We now have a monstrously fun place to celebrate our students, collaborate with our team, and communicate with families! This school year, we communicated via ClassDojo and received recognition and praise for our robust parent communication.
Kindergarteners at Menchaca Early Childhood Learning Center are learning how to save lives — with teddy bears.
The campus nurse said students who attend the South Side center live far from hospitals, and the lesson could keep kids calm in an emergency.
All 300 kindergarteners were singing the baby shark song while practicing CPR movements on a teddy bear, turning a serious conversation into an age appropriate one.
Although a 5 year old may not be able to effectively save someone’s life, Southside ISD nurse Heather Siebert said the lesson could keep a child calm.
“They’re less likely to panic, They’re less likely to start crying. They’re less likely to be scared when EMS does show up,” Siebert said.
The closest hospital or emergency room to the school is at least 15 to 30 minutes away.
Siebert said every minute matters, and any child, no matter age can make that difference in an emergency.
“Any sort of way to help themselves can be the difference between life and death. So, it is really important in this area where our resources are so far, few and far between,” Siebert said.
Students received a teddy bear, a workbook and a first-aid kit, thanks to a Southside Education Foundation grant. The district is looking for future funding to hold the CPR class next school year.
As published on KSAT 12 News https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/05/19/teddy-bears-help-kindergartners-learn-cpr/
Rebel Rodriguez
Rebel is our newest addition and is doing great in the classroom. She picked up our class rules and routines quickly and even helps remind the other students. She helps those who need assistance, like opening up their breakfast or at clean-up time. Way to go, Rebel!
Edna Lopez Vasquez
Ms. Edna Lopez Vasquez joined the MECC family this year and we are happy to have her. She eagerly volunteers to work for the early drop off at 6:30am welcoming students into the cafeteria and assisting them to their hallways at 6:50. Additionally, she co-sponsored the LEGO club with Mrs. Trinidad to offer kindergarteners the opportunity to explore, learn, create, and construct. She pushed their thinking and developed their curiosity. Ms. Lopez Vasquez is a great addition to our campus!
Longer days and warmer weather give us the chance to get outside and focus on creative ways to bond with loved ones and selflessly serve others. Menchaca Staff, students, family members, and other volunteers helped put together raised garden beds, cleaned and painted tires, moved soil, and planted bare root plants, seeds, and bulbs. We’re so grateful to Nurse Heather Siebert for spearheading this outdoor learning environment update and gardening opportunity for students. Help was provided by Nurse Stephanie Guerra, Receptionist Meranda Zapata and her daughter MECC student Arya, Receptionist Rebecca Llamas, Principal’s Secretary Veronica Davalos, Pre-K teacher Adrienne Ortiz, student Jonah Huerta and his mom. Dual Language teacher, Mrs. Vanessa Guerra-Ledesma and her husband spent the day carefully sanding and then painting the wooden spools to become tables.
