Welcome New Families

 

Dear New Families,

 

Welcome to Memorial Drive Elementary (MDE)!  MDE has a rich history in this tight knit community and we welcome you to our campus!  As an organization, we look for ways to enhance your experience at MDE so please reach out if there's anything we can do.  Under the leadership of our principal, Thayer Hutcheson,  we are ready for an awesome school year. 

 

Nestled in the heart of the Memorial Villages, MDE  has just under 400 students taught by the finest teachers Spring Branch Independent School District has to offer.  At MDE, we pride ourselves on academic excellence and a strong sense of school community. We are happy that you’re here and hope you find your time at MDE to be rewarding and fun.

 

Because we know how overwhelming the first year can be, below is information to help guide you through all there is to know about MDE.  We have included everything from how to join the PTA to ordering ‘pony gear’ to social events that you will not want to miss.

Again, welcome to our beloved school and we wish you and your family all the best on your new and exciting journey here at MDE!

 

New Family Checklist: PLEASE START ON THIS LIST AFTER JULY 1, 2023

 

School Supplies

 

The PTA offers parents the opportunity to purchase pre-packaged school supplies for each grade. Taking advantage of the packages can save you time and frustration. All packages purchased by June 26, 2022 will be in your child's classroom on the first day of school. Packages are no longer available after June 26, 2022 and will have to be purchased from the supply lists below.

 

 2022 - 23 School Supply Lists

 

 

MDE Pony Gear

 

The PTA has made it possible for families to show off their love and loyalty to MDE by creating a variety of MDE themed items.  From t-shirts to car stickers, there are endless possibilities for you to proudly show your spirit.   See the PTA store for a complete list of all items for sale. We recommend you order your items via the PTA store, as supplies are limited. Remaining spirit gear will be available for purchase throughout the year by contacting our Spirit Gear Chair.

 

School Lunch

 

School Lunch Prepaid meal accounts help the lunch lines go faster and gives students more time to eat and relax. A student ID number will be assigned to your child and sent home on the first day of school. This ID number will be used to access your child’s lunch account. If you know your child will buy lunch regularly, we recommend starting the account with $50.00. Once the account is low, a note will be sent home with your child or you will receive a notice by phone or email.

 

These are the following ways to fund your child’s lunch account:

  • Deposit funds online at by clicking here to the School Cafe website.
  • Stop by the cafeteria and pay the cafeteria manager directly with cash or check.
  • Send cash or check with your student by placing it in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Cafeteria Account”. Please be sure to include your child’s first and last name, student ID # and teacher’s name.

Parents and grandparents are encouraged to have lunch with their child from time to time. You are welcome to purchase a school lunch or surprise your child with his/her favorite food. Please be aware that lunch visitors are not allowed until after the first 6 weeks of school. No visitors for any grade are permitted during district testing. These dates will be sent to you via email.

 

MDE Directory

 

Each year the PTA compiles information to create a directory. This directory can be accessed through the MTK app and website. A physical copy of the directory will be printed in the fall and will be provided to each PTA member who has paid their dues for the current year. 

 

In order for your family to be included in the directory – you must enter your information in our directory system here and opt-in to having your information included: Directory System

 

After-School Pickup

 

There are 3 options on how you can pick your child up from school. Bus, Parent Drive or Walker. 

 

Bus
Click here to learn the SBISD bus route for your student(s). For all Pre-K and Kindergarten students, a blue sign with your child’s name will be sent home the first week of school. This sign must be shown to the bus driver by anyone meeting your child at the bus stop.

 

Parent Drive
Parents who wish to remain in their vehicles will use the drive located on the left side of the school (Parent Drive) to drive through and pick up their child. A sign with your child’s last name and grade will be sent home with your child the first week of school. This should be posted in your windshield when picking your child up.

 

Outside / Front Deck
Parents will meet their child in person outside the front of the school. During inclement weather, students will be waiting in the cafeteria. Pick-up for Pre-K and Kindergarten begins at 2:50 pm.

 

 

 

After-School Activities

 

This year, we are working with After 3 After School Program (ASP) to provide after-school care and enrichment opportunities at MDE.  Whether you need after-school care five days a week or you want your child to stay at MDE for Yoga on Tuesdays and Chess on Thursdays, After 3 ASP has you covered. 

 

The advantages of switching to this new vendor are:

  • Programming- the after-school care program incorporates daily Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math activities in addition to physical activity games and homework help.
  • Convenience- MDE families can choose between more than nine on-campus enrichment activities each semester.
  • Cost- the price for daily childcare is $200 lower per semester than our previous vendor.
  • Giving back to MDE- A portion of every student’s After 3 tuition benefits MDE.
  • Early Dismissal Help- After 3 provides care for children on early dismissal days until you are able to come pick them up.  Early dismissal care is included in monthly tuition and also available a la carte. 

 

The link for online registration can be found here. Please register as New After 3 Families. Registration is open for all needing daily after school care. Registration for those needing occasional care, or for early dismissal days only will open August 2.

 

Registration for parents wanting to participate in After 3 only for Enrichment clubs will open on August 20. Clubs will begin the week of September 20th and will run through the week of December 6th (12 week Fall semester).

 

If you have additional questions about After 3 ASP, please reach out to the owners Gabi Alvarado GabiAlvarado@after3asp.com and Chris LaBita ChrisLaBita@after3asp.com.

 

Another after school program you might be interested in is The Girl and Boy Scouts of America. Depending on your child’s age, there are Daisies, Brownies and Girl Scouts for girls and Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for boys.

 

Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association (SBMSA) www.sbmsa.org,
(281) 583-3600

 

Chapelwood United Methodist Church www.chapelwood.org
(713) 465-3467

 

Volunteer Opportunities

 

One of the best things about MDE is there are many ways to get involved. Volunteering is the best way to get to know MDE, its students and families. Additionally, you are modeling volunteerism for your children and they get very excited to see you volunteering. 

 

All volunteers are required fill out a registration form with the district before being allowed to volunteer on campus. THIS MUST BE DONE EVERY SCHOOL YEAR.  This can be done online via the district website HERE. When you arrive at the school to volunteer, you will go to Ms. Lynch’s office so she can print a “Visitor” or “Volunteer” badge for you and log your visit into the school system.

 

In the Classroom

  • Classroom Parent – Each class has two “room parents” who coordinate and plan the Winter and Valentine’s parties held in the classroom. Room parents are also the liaison between the teacher, PTA and the parents in the class. All correspondence for the parties is conducted via email so make sure your address is on file with your child’s teacher. For information on becoming a room parent, contact the room mom coordinator,  Christine Williamson at: homeroom@mdepta.org.
  • Field Trips – Chaperoning school sponsored field trips is another great way to be involved. Your child’s teacher will send out an email prior to the field trip providing the details, including how many chaperones will be needed.
  • Parent Reader – Some classes provide time to have parents read to the class. Contact your child's teacher to inquire about parent reader opportunities.

 

Around the School

  • Library –  Sign up to be a library volunteer for your child's class at the First Day of School Coffee or contact Ellen Sweet at ellen.m.sweet@gmail.com Help is always needed in the library,  whether it’s reading to your child’s class, helping students check out books or re-shelving books, your help is always appreciated. Feel free to contact our librarian, Ms Veenhuyzen at: Sarah.Veenhuyzen@springbranchisd.com

  • Healthy Lifestyle Salad Bar Cart - A salad bar cart will be set up in the cafeteria on a designated day of the week. Parent volunteers are needed to help serve the salads. Amber Lewis will send out a Sign-Up Genius to get volunteers. If you have any questions, please contact Amber Lewis at alk4478@aol.com

 

With the PTA

  • Each year the PTA hosts a Parent Coffee on the first day of school where committees posts sign-up sheets for events and functions that need volunteers throughout the year. Committee representatives are present to provide details and answer questions. Whether it’s working a booth at the Fall Festival in October, volunteering to help with the MDE Auction, stringing balloons for Field Day at year-end, or helping out with Teacher Appreciation lunches in between, there are plenty of places for you to jump in and help out. 

  • If you are unable to attend the Parent Coffee or register mid-year, please feel free to contact the chairperson of any committee you are interested in being a part of.  Click Here to view the full roster of PTA committees and their chairpersons is located on this website.

  • 2022 - 23 PTA President, Jamie Burns, is happy to answer questions and help you find a committee that is just right for you. Her email is: president@mdepta.org. For more information on the MDE PTA, click here.

  • Fellow parents are also a great way to gain insight on PTA work and its committees. We are always happy to answers questions that might help point you in the right direction.

 

PTA Fundraising

 

Because of the outstanding job our PTA does in raising money each year, we are able to compensate for diminishing state funds and our children continue to receive an excellent education here at MDE.  The PTA has a variety of fundraisers that support this budget. The biggest MDE PTA fundraisers are:

    • Auction: This event is tons of fun for parents and teachers, and it is also the PTA’s largest fundraiser for the year. There are countless ways to contribute including donating auction items, volunteering your time or purchasing auction items.  Notices for individual ticket and table sales will go out via the PTA E-News. For more information on how to help with the auction you can contact our auction chair at: auction@mdepta.org

    • Community Partners: MDE PTA partners with a variety of businesses who offer rebates to non-profit organizations. When you are shopping or dining out anyway, the PTA can obtain funding from these businesses without extra expense on your part. Click here for a list of these partnerships.