McNeill Families,
We are officially headed into Week 2, and what a wonderful first week it was! Our hallways and classrooms were filled with smiles, excitement, new friendships, and lots of learning as our Merlins settled into their routines.
Thank you to our families for your patience, encouragement, and partnership as we kicked off a new school year. The first few days are always busy as we establish routines, practice procedures, and help our students feel comfortable and confident in their classrooms. We are so proud of how well our Merlins have adjusted!
As we begin our second week, we are ready to continue building on that strong start. Our teachers are diving deeper into instruction, strengthening classroom communities, and creating those small, intentional moments that make McNeill Magic happen every day.
Please continue helping us by getting students to school on time and ready to learn each day. Every minute matters, and strong attendance and punctuality help set our students up for success.
Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being such an important part of our McNeill community. We’re looking forward to another great week of learning, growing, and making magic together!
💙💛 Every Child. Every Day. Every Way.
With joy,
Mrs. Fields
Principal, McNeill Elementary
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As we prepare for next week, please review these important reminders:
⏰ Tardies Begin Monday, August 17
School begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. Beginning Monday, students arriving after 7:45 will be marked tardy.
🚗 Morning Car Line Closes at 7:45 a.m.
Our car rider line and car rider doors will close promptly at 7:45 a.m. Once staff members have left their morning duty stations and the doors are closed, please do not leave your child at the car rider entrance. Parents must drive to the front office and walk their student inside.
🅿️ Front Parking Lot
After 7:15 a.m., the front parking lot entrance is reserved for McNeill staff and families of students in our specialized classrooms. All other families should use the designated morning car rider line.
🍎 Breakfast
All McNeill students receive free breakfast and lunch. If your child is eating breakfast at school, please arrive early enough for them to eat and be ready for instruction by 7:45.
🚗 Dismissal
Please continue to keep your car rider tag handy. All car riders must be picked up by 3:30pm.Walkers have to two drop off points on Lakemont Bend for your convenience.
Thank you for helping us keep arrival and dismissal safe, efficient, and smooth for all of our Merlins. We appreciate your partnership as we continue building strong routines!
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All McNeill families are assigned a Car Rider Number, regardless of how your child normally gets home. Please stop by the McNeill Front Office to pick up your family’s car rider tag.
🌧️ Rainy Day Reminder: On rainy days, walkers will automatically become car riders, so every family needs to have their car rider tag handy. Having your tag ready helps us identify students quickly and keeps dismissal safe, fast, and smooth for everyone.
😊Even if you don’t normally use the car rider line, please pick up your tag—you never know when you might need it.
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Just a friendly reminder that school begins promptly at 7:45 AM. Students must be in their classrooms by this time to be considered on time. Any student arriving after 7:45 AM is marked tardy and must be walked in by an adult and signed in at the front office.
🚪 Once our doors close and staff are no longer present at drop-off zones, students may not be dropped off at the front or back of the school. It is also not permissible to park in our rear parking lot and walk students in. This is a serious safety concern, and we appreciate your cooperation in keeping all students safe.
Thank you for helping us start each day smoothly and safely!
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If your student is in need of glasses, please sign up for the See to Succeed Program with Nurse Mager. |
Merlin Families,
Please see the information below regarding GT Referrals and GT Transfers. If you have questions about our Gifted and Talented Program, please contact our GT Facilitator, Saundra Pletka at SPletka@lcisd.org
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Field trips are some of the most exciting days of the school year, and having our Merlins in matching shirts helps our staff quickly and easily identify McNeill students while away from campus.
Field Trip Shirt Sale: NOW–August 31
👕 We strongly encourage every student to purchase a Field Trip Shirt to wear on field trip days!
👕Teachers: Get your shirt too!
🏫 During checkout, families will select their child’s homeroom teacher so shirts can be delivered directly to the correct classroom.
📅 August 31 is the FINAL day to order. There will not be an additional sales window.
📦 Shirts are expected to be delivered by September 24.
Order early so your Merlin is ready for this year’s field trip adventures! 💙✨
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Join us for a reading adventure from September 1–11 featuring the newest books, bestselling series, and kid-favorite characters. Plus, every purchase helps earn funds for our school! We can’t wait to have you join us for the Best. Fair. Ever!
Our Book Fair will be cashless, so setting up a convenient E-Wallet is a great way for your child to shop easily and securely without needing to bring cash. Click the link below to learn more about our Book Fair and sign up for an E-Wallet.
Interested in volunteering? Volunteers are also needed to help make our Book Fair a success! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our librarian, Mrs. Gilmore. We would love your help!
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At McNeill, strong partnerships with our families are an important part of the McNeill Magic! We value open communication and want every family to know who to contact when questions, concerns, or needs arise.
For questions about your child’s academic progress, classroom experience, or other classroom-related concerns, please begin by reaching out to your child’s teacher. Our teachers work closely with students each day and are often best positioned to provide information, answer questions, and offer support.
If additional assistance is needed, our assistant principals are available to partner with families on academic and campus-related concerns.
Assistant Principals:
Lydia Trevino- Lydia.Trevino@lcisd.org
Anna Huizar- Anna.Huizar@lcisd.org
For social-emotional support, Section 504 questions, requests for evaluation, or connections to community resources, our school counselors are an excellent first point of contact. Supporting the whole child is a priority at McNeill, and our team is committed to ensuring each situation is approached with care and understanding.
Counselors:
Dr. Arielle James- Arielle.James@lcisd.org
Biana Bell- Bianca.Bell@lcisd.org
No matter the concern, please know that the McNeill team is here to support you and your child.
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Our front office team is here to support you! Please feel free to reach out for assistance with attendance, transportation changes, or general campus questions.
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Attendance & Transportation Changes: Melissa DeBose- Melissa.Debose@lcisd.org
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Campus Administrative Assistant: Apresha Brantley-Apresha.Brantley@lcisd.org
You may also call the front office at 832-223-2800 for immediate assistance. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and informed!
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Parents,
It's time to log into Skyward and complete your beginning of the year forms. Please help us reach our campus goal of 100% completion.
If you need assistance contact Apresha Brantley at 832-223-2803 or Apresha.Brantley@lcisd.org
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All Lamar CISD parents and guardians must complete the required Student Transportation Form. This form confirms each student’s main mode of transportation and allows families to officially request bus transportation for the 2026–2027 school year. The form is available on Skyward for parents and guardians.
Important deadlines for 2026-2027:
- Submit the form no later than August 2, for students to ride the bus for the first day of school.
- If a form is not submitted by August 2, students WILL NOT receive bus transportation until August 24.
- For all forms submitted between August 3-21, bus transportation will begin on August 24.
- Contact the student's campus to request any change in transportation choice after August 21. Please note that any changes made after August 21 may take up to five business days to go into effect.
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- Go to the Versatrans My Stop E-Link website:
- Enter your Username: Student ID number.
- Enter your Password: Student date of birth (MMDDYYYY).
- Click on “Students.”
- Select “View My Students.”
- Click on the student’s name to view bus route details.
- You will be able to see:
- Route number
- Bus stop location(s)
- Estimated arrival and drop-off times
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The Versatrans MyStop app is a mobile app that allows parents and guardians to track the real-time location of their child's school bus and provide an estimated arrival time at their assigned bus stop.
The MyStop app also sends mobile notifications to parents when the student scans on and off the bus.
The Versatrans MyStop app is available for in the Google Play store for Android devices and the App Store for Apple devices. Every student will have a unique username and password to log in.
Follow the instructions below:
- Download the Versatrans MyStop App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- Open the app and select:
- Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, TX
- Enter your Username: Student ID number.
- Enter your Password: Student date of birth (MMDDYYYY).
- Select “Students” to view bus route information when it is active.
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To ensure the safety of all students during inclement weather, McNeill Elementary will follow the procedures below on rainy day dismissal days.
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We know many families look forward to joining their child for lunch, and we're excited to welcome you back soon!
To help our students and teachers establish classroom routines, build relationships, and ensure a smooth start to the school year, our campus will be closed to lunch visitors during the first few weeks of school.
Lunch visitors may begin on Monday, August 31.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we give our Merlins the opportunity to settle into their new classrooms and routines. We look forward to seeing you on campus beginning August 31!
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Please see below some important guidelines to assist you in a great start to the year.
🚗Car Riders
Drop off and pick up in the back of the school. Families have a McNeill tag with a NUMBER. Tags can be picked up at Meet the Teacher
🚌 Buses
Please ensure you have filled out a transportation form by August 2nd. Buses are dismissed at the front of the school. Please do not block the driveway.
🏷️ SMART Tags – A Must-Have!
- All students, especially bus riders, must wear their SMART tag every day.
- Please purchase a high-quality lanyard for your child.
🥪 Lunch Info
- Lunch times vary by grade—check with your child’s teacher or our website.
- View the lunch menu online via the district’s food services page. Meal prices and payment options are also listed there.
- We do not serve pork in our cafeteria.
- Guest lunch visits are welcome with the following provisions: (Please sit at the designated guest table. No guests during the first 2 weeks of school and during testing.)
📚 School Supplies
- Label with student's name
- Can be dropped off at Meet the Teacher
💧 Daily Water Bottle
- Please send a refillable water bottle with your child every day. Hydration is key!
✨ Recess Times
- Recess is scheduled daily. Times vary by grade level and will be shared by your child’s teacher.
👕 PK Parents: Extra Clothes, Please!
- Even if your child is fully potty trained, please send an extra change of clothes.
🍎 Snacks
- PK students have afternoon snack time—please send a snack starting on the first day of school. Grades K-5, please check with your child's teacher regarding snacks.
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No peanut butter items, please! All classrooms are peanut-free to prioritize student safety.
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We’re excited to welcome our Merlins back to school! Please take note of our morning arrival procedures to ensure a smooth and on-time start for every student:
- School begins promptly at 7:45 AM.
- Students are considered tardy if they arrive after 7:45 AM.
- If your child arrives after 7:45 AM, a parent or guardian must walk them into the front office to sign them in.
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Doors open at 7:15 AM, and we encourage families to arrive early to allow time for breakfast, settling in, and preparing for the day.
Thank you for helping us start each day strong and on time—ready to learn and soar!
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As we prepare for the first day of school, we want to ensure that everyone knows exactly where students will arrive and dismiss each day. Please see the map showing designated areas for bus riders and car riders, so you’ll know exactly where to go to ensure a smooth and safe start and end to the day.
*Please note there is no parking directly in front of McNeill Elementary*
All families will be assigned a unique number that will be displayed on a McNeill Elementary hanging car tag. This system will help us:
- Keep our Merlins safe by ensuring students only leave with an authorized adult
- Make dismissal faster and more efficient for everyone
Families can pick up their car rider tags during Meet the Teacher, or pick up in the front office before August 11th.
Thank you for helping us keep our arrival and dismissal routines safe, smooth, and successful!
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🌟 At McNeill, We SOAR! 🌟
At McNeill Elementary, we believe every Merlin has the power to make our campus a safe, respectful, and positive place to learn. Our SOAR expectations guide how we treat others, take responsibility, and make choices each day.
S – Stay Safe
O – Own Your Actions
A – Act Responsibly
R – Respect Everyone
We encourage families to review these expectations with their child and use the same language at home. When school and home work together, we help every Merlin grow into a confident, responsible, and kind learner.
✨ Together, let's help every Merlin SOAR—every child, every day, every way!
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All McNeill students will follow the LCISD student dress code. More information can be found in the LCISD Elementary Student Handbook. (pg. 35-37) |
Please note Texas law that went into effect at the start of the 2025–2026 school year and directly impacts student use of personal communication devices during the instructional day.
During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, House Bill 1481 was passed into law. This bill prohibits students from using personal communication devices during the instructional school day and while on school property.
Read more:
Questions? Email us at Info@LCISD.org.
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As we kick off our year at McNeill Elementary, we want to make sure our Merlin families stay connected every step of the way! This year, ParentSquare will be our primary tool for school-to-home communication.
LCISD is moving toward using one central communication hub for all schools, departments, and activities - and that's ParentSquare! Whether it's announcements, newsletters, reminders, or quick updates, ParentSquare is where it will all happen.
We strongly encourage all McNeill parents and guardians to download the free ParentSquare app to receive timely updates from our school, teachers, and district. It's the best way to stay in the loop about everything happening on campus and around the district.
Let's stay connected and make this a great year!
Click below to access ParentSquare!
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Let's keep our Merlin community close! Like and comment on the McNeill Elementary Facebook page to stay updated on important news, cheer on our students, and recognize our dedicated staff. Together, we make McNeill a great place to learn and grow!
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8/9- Chalk the Walk (5pm-6pm)
8/11- FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
8/12- 4th Grade Water Safety Presentation(Specials)
8/ 17- 4th Grade Swim Begins
8/21- 4th Grade Swim Ends
8/24- 3-5 MAP Testing (Reading)
8/25- 3-5 MAP Testing (Math)
8/28- House Slide In Day!
8/31- 1-2 MAP Testing (Reading)
8/31- Lunch Visitors Begin
9/1- 1-2 MAP Testing (Math)
9/1- ISD 3rd Grade
9/2- ISD 4th Grade
9/3- OPEN HOUSE 5-7pm
9/3- Book Fair Begins
9/3- ISD- 5th Grade
9/7- Labor Day Holiday
9/8- Fall Picture Day
9/9- 5th Grade Science Screener
9/9- ISD PK/Kinder
9/10- PR1 Grades Due
9/10- ISD 1st grade
9/11- Book Fair Ends
9/11- Grandparents Day Celebration
9/14- New Coming Parade at Tomas HS 6pm
9/15-10/15- Hispanic Heritage Month
9/15- ISD 3rd Grade
9/16- ISD 4th Grade
9/17- ISD 5th Grade
9/18- PR1 Grades Go Out
9/23- ISD PK/Kinder
9/24- Go Texan Day(Western Gear)/Early Release
9/25 House Celebration 7:45am
9/25- Fort Bend County Fair Day (No School)
9/29- ISD 1st Grade
9/30- ISD 2nd Grade
10/1- Winning House Party 8:00 am
10/2- ROCK YOUR SCHOOL
10/2- Custodian Appreciation Day
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If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
- 832-223-2800
- cfields02@lcisd.org
- https://mcneill.lcisd.org/
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