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Welcome back! We hope you and your family enjoyed a restful and joyful break filled with time together. We are️ excited to begin the second semester and are looking forward to all the learning, growth, and fun that lies ahead.

This semester is already off to an exciting start! We are thrilled to share that our school was awarded a grant that will soon bring an outdoor classroom to our campus. This space will allow students to learn in new and engaging ways while connecting with nature. We can’t wait to see our students collaborating, creating, and exploring in this incredible environment.

At Northampton, we continue to focus on meaningful learning experiences that encourage curiosity, hands-on exploration, and critical thinking. From interactive lessons to creative problem-solving opportunities, our goal is to help students grow academically while fostering a love for learning.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We are excited for the many upcoming activities and experiences planned for this semester and look forward to another great half of the school year together!

With Colt Pride,
Lisa Mackey
Principal, Northampton Elementary

Klein ISD

December 5, 2025

KLEIN, TEXAS – Northampton Elementary has been awarded a $23,556 Lead the Spark Grant from the Klein ISD Education Foundation (KEF) for “The Learning Grove: Where Nature Meets Innovation,” an outdoor classroom initiative that blends nature, wellness, and STEAM-focused learning in a dynamic, flexible environment.

In a surprise visit from the KEF Celebration Express, Northampton Elementary was honored with the grant alongside Foundation directors, community members, and Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown.

Led by grant writer Lisa Mackey and sponsored by Campus Kids LLC, The Learning Grove builds on the strong support of the school’s Parent Faculty Organization (PFO), which has already committed to fundraising for the initial foundation and sunshade. This grant will expand the outdoor classroom area with an additional sunshade, a hammock garden, and interactive stations that integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

The project addresses two key needs on campus: students require more opportunities for movement and holistic learning, and teachers need flexible spaces that engage multiple learning styles. The Learning Grove is designed to support whole-child development by helping students connect classroom knowledge to real-world experiences while nurturing creativity, collaboration, and wellness.

Instruction in the space will be guided by Northampton’s STEAM coalition, which has developed hands-on project ideas such as designing eco-friendly structures using recycled materials, building bridges, and creating art from natural elements. Working in teams, students will learn responsibility, communication, and respect for different perspectives as they plan, create, and reflect on their projects.

The Learning Grove will also serve as a powerful tool for community-building. Families, teachers, and local partners—including the PFO and area businesses and organizations—will be invited to participate by serving as guest speakers and providing support. At the end of the year, the school will host a showcase of student projects in the outdoor classroom, highlighting outcomes and celebrating student learning with the broader community.

“The Learning Grove is a powerful example of how innovative ideas can transform student learning,” Klein Education Foundation President Bill Lakin said. “By creating a space where outdoor exploration, wellness, and STEAM learning come together, this project gives students the freedom to think creatively, collaborate meaningfully, and connect their learning to the world around them. We’re proud to support Northampton Elementary as they cultivate experiences that truly nurture the whole child.”

By transforming an outdoor space into an innovative, student-centered learning environment, The Learning Grove will help Northampton students grow as curious, confident, and creative problem solvers, reflecting Klein ISD’s commitment to providing meaningful, future-ready learning experiences for every child.

This fall, the KEF Celebration Express distributed grants totaling $62,057, enriching educational experiences for our learners. These grants encompass a range of innovative and engaging projects, from VR labs to STEM builders. The Fall 2025 grant recipients are innovative and serve as a source of inspiration.

We sincerely thank all our sponsors for making these initiatives possible, enhancing the educational experience, and fostering the growth of Klein ISD students. The Klein ISD Education Foundation accepts grant applications biannually and supports creative projects that enrich student learning and drive academic success.

• Jan 14-16: MAP Testing

• Jan 19: No School

• Jan 26-30: Great Kindness Challenge 

• Feb 4: 100th Day of School (Dress like you are 100 years old)

• Feb 4: Open House 5:30-7:00 (STEAM activities for the family)

• Feb 5:  101st Day of School (Dress like a dalmation)

• Feb 6: Valentine’s Class Party (no parents)

• Feb 6: Colt Shuffle Dance 5:30-7:00 (This is a Destination Imagination Fundraiser)

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. TEACHERS ARE LOVING THIS!

Please fill out the form to share your appreciation. This form will be open all year long and will be in each edition of our Northampton Chronicle.

Your responses will be compiled and shared with the entire school community, highlighting the dedication and hard work of our staff. Thank you for helping us celebrate those who make a difference every day!

MAP testing will take place over the next two weeks, and all students will be participating. MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is a computer-based assessment that helps us understand student growth in reading and math and guides instruction moving forward. The goal is to see how students are progressing, not to cause stress. Thank you for your support as we work through our MAP testing window!

TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) is an annual assessment given only to students whose native language is not English to measure their progress in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English.

Teachers can support students by continuing strong language instruction and encouraging students to explain their thinking, use academic vocabulary, and practice all four language domains daily.

Testing dates and additional details will be shared soon. Thank you for supporting our English learners!

Join us at Northampton for a fun, family-friendly Open House and STEAM Night on Wednesday, February 4th, 5:30–7:00 PM! Come explore hands-on STEAM activities, meet teachers, and see the exciting projects your children have been working on — it’s a relaxed evening of discovery and community connection. Bring your curiosity and enjoy a night of learning, play, and opportunities to ask questions about the year ahead. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Get ready for a student card exchange on ❤️ February 6th ❤️

💌 Students:
Please bring your Valentine cards by February 5th.

🍪 Cookies will be served! 🍪

✨ Important Note:
This celebration is for students only.
Parents will not be attending the event.

We can’t wait to celebrate friendship and fun with our Colts! 💕🐴

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Get ready to dance the night away at Northampton’s kid‑friendly Colt Shuffle Dance on Friday, February 6th from 5:30–7:00 PM in the NH cafeteria! For just $5 (cash or check only) bring your student to enjoy a lively DJ, lots of dancing, a raffle, and family‑friendly fun hosted by the NH DI teams — adults must accompany their student. Put on your dancing shoes and join us for an evening full of music, smiles, and memories!

Help us celebrate the COLTS milestone! On February 4th we’re marking the 100th day of school — students are encouraged to dress like they’re 100 years old or wear 100 things. Then on February 5th (the 101st day) everyone can join the fun by dressing like a Dalmatian. Cute, silly, and perfect for photos — don’t miss these spirited days!

Northampton is celebrating the Great Kindness Challenge — a whole week of spirit and service! Each day has a theme.  Help reinforce kindness at home by encouraging your child to complete the weekly challenge: do something nice for a teacher (a flower, kind note, or favorite candy). It’s a colorful, kid‑friendly way to build community — thanks for helping make kindness contagious!

We’re excited to celebrate STEAM at Northampton with special yard signs. Students will earn these to showcase the values of STEAM and our school core values. Each sign highlights steps of the engineering design process — Ask, Research & Imagine, Plan, Create, Test & Improve, Share & Reflect — alongside bilingual reminders of creativity, collaboration, goal‑setting, and gratitude. When students demonstrate these habits (setting goals, asking great questions, researching, planning, creating, testing, and reflecting), they’ll earn a sign to proudly display at home — a visible celebration of learning, growth, and empowering education. Look for these bright signs around town and join us in cheering on our young engineers, artists, and problem‑solvers!

We’re thrilled to announce the finalized design for the Northampton Outdoor Classroom — a vibrant, hands‑on learning space built for play, exploration, and STEAM learning. The shaded central gathering area features colorful floor cushions and three cozy benches set around a sand‑pit style learning circle where teachers can lead lessons or students can collaborate on projects. Surrounding the hub are raised galvanized garden beds for hands‑on science and gardening, plus a dedicated Hammock Garden with bright hammocks for calm reading and reflection. The space is rich with outdoor instruments — Aria (large xylophone‑style), Calypso (dome instrument), Butterfly chimes, and Tuned Drums — to spark music, creativity, and sensory play. Altogether this thoughtful design blends nature, music, gardening, and flexible seating to support collaboration, creativity, and our core STEAM values. We can’t wait for students to learn, create, and grow in this inspiring new space!

Supporting learning at home is a great way to build confidence and reinforce the skills students are practicing in the classroom. We have several wonderful resources available for families to explore together. Whether your child wants to sharpen reading skills, practice math, or dive into new topics, these tools make learning engaging and fun. Check out these sites to help your student grow, review, and stay curious—every little bit of practice makes a big difference!

Hello Northampton Families,

My name is Mrs. Darlene Thomas, and I am currently serving as the temporary school counselor at Northampton.

I am excited to be here and look forward to supporting your children’s academic success as well as their social and emotional growth. Partnering with families is important to me, and I am always happy to help in any way I can.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. You may contact me at dthomas11@kleinisd.net, or you can call the school and ask for me.

I look forward to working with you and supporting our Colts!

All the best,
Mrs. Darlene Thomas
School Counselor

At Northampton, the safety of our Colts always comes first!

Please remember that all visitors must show a photo ID at the door every time you come to campus—even if we already know you. Additionally, for everyone’s safety, please do not allow anyone else to enter with you. Each visitor must check in at the door and show their own ID before entering. These important steps help us keep every student safe and ensure we are following district safety procedures.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us maintain a secure learning environment for our students!

I'm a new Attendance matters because every day in school is an opportunity to learn, grow, and build connections. When students are present, they gain essential skills, keep up with lessons, and stay on track academically. Consistent attendance also helps students develop responsibility, routines, and a sense of community with classmates and teachers. Even a few missed days can make it harder to keep up, so being at school every day ensures students don’t miss out on learning, friendships, and all the experiences that make school meaningful. If you are unable to make it to school, please see the directions for uploading your absence into Skyward so it is properly recorded.block.

Our Northampton Yearbook is the perfect way to capture all the memories, friendships, and amazing moments from this school year. From classroom fun to special events and everything in between, it’s a keepsake your Colt will treasure for years to come. Be sure to order early and get your copy!

Want to stay in the know? 📣 Follow Northampton Elementary on Facebook to see the latest updates, event reminders, pictures of our Colts in action, and celebrations of all the amazing things happening on our campus. It’s the easiest way to stay connected to our school community—don’t miss out on the fun! 💙🐴