The Melissa Cardinals are gearing up for an exciting night as they host their final regular-season home game against Frisco Liberty tonight at Coach Kenny Deel Stadium, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. Check out all of our special events happening tonight below! Let’s come together as a community, show our Cardinal pride, and make this final regular season game one for the books! Go Cards! 📣
🧸 MHS HOSA Toy Drive: The MHS HOSA program will be accepting new toy donations at the stadium entrance to bring holiday joy to children in need. Details on the toy drive can be found here: http://www.melissaisd.org/article/3225104.
🥫 Fill the Bus Food Drive: Community members are encouraged to bring unexpired, nonperishable food donations to support our local food pantries and show team spirit. More information on the Fill the Bus, visit: www.melissaisd.org/article/3205677.
🎓 Fine Arts Senior Night: A special Senior Night ceremony for the Fine Arts programs, including band, color guard, choir, and drill team, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information on Senior Night, visit: http://www.melissaisd.org/article/3236493.
🎥 If you can’t make it out to the game, be sure to tune in at www.melissaisd.org/livestream.
🧸 MHS HOSA Toy Drive: The MHS HOSA program will be accepting new toy donations at the stadium entrance to bring holiday joy to children in need. Details on the toy drive can be found here: http://www.melissaisd.org/article/3225104.
🥫 Fill the Bus Food Drive: Community members are encouraged to bring unexpired, nonperishable food donations to support our local food pantries and show team spirit. More information on the Fill the Bus, visit: www.melissaisd.org/article/3205677.
🎓 Fine Arts Senior Night: A special Senior Night ceremony for the Fine Arts programs, including band, color guard, choir, and drill team, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information on Senior Night, visit: http://www.melissaisd.org/article/3236493.
🎥 If you can’t make it out to the game, be sure to tune in at www.melissaisd.org/livestream.
🎉 Your Lady Cardinals are BI-DISTRICT CHAMPIONS and are headed to the AREA ROUND!🏐 Melissa takes on Highland Park on Tuesday, November 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Rockwall High School 9th Grade Campus. Pack the stands, bring the energy, and let's cheer on our Cards! Tickets and more information are available at www.melissaisd.org/tickets. If you can't make it to the game, watch the playoff livestream on NFHS with a subscription: www.melissaisd.org/livestream.
Melissa ISD CTE is seeking parents and guardians interested in supporting CTE programs through volunteering, community involvement, and other opportunities. If you would like to get involved, please complete the CTE Parent & Family Involvement Interest Form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfHNmFy4K5OjISTqh9Ufem1tmeV9mGNKB5UJ9HfaoMWzo7bw/viewform.
CTE Marketing Team Project Survey: The Melissa High School CTE Marketing team is gathering community feedback about experiences with Melissa ISD as part of a district marketing campaign project. Responses are anonymous and will be reviewed only by a small group of CTE students working on the project. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCzlmd457-CC1FTV2oLQdxRh70sDIs9QryMDjDrXiJkEiOaA/viewform?usp=dialog.
CTE Marketing Team Project Survey: The Melissa High School CTE Marketing team is gathering community feedback about experiences with Melissa ISD as part of a district marketing campaign project. Responses are anonymous and will be reviewed only by a small group of CTE students working on the project. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCzlmd457-CC1FTV2oLQdxRh70sDIs9QryMDjDrXiJkEiOaA/viewform?usp=dialog.
Melissa ISD was honored to welcome Penny, a Children’s Health 2026 Patient Ambassador, and her family to last Friday night’s Cardinals varsity football game. Penny’s story is one of courage and resilience, and her inspiring outlook on life is a reminder to all Cardinals of the strength that can be found even in life’s most difficult moments.
Born with only half a functional heart, Penny has faced significant medical challenges at just 9 years old, including multiple heart surgeries and life-threatening heart failure that ultimately led to a heart transplant. Through it all, her joyful spirit, determination, and love for life have continued to shine. With a passion for singing and art, Penny dreams of becoming a country singer or artist. During her time at Children’s Health, she even recorded her first album with the help of music therapists! Today, with her new heart, Penny is embracing life to the fullest and hopes her journey will inspire other children facing medical challenges.
Penny joined us for the game alongside her family and Dr. Alvin Chi, a sports medicine physician at the Children’s Health Andrews Institute.
We are grateful for Children’s Health and the dedicated providers who care for children like Penny and support students across Melissa ISD and surrounding districts. Thank you to Penny, her family, Dr. Chi, and the entire Children’s Health team for sharing this special evening with our Cardinal community! 🌟
Born with only half a functional heart, Penny has faced significant medical challenges at just 9 years old, including multiple heart surgeries and life-threatening heart failure that ultimately led to a heart transplant. Through it all, her joyful spirit, determination, and love for life have continued to shine. With a passion for singing and art, Penny dreams of becoming a country singer or artist. During her time at Children’s Health, she even recorded her first album with the help of music therapists! Today, with her new heart, Penny is embracing life to the fullest and hopes her journey will inspire other children facing medical challenges.
Penny joined us for the game alongside her family and Dr. Alvin Chi, a sports medicine physician at the Children’s Health Andrews Institute.
We are grateful for Children’s Health and the dedicated providers who care for children like Penny and support students across Melissa ISD and surrounding districts. Thank you to Penny, her family, Dr. Chi, and the entire Children’s Health team for sharing this special evening with our Cardinal community! 🌟
Middle School Baseball Players! Melissa Baseball is calling on You!
Building a strong program starts long before athletes put on a varsity jersey. It begins with relationships, encouragement, and making sure every young Cardinal knows they matter. Our middle school baseball athletes are an important part of the Melissa Baseball family TODAY, and we want them to feel connected to the program they’ll help carry forward.
Join us for Middle School Baseball Skills Night on Monday, October 26, from 6:00–7:15 PM! This night will kick off our 3rd Annual Fall World Series Week and will be a great opportunity for our future baseball athletes.
Middle school baseball players will have the opportunity to learn, compete, and build relationships alongside our varsity baseball players. Come connect with your baseball family, sharpen your skills, show your Cardinal pride, and be part of what we’re building together.
Please sign up using the link to the form so we know how many athletes plan to attend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDUiUriN8YuFBq8urAeXFs0-7aGm0Rp2ib7SMyRPPGgT_Big/viewform?pli=1
Look forward to seeing you there!
Building a strong program starts long before athletes put on a varsity jersey. It begins with relationships, encouragement, and making sure every young Cardinal knows they matter. Our middle school baseball athletes are an important part of the Melissa Baseball family TODAY, and we want them to feel connected to the program they’ll help carry forward.
Join us for Middle School Baseball Skills Night on Monday, October 26, from 6:00–7:15 PM! This night will kick off our 3rd Annual Fall World Series Week and will be a great opportunity for our future baseball athletes.
Middle school baseball players will have the opportunity to learn, compete, and build relationships alongside our varsity baseball players. Come connect with your baseball family, sharpen your skills, show your Cardinal pride, and be part of what we’re building together.
Please sign up using the link to the form so we know how many athletes plan to attend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDUiUriN8YuFBq8urAeXFs0-7aGm0Rp2ib7SMyRPPGgT_Big/viewform?pli=1
Look forward to seeing you there!
Melissa ISD Parents/Guardians: All Melissa ISD students, in accordance with state legislation, are required to have parental consent on file with the school to participate in prevention education (Grades PreK-12) during the 2026-2027 school year. The notice linked below includes detailed information about the state requirement and a link to the parental consent form that must be completed for each student in the household by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Read the Notice in English and Complete the Form | Lea el aviso en inglés y complete el formulario
Congratulations to Melissa High School senior Gavin Spann on being named a recipient of the Dave Campbell’s Most Driven Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by Higginbotham! Gavin is one of just 11 finalists selected across the state for this award. He was recognized for his leadership in the classroom and was presented with a check during the Melissa vs. Frisco Centennial game. We are proud to celebrate Gavin and this well-deserved recognition of his accomplishments in the classroom and in athletics! 🌟🏈
🚨 Cardinal Nation, tomorrow is the big day! We can’t wait to see our community come together and show off their Cardinal spirit at the Community Parade and Pep Rally! Check the map for parking and the parade route around Coach Kenny Deel Stadium, then join us for a spectacular evening of family fun, tradition, and pride. 🎉
🔗 For more information, visit www.melissaisd.org/homecoming
🔗 For more information, visit www.melissaisd.org/homecoming
Great Day! ☀️
Aramark, our new food service provider, is seeking feedback from parents and students on school breakfast and lunch options and our students’ overall dining experience. The survey is brief, and responses are anonymous unless you choose to provide your information. The survey will close Sunday, Oct. 4. Take the survey here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/dp3QbwqHk5
Melissa High School invites you to celebrate Homecoming Week, Oct. 5-9, with spirit-filled dress-up days. Each day is a chance to show your Cardinal pride, make memories, and join in the tradition!
Melissa Homecoming Week is just around the corner, October 5-10, 2026. We invite the community and all Cardinals to join in the fun! The festivities kick-off Monday with themed dress-up days, followed by the Homecoming parade and Community Pep Rally on Wednesday. The week wraps up with the Melissa Homecoming football game against the Frisco Centennial Titans on Friday, Oct. 9. For all the details for the Homecoming Celebration events, visit www.melissaisd.org/homecoming.
Superintendent Keith Murphy and staff visited with Melissa High School CTE Marketing students today to serve as the official “client” for an upcoming marketing project. As part of the project, students will use the information provided by their client to develop marketing strategies based on real needs and goals. It’s an opportunity to take what they’re learning in the classroom and put it into practice through a real-world marketing project. We can’t wait to see what this student marketing team creates and share it with our community! 🌟
Our Melissa ISD Emergent Bilingual Department was excited to host their first EB PreK Parent Meeting! Families learned practical strategies they can use at home to help their children feel prepared, confident, and ready to succeed in school. By partnering with our families early, we’re laying the foundation for language development, school readiness, and future academic success. A strong start today helps build successful learners for tomorrow! 🌟✏️
🚨 Cardinal Fans, Red Nation Outfitters is coming to YOU! Stop by their kiosk at Coach Kenny Deel Stadium during every home varsity game!
Red Nation Outfitters is a student-run retail business operated by Melissa High School’s Marketing and Entrepreneurship Practicum students. Shop for Cardinal gear directly from our student entrepreneurs!
Can’t make it to a home game? The RNO store is also open on the MHS campus by the front office Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., except on home game days. You can also shop online at www.melissaisd.org/rno.
Red Nation Outfitters is a student-run retail business operated by Melissa High School’s Marketing and Entrepreneurship Practicum students. Shop for Cardinal gear directly from our student entrepreneurs!
Can’t make it to a home game? The RNO store is also open on the MHS campus by the front office Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., except on home game days. You can also shop online at www.melissaisd.org/rno.
Get ready to toss, play & give back at the Melissa Education Foundation’s Fall Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, October 24, at the Z-Plex Tennis Courts in Melissa. The event will feature cornhole, bounce houses, raffles, food, drinks, and family fun, with proceeds supporting Melissa ISD students and teachers. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and start at $500. Visit www.melissaeducationfoundation.com for all the details.
Congratulations to Melissa High School senior Asher Carleton on being named a recipient of the Dave Campbell’s Scholar Athlete Award, presented by Jimmy Dean® Brands! Asher was recognized for his commitment to academics and excellence on the field. He and a student-athlete from Denton Guyer were presented with checks during the Melissa vs. Denton Guyer game. We are proud to celebrate Asher and this well-deserved recognition of his accomplishments both in the classroom and in athletics!
The Melissa Education Foundation’s mission is to enhance the lives of Melissa ISD Students through student scholarships, teacher grants, and other educational experiences. Congratulations to these incredible educators who were celebrated this week for receiving a MEF Teacher Grant.
Thank you to everyone who came out to Melissa ISD’s Elementary PTO’s Fill the Backpack Event on Sunday and helped make the afternoon a success!
This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors, the hard work of our volunteers, and everyone who donated school supplies and their time. The event was made possible through the leadership of CRA PTO President Angela Thomason and the collaboration of all Melissa ISD elementary PTOs, with sponsors who stayed to volunteer and help serve Melissa ISD families throughout the event.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, all 600 backpacks donated by Verizon Melissa were filled with school supplies and are ready to help students start the new school year.
Fill the Backpack Sponsors: Verizon Melissa, DJ Smiley, Onyx Moon Baking Co., Sugar Land Gluten Free, Comet Cleaners, inlife WELLNESS, Loven Made, Cardinal Carriers Express, Carrus Health – Behavioral Health Hospital, Ash & Sage Sauna Spa, Christian Brothers Automotive, South State Bank.
To help ensure backpacks reach families who would benefit most, Melissa ISD families needing assistance with school supplies are encouraged to complete the form at: https://forms.gle/LdFcqsS5k4adrmxMA.
This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors, the hard work of our volunteers, and everyone who donated school supplies and their time. The event was made possible through the leadership of CRA PTO President Angela Thomason and the collaboration of all Melissa ISD elementary PTOs, with sponsors who stayed to volunteer and help serve Melissa ISD families throughout the event.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, all 600 backpacks donated by Verizon Melissa were filled with school supplies and are ready to help students start the new school year.
Fill the Backpack Sponsors: Verizon Melissa, DJ Smiley, Onyx Moon Baking Co., Sugar Land Gluten Free, Comet Cleaners, inlife WELLNESS, Loven Made, Cardinal Carriers Express, Carrus Health – Behavioral Health Hospital, Ash & Sage Sauna Spa, Christian Brothers Automotive, South State Bank.
To help ensure backpacks reach families who would benefit most, Melissa ISD families needing assistance with school supplies are encouraged to complete the form at: https://forms.gle/LdFcqsS5k4adrmxMA.
To help families prepare for the 2026-2027 school year, Melissa ISD will host a Back-to-School Vaccination Clinic on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at East Cardinal Middle School. Registration is not required. For more information, visit www.melissaisd.org/immunizations
