportation is available for all students. Information on bus routes can be accessed through the Parent Portal.
Smart Tags
Ensuring the safety and security of the students riding on buses is our highest priority. To facilitate and support this safety initiative, the District has implemented the Smart Tag system to promote and ensure a positive school bus riding experience for all Lamar CISD students. The SMART tag monitors student loading and unloading, providing real-time information to the Transportation Department, and you, the parent.
Students are issued Smart Tag ID cards with an electronic chip Smart sensor (please do not modify the ID cards, or place holes in the card). The student name is printed on the front of the card, and there is no student information stored on the card.
PK/KG students must have one or more Transportation Release Guardians listed within the student’s Smart Tag Parent Portal. Drivers will only release a KG student to approved guardians at the stop. Parents must register this information within their student's Smart Tag profile via the Smart Tag Parent Portal.
Missing Smart Tags:
If a student does not have his/her Smart Tag ID badge for five (5) consecutive days, the Lamar CISD Transportation Department will contact the school/campus or parent to request that a Smart Tag replacement card be purchased.
Replacement cards can be requested through the campus office. There is a $5.00 fee to replace Smart Tag cards. Replacement cards include the Smart Tag and clear plastic sleeves. A lanyard, badge reel, or zip tie are not included. When a student receives the maximum number of warnings allowed by the school, the student may be subject to disciplinary action which may include the suspension of transportation service.
Morgan Elementary Parent Handbook
This handbook has been designed to give you a quick, brief list of answers to questions, which
may arise, concerning Morgan Elementary School’s operational procedures.
Our campus wide newsletters will supplement the information herein, but if procedure or policy questions are still unanswered you may refer to the Elementary Student Handbook or contact our school to clarify these concerns.
We will update our page as often as possible to share as much as we can about Morgan and the achievements of the students and staff, as well as other relevant campus and district information.
Messages for school staff will not be checked or responded to on Facebook. If anyone would like to reach school staff, please do so by calling the campus or emailing the appropriate staff member for assistance. Our campus phone number will be posted soon.
Additional Information
Fletcher Morgan Jr. Elementary
Jana Simoneaux, Asst. Principal jsimoneaux@lcisd.org
Flo Romero, Asst. Principal maria.romero@lcisd.org
Elizabeth Pena, Counselor elizabeth.pena@lcisd.org
Website: https://www.lcisd.org/campuses/morgan/home
Location: 32727 School Hill Road Fulshear, Texas
Phone: 832-223-6200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FletcherMorganES