Hello, Bernshausen Families!
Thank you for your support as we continue to partner together to provide our students with an excellent school experience. Please see the information below regarding upcoming events, information, and updates.
Sincerely,
Mr. Menendez
Principal
Bernshausen Elementary School
Parent University provides a valuable opportunity for families and schools to become jointly engaged in education. The program is designed to support and empower families to become leaders and advocates for their student's learning, resulting in greater school and community improvement.
You are invited to join today! Please contact our School Counselor, Mrs. Granick at sgranick1@kleinisd.net for more information.
See flyer: HERE
WHAT IS MENTORING? Adult mentors volunteer to help students from elementary through high school achieve success by spending one-on-one time together each week on shared activities while listening and providing encouragement. The key to mentoring success is the relationship and bond between the mentor and student.
See flyer: HERE
Apply to be a mentor: HERE
The form is designed to assist families with support throughout the school year depending on their needs. Mrs. Granick, school counselor will be the one to contact you for support and guidance.
Click HERE
Do you need to speak with our School Counselor?
Please use the questions in the link below if you are referring for support. Our School Counselor, Mrs. Granick will get in touch with you to further discuss. Thank you!
Link: HERE
Click on the link below for important information from our school librarian, Mrs. Jackson.
Library Times, Lost Books, Open Houres, Reading Together, Damaged Books: HERE
We are proud to announce that Bernshausen has earned it's first ever "A-rating" in the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) 2025 A–F Accountability Ratings.
This recognition reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the partnership we share with our families to ensure every student is prepared for success after graduation. To learn more about Klein ISD’s ratings, please visit our Accountability Website.
Thank you for your continued support of Bernshausen. We look forward to building on this achievement together!
With pride,
Mr. David Menendez
Principal, Bernshausen Elementary
This Week:
Monday, August 25: PTO Board Meeting
Monday-Wednesday: Grades 2-5: PreCheck on their Math Facts
All Week: Oral Reading Fluency, Grade 2
All Week: Character Education Topic: Treatment Agreements
Thursday, August 28: Campus Science Test, 5th Grade
Friday, August 29: Campus Math Test, Grades 2-5
Next Week:
Monday, September 1: No School-Labor Day
Tuesday, September 2: Picture Day!
All Week: Character Education Topic: Accepting Limits and Feedback
All Week: PreK & Kinder Circle Assessments
Wednesday, September 3: MAP Growth Test, Reading, Grades 1-5
Thursday, September 4: MAP Growth Test, Science, Grades 4-5
Friday, September 5: PTO Skating Night! From 5pm-9pm (see more information below)
Other Dates:
Monday, September 15: Lunch Visitors Begin
Friday, September 19: No School for Students
Week of October 13-17: Fall Break
Do you know a student who shines with advanced thinking, creativity, or problem-solving skills? The Gifted/Talented Referral Window is NOW OPEN for Klein ISD students in grades 1–12! Deadline to refer: September 5, 2025 Learn more & submit your referral: kisd.us/gt
Help Us Celebrate Our Amazing Teachers and Staff!
We invite all community members and families to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our amazing teachers and staff.
Please fill out this form to share your appreciation! This form will be open all year long and will be in each edition of our Weekly Family Newsletter.
Your responses will be compiled and shared with our staff, highlighting the dedication and hard work of our staff. Thank you for helping us celebrate those who make a difference every day!
Do you want to support Bernshausen? Please consider partnering with our amazing PTO!
PTO Membership Form: https://forms.gle/DxwSpK8UTh5Dyx556
PTO Community Donor Form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14pKGGmCzyTWfMrKCXaUw0IYRSlbuP1ux/view?usp=sharing
Donate to the PTO: https://www.successfund.com/2qxnm
Students may enter the building: 7:40am
Start Time: 8:00am
Tardy Bell at 8:05 am.
School Ends at 3:25pm
Front office hours: 7:40am-4:00 pm
Thank you for helping keep everyone safe by not dropping off your child before 7:40 a.m., as supervision begins at that time. If you need before-school care, please contact the front office about Campus Kids or visit their website for more information: https://www.campuskidsllc.com/
With the 2025-2026 school year just around the corner, we want to ensure that all of our families are prepared before school starts.
RETURNING STUDENTS: For our returning students and families, welcome back! We cannot wait to see you back on campus! Please make sure to complete the Annual Enrollment Update. This is required for all current students in Klein ISD to ensure each student has a schedule and teachers assigned prior to the first day of school.
Please know that your child will not be assigned a teacher for Meet the Teacher unless you have completed this process. Please make sure to complete the Annual Enrollment Update today.
Children need healthy meals to learn. The Klein Independent School District offers healthy meals every school day to every student. We want to ensure that you receive all the benefits available to your child. Your child may qualify for free or reduced price meals and could potentially lead to greater benefits and resources for our student learning throughout the school year
To see if you qualify for free or reduced price meals, please fill out the online application at https://www.schoolcafe.com/kleinisd
If you received free or reduced price meals last year, be sure to fill out the form again to see if you qualify for benefits.
In alignment with Klein ISD’s Safe and Secure protocols, all visitors must show a valid photo ID at the front door before entering the building.
Please take a moment to review the Entry Procedure sign posted at our main entrance. All visitors are required to:
Ring the doorbell
Identify yourself
State your child’s name
Share the reason for your visit
Present your valid photo ID
🚫 For security reasons, please do not allow others to enter behind you who are not part of your group.
Once inside, please check in at the front office. If you are visiting beyond the front office area, your ID will be scanned through our district’s Raptor system.
🎫 All visitors will be provided a name tag, which must be worn visibly on the front of your shirt at all times while on campus.
All visitors must enter and exit through the main entrance.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our students and staff safe!
Here are the 2025-2026 Klein ISD Curriculum Guides. These user-friendly, grade-level guides outline what your student will be learning in subjects like math, science, social studies, and more, all aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Get started today by visiting our Family Curriculum Guides page on the Klein ISD website, and stay connected to your student’s growth and success!
New State Law for Personal Communication Devices - Students may bring personal communication devices to school, but they must be turned off, out of sight, and stored away in their backpack, pocket, laptop sleeve, or other personal belongings while on school grounds from the first bell to the end of the instructional day, including during class, passing periods, lunch, and recess.
The law requires disciplinary consequences for the use of personal communication devices during the instructional day while on school grounds. Exceptions are provided for students covered under a Section 504 plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that includes personal communication devices as an accommodation. Access will be permitted as outlined in their individual plans.
To help set our students up for success, we will spend the first few weeks of school teaching lunchroom expectations and procedures. This focused time helps students build independence, understand routines, and enjoy a calm, structured lunch experience.
Lunchtime is also a valuable opportunity for students to connect with their peers and begin building the friendships they’ll continue to grow throughout the year.
We will begin welcoming lunch visitors starting the week of September 15, 2025.
Due to the number of students we have in the cafeteria at one time, we are asking families to follow the schedule below for lunch visitors.
Mondays: PreK and 1st Grade
Tuesdays: 2nd Grade
Wednesdays: Kinder and 5th Grade
Thursdays: 4th Grade
Fridays: 3rd Grade
Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to create a positive and successful start to the school year!
🏫 Visitors on Campus All visitors must check in at the front office upon arrival. A valid driver’s license or government-issued photo ID is required to check in and access any area beyond the office. Upon check-in, visitors will receive a name tag, which must be worn visibly at all times while on campus. For everyone’s safety, all guests must use the main entrance to enter and exit the building.
Custody & Legal Guidelines In accordance with district policy, the school is not required to contact the managing conservator when a possessory conservator requests to review records or consult with a teacher.
Custody Documentation:
It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide the school with a certified copy of the most recent court order affecting any individual's rights related to the child. For questions or concerns regarding custody, please contact: 📞 Mr. David Menendez (dmenendez1@kleinisd.net).
🚗 Carpool Procedures: To help keep our carpool line safe and efficient:
Please display your car rider tag clearly on the rearview mirror.
Cell phone use is not permitted while in the carpool line.
During morning drop-off, follow staff directions and allow your child to exit the car when the line stops. This helps keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely.
⏰ Early Dismissals & Transportation Changes (Before 2:30 PM) Early Dismissals:
All early dismissals must be completed before 2:30 PM. If you need to pick up your child early, please call the front desk with your request or email jscroggins1@kleinisd.net or Lhesseltine1@kleinisd.net. Then, come to the front office at the designated time to sign your child out. After 2:30 PM, students will only be released according to their regular dismissal routine to ensure a smooth and safe end-of-day process. This information should not be sent to the teacher, it should be sent to the front office.
Transportation Changes:
Any changes to your child’s normal afternoon transportation plan must be submitted in writing to the front office no later than 2:30 PM. This information should not be sent to the teacher, it should be sent to the front office. This allows sufficient time to notify teachers and staff before dismissal. Please email all transportation changes to jscroggins1@kleinisd.net or Lhesseltine1@kleinisd.net.
Medication at School: All medication—both prescription and over-the-counter—must be delivered to the clinic by a parent or guardian.
Prescription medications must be in the original container with the pharmacy label clearly showing the student’s name and dosage instructions.
Over-the-counter medications must include dosage instructions based on your child’s age or weight and can only be administered for up to two weeks without a doctor’s note.
Unused medication cannot be sent home with students. If you cannot pick up the medication personally, please arrange with the school nurse for another authorized adult to do so.
Please note: Vitamins, health supplements, and herbal remedies are not permitted to be administered at school.
If you have questions, please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Bawany at Lbawany1@kleinisd.net.
Klein ISD uses the SMART tag ID card system to increase student safety, streamline management of students riding on school buses, and allow access to campus services via easy scans.
The district purchased the first lanyard, card and plastic cover for every student. Parents will be required to pay for replacement cards, plastic protective covers, or lanyards if they are broken, lost, or stolen. Every student is required to have a Smart Tag. Parents will be contacted by our front office staff when a replacement is needed. Parents will need to pay for the replacement via School Cash Online. A link will be emailed to you. Once payment has been received the front office will provide the replacement.
Replacement fees:
Smart Tag = $5.00
-lanyard = $2.00
-plastic protective cover = $1.00
Click HERE for the smart tag parent app.
🚙 Car Riders
Official school car rider number tags must be displayed in the front windshield.
Please keep your car rider number tag displayed until your child gets in your car. After your child enters your car, please remove your carpool card from the windshield. This is our signal that your child is loaded.
Please be patient in the car line. Remember that safety is always a priority at Bernshausen. Be mindful that students are still moving until we give the go ahead to move cars forward.
Please refrain from using your cell phone in a School Zone, including waiting in the car rider line. There are Texas State Laws which prohibit the use of cell phones while in a school zone.
After the first two weeks, all car riders will be brought into the front office at 3:40. All parents will be required to come in to the front office after 3:40 to get their student.
🚌 Bus Riders
Students will receive a bus SMART Tag which must be attached to his/her backpack the entire year. Please do not remove this card.
Student must remain seated at all times.
Students must keep hands, feet and objects to themselves.
Refer to the Klein ISD Student Handbook for a more detailed list.
☔ Parents, please plan ahead with your child for rainy days. Consider packing a raincoat or umbrella for them to use. If you do not want your child to be a walker/biker on rainy days, please notify the front office of a change of dismissal before 2:30 PM.
All changes to a student’s regular means of dismissal must be received in the front office by 2:30 PM.
Reporting Student Absences
All student absences require a written excuse from a parent or guardian to be submitted via Skyward within 5 days of the student’s return to school.
How to Submit an Excuse Note:
Klein ISD's process for reporting absences is by entering the information in Skyward Family Access.
For additional details, please refer to the Attendance Policy section of the Klein ISD Student Handbook.
Please see the suggestions below that can help your student have the social and independent skills to be successful at school. These skills can have a direct impact on their academic success.
HERE are also some tips that can help with separation anxiety. Thank you for your efforts!
Help them learn to say their full name when someone asks them (not their nickname).
Read books every night. Their world will be enlarged, they will develop new vocabulary, and they will benefit from quality time.
Help them learn to ask for help.
Help them understand the concept of being told "no".
Help them learn how to compete a task and work all the way through until they complete it.
Help them learn to sit and wait without having to be entertained. Can they sit and wait without having to be handed a device?
Help them learn how to wait patiently. Maybe they are waiting in line while friends go to the bathroom, or maybe someone is needing to talk to their teacher. Waiting can be a hard thing for children.
Eat dinner together, with the tv off.
Help them learn to share.
Help them sharpen taking care of their basic needs by themselves - using the bathroom, washing their hands, blowing their nose.
Teach them nursery rhymes. There is so much research behind this and how it supports brain development.
Help them understand it is ok to make mistakes.
Help them practice putting things in and taking things out of their backpack. Their teacher will thank you!
Help them learn to follow two step directions. For example, “Take off your shoes and hang up your jacket.”
They will learn about table manners, how to stay in their seat an entire meal, develop vocabulary through conversation, and benefit from quality time.
Thank you for helping us maintain accurate attendance records and ensure a smooth process for all families.